Health and Lifestyle
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Okay, ever been stressed? Can you do anything about that? (Answer: yes.) How about this: a vacation where your vacation dollars are doubled? Joined a "social network" online yet? Should you? If you do, how do you do so safely? (And what about young people and social networks?) That's the nice thing about Elevations CU: we care about your life, not just about the things we sell you.
June 2009
Saving money is a top priority for most people these days. Yet, most of us also want to do our best for the environment. Taking steps that help you go greener at home and also save money is a win – win goal. So in this report, my team and I have pulled together a variety of easy, practical tips. Add at least one new green, money-saving practice each week, and over time your wallet and the planet will say thank you!
Lighting. Incandescent light bulbs lose about 90% of the electricity they use as heat. Replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) and LED bulbs, can reduce your electricity bill. Even though CFL and LED bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they are more efficient and last longer. To avoid problems, however, you must choose the correct bulb for an application because CFLs and LED lights can burn out quickly when used in the wrong place. For example, a regular CFL “coil” light placed in a can light or an enclosed fixture typically will burn out rather quickly—a waste of your money. Excessive heat can also cause LED lights to burn out. Learn more about CFL and LED lighting at the energystar.gov site.
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 January 2009
The holiday season is over. Holiday shopping and the effects of the poor economy have emptied wallets. At times like this, you need some entertainment. But can you afford it? And you still have year-round shopping needs. What’s the best way to save money? This report offers tips to help you enjoy good times and good shopping at reasonable and reduced costs.
Saving on Entertainment
When the budget is tight, many people cut back on entertainment. But let the good times roll with these tips to save on books, DVDs, movie tickets, dining, and more.
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 November 2008
According to two recent national surveys, health care coverage costs will continue to increase in 2009. Are you one of the many consumers who are concerned about rising health care costs? This month's report looks at various ways to help you save on health care costs.
Health Care Savings Programs
There are various programs established by Congress that can help you save money on health care costs. The following types of plans utilize tax either pre-tax or tax free dollars to pay for health care.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Health Savings Accounts are tax-exempt savings account that allows account holders to pay covered health care expenses with pre-tax dollars. To qualify for an HSA you must:
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 June 2008
These days, every fill-up of the family vehicle brings new sticker shock. The soft economy along with rising fuel prices have many people rethinking their summer travel and vacation plans. Before you decide simply to skip this year’s vacation, consider all the ways you can save money and still enjoy getting away. This month's report discusses ways to get the most for your travel dollars.
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October 2007
With the phenomenal success of sites such as MySpace.com and Facebook.com, the numbers and variety of social networking websites are exploding on the Internet. Some, such as MySpace and Facebook, attract millions of varied users and others may be targeted at fewer individuals with very specific interests. All share the objective of allowing “members” to communicate, or “network,” with other members, and all require that users share some information about themselves. Social networking sites can be a great place to meet other people with your interests. They can be a fun place to meet and interact with friends. The many positives of these sites, however, come with some real dangers—if you don’t use them wisely. This report provides tips for safely using social networking sites.
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May 2006
Whether you are traveling for pleasure or business, making travel arrangements that fit your comfort criteria and your budget is every traveler's goal. The many online services make achieving those goals easier than they've ever been, if you learn the ropes. As a dedicated traveler, I share some tips and insights I've learned in covering hundreds of thousands of miles.
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March 2006
The convenience of going wireless with your notebook computer is so tempting. Wireless computer connections free you up to work over the Internet all around the house or office or from the local coffeeshop. Many consumers are putting wireless networks in their homes. Wi-Fi hotspots are appearing in many public locations such as cafes, libraries, churches, and airports. You can go online anywhere, it seems. But unless you take the proper security precautions in using Wi-Fi hotspots and in setting up your own wireless network, you are putting your financial and personal information at risk. In this month's report we look at the dangers and the precautions you can take.
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February 2005
Have you seen one of these ads or one like it? Looks real doesn’t it? Is your Internet browser trying to protect you? Well, in the lower left corner (that you really can’t see in this picture), in light gray type it says “advertisement.” It didn’t come from your browser or your security software. These types of ads want you to click quickly without considering any consequences. My review this month looks at the potential dangers of clicking on these ads.
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October 2004
When RealityCheck was launched last year, one of the articles looked at three free web-based emailservices: Hotmail, Yahoo!, and Mail.com. With Google’s recent introduction of Gmail, these services have made various changes. This review looks again at Hotmail, Yahoo!, and Mail.com and takes a first look at Gmail.
As usual, the term “free” has a catch. You “pay” for these services not with cash but with your demographic information. RealityCheck tip: Always, always read the privacy policy (and any related privacy policies) when providing personal information. That said, these services can be useful if you need to be able to access your email from any computer. You also must accept cookies in order to use any of these sites.
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March 2004
Do you depend on your computer for work, school or recreation? I literally couldn't function without mine as my work takes me around the country. But the news has been full lately of the latest threats to our computers. For instance, the MyDoom virus and Netsky worm have recently been causing havoc with computer systems around the world. Maybe one of these or another has already hit your machine. Frustrating, isn't it? And these problems will likely get worse not better.
Worms and viruses, for instance, are not the only things to be wary of. Personal information on your machine can be at risk, too. Other potential dangers include spyware, browser hijackers, and background advertising programs, to name just a few. These may come cloaked in file-sharing programs, toolbars, or other files. While many articles and even a few books have been written on this subject, this brief article will give you an overview of what steps you can take to secure your computer and the personal information on it. For more information, check out the resources listed below.
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