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- The Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida area has become a hotbed of new
dining options that embrace traditional favorites and current food trends, from farm-to-table spots to breweries and gastropubs.
Many Fort Lauderdale eateries will be showcased in the Taste Fort Lauderdale event in conjunction with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival from February 22-26, 2017.
Other events featuring Fort Lauderdale's food scene include the Las Olas Wine and Food Festival in Spring 2017 and an annual, popular dining promotion in August and September 2017.
In addition, food trucks from Greater Fort Lauderdale eateries make regular appearances at sports events, concerts, and other entertainment venues.
A sample of Greater Fort Lauderdale's food options include the following:
Waterfront: Many Fort Lauderdale eateries offer waterfront views or even dockside dining for boaters on the area's waterways, including the Blue Moon Fish Company.
Italian: Louie Bossi's Ristorante Bar & Pizzeria presents homemade pastas, wood burning Neapolitan pizzas, home- cooked Sicilian comfort food and Chef Louie's house-cured salami. And it boasts an outdoor piazza with a fire pit and bocce ball court.
Brunch: O-B House, in Fort Lauderdale's historic district, Himmarshee Village, offers breakfast favorites using fresh, local ingredients and is famous for its deep-dish corn pancakes.
Bespoke cocktails: Apothecary 330 has 250 bottles of rare and specialty liquors and innovative libations served up by the speakeasy's "bar chefs."
Craft beer: The Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park is the destination's first industrial microbrewery.
Seafood: Lighthouse Point's Cap's Place, Broward County's oldest restaurant and a national landmark that opened as a speakeasy in 1928, offers fresh seafood prepared in a variety of ways, including broiled, char-grilled, baked, pan-fried, pan-roasted, deep-fried, Johnny style, classic scampi style or blackened Cajun style.
Health-conscious: Green Bar & Kitchen, a plant-based superfood cafe with two locations in Fort Lauderdale, serves a gluten-free menu that includes dairy-free, nut-free ice cream.
Asian: Kuro, located at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, presents Japanese cuisine featuring contemporary artisanal dishes using both locally-sourced and imported ingredients directly from Japan.
Coffee: Don't forget the coffee. Fort Lauderdale favorites include Grind Coffee Project, where patrons can enhance their brew with toppings including Nutella, balsamic vinegar and candied bacon.
For more information about the Fort Lauderdale dining scene and the area in general, please visit sunny.org/restaurants.
(NewsUSA)
- Sponsored News - It's been ingrained in our heads since we were little: building strong bones is important. The problem is that these days many children aren't getting the daily recommended diet and exercise needed to do so. And, with technology use at an all-time high, children are spending less time playing outdoors, which increases the risk of obesity.
Today, approximately 32 percent of American children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are considered overweight or obese. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) wants to help empower families to get up, get out and get moving to ensure optimal bone growth and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other diseases later in life.
"Building your child's bone bank is like a college savings plan: the earlier you start investing, the better," says AAOS spokesperson Dr. Jennifer Weiss, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles. "Parents should ensure that kids are getting adequate calcium to keep their bones strong as well as appropriate levels of vitamins D and C to allow the body to absorb the calcium."
So what's a parent to do? The following tips from the AAOS will help get your kids (and you) moving while building better, stronger bones:
* Move it. Make physical activity a part of a child's schedule for at least 30 to 60 minutes per day. Make it fun. With fall weather coming in, walking around the block to see the colors, throwing a football in the yard, or riding a bike is a perfect way to engage with your kids and still get in some exercise. Bonus? Being outside gets you and the kids some much-needed vitamin D, which also helps build strong bones.
* Watch what you eat. Life is busy. Which makes on-the-run snacks and meals an easy fix for harried parents. Unfortunately, most of this kind of food does not have the nutrients to ensure good bone health. Adolescents should consume a healthy diet with calcium to maintain strong bones and lower the risk of excessive weight gain.
* Lift things up, and put them down. Studies show that strength training is key to healthy bones. During resistance training, muscles have to work harder and, over time, become stronger. Although resistance exercises focus on increasing muscle mass, they also put stress on bones and have bone-building capacity.
* Set limits. It's understandable that kids' whims change with the seasons, as do the number of teams they want to play on. However, try to limit the number of teams a child plays on in one season to avoid overuse injuries. In addition, if your child tells you that something hurts, discourage him or her from playing through the pain.
For more information, visit orthoinfo.org.
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- Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion -- something to be celebrated and cherished. Planning it, on the other hand, can feel as if you're preparing for war -- between ensuring that Uncle Sal isn't sitting next to his brother, who owes him money, to budgeting for everything you want and need. The one thing you don't want to skimp on is the memories.Which is why choosing your photographer is one of the biggest decisions you will make. To help ensure that you get the most romantic photos of your fairytale day, 
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- Sponsored by GAF - Risk mitigation.
It's a phrase that comes up after every major storm -- Hurricane Matthew being only the latest -- as homeowners are warned that all too many houses are simply no match for high winds, and that prudence dictates they act to help protect themselves and their property from future storms.
Think those warnings are needlessly alarmist?
Probably so did all those New Yorkers who believed that a Hurricane Sandy could never clobber their city.
So what should homeowners do, proactively, to increase their odds of beating Mother Nature? Read on.
* Clean your gutters. Even in perfect weather, Angie's List says you're looking at a potential "nightmare" if they're so clogged with mounds of leaves, sticks, and other debris that it causes your roof to leak. Factor in a hurricane-strength rainstorm, though, and the very roofing system component meant to control the flow of all that water -- thereby protecting your roof, walls, foundation, and landscape from flooding -- can suddenly be rendered about as useful as a virus-infected laptop.
"If you let gutter cleaning go by the wayside, it can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars," the website cautions.
* Reinforce windows. Need we say anything more than flying shards of glass?
Didn't think so, which is why the Federal Emergency Management Agency -- in describing windows as "particularly vulnerable" -- recommends springing for either impact-resistant glazing or permanent storm shutters. (A grief-saving tip from FEMA: "Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.")
* Make sure your roof is in good condition. Even though a manufacturer's warranty typically doesn't cover roof damage caused by disasters like hurricanes -- check your home insurance policy for that -- experts date what they call an "upsurge" of interest in stronger roofs back to 2011's Hurricane Irene. News footage of all those battered homes in states such as Delaware, North Carolina and Virginia was that gut-wrenching.
"If you are going to replace your roof, consider shingles that have passed the UL2218, Class 4 impact test, the toughest in the industry," says Jason Joplin, program manager of the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence. Joplin especially likes the 
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- The Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida area has become a hotbed of new 
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- Tires may not be the first thing you notice when you look at a car, but they may be the most important safety and performance element of any vehicle. When you think about it, they are the only part of your car that connects you to the road.
While brakes stop your wheels, it's your tires that stop the car -- and that's why maintaining them is absolutely critical. Luckily, one of the most important tire checks won't cost you more than a penny!
Once a month, or before heading on a long road trip, check your tires for wear and damage using "the penny test." Just grab a penny and select a point on your tire where tread appears the lowest. Then, holding Lincoln's body between your thumb and your forefinger, place Lincoln's head into one of the grooves. If any part of Abe Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the legal and safe amount of tread.
However, if all of Lincoln's head is visible, it's a sign that it is time to get new tires.
"Traction and tread are inextricably linked. The grooves in your tire are critical in helping to channel water away to allow the tire to grip the road," says Sarah Robinson, Michelin safety expert. "Making sure you're driving on tires with proper tread can be the difference between avoiding an accident, and becoming part of it."
If it's time to get new tires, consider these two factors first and foremost:
1. Safety: Most tires perform well in everyday situations, but difficult conditions will reveal their differences. Choose tires that can perform well in the worst types of weather or roads you encounter. For example, if you live in a region with regular heavy snowfall and cold winters, consider winter tires for part of the year. The difference can be huge.
2. Value: It's important to remember that not all tires are created equal. Tires may seem like an additional expense on top of general car maintenance, but investing in quality tires known for long-lasting performance--such as the Michelin Defender with its 80,000 mile warranty--will save you money over time as your tires won't need to be replaced as quickly.
For more information, visit 
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- Holiday travel can be stressful, but it should be fun, too. Advance planning and proper car care can take much of the stress out of a holiday road trip and leaving you free to enjoy the ride.
Checklists for each aspect of the trip will help ensure that nothing important is left behind, and that you are safe and prepared in case of an emergency.
When it's time for a holiday road trip, keep these tips in mind for smooth travels:
--Check your ride: A complete car check before a road trip should include making sure the fluid levels are sufficient. Make sure wiper blades and the wiper mechanism itself is working properly. Check your lights, including brights, to be sure they are functional. And, last but not least, don't forget your tires. Tires are the connection between your car and the road, so be sure to examine the tread for signs of excess wear
"Traction and tread are inextricably linked. The grooves in your tires are critical in helping to channel water away to allow the tire to grip the road,"says Sarah Robinson, Michelin safety expert. "Making sure you're driving on tires with proper tread can be the difference between avoiding an accident and becoming part of it."
--Be prepared: Equip your car with an emergency kit, including water, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, extra windshield wiper fluid, cell phone charger, and emergency phone numbers for roadside assistance, as well as a contact person at your destination.
--Map your route: Check your route in advance and, if possible, plan your trip for times with less traffic. If you are planning to use a map feature on your phone, use the voice component; if you don't have that, consult a paper map and get a sense of the route before you get behind the wheel.
--Safety first: That means the driver focuses on driving. If you are the driver and need to check your phone, send a message, have a snack, or, tend to a child or pet in the back seat, wait for a rest stop, or if necessary, pull over to the side of the road.
--Watch the weather: Especially during winter holidays, knowing the weather in advance can help you plan to avoid a storm. If conditions are truly dangerous, the smart move is to postpone your trip until the weather improves.
For more information, visit 
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- You may say your 2017 New Year's resolution is to cut back on sweets, but is that truly what you want most to have accomplished by year's end?
Maybe not.
By a margin of 69 percent to 30 percent, those surveyed for Fidelity Investment's eighth annual "New Year Financial Resolutions Study" said they'd rather stick with a budget than a diet. Heck, with money paramount on so many people's minds, even "catching up on sleep" failed to edge out "catching up on savings."
See full-sized image here.
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- Caminar en un país de las maravillas del invierno puede inspirar sensaciones cá lidas, pero conducir en invierno tiene el efecto contrario. Conducir en invierno puede ser un reto, pero mantener su coche correctamente sujeto significa un largo camino hacia la paz de la mente cuando el clima de invierno golpea. La conducción invernal segura comienza donde el caucho se encuentra con la carretera, en los neumá ticos.
Un neumá tico diseñado para funcionar en condiciones de invierno puede ayudar a los conductores a sentirse má s seguros y confiados. El neumá tico Michelin X-Ice Xi3, es un neumá tico diseñado para hacer frente a carreteras heladas y condiciones de manejo potencialmente peligrosas.
Según Ed Gliss, piloto de pruebas y experto técnico de Michelin, los neumá ticos de todas las estaciones son una apuesta segura para condiciones inferiores a 40 grados Fahrenheit, pero "una vez que las temperaturas llegan al punto de congelación, y má s bajas, considere los neumá ticos de invierno, que proporcionan una tracción superior para el manejo en carreteras nevadas y heladas".
Al equipar su coche con neumá ticos de invierno, es importante considerar y entender qué características del neumá tico generan el agarre de tracción y manejo para navegar con confianza en las condiciones de invierno.
--Huella: Cuanto mayor sea el número de bloques de la huella en un neumá tico, mejor será su rendimiento, con el aumento de la capacidad del neumá tico para agarrar la carretera bajo el hielo, en condiciones de nieve. El X-Ice Xi3 de Michelin está diseñado con un aumento del 15 por ciento en el borde mordaz para un agarre confiable.
--Huella de compuesto de goma: la química juega un papel importante en el desarrollo de los neumá ticos má s seguros posibles para las condiciones de conducción en invierno. Un compuesto de sílice, como el Michelin Flex-Ice, puede ayudar a mantener la flexibilidad de los neumá ticos en temperaturas por debajo de la temperatura de congelación, lo que contribuye a un rendimiento má s fiable de los neumá ticos en las carreteras cubiertas de hielo o nieve. La sílice también mantiene la firmeza de un neumá tico cuando las temperaturas son moderadas, lo que mejora el agarre y el desgaste de los neumá ticos.
Independientemente de si tiene neumá ticos de invierno, no olvide verificar regularmente la presión de sus neumá ticos para ayudar a asegurar su rendimiento óptimo. Los controles de presión regulares son especialmente importantes durante los meses de invierno, ya que los neumá ticos pierden presión a medida que baja la temperatura. Otros consejos para una conducción segura en invierno incluyen la comprobación del estado de las escobillas del limpiaparabrisas y los niveles de líquido, y la comprobación de los faros y luces de freno para asegurarse de que sean totalmente funcionales.
Para obtener má s consejos sobre el cuidado del coche en invierno, visite 
- Los neumá ticos pueden no ser la primera cosa que usted nota cuando mira un automóvil, sin embargo puede ser el elemento má s importante para la seguridad y el funcionamiento de cualquier vehículo. Cuando lo piensa, ellos son la única parte de su auto que lo conecta a la carretera.
Mientras que los frenos paran sus ruedas, son sus neumá ticos los que detienen el auto, y ése es el porqué mantenerlos es absolutamente delicado. Afortunadamente, uno de los chequeos de neumá ticos má s importantes no le costará má s de un centavo!
Una vez al mes, o antes de dirigirse a un largo viaje por carretera, revise sus neumá ticos para verificar el desgaste y cualquier daño usando "la prueba del centavo". Sólo tome un centavo y seleccione un punto en su neumá tico donde la banda de rodadura aparece má s baja. Luego, manteniendo el cuerpo de Lincoln entre el pulgar y el índice, coloque la cabeza de Lincoln en uno de los surcos. Si cualquier parte de la cabeza de Abe Lincoln está cubierta por la banda de rodadura, usted está conduciendo con una cantidad legal y segura de la banda.
Sin embargo, si toda la cabeza de Lincoln es visible, es una señal de que es hora de conseguir neumá ticos nuevos.
"La tracción y la banda de rodadura está n inextricablemente unidas. Las ranuras en su neumá tico son fundamentales para ayudar a levantar el agua y permitir que el neumá tico se agarre la carretera", dice Sarah Robinson, experta en seguridad de Michelin. "Asegurarse de que está conduciendo con neumá ticos con una banda de rodadura adecuada puede ser la diferencia entre evitar un accidente y convertirse en parte de él".
Si es hora de conseguir neumá ticos nuevos, considere estos dos factores en primer lugar:
1. Seguridad: La mayoría de los neumá ticos funcionan bien en situaciones cotidianas, pero en condiciones difíciles revelará n sus diferencias. Elija neumá ticos que puedan funcionar bien en los peores tipos de clima o carreteras que encuentre. Por ejemplo, si usted vive en una región con fuertes nevadas intensas e inviernos fríos, considere neumá ticos de invierno durante parte del año. La diferencia puede ser enorme.
2. Valor: Es importante recordar que no todos los neumá ticos son iguales. Los neumá ticos pueden parecer un gasto adicional al mantenimiento general del automóvil, pero invertir en neumá ticos de calidad conocidos por un rendimiento duradero, como Michelin Defender con su garantía de 80 000 millas, le ahorrará dinero con el tiempo a medida que sus neumá ticos no necesita ser reemplazados tan rá pidamente.
Para obtener má s información, visite 
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- En las rutas con paisajes puede haber caminos complejos divertidos, pero es totalmente diferente a navegar por la vía; no olvide estos consejos para mantenerse seguro y evitar quedar atrapado.
--Obstá culos simples: cuando está pensando conducir en arena, nieve o lodo, desinfle sus neumá ticos para mejorar la tracci ó n, disminuyendo las huellas de los mismos. Mantenga el momento y si sus ruedas comienzan a girar en la arena o en la nieve, disminuya un poco la velocidad. Si está en el lodo, mantenga las ruedas girando para ayudar a limpiar el lodo de los neumá ticos.
--Obstá culos complicados: cuando se acerca a grandes rocas, troncos o zanjas durante su viaje en rutas externas, t ó melos en un á ngulo, para que solo un neumá tico esté en el obstá culo, mientras los otros tres se mantienen al nivel del piso para maximizar la tracci ó n. Coloque un neumá tico en el obstá culo, luego conduzca despacio para ayudar a proteger el chasis de su vehículo.
--Colinas: siempre piense en un plan de escape en caso de que su viaje no resulte según lo esperado. Sin embargo, puede aumentar sus probabilidades de conducir de manera segura en las colinas, si se aproxima recto hacia ellas para obtener mayor tracci ó n en las cuatro ruedas. Utilice la velocidad má s alta posible para subir la colina c ó modamente.
Pearse Umlauf, Presidente y Gerente General de Jeep Jamboree, dice que tener los vehículos y neumá ticos correctos, permite tener experiencias incomparables en la carretera. "Las Jeep Jamborees son para fines de semana de aventura en rutas externas que hacen que las personas pongan los pies sobre la tierra, para que disfruten de sus Jeep 4x4 al aire libre", dijo Umlauf, quien trabaja en la coordinaci ó n de operaciones para el uso seguro y mantenimiento de los vehículos para rutas externas en EEUU y el mundo.
Señal ó que los neumá ticos BFGoodrich será n los neumá ticos oficiales de la Jeep Jamboree en el 2017.
Cuando está listo para ir al campo, Del Albright, sal ó n de la fama de los deportes de motor todo terreno, y BFGoodrich Performance Team Expert, tienen 50 años de experiencia en manejo con neumá ticos en caminos. "El neumá tico todo terreno T/A KO2 es mi favorito, con un diseño fuerte y duradero que lo hace ideal para los conductores todo terreno que desean probar sus vehículos o que solo disfrutan el campo", dijo. Albright también es un defensor a tiempo completo de la conservaci ó n y preservaci ó n de los caminos para el uso de los conductores todo terreno. Uno de sus caminos favoritos, el camino Rubicon en Lake Tahoe, California, estuvo en riesgo de cierre debido a la erosi ó n; sin embargo, Albright lider ó a un grupo de voluntarios para que repararan los lugares con problemas y preservaran el camino para los conductores todo terreno y otras personas que disfrutan del aire libre. Algunos de sus otros caminos favoritos incluyen: el Rausch Creek Off-Road Park (Pennsylvania), el San Hallow State Park (Utah) y el camino Hatfield-McCoy (Virginia occidental).
Para obtener mayor informaci ó n sobre BFGoodrich y de aventuras en ruta, visite 
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- The college application process and the college prep testing that goes along with it can be overwhelming for students and families. Tests such as the SAT and ACT are an important element of the application process, and therefore a source of anxiety. However, only about 30 percent of public schools have an advisor dedicated to college prep.
An outside organization offering test prep courses, such as Sylvan Learning, can make a significant difference in test preparation. More than 15,000 students benefit from Sylvan's test prep programs each year with higher test scores, and even some perfect scores, according to the company.
"Students need someone to help them navigate through this very confusing process and Sylvan Learning's prep programs are a valuable resource for that," says Anathea Simpkins, Sylvan Learning's Director of College Prep Products.
Since the debut of the revised SAT in March 2016, Simpkins says, she has noticed that more students have trouble with the math section in which calculators are not allowed. The "Words in Context" items in the reading and writing sections also pose a frequent challenge for students. Sylvan has adjusted its SAT and ACT prep programs to focus on these challenging areas and help give students the edge they need, Simpkins notes.
Tips for success on the new SAT include:
*Read more. The new SAT includes word problems in math, passages in writing, and text to be read before composing an essay. In addition, several items may be based on one passage, and failure to read effectively could impact several answers.
*Focus in class. Much of the SAT comes from sources used in the classroom. Many passages in the reading and math sections draw from the context of social studies and science, so it is important to pay attention in all subject areas, recognize connections, and apply familiar concepts to new ideas.
*Know your tough spots. An initial diagnostic test can show where a struggling student needs help, so these skills can be a top priority during test prep sessions.
Sylvan Learning takes on the challenges of college prep tests by identifying the skills needed to succeed in each section. Each chapter of a Sylvan program includes robust practice and a unique online component, SylvanPrep.com, which provides thousands of video-based lessons for additional practice and support that is especially useful in a student's problem areas.
Visit sylvanlearning.com/prep for more details about Sylvan Learning's college prep programs.
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-; Como millones de estadounidenses saben, los desplazamientos diarios pueden ser estresantes y monótonos. Unido a qué con el clima de invierno, mantenerse alerta es primordial, especialmente cuando las condiciones de la carretera empiezan a deteriorarse.Hasta ese momento, uno nunca sabe si va a necesitar convertirse en un conductor con desempeño oportuno.Desempeño oportuno es un término que describe estar atento al momento de conducir para que pueda maximizar el rendimiento de su automóvil y reaccionar rápidamente a las situaciones sorprendentes en el camino. Basado en una encuesta reciente, el 75 por ciento de los adultos estadounidenses dicen que necesitan convertirse en "Conductores con Desempeño Oportuno" al menos una vez a la semana, y aquellos que reportaron una necesidad de reaccionar rápidamente a una situación de conducción dicen que lo hacen aproximadamente 6 veces por semana.BFGoodrich Tires ha realizado una encuesta sobre los comportamientos durante la conducción. El grupo de estudio incluyó a 1 009 adultos (con 18 años de edad y mayores) que viven en el territorio continental de los Estados Unidos. La muestra fue representativa de la población general en términos de rasgos geográficos, demográficos y socioeconómicos.En general, el 82 por ciento de los encuestados dice que los conductores a menudo se enfrentan a situaciones inesperadas en el camino, y el 54 por ciento está de acuerdo en que los conductores manejan mejor en situaciones potencialmente peligrosas.Andrew Comrie-Picard, piloto profesional de autos de carreras, atleta de X-Games, y embajador de BFGoodrich, enfatiza que los conductores de cualquier edad pueden (y deben) practicar la Conducción con Desempeño Oportuno manteniéndose alerta para que puedan llevar su auto a su máximo rendimiento en los momentos que más importan.De acuerdo con Comrie-Picard, los aspectos clave para el Desempeño Oportuno durante la Conducción incluyen:* Mirar a lo lejos en el camino para anticipar los problemas potenciales y peligros de la carretera.* Recordar la importancia de realizar con suavidad las entradas de mando tales como el frenado, la aceleración y la dirección.* Anticiparse a las condiciones del camino, como el agua estancada y las carreteras resbaladizas.* Conducir con las dos manos en el volante, sin excepciones.* Mantener la distancia entre usted y el automóvil frente a usted.Comrie-Picard también dice que es importante asegurarse de que sus neumáticos sean apropiados para su automóvil y estén bien mantenidos. Específicamente, a él le gusta el neumáticoBFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport por su estacionalidad y capacidad de rendimiento durante los duros meses de invierno, así como durante todo el año.Información adicional sobreBFGoodrich Tires, así como otros consejos de conducción, se puede encontrar en http://
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- Just started a new job with an employer who thinks you're as visionary as Steve Jobs? Or maybe you're between gigs and "exploring other opportunities." Either way, you need to decide what to do with your old 401(k).
It's been estimated that there are about 15 million such accounts left behind by former employees, mainly because of either inertia or plain confusion over strict rules for moving the money. And since the IRS doesn't allow procrastinating on a key decision -- if you withdraw even a dime, you've got just 60 days to reallocate into a different tax-advantaged account -- here's a rundown of your options to avoid what could be a costly mistake:
* Option No. 1: Cash Out
Unless you're in dire financial straits and really, really need the bucks to live off, the consensus is this is a bad idea.
"Cashing out comes with an immediate price, both in terms of giving up potential future gains in your portfolio and in the IRS taxes the company handling your 401(k) for your former employer is legally obliged to withhold," explains Nupur Bahal, vice president for retirement at Fidelity Investments. "That's money you won't have for retirement."
Yes, the government must have its cut. Specifically, 20 percent in federal income taxes, 10 percent in an "early-withdrawal penalty" for those under age 59?, and -- wait, we're not done yet -- whatever additional percentage your individual state may or may not assess.
Translating that into real money, Fidelity's website (fidelity.com) uses the 
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- School's out for the summer, which means family fun time and hungry kids home all day. From camp lunches to days by the pool -- and all of those lazy days in between -- kids have one thing on their minds: snacks. To assemble the perfect snack and keep kids satisfied and smiling throughout the warmer months, follow this simple guide.
* Involve Kids in the Kitchen: All those years of cooking for the kids will soon come to an end when you enlist them as mini-master sous chefs. Whether your kids are two or 10, they'll love learning and creating their own concoctions. Fruit skewers made from fresh fruit and toothpicks or straws make for the perfect teaching opportunity. Have your kids rinse strawberries, grapes and any other desired fruit, and slide them onto a colorful straw. For a frozen treat to beat the summer heat, pop them in the freezer for a few minutes before watching your kids enjoy their own creative snack creations.
* Colorful Creations: Hungry kids are grumpy kids, and grumpy kids tend to be unhappy. The best way to keep your kids happy is to feed them well. A proper snack time means an array of options, and something for everyone. By presenting snacks in a creative way, kids will get to choose what they want to eat, providing an increased sense of individuality. Try separating dry snacks from fruit and veggie bites to present a colorful spread.
If you're looking to add that mid-day protein boost for a sluggish kid, a great healthy option is Deli Snackers from Land O'Frost, a baked meat snack made from high-quality, oven-roasted meats. This convenient and flavorful choice offers more than 10 grams of nourishing protein per serving with less than 400 mg of sodium, making it the perfect treat to pair with crackers and cheese cubes to appeal to the pickiest eater.
* Tasty Twist: Instead of those sugar-loaded popsicles that often spark temper tantrums after the inevitable sugar crash, consider making DIY popsicles. These frozen treats will eliminate the added sugar, while still providing the juicy, refreshing dessert your kids crave. Pop your favorite juice and fruit mixture into a blender, freeze until solid and serve to the kids guilt-free.
With these simple tricks in mind, grab the kids and get ready for a summer filled with simple snacking. For coupons and more information about Land O'Frost, visit 
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-As the warm weather of spring and summer arrives, ambitious and well-intentioned homeowners embark on cleaning, maintenance, and improvement projects that often involve roofs, gutters, and ladders. However, working on a ladder can be dangerous.
Consider this: every year, approximately 164,000 people visit emergency rooms in the United States because of ladder accidents, according to data from the World Health Organization.
Underscoring the fact that lack of knowledge about ladder safety is a growing problem are recent survey results published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine which found that the number of ladder-related injuries in the United States has increased by more than 50 percent in 15 years.
Professionals and nonprofessionals alike can benefit by keeping some safety tips in mind, courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
-Stand firm. When positioning a ladder anywhere around your home, be sure to place it level on firm ground.
-Have a partner, but go solo. When climbing a ladder, have another person with you to hold the lower end for extra safety and support. However, only one person at a time should be on a ladder so it doesn't become top-heavy and fall over.
-Don't go to the top. Never stand on the top rung of a ladder, and don't reach from a ladder. Instead, climb down and move the ladder to the location of your choice.
-Watch for doors. Never place a ladder near a door that can be opened; an unexpected exit could lead to a ladder accident.
-Be shoe smart. Wear shoes with clean, dry soles when working on ladders. Avoid sandals or flip flops.
Most importantly, don't forget the rule of three: According to the American Ladder Institute, the "Three Points of Contact" rule means keeping either two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand in contact with the steps, rungs, or side rails of a ladder at all times to reduce chances of a slip or fall.
Gutter cleaning and maintenance are among the highest risk activities for ladder injuries. One option to reduce the risk is to install rain dispersal gutters that don't require routine cleaning.
Products such as the Rainhandler Rain Dispersal system are engineered to keep leaves and debris out of gutters.
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- Ten years after the U.S. financial crisis of 2007, a survey from the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement found that middle-income boomers feel less than secure about their financial future, with almost 100 percent surveyed saying the economy has not fully recovered, and 65 percent believing they have not personally benefitted at all from any recovery.
Prior to the economic crash, many baby boomers had a clear vision of their retirement, but now say in all likelihood they will not be as financially independent as they once thought. Fortunately, resources from organizations such as Bankers Life can help middle-income boomers better plan for retirement with useful tips and how-to's, because no one should have to choose between having to pay for long-term care and buying groceries.
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- With Old Man Winter just around the corner, now is the time for homeowners to start considering how to make their abode more energy-efficient.After all, an energy-efficient home not only saves money, it improves the comfort of the home environment.Follow these tips by Johns Manville to ensure that your house is energy-efficient this winter, and always:1. Think Energy Savings. Keeping the cool air in during summer and warm air in during winter will require less energy if your home is well-insulated. An energy audit can help you assess your home's efficiency and provide direction to improve that efficiency.2. When an Audit Is a Good Thing. An energy audit includes checking for air leaks; inspecting heating and cooling equipment; checking light fixtures, appliances and electronics; and assessing insulation. It will help determine if your home is under-insulated or just not insulated properly, as is the case in many older homes. Each scenario can be easily remedied by adding more insulation or replacing the existing insulation, depending on the situation. For additional savings on energy upgrades, visit 
