Would you like to do something that really matters?  Become a part of the Red Cross.  We need you.  Your community needs you.  Right now the Red Cross is looking for several men and women to serve as volunteers.

According to Vickie Morgan, regional volunteer supervisor for the Lewis and Clark Blood Services Region, “We would like to find some great committed people to help us with critical volunteer positions.”

• Volunteer couriers are needed to help transport blood from collection sites to a processing center and from the center to local hospitals. If you like to drive and are dependable, able to read and follow maps, and work well with others, then this is a great volunteer opportunity.  Prospective drivers must have a valid Utah driver’s license, be able to lift at least 45 pounds and be willing to make a commitment to serve for at least six months to one year.  Driver’s training is required and will be provided by the Red Cross. Morgan added, “We are currently in need of evening and Saturday help.”

• Donor Ambassadors are the friendly, helpful volunteers who make blood donors feel welcome and appreciated and help keep blood drives organized.  Donor Ambassadors also help ensure donors eat, drink and rest for a few minutes and then thank them for donating blood.  Volunteers can work at Red Cross mobile blood drives at businesses, churches and schools or at fixed sites in Salt Lake, Orem or Layton.

• Facilities maintenance is a new volunteer position in Salt Lake that could be a lot of fun for the right person.  Morgan explained, “If you know how to patch and paint walls, prepare and replace ceiling tiles, replace light bulbs and florescent tubes and like to work outdoors sometimes this, may be just the volunteer placement for you!”

To volunteer, or for more information, contact Vickie Morgan at 801.892.4011 or email Vickie.Morgan@redcross.org.

New York, NY—Medicare beneficiaries who are dissatisfied with their Medicare private health plans, also known as “Medicare Advantage” plans, have until Thursday, February 14, to disenroll. Beneficiaries have had the opportunity to drop their private plan and enroll in Original Medicare since January 1, when the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP) began. After the MADP, most people with Medicare will be unable to make another change to their health coverage until the Fall Open Enrollment Period, which begins on October 15, 2013.

“Time is running out for beneficiaries to take advantage of the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period,” said Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center. “People who are unhappy with their plan and wish to make the change back to Original Medicare should do so promptly, but also thoughtfully. The window of opportunity is closing, but you should review your coverage options carefully before you disenroll.”

Original Medicare, the traditional fee-for-service program offered through the federal government, covers most necessary services and is accepted by most doctors and facilities across the country. However, it does not cover the full cost of care. Many people who enroll in Original Medicare choose to purchase supplemental coverage to help pay for out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and coinsurance.

Beneficiaries who disenroll from their Medicare private health plan should be aware that they may have limited ability to buy coverage that supplements Original Medicare. State laws vary on when beneficiaries can purchase Medicare supplemental policies, also known as Medigaps. Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to find out if and when you can enroll in a Medigap plan in your state. You can find the number for your local SHIP by visiting www.shiptalk.org or calling 800-MEDICARE.

Beneficiaries who disenroll from their private plan may need to join a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan in order to maintain drug coverage. Medicare Rights advises beneficiaries who are choosing a plan to consider not only premium and copayment costs, but also whether the drugs they take are on the plan’s formulary (list of covered drugs) and whether they can use the pharmacies they prefer. Beneficiaries should also check to see whether the plan places any restrictions on the drugs they take. Restrictions can take the form of quantity limits, prior authorization and step therapy. To learn more about choosing a Medicare prescription drug plan that best meets your needs, visit Medicare Interactive.

There is a special enrollment period which allows beneficiaries to switch their coverage even after February 14^th when the MAPD ends. Beneficiaries can make a one time switch into a Medicare Advantage plan or stand alone prescription drug plan with a five-star rating. This star rating is an overall performance rating that the government gives to all Medicare plans based on measures such as customer service, pricing and member satisfaction. To learn more about special enrollment periods visit Medicare Interactive.

“It is important that someone thinking about switching into a five-star plan consider how the switch will affect their access to health care,” said Baker. “Even if a plan has five stars, you should always check to make sure that it fits your needs, for example, that your drugs are on the plan’s formulary or your doctors are in the plan’s network.”

Learn more about changing your Medicare private health plan, and evaluate your coverage options, on Medicare Interactive.

Resources

• Find the number for your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at www.shiptalk.org.
• Find answers to Medicare questions at Medicare Interactive (www.medicareinteractive.org), the Medicare Rights Center’s free counseling tool.
• To disenroll from your private plan and enroll in a stand-alone prescription if necessary, call 800-MEDICARE.

It’s the question we ask ourselves almost every day: What’s for dinner?

Entwined in this daily dialogue is wondering whether we’ll need to dash into the grocery store on the way home from work. The next time we make one of those supermarket pit stops, Dr. Eudene Harry, author of “Live Younger in 8 Simple Steps,” (www.LivingHealthyLookingYounger.com), would like us to veer in a new direction. 

“When people shop on the go, they tend to gravitate toward old standbys and foods they can multipurpose with – usually not the most nutritious choices possible. But by substituting a few items on your list, you can not only look and feel more youthful, you’ll boost your resistance to certain cancers and other illnesses.” 

Some of the most nutrition-packed foods not only taste great, they’re readily available at the grocery store and easy to prepare, Harry says.

“The more you eat, the more you’ll crave them.”

Here are five food combos for shoppers with healthy eating on their minds:

• Tomato, garlic, chicken and almonds: Tomatoes contain one of the world’s most concentrated sources of cancer-fighting lycopene, which is best absorbed from tomatoes that are cooked. Garlic has been used for centuries for various health purposes and is a known free-radical destroyer. Nuts help to lose weight, maintain healthy blood pressure and support moods; almond crumbs are a great substitute for bread crumbs on chicken. Pair these goodies with whole wheat couscous for a full dinner.

• Pomegranate-Balsamic tempeh: With its high protein, fiber and isoflavones content, and meaty texture, tempeh is heavily utilized by vegetarians. It’s made from soybeans processed in a manner similar to cheese making. Like tofu, tempeh takes on the flavors with which it is cooked or marinated, including zesty-tangy balsamic vinegar – perfect for accentuating salads.

• Mashed cauliflower gone Greek: Not only does the “original” yogurt have a thicker texture and richer taste, it’s also denser in lactobacilli, the healthy bacteria that may delay the onset of cancer. And yogurt is low in fat and high in protein, which is essential for many body functions, including building and repairing muscle tissue, organs, bones and connective tissue. Rather than add fatty, cholesterol-filled butter and sour cream to starchy potatoes that stick to your ribs, why not pair two healthy options with mashed cauliflower with Greek yogurt and fresh black pepper for simple goodness?

• Sushi – wild salmon, minced cucumbers, shredded carrots, kelp, sesame seeds and rice: A sushi roll is much more filling and satisfying than a non-sushi eater would think. Many grocery chains offer ready-made rolls, but they are also fairly easy to make. A bamboo roller is a great start; place a sheet of nutrient-dense kelp as the first thing on the roller, and add, lengthwise, desired ingredients. Your first try is not likely to be perfect, but the tasty and healthy ingredients will be there.

• Fruit salad for dessert: Bring together chopped apples, strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon and pineapple with blueberries and grapes for a sweet and juicy post-dinner palate-cleanser. Lemon juice prevents fruits from bruising. If that’s not enough, combine the salad with Greek yogurt – perhaps blended with vanilla or almond extract – and fiber-filled granola for a parfait.

Dr. Eudene Harry holds a bachelor’s in biology from New York University and completed both her medical degree and residency training at Thomas Jefferson University. Currently the medical director for the integrative and holistic Oasis Wellness and Rejuvenation Center, she has practiced medicine for nearly 20 years, is board certified in both emergency and holistic medicine, and for more than a decade practiced emergency medicine as an attending physician in Level II trauma centers. In 2005 she opened Oasis for Optimal Health, a private practice focused on integrative, holistic wellness and empowering and educating the patient.

Jan. 17, 2013, Baltimore –The last of the boomers—the largest, most influential and affluent American demographic in history—will turn 50 in 2014, and the first have already crossed 66. RLTV, the only cable network and online destination for adults 50+, and AARP, the largest nonpartisan organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial to them and society as a whole, present two special programming events hosted by Emmy Award-winning television journalist and AARP contributor Jane Pauley, on Thursday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 from 9-10 PM ET, devoted to the 80-million strong boomer generation and its continuing and unprecedented influence:

• Boomers 2.0: A Generation Re-Imagined, premiering January 31 at 9pm ET, is a compelling documentary that explores the tremendous impact this demographic has on society, and looks forward to how boomers are changing the rules and re-inventing the face of aging.
• Rethink 50+ Town Hall, premiering February 7 at 9pm ET, features Pauley moderating a revealing discussion with a panel of thought leaders and industry experts, who explore the changing landscape of media and marketing as it relates to the generation that literally grew up along with the television industry.

These two special nights of programming are produced in partnership with AARP.

“At RLTV, we celebrate and showcase every day the experience, wisdom and vitality that 50+ consumers bring to life,” said RLTV President and CEO Paul FitzPatrick. “We’ve teamed up with AARP to create these compelling programs to share with our viewers, distributors and advertisers the fascinating insights that we have acquired about the future of the boomer generation, which will continue to be as relevant and vibrant as ever for the next 30 years.”

“Boomers control 75 percent of the wealth in this country, and it is clear that this discerning age group intends to redefine aging, keep spending money and doing interesting and fulfilling things for many years to come,” said FitzPatrick.  “We are honored to join with AARP in these television events to draw attention to boomers’ continuing influence and relevance.”

Boomers 2.0: A Generation Re-Imagined examines how boomers today are in fact reinventing themselves in many areas, including careers, multi-generational caretaking, and in leisure pursuits, using their experience as the basis for these changes.  The special takes a look at how the 50+ generation is tuned in to technology, and living longer, better lives – from fitness and health care to retirement planning – and how this reinvention is spawning a huge new marketplace.

Those interviewed for the documentary include:

• AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins;
• AARP The Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Nancy Perry Graham;
• Agency Five-O founder Brent Bouchez;
• BoomAgers founder Peter Hubbell;
• Boom! Cosmetics Founder and CEO Cindy Joseph;
• Boston College economist Alicia Munnell;
• Green Ride co-founders Bob Flynn and Ray Schofield.
• Lifestyle gerontologist Dr. Alexis Abramson;
• MIT Age Lab’s Joe Coughlin; and
• NBC Research President Alan Wurtzel.

Rethink 50+ Town Hall – For most of their lives, Boomers have been in the sweet spot for advertisers. Programmers have created content for this audience since they were children. However, Boomers have aged out of the traditional 18-49 advertising demo, and many marketers and content providers are just beginning to come to grips with the economic power and the sophistication of the growing 50+ market. Rethink 50+ is a Town Hall discussion featuring a panel of experts from the media and marketing worlds focused on how the marketing and media worlds are responding to this most powerful of demographics. Are Boomers, being overlooked or are they holding their own in a youth-obsessed culture?  What are the results for the marketers and content producers who are creating new paradigms to reach this audience?

Two panels will address content and marketing issues. Panelists include:

• AARP The Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Nancy Perry Graham;
• BBDO New York Managing Director Kirsten Flanik;
• CBS Chief Research Officer David Poltrack;
• Former TV One, Discovery Networks and CBS Television Stations Group President Johnathan Rodgers;
• NBC Research President Alan Wurtzel;
• New York Times Advertising Columnist Stuart Elliot;
• Starcom Mediavest Group LiquidThread Global President Brian Terkelson;
• Film and Theater Critic Jeffrey Lyons; and
• United Healthcare Chief Marketing Officer Terry Clark.

Boomers 2.0 will re-air immediately preceding Rethink 50+ on Feb. 7 at 8 PM (all times ET).  For additional air dates and times for these two specials, visit www.rl.tv.

Boomers 2.0 is produced for RLTV by NBC Universal’s Peacock Productions. Rethink 50+ is produced by Jay Garfinkel and filmed at ABC’s Time Square Studios.

About Jane Pauley

Host Jane Pauley, Emmy Award Winning Broadcast journalist and former co-anchor of NBC’s TODAY show and DATELINE, will lead this lively panel discussion. Currently, Jane is AARP’s TODAY show contributor with a monthly series, LIFE REIMAGINED, shining a spotlight on people 50+ who are reinventing themselves in new and different ways.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for Americans 50+ and the world’s largest-circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for the 50+ audience; www.aarp.org; AARP VIVA, a bilingual lifestyle multimedia platform addressing the interests and needs of Hispanic Americans; and national television and radio programming. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

About RLTV

The only cable network and online destination created specifically for adults 50+, RLTV (www.rl.tv) offers unique, inspiring programming that mature, experienced and knowledgeable viewers desire and appreciate. The network’s Emmy Award–winning content focuses on topics that matter to Generation 50+ — from relationships, reinvention, rediscovering passions and retirement, to finances, health, and current events. At RLTV, it’s all about rethinking life beyond 50.

Brookfield, Wis. – January 2013 – The estimated 70,000 individuals who are distance runners or athletes involved with the MS cause, are invited to take part in an upcoming adventure relay race. The MS Run the US 2013 Relay, which is slated for April 16th through September 6th and will be divided into 22 segments, is currently seeking 10 Running Partners to take part in each leg of this coast-to-coast run. Each segment covers approximately 140 miles of running over the course of six days. All proceeds raised will support MS research. The never-before-done aspect of the relay will also raise awareness of multiple sclerosis.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS affects approximately 400,000 Americans. Worldwide, that figure rises to nearly 2.1 million people. As if the symptoms, which include walking and balance disturbances, muscle spasticity and cognitive dysfunction, aren’t debilitating enough, a new study conducted by pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics has found that the specialty drug treatment cost for the disease is projected to exceed $50,000 per person annually by 2016. Currently such costs already account for more than two-thirds of the total cost of care.

Equal parts ultra-distance running and fundraiser, the MS Run for the US 2013 Relay aims to raise monies to support multiple sclerosis research so that a cure for the disease might one day be found, thereby elimination both its physical and financial burdens. The 2013 inaugural run of the relay is currently recruiting Running Partners to take part in the event. The course will mimic the 2010 trans-continental run the event’s founder, Ashley Kumlien, ran on behalf of her mother on the 30^th anniversary of her fight against MS.

A fun and thrilling challenge, the MS Run for the US relay will get underway in Los Angeles in mid-April and will wrap up in New York City five months later. In between, participants will take on a 140-mile leg of the cross-country journey, where they will run approximately 20 to 30 miles daily over the course of five to six days. Not for the athletic faint of heart, this grueling endurance expedition offers serious runners a chance to become a unique contributor to the growing movement to end MS. Only 10 slots are available to be part of this charitable expedition of a lifetime.

Distance runners who would like to get in on the inaugural MS Run the US Relay can apply for a coveted Running Partner spot online at http://www.msruntheus.com/.

About MS Run the US, Inc.

MS Run the US, Inc. is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support multiple sclerosis research while inspiring others to get involved in the fight against MS. Founded in 2009 by Wisconsin native Ashley Kumlien of Brookfield, Wisconsin, MS Run the US, Inc. was inspired by her mother, Jill Kumlien, who has lived with MS since 1980. All donation proceeds support research through The National MS Society. For additional information on the company, please visit http://www.msruntheus.com/.

What you need to know if you suffer from a highly annoying ringing or buzzing in your ears.

If you have ever experienced a ringing, buzzing or even roaring in your ears, even when there is nothing around you actually creating that noise, then you know what it’s like to have tinnitus. For an estimated 50 million people, tinnitus doesn’t permanently go away. It can be so annoying that it can lead to fatigue, stress, sleep problems, concentration troubles, anxiety and depression. The good news is that new options exist for tinnitus management.

You may be surprised by what can causes tinnitus

A common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud sounds, which can damage the sensory cells of the inner ear. Tinnitus has also been associated with ear infections, aging, excessive earwax, high blood pressure and even sensory nerve disorders. Activities that may cause tinnitus include smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeine, and taking excessive amounts of aspirin or antibiotics.

What to do if you think you have tinnitus

Start by being evaluated by a hearing healthcare professional. Some hearing healthcare professionals have general experience with tinnitus while others are specifically trained in managing tinnitus. He or she can help you determine the best options for managing the condition. If there are no specific medical issues involved, there are still several steps you can take to help reduce the severity of your tinnitus or help you cope better with the noise.

Tinnitus management

Hearing aids. In as many as 90 percent of cases, someone experiencing tinnitus also has a hearing loss. The use of a hearing aid to amplify sounds can help to make the ringing or buzzing less distracting.

Fractal technology. Some advanced hearing instruments equipped with fractal technology offer a harmonic sound therapy program that generates soothing tones and chimes designed for relaxation and concentration. The random tones, adjustable depending on the patient’s needs and preferences, make tinnitus less noticeable.

Noise suppression. Electronic devices with pillow speakers that produce “white noise” may help you to sleep better at night.

Additional lifestyle changes that may help you to either avoid tinnitus or make the symptoms less bothersome:

• Avoid likely irritants. Limit your exposure to things such as loud noises or nicotine that may worsen your tinnitus.
• Manage stress. Stress can aggravate tinnitus worse. You may get relief through relaxation therapy, biofeedback or exercise.
• Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol can increase blood flow, especially in the inner ear area, which can contribute to tinnitus symptoms.
• Use hearing protection. Exposure to loud noise or listening to loud music through headphones can, over time, damage the nerves in your ears causing hearing loss and tinnitus.
• Manage your cardiovascular health. Regular exercise and good nutrition can help prevent tinnitus linked to blood vessel disorders.
• Education. Learning as much as you can about tinnitus and ways to alleviate symptoms can help you cope.

The Zen music program is found in several advanced hearing aid models including CLEAR, which lets you hear as close to natural sound as possible. CLEAR is available from Widex USA, one of the world’s most respected hearing instruments manufacturers and a name synonymous with superior technological achievements. Visit www.WidexUSA.com.

It’s the season of giving and your kids are focused on taking—bad news for all parents, but especially those still mired in a sluggish economy. Gregory Downing says much of their attitude boils down to a lack of economic understanding. He explains how to educate them—and move them from being passive recipients to vital contributors.

The holidays are upon us, and rumor has it we’re supposed to be joyful. But if you’re one of the millions of American families caught in the economic crunch, you’re anything but. Your kids expect the moon for Christmas, and like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, you’d love to lasso it for them. Unfortunately, the “moons” they’re asking for—trendy clothes, say, or high-tech devices—remain out of reach. It seems the Season of Giving only spotlights how little you can give—and how much your kids are focused on taking.

It’s true, says Gregory Downing. Kids are disconnected from the harsh economic realities that most adults struggle with. That’s partly because we shelter them from the truth, but also because we the parents aren’t in reality about it, either.

“Many adults don’t want to acknowledge that the world has undergone a fundamental shift,” says Downing, author of Entrepreneur Unleashed: Wealth to Stand the Test of Time 
as well as an upcoming book on providing a financial legacy for kids. “Everything about the way we build wealth and think about money has changed. Yet we’re still living—and yes, giving—like people who are able to work 40 years for the same company and retire comfortably with the gold watch.”

In a way, he says, we’re just as spoiled as our kids. We all need to change our unsustainable ways, and that means breaking the paradigm of parents as beneficent providers and kids as passive recipients. It breeds not only an entitlement mentality, but also an employee mindset—which Downing says will not serve kids well in the future.

Downing, who left a grueling 80-hour-a-week job to make his fortune as a real estate investment business owner and motivational speaker, says parents must teach kids the basics of entrepreneurship. Generating multiple streams of income (earned, passive, and portfolio) is the only logical path to financial freedom in a global economy where half of all college grads are moving back home jobless and saddled with debt.

Of course, he is not suggesting we serve up a stern family lecture about the new fiscal reality along with the Christmas cookies and hot cocoa. (That would be a Grinch-y thing to do!) What we can do is minimize spending on gifts, concentrate on the togetherness aspect of the holidays—and after the tree comes down, call a family forum.

What will you say in that post-holiday forum? Downing offers up the following suggestions:

Be honest about your financial situation. Most families hide financial struggles from children to keep them from worrying. This is a mistake, says Downing. While reassuring your kids that you will take care of them and you’ll all be okay no matter what, be straight with your kids. They can handle it.

Downing explains: “It’s okay to say something like, ‘After Dad lost his job and took this new one, he makes half of what he used to. Also, we have to buy our own health insurance, and it’s very expensive. We have a lot of bills to pay and we need to fund our retirement account. That means we’re all going to have to cut way back on unnecessary spending.’”

Lay out the family finances in business terms. Your kids probably have no idea how much you make. Nor do they realize the cost of running a household. Between the mortgage, car payments, insurance, utility bills, food bills, gas bills, and so forth, you’re spending thousands of dollars a month. Add other “occasional” expenses like clothing, car repairs, a new computer when yours dies, and (if you’re lucky) vacations, and kids may be stunned by how much it costs just to live their normal lives, says Downing.

“Lay all your cards on the table,” he suggests. “Get out your pay stubs or tax returns and a month’s worth of bill statements and walk through them all. Say, ‘Here are our revenues for the upcoming year. Here are our operating expenses. Here are our profits.’ Not only will this be an educational experience for the kids, it may be one for you as well. Most people are not accustomed to thinking of their family as a business, so this can be very enlightening and may be just the push you need to make a change.

“You may want to emphasize the financial impact of kids,” he adds. “Even if they go to a public school, there are plenty of costs—supplies, lunches, field trips, school pictures, band instruments, sports uniforms, etcetera. And of course, extracurricular activities like dance or martial arts can be really pricey. The point isn’t to make them feel guilty but to give them all the information they need to engage in the discussion.”

First, ask kids for cutback suggestions. Cutting expenses is always a valid business strategy. And for most families, it’s already the first line of defense when money starts getting uncomfortably tight. But rather than laying down the law to kids (“Sorry…no Disney trip this year”), involve them in the process. Ask: “Where might we as a family save money? How can you help?” In this way you’re demonstrating to them that you value their input and expect them to be part of the solution.

“When kids see that you’re spending $200 a month on cable, they might say, ‘We don’t really watch much TV anyway so let’s get rid of that bill and we can still go to Disney World if we pack lunches and stay in a less expensive hotel,’” says Downing. “Or maybe, ‘Okay, I’d really like to go to Camp Ivywood next summer. What if, to pay for it, I quit gymnastics and we eat out only once a week instead of three times?’

“If at all possible, implement their ideas,” suggests Downing. “You want kids to see that they have at least some control over their own destinies. Plus, it’s a great way to get them to think about which activities they really value and which ones they might just be going through the motions on.”

Then, broach the subject of kids as contributors. Of course, running a fiscally sound “business” (or family) isn’t just about cutting back. It’s also about increasing revenues. If kids are not currently contributing to the family finances—and they probably aren’t—it’s time for a change. There is no reason for them to exist solely on the “expense” side of the balance sheet. They can at least fund their own non-essentials (think video games, prom dresses, that coveted mountain bike) and start saving for college.

“This is the big shift and it may be a tough one for many parents,” admits Downing. “But rather than making this seem like a bad thing—‘I have to work because my parents can’t provide for me’—you can position it as a fun experience that may bring the family together. Tell them the economy is forcing us to do what Americans do best—be innovative and create our own future. It’s exciting and empowering.

“When kids see they don’t have to be ‘victims’ of the bad economy or parental job loss, they’ll be thrilled,” he adds. “They’ll say, ‘Wow, you mean I can build an internet site, invite my friends to visit it and click buttons, and I’ll make money?’ It may turn out to be an ahamoment that changes their destiny. At the very least, they will come to see that no matter what life may throw at them, things have a way of working out.”

Ask them to think up ways they might earn income. Obviously, these ideas will vary wildly based on kids’ ages and interests. Don’t limit them to traditional kid jobs like babysitting or lawn care. (Maybe babies make them nervous or they have grass allergies.) Think about what their passions are and ask how they might make money from this. If your child loves to read, perhaps she could start a business reading books to the elderly.

“Once the business gets off the ground, your child can take it to the next level,” says Downing. “Perhaps she could franchise her ‘reading to the elderly’ service by subcontracting reading gigs to other kids. The customer pays $20 an hour and she pays her subcontractors $15 an hour. She can market the service to, say, nursing homes as an add-on for clients.

“The idea is to show your child the value of creating streams of income that are not linked to her time,” he explains. “Not only will she make more money, she’ll master one of the fundamentals of entrepreneurship at a young age.”

Make the connection between wealth and giving. Explain to kids that, at its heart, making money is actually about contribution. All wealthy people (so-called “good people” and stingy people alike) MUST supply the unmet needs of others. As your kids contribute to their customers and to society in general, they will automatically make money. Contributing is, of course, the antithesis of being spoiled.

It’s important for your family to contribute in other ways, notes Downing. Generally, those who give of their time and/or money invite abundance into their lives.

“I’m not sure why this happens, but it does happen,” he notes. “I’ve seen it again and again. How much time do you spend contributing to those who are not as blessed as you are? Parents need to model this value to kids. Even if you give them bushels of ‘stuff,’ but also take them with you when you work for two hours at the soup kitchen, they won’t be spoiled. They just won’t. Set an example of giving back, and your kids will feel less entitled to all their ‘stuff.’”

Together, set some family goals. Once you’ve talked through your financial reality, including cutbacks and new contributions, it’s time to plan for the future. Set very specific goals for every family member to meet during the upcoming year. What, specifically, will you do to reign in spending? What will each child do to work toward the creation of his or her new business (and how much will he or she earn)? What will Mom and Dad do to increase their own earning potential?

Of course, money isn’t everything. Downing suggests you set goals in all areas that matter to you—financial, yes, but also (for instance) spiritual, educational, health & fitness, and so forth. Then, have everyone, kids included, come up with 10 high-payoff activities they must do each week to accomplish their goals. (High-payoff tasks are tasks that should be done daily or weekly.)

“Compare your lists to make sure the entire family is on the same page and working together,” advises Downing. “Meet every 30 days to monitor everyone’s progress. You’ll be amazed by how this keeps kids—and parents!—energized and focused and keeps the family close and moving in the right direction.”

It’s actually this last step, the family goal-setting, that does the “heavy lifting” in terms of un-spoiling kids. That’s because it clarifies your values and makes sure you’re all doing things—say, working twice a month at the animal shelter or spearheading a beach clean-up—that teach kids what really matters in life. These are the kinds of things that get neglected when your family is running on autopilot rather than living by design.

“How much money you make and how much ‘stuff’ kids get is far less important than a) making sure everyone is contributing to the family, and b) making sure kids learn the value of giving back to others and to society,” he says. “Money itself is not ‘bad’ and cannot spoil kids. In fact, helping people get needed goods and services is the very basis of entrepreneurship.

“When kids are really ‘giving back’—to the family, to their customers, and to society in general—they won’t have that desperate need to acquire the right clothes or high-tech trinkets to fill some spiritual void,” he adds. “They’ll be happier because they are living in a deeper, richer, more meaningful way. And guess what? YOU will be, too.”

# # #

Ten Tips for Raising Financially Literate Kids All Year Long

• Take your child to open bank accounts, both checking and savings. She needs to understand how banks operate.
• Make it clear that the savings account is sacred. It’s for real emergencies—not impulse buys. (Teach him to avoid making decisions like, “I want that new skateboard and I have money in my savings account, so I’m going to go withdraw it.”)
• Get your child a credit card and teach her how to use it. Enforce strict boundaries on how to make the card an asset rather than a liability. Too many parents assume all debt is “bad” while, in reality, businesses depend on it to operate.
• Attend a county commission or school board meeting and bring your child along.
• Help him set up his own budget and stick to it.
• Find ways to pay her for being valuable to you and your employment.
• If your kids mow lawns or babysit or provide some other service, teach them that they must run their business like any self-employed person. Hold discussions on supply and demand, how to find customers, how to set prices, and how to add value so they are branded as the best in their niche.
• Show your child how deductions work when you invest.
• Invest in some small penny stocks that won’t cost him huge if he loses but will teach him the ropes before he has to make big retirement investment decisions.
• Teach kids healthy attitudes toward money. It is not scarce; nor is it “the root of all evil.” Money is inherently connected to how much and how well you meet the needs of others. The more you share your time, talents, and expertise, the more abundantly money flows into your life.

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About the Author:
Gregory S. Downing has dedicated his life to teaching his students that every family can truly control its financial future and create a generational legacy with profound, yet straightforward advice and guidance. As a nationally and highly respected author, speaker, family expert, and organizational consultant, his advice has been sought and put into practice by thousands of people from all walks of life. With over 20 years of experience in management, leadership, training, and business ownership, he has proven that his principles of legacy parenting, business promotion, entrepreneurship, and real estate investing both work and create bonds of relationship that go beyond the ordinary.

Prior to his writing and public speaking career, he served for 12 years as the general manager of four Chevrolet and Dodge Chrysler dealerships, managing over 130 employees and increasing production and sales without sacrificing quality and customer service while there. It was during his tenure in this position that he became increasingly aware that his gifts and talents were in motivating and leading others to achieve their goals and dreams. He made the transition to motivational and investment training so he could touch more lives and influence others to build wealth and prosperity for themselves and for their families.

To learn more, please visit www.GregoryDowning.com.

About the Book:
Entrepreneur Unleashed: Wealth to Stand the Test of Time (Legacy Unleashed Press, 2012, ISBN: 978-1-938047-06-0, $29.95, www.GregoryDowning.com) is available at bookstores nationwide and from all major online booksellers.

 Salt Lake City, UT, Oct. 29, 2012 — Hurricane Sandy has forced the cancellation of more than 100 American Red Cross blood drives in 11 states along the East Coast, resulting in a shortfall of more than 3,000 blood and platelet donations already.

All eligible donors in unaffected parts of the country are encouraged to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets.

“Just as Red Cross volunteers have mobilized to provide disaster relief and other emergency assistance, we are mobilizing blood and platelets donations to ensure patients have access to the potentially lifesaving blood products they need,” said John Petersen, of the Red Cross Blood Service Region. “When you donate blood or platelets through the Red Cross, you can help patients in your local community and patients across the country, including those in Hurricane Sandy’s path.”

The Red Cross partners with more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country, providing blood products donated by giving individuals, and specialized laboratory services. While Hurricane Sandy affects the number of people available to donate, patients will still need blood and platelets despite the weather.

All blood types are needed to ensure an adequate blood supply is available during a disaster, especially type O positive, O negative, A negative or B negative blood. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. 

How to Help

The Red Cross has mobilized disaster volunteers and is providing safe shelter from Hurricane Sandy to thousands of people in the storm’s path. The Red Cross is working closely with federal, state and local government officials, as well as community partners to coordinate response efforts.

To help people affected by disasters like this, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to a local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Red Cross Apps

The free Red Cross Hurricane App for mobile devices provides real-time hurricane safety information such as weather alerts and where Red Cross shelters are located. The app also features a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm, and the one-touch “I’m Safe” button lets someone use social media outlets to tell family and friends they are okay. The Hurricane App is available in Spanish. Users just need to make sure the language setting on their smart phone is set to Spanish before downloading.  The First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in someone’s hand. The apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visitredcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

DALLAS, Oct. 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kevin Sorbo, star of the television series “Hercules,” was only 38 when he suffered three
strokes. That was how he learned anyone can have a stroke.

On World Stroke Day, Oct. 29, he’s joining forces with the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, to
spread the word about something else he’s learned about stroke: In many circumstances, it is beatable.

“Like my character, Hercules, I thought I was invincible,” said Sorbo, author of True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and
How Nearly Dying Saved My Life. “There are many myths and misconceptions about stroke. As a survivor, I have learned that stroke
is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. Through the American Stroke Association, there is help and hope.”

Stroke is the second-leading cause of death in the world behind heart disease and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability. In the
United States, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of a stroke every three to four minutes.

Knowing the warning signs can help people get to a hospital quickly to be assessed for a clot-busting drug, which may reduce disability or
death from stroke. An easy way to recognize the sudden signs of stroke is to remember F.A.S.T:

F - Face Drooping-Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
A - Arm Weakness-Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S - Speech Difficulty-Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like: “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
T - Time to call 9-1-1-If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital
immediately.

Stroke affects 795,000 Americans annually. Yet in a November 2011 survey commissioned by the American Stroke Association, only 63 percent of adults could name one or more stroke warnings signs. Immediately after exposure to the F.A.S.T. acronym, 87 percent of adults could recall at least one correct sign.

“Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of disability,” said Ralph Sacco, M.D., past president of the American Heart Association and a
member of the World Stroke Organization’s Board of Directors. “All Americans should know the stroke risks and work toward ideal
cardiovascular health every day to prevent stroke.”

An important part of prevention is education, which is why on Oct. 29, World Stroke Day, the American Stroke Association and Sorbo are asking people to post Instagram photos of themselves holding signs that complete the following thought: “Because I Care About Stroke …”  Photos should be tagged #WorldStrokeDay.

To learn more about stroke, the warning signs and to participate in the World Stroke Day Instagram campaign, visit
strokeassociation.org/worldstrokeday.

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke– America’s No. 4 killer and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and
information to prevent, treat and beat stroke. The Dallas-based association was created in 1997 as a division of the American Heart
Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org.