Should Smokers Pay A Higher Insurance Premium?
Recently, I read an article that suggested that, maybe, smokers should pay a higher premium for health insurance. I decided to do some research and see what the risk factors of smoking are. In the process of doing so, I came across some fascinating data.
Smoking and obesity (being fat) risk factors are very similiiar.
Based on my visits to many websites, these are some of the possible risk factors listed for smoking and obesity (or being overweight).
|
Cigarette Smoking
In Adults Heart Disese In Pregnant Women Low weight babies In Children |
Obesity/Being Overweight
In Adults Heart Disease In Pregnant Women Abnormalities of the baby’s growth, In Children Orthopedic Problems |
So, back to the question, should smokers pay a higher insurance premium? Or, should the same hold true for fat (obese) individuals? What do you think?
The following websites have great information on both of these issues
American Obesity Association
National Cancer Institute
American Heart Association
The Science Of Love vs Online Dating
On Monday night, NBC aired a show called “The Science Of Love”. It was based on an experiment about falling in love. A bachelor got to hand pick one girl out of 50, that were chosen by a dating service. A second girl was chosen for him, based on scientific data i.e. his biological and psychological makeup.
The show held a lot of merit. The scientists who chose the girl for the bachelor, were experts in the science of love. Both of the girls appeared to be a good match for him. The date with the girl he had chosen, was a typical date-time spent tossing a ball at a football field (he’s a football player), and an evening of dinner and dancing. The date the bachelor went on with the “science girl” was “engineered”, and they participated in activities and ate food, that arose “feelings”, and “awakened the senses” that parallel those we feel, when we’re in love. With both girls, the communication flowed naturally, and there was a “chemistry” between the bachelor and each of the girls. Ironically, in the end, he chose the girl based on scientific data.
That raises the question, do online dating services work? Or, would it be better to find a “scientific” match?
In two earlier articles I wrote about online dating. The first article is, Online Dating, Does It Work?, where I explore relationship issues and provide links to several online dating services. The second article is, Online Dating Services-Be Safe, and I address the issue of being “smart” if you choose to participate in online dating.
Personally, I think online dating can work. I know several couples who met online, and they all appear to be as happy as couples who met in a more traditional way. I’m sure their first meeting was as nerve racking as any first date, however, they probably rank higher in time spent communicating. With communication being so important in a relationship, online daters may have an advantage. Plus, if it’s not working, it would be a lot easier to “break it off” online.
So, until someone opens up a “scientific” dating service, it’s back to meeting that special someone, either in a traditional way, through personals, or online. Which ever way you choose, I wish you all the best.
No tags for this post.Building? Remodeling? How Not To Get Ripped Off
I hate hearing stories of how people got ripped off by shady building and remodeling contractors. It’s even worse when homeowners are victims of a natural disaster, and get ripped off. These unscrupulous building and remodeling contractors are a bad reflection on honest contractors, who have spent years building their business and reputation.
If you’re planning on building or remodeling, the first burden lies with you. Know what you want. Find a good architect and have all of your drawings (plans/blueprints) how you want them. It’s a lot less expensive to make changes on paper, than it is after construction has begun. Ask your architect if they have a computer program that will give you a virtual tour of your new home or remodel. If you take more time during this phase of building, delays and over runs are less likely to happen.
Have all of your finances in order for your project.
Before you submit a set of plans to a building or remodeling contractor for review and a bid, make sure this is your final set of plans, including all revisions and governmental approvals (i.e. city or state). It’s unrealistic to expect a contractor to bid a set of plans, have them give you a proposal for what it will cost, and expect them to stick with that number, if you later make revisions to the plans.
Get bids from no less than three contractors. Make sure they all have the same set of plans, and are bidding the same items. When you look at more than one bid, you may not be comparing “apples to apples”. Different contractors bid differently. You want the job bid “complete”. Read the fine print. The lowest bid is not necessarily the one you should accept For example, does one bid include materials and labor, but the other one, only include labor? Naturally, if everything isn’t included, one contractor will come in lower than the other. Don’t just look at the bottom line..
Consider the reputation of the contractor, and the length of time they’ve been in business. Their price may be a little higher because they use higher quality materials, have more knowledgeable employees, and do the job right the first time, as they don’t want “call backs”. I’m not saying that the lowest bidder isn’t a good contractor, or that the highest bidder is the best contractor, what I’m saying is, make sure you’re getting the exact same thing with all of the bids.
Once you have the written contract, make sure you’re protected. If the contract is written by the contractor, they will most likely have clauses that protect them. If there aren’t clauses that also protect you, have your attorney rewrite the contract to the satisfaction of both parties.
Find out if the contractor is offering a warranty on his work. Is a long term home owners warranty available? Check into that. On new homes, typically a contractor will stand behind their work (for minor repairs) for at least one year. Long term warranties usually cover items like roofs, siding, heating and cooling systems, etc. However, all of these warranties are only as good as the contractor. Warranty work is a “non paying” job, but if a contractor does things right the first time, you may never have to call them to come back. If a warranty is part of your contract, do a walk through upon completion, and document anything you find that needs to be redone or repaired. Keep those records in a safe place. Get the warranty work done as soon as possible. I’ve known of people who have gotten a home inspection right after their house is built. Hiring a home inspector is a great way to have someone with that “critical eye” look at all aspects of your home. They see things a typical homeowner wouldn’t even think of looking for. This could be one of your best investments. If it’s something you plan to do, remember to add it to your budget.
How reputable is the contractor? How long have they been in business? Is their license, bond and insurance current? Do a little homework. Ask for a current certificate of insurance. A lot of states publish contractor licensing information online. Go to your state’s official website, and search for licensing information. If you can’t find it, call the state office. A few minutes researching, could save you thousands of dollars (or much more). If the contractor isn’t licensed, bonded and insured, find another one.
Ask for references from previous clients. Before a bank lends you money, they check your credit rating. This is the same principle. Some contractors may just give you a couple of names of people whom they know will give a great reference, however, if a contractor has “burned” all of their customers, they probably won’t have any references to give you. If a contractor can’t give you any references, that’s a red flag. A reputable contractor can probably give you a list of dozens of satisfied clients. Call the references. If a customer had a home built, ask the homeowner if they would be willing to supply their address, so you can drive by. Ask them if they would recommend the contractor to others. Ask them if they would use this contractor again. Ask them what problems arose during construction, and how the problem was resolved. Ask them if the contractor stayed on schedule and on budget. Ask them if the contractor performed the warranty work to their satisfaction. A great way to find a good contractor is to ask friends and/or relatives who they would recommend. New to an area? Ask people you meet? Check with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). A lot of good contractors don’t need to advertise. They get most of their work from referrals. If the same contractors name keeps popping up, that’s a good sign.
Ask yourself, can I work with this contractor for the next “blank” number of months? Do we have a good rapport? Do they listen to me? Are we on the same page? Do they show me respect? Follow that “gut” feeling. Don’t let a contractor “rush” you into a project. A reputable contractor is normally so busy, that you’ll have to wait to get on their schedule. Plan for it.
Sometimes, a contractor will ask for money “up front”. This isn’t all that unusual as they may need to pay payroll, or will need to purchase materials for your job. Do not, I repeat, do not, give them all of the money upfront. A down payment is usually relative to the total cost of the job. The bigger the job, the percentage “upfront” is usually smaller. On a small job, a down payment of 25% is reasonable , 75% – 100%, is not. The contractor may ask to have an escrow account set up for the job. This assures them that the money is there for the project. If you’re hesitant to set up an escrow account, this could be a red flag for the contractor. Just as homeowners need to be smart when it comes to choosing a contractor, a contractor need to protect their interests, as well.
For your part, make sure the contractor is receiving their check(s) as per the contract. If you don’t pay the contractor, they could stop work, and delay your project. If you’re borrowing money from a bank, lost time means you’ll pay more interest on your construction loan. If you don’t pay the contractor, they could lien your project.
To save some money, you may want to buy all of the materials yourself, however, this is a time consuming process. If you buy the wrong materials, you could easily delay your job for days. A reliable contractor already has a rapport with their suppliers, knows exactly what they need, plus knows the “language” of their trade.
If you’re doing a large project, your contractor is most likely using “subcontractors” and is purchasing materials for your job. It’s also important to know that these “subs” and suppliers are getting paid. If they aren’t, they can lien your property. Some unscrupulous contractors “take the money” and run, leaving you, the suppliers, and the subcontractors, “holding the bag”. All the more reason to hire a reputable contractor. Check with the Better Business Bureau. If they’ve received complaints about a contractor, let that be a warning sign.
Some, but not all, states have inspections on the different phases of building. Make sure the contractor isn’t proceeding on your project without getting the proper inspections, and, approval on his work. Most inspection records are kept in a “job box”. If an inspector approves or disapproves what was done, that will be recorded on the inspection record.
If you decide to make a change in the middle of construction, don’t expect the contractor to hold to their original price. Ask the contractor a separate bid for the change. Get it in writing.
Don’t expect the contractor to give you “freebies” just because they’re there with their tools or equipment. For instance, if you want a tree cut down, and you see the contractor has a chainsaw in their truck, don’t say, “While you’re here, can you …..” You hired them to do a specific job. If you want that tree cut down, (or whatever,) either be willing to pay the contractor to do the extra job, or do it yourself. Contractors work on tight schedules, and time is money to them. That’s how they make their living. Your’s, is most likely, not the only job they’re working on. And…you don’t want to be their only client. Red Flag!
Once your project is underway, stay out of the way. Let the professionals do what they do best. Interrupting their work, or the work of their employees, will only slow down your project.
Plan, you’ll go over budget. With building and/or remodeling, it’s very common to go over budget. Plan for it! How much should you plan for? It’s not uncommon for homeowners to go over budget by at least 10%. Keep in mind, the more upgrades you ask for and/or changes you make to the original plans, the greater this percentage will become.
Plan for delays. Your project may go on schedule, however, delays are very common. A delay may be due to weather, a family emergency, an unforeseen error in your plans, or maybe you created a delay in your project, because you haven’t provided the contractor with the necessary information they need to proceed. Plan for delays!
Don’t give a contractor the final payment until the job is complete, signed off by the proper governmental agencies (if applicable), and you’ve gotten what you agreed to. On the other hand, if the contractor has completed your job as agreed, make the payment as per the agreement.
Building or remodeling a home is a stressful project. You’ll have hundreds of decisions to make along the way. Do your homework before starting your project. Choose a reputable building or remodeling contractor, and have a written contract. Your life will be disrupted for months, but don’t let that stop you from fulfilling your dream. If you know you can trust your contractor to do their part, the process of building or remodeling could actually end up being a fun project.
No tags for this post.Learn The Rules Of Cribbage
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In a previous article, I wrote “Teach children basic math with Cribbage
Teaching cribbage is quite easy to do, however, if you’re not familiar with cribbage, you can’t very well teach it.
Here’s a great website link, “Teaching kids the gentleman’s game of cribbage”. On the bottom of this page, you can follow the links to learn how to deal the cards, count your points, peg, etc., plus the rules of the game.
What intrigued me about this site, was the story of Paul Zuiker, an elementary school teacher/guidance counselor in Wisconsin, who teaches his third graders how to play cribbage. I think this is so cool. What a fun way for them to learn basic math.
Leaning cribbage is quite simple. Check out this site for the simple rules of cribbage. as well as (FAQ) frequently asked questions.
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Product Review: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser -Update
Filed under: Archives, Cleaning Tips, Product Reviews
Back in April, I wrote the following review for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I continue to find new uses for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Today I was cleaning the kitchen sink, which is a white enamel or porcelain type surface. I was having difficulty getting coffee and/or tea stains out of it. I got out my handy dandy Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and with just a little scrubbing, it was looking like new. I love this product. Another reason it’s listed on my
“Gotta Have It” page.
If you haven’t tried this product, it’s definitely worth checking out.
On April 2, 2007, I wrote:
Not too long ago I decided to try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. At first glance, I really wondered how well it could work, but I was amazed. I wet the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and gave it a try. What I found was that it worked extremely well on my white refrigerator, which has tiny little crevices that always seem to collect dirt. The dirt came off so easily. I was sold. I now use it to clean my baseboards and cabinets which are painted white. I love this product, and will definitely always keep the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser in my arsenal of cleaning supplies.
One thing I do, is cut the eraser in half. The eraser seems to start falling apart after multiple uses, so by cutting it in half, I feel I’m making it last longer.
Remember to read the “warning label” on the box as it is not recommended for all surfaces.
UPDATE: If you received an email showing pictures of “burns” a young child got while using the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, take it upon yourself to research this topic online. Some claim it is a hoax, others disagree. After researching, you must decide for yourself.
Product Review – John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze
Filed under: Archives, Beauty, Hair Products, Product Reviews
John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze was recommended to me by several friends who use it. I had seen John Freida Luminous Color Glaze in the store, but had never tried it. The package says, “Luminous Color Glaze is an easy-to-use gel-creme formula that adds a hint of glossy color and boosts shine right in the shower.” It claims to “revive your color and add a high-gloss finish to hair”.
Based on the recommendations of my trusted friends, I decided to get the John Freida Luminous Color Glaze in a color that would compliment my natural color (which I need to color, in order to cover some gray). The Luminous Color Glaze comes in several different shades. I chose “chestnut to espresso”.
I washed and conditioned my hair, squeezed out the excess water and applied the John Freida Luminous Color Glaze. As per instructions, I washed my hands thoroughly , and waited for three minutes. After that, I rinsed out the Luminous Color Glaze and towel dried my hair. After I dried and styled my hair, I did notice my hair was more shiny, and very healthy looking. The gray that was starting to show, is now less noticeable. This is only after one application. I’m sold.
You can check out more about John Freida Luminous Color Glaze on their website at John Frieda.com.
This product was also mentioned on Oprah, by one of her hairdresser guests.
I have also used John Freida’s “Frizz-Ease”, which is another product I’m very pleased with.
Update: When I first started using John Freida Luminous Color Glaze, the shampoo I was using wasn’t specially formulated for brown hair. Since then, I have purchased the John Freida brilliant brunette shine release moisturizing shampoo and light reflecting conditioner (in chestnut to espresso). I absolutely love these two products. They’re a great addition to the color glaze. My hair has more shine and looks healthier.
BTW: My hair is naturally brown and in good condition. I use a permanent color to cover the gray (see Product Review: Revlon Color Silk ).
Losing Frequent Flyer Miles?
Are you at risk of losing your frequent flyer miles? Frequent flyer miles are becoming harder to use, and in some cases if you don’t have activity in your account, you can lose all of the miles you’ve accumulated. On one airline, I was close to losing mine.
The question is, what do you do if you’re at risk of losing frequent flyer miles? Do you just let the airline “take them?” I don’t think so.
My philosophy is, do something useful with them. Today I donated miles to a favorite charity-The Fisher House. They are (to quote them)
“supporting America’s military in their time of need, we provide “a home away from home” that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time — during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury….”
This, I think, is a great cause.
Granted, I could have transferred them to another person with the same mileage program, bought more miles and taken a trip, or lost the miles.
Donating miles is quite simple. Just log into your mileage account. Find the “Frequent Flyer” program, and then follow the links to “donating miles”. I then selected the charity I wanted to donate to, and clicked a few more times, and that was it. I did have to donate in 5000 mile increments.
While researching for this article, I was alerted of a website that handles frequent flyer miles, and gives you options of how to use them. It’s www.points.com. I didn’t take the time to register (for free), and find out exactly how their program works, but it looks like a site worth checking out (if you choose to try and keep your miles, or use them for purchases). I found out about www.points.com, on an interesting site called The Travel Writer’s Life
Don’t rise losing those unused frequent flyer miles. Check your accounts today.
Donating frequent flyer miles may also be a tax write off. Check with your accountant.
No tags for this post.Organizing Product Manuals & Instruction Booklets
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Organizing
Yesterday when I was working on my office filing, I ended up finding several manuals for things I had bought. Since I had used my Easy Office Filing System for my office paperwork, I decided to create a way to have access to my manuals and instruction booklets, as well.
What I did was use three ring binders and plastic sheet protectors. Into each sheet protector, I placed a manual, or instruction booklet. I then placed those into the three ring binder, and made a label for the spine of the three ring binder. I did the same thing for manuals and instruction booklets that apply to our business.
Now when I have the binders on the bookshelf, I know what’s in them, plus finding my manuals or instruction booklets, has just became a lot easier.
How simple is that?
Looking for three ring binders or sheet protectors? Check out Office Depot
Easy Office Filing System
I love the easy office filing system I use. Although fling is my least favorite job, I have created a method that almost makes it fun…if that’s possible.
Yesterday, I told myself, it was time to file again. I just couldn’t put off filing any longer. I cleared off the kitchen table, got out my handy dandy C-line sorter (for more information, see Product Review-C-Line Sorter) I had my stack of papers, and to my left I placed my shredder (see Gotta Have It-Cross Cut Shredder (to protect yourself from identity theft)). To my right I had my recycle basket (see My article about recycling paper), and my garbage can.
I turned on some lively music and began the tedious process of filing. Before I knew it, I had that mountain of papers filed alphabetically in the c-line sorter, ready to be put in the file cabinet. With the shredder available, I was able to reduce my amount of filing by about 25%, and the recycle basket ended up with a nice stack of paper I can reuse. Once I have printed on both sides, I will put those papers in the curb-side recycling bin.
I took the c-line sorter to my desk and proceeded to insert the paperwork into my colorful files (see Orgainzing Your Office With Color). What a sense of accomplishment.
Now, I’ll have anything I need, right at my fingertips. I like that!
An added bonus to my filing, I found a receipt I was looking for that I needed for a return. Remember, that’s “money in the bank”. For my view on that, see Save Those Receipts…... Sweet!
No tags for this post.Product Review-Turkey Bacon
Finding an alternative to pork bacon has been a mission of mine for some time. Pork bacon has that distinctive taste. And what’s a BLT, without bacon?
I was recently in our local Costco, and came upon a demonstration for Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon. I was somewhat skeptical as to how good bacon made out of turkey could be, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was crispy and quite flavorful. I was sold.
The Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon is made from smoked and cured turkey, which is then chopped and formed. It has 50% less fat than most pork bacon. One slice has 35 calories, with 25 of those calories are from fat. There is one gram of saturated fat per slice, 15 mg of cholesterol, and 190 mg of sodium.
The bacon can be cooked in a skillet or in the microwave. I use the microwave and can cook two pieces in about a minute and a half. When cooked, it’s very thin and crispy. This isn’t a product I choose to eat very often, but when I’m craving a BLT, or bacon with my eggs, this is a great alternative to pork bacon.
Oscar Mayer is a division of Kraft Foods. If you go to their website at Kraft Foods-Oscar Mayer you’ll find some delicious looking recipes.
No tags for this post.Life Saving Tips
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