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- Preparing to pop the question this Valentine's Day, but unsure how to choose the right engagement ring? Read on for all the tools you need to make the perfect pick!While choosing an engagement ring can be exciting, the variety of settings, precious metals, and diamonds can be overwhelming. However, the following tips will help you in finding
the ideal diamond engagement ring.
Set your price limit.Before you start shopping, know how much you want to spend. There is no right or wrong amount to put toward a ring, and many beautiful stones and styles are available to suit any budget. It's important to note that lab-grown diamonds can be up to 40 percent less expensive than mined stones.
Learn the "4 C's" of diamonds.These are:
cut, color, clarity, and carat. Here's the translation: Cut: The cut of a diamond is the most important factor in determining its fire, brilliance, and sparkle.Color: Not all diamonds are clear; some have varying tints of yellow.Clarity: A measure of the number of flaws or inclusions in the stone.Carat: A measure of the weight of the diamond. However, more weight also indicates a bigger size.
Consider shape.The common diamond shapes used in engagement rings are round, cushion, pear, oval, princess, radiant, and emerald.Each of these shapes has its fans and distinctive features. For example, a round diamond is the classic engagement ring style, but the larger facets of a cushion style can enhance brilliance, and the elongated emerald cut presents a bold look that can make a diamond appear larger than its carat weight.
Choose a setting.Deciding the right setting or diamond shape for your stone is a personal decision. Some people have specific ideas for a setting, and take more time on the stone, or vice versa.However, not all settings accommodate all shapes so it's important to prioritize one or the other if you are set on a particular shape or setting.Typical engagement ring styles include the solitaire, a simple band that showcases any diamond shape; halo, in which a central stone is surrounded by smaller diamonds; classic, which features a row of accent diamonds along the ring band; and vintage, which replicates design styles from different time periods.
Contemplate your center stone.When it comes to your center stone, there are a few different options to choose from. Although
diamonds are the most popular, birthstones, moissanite, and cubic zirconia are also great budget-friendly options.In regards to diamonds, there are two types to choose from: mined diamonds and lab-created diamonds.While mined diamonds are extracted from the earth, lab-grown stones are guaranteed to be ethically sourced and, as mentioned above, up to 40 percent less expensive.Both types are identical in terms of chemistry and physical appearance. However, interest in lab-created diamonds has surged in recent years as more couples are concerned with sustainability, as well as beauty and romance.
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- Skin cancer remains a deadly disease in the United States. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that approximately 5.5 million skin cancer diagnoses and 15,000 deaths will occur this year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.Many misconceptions persist about sun protection and skin cancer, especially among people of color."The misperception that people of color don't need sunscreen is one we need to change because we do burn and we are susceptible to skin cancer just like everyone else," says Lavdena Orr, MD, a chief medical officer with AmeriHealth Caritas, a health care organization dedicated to the care of those most in need."Ultraviolet rays don't discriminate against skin type, so avoiding sunburn is the primary way to reduce one's risk of developing melanoma or any other type of skin cancer."Although overall rates of melanoma may be higher among whites, African-Americans are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage when the cancer is more severe and the prognosis is less favorable, according to a 2016 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.Ginette A. Okoye, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and chair of the department of dermatology at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., adds that in people of color, skin cancer may be more likely to develop in less obvious areas, such as the feet or nails."In some cases, excessive sun exposure is not necessarily the trigger for this type of cancer in skin of color," according to Dr. Okoye. However, she notes that individuals with darker skin are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency because "the pigment in our skin filters out sunlight which we need to produce vitamin D in the skin."Therefore, she recommends vitamin D supplements if needed and a vitamin D-rich diet, including salmon, tuna, and mackerel.In addition, Dr. Okoye reminds her patients of all ethnicities to pay attention to three areas:- Face: Wear sunscreen daily, or use hats or visors to help protect facial skin from direct sun exposure.- Left side: The left arm, as well as the left side of the face, get a lot of sun exposure while driving. Add some sunscreen or a light, long-sleeved shirt if you have a long summer drive ahead.- Cuts and scrapes: Areas of any sort of skin trauma need extra protection to reduce the risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.For more information, visit amerihealthcaritas.com.The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends these basic tips for sun protection:- Clothing: Look to long sleeves, wraps, and sarongs to shield your skin.- Accessories: Hats and sunglasses can keep your face, neck, and ears safe and comfortable in the sun. Umbrellas work, too.- Timing: Try to avoid excessive sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when ultraviolet rays are the strongest.- Sunscreen: When you are outdoors, use sunscreen. And reapply every two hours if you are swimming or sweating heavily.
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- An estimated 34 million Americans provide unpaid care to adults age 50 or older every year, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, and that number is rapidly growing. More than half of those caregivers feel they have to make compromises at work to care for their aging parents, according to a new survey from Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network.With the rise in our aging population, more and more adult children are assuming the role of caregiver while also maintaining a full- or part-time job. This pressure to balance work and caregiving responsibilities has left 61 percent of working caregivers feeling as if they must choose between being a good employee and being a good daughter or son. To make matters worse, only 29 percent of these caregivers are satisfied with their employer's family leave policy.As this issue grows to impact a larger percentage of the workforce, it will be essential that employees and employers work together to find solutions. Consider the following recommendations as ways to get started:1. Ask for help - For caregivers, it can be extremely difficult, but also tremendously beneficial, to ask their employer for help. For employers, create opportunities for employees to express their needs. Schedule brief weekly meetings to check in and ask how they are doing. Transparency helps eliminate pressure on the employees to keep their concerns to themselves.2. Create a flexible policy -When it comes to caring for a loved one, there are no fixed hours or planned deadlines; emergency situations can come at any moment. With a plan in place, employers and employees can be on the same page about flexible working hours or situations that require time off.3. Offer in-office assistance - Employers can create a culture of safety for working caregivers by forming a support group for employees who are in similar situations. Such groups not only provide a place for relief, but also create the opportunity for employees to grow relationships with one another - positively affecting workplace culture.4. Provide care for the caregiver - It can be easy for a caregiver to quickly forget about his or her own needs when caring for a loved one. Encourage individuals to take time to care for their own physical, mental and emotional well-being. In addition, pay attention to signs that indicate your employee may need a break. Connect them with available resources or encourage time away from work.5. Make time to listen - Lending an ear is one of the most impactful things an employer can do for a working caregiver. More than half of caregivers have expressed feelings of depression and find it difficult to care for themselves. When employers open the door for a conversation, they are providing hope and reassurance to the working caregiver.Family caregivers and employers can view more resources and tips at 
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- If you live in a multi-story house, chances are you've looked at the no-man's-land under a set of stairs and thought: That space could be made to look and function much better. The classic solution is to fill the unattractive void with a closet, which is a perfectly serviceable idea. But there are other, more imaginative possibilities - home office, mini-library, powder room, wet bar, dog kennel, to name a few - creative hardwood built-ins that can transform those formerly awkward architectural cul-de-sacs into a visually interesting, highly practical, value-adding features in your home."Today's homeowners look on such unused square footage as a wasted resource," says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center, 
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- How best to put this delicately?We're all going to go at some point, and - just because you'd rather not think about it - doesn't make you somehow immune.And then what?Maybe you think your estate will all get miraculously sorted out, and that squabbling relatives are only the stuff of TV dramas. But you're not just leaving an estate. You're leaving what Ken Cella, an executive with the financial services firm Edward Jones, calls "a legacy.""You want to be the one who's in control of what happens to what matters most to you, such as minor children, dependents, financial assets, even your own health care decisions," he says. "Without a properly planned estate, or legacy strategy, your assets could be subject to the time-consuming, expensive and very public process where relatives and creditors can gain access to records and even challenge your will."And yet, according to a recent survey by Edward Jones, while 77 percent of Americans believe having such a strategy in place is important for everyone - not just the wealthy - only 24 percent have even taken the most basic step of designating beneficiaries for all their accounts. To avoid one of those "then what?" moments, here are some of the key elements to consider:• A Will. What's the worst that can happen if you haven't written one? "Plenty," as US News & World Report has written, "depending on your situation, the personalities of the people in your life - and the estate laws that your state has on the books."In other words, not only could some court judge be deciding who gets everything down to your Beatles records if your family can't agree on their own, but he or she could also wind up appointing a guardian for your minor kids.• A Living Trust. Do you own out-of-state property, a la a vacation home, say? Or maybe you want to leave more to one child than the others? Assets you register into a revocable living trust are there for your benefit during your lifetime, can be managed by your named trustee if you become incapacitated, and - here's the kicker - are harder to contest than wills.• A Health Care Directive. The same way you don't want some judge deciding who gets your Beatles albums, you definitely don't want the courts having to settle an inter-family fight over whether you'd rather go on living in a vegetative state or be taken off hospital feeding tubes.And, yes, it's happened.Shivering at the thought? Then you'll recognize the importance of appointing someone to carry out your medical treatment wishes in the event you're no longer able to communicate or incapable of giving consent.• Beneficiary Designations. Suffice it to say you don't want to be among the 76 percent the survey found hadn't even bothered, for starters, to fill in a beneficiary's name on accounts like their 401(k) or other savings.For some, estate planning is as simple as a written will. But a 
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- When it comes to getting your body in top shape, Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes have turned to celebrity fitness trainer 
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- Cancer can be a difficult and overwhelming diagnosis, and if you have cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment, your top priority is to get healthy. After your cancer diagnosis, there are many new things you might need to learn and manage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Blood Clot Alliance want you to protect your health by understanding your risk for dangerous blood clots, because cancer and some cancer treatments can increase your risk for blood clots. About 900,000 people each year are affected by blood clots, and about one in five of these blood clots are associated with cancer.The risk for a blood clot is greatest in the first few months after cancer is diagnosed. Some cancers pose a greater risk for blood clots, including cancers involving the pancreas, stomach, brain, lung, uterus, ovaries and kidneys, as well as blood cancers such as lymphoma and myeloma. The higher your cancer stage, the greater your risk for a blood clot. The type of cancer treatment you receive may increase your risk for blood clots too. Treatments involving hospitalization, surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, catheters placed in your veins, and some other therapies can increase your blood clot risk. Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Blood Clot Blood clots occur most often in the legs or arms, and symptoms include* Swelling.* Pain or tenderness not caused by an injury.* Skin that may be warm to the touch, red, or discolored.Blood clots in your legs or arms can travel to your lungs, which can be deadly. Symptoms of blood clots in your lungs include:* Difficulty breathing.* Chest pain that worsens with a deep breath.* Coughing up blood.* Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat.Contact your cancer doctor immediately if you experience any blood clot symptoms. A Plan to Protect Your Health As you take steps to preserve your health, make blood clot awareness part of your care.* Know your risks for blood clots, and discuss these risks with your cancer doctor.* Stay alert for any signs or symptoms of blood clots after surgery or treatment in an outpatient clinic. Contact your cancer doctor right away if you experience any of these signs or symptoms.* Work with your cancer doctor and make a plan to protect yourself against blood clots that is specific to your personal medical history and treatment.For more information, visit 
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- Many people believe spring or summer is the best time of year to get your dream kitchen.Not so fast.Those seasons may be the most popular time of year for a project such as this, but when you take a deeper dive into the world of home remodeling, you'll find October and November are actually the best times to remodel your kitchen. By taking advantage of the fall season, you can get your project done before the holidays (and save a ton of money.) Slower season means better values Spring and summer may seem the ideal time to begin a remodel project, but it's the busy season for contractors and retailers know it. High demand can mean higher prices and longer lead times to get things done. More people are recognizing this and getting their kitchen done in the fall. They can find better deals and, just as importantly, get their house ready for the holidays.Here are some insider tips:* Watch for the sale. Retailers will push great savings in October and November to clean out inventory heading into the new year.* Find an expert. The Internet is great for research, but for a big project such as a kitchen, find a retailer that offers personal one-on-one design help.* Remodel the whole kitchen, not just one part. You can get the best deals from retailers that do it all: cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets - even flooring. And you'll be able to design the full kitchen without driving to three different stores.* Plan installation. Ask if they offer installation. This time of year, that can be a real positive.Try to find a store such as 
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- Fall is here, and high school seniors (and their parents) are in the thick of the college application process.But these days, the cost of tuition can seem daunting: 85 percent of parents believe the cost of college is more of a financial burden than in past years, according to a College Ave Student Loans survey of 1,072 parents conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights. However, many families may not realize and take advantage of the range of financial aid opportunities and options available."Don't let the 'sticker price' of a college sway you from applying," says Joe DePaulo, Co-Founder and CEO of College Ave Student Loans."The college 'sticker price' typically refers to the published annual cost of attendance for any given school, which includes tuition, fees, and an average estimate of other related costs like room and board. The actual price families will pay depends on how much financial aid they receive which will be unique for each family," he says.Start by filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Some families skip this form because they think it is too much work for too little payoff. Don't Fear the FAFSA By forgoing filling out this important government form, you could be leaving financial aid on the table. Some financial aid programs work on a first-come first-served basis, so getting it done as close to the October 1 start date maximizes the aid you might receive.There are other reasons to make sure the FAFSA is part of your fall financial aid game, according to College Ave Student Loans, a company offering simple and personalized private student loans:- More financial aid: Some schools won't even consider you for merit aid unless you complete this important form.- More options: Students planning to apply for Federal Stafford Loans or Federal PLUS Loans must fill out the FAFSA first. Keep Applying to Scholarships Beyond the FAFSA, students and parents can round out their financial aid plan with scholarships. Many scholarships are available with rolling applications year-round and every little bit helps. College Ave Student Loans offers a monthly chance for students to win a $1,000 scholarship on their website. Build a Balanced College List College Ave recommends that you apply to a variety of schools. This will give you more opportunities to find a school that fits your budget financially, and one that may offer better financial aid.If scholarships, grants and federal loans in the student's name don't cover the full cost of tuition, College Ave Student Loans offers a simple, stress-free student loan process to help cover college costs. Students and parents can apply online and get a response in 3 minutes, with no application or origination fees.For more information about college financial aid planning, hints for filling out the FAFSA, and other loan opportunities, visit 
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- Are you considering a home improvement project that will deliver value, curb appeal and performance? Replacing the roof is a good place to start.From an economic perspective, REMODELING magazine's 32nd Cost vs. Value Report states that a new asphalt roof recoups more of its value at resale compared to other home improvements such as a major kitchen remodel, bathroom addition or backyard patio.Representing as much as 40 percent of a home's exterior, the roof is an easy way to boost curb appeal. Homeowners are no longer limited to gray, taupe and other neutral shingle colors. New palettes and color selection tools make it easy to integrate color into the roof. Today's calibrated shingles are infused with hues that add depth, dimension and subtle color.Unsure what shingle color will best complement your home's exterior? Designer and style expert Chad Esslinger offers some tips:* Seek out Digital Design Tools: Technology makes it easy to experiment with exterior home colors, including roofing shingles. Owens Corning® Roofing offers inspiration boards and 
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- With the holidays just around the corner, you might be worrying about how to get through all the parties and cookie exchanges without derailing your healthy lifestyle. It can be a struggle to avoid temptation, particularly when you're busy, stressed, sleep-deprived, or all three. At times, you might consider giving up and just diving into the dessert tray. But with a bit of motivation and creativity, you can whip together some festive treats that are both delicious and carb-conscious.Courtney McCormick, Dietitian at Nutrisystem, offers five low-carb swaps to keep you healthy and happy through the holidays:1. Try veggies when you're craving a crunch. We're all guilty of lingering too long at the chips and salsa bowl at a holiday party. If you're craving something crunchy such as a pretzel or chips, try carb-conscious snacks with a crunch - brussel sprouts chips, kale chips, veggies such as cucumber, zucchini, and carrots - they pair wonderfully with a healthier dip such as low-fat ranch or hummus.2. Sub in cauliflower for your favorite comfort foods. Do you love mashed potatoes, rice, pizza, and tater tots? If you've been avoiding these foods as part of your healthy lifestyle, cauliflower is here to help. This versatile veggie has recently become popular as a substitute for some of our favorite comfort foods. Mashed and steamed cauliflower have a texture and taste that is surprisingly similar to mashed potatoes - add a bit of salted butter and enjoy! And if you're not ready to go all in on the cauliflower craze just yet, McCormick recommends swapping out at least half the potatoes for cauliflower.3. Mix your own dressings and condiments. Have you taken a close look at the nutrition facts on your favorite cranberry sauce? You might be shocked by the carbs and added sugars in dressings, sauces, and condiments, even those that appear to be "healthier" options. The best way to avoid sneaky carbs in your condiments is to make them at home. That way, you can control the ingredients and ensure they taste great.4. Bring the healthy alternative to the holiday party. Where everyone else is hauling sugary cookies and cakes, dare to bring the delicious low-carb snack! Get creative with the presentation - use edamame hummus, pita, and slices of red pepper to make perfectly festive "holiday trees."5. Don't drink your carbs. You've probably heard the saying, "don't drink your calories," before, but you shouldn't drink your carbs either. Toss the fruit juices and sodas for seltzer, unsweetened tea, and the original favorite, water. Light beer, spiked seltzer, or dry wines are good low-carb alcohol options if you're celebrating.For more great tips and tricks on how to make the most of your holidays with healthy alternatives, visit 
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-If you are a veteran considering Medicare options, you have the opportunity to maximize your coverage by electing to have a Medicare Advantage plan along with your Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits.Fortunately, finding a Medicare Advantage plan that works in tandem with VA health care benefits is easier than you think, as you can enroll in plans that are available to everyone eligible for Medicare, but that are designed to complement VA health care benefits.As a veteran, it's important that you understand how a Medicare Advantage plan may balance out any VA benefits you have in order to maximize your health benefits.* Can Medicare Advantage and VA benefits work together? A Medicare Advantage plan that does not interfere with existing VA benefits you have may be an excellent fit for those who want to enhance their benefits and coverage. Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan may provide access to additional services and benefits, such as urgent care and dental coverage, which complement VA benefits for prescription drugs and primary care. Each time you receive care, you will need to choose whether to use your VA benefits or your Medicare Advantage plan.* Are there any specific Medicare Advantage plans for veterans? While most Medicare Advantage plans are available to anyone with Medicare, be sure to speak with a licensed insurance agent about plan options that are designed with veterans in mind.For example, the new Humana Honor Medicare Advantage plan is designed to complement VA coverage and provide beneficiaries with extensive coverage, such as robust dental care, at a $0 plan premium. This plan also offers access to a broad network, including access to urgent care and non-VA facilities, which is advantageous if you need to travel far to receive care at a VA facility or experience long wait times.And you don't have to be a veteran to enroll in the Humana Honor Medicare Advantage plan.* How would the Humana Honor Medicare Advantage plan work with my VA prescription drug coverage? Typically, VA prescription drug benefits will serve as your primary prescription drug coverage when you add a Medicare Advantage plan that does not include prescription drug coverage, such as the Humana Honor plan. These Medicare Advantage plans cover certain injectable drugs and infusions at in-network, non-VA facilities, which may be beneficial depending on your health needs.Additionally, some Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D prescription drug coverage, which may be beneficial if you get medications from non-VA doctors and would like to fill your prescriptions at your local pharmacy instead of through the VA mail-order service.Along with geographical location, veterans and all those with Medicare should consider their health, medical and budget needs and visit 
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-People with Medicare have until Saturday, Dec. 7 to select their Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan coverage for 2020. To ensure you have the right Medicare plan in place come January 1 of next year, it's important to focus on these four key questions:* Are my doctors in network? Use online tools to confirm which doctors and hospitals are in a plan's network. A licensed health insurance agent can also help you see if a specific doctor or hospital is in a plan's network and taking new patients, and can determine what's in network if you're a seasonal resident.* Are my prescription drugs covered? Although Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drugs, many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, or you can sign up for a Part D Prescription Drug Plan separately. A licensed sales agent can look up the medications you would like covered and help you estimate what the cost of each drug would be on a plan.* What new, innovative benefits are available? Beyond vision, hearing and dental coverage, if you aim to become healthier, look for fitness program benefits as many Medicare Advantage plans offer a gym membership. If you travel or appreciate technology, virtual doctor visits are helpful when you can't see a doctor right away. Most Medicare Advantage plans now offer transportation to doctor appointments and the gym, when a fitness center membership is offered as a plan benefit.* What if I'm still working? If you or your spouse have health insurance from an employer, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare until the employment or the coverage stops. At that point, you would be entitled to a special enrollment period of up to eight months to sign up for Medicare without incurring any late penalties. Talk with your employer to find out how your coverage works with Medicare.While the clock is ticking until the Dec. 7 Medicare annual enrollment deadline, remember that you're not alone.Take advantage of resources including licensed sales agents and websites such as 
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- As loved ones begin to age, many will take on the honorable role of becoming a caregiver. However, caring for an older adult can be time-consuming, reducing the ability to address your own needs. In fact, Home Instead Senior Care found that 63 percent of family caregivers said caring for their aging loved ones made it more difficult to care for themselves.With this in mind, Home Instead encourages caregivers to take a minute to recognize and embrace their own feelings and needs. It can be difficult to watch your aging parent or loved one go through the trials of getting older without it taking a toll on your own health. It's natural to feel anxious, guilty or sad as a family caregiver. In fact, 53 percent of family caregivers admit to feelings of major depression.That is why it's critical to find a balance between your caregiving responsibilities and your personal needs. When you're on a plane, flight attendants always emphasize that, in the case of an emergency, adults should secure their own oxygen masks before helping children. This is because the adult won't be able to help if they do not have the strength themselves.Taking care of an older adult is similar: it's not selfish to take care of yourself first so you are well enough to take care of them.If you or someone you know is feeling the pressure of being a family caregiver, here are some tips from Lakelyn Hogan, Home Instead Senior Care gerontologist and caregiver advocate, to help overcome the feelings that can get in the way of enjoying time spent with family.* Identify and accept feelings of guilt. Recognize that feelings of guilt are common - so common, in fact, that 85 percent of caregivers have reported such feelings have taken a toll on their mental health.* Find support. Go to supportive family and friends to talk about your emotions. There are also many types of professional support groups available. Discussing your emotions is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of self-care and awareness. According to a 2015 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, approximately 34.2 million Americans had provided unpaid care to an adult 50 or older in the last year, making it likely that someone else you know is going through the same things you are.* Be kind to yourself. Remember that you are doing the best you can and be proud of that. For humans, guilt is a natural emotion that can make it harder to see the bigger picture. Like clouds on a rainy day, the feelings you are experiencing will pass. * Create an action plan. Take a moment to reflect on why you might be having feelings of guilt. Is caregiving preventing you from doing something you want to do or coming between you and something you value? Create a plan and set a realistic goal for yourself to accomplish these things and relieve yourself of some of your guilt.* Make time for yourself. While caregiving can be time-consuming, you should never lose sight of what makes you, you. Carve out time to take a long walk, meet with a friend for coffee, or cross off steps in your action plan. In the long run, having just 30 minutes a day to yourself will benefit your physical and mental health.Remember, you are not in this alone. Try to set aside time for yourself and lean on others for support.For additional caregiving tips and resources, visit 
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-In the business of making well-designed ergonomic tools for the workspace for more than 35 years, Humanscale and its team of certified ergonomists know that the ideal workstation is about more than just a beautiful chair or desk. There are a number of key factors to consider to ensure that a workstation is functional and adaptable, as well as comfortable and healthy for the user. The leader in sustainable ergonomic tools for work has prepared a checklist to create a better workstation, fit for the home or corporate office. 1. The Chair Finding the perfect task chair is an important first step when creating a healthy comfortable workspace. Jonathan Puleio, a certified ergonomist and Global VP of Consulting for Humanscale, is focused on the correlation between a person's comfort while working and their overall experience. He suggests that a comfortable ergonomic chair can lead to an increase in alertness as well as an increase in blood flow, benefitting a person's well-being. Puleio further suggests looking for a chair that automatically adjusts to the sitter, so they don't need to fumble with confusing knobs and levers to be comfortable as they change tasks and positions throughout the day. One chair Puleio recommends is Humanscale's Liberty chair which, like all Humanscale chairs, offers a self-adjusting weight-sensitive recline with a pivoting backrest that provides lumbar support for all sitting positions. 2. The Desk Ergonomists now know that it's important for people to be able to move freely throughout the day in order to be healthy, comfortable and focused at work. A good sit/stand desk should be simple, intuitive and easy to use, so if a person needs to stand or sit while working, the process of raising or lowering the desk is seamless. Humanscale's Float table, for example, has an integrated counterbalance mechanism that accommodates varying weight loads, so raising or lowering the desk is as quick and easy as sitting or standing and doesn't interrupt the workflow. 3. The Lighting With the rise of backlit screens and open floor plans, task lighting, as a supplement to natural or overhead lighting, is necessary for an optimal work experience. "To avoid ocular discomfort that can negatively impact one's performance as well as their overall health and well-being, it's important to find proper task lighting that casts a wide footprint, is glare-free and offers a single shadow, and that is smooth and easy to adjust as needs shift throughout the day," says Puleio. The adjustments a task light should be able to perform include both manual positioning and brightness levels.Humanscale's Horizon 2.0 is one task light that meets these needs. It reduces eye strain and improves overall comfort by providing glare-free light that intuitively adjusts for a range of activities, from reading documents to writing emails, and everything in between. 4. The Monitor Arm Though often overlooked, monitor arms promote a clutter-free workspace and support a healthier, more ergonomic working posture, making it a must-have for the ideal desk setup. Many professionals tend to lean in toward their computer monitor in order to see it better. Monitor arms enable them to pull the monitor closer so they can sit in a healthy posture, with their back against the back of the task chair, and still see the work on their screen. 5. The Keyboard Tray A keyboard tray is another vital tool that helps achieve an ergonomic workspace. This tool brings the keyboard and mouse closer and encourages professionals to sit in a healthy, neutral posture without leaning forward. A well-designed keyboard tray offers protection from carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back pain and other musculoskeletal issues. Other ergonomic tools, including Humanscale's NeatTech, NeatUp and NeatLink, help to keep the desktop clear of cables and clutter.With each of these tools working in harmony to provide ergonomic support and comfort, anyone can have a "perfect" workstation.
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- According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 5.8 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to 14 million.Detecting symptoms of Alzheimer's disease as early as possible can be critical to provide appropriate care and avoid potentially dangerous situations. And family and friends can play a vital role in recognizing and calling attention to these changes in behavior, especially for older adults who live alone.While celebrating with loved ones this holiday season, Home Instead Senior Care encourages everyone to become more familiar with the symptoms of Alzheimer's, to be more aware so that critical warning signs are not overlooked.Although many are aware that Alzheimer's disease affects a person's memory, there are several other lesser-known indicators that commonly go unnoticed such as notable changes in mood or personality, difficulty completing familiar tasks, trouble pronouncing words or writing, and increased anxiety.Lakelyn Hogan, Home Instead Senior Care gerontologist and caregiver advocate, says, "People get wrapped up in the holidays and can miss important signs that a family member needs help - and doesn't even know it." She asks families to be mindful of the following signs that a loved one is struggling:* Disruption of daily life. Is your loved one easily confused by changes to his or her routine? Are they beginning to forget everyday tasks, such as taking medication, feeding a pet or paying bills?* Unusual behaviors. Have you noticed they seem unusually agitated or upset? Does it seem like his or her personality has shifted? Do they seem depressed or down?* Disengaged with family. Is your loved one having a hard time remembering names of familiar family members? Does it look as if his or her mind is going blank during conversations? Are they having trouble keeping up with topics of discussion?* Impairments in mobility and judgement. Do they seem afraid or unsure when using stairs? Do they hesitate before taking steps or going down ramps? A decline in cognitive ability can also affect the senses, impairing depth perception and hearing.* Loss of words. Does it seem they are forgetting words for everyday objects, such as toothbrushes, spoons or cups? Are they slow to form sentences or respond to questions?"It's important that we walk alongside our love ones in the aging process to ensure they are living safe and healthy lives," explains Hogan. "This holiday season, consider the signs that may indicate early-onset or developed Alzheimer's disease and talk to your senior relative or their caregiver about ways to accommodate their symptoms."For additional tips and resources on spotting the signs of Alzheimer's, go to 
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- With the start of a new decade just around the corner, Americans are feeling optimistic about their current and future financial situation, but reducing the burden of personal debt will be a priority for many who acknowledge they bit off more than they could chew in 2019.According to Fidelity Investments' 2020 New Year Financial Resolutions Study, 82 percent of respondents said they're in a similar or better financial position than last year. Perhaps surprisingly, most credited their success to their own good habits - saving more (47 percent) and budgeting (29 percent) - rather than their investment gains (18 percent) from a stock market that made one high after another. Less than 25 percent put it down to having been able to work more hours in a strong economy.And, as the study makes clear, they want to keep the momentum going.Of the 67 percent considering making a financial resolution, "saving more" and "paying down debt" topped the list, respectively, at 53 percent and 51 percent."Living a debt-free life was the biggest motivator for them," said Melissa Ridolfi, Fidelity's vice president of retirement and college products.Heck, given the choice between the classic New Year's resolution of losing five pounds or socking away $5,000, a resounding 84 percent in the national survey of 3,012 adults opted for savings.But you want to know some of the biggest and smallest mistakes or setbacks they fessed up to, right? See if you can relate to any of these:* Dining out too much (36 percent).* Spending too much on non-essentials like unused apps, streaming media services, and subscription retail boxes (29 percent).* Taking on debt or adding to existing debt (28 percent).*Splurging on something they couldn't really afford (28 percent).* Unexpected medical expenses (24 percent).* Failing to save as much for retirement as they should (18 percent).So with all the interest in getting a grip on debt, who seems to be faring the best at it?Boomers, the study found, with 29 percent crediting being better off financially at year's end to having refinanced, paid off, or reduced debts or loans. Generation X, the next oldest, trailed at 21 percent, followed by 19 percent of millennials, and just 6 percent of Generation Z."Boomers are getting the message that the closer they get to retirement, the more essential it becomes to get their debt under control to make the most out of retirement savings," Ridolfi said.Certainly there's no law that says you have to make a New Year's resolution - financial or otherwise - but even a huge chunk of those surveyed who weren't contemplating explicitly doing so still said they were planning on, say, building up emergency funds. As for what you might call the "traditionalists" out there? Fidelity has some tried-and-true 
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- Preparing to pop the question this Valentine's Day, but unsure how to choose the right engagement ring? Read on for all the tools you need to make the perfect pick!While choosing an engagement ring can be exciting, the variety of settings, precious metals, and diamonds can be overwhelming. However, the following tips will help you in finding 
While most products fail, they shouldn't fail because of marketing."The big wild card is the need people have for the product. That trumps everything," states best-selling author Lonny Kocina, CEO of Media Relations Agency. "If a product works well, even bad marketing can't kill it. But if people don't need the product, the best marketing in the world isn't going to save it."Kocina, author of "The CEO's Guide to Marketing," explains how to tell the difference. His book has been an Amazon best-seller since it was released in 2017 and was a 2018 Axiom Business Book Silver Award winner.Kocina says most marketers don't know enough about marketing to understand whether it is responsible for a sales problem or whether it is accelerating a product's natural lifecycle. "If a product doesn't work, you're going to find out faster when you're using a good marketing process," he explains. "So, when someone in the room tries to blame marketing for all the problems, you'd better have your facts in order."Does your team truthfully understand marketing? Were you on point with your messaging and your positioning? Did you use the promotional mix and schedule correctly? Did you cycle through it as you should? If you can say yes to all that, and the product didn't work, then you can say it wasn't your marketing." The six-step process designed to increase marketing results In his fully illustrated book, Kocina outlines a six-step process designed to dramatically increase your marketing results. "I call it Strategically Aimed Marketing, or SAM 6, for short. This process will assure creative people stay focused, on track and doing their best work."The SAM 6 steps are:1. Gain competence in marketing concepts and principles. "Wouldn't it be great if we all spoke the same marketing language? Dentists know bicuspids from incisors. Lawyers know affidavits from briefs. A competent marketer has a clear understanding and a working knowledge of marketing concepts and principles."2. Developing code sheets. "Code sheets are a means of gathering and documenting important information about your company and the products it promotes."3. Select channels. "The promotional mix channels you choose to employ depend on many variables, including your message, the market and your resources."4. Schedule calendar. "Your marketing calendar is a trusted guide to ensure that you cycle through each product and its primary value points with a maximum flow of on-point promotional messages."5. Develop a control template. "Your control template provides the guidelines for your writers, designers and other creative staff to follow without losing sight of the marketing necessities"6. Assemble your creative team. "You need to assemble the right people for the job, and then let these creative souls work their magic within the parameters you set."Kocina also says those who follow these steps will feel more empowered by their marketing."SAM 6 brings a clarity and process to this tension-filled field. "I've been CEO of Media Relations Agency for three decades. I've worked with hundreds of clients across the country. I get to see what's behind the scenes. I can tell you, the companies that follow a logical process are the ones getting the most bang for their marketing dollars."To access free SAM 6 tools, go to 
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- Maybe it's time to reconsider what you thought you knew about Millennials.A new "Relationship With Money" survey by financial services firm Edward Jones found that not only do more Americans born between 1981 and 1996 consider themselves "savers" than those in their parents' Gen-X cohort (48 percent vs. 46 percent), but that Millennials also were better at socking away emergency funds (75 percent vs. 66 percent).That's right, the same Millennials who are supposedly more into indulgences like avocado toast than, say, home ownership.The same Millennials whose motto could be "Why buy a car when you can Uber?""This debunks the myth that Millennials aren't as financially focused as other generations," said Edward Jones investment strategist Nela Richardson.And the survey isn't some outlier.The Federal Reserve Survey on Consumer Finances found that while Millennials are deep in debt, more than 42 percent have retirement accounts, the highest share for those under 35 years of age since 2001.Part of what's driving Millennials' emphasis on saving could stem from lingering memories of the Great Recession. "Back in the late 2000's, the oldest cohort of millennials entered the worst job market since the Great Depression of the 1930's," said Richardson. "For younger millennials, watching their parents and other family members go through that experience may have also made them more aware of the risks of a market downturn or some other unexpected event, like losing a home or a job, and so they're more conservative when it comes to spending and saving in their adult lives," said Richardson.One potential alarm bell uncovered by Edward Jones' sampling of more than 2,000 adults nationally age 18 and over: While 92 percent were honest enough with themselves to recognize there was room for improvement in their financial health, the very thought of saving money sufficed to make more than a third feel either "anxious" or "overwhelmed."If that sounds familiar, here are three steps to consider:• Identify your money-related emotions. People often have emotional responses to money. Getting a big bonus at work can make you feel euphoric; agonizing over what to do with it can be paralyzing even as the logical part of your brain (invest at least most of it) fights it out with the emotional part (splurge it all!). What's key is knowing that letting your feelings dictate your spending, saving and investing choices can lead to poor decisions.• Develop a financial strategy. Keeping your cool starts with identifying your main goals - a down payment on a new home, college for your children, a comfortable retirement - and then sticking to a sound, long-term path for attaining them.• Get an "accountability partner." Meaning, someone with whom you're comfortable sharing your finances. It could be a family member. Or a professional financial advisor, like a local one at 
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- Credit increased savings - and something else that doesn't get talked about enough - for American investors being better prepared financially for retirement.In fact, according to Fidelity Investments' latest biennial Retirement Savings Assessment, the typical American household is on track to have 83 percent of the income they'll need over the course of their expected retirement years - with about half in even better shape than that. Fifteen years ago, when the assessment was first conducted, the projected figure was a bleaker 62 percent."It's a testament to the hard work many families have made in taking control of their finances," says Melissa Ridolfi, vice president of retirement and college leadership at Fidelity.The study was based on a comprehensive national survey of 3,234 people identified as saving for retirement, age 25 to 74 in households earning at least $20,000 annually, and looked at assets like retirement accounts, home equity, inheritances, and current or expected pensions and Social Security benefits. The one disheartening finding: Twenty-eight percent of respondents might just as well be walking around with bright red warning signs if they don't take significant steps to make up their current shortfall.Fidelity actually used color-coded indicators to give a fuller picture of households' ability to cover their estimated expenses in a down market during those later years:* Dark Green ("On Target"). Thirty-seven percent were on track to handle more than 95 percent of their freight (up 5 percentage points from 2018).* Green ("Good"). Seventeen percent were on track for 81 to 95 percent - the essentials, but not discretionary items like travel and entertainment (down 1 percentage point from 2018).* Yellow ("Fair"). Eighteen percent came in at 65 to 80 percent, and hence face "modest adjustments" to their lifestyles (down 3 percentage points from 2018).* Red ("Needs Attention"). Twenty-eight percent were completely off-track at less than 65 percent of expenses (down 1 percentage point from 2018).The two factors driving the shift into the green?First, the median savings rate has steadily increased over the years - it's now at 10 percent, as opposed to 8.8 percent two years ago - with Baby Boomers socking away the most (11.7 percent of their salaries). Even Millennials, a generation noted for its crushing student loan debt, managed a rate of 9.7 percent.And second - and here's what's often overlooked - improved asset allocation. "Sixty percent of respondents are allocating their assets in a manner Fidelity considers age-appropriate," Ridolfi said, "compared to 48 percent in 2006."One reason being that many workplace retirement plans began defaulting employees into target date funds and managed accounts over the past decade."For those curious about their own retirement readiness, Fidelity's free 
