There’s no doubt about it ‒ it’s officially autumn! Read on to learn more about an important global health initiative that happens in October every year: Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You’ll also find out what to do to make the most of Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, the facts about daily naps, how to make healthy muffins that are really pumpkin to talk about, some interesting historical facts about October, and so much more.
Every October, the world comes together for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The goal is to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects an estimated 2.4 million women globally each year, according to the World Health Organization. Recognized by its signature pink color, this month is filled with various programs organized by a wide range of groups, from breast cancer advocacy organizations to local communities and major retailers. Susan G. Komen, one of the leading breast cancer research and advocacy organizations, encourages you to use this month as an opportunity to assess your personal risk and screening options with your doctor, take immediate action if you’re experiencing anything abnormal, participate in fundraising efforts for research and legislative action, and offer support to the people in your life whose lives have been impacted. No one should walk this path alone. With every shared story, scientific breakthrough, and early detection, the hope is that awareness turns into action … and action turns into hope for a brighter outlook.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is your once-a-year chance to review and make changes to your Medicare coverage. That means if you want to explore new coverage options, switch plans, or adjust your current benefits, the time is now. Even if you’re satisfied with your current coverage, it’s still smart to take a quick look to see if you could save money or find an even better fit for the coming year. Remember that plans can change from year to year, so you’ll want to avoid any last-minute surprises. The AEP window runs from October 15 to December 7 only, so give me a call or respond to this e-mail to make sure we schedule your annual review now.
Have you ever found yourself gravitating toward the couch after lunch or felt your eyelids start to feel heavy as you head toward the bedroom during the day? If so, this is a normal part of getting older. According to the National Council on Aging, midday napping is not automatically a sign of laziness or decline. Many older adults find it not just appealing, but necessary as the years go by. This can be attributed to a number of reasons, from natural changes in sleep patterns and energy levels to certain health conditions. Experts say that an intentional nap in the early afternoon can improve concentration and memory, reduce feelings of irritability, and help your body recover from poor nighttime sleep. However, experts also point out that napping can become problematic if your naps last longer than one hour, you nap late in the afternoon or evening, you become dependent on naps to get through each day, you start to doze off during conversations, you nap out of boredom and not tiredness, or if you’ve become unable to sleep at night. In these cases, talk to your health care provider to explore the possible causes. The bottom line is that it’s normal and even beneficial to take a quick, planned snooze or even designate a short time to simply lie down during the day. Rest assured that you’re not alone!
Annuities are a valuable part of any retirement plan because they guard you against two major risks: longevity risk and market risk. Longevity risk ‒ running out of money during retirement ‒ is a legitimate concern for many retirees. However, with an annuity that has lifetime income provision, you’ll have the peace of mind of a consistent income stream for life. Knowing that you’ll have regular income can help you create a budget for your retirement years. Plus, market risk is not a concern with an annuity. In the event of a sustained market downturn, your annuity is protected because the risk is shifted to the underwriter. Your funds accrue on a tax-deferred basis as well.
Want to learn more about annuities? Reach out to me anytime. Since there are many different types, I can talk you through it all and work to achieve your goals.
THEY’RE LIGHT, EASY TO MAKE, AND JUST AS DELICIOUS AS THEIR COFFEE SHOP COUNTERPARTS ‒ CHECK OUT THESE HEALTHY PUMPKIN MUFFINS!
These one-bowl pumpkin muffins are naturally sweetened and made with whole wheat grains. They use real pumpkin and warm, autumn spices. Fluffy and delicious, they have the magical power to convert “healthy muffin” skeptics into fans!
INGREDIENTS:
INSTRUCTIONS:
October 1, 1908 – Henry Ford’s Model T, a car designed for the masses, went on sale for the first time.
October 2, 1968 – California’s Redwood National Park was established. Redwoods are the tallest of all trees, growing up to 400 feet during a lifetime that can span 2,000 years.
October 6, 1927 – The first “talkie” opened in New York. The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson was the first full-length feature film using spoken dialogue.
October 13, 1775 – The United States Navy was born after the Second Continental Congress authorized the acquisition of a fleet of ships.
October 21, 1915 – The first transatlantic radio voice message was created by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company from Virginia to Paris.
SOURCE: The History Place
OCTOBER CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Kelly Ripa (October 2), Susan Sarandon (October 4), John Mellencamp (October 7), Matt Damon (October 8), Julia Roberts (October 28)
SOURCE: Holiday Insights
A BUDGET DEFICIT occurs when a government’s spending exceeds its revenue in a given period, making it necessary to borrow to cover the gap. It mainly applies to government spending and revenue, not businesses or individuals. Budget deficits add up to the national debt, which is the total amount a country owes to its creditors. Some of the key causes of budget deficits include imbalanced taxation, increased government spending on social programs or defense, and reduced revenue from tax cuts.
ESCROW is a type of legal financial agreement in which a neutral third party holds funds or assets for two other parties until transaction conditions are met. It protects both buyers and sellers. Escrow is an important part of various transactions, such as real estate, online sales, and stock markets.
An INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING (IPO) is the term for the first time that a private company sells shares of its stock to the public on a stock exchange. IPOs allow companies to raise capital and give early investors a way to sell shares. Investment banks help price, market, and manage the IPO process.
SOURCE: Investopedia
“New legislation and scientific investment will go far toward energizing the fight against cancer. That is the spark behind every movement: turning purpose into action.”
Nancy Brinker, American philanthropist and founder of Susan G. Komen
The objective of Sudoku is to fill the grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine subgrids that compose the grid (also called boxes, blocks, or regions) contain all of the digits from one to nine.
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