Saturday, January 24, 2026
Home Blog Page 4607

Your financial new year

By
University of Missouri
-
0

Adapted from MU Office for Financial Success Finance Tip of the Week blog post by Robert Weagley, Ph.D., Department Chair, Personal Financial Planning, University of Missouri Extension

Karen Blumenthal, a financial journalist for more than 25 years, wrote an article for The Wall Street Journal based on the holidays of the year and actions that people can take related to each holiday to fix their finances. It’s a good way to remember to “check in” with your finances throughout the year.

In a similar vein, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) released their survey of the financial New Year’s resolutions of 6,100 households. The NFCC found that the number one New Year’s resolution for households ranked as follows, each with the percentage that chose that action as their number one resolution.

  • Decrease debt: 76%
  • Improve my credit score: 11%
  • Decrease dependence on credit cards: 7%
  • Increase savings: 6%

While decreasing debt is certainly admirable and some would say reducing debt is a form of savings (as it improves one’s net-worth), the fact that only 6 of 100 households ranked increasing savings as their number one priority for the new year is disheartening. With the economic upheaval we have endured for the past few years, one would think increasing savings would be a high-ranking goal to provide some financial stability in case of job loss or other issues. While it is challenging to accomplish, most financial planners suggest that we should save at least 10 percent of our income for retirement, emergency planning, college savings and other goals. Since most of us still aren’t making saving a priority, here are some things we can do throughout the year (based on Blumenthal’s article) to keep our finances in order.

  • New Year’s Eve/Day – Vow to increase your rate of savings. Have money automatically deducted from your paycheck and put in your retirement plan, your savings account, your money market fund or other accounts dedicated to your goals. Do this today, if you haven’t started already.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – To celebrate the diversity of our country, review your investment plan to make sure it is diversified – across sectors, industries, market-capitalization, countries, etc.
  • Presidents’ Day – Reduce your borrowing.

For the complete list of recommended actions you should take throughout the year, read the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/financearticles/cfe80.htm

Weight management: Avoiding portion distortion in the new year

By
University of Missouri
-
0

Christeena Haynes, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Dallas County, University of Missouri Extension

Many people’s resolutions relate to weight loss and healthy eating habits. To help manage your weight throughout the entire year, it is important to use portion control. Apply the following tips to avoid falling into the portion distortion trap in the new year.

  • When eating at home, read food labels and pay attention to serving sizes as well as number of servings in a package. Purchase pre-packaged single-serving foods, such as applesauce cups, or buy in bulk and then package single serving sizes of those foods yourself to help prevent you from overeating. Eating on a smaller plate is also an easy way to cut down on consumption.
  • When eating at a restaurant, split your meal with someone or take half home for your next meal. Another option is to order a half-portion or an appetizer as your meal. Many times dishes served at restaurants are much larger than we need, so not only do these methods help us eat in moderation, but they save us money as well. Avoid “super-sizing” your order at fast food restaurants even if it seems like a better deal.

For more tips, read the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut417.htm

Tips for your New Year’s resolutions

By
University of Missouri
-
0
Photo credit: Kat

Tammy Roberts, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Bates County, University of Missouri Extension

It’s that time of year when we think about changes we want to make in our lives. For many people, those resolutions include a vow to eat healthy, exercise and/or lose weight.

Before you start thinking about how to make your change and assure it happens, you have to figure out what changes you want to make. Be realistic about changes you will be able to make. People who set a specific goal (I will walk 30 minutes most days) have a much better chance at being successful than people who set a more general goal (I’m going to get in shape.) People who make one or two changes at a time are also more likely to be successful than those who try to change everything all at once.

Here are some suggestions for habits that can make a positive impact on your health:

  • Eat breakfast
  • Drink three cups of low-fat or fat-free milk every day
  • Decrease sodium to no more than 2400 milligrams per day
  • Decrease fat to no more than 30 percent of your total calories (around 67 milligrams)
  • Drink 6-8 cups of water per day
  • Eliminate or decrease soda

It takes at least 21 days to change a habit. Some things that will help you stay on target with making positive changes in your life include…

To learn more about how to make healthy habits stick, read the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut246.htm

Living smart to protect your heart

By
Editor
-
0

(Family Features) When it comes to recognizing and responding to the signs of a heart attack, early action can make the difference between life and death. But action even earlier to improve lifestyle and eating habits can make a big difference, too.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports about 25 percent of all deaths each year in the United States can be attributed to heart disease, making it the single largest killer of both men and women. Taking a preventive approach and making healthy choices can help manage your risk for a heart attack and other forms of heart disease.

 

Help protect your heart with these healthy lifestyle tips from the CDC:

 

Manage medical conditions. Certain diseases and health conditions are known to put you at greater risk for developing heart disease, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Follow your doctor’s guidance to gain control of any medical issues early on.

 

Pay attention to what you eat. This means not only eating plenty of healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, but also reducing or eliminating less healthy options. Foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high blood cholesterol.

 

One good option to start your day right is whole grain cereal. In fact, according to a recent survey, nine out of 10 doctors would recommend Post Shredded Wheat as part of a low sodium, healthy diet to help maintain a healthy heart, reduce the risk of heart disease and support healthy blood pressure levels.

 

Maintain a healthy weight. Exceeding your ideal weight range for your height puts you at greater risk for heart disease. Check with your doctor to determine whether your weight is in a healthy range. This can generally be determined by calculating your body mass index (BMI). If you are in an overweight or obese range, seek help from nutrition specialists to establish an eating plan that works best for you.

 

Get moving. Exercise not only helps with managing your weight, it can also help with other problems, like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. While adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, at least five days a week, you should consult your doctor before starting any exercise plan.

 

Eliminate or reduce unhealthy habits. Smoking raises your risk of heart disease. If you are a smoker, a physician can assist you in finding a smoking cessation program for your needs, and many insurance companies now cover these treatments. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption can raise your blood pressure, which in turn escalates your chances of heart disease.

 

Visit www.PostShreddedWheat.com for more heart-healthy tips.

 

 

Celebrations big or small

By
Editor
-
0

Delicious wines for any event

 

(Family Features) Life is full of celebrations, especially during the festive holiday season. From small gatherings with co-workers to large family parties, having the right wine to give or to serve is the best way to make every occasion merry.

To make your next event special, make sure to select a quality, award-winning wine. Created to guide wine enthusiasts towards the very best, the 100-point scale recognizes wines with 90 points or more as excellent selections. Each of the following wines has earned this distinction, and is paired with a well-suited celebration or special occasion. Use this guide to help make your holiday season even more festive and flavorful.

 

Gift-giving occasions. Whether offered as a holiday present for a friend or a thoughtful hostess gift, little shows your appreciation – and your good taste – quite like a great bottle of wine.

 

  • White wine selection. For white wine lovers, William Hill Estate’s 2012 Napa Valley Chardonnay[i] offers smooth, rich character perfectly suited to winter months. This 91-point selection is a sought-after bottle that white wine enthusiasts will love.

 

  • Red wine selection. For those favoring bold reds, Louis M. Martini’s 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon[ii] is another 91-point winner. Crafted from superb Napa soil to showcase the depth and complexity of this classic varietal, it’s an expressive red wine with sophisticated depth of flavor.

 

Formal holiday settings. Many holiday occasions call for an elegant touch. When dining with the boss or colleagues, set the tone by serving a distinctive wine like the 2012 MacMurray Estate Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir[iii]. From an award-winning collection, this nuanced red wine offers layered, elegant flavors of red fruit and spice.

 

Holiday brunches. For daytime holiday festivities, opt for a classic white wine that pairs well with lighter midday fare. The 2011 Frei Brothers Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay[iv] delivers delicious flavors of baked apple and lemon zest and is made with fruit from a celebrated, cool-climate winegrowing region near the Pacific Ocean.

 

Festive feasts. Relax with family and friends this holiday over a delicious dinner paired with the 2012 Bridlewood Estate Winery Central Coast Blend 175[v]. Inspired by the relaxed lifestyle of California’s Central Coast, this rich, full-bodied red is crafted from Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Viognier grapes and wraps up with a lingering finish. Cap off a great holiday with this 90-point winner.

 

With a holiday schedule brimming with social engagements and gatherings, be sure you’re prepared for the season with wonderful wines to accompany every occasion. After all, nothing complements a great celebration like a well-selected glass of wine. For these and more wines that will make your holiday a hit, visit www.thebarrelroom.com.

 

 

[i] 91 points, EDITORS’ CHOICE (April 2014)

[ii] 91 points, Wine Review Online (August 2013)

[iii] 90 points, The Tasting Panel (March 2014)

[iv] 90 points, The Tasting Panel (June 2014)

[v] 90 points BEST BUY, Wine Enthusiast (August 2014)

1...4,6064,6074,608...4,782Page 4,607 of 4,782

Kansas News, Auctions & Classifieds

Trending

Categories

© Rural Messenger