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Normal or Not Normal? | Physical BALC #73
Just like there is a spectrum for behavior, there are also degrees to which physical symptoms can be considered “normal” or “not normal”. For example: Symptom: Shortness of Breath Normal and likely due to: emotional upset, to which your body responds with a squirt of adrenaline, resulting in rapid breathing. Not Normal, and see a [...]
2012 Social Security Changes – The New Normal | Financial BALC #73
Social Security payments for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the first increase since 2009. The typical retiree will see an increase of about $43 per month, but a portion of the increase may be deducted to pay for higher Medicare Part B premiums. Since 1975, Social Security payments have [...]
One Secret to Long Life | Physical BALC #72
We started a conversation about oral health last week, and I’ve read some more research about the importance of good oral health. A new study published in Journal of Aging Research adds to mounting evidence that one of the simplest secrets of long life is taking care of your teeth. Conversely, neglecting your teeth can [...]
It could be worse | Personal BALC #72
It could be worse for Americans, and it is worse for many around the world. Gas prices have been increasing steadily in the past few weeks on skyrocketing crude oil prices, making the average price of a gallon of regular gas $3.57. While this is high here in the U.S., other countries are saddled with [...]
The New 401(k) Rules
The U.S. Department of Labor now requires full disclosure and transparency of service fees related to investors’ 401(k)s, allowing workers and retirees more control over their retirement savings. This change won’t happen immediately. Service providers can wait until July 1st to tell employers the costs of their 401 (k) plans. Participants will have to wait [...]
Hardwired for Risk | Personal BALC #71
When you see people who are successful at dealing with financial risks, you know you’re looking at the product of hard work and careful planning. But what you’re also seeing are people whose innate hard-wiring made them more likely to be winners at this kind of game. The past several decades of research into human [...]
Chew on this: oral health should be a priority
I was driving home the other day, and quite literally passed four veterinarian offices. Every vet was advertising teeth cleaning discounts for dogs and cats. Maybe February is house pet oral health month? I don’t know, but it got me thinking about our own – human – oral health. Nearly one-third of all U.S. adults [...]
Fewer Foreclosures Could Mean Lower Home Prices | Financial BALC #71
We all know that distressed home sales put downward pressure on homes prices all around them. Close to 12 million borrowers are now in a negative equity position on their homes because so many other borrowers were unable to afford their mortgages. The logical assumption would then be that as foreclosures ease, organic home process [...]
February is American Heart Association Month | Physical BALC #70
I think the heart is the only organ that has a month entirely to itself – it’s the only organ that even has a month. So, in honor of February and the heart I have some information from the American Heart Association website reminding us to live right. BTW, heart disease is the number one [...]
We’re holding out for less | Personal BALC #70
A recently released study shows that many Americans are still holding off on buying homes in some of the country’s most expensive cities. On average, home prices nationally have fallen 23% since the housing crisis began, but the richest cities have experienced only modest home price declines – especially relative to their high home value. [...]
