March has been officially designated as National Nutrition Month since 1973. It’s an annual campaign founded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. All month, everyone is encouraged to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. It’s a time to remember that the foods we eat affect our health! You can choose to commemorate this month by researching nutritious meal plans, attending cooking classes, reading books about nutrition, or practicing mindful eating by limiting screen time during meals.
If you think Short-Term Care Insurance (STC) might not be for you, you may want to think again. STC helps cover the kind of care you might need if you’re temporarily unable to manage everyday tasks on your own. For example, after an injury or surgery, STC can cover a stay in an assisted living facility, help from a home health aide, and even certain prescriptions. Without STC, you could face long-term financial strain that you’ll be paying for long after you’ve recovered. Many people believe that they can rely on Medicare to handle these types of expenses; however, benefits can actually be limited and conditional. STC is designed to help with exactly these situations, allowing you to avoid big out-of-pocket bills.
Want to learn more about STC? I’d be happy to chat and explore your options with you. Reply to this e-mail or give me a call anytime.
According to the National Council on Aging, there is a connection between poor sleep and poor well-being. Poor sleep can lead to unhealthy weight gain since sleep regulates hormones that tell your body when you’re hungry and signals when you feel full. Getting enough sleep is also important for your mental health, your immune system, and control over your emotions. The good news is that adopting a nighttime ritual can set the stage for a good night’s sleep. Older adults need a similar amount of sleep as all adults, seven to nine hours each night. To take steps to meet this goal, experts recommend reserving your bedroom as a place for sleep (avoid eating or using electronics in bed); creating a “wind down” ritual where you routinely journal or listen to relaxing music before lying down; and avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bedtime. It is also recommended that you stay physically and mentally active during the day, to the extent that you can, so that you are likely to be ready to sleep at night. Over time, you may notice that improving your sleep quality has also improved your overall quality of life!
If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you currently have an opportunity to review your coverage and switch to another plan or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare. That’s because the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is happening now until March 31. Even if you’ve been happy with what you have, it’s still a good idea to take a look at your options to avoid surprises and maybe even save money. Give me a call or click “reply” on this e-mail and we’ll make a plan to review your Medicare Advantage Plan together before the end of the month!
WANT SOMETHING EASY-YET-DELICIOUS FOR DINNER? A ONE-PAN RECIPE TO THE RESCUE!
A weeknight spring dinner should be quick, effortless, and delicious. Meals like this with fresh asparagus (the ultimate spring veggie!) and juicy garlic butter chicken save the day! Everything cooks in one pan in under 30 minutes for easy clean up, too. It also keeps well as leftovers in the refrigerator.
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
March 1, 1961 – U.S. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps, an organization sending young American volunteers to developing countries to assist with health care, education, and basic human needs.
March 4, 1933 – Newly-elected U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt took office and delivered his first inaugural address, which included the now-famous line, “Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself ...”
March 10, 1862 – The first issue of U.S. government paper money occurred as $5, $10, and $20 bills began circulation.
March 10, 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell made the first-ever phone call.
March 31, 1889 – France’s Eiffel Tower opened to the public and was ascended on foot for the first time.
MARCH CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Minnelli (March 12), Billy Crystal (March 14), Reese Witherspoon (March 22), Mariah Carey (March 27), Warren Beatty (March 30)
529 PLANS are tax-deferred savings plans designed to help pay for educational expenses. There are two basic types of plans: educational savings plans and prepaid tuition plans. In some states, qualified withdrawals for these costs aren’t subject to federal or state taxes.
The APPLICABLE FEDERAL RATE (AFR) is an interest rate index published monthly by the IRS, used to determine how much interest to charge on below-market loans. For example, when family members lend money to one another, they might issue a loan at a below-market rate. However, the IRS mandates a minimum interest rate that must be applied to a private loan: the AFR. Otherwise, both the lender and borrower could be liable for additional taxes and penalties.
A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA) is a legal contract that protects confidential information by preventing those who sign it from disclosing certain information to others. An NDA may also be referred to as a confidentiality agreement.
“I don’t think I’ll ever grow old and say, ‘What was I thinking eating all those fruits and vegetables?’.”
– Dr. Nancy S. Mure, American author and nutritionist
Let me help you take the next step for a more financially secure future.
Parkway Center - 875 Greentree Road - Bldg. 7, Suite 679
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Call: (412) 458-6726
Email: [email protected]
