take a moment
 Volume 8 January
2008Important Reminder: Many users and ISPs have adding SPAM filters to their computers or mail servers. Please remember to configure the filter to ALLOW email from take-a-moment.com domain, or you will not be able to receive your newsletter. (Also, AOL users that opt to not receive html email or email that includes pictures will also find their email is undelivered.) Welcome to TAKE-A-MOMENT! The Take-A-Moment newsletters strive to provide quick-to-read content to improve and enhance the quality of life at home and in the work place...for when you can "take-a-moment" from your hectic schedule. Take-a-Moment is provided by the Louisville Area Cooperative Extension Agents. When you have "more-than-a-moment" visit our web site for expanded articles, article archives, sign-up and contact information, and links to other web sites of interest. ("Netiquette" statement is at the end of this email, see below.) Did You Know...? Yeah! TAKE-A-MOMENT Newsletters has received the C O N T E N T S
STAIN REMOVAL Fresh stains are always easier to remove than old ones and drying in the dryer or ironing may make some stains impossible to
FINANCIAL FITNESS For many, nothing said the holidays more than shopping: hitting the sales, taking in the sights, searching for the perfect gift for everyone on your list. But many of us shopped ourselves into more debt than we can handle. This year, resolve to keep your expenses in check and your credit intact—it’s a gift you’ll appreciate the whole year through. Check out 51 Ways to Save Hundreds on Loans and Credit Cards from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Federal Citizen Information Center to get advice you can use now and to start the new year off right. One of the best things you can do whenever you shop is set a budget for yourself. Decide how much you can spend, and don’t go over that limit. If you’ll be paying for items with plastic, look at how much you already owe on your cards. One of the quickest ways to run up debt is to only pay the minimum amount owed on your credit cards. Late fees add up, too, and so does going over your credit limit. 51 Ways to Save has other helpful tips for paying less in credit card fees and interest so you’ll have more to keep for yourself. If you’re looking for quick cash for a shopping trip, proceed with caution. A car title loan or a payday loan can get you money fast, but it comes at a steep price—the interest rate on a payday loan can be as high as 391 percent! Instead, try starting a savings account where you can put just a little bit from each paycheck throughout the year. By the time the holiday season rolls around next year, you’ll have saved plenty for gifts, and you can borrow from yourself interest free. If you’re considering other loan options for extra cash (like a home equity loan), make sure to check out 51 Ways to Save to learn how to shop for the best deal, compare Annual Percentage Rates (APR), and read the fine print to save even more. This coming year, make good credit management the gift you give yourself. You’ll be able to use it now and for years to come—and who can say that about the latest toy or gotta-have outfit? .
KIDS KORNER Many parents are concerned that their child may not be eating well and wonder if a vitamin supplement is necessary. According to child nutrition experts, it probably is not. If the child is being provided a nutritionally adequate diet, he or she will not need to take vitamin-mineral supplements. The parent or care provider's role is to provide nutritious food for the child at meals and snack times. The child determines how much of the food he or she will eat. The seemingly small amount of food a child eats probably supplies adequate nutrition. If you are concerned about your child's diet, talk with your health care provider.
FAMILY LIFE Most older people can remain intellectually sharp late into their lives, but doing so requires two things. First, you need to believe in your ability to maintain mental alertness, and then remain optimistic and confident. Next, you need to regularly exercise your mental talents just as you need to exercise your body to stay in peak physical condition. One of the greatest fears of many older people is the loss of mental competence. Although obviously a possibility for some, both middle-agers and elders often worry excessively about this occurring. Too often we believe we are becoming forgetful, and then point to perfectly natural lapses in memory as proof that senility is setting in. With frequent use and practice, older persons can significantly improve their cognitive functioning. Activities such as reading, word games and stimulating conversation aid our mental abilities.
NUTRITION & WHAT'S COOKING Were you one of the many who spent your holiday season gorging on extra calories? It is so easy to do as extra calories are easy to get just by taking a few extra bites here and there. Try this quiz to test your knowledge about whether you need to spend time in the new year to reduce!!
How did you do on the quiz? If you did not get all the answers correct you will now know what changes you need to be making in your diet. Now... check your answers. 1. C
HOME TIPS There are quite a few things you can do to save on energy costs but still be comfortable in your home. They may sound simple, but they work! First, turn down the thermostat! A general rule of thumb is that you can save about 3 percent on your heating bill for every degree you set back your thermostat full-time. If you have a gas furnace, you can turn down the thermostat 10 degrees when you go to work and again when you go to bed -- a total of 16 hours a day -- and you can save about 14 percent on your heating bill. It’s also a good idea to check the heating vents. Be sure they’re not blocked by rugs, furniture or draperies to prevent the heated air from circulating efficiently. Next, use fans wisely. Kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans serve a good purpose so be sure to use them. However, turn them off as soon as they’ve done their job. Left on for just one hour, a hard-working ventilation exhaust can force out a houseful of warm air and bring in cold air that must be heated. If you have ceiling fans, be sure they are set to push warm air down into the room. Remember, warm air rises and if you have high ceilings, use the fan to help distribute the warm air throughout the room. Another easy savings is to turn down the hot water heater. Lowering the temperature in the water heater to 115-120 degrees reduces power use without a noticeable difference to the user. Reference: Saving Energy in Your Home, UK Cooperative Extension Service
WAYS TO WELLNESS There may be some vegetables you have never tasted. Your children may have not tried many vegetables. Did you know that research suggests that a child may need to try a new food 10 to 15 times before accepting it as a welcome part of their diet? So keep trying new vegetables prepared different ways. Here are some ideas to help you get color into your diet:
You can save money and get a good variety in your diet by shopping for fresh vegetables first. Then stock up on sale items in the canned and frozen food sections of the grocery. There are many tasty ways to add colorful vegetables to your meals. People who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables tend to weigh less and to be healthier than those who don’t. So give your diet a makeover and discover some new vegetables. Source: Janet Tietyen, Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture.
IN THE WORK PLACE Getting yourself, your family and your office organized is not all that difficult, but it does take a little time and good organizational skills. The management process involves designing a method or strategy for reaching your goals. This process involves:
Successful managers are well organized. They know that to get necessary tasks completed, they must set priorities and develop plans. They develop systems that help them in managing both their home and work environments. Establishing a routine will help you do things more quickly. Spend some time thinking about all the things that need to be done in the morning. Can some of the activities be done the night before, such as making lunches or choosing what to wear. Other helpful hints are getting rid of clutter, finding storage and making a "To Do List." Organizing a home and office requires time and energy, but pays off quickly! If your like our newsletter, tell your friends to sign-up at:
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