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By: John Reese
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| Thursday, 11-Nov-2010 23:44 |
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Low-Fat And Cholesterol Diet
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Switching to a heart-healthy, low-fat and cholesterol diet actually allows some people to save money. Why? Because it steers people away from the butcher ($$$ and snack foods ($$$ into the produce aisle ($. Instead of spending $65 a bottle for diet pills, you can toss together a dinner of pasta (89 cents for a one-pound box), ), a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil (about 2 cents a tablespoon), a can of rinsed kidney beans (50 cents), and a bag of mixed frozen veggies (99 cents for 16 ounces) for $2.38. But here's the real bargain: The pasta dinner has no cholesterol and hardly any heart-unhealthy fat.
Here are some tips to help you to keep both your heart and your wallet healthy:
Tip 1:
Buy beans. They're a fabulous source of protein. Stock up on a few different varieties. If you buy beans in the bag and cook them yourself, they're even cheaper than the canned variety. Cut back on the amount of ground turkey or lean ground beef in chili or stew by adding more inexpensive, high fiber, low-fat beans.
Tip 2:
Don't pay for things you can do yourself. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are typically much more expensive than regular chicken breasts. Skin and bone the bird yourself and save big. If you need chicken for stir-fry, don't pay extra for chicken tenderloins: Slice your own out of chicken breasts.
Tip 3:
Buy fruit when it's in season. Buying cantaloupe in Maine in winter is like shopping at Tiffany's compared to buying tangerines, oranges, and bananas. If fresh fruit is out of your food budget during any particular week, mosey on over to the canned fruit aisle: Pineapples, pears, or peaches packed in juice are a sweet bargain.
Tip 4:
Buy bulk veggies. Don't pay extra for pre-washed, chopped salad mixes, or vegetables sticks. Buy heads of lettuce, broccoli, and bags of carrots, then make one weekend day "Veggie Laundry Day" to wash, clean, and slice the vegetables so they are ready for the week. Also, try frozen vegetables: They're convenient, but reasonably priced. Don't pay extra for frozen vegetable medleys. Instead, buy a few different bags of frozen veggies and make your own medley.
Tip 5:
Go crazy with pasta, which is as inexpensive as it is healthy. Don't pay extra for novelty shapes like bow ties and wagon wheels.
Tip 6:
Make your own desserts. Homemade puddings made with skim milk are much cheaper that the ready-to-serve variety. Oatmeal cookies and muffins made with vegetable oils are usually healthier and less expensive than the commerical ones. Angel food cake topped with fruit is, well, just heavenly. Buy the boxed angel food mix and bake your own. watching your weight
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| Sunday, 31-Oct-2010 15:09 |
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Just Landed In Vegas
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Landed in Vegas last Monday about 12:30am. By the way, I had one of the most enjoyable flights thanks to TWA. I'm going to check in to flying with them again. We had a movie, and were very comfortable. Caught a shuttle to Treasure Island and checked in. Flashed the desk clerk a 20 and asked for something with a hot tub.
She called up to see if there were any suites available. She said the only ones available for 3 days were the 400 dollar per night ones so I declined. Instead, she promised to move me from the 9th to the 29th floor the next day, and she comped me a bottle of champagne. It was worth it after seeing the view from the 9th floor. After we checked in, we went down the the casino for a while. At this point, I'd been up for over 24 hours and wanted some sleep, so we went up to bed.
Can you believe this, I couldn't sleep. Woke up after 4 hours and that was it. I felt like crap that morning, but we went on. Down to Mirage buffet for breakfast and then down the strip. We did a lot of window shopping this time, looking for items for the kids. We decided to get some poker game cards this trip so we signed up for 3. At Mirage, Treasure Island, and the Venetian.
My wife "borrowed" 20 bucks from me while I was playing craps and dropped in the slot machine and won over 200 bucks with it. After the second day, we were still doing ok. Wednesday, we walked down to the Excalibur because we'd never been down that far. It was a long walk and the weather was perfect the whole week. We decided to take a cab back to the hotel instead of walking it.
We also went through the shops at the Venetian that day, and decided to have dinner there. We went to WB Studio 16 at the Venetian. The resturant is decorated like the old Warner Bros. movie sets. Our "set" was from the movie Casablanca. Very nice, and the food was good. Afterwards, we went to the casino and signed up for players cards.
The lady said that after we played 20 of our dollars the machine would credit us with 10 more. I dumped 20 in and after 2 pulls hit 200 bucks. I decided to cash out. At that point, we were pretty much even. Decided to hit the tables and one was pretty hot. Played there and was up and down til finally it cooled off and I was down about 150.
After it was all said and done, we lost about 350. Very dissapointing. Not a lot of money, but not a lot of playing time either. I was chasing my money all week. Never did get in on a good long session at any table. In fact, at one point when everyone was crapping out I decided to play the dont's and then hit my point.
It just wasn't my week. For 350 though, it was worth it. Thursday took the bus to the outlet mall and spent more than that. The weather was beautiful, and we sat by the pool a couple of times and I told my wife, "I wish I had my cell phone so I could call somebody and say guess where I am." I was impressed with TWA. They had the nicest, newest planes I'd every been on. I'm sure I'll remember more details about my trip later. I was just happy being in Vegas. poker
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| Friday, 29-Oct-2010 01:33 |
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When You Resolve To Lose
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This year, instead of a vague resolve to "eat right, exercise more often and take a few meridia diet pills," focus your energies on accomplishing these realistic and achievable steps that will actually take you where you want to go. All together, they can put you in a much better place by this time next year.
Forget About Your Weight
Yes, that's what I said, because how you feel is more important than how much you weigh. If you forget about that number on the scale and set your sights on feeling healthy, feeling great, you'll be more satisfied with your results! For example, if you begin a schedule of rigorous weight training, you may see your weight on the scale go up. This is because muscle mass weighs more than fat. However, as those numbers on the scale creep up ever so slightly, the size of your jeans may decrease significantly and your energy levels and strength may double; and that is where your focus should be.
Once you have the attitudes and behaviors in place that are going to keep you feeling great, you will see your weight shift to a healthy range for you. Weight focus creates anxiety and is not necessarily the best way to gauge how well you are doing. The best part is this, because you aren't focusing on the scale, progress seems to happen more easily. To coin an old phrase: A watched pot never boils.
If You're Not Hungry, Don't Eat
This one is a no brainer, right? But many people have trouble knowing whether they are really hungry, or whether that feeling in the pit of their stomach is the result of emotional turmoil. During these periods, before you give in to that urge to eat , "go inside" and check out what you are really feeling. Are you angry, hurt, lonely, bored? Are you eating to soothe yourself or because your body truly needs nourishment? Will eating really take care of that feeling, or will it just cover it up for a while? In times of stress or emotional upheavals, it is important that you come up with ways to resolve or cope with your problems—like going for a walk, talking with a friend or writing in a journal—that don't make things worse. Oftentimes, remorse and guilt follow a stress induced binge.
Eat Regular, Balanced Meals and Snacks
Eat well-balanced meals or snacks every three to five hours. Aim for a balance of protein, carbohydrates and some fats at most meals. Opt for whole grain cereal with milk and fruit at breakfast; a turkey sandwich with a little mayonnaise and raw veggies (like baby carrots and broccoli heads) at lunch time; and spaghetti with meatballs, a salad and maybe a slice of bread for dinner. If you are really hungry between meals, add a little protein to your snack to increase its hunger taming abilities. For example, enjoy a little cheese or peanut butter with your usual apple. At all times, eat as much food as you need to feel satisfied. Stop eating when you begin to feel satisfied, not when you feel full. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to get the message that your stomach is full. Take your time when you eat too. A meal gobbled up in ten minutes, will not be as enjoyable as the one eaten in a 20 minute sitting. weight loss pill
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| Thursday, 28-Oct-2010 22:01 |
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Relaxation Response and Techniques
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The opposite of the stress response is the "relaxation response," a widely-used term coined by Herbert Benson, M.D. of the Harvard Medical School. Through a series of experiments, Dr. Benson was able to scientifically prove that a relaxed state can be achieved using various meditation techniques. Dr. Benson discovered that the relaxation response slows heart rate and breathing, decreases oxygen consumption, and lowers blood lactate, which indicates a reduction in anxiety.
According to Dr. Benson, two basic components are necessary to produce the relaxation response: the repetition of a word, sound, prayer, thought, phrase or muscular activity; and disregarding other thoughts that come to mind and passively return to the repetition.
Find the relaxation technique that works best for you. Many techniques are available to help us relax and reduce stress. The key is to find the ones that are right for you and practice them consistently.
Meditation
Among the many forms of meditation is one, devised by Dr. Herbert Benson, that can produce the relaxation response. The guidelines are simple:
1. Sit comfortably in a quiet place and close your eyes.
2. Relax your muscles and keep them relaxed.
3. Breathe naturally through your nose. Silently repeat a mantra -- a word, sound or phrase -- every time you exhale. "Om" is a common mantra.
4. Maintain a passive attitude. When distracting thoughts enter your mind, don't dwell on them. Let them go and return to your mantra. The more you practice, the longer you will be able to stay focused, enhancing your ability to produce the relaxation response.
5. Continue for 10 to 20 minutes. After you finish, sit quietly with your eyes closed for a few minutes. Then open your eyes and gradually stand up.
6. Meditate once in the morning and again later in the day.
Deep Breathing
Since stress often causes us to breathe more rapidly, deep breathing is a good technique to counter this negative effect and relieve tension. Whats more, it can also act like a magical pill for weight loss when performed correctly. Inhale slowly through your nose, expanding your abdomen. Slowly exhale through your mouth, pulling your abdomen muscles in to release all the air from your lungs.
Continue breathing this way until you establish a natural rhythm. In time, you will learn to always breathe like that and you'll find yourself more relaxed and energized.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation can be an effective therapy for stress symptoms such as migraine and tension headaches, hypertension, anxiety and insomnia. The objective is to reduce the tension in your muscles.
First, lie down in a quiet room with your arms at your sides. Tighten your facial muscles for five seconds, then relax. Tighten the muscles in your shoulders, your arms and your hands, then relax. Continue doing this with all the muscles of your body, from head to toe. Finally, lie still and breathe slowly. The calming benefits can be obtained in just 10 to 20 minutes. exercise to handle stress
Resources:
http://www.students.sonoma.edu/users/c/charlest/side-effects-modafinil.html
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| Monday, 18-Oct-2010 03:29 |
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How To Handle Your Debt Wisely
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Debt used to be a four-letter word. Paying by credit card seemed profligate. Getting a cash advance payday loan was unheard of. And personal bankruptcy made people ashamed. But today debt is commonplace.
Between 1990 and 1996, aggregate credit card debt more than doubled, according to the Consumer Federation of America. And this figure increased another 14% from the end of 1996 to September 1997 alone. We charge our groceries on our frequent-flier Visa cards, invest using margin accounts and borrow from our 401(k)s to pay for our children's education. Are we stupid?
Not necessarily. One reason debt has become more palatable is that the prime rate has fallen from 21.5% in 1980 to 8.5% today. At the same time, the stock market has had a seven-year bull run, with the S&P 500 averaging 19.18% annual gains since 1992. That has created an easy arbitrage. Borrow at 8%, invest at 19% and get rich. That is the secret of the booming hedge fund business.
But not everyone is balancing their payday loan debts and investments so successfully. In 1997, personal bankruptcy filings were nearly 55% higher than they were in 1991, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute. And that was a recession year. The credit card offers crowding our mailboxes (also induced by low interest rates) are too much for some individuals to handle.
Are you handling your debt wisely? Our Debt Management section will help you decide. Here we tackle the issue of whether you should pay off your debt. Sometimes the answer is obvious. Say, for instance that your choice is between paying off a 19% interest rate credit card and investing in an equity fund that has averaged 15% per year. Pay off your credit card, and you'll get a guaranteed 19% return.
But the answer is different if you are investing in a 401(k) with a company match. Say your firm contributes 50 cents for each $1 you invest. That's a guaranteed 50% return. A smart strategy would be to make the contribution, get the match, then borrow from your 401(k) account to pay off your credit card loan. For more, see Should I Borrow From a 401(k) to Pay Off My Debt?
And, unless you are 59 1/2 or older, it almost never makes sense to raid your IRA to pay off debt. Why? You will owe a 10% penalty and income taxes on all withdrawals except for funds held in a Roth IRA account for more than five years or the original contributions in a Roth IRA.
What's the real cost of your loan? It's probably more than you think. Carry a $5,000 balance for five years at 15%, and you will end up paying $2,137 in interest. You've just increased the cost of your purchase by 42%. To make your own calculation, see How Much Is My Loan Costing Me?.
In the coming weeks, we will add to our Debt Management section with features like calculators for comparing credit card offers and articles on other debt-related issues like bankruptcy.
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| Tuesday, 14-Sep-2010 04:08 |
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I need to ask you something
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"Hey Liz!"
Mark was waving from across the crowded room and hurrying in my direction. He looked even more distinguished than usual in the tuxedo he was wearing for his role as Master of Ceremony. The holiday fundraiser had been his idea, and since he was the head of the medical center, the majority of the guests appeared to be fellow doctors.
"I'm so glad you're here," he said, pulling me over to the side. "I need to ask you something."
"What?"
"Well, I figured if anyone would get offended by something I've planned tonight, it would be you." I raised my eyebrow suspiciously as he took a deep breath and continued. "I thought it would be a real money-maker if I auctioned off a date for tonight… it is New Years Eve after all. You know, we've got quite a few single doctors here."
"So, you're auctioning off a woman?"
"Right," confirmed Mark.
"Are you auctioning off any men?" I asked.
"I knew you'd ask me that," he sighed. "No, I couldn't find any. This was a last minute idea, and well… it's easier to find women who will do this than a man."
"What are you two over here whispering about," asked Bill, slipping an around my waist. Bill was a fellow gynecologist at the hospital and had been overtly flirting with me for months.
"One of Mark's charitable causes," I said, sarcastically. "He's trying to get one of his doctor's laid tonight."
"Are you looking for volunteers?" asked Bill, winking at me.
"Well, if you have your checkbook, you can volunteer yourself," explained Mark. "I'm going to auction off a date as part of the fundraiser."
"I don't suppose you'd be my date for free," asked Bill, pulling me closer to him.
"I'm sure I would cost a whole lot more than the woman he's auctioning off tonight." I ground my hip seductively into his side as an added tease.
"I'll pay anything," Bill added quickly, "just name the price."
"Hey," interrupted Mark, "You want to volunteer for the auction? We'd make a million."
"In your dreams," I laughed.
"So, you're okay with the auction thing?" asked Mark.
"Well, I think it should be balanced. You really should have a guy to auction as well."
"Yeah, I know…" agreed Mark.
"Hey, maybe Bill will volunteer," I suggested. Bill looked stunned as Mark and I looked to him for confirmation.
"Me?" he gasped. "I don't think so."
"Why not?" I asked.
"If I thought you'd buy me, I'd do it in a minute." He looked hungrily at my cleavage in the low-cut dress. "But I know I would probably end up with Marge over there or one of the lab techs."
We all laughed and then Mark asked again for my assurance. "So you're okay with this?"
"Why are you asking me, Mark? There are other women doctors here tonight."
"You're the rebel in the crowd and you know it," he answered. I knew exactly what he meant, but pretended complete ignorance.
"I have no idea what you mean."
Even Bill laughed at my answer. He still had his arm around my waist and I moved a step away causing him to let go.
"Well, let your conscious be your guide," I added. "But prepared for the consequences."
"What does that mean?" asked Mark.
"Nothing…" I winked at him mischievously.
"This is why I have an ulcer," groaned Mark. "Well, dinner's over and I need to get the ball rolling here. You two try to behave yourselves."
"Yes sir," I mocked.
"Except you," he said to Bill as we walked away. "You get your checkbook ready."
I turned to Bill and smiled. "Well, I'm going back to find my wine."
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
"Not at all, but I'm sitting with Mike and Tom." I knew he didn't get along with either one of them at the hospital, so socializing with them would be a stretch.
"Well, I'm in a charitable mood tonight," he said, motioning for me to lead the way.
As we neared the table, the other two doctors looked surprised to see Bill returning with me. They had both been dropping hints of taking me home after the dinner and now they probably thought they had another man to contend with. The truth was I had no intentions of spending the evening with either one of them.
"Have you been slumming again, Liz?" Mike's little joke had just the amount of venom I had expected.
"Why do you think I returned to your table dear?" I winked at Bill as we sat down and he poured us a couple glasses of wine. Mark was tapping on the microphone up on the stage and getting ready for his big event.
"You guys won't believe what he's got planned tonight," I said.
"What now?" asked Tom. "I hope he doesn't want more money. The two hundred to get in here tonight was enough."
Mark was trying to get everyone to quiet down and we all turned toward the stage.
"I want to thank you all for coming tonight," started Mark. "We've raised over twenty thousand dollars so far… and had a great dinner besides." Everyone applauded as he continued. "Someone… and I won't mention any names… had an idea for a way to raise a little more money tonight. I have to admit I'm a little concerned about how some of you might take this, so please keep the charity in mind as we continue."
He cleared his throat nervously and continued. "Well, we notice that quite a few of you young doctors don't have a date tonight, and well… it is New Year's Eve." He looked at his watched before he continued. "It's already ten o'clock. So if you want a date to kiss at midnight, you still might have a chance."
The crowd started to mumble as Mark turned toward the side of the stage. "Jenny, would you come out here please?"
A beautiful blond woman in a long, sexy dress walked out onto the stage. The wolf whistles came from around the room, including Mike and Tom, as she stood next to Mark and smiled at the audience.
"Whoa," groaned Bill.
"So what's a date worth to you these days?" I teased.
"Glad I have the over-draft protection," he sighed, keeping his eyes on Jenny.
"Well, Jenny assures me she's a great dancer, so who needs a dance partner for tonight? Someone give me a bid!"
"A hundred dollars!" shouted someone from the other side of the room.
"One-fifty!" yelled Mike. Bill and I turned and looked at him and he grinned sheepishly.
"Two hundred!" countered the man from across the room.
"Too steep for you?" I asked Bill.
"Not at all." He shuffled in his seat and leaned closer to me. "I've been to enough auctions to know when to get in and when to wait."
"Oh really?"
"Three hundred!" yelled Mike.
"Yes," whispered Bill. "Jumping in now would just raise the price, but if I wait until the bidding is just about over and then add a substantial amount on top of it, I will win. And, at a considerably lower price than if I had bid all along."
"Four hundred!" countered the man across the room.
"Fascinating," I whispered.
"Five hundred!" yelled Mike.
The crowd watched the two bidders like a tennis match and when the bidding slowed, Mark turned to Jenny and nodded. She pulled the side of her dress up and bent her leg, making the long slit in her dress part. Her shapely legs were donned in black stockings that were held by a garter belt. It was the kind of outfit normally reserved for hot free online porn starlets and sexy Las Vegas escorts. The crowd went wild.
"Six hundred!" yelled a man at the back of the room.
"Seven!" yelled Mike. Tom slapped him on the back laughing.
Jenny was really putting on a show, swinging her hips and encouraging the wolf whistles from the crowd as the bidding continued.
"Eight!" yelled the man across the room.
"One thousand dollars!" yelled Mike.
"One thousand!" repeated Mark. "Do I hear more?"
Suddenly the man in the back of the room was quiet and the crowd waited for another bid. Mark scanned the room and then turned to Jenny.
"Can you tell us something about yourself, Jenny?" he asked.
She leaned toward the microphone, and answered in her sexiest voice. "I'm very oral."
Bill suddenly stood up from his chair. "Two thousand!"
The crowd went wild with laughter as he sat back down. He looked at me and winked when no other bidders called out.
"Wow, two thousand dollars," repeated Mark. "Any other bids for this beautiful woman tonight?"
Everyone looked around the room and waited.
"Two thousand going once," warned Mark. "Going twice…"
I suddenly stood from my chair and shouted. "Three thousand!"
The room was dead silent for a moment and then suddenly went wild with laughter from watching the porno. Jenny grinned at me as I sat back down in my chair and leaned toward Bill. "Thanks for the tip," I whispered.
"Are you crazy?" he asked in disbelief.
"It's for a good cause, Bill." I laughed, turning my attention back toward the stage.
Mark was trying to compose himself, not sure how to continue. "Okay… wow… three thousand dollars. Anyone else want to top that?"
The room was filled with laughter and chatter, but no other bids surfaced. I looked at Bill and winked.
"Are you going to out bid me?" I asked.
"Actually, I'm more entertained at the thought of you with her than me."
"Okay, three thousand going once…" said Mark. "Going twice…. Sold to Dr. Liz Green for three thousand dollars."
I rose from my chair and walked to the stairs at the side of the stage where Jenny was descending. We both giggled as I took her hand and led her back toward the table.
"Hi," she whispered. "I can't believe you did that!"
"I hope you don't mind."
"Are you kidding?" she laughed. "I think it's great!"
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| Wednesday, 8-Sep-2010 03:05 |
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Went to get a cash advance today!
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Went to get a payday loan today and just realized that neighborhood check cashers are commanding ever steeper fees for their services and many have moved into a hot sideline business: making cash advances at sky-high interest rates. It might be better to start looking at taking out payday loans online rather than just depending on a local chain store.
While the number of check-cashing outlets nationwide has more than doubled in the last decade to 5,400 in all, the average cost of cashing a paycheck has surged by 44 percent, according to a report by the Consumer Federation of America.
When the loan is due to be repaid, the balance and fee(s) must be paid in full. The borrower may pay the money back by replacing the check with cash or by allowing the check to be deposited (so that funds will be withdrawn from his or her checking account). If the borrower cannot repay the loan at the time it is due, he or she may elect to pay only the finance charge and roll over (or renew) the loan for another pay period (at which point another finance charge will be applied).
In spite of its apparent convenience, a payday loan is extremely expensive: the fee associated with borrowing the money is many times higher than the amount a traditional lender would charge in interest. There is much debate about whether payday lending offers a beneficial resource to its customers or whether it preys upon and worsens the circumstances of those who are already financially vulnerable.
The companies, which cash checks with a total face value of more than $45 billion a year, have been increasingly extending so-called "payday loans" at triple-digit annual rates. The short-term credit arrangements tide over consumers who are strapped for cash until their next paychecks arrive.
"The bankless and underbanked pay a very high price for the convenience of services sold by check cashing outlets," said Jean Ann Fox, director of consumer protection for the coalition of consumer groups.
"No area of financial services is in greater need of effective consumer protection," Fox said.
Fox noted increasing concern about a two-tiered system, where the affluent are served by federally insured and regulated banks while poor and moderate income consumers are turning to check cashers.
Since 1987, the cost of cashing Social Security checks has jumped 37 percent at the check-cashing outfits, the group said. Cashing a personal check costs 100 percent more than it did a decade ago, according to the group's survey.
The average cost of cashing a paycheck stood at about 2.3 percent, or $7.49 for a $320 paycheck. The cost of cashing a personal check was much higher, an average of nearly 9.4 percent, or $14.04 for a $150 check, the survey showed.
The Consumer Federation surveyed 111 check cashing operations in Houston and 22 other large cities.
ACE Cash Express, based in Irving, is the nation's largest check-cashing chain, with 601 outlets. During the nine months ending March 31, ACE cashed nearly 6.7 million checks with a total face value of $1.9 billion, the Consumer Federation said.
An ACE spokeswoman declined to comment on the report, referring calls to the Hackensack, N.J.-based National Check Cashers Association.
"No one forces anyone to use a check casher - there are many alternatives," the trade group said in a written statement. "Many more paychecks and Social Security checks are cashed by supermarkets and other retailers. ... There is no monopoly here."
The trade group pointed to a study that found 67 percent of check-cashing customers also use banks.
Eighteen states regulate check cashing operations, and 12 of those states cap fees charged to consumers. Texas is not among these states.
The consumer group took aim at payday loans, a phenomenon it likened to the turn-of-the-century practice of "loan sharks."
In such a payday loan, a consumer writes a check for $115, for example, and receives $100 in cash. The check casher in turn agrees to hold off cashing the check until payday. A consumer can choose to "roll" it over by paying another fee to extend the loan, a process that can become extremely costly over time.
The group said a class-action lawsuit in Tennessee describes borrowers who renewed cash advance loans 20 to 29 times. One plaintiff "rolled over" loans 24 times in 15 months, borrowing a total of $400 and paying $1,364 while still owing $248.
To save money and reduce fees paid for cashing checks, the consumer group urged consumers to do the following:
Maintain a low-cost or free checking account or savings account at a bank or credit union.
If possible, take a check to the bank on which it was drawn. The bank must cash the check if adequate identification is shown, even if the person presenting the check does not have an account there.
Avoid payday loans for emergency credit. Credit cards and overdraft protection on checking accounts, although expensive, are a "better buy," the group said.
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