-Prepare you vehicle for long distance travel: Check your wipers and fluids. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance before you leave your home can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road.

-Plan ahead: Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch the signs as you near the off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.

-Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

-Check your emergency kit: Contents should include: battery powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire repair kit and flares.

-Be aware of changes in weather: Weather conditions across the U.S. will be changing – especially during early mornings and evenings with the cold. Watch for ice, snow and other weather-related obstacles.

-Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.

-Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early so you won’t be anxious about arriving late and to accommodate for any delays. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic congestion.

-Be aware of truck blindspots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.

-Slow Down: With the extra highway congestion due to holiday travel, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space between you and the cars around you and reduce your speed.

-Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.

“Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year,” said America’s Road Team Captain Kurt Pedersen. “With so many motorists on the road, it’s important to use caution and patience while driving. Following these rules for the road will ensure that we all arrive safely to our loved ones.”

For more information, visit www.truckline.com.

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Vermont ranked first this year thanks in part to its low rate of obesity, high number of doctors and a low rate of child poverty. New England in general sets a benchmark for the country, the report found. All six New England states are in the top 10. These states have favorable demographics and an excellent public health infrastructure, including a large number of doctors per capita.

Eight of the 10 bottom-ranked states are from the south, with Mississippi coming in dead last for the ninth consecutive year. Mississippi has a sky-high death rate from heart disease and high infant mortality. In general, residents of these states are more likely to be smokers or to be obese, the report found. They also have worse health insurance coverage, fewer physicians per capita and live in areas with high violent crime and more child poverty.

UnitedHealth Group Executive Vice President Dr. Reed Tuckson says the report is meant to draw attention to public health issues, particularly the twin challenges of smoking and obesity. While the smoking rate has decreased in the past 20 years, nearly one in five Americans still smoke. More than one-quarter of American adults suffer from obesity, a condition that the report estimated will cost $344 billion in annual health care costs by 2018. “We are about to deliver a tsunami of preventable chronic illness that will come pouring into the medical care delivery system,” says Reed.

The top 10 states on the healthiest list include:

1. Vermont
2. Utah
3. Massachusetts
4. Hawaii
5. New Hampshire
6. Minnesota
7. Connecticut
8. Colorado
9. Maine
10. Rhode Island

For more information, visit www.forbes.com.

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Diener, a travel expert and frequent guest on radio shows across the country, shares his insider knowledge of the travel industry with consumers to help them save money every time they travel.

1. Book the Short Sale. Travel companies including airlines, hotels and even cruise lines are offering travelers deals for a “limited” time. They will put rooms or cities on sale for short periods of time ranging from just a few hours to three days. According to Diener, “While these sales are used to encourage bookings, they can save travelers hundreds of dollars.”

2. Book Now. Rates in many destinations such as New York, Miami, Boston and Washington DC are going up. Unlike last year when travelers were able to wait till the last minute to book the lowest rates on accommodations, this year, rates are getting higher closer to check-in. If you know your travel dates, book in advance to lock in the best rates.

3. Bargain Destinations. “Let the destination pick you.” Diener recommends travelers search out a destination based on cost instead of picking the destination first. For example, instead of planning a Hawaiian vacation, focus on a trip to a beach. Then research several beach destinations and select the one that best fits your budget.

4. Let Your Fingers Do the Walking. Oftentimes by phoning a hotel directly rather than booking via a hotel website, travelers can save money. If demand is low the manager may be willing to offer a break in the rate to entice bookings. Additionally, getaroom.com offers travelers lower unpublished rates via its call center (1-800-HOTELS-8) that it cannot post on its website.

5. Join a Group. Being a member of certain groups can get travelers reduced hotel rates including AAA and AARP. Frequent travelers should take advantage of airline and hotel loyalty programs. They can provide travelers with free airfare and hotel rooms, as well as other free perks including upgrades, free breakfasts and more.

6. Twitter. Follow your favorite travel companies on Twitter and save. Companies like Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and getaroom.com have offered special deals via the popular social networking site – the key is to check Twitter often as these deals are for limited periods of time.

7. All the Best Things in Life Are Free. From free room nights to free in-room movies, travelers can get all kinds of money-saving deals. Many properties offer free-night stays when booking a minimum number of room nights. “Once you decide on your destination, shop around for the hotels that are offering the best rates, as well as the most free perks as these items can substantially add to your hotel stay,” advised Diener.

For more information, visit www.Getaroom.com.

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To keep stress to a minimum and stay on task, Schofield recommends starting a notebook and making lists to keep yourself organized and save time. The real key is to get your planning under way as soon as possible, especially with the holidays being right around the corner.

Tips to calm the chaos:

Keep a schedule—List the many things you have to work around: check office and school calendars (will your kids need holiday costumes for school performances?); note when you have to get things in the mail so they’re received on time, when you’re going to decorate the tree, events going on in the community, and service projects for the family, such as adopting a family or volunteering at the food bank.

Get your ducks in a row—Create a list of who you want to give gifts to; who your kids want to give gifts to and what they want to give; things you want to make vs. things you want to buy; and your Christmas card recipients. (Most experts also agree that this is time to evaluate your budget. Be realistic. You’ll want to be able to stick to it).

Use waiting time—Standing in line? Waiting for a doctor’s appointment or dinner to cook? Take advantage of little chunks of time to plan things, make your lists, or work on little craft projects. You can do this throughout the year but especially during the holiday season.

Gift lists—Create a list of what you have given people as gifts. That way you don’t risk giving something you’ve already given. While you’re at it, start next year’s gift list. Keep your radar up during the year and make notes, so when it comes time to shop, you have a list of things people want and will enjoy.

Decorations—Take inventory of your holiday decorations, make a list and identify what box they’re stored in. When you’re boxing them up at the end of the season, sort and store them by room, not by what they are. Then next year, you can decorate from one box at a time, one room at a time, if you don’t have a large block of time to do it all at once.

Get wrapping—Set up a card table in a corner of a room and make that your gift-wrap center, so when you buy something, you can wrap it right away and avoid the last-minute crunch. Stand up rolls of wrapping paper in a waste basket, or hang in a garment bag. If you buy 30-inch-long rolls of paper, cut them in two—one 18 inches and one 12 inches—then put them in empty aluminum foil boxes for easy dispensing. A desk or wrist tape dispenser releases strips of tape with one hand. And those spindle paper towel holders are great for storing and dispensing rolls of ribbon.

Holiday house cleaning—Houseguests—either for dinner or for weeks at a time—are often a key part of the holidays. But this isn’t the time to clean out the basement or reorganize storage closets. Ultimately, your goal should be that you’re not embarrassed by your home and that everyone will be welcome and have a good time. Back off the big projects and just do those things that pertain to that direct goal.

Tackle the big meals—Holidays are often all about the food. If you’re playing host, do a lot of stuff in advance, and realize that a lot of things can be reheated just before guests arrive. If you’re hosting a casual affair, have your guests contribute a dish or drinks.

Evaluate what worked, and what didn’t—Immediately after the holidays, ask yourself: What would you have liked to do this season, but you ran out of time? Which of those things could you plan to do now or do earlier in the year so you don’t run out of time? Is your gift list going to change next year? Were there certain baked goods or foods that people really enjoyed? What decorations or ornaments would you like to add, exchange or get rid of? What projects would you like to do next year, and when should you start them?

Then work ahead for 2010— With kids, it can be difficult to buy gifts too far in advance- they tend to want something they just saw on TV. But with other people, you can pick things up during the course of the year to save time and money. And don’t forget to take advantage of the after-holiday sales. You can get staples like holiday napkins, cards and gift wrap for a fraction of the seasonal price. Just be sure to write down what you bought and where you have stashed it, so you’re ready to go next year.

(c) 2009, The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho).

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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Many holidays are celebrated between the months of October and January, meaning that extra food, guests and dangers for pets are right around the corner. Keep these tips from the American Humane Association in mind as you prepare your holiday festivities.

Ringing Doorbell = Nervous Breakdown?

Many pets are agitated by the sound of doorbells, especially since their hearing is much more sensitive than ours. If your dogs bark, run and jump when new people arrive at the house, or if your cat runs for cover, consider disengaging the doorbell and putting a sign on the door to ask guests to “knock please.” Provide an open cage large enough for your animal to stand and fully turn around in, and place it in a quiet room away from the hubbub so your pet can choose when to join your party. This will also help keep your pet from running away during the frequent opening and closing of your door if you keep the cage closed.

“No” to the Five-Second Rule

Sometimes we forget what can fall on the floor when we are cooking for a holiday crowd and there’s a pet around. Some of it may be OK, but other things, like bread dough, can cause problems. When an animal ingests dough, its body heat causes the dough to rise in its stomach, leading to bloat or worse. It’s best to let your pet snack on familiar favorites instead of unfamiliar holiday goodies like candy and other people’s food.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Cats and other animals may seek out your car engine for warmth during the winter months, so honk the horn or bang on the hood a few times before starting the engine.

Adjust Your Pet’s Diet

Most pets spend more time indoors during the winter, which means their activity level drops and they need less food. However, if your pet does spend a lot of time outdoors in cold weather, he will need more food as he burns calories to keep warm. Talk to your veterinarian for advice on the proper diet for your pet.

Ice, Snow and Salt

Your pet may like taking a stroll outside when the temperature dips, but many people use powerful salts on their sidewalks to combat the ice. Clean your pet’s paws after your outing to prevent its pads from becoming irritated and dried out.

Don’t Forget Your Feathered Friends

Getting ready for holiday gatherings usually means extra cleaning before guests arrive. Fumes from rug shampoo, furniture polish and oven cleaner can be fatal to a bird if they enter its delicate respiratory system. When using these products, keep them away from birds, and open your windows to let the air flow.

Just Because It’s Cold Doesn’t Mean They Can’t Catch a Bug

Mosquitoes and other bugs can be a year-round problem. Remember to keep your pets on their regular heartworm, flea and tick preventive medicines, even during the winter.

In Addition to Poinsettias

Holly, amaryllis, mistletoe and pine needles can be harmful to your pet’s stomach. Go for the fake versions to keep your traditions, and your pet, alive.

If They Like Toilet Water, They’ll Probably Like Tree Water

Both cats and dogs may find Christmas tree water irresistible, so if you add a tree preservative to the water, make sure it is pet friendly. Better yet, use a tree stand designed to prevent pets from accessing the water, which can harbor bacteria.

More Temptation Lies in the Tree

With its glittering lights and natural climbing area, the Christmas tree may offer a new place for your cat to play. Hang your most valuable or breakable ornaments near the top and cat-friendly ornaments on the bottom.

For more information, visit www.americanhumane.org.

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London’s strong pound makes getting the hotel bill an unpleasant experience, but home exchange ensures larger, more comfortable accommodations for free. As a bonus, travelers can cook their meals in the home exchanger’s kitchen in a city that has a rather uneven, expensive restaurant scene. Also, London’s historic environs are comprised of culturally rich and diverse regions which afford exchangers the opportunity to experience the country from a unique perspective should they opt to exchange on the outskirts of the city.

As vacationers seek less expensive ways to travel, while at the same time not sacrificing quality, the concept of the “hotel free” vacation has been gaining popularity throughout the world, according to Frank.

“Thirty-seven percent of travelers surveyed said they will vacation at a rental property in the coming year, up from 34% last year,” says Frank. “And although only 1% of respondents has experienced a house swap vacation, 43% would if given the right opportunity.”

First introduced to the mainstream public in 2006 by the movie “The Holiday”, where Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet exchange houses in Los Angeles and England, home exchanges are expected to increase in dramatic fashion for several reasons, according to Frank.

“Even in the current challenging economic environment, people still want to travel and take vacations whenever possible,” she says. “A home exchange offers a viable alternative to expensive hotels, and usually provides a more complete vacation since there are many more amenities at your disposal. Also, home exchanges are often located off the beaten path of the selected city, thus giving vacationers the opportunity to experience the distinct culture of each destination.”

The remaining top ten list includes:

2. Manhattan: Not only does the average Manhattan hotel room cost $400, it can be quite cramped. New Yorkers have smaller homes than other Americans, but even the tiniest Manhattan home exchange apartment is twice the size of a Times Square hotel room. Plus, money saved by not paying an expensive hotel bill can be put to better use, such as seeing Manhattan’s famous sights.

3. Paris: The “City of Lights” is fascinating in any season and the French are avid home exchangers with a minimum of six weeks vacation each year. The vast majority of home exchangers have been “extremely satisfied” with exchanges they’ve made in Paris and contend they will only visit France through this method of travel.

4. Sydney: When it comes to home exchange, no one comes close to Australians. Travel from Australia to anywhere else is expensive and time-consuming, so Australians tend to take long trips. Only home exchange makes an extended vacation affordable and pleasant, so Australians are always looking to trade homes.

5. San Francisco: This compact city has plenty of sophisticated home exchangers and few “bad” neighborhoods. Make sure to consider up-scale Marin County, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from the City by the Bay, as well as almost any swap home outside of San Francisco city limits but within walking distance of the efficient BART train.

6. Montreal: A trip to Montreal feels a lot like a getaway to Europe. Quebec winters can be brutal so the summer season is chock-full of free festivals and events. Lots of folks in Quebec are veteran home exchangers and will eagerly swap with you.

7. Tuscany: Italians shy away from home exchange when compared to their neighbors in France and Spain. But thousands of ex-pats have purchased vacation homes in Tuscany and nearby Umbria, both of which are exquisitely beautiful with wonderful restaurants and fascinating sites to visit.

8. Barcelona: Celebrated architecture makes Barcelona a must-see destination. There are plentiful home exchange offerings in Barcelona, including some in historic buildings.

9. Vancouver: Another beautiful North American city with a European feel, Vancouver is full of interesting little neighborhoods that home exchangers love to share.

10. Netherlands: While Amsterdam gets all the tourists, it can be hectic and crowded. Luckily, the Netherlands is an extremely compact country. Visitors can take the ultra-convenient national train system from almost anywhere in the Netherlands to Amsterdam within 90 minutes, and can then return home to their swap house in a more authentically Dutch city nearby.

For more information, visit www.RoofSwap.com.

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Why do so many people have difficulty losing weight and keeping it off? What most people don’t realize is that dieting is not just a matter of willpower. What we found is how successful a person is on a diet is directly related to their personality type or what we call their “Diet Type.” 

How is personality type directly related to dieting success? We each have our own set of unique personality characteristics that make up who we are. Some of these characteristics we’re born with, others come as a result of our upbringing and life circumstances. For example, one person may tend to be very disciplined and organized, while another might be free-spirited and spontaneous. In our research, we found that personality characteristics are directly related to the ability to lose weight and keep it off. 

Where did you come up with the idea to link personality with dieting? Over a million people each year take personality tests to help them find the right job or career match, it is used online to help find the right love match, we decided to use this proven method to help women find the right diet approach. 

You conducted your own research on personality type and weight loss. What was it and what did you find? Besides actual case studies, ten years of patient research from Dr. Redard, and focus groups, we created an online survey and collected over 8,000 responses. The results were astounding. We found distinct patterns correlating personality type to diet success. 

So how does your personality affect your ability to lose weight? In our research, we identified four different personality Diet Types: The Player, the Feeler, the Planner, and the Thinker. I’ll give you an example of one of the most common – the Planner. The Planner is the type of woman who is ultra responsible. She’s the first person in the office in the morning and the last to leave at night. Her house is spotless, her kids are well-behaved, and her schedule is organized. Now, of course this personality type definitely has its benefits – Planners are often accomplished, both in their careers and personal lives. However, the lifestyle of a Planner can also sabotage her diet because she’s too busy to exercise and make healthy diet choices. 

Can people be a combination of diet types? Yes. We all have each of the Diet Types in us to varying degrees. It is most common to relate to one of them the strongest. However, some women find that they are a combination of two types, others relate strongly to 3 of them and on occasion a woman will struggle with all four equally. We provide information in the book so you know what to do for your unique combination. 

In your book, you mention that different personality types are motivated to lose weight for different reasons. What are they?
Feeler: Feel better about herself, improve her self esteem, feel good emotionally and physically. 

Thinker: Decrease health risk factors like lower blood pressure, cholesterol. 

Player: More energy, look fantastic, participate in more activities. 

Planner: Better health, fit into her clothes again, it’s the right thing to do. 

What are some things to look for in a diet program for each type?
Feeler: Support from others; sharing feelings, issues and ideas; journaling; self-development – finding my path/purpose; understanding that self-love is not selfish. 

Thinker: Information and resources regarding diet and exercise from competent sources so I can study independently. 

Player: Quick results; impulse control; flexibility, competition, a variety of physical activities; easy ways to grab a healthy bite to eat. 

Planner: Preparing ahead; having a plan and sticking to it; routines for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, being accountable. 

How can we tell whether a diet approach is right for us? If you find that you are “fighting yourself” you are not on track. You know a diet approach is right for you when you forget to stress about it. Start now to figure out what you are going to do with the extra time you used to spend worrying about your weight and have fun following your personality to the weight you love. 

For more information, visit www.MyDietType.com. 

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Survey results also reveal renters do not feel as safe as they have in previous years. While more than 66% of renters said they feel extremely to moderately safe living in their current neighborhood, a 2006 Apartments.com survey on apartment safety and security shows this figure has dropped by 12% and the number of renters who said they do not feel safe has increased by 8%. 

Renters are looking out for themselves by keeping a pulse on the neighborhood. A quarter of respondents who have been living in the same neighborhood for more than a year said there has been an increase in crime-related activity compared to the previous year. To safeguard themselves in their apartments, renters are taking preventative measures including never buzzing in strangers or allowing anyone they do not recognize inside the apartment community when coming and going. Renters are also installing deadbolts, owning dogs and using timers for lighting, radios and the television when they are not at home. 

In addition to taking safety matters into their own hands, renters are looking- and willing- to pay more rent for specific safety features. The top five safety features renters said they would pay more to have, when asked to choose all that apply, are: 

1. In-unit security alarm system: 49%
2. 24/7 building security patrol guards and a doorman: 45%
3. Security cameras on the apartment community property: 42%
4. Mandatory background screening for all residents: 30%
5. Cylinder deadbolt locks on windows and doors: 29% 

To answer the apartment safety needs of their residents, many professionally managed apartment communities and private landlords are doing their part to keep renters’ minds at easy by providing peepholes on apartment doors, securing windows and doors with locks and running background checks on potential residents. 

For those who do not have an alarm system in their apartment or security guards patrolling the grounds, there are cost-effective ways renters can secure their apartment. Many break-ins can be prevented with mini-entry alarms, wireless door chimes, sensors and motion detectors. Decals that read “Beware of Dog” or announce the apartment has an alarm system or a neighborhood watch in effect can raise doubt among intruders, turning them away from the apartment building. 

For more information, visit www.apartments.com. 

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Eat In More and Out Less
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service found that spending on food away from home accounted for nearly half of every American food dollar, or $565 billion, in 2008. While they require more planning, home-cooked meals are an excellent way to minimize your grocery bill and they are typically healthier than the options you may find when dining out. 

To save money while cooking at home, try some of these tips:
-Make at least one meal meatless. Choose recipes that utilize eggs or dried beans – like pinto or northern beans – as the main protein.
-Double your recipes and freeze leftovers or extra amounts of meat, bread, and cooked vegetables. Bring to work for lunch or use the excess ingredients as inspiration for future meals.
-Eat dinner as a family, or consider having a weekly potluck with neighbors to reduce the cost per person of your meals.
-Clip coupons, avoiding “new food” coupon gimmicks that often are low in nutritional value.
-Subscribe to a healthy cooking magazine, or peruse recipe books for healthy ideas.

Plan Meals for the Week in Advance
-A meal planning chart or simple shopping list for the week are great tools for the budget-minded, health-conscious consumer. Knowing what you already have in the pantry and what you intend to make ahead of time reduces impulse spending, saves time, and improves the nutritional value of your meal.
-Take part of one day a week to plan the upcoming week’s menu. Search “meal planning charts” on the Internet for a variety of templates and convenient shopping tools.
-Read the supermarket circulars in your local newspaper, or look online for weekly specials that can help guide your meal planning.
-Post meal plans on the refrigerator door where the entire family can see it and refer back to it throughout the week. This also helps avoid the dreaded question, “What’s for dinner?”

Only Shop Once a Week
In addition to shopping at grocery stores, try local markets and even dollar stores. Shopping once a week makes it easier to avoid unnecessary purchases and encourages you to stick to your weekly menu. Have a snack before you visit the grocery store. Shopping on an empty stomach can lead to impulse buying. If fresh fruits and vegetables are cost-prohibitive, try the frozen or canned versions. Frozen produce is often flash frozen at the source, locking in nutrients. Rinse canned vegetables before cooking to reduce the sodium content. Buy generics, which are often less expensive than name-brand items. Choose prepared foods with short ingredient lists and minimal additives or artificial ingredients.

Use Unit Pricing to Get the Best Value
Savvy shoppers know that using unit pricing can maximize their purchasing power. Commonly listed in small print below or to the side of the total price and as dollars or cents per unit of weight – such as pounds, ounces, or grams – unit pricing can be a valuable tool that helps you make an informed choice about your purchases.

Grocery stores don’t always post the costs on sale items; bring a calculator with you to the supermarket, or use the calculator on your cell phone. Buying “economy” or “family size” containers is sometimes, but not always, a better buy. Larger packages that have a lower cost per unit than their smaller counterparts are only going to save you money if you will truly eat all of the food in the package. If it spoils and has to be thrown away, it could just be a waste of your money.

Packaging Gets Downsized
Be cautious of stores’ shrinking food packages and their content while prices stay the same. Common changes include packaging redesign that holds fewer ounces by way of indented container bottoms, cartons that hold 1/4 less of a quart, and boxes that remain the same size but actually have smaller bags of product inside.

For more information, visit www.tops.org.

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Prevention goes well beyond the mammograms, prostate screenings or blood tests that we can get at the doctor’s office. It’s the little steps you take that can keep you healthy. 

“Ideally, prevention should also emphasize healthy lifestyles, a practice that isn’t only health-conscious, but is inexpensive,” said James Pivarnik, president of the American College of Sports Medicine. Here are 10 easy ways to get started. 

1. Take a walk. Humans are designed to be on the move, Meller said. “Walking triggers all of our bodily systems: digestion, stress relief, thinking and preparation for sleep.” It’s easy, simple, free and confers the benefits of exercise without the risk of damage from more energetic pursuits, Meller said. Walk every day—barefoot is fine—and get a pedometer to track your steps, shooting for a minimum of 10,000. Stay committed by setting walking dates with a friend. 

2. Keep a food journal. Writing down everything you eat can double your weight loss, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. “The more food records people kept, the more weight they lost,” said lead author Jack Hollis, a researcher at Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research. Scribble down your dietary transgressions on a note pad, use an online food journal or send yourself text messages. 

“It’s the process of reflecting on what you eat that helps us become aware of our habits, and hopefully change our behavior,” said Dr. Keith Bachman, a member of The Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute’s Weight Management Initiative. 

3. Stop drinking soda. Soda and other caloric, sugar-sweetened beverages have contributed to skyrocketing rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. But there’s also evidence that drinking diet soda leads to weight gain. Researchers suspect that tricking the brain—getting sweetness without the calories—makes you crave more sugar than ever. Your best bet is to stop drinking calories altogether, said obesity specialist Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, founder of Ottawa’s Bariatric Medical Institute, a multidisciplinary weight-management center. His most confused patients seem to be doing everything right but may have two glasses of milk, one glass of juice and one glass of wine a day. “That’s roughly 40 pounds of liquid calories per year,” he wrote on his blog, Weighty Matters. Freedhoff’s advice: Don’t rely on beverages for nourishment. “A well-balanced diet replete with fruits, vegetables and proteins should satisfy all of one’s nutritional needs,” he said. “Liquid calories are not satiating and in studies tend only to add calories to a meal.” 

4. Strengthen your muscles. If you want to keep your muscles from weakening as you age, start strength training. It’s “the only style of exercise that maintains and increases lean muscle tissue and burns between 22 and 36 calories per day,” said personal trainer Jim Karas. He suggests starting with push-ups for the upper body and lunges and squats for the lower body. “Move slowly, and think about the muscles you are engaging. One slow set of 10 is all you need, but make sure to fail,” which means you can’t perform another repetition. 

5. Chill out. Stressed-out people are more vulnerable to colds and other viruses, they take longer to recover from illness, and they gain more weight than their relaxed counterparts, research has shown. We also know that “the inability to feel in control of stress, rather than the stressful event itself, is the most damaging to immunity,” wrote Joan Borysenko in “Mending the Body, Mending the Mind.”

Another stress expert, Debbie Mandel, likes to lift weights when her stress levels creep up. “Then I’m ready to reframe negatives into positives to turn stress into strength,” said Mandel, the author of “Addicted to Stress.” In addition to exercise, deep-breathing techniques, meditation, tai chi and yoga are proven stress relievers. 

6. Eat out less. We often use restaurants in the same way our parents used supermarkets, one of the main reasons for the dramatic global rise in chronic diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, Freedhoff said.

“Nutrition and calories aren’t intuitive,” he said. “When restaurant salads can have more calories and fat than a Big Mac, you know you’re putting your health at risk. You’ll save more than your money by eating meals in. You might even save your life.” 

7. Be a social butterfly. Human beings are social creatures, if only because we need to reproduce. But research has shown that joining a club or sports team, belonging to a church group or keeping in contact with friends creates a sense of social identity that can help significantly reduce your risk of having a stroke, dementia and even the common cold. 

8. Get some sleep. Sleeping well is the single most overlooked factor critical to good health, especially during the flu season, said sleep specialist Dr. Rubin Naiman, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine. But because focusing on doing all the right things before bed can make it harder to sleep, Naiman suggests lightening things up, perhaps by watching comedy on television before bed. 

9. Eat whole foods. Whole foods—fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs and whole grains—are unprocessed and unrefined and typically don’t have added sugar, salt or fat. They often have a low glycemic index, which means they don’t raise blood sugar and insulin levels as quickly as processed foods. 

10. Find your passion. Do things that bring meaning to your days, said Patricia Boyle, a neuropsychologist in the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, whose research has shown that having a higher purpose can reduce the risk of death among older adults. 

(c) 2009, Chicago Tribune.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 

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Design elements that pop or surprise can be the most delightful. A pulled-together room should have an unexpected element to create some visual interest. And, sometimes, we need to break a few de-facto “rules” to achieve that effect. 

Here are the best rules to break to create something unexpected: 

Rule No. 1: Seek symmetry - Yes, a symmetrical display looks balanced, but it can also look boring, especially on a mantle or a display shelf. Mix things up by creating a different unifying line or idea and find a new way to group items. Wall art and mirrors should be hung in symmetrical balance, but accessories need not be arranged that way. Often, less is more when decorating. Try taking a few things out of a room and see how the remaining pieces come together. 

Rule No. 2: Place settings should match – Pick a unifying element in your table decor, such as a color, theme or texture, and have fun with it. Matched place settings instantly create a formal mood, but mixing up place settings can be perfect for a hip get-together. It’s visually interesting, creative and a conversation starter. Adding a piece of your grandma’s blue china with your stark white Crate and Barrel plates will be much more memorable. 

Rule No. 3: Large furniture does not work in small spaces - While some say large furniture will crowd small spaces, small pieces tend to work against a small space. An oversized sofa adds heft and substance to a smaller room, as long as the rest of the furniture is kept in scale. Choose pieces that can multitask, like a dining table that doubles as a desk or an ottoman that can be used as a cocktail table or for storage. Use other visual tricks to make the room appear larger, such as monochromatic colors, see-through or reflective surfaces. The most important tip in decorating a smaller space: Eliminate clutter. 

Rule No. 4: Don’t mix contemporary and traditional furnishings – When the mixing is done right, it creates a layered look, which is much more visually interesting and inviting than sticking too closely to one type of style. It is important to decide which look you prefer and will dominate the space. That way, eclectic pieces can serve as an accent. Exposed, unfinished wood furnishing can warm the cold, sleek lines of a modern space. Similarly, clean lines can be paired with more traditional fabrics and prints, giving more pop to that style element. 

Rule No. 5: You cannot have substantial art in the kitchen or bathroom – Too often, kitchen and bathroom knickknacks are caricatures of real art, cartoonish or homespun, but it doesn’t have to be this way. One of my favorite pieces of art takes up an entire wall in our kitchen. It’s a stark, black tree against a cream canvas. It’s a modern piece and not in the least cutesy or kitschy. There is no need to save serious art for serious rooms, such as living and dining rooms. So much of our gathering and entertaining happens in our kitchens, that it’s a perfect place to display beloved and serious artwork. 

(c) 2009, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 

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Cruising can be rife with misconceptions: You get sick, seasick, bored, overfed or overindulged with drinking, gambling, shopping. While all of these things can be true, what happens to you is up to you. What and how much you eat, drink, gamble and shop is your decision. 

If you get bored seeing new places, well, that might be a problem. With the size of today’s ships and their sophisticated stabilizers, however, you are very unlikely to get seasick. Setting those concerns aside, consider that a cruise can be a wonderful experience, an easy way to relax, visit new destinations, enjoy free entertainment, catch some rays and meet a multitude of fellow travelers. 

For first-timers, the trickiest part of cruising is finding the right ship at the right price. You can shop the Internet all you want, but ultimately, you probably will be confused and overwhelmed by the many choices of ships and itineraries. You need to find a knowledgeable travel agent, perhaps a cruise specialist, to help you navigate the sea of options. “There are no advantages to booking directly with the cruise lines — none,” said Nancy Kelly of Kelly Cruises in Oak Brook, Ill. (Travel agents sell 90% of all cruises). 

Kelly offers these tips for first-time cruise shoppers: 

-Have an approximate departure date in mind and, if possible, a second or third choice. Rates can fluctuate from week to week and by the type of accommodations — outside cabin, inside cabin. Opt for flights that get you to your port with ample time before sailing, allowing for potential delays.

-Have a destination in mind- Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, something more exotic, as well as how long a cruise you want. If, for example, you are interested in Alaska, be aware that May and September are “shoulder seasons” when rates are lower, but the weather is cooler than in June through August.

-Be honest about your budget for the trip. You need to factor in airfare, gratuities, shore excursions and beverages that are not included.

-Make sure you have a valid passport. If you do, check it to be sure it won’t expire for at least six months after your cruise. Make sure that the legal name on your passport matches the name on your airline ticket and cruise document.

-Buy travel insurance to protect your vacation investment should you have to cancel. Buy from an independent company, not the cruise line. 

As you warm up to a cruise vacation, know that you have 23 cruise lines and 130 new ships (since 2000) to choose from. If you like big vessels, you can choose ships that carry 2,500 passengers and have more restaurants, rock-climbing walls, skating rinks, spas, shopping arcades, casinos, fitness centers, Las Vegas-style nightclubs and entertainers than most people can handle. You can scale down from that to the 500-passenger range, many of which are no less posh but just less amenity-laden. 

(c) 2009, Chicago Tribune.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 

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“Kids are surprisingly aware of what’s going on in the world,” says Tyson, author of Personal Finance For Dummies®, 6th Edition. “And if they don’t know that times are a little bit tough and that mom and dad are having to watch their spending, it’s time to tell them. Sheltering kids from financial realities does them no favors.” Indeed, the opposite is true, says Tyson. A good grasp of personal finance is one of the most valuable life skills a person can have. And while previous generations may have been raised with the constant admonishment that “money doesn’t grow on trees,” too many of today’s parents neglect that lesson. It’s time to change that—and the severe recession we’ve been through provides a great incentive for doing so. 

Tyson offers the following tips to help you teach your children about money:

1. Tell them the truth. Kids are perceptive. If you’ve been acting anxious and on edge lately, they’ve noticed. Rather than let them wonder why mom and dad are working so much lately or constantly talking about money, explain (on their level) what’s going on in the family’s financial world. 

2. Explain to them how much things cost. Some parents are surprised to find out that their kids don’t have a very good grasp on what things cost. A great hands-on way to open their eyes is to take them on a “money tour” around the house. For example, kids might not understand that hot water costs more than cold water, or that bumping up the heat results in higher power bills. This exercise will teach them how they can conserve and thus help the family save money. You can also pile up all of the bills for the month and have them look at the amount on each one. Show them what the family’s cost of living is and again reiterate the areas in which they can play a part in reducing the costs. 

3. Realize that kids learn what they live. It may sound like common sense, but you—mom and dad—are your kids’ most influential teachers. When you ring up a barge-load of credit card debt, take out exorbitant mortgages or car loans, and fail to save anything, that’s what your kids come to see as normal. If you are modeling unhealthy financial habits, you can’t realistically expect your kids to “do as I say, not as I do.” 

4. Deprogram them. Kids are constantly bombarded with information about what things cost, whether it’s the fancy sports car they like or the wardrobe of their favorite athlete or actor, not to mention the 40,000 commercials that the American Academy of Pediatrics estimates the average American child sees each year. What they aren’t bombarded with is knowledge concerning how to manage money effectively. And while schools are increasingly incorporating money issues into the existing curriculum, the broader concepts of personal financial management still aren’t taught. Frightening though it may be, some schools rely on free “educational” materials from the likes of VISA and MasterCard. 

5. An allowance is a great teaching tool. You don’t have to break child labor laws to find great ways to help your kids earn their allowances rather than just have the money handed over to them. A well-implemented allowance program can mimic many money matters that adults face every day throughout their lives. From recognizing the need to earn the green stuff to learning how to responsibly and intelligently spend, save, and invest their allowances, children can gain a solid financial footing from a young age. 

6. Start them saving and investing early. It’s never too early to start saving, and the sooner you can instill the importance of saving money into your kids, the better. After they start earning allowances, have your kids save a significant portion (up to half) of their allowance money toward longer-term goals, such as college (just be careful about putting money in children’s names as doing so can harm college financial aid awards). Tyson recommends that children reserve about one-third of their weekly take for savings. As they accumulate more significant savings over time, you can introduce the concept of investing. 

7. Reduce their exposure to ads. The primary path to reduced exposure to ads is to cut down on TV time. When kids are in front of the tube, have them watch prerecorded material. You can direct the television viewing of younger children in particular toward videos and DVDs. And for older kids, if you use digital video recorders (DVRs) such as TIVO, you can easily zap ads. But when an ad does sneak under the radar and set the kids to begging, address it. Explain to your kids that there’s never a good time for frivolous impulse spending—but it’s especially harmful when money is tight. 

8. Find entertaining ways to teach good money habits. You’ll probably face an uphill battle when teaching kids about personal finance. That’s why it’s so important to find entertaining ways to instill good financial habits in them. For younger kids, Tyson recommends age-appropriate books like The Bernstein Bears Get the Gimmies. For late-elementary-school-aged kids, Quest for the Pillars of Wealth by J.J. Pritchard is a chapter book that teaches the major personal finance concepts through an engaging adventure story. You could also get them a subscription to Zillions, a kids’ magazine from the publishers of Consumer Reports, which covers money and buying topics. 

9. Teach them how to shop wisely. Family shopping trips, whether for groceries or something else, are likely to be your kids’ first encounters with spending. They’ll see you make decisions based on what the family needs, watch you use coupons when possible, and observe how you pay. These trips are a great time to teach them lessons about money and the value of product research and comparison shopping. 

10. Introduce the right and wrong ways to use credit and debit cards. Those plastic cards in your wallet offer a convenient way to conduct purchases in stores, by phone, and over the Internet. Unfortunately, credit cards offer temptation for overspending and carrying debt from month to month. Teach your kids the difference between a credit and debit card, explaining that debit cards are connected to your checking account and thus prevent you from overspending as you can on a credit card. 

11. Encourage older kids to get a job. An allowance doesn’t have to be the only way for your kids to earn money. Your child’s initial exposure to the work-for-pay world can start with something as simple as a lemonade stand. Depending on age, he or she might do yard work for neighbors or offer babysitting services. And the fact that we’re in a recession makes it all the more appropriate for older kids to “help out” by getting a part-time job—especially to fund unnecessary purchases like DVDs or cool clothing. 

Besides the learning opportunities it presents, there’s another positive to the recession, says Tyson. It forces families to be more thoughtful about how they spend their time—and this often leads to the stunning realization that money really doesn’t buy happiness. 

“Often, all those unnecessary things we buy for ourselves and our kids are simply distractions from the people we love,” he says. “They send the message that it’s necessary to spend a lot of money in order to have a good time. It’s not, of course. The best things in life—friends, family, quiet evenings at home just being together—really are free. Sometimes it’s good to be reminded of that.” 

About the Author
Eric Tyson, MBA, is one of the nation’s best-selling personal finance book authors and has penned five national bestsellers. His work has been featured and quoted in hundreds of local and national publications and media outlets. He was also a featured speaker at a White House conference on retirement planning. 

For more information, visit www.erictyson.com. 

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A sign of the times surely, distracted driving is another reflection – and consequence – of our ongoing romance with all things digital and mobile and the enhanced capabilities they provide. While it may be easier and quicker to feed our multitasking habits now, it is not always safe, and many jurisdictions are formalizing that position by making it a crime to text or otherwise use a cellphone while driving. In other words, Blackberry users beware, lest a charge of DWD (driving while distracted) or DWT (driving while texting) stain your record, not to mention endanger yourself and others. (CrackBerry – the mocking term for the BlackBerry and its “addicts” – was the 2006 Word of the Year. One wonders if distracted piloting will be on the list in 2010). 

The term distracted driving is also a linguistic catch, note Webster’s New World® editors. As with drunk driving, it is not the driving that is drunk or distracted, but rather the driver. The target of the modifier distracted has been changed. Called hypallage, this twist is frequently seen in poetry, but as terms like restless night, juvenile detention center, and careless remark attest, such semantic inversion is not limited to the heights of language use. 

Among the runners-up:
-cloud computing- computer operations in which documents and data are created, edited, and stored remotely on servers and accessed by the user via an Internet connection (a beta definition, but this term is so well established that it will likely be added to the annual update of the College Dictionary in 2010).
-wallet biopsy- an examination, before medical service is provided, of a patient’s ability to pay, enabling the health care provider to decide whether free or discounted medical care is appropriate; a term probably fueled in part by the debate on national health care. 

Choosing the Word of the Year is a pleasant exercise that the editors and language researchers (called citation readers) of Webster’s New World® look forward to each year. “We survey the emerging English of the past year,” says Editor in Chief Michael Agnes, “and choose one word or phrase that captures our imagination – whether with its intrinsic linguistic attributes or by the way it expresses how language reflects changing realities.” 

“In most cases,” says Agnes, “the word chosen is a new one and thus hasn’t yet found its way into the dictionary. As we do not try to predict the future of language change in English, the choice does not reflect an opinion that the term will eventually be found in the dictionary. In short, it’s merely one that made us chuckle, think, reflect, or just shake our heads. In any case, it is a product of our language monitoring program, by which we collect examples of emerging new English – to the tune of nearly 3,000 new examples per month. Our citation files now hold approximately 2 million such examples.” 

For more information, visit www.wiley.com. 

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One new product on the market is trying to address that – known as “TrekDesk,” this desk/treadmill offers the first affordable solution that gets employees up and moving, garnering national attention at a time when health care costs and obesity rates are spiraling out of control. 

Benefits derived by walking during work hours include: 

-33-70% reduction in the rates of most cancers (National Institutes of Health)
-90% reduction in the number of initial heart attacks (American Heart Association)
-50% reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes (American Diabetes Association)
-70% reduction in the risk of stroke (American Heart Association) 

According to the product announcement, nearly 2/3 of our nation’s population is overweight with 50% of this number classified clinically obese. At a time when our nation is turning their attention to health care reform, a few strong voices are rallying the cry for workplace and lifestyle reform as a critical piece of the puzzle. 

TrekDesk says it has designed and is currently selling a unique, affordable solution that has been proven to help employees lose weight, restore health, prevent disease, improve mood and boost productivity: all without ever leaving the office. 

TrekDesk is a full sized, height adjustable work station which attaches to existing treadmills allowing employees the opportunity to walk slowly while they work without sweating. Sound bizarre? The human body has evolved with the ability to walk 30 miles per day and its internal health systems are dependent upon walking to keep it in top form. Most American walk on average only 2 miles per day, not allowing the body to maintain health or proper weight levels. Sedentary jobs and lifestyles are the main culprit and treadmill desks offer a solution. 

Treadmill desks are already in use by major corporations such as GlaxoSmithKline, Humana, Mutual of Omaha and Best Buy. 

For more information and to see the TrekDesk, visit www.trekdesk.com. 

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Want a hearty breakfast for the family without breaking the bank? Store brand breakfast cereal and refrigerated orange juice cost only $4.91 in the store survey compared to a whopping $7.13 for the same national brand products. 

How about lunch? You can save $3 by choosing the store brand. Hot dogs and hot dog buns, along with a 12-pack of soda costs $10.53 for the national brand items, but only $7.52 for the private-label products. 

But store brand savings go beyond the food aisles. When kids bring home the germs, the survey shows that shoppers buying cold and flu medication, hand sanitizer and nasal spray could spend $18.47 for national brands, but only $10.65 for the same products sold under the retailer’s brand. 

The research, conducted by the Private Label Manufacturers Association, tracked the pricing on grocery and household items at a typical supermarket. The results indicate that consumers buying the store brand would save $32.93 on average on the total market basket, representing savings of 35.3% when compared to weekly purchases of national brands in the same categories. 

Included in the survey were food items such as fruit cups, peanut butter, grape jelly and juice boxes in addition to non-foods such as vitamin C, cough drops and facial tissue. Savings on individual products ranges from 13% (hot dogs) to 66% (nasal spray). 

A leading national brand product was compared to a similar store brand product in each category and prices were adjusted to account for all known discounts, coupons and promotions available for each of the weeks included in the study. The survey was repeated on a weekly basis during a recent 4- week period in a suburban supermarket located in the northeast. 

Annual sales of store brands have climbed to $85 billion in 2009, according to the latest industry statistics, and the products accounted for an unprecedented 23% of items sold in U.S. supermarkets. Rather than a temporary effect of the economy, there are indications that retailers are winning new adherents to their brands- even among die-hard national brand loyalists- as more and more shoppers give them a try and find satisfaction with the high quality of the products. 

For more information, visit www.pmla.com. 

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On a quest for the most candy with the least amount of walking and minimal safety risks, Zillow created their Trick-or-Treat Housing Index because of the common belief that wealthy neighborhoods are the Holy Grail for harvesting the most Halloween candy. However, to provide a more holistic approach to Halloween trick-or-treating, the index was calculated using four equally weighted data variables: Zillow Home Value Index, population density, Walk Score and local crime data. 

Top 5 San Francisco Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat
1. Presidio Heights
2. Noe Valley
3. Richmond
4. Haight-Ashbury
5. Sunset 

Top 5 Boston-area Cities and Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat
1. Cambridge
2. Somerville
3. Brookline
4. South End
5. Charlestown 

Top 5 Chicago Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat
1. Bridgeport
2. Albany Park
3. Logan Square
4. Rogers Park
5. Lake View 

Top 5 Los Angeles Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat
1. Venice
2. Los Feliz
3. Westwood
4. Silver Lake
5. Beverly Hills 

Top 5 Seattle Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat
1. Wallingford
2. Queen Anne
3. Magnolia
4. University District
5. Capitol Hill 

For more information, visit www.Zillow.com. 

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1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Legend has it that several ghosts reside within the walls of the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, often cited as one of the most haunted hotels in America. During construction, a workman fell to his death from the roof, landing on the future site of room 218, considered to be the most haunted room. In the late 1930s, Norman Baker leased the property for use as a hospital and health resort. Despite his lack of formal medical training or maybe because of it, many of his unfortunate cancer patients made the establishment their eternal resting place. 

Bower’s Harbor Inn, Traverse City, Michigan
Built in the 1880s and remodeled in the 1920s, this restaurant was originally a summer retreat for Chicago lumber baron J.W. Stickney and his wife Genevive. The establishment has since gained notoriety as the home to Genevive’s ghost. While Genevive inherited the property on her husband’s death, he left the remainder of his wealth to the nurse hired to care for Genevive, driving her into severe depression. She eventually hung herself from the rafters of the elevator shaft and, since her demise, lights have suddenly turned on, mirrors and paintings have fallen off walls, and guests have reported the appearance of a blurry female figure in their vacation photographs. 

Buxton Inn-1812, Granville, Ohio
Among the many owners of this former stagecoach tavern was Major Horton Buxton who owned the inn from 1865 to 1902. He is said to still make an occasional appearance, favoring a chair by the fireplace on a chilly evening. The tavern is also haunted by the ghost of a former owner’s cat. The spectral figures may be spotted by guests enjoying dinner. 

The Fairmont Algonquin, St. Andrews, New Brunswick
Winter guests at this hotel have repeatedly mentioned seeing an older gentleman dressed like a bellman who greets them at the elevator to help with their bags. However, the hotel does not employ a bellman in the winter and the gentleman doesn’t match the description of anyone on staff. Perhaps he is an employee from long ago. 

The Golden Lamb Restaurant, Lebanon, Ohio
The Golden Lamb Restaurant is a red brick structure that opened as a stagecoach tavern in 1803. Its many celebrity guests over the past two centuries have included Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and various presidents. One guest in permanent residence is the spirit of a little girl believed to be Sarah Stubbs, niece of former manager Isaac Stubbs Jr. Sarah grew to be an adult, but some say her ghost remains in the building. Sarah’s room, located on the fourth floor, is the recreation of her childhood bedroom, named in her honor. 

Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio
This hotel, originally opened in 1931, is reputedly haunted by the “Lady in Green” who wanders through the ornately decorated Hall of Mirrors and the Mezzanine. The lady’s husband was allegedly killed in an accident during the construction of the hotel. His body was never found and her mournful spirit still seeks his remains, according to the story. 

Hotel Bothwell, an Ascend Collection hotel, Sedalia, Missouri
Built as a 119-room hotel in 1927, this establishment was the hub of society in Sedalia for many decades. In the 1980s the property was converted to an assisted living facility for 10 years before it was closed. It reopened in 1999 as the Hotel Bothwell with some challenges in the haunting department. Many occurrences of unexplained noises and sightings of objects have been reported, including the occasional apparition. The elevator has been known to operate on its own, and guests often mention missing items from their rooms. While most of the experiences happen at night, nearly every staff member has a story to tell. If a truly spooky stay is what you want, request a room on the third floor where many sightings are centered. 

Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, Louisiana
Located in the French Quarter, this hotel was a hospital during the Civil War and there have been reported sightings of Confederate soldiers. Additionally, linens have been found to have blood stains that vanish as curiously as they appear. Some people have claimed to hear wounded soldiers cry out for help. Building Five is recommended for those wanting to experience paranormal activity. 

Le Pavillon, New Orleans, Louisiana
Built in 1907 and located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, this hotel is often called “The Belle of New Orleans.” The hotel has had many guest and staff sightings of unexplained movement. Paranormal experts have counted anywhere from four to 100 friendly spirits that want to have fun. Where else can you find ghosts and complimentary evening peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? 

The Mayflower – A Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Strange occurrences reported at The Mayflower appear to be linked to the inauguration of President Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge did not attend his own inaugural ball in 1925 because he was mourning the death of his 16-year-old son. Every year on January 20, the lights dim and flicker at 10 p.m., the time the first guests were announced at the ball. One elevator stops on the eighth floor and refuses to move to the lobby until 10:15 p.m. – the approximate time Coolidge would leave his room to attend. 

Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas
The Menger Hotel was built in the 1850s and is located next to the Alamo mission, site of a bloody battle for Texas independence. The hotel is renowned for several infamous guests who refuse to check out. Theodore Roosevelt, who makes an occasional after-hours visit to the bar, first visited the Menger in 1892, returned in 1998 to recruit his Rough Riders, and was back in 1905 for a banquet. Sallie White, a hotel employee murdered in 1876, continues to make up rooms. And the irrepressible Captain Richard King, founder of one of the world’s largest ranches, is said to be seen late at night writing the memoirs he began in the late 1880s on learning of his impending death. 

Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Two mysterious deaths occurred in what is now referred to as the “Ghost” suite. The first, in 1930, was executive housekeep Juliette Brown, who apparently awoke at 4 a.m. feeling ill and died while reaching for the phone. The second was the hotel owner’s adopted child, Helen. Witnesses report seeing housekeeping carts move and televisions and lights come on suddenly at 4 a.m., while guests in adjacent rooms have heard loud noises coming from the suite while unoccupied. 

Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
This hotel is most famous for inspiring Stephen King to write The Shining after staying at the near empty hotel with his wife the day before it closed for winter. They stayed in room 217, which they later discovered was said to be haunted. Although the Kings did not experience any paranormal activity, other guests report hearing piano music and party sounds from the empty ballroom, children running in the empty hallways, and awakening to the sight of a man standing over their bed. If you feel adventurous, stay in room 217, 401, 407 or 418, which report the most ghost sightings. 

For more information, visit www.AAA.com. 

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Think it out
The worst mistake that people make, says Karen Okura, manager of behavior and training at The Anti-Cruelty Society (anticruelty.org), is impulse adoption.

Don’t pick an animal because it reminds you of your old dog, she says, or because you pity the animal, or because you lost your job and need to feel loved, or because the kids want one, or to save a marriage or relationship. 

There are plenty of good reasons to adopt. “The No. 1 objective is to save a life. People don’t realize the number of amazing dogs being euthanized,” says Rochelle Michalek, executive director of PAWS Chicago (pawschicago.org). “Dogs make great companions. They’re great from a social perspective. Nothing breaks the ice like a dog when you’re out meeting people.” Once you have a good reason to adopt, use your head. “People should look at practical things,” Okura says. “Does someone in the home have allergies? How prepared are you to do a minimal amount of grooming?” Also ask yourself: Do you have the time to feed, train and exercise a new dog? Okura figures a puppy needs two years of intensive training; older dogs, a year. Can you afford the financial investment? Even routine medical care isn’t cheap. Does the entire family approve, not just one or two members? Everyone will need to pitch in. Will a new dog get along with other pets in the home? 

If you’re looking at a puppy, know how big it’s going to get. If it’s from a shelter or one of those “free-to-good-home” ads, take your best guess and be prepared for an adult dog that’s 10 to 30 pounds plus or minus that estimate. 

Choosing a breed
Figure out what you want: big, small, male, female, energetic, laid-back, etc. Every factor should be considered. Is there a purebred that appeals to you? Study up and learn more about that breed’s dogs, from how big they get, to their temperament, to how much they shed. Talk to a rescue group that deals in that particular breed. They can tell you a breed’s quirks, and they might even have an animal that would be a good fit. 

If you have no particular breed in mind, consider a mutt. There are a lot more mixed-breed animals needing homes. They also tend to be less prone to breed-specific health problems and they’re also going to cost a lot less, in most cases.

“And their personalities might tend to be a little more diverse,” Michalek says. 

Go for the perfect fit
Don’t rush it. Okura says to do your homework and find the perfect fit. Not an OK fit, not a good fit. The perfect fit. “One of the things I tell people is to be picky. Lots of people feel guilty in a shelter, looking at homeless animals. ‘It’s bigger than I wanted,’ or ‘Look at all this hair.’ We actively advise people who say, ‘He’s just not right’ to keep looking. Because somebody will take the dog you said no to.” 

(c) 2009, Chicago Tribune.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 

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Specifically, the report revealed:

-57% of young Americans consider their financial situation to be the biggest concern in their lives.

-66% rate their own financial situation as fair to poor and almost half (43%) expressed concerns about their ability to make sound financial decisions.

-Nearly eight out of ten young people (78%) have debt of some kind. Credit card debt (36%) – considered “bad debt” by most financial experts is by far the most prevalent form.

-68% of respondents admit that finances have caused stress in a relationship or friendship.

-While in many cases social media sites (e.g. Facebook) have lowered or eradicated the social boundaries around certain topics, finances remain a taboo subject. In fact, people are more likely to discuss relationship status (61%), politics (43%), their health (23%) and their weight (20%) than their financial situation.

-Among those young adults who have sought advice online, 85% report being more confident about their ability to manage their finances.

“The findings of this report perfectly illustrate the reasons why LifeTuner was created,” said Diane Ty, AARP senior vice president. “We worked closely with over 400 young adults who helped us shape the vision and content of LifeTuner. Our aim is to demonstrate to young adults that many of the financial decisions made in their 20s and 30s, particularly those around saving for the future and avoiding harmful debt, can affect the rest of their lives.”

For more information, visit www.LifeTuner.org.

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