Raising Healthy Children

One of the greatest legacies any parent can give a child is a framework for living an enduring healthy lifestyle. It is hard to underestimate the power parents have on their children’s development, which is why parenting is such a profound responsibility. The attitudes and habits formed in childhood can determine your child’s health in … Read more

Avoiding Cognitive Decline

Of those aged 65 and older, 15 to 20 percent have mild cognitive impairment. People living with mild cognitive impairment are more likely to develop Alzheimers, and almost two-thirds of people currently living with Alzheimers are women.1 There are three basic forms of cognitive decline associated with aging:2 Age-related changes in memory, which are a … Read more

Debt Stress

The average American owes $52,940 in debt. Of that $52,940, $36,730 is from mortgage debt, $5,730 is from student loans, and $5,000 is from auto loans. Little wonder that money worries can be a major cause of stress.1 THE LINK BETWEEN STRESS AND HEALTH Humans have an innate response called “flight or fight.” It is … Read more

Changing Unhealthy Behaviors

Most Americans know the fundamentals of good health: exercise, proper diet, sufficient sleep, regular check-ups, and no smoking or excessive alcohol. Yet, despite this knowledge, changing existing behaviors can be difficult. Look no further than the New Year Resolution, 80% of which fail by February.1 Generally, negative motivations are inadequate to effect change. (“I need … Read more

Please Leave Home Without It

Concerns over identity theft continue to grow, especially with the news of data breaches at major companies and financial institutions. Unfortunately, you have little control over when a company is hacked, but you do have control over your own actions. TEN THINGS TO LEAVE AT HOME Social Security Card – A Social Security card may be … Read more

Stop Wasting Money

Benjamin Franklin once said, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” One way to find the money to meet your spending or saving needs is to examine your current spending habits and consider eliminating money wasters. TOP MONEY WASTERS Bargain Shopping…and its Expensive Cousin, Impulse Buying:Fire sales and impulse buying (such as products sold on … Read more

Saving on Subscription Service Costs

The cost of subscription services can be pricey over time, especially if you have more than one or forget about them over time. WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES Take advantage of free trials. They may be as short as one week or up to 30 days. But don’t forget to cancel if the subscription … Read more

The Financial Literacy Crisis

Imagine driving a car without a basic understanding of the rules of the road or even how to operate it. Scary thought. Here’s another scary circumstance – one that is all too real. Many Americans are making financial decisions with minimal financial knowledge of investing, budgeting, and credit. The TIAA Institute conducted a survey on … Read more

A Cheat Sheet for Sending Your Kid to College

College marks a great milestone in a child’s life. It may be the first time he or she will live away from home. Dropping off your child at college may be an experience loaded with emotions, so here are a few tips for a smoother transition. ACCEPT THAT THE PARENT-CHILD DYNAMIC HAS CHANGED Your child … Read more

Personal Finance Tips for Military Families

One study found that military personnel have more credit problems and are more likely to make a late house payment than their civilian counterparts.¹ While the financial situation of military personnel and their families mirrors the general population in many respects, heavy indebtedness and mismanagement of credit cards may be especially acute issues for service … Read more

Prevent a Rift: Money Tips for Newlyweds

Research suggests that 70% of married millennial couples argue about financial decisions more than any other topic. This could explain why some experts say financial problems are one of the top reasons marriages fail.1,2 Fortunately, when couples work together to address their finances, they may be able to mitigate many of the problems money may … Read more

Putting a Price Tag On Your Health

We hear over and over again how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But being healthy for its own sake isn’t easy—especially when you’re facing down temptation or battling procrastination. For some, the monetary benefits of a healthy lifestyle may offer helpful incentive. Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may … Read more