How to Ask for a Pay Rise

 

Written by Jenny Caton

 

Asking for a pay rise is never easy and in tough economic times when companies are cutting costs it can be even more difficult. But if you are feeling undervalued and know that you deserve more money than you currently receive, then it can lead to feelings of resentment.

 

So what is the best way to ask for a pay rise in order to give you the best chance of getting what you want?

 

• Choose your time wisely – don’t collar your boss between meetings, or when they are in a bad mood. It’s best to schedule a meeting with your boss so that you’ll have their undivided attention and treat your request seriously. Alternatively wait until your next performance review when you’ll be able to easily steer the conversation round to your salary.


• Don’t be aggressive or defensive. Start on a positive note either by thanking your boss for their time or by saying how much you enjoy your role.


• Have evidence – asking for a pay rise out of the blue will usually be met with a negative response. But if you can give reasons for asking, such as after successfully delivering an important project or after taking on additional responsibilities, it will go in your favour.


• If you’ve been offered a position with more money at a rival company it can be tempting to use this as ammunition. But be careful, if you threaten to leave, your boss might tell you to go ahead – so only play this card if you are prepared to carry out your threat.

 

 

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Categories: boss, money, nbsp, pay rise, rise, time

How to Ask for a Pay Rise

 

Written by Jenny Caton

 

Asking for a pay rise is never easy and in tough economic times when companies are cutting costs it can be even more difficult. But if you are feeling undervalued and know that you deserve more money than you currently receive, then it can lead to feelings of resentment.

 

So what is the best way to ask for a pay rise in order to give you the best chance of getting what you want?

 

• Choose your time wisely – don’t collar your boss between meetings, or when they are in a bad mood. It’s best to schedule a meeting with your boss so that you’ll have their undivided attention and treat your request seriously. Alternatively wait until your next performance review when you’ll be able to easily steer the conversation round to your salary.


• Don’t be aggressive or defensive. Start on a positive note either by thanking your boss for their time or by saying how much you enjoy your role.


• Have evidence – asking for a pay rise out of the blue will usually be met with a negative response. But if you can give reasons for asking, such as after successfully delivering an important project or after taking on additional responsibilities, it will go in your favour.


• If you’ve been offered a position with more money at a rival company it can be tempting to use this as ammunition. But be careful, if you threaten to leave, your boss might tell you to go ahead – so only play this card if you are prepared to carry out your threat.

 

 

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Categories: boss, money, nbsp, pay rise, rise, time

Are You Financially Compatible?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

When it comes to money, most people fall into one of two camps – ‘spenders’ or ‘savers’. Spenders generally spend their money as soon as they get it and believe that money is there to be enjoyed. They don’t mind borrowing to buy the things they want. Savers, on the other hand take a much more restrained view. They consider all the options carefully before parting with their cash and generally won’t buy something that they can’t afford.

 

If you and your partner have differences of opinion when it comes to spending and saving your money, then it can lead to serious arguments. In a survey of 2,000 adults, the counselling organisation Relate found that money is the most common cause of arguments and is responsible for 44 per cent of rows within relationships.

 

Our attitude to money is often deep-seated and is usually a result of our upbringing, so whether we are a spender or a saver it can be difficult to see things from another person’s point of view. If rows about money are causing stresses and strains in your relationship, then it’s important to take control of the situation as quickly as possible.

 

Find the time to discuss your attitude to finance. Don’t let it become an argument; just give each other the time to explain what your financial goals are. It might be useful to sit down once a month to review your finances and plan for the forthcoming months. If you do have different approaches to money, you may be able to find a compromise by deciding how much to save each month and how much to spend on treats.

 

If one or both of you is in debt then it’s important to be honest. Once you’ve brought the problem out into the open, you can begin to form a plan to deal with any debts.

 

Consider having a separate bank account for household expenses. This way you can both pay what you can afford into this account and arrange for your bills to be paid directly from it. This should help alleviate monthly arguments about who should pay for what.

 

For further advice on how to manage your money within a relationship, visit: http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

 

 

 

Categories: afford, arguments, generally, money, nbsp, spend

Is a Fairy-tale Wedding Worth the Expense?

 

With the average UK wedding costing almost £25,000 is a fairy-tale wedding really worth the cost?

No – Susan
Couples today spend tens of thousands on their wedding day and I think it’s a colossal waste of money. I’m not against marriage but I am against the self-indulgent trend that’s emerged in recent years where normal couples try to recreate lavish celebrity weddings from the pages of a magazine.

Of course your wedding day is important but it is just one day! There’s absolutely no point getting into debt for the sake of having one glamourous party. With so many young couples struggling to buy their first home, I would have thought that the money would be better spent on property or other investments. From experience, no matter how much money you spend on your wedding, there will be elements that you’re disappointed with.

It’s also worth remembering that many marriages don’t last. In fact, I know people who are still paying off credit card bills from the wedding long after the marriage has broken down!

For any couple planning a wedding, my advice would be to set a small budget and stick to it. There’s no need to have the most expensive version of everything – you will still have a wonderful day even if you spend less. You can get married in the local registry office rather than a swish hotel and your marriage will be just as valid. Save the cash for things that will last like your home!

Yes– Katy
All my life I’ve dreamed of having a big white wedding and when I get married, I’m really going to push the boat out to ensure I have the best day of my life. You only get married once – or at least, I believe I will only get married once; so why not spend a lot of money making the day perfect?

Your wedding day isn’t a time to cut corners – if you choose things that are cheap but not really what you want, you’ll always be disappointed. Far better, to get the best of everything and make it a really magical day. I appreciate that people spend a lot on what is just one day in their lives but even after the day is over you’ll still have your memories and photographs to look back on. Do you really want to be looking at photos in ten or twenty years’ time and think ‘I wish I’d bought the dress I really wanted’?

I want my wedding to be really special and am looking forward to having all of my friends and relatives there to share the day. I want to impress them so that they will have a fabulous time and remember the day forever. I don’t want people complaining about the food or thinking that the venue isn’t very special so I’m happy to spend the money to make sure everything is exactly right. I probably will use my credit card for some big purchases but so what? I’ll remember this day long after the credit card bills have all been paid and I think all couples should be free to spend as much as they wish to get their own fairy-tale wedding too.

 

Categories: card bills, Couples, credit card, married, money, spend, wedding, wedding day

6 Easy Ways to Start Saving Money on Health Problems

 

 

In a perfect world, we would all have perfect health. Unfortunately, however, the world we live in is far from perfect, and many people do struggle with and have to manage various health problems on a daily basis. If you fit into that category, then you know all too well that managing your healthcare needs and costs can be difficult. The good news, however, is that there are several different things you can do to cut back on costs related to your health problem(s) and to reduce your chances of incurring new healthcare expenses as well.

 

 

1.Preventative Care is the Way to Go! 

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Well, that’s certainly true, especially when it comes to your health. Just as you must have maintenance performed on your vehicle, you need to be keeping tabs on your own health and how it’s faring. The easiest way to do that is by scheduling and making sure you actually go to various health checkups as advised by medical professionals. The average person, for example, should be visiting an optometrist to have his or her eyes checked anywhere from once a year to once every two years, though those with vision or other eye problems should visit more frequently. Wake Ophthalmology  has a bunch of great information on eye health, and other surgeries that can help correct your vision.  Likewise, doctor’s appointments are recommended once yearly, and dental appointments are recommended twice yearly for healthy individuals with no known problems. Not only will you decrease your risk of developing serious health problems by attending all medical appointments regularly, but you will also decrease your risk of having to pay a lot of money toward health care expenses! When you take better care of yourself, your wallet and your body will thank you.

 

 

2. Go Generic

Sometimes, prescription drug users end up paying a lot more for their medications than they should simply because those medications have a fancy name and a fancy label. What these people often don’t realize, however, is that the generic version of the drugs they need is 100% identical to the name brand version; the only thing that’s different is the name and the price tag, which is drastically lowered. All prescription drug users are strongly encouraged to ask their prescribing doctors about switching to the generic versions of their medications if they haven’t already done so.

 

 

3. Compare Prices

 

Everyone needs health insurance in this day and age, but it’s important to understand that not all insurance providers are the same. In fact, rates can vary drastically from one insurance provider to the next, so shopping around and comparing rates and overall plans from different providers in order to find the best deal is strongly encouraged. Do keep in mind, however, that while it’s certainly nice to save money, getting adequate coverage is even more important.

 

 

4. Up Your Dosage

 

Don’t panic- we don’t mean that you should literally up your personal dosage of the prescription medication you require! What we do mean is that you should consider buying higher dosages of your necessary medications and then splitting each pill to get multiple uses out of each pill. See, pricing for prescription medications isn’t generally based on the dosage but on the number of pills in a bottle, so you could get the same number of pills and twice the uses out of a higher dose of your current medication. Dosage splitting isn’t safe or even possible with all medications, but if you ask your doctor about this option and he or she gives you the okay, then go for it!

 

5. Save Samples

 

Doctors love giving out samples of medications that they think may help or benefit their patients in some way, so take advantage of this fact! Regularly ask your doctor for samples of any medications you use or are considering using in the future. Doctors rarely say no to sample requests, and you can easily stockpile your necessary medications for emergencies and keep yourself from spending money on a product that you end up not liking!

 

6. Know When to Stop

 

People often take certain prescription medications long after they actually need them. If you’re just taking a medication because you’re used to it or because you haven’t been to a doctor to change your prescription yet, stop if your doctor gives you the go-ahead! Don’t take medicine you don’t actually need. Not only is it dangerous and potentially addictive to use unnecessary medications, but it’s also expensive!

 

As you can see, there are lots of ways to cut costs related to your healthcare needs. Whether you save money by getting to the optometrist or other doctor’s office more often or by rethinking your prescription medication usage, the important thing is that you do everything you can to reduce your costs and get more joy out of your life!

Categories: easy, health problems, money, Saving

Could Criticism Fears and Money Worries Damage Your Health?

They say you have nothing to fear but fear itself, and maybe that’s because fear does a lot of damage to your wellbeing. In fact, two fears in particular – the fear of poverty and the fear of criticism – can lead to chronic health concerns and, in order to reach the gateway to better wellness, you need to confront these fears head on.

 

The fear of poverty

You know you have a fear of poverty if you’re constantly worrying that you don’t have enough money, even if, in reality, you have the money that you really need. If you’re thinking about changing jobs or starting a new business, for example, you start to fret about what will happen when you run out of money. This fear prevents you from taking the first step to change. So, how do you defeat your fear of poverty?

 

The first thing is to get accurate information. Oftentimes your fears blow things out of proportion, so it can be helpful to talk to people who have achieved what you want to do. Another great way to conquer your poverty fears is to ask yourself a different kind of “what if” question. Instead of saying “what if I don’t have enough money?” ask yourself “what if I am paid for the work I do easily and well?” or “what if I like my work so much I never want to retire?” This changes your attitude towards work from one of survival to one of enjoyment, which helps to reduce the fear of poverty.

 

Aside from this, you have to admit that you’re not happy in your current situation. After all, happiness is more important than having more money than you know what to do with. Then, set yourself up for the next chapter of your life by putting away some savings and spending only on the things you need. Will you require education or training to advance? Look into your learning options. Finally, surround yourself with the right people. Rather than talking to negative people about your plans, associate with people who take risks in spite of their fears – you might find that some of that risk-taking courage rubs off on you.

 

The fear of criticism

In our culture today, we sadly measure success by status and money, instead of being true to yourself. Doctors’ offices are full of people who are stressed by trying to be perfect, and fear showing any chinks in their armour. The symptoms of the fear of criticism include:

 

• Procrastination


• Inability to accept a critique without defending yourself


• Having conflicting feelings about starting and completing projects


• Thinking of mistakes as unforgivable failures

 

You may have grown up in a highly critical family, and therefore your default setting is to blame yourself when you fall short of perfect, or even if you’ve done nothing wrong at all. It does not occur to you that critics could be wrong, or that the flaws they see in you belong to them. So, to defeat the fear of criticism you first have to have compassion for the human condition. We all make errors and accepting this makes it easier to come up with a solution, and even improve as a result. Also, make sure you retain your sense of humour. When you can laugh at your mistakes, even the harshest critics will be disarmed. In those moments when you get down on yourself, watch a comedy, go for some exercise or hang out with a friend who makes you laugh. This can help you remember that the mountain you are making of the situation is just a molehill.

Categories: Criticism, Fear of Criticism, fears, money, Money Worries, nbsp, Poverty, poverty nbsp, Symptoms

Could Workplace Wellness Programmes Be Harming Your Health?

For some companies, it’s perfectly legal for your employer to require you to answer intrusive health questions in order to ascertain just how healthy you are, in relation to the workplace wellness schemes they’re running. Wellness programmes are a multi-billion pound industry that seems to have sprung up overnight, with over 90 per cent of all large employers reportedly offering one for their employees. It’s nice for an employer to take an interest in your health, exercise and smoking, but if the programme is badly designed it could actually be detrimental to your health. Workplace wellness, it seems, is not only a privacy hazard but also a hazard to your health and career to boot. It’s fair to say that many people may be willing to tolerate a certain level of privacy loss in favour of boosting our health, but that’s not always the case. So what are they doing to your health and lifestyle? Here are three reasons why your workplace wellness scheme could be bad for you.

Dismaying and Alienating Employees

Bad wellness programmes give the notion that your boss thinks you’re an idiot. It doesn’t boost morale and it sends your motivation plummeting. For example, some employers tell employees who smoke that tobacco isn’t healthy, sending the message that anyone who smokes hasn’t been educated enough to read the many health warnings about smoking and its risks. The reality is that public health is a complex venture and while it’s easy to condescend, good wellness programmes focus on encouraging you to make better choices. If your programme isn’t doing that, you need to question why you have it in place.

Bad Programs Don’t Save Money

Wellness marketers make claims that quite literally don’t add up, such as claiming savings exceeding 100 per cent which is a mathematical impossibility, or suggesting that an employer can save more money than they spent in the first place. There’s a compelling case that claims that bad wellness programmes don’t save money because the programmes themselves cost so much money in the first place. Add in the added cost of screenings and educations, and the other services which aren’t free either, and you have a costly venture. The benefits of a wellness programme is that it help your employees to improve their health, morale and motivation, but if it winds up costing you so much money for nothing, it really doesn’t serve the purpose you’d hope for.

Potential Harm To Employee Health

Even if wellness programmes cost a bit more money in the short run, it’s considered a given that they will improve your health in the long run. But this isn’t always the case and it could be misleading. Many of us are reluctant to question the design of a company wellness programme because it sounds like we’re challenging something we know nothing about and which sounds like something so wholesome. But in reality, these programmes don’t always focus on the things they should, such as employee performance and exercise. Poorly-designed wellness programmes can violate the very essence of good management – focusing on people’s private lives doesn’t do anyone any favours and can do more harm than good. These programmes apply equal measure of coercion and disparagement towards the people who the programme is meant to help. This simply discredits the employer benefits programmes and undermines employee loyalty and trust. If employers are going to invest in a scheme, it needs to be in promotion of the wellbeing of their employees.

Categories: Corporate, health, money, Programmes, programmes don, save money, Wellness, Wellness Programme, Wellness programmes, Workplace Wellness

What Do Vitamin Supplement Kits Really Offer?

Vitamin supplements can be found everywhere from pharmacy stands to the health aisle of the supermarket, and they promise a multitude of health benefits such as supercharging your bedroom performance and helping you to burn fat faster. But do these magic pills really work and should you be shelling out money each week on something that could or could not help you? Here’s a guide to this new phase of self-help health.

Daily Dose by Dr. Frank Lipman

This kit provides a multivitamin, omega 3s and probiotics from Lipman, who is a board-certified physician to the celebrities. It claims to up your immunity and support your heart health and metabolism, with the probiotics working to improve your gastrointestinal health and even reducing your anxiety levels. But is there anything not to like? With 8334 per cent of your daily B12 dose, most of which will leave your body via urine, there’s an awful lot of money being spent on something your body can’t use. The money you’ll spend on this would be better spent on fresh groceries, where you’ll gain the same level of nutrients.

GNC’s Mega Men: Energy & Metabolism Vitapak

This kit provides fish oil, staminol and Carnitine 500. The claim is that it can increase your energy levels and metabolic efficiency, as well as your mental focus, sexual health and exercise recovery. Studies have shown that Burn 60 can spike your metabolism by as much as 60 per cent after your workout. However, the yohimbe bark extract, which is an aphrodisiac, is considered bad for your health when taken long term.

Dr. Weil’s Five Essentials

The Five Essentials pack contains multivitamins, antioxidants, coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids. The claim? That it will promote a healthy cell function and improve your metabolism. The alpha lipoic acid is great for metabolising carbohydrates and even improving your short-term memory.  The bad side is that choline is included, which recent studies have shown could cause diarrhoea. The price mainly pays for the Weil name to be on the material, but the results could be worth it for some.

Nutrilite Men’s Pack

This pack offers up vitamin C, multi carotene and omega-3s, which provide nutrients to strengthen the heart, clear the mind and toughen the immune system. 518mg of phytonutrients come as standard, which are health-protecting plant compounds for improved wellbeing. However, the time-released vitamin C allegedly provides all day support, which scientists claim is neither possible or accurate. The botanical ingredients may offer some benefits, but probably no more than a balanced diet of fruit and veggies would do anyway.

 

And vitamins aren’t the only worry. Pre-workout supplements are also a concern, with promises of unbridled power, faster muscle recovery and a gym body simply not being delivered. Everyone is using them to achieve these goals. Stimulants lend themselves to energy and focus, with vasodilators boosting circulation and aerobic capacity, as well as amino acids supercharging your endurance. But many contain banned components as well, with one popular ingredient actually being illegal. DMAA is being linked to cardiac arrests, among other health problems, and mask your body from what it’s supposed to feel. However, if you’re indulging anyway, N.O. -Xplode has the best reputation and has been on the market since the beginning. If you’re unsure about the best way to take supplements, and if they’re even any good for your body, you should speak to your GP to ensure that it’s safe.

Categories: body, fitness, health, Metabolism, money, omega 3s, Supplements, vitamin

What is Financial Therapy and How Does it Help You?

Anyone who has ever had an argument of debt or expenditure will know that your emotions are absolutely linked with your financial habits. In this stage of the recession, with so many people looking for jobs or finding that the rising costs of living are becoming difficult to cope with, money has become a big issue in many households. Until the past few years though, the emotional side of the situation was more important than the numbers themselves – therapists are now looking more into all elements of the situation though, rather than just the one  side. A new practice coming into play is known as financial therapy. This practice bridges the gap between traditional therapy and finance. Many financial planners are focused on money only and become uncomfortable when the subject of emotions arises. By the same token, most therapists don’t have the knowledge to navigate clients’ financial difficulties. Some education providers are even bringing this subject into the curriculum, such as the psychology of personal finance so that people are aware of what it takes to plan for their goals. This is a growing industry that more educational providers have realised.

 

Experts compare this gap to the notion of diet and exercise. People know that diet and physical activity is important for their health, yet the increasing obesity crisis shows that  vast proportion of people don’t act on it. The emotional aspect of finance is where people get stuck – how do they stop doing something they don’t want to be doing? For example, gambling, overspending or under-spending could be some of these problems. Understanding the emotional side of finance helps to open up a dialogue about it and can strengthen couple’s bonds over money and accounts. Therapists may counsel people on the boundaries they set with their children about financial handouts or making decisions on money as a family. The way your parents acted with money may well impact how you do too, yet these decisions might not always suit the lifestyle you’re trying to lead. Financial therapy can close in on these issues and find a way out of them.

The Financial Therapy Association Network lists over three dozen members who provide services in this area. The field is still developing, and most people aren’t yet aware of the industry as a whole, but it is growing. In a time when so many people are struggling to make ends meet and trying to survive on less money, through unemployment or increased prices in the supermarkets, financial therapy could be the way forward for a lot of people. And if there isn’t a financial therapy service in your area, there is the wonder of technology – many counsellors work via Skype or the internet. Because there is no official certification for financial therapists yet, because the industry is so new, experts recommend looking to the educational background of therapists, or any licenses they may hold. Look at the average number of client meetings they hold, how they get paid and their hourly fee. Are they getting commission from referrals, and is the fee insurance based? These questions will help you to determine how valid and authentic your therapist is. It will also help you to determine if the therapist has any biases. How they approach financial therapy themselves says a lot about their practices and how they teach, which varies from person to person. What you’re looking for may not be taught by one person, but you may find that another therapist can help you.

Categories: financial, financial therapy, money, people, Relationships, therapists, therapy

How To Get A Body Like Your Favourite Celebrity

It is easy to look at celebrities in magazines and on the internet and start to feel envious of their bodies. There is definitely an obsession within celebrity culture the it is important to look slim and attractive all of the time and when people are trying to hold onto their fame, which is of course, famously fleeting, they’ll do almost anything to keep themselves in shape. The problem is that we as the public only get to see the beautiful celebrity bodies without ever having to know the fallout in regards to how they got them. So it ends with us being envious of something that is not really rooted in reality.

 

The fact is that the rich and famous are very different to us. If they find themselves putting on weight, they simply pay the massive fees of professional personal trainers or if they don’t have the money too, their production company or agent – who will have that kind of money to throw around, and will have much more money invested in their client – will do exactly that. Celebrities get cravings for fatty foods just like we do, but for as long as they are still in the public eye they have enormous amounts of money at their disposal to deal with any weight issues.

 

It’s also worth noting that celebrities also have a constant pressure looming over them too. After all, their celebrity status can only last as long as they stay in amazing shape. So that gives them a pretty constant motivation to avoid slipping into bad eating habits or slacking off when it comes to the concept of going to the gym. The rest of us have to fit these things around busy and hectic working schedules.

 

“Celebrities have motivation, determination and, most importantly, pressure,” says Los Angeles-based personal trainer Michelle Lovitt who has worked with Courtney Cox and Julianne Moore “if you were in a movie that was opening in two weeks and two million people were going to critique how you look, you’d feel the same pressure to get to the gym”.

 

But just because you don’t have to go out and impress on the red carpet every other night, it doesn’t mean that you can’t drop those pounds and get a body like a celebrity. And the best way to do it is by using the same methods that those celebrities employ (of course without having to pay out for the expensive personal training sessions).

 

While you might imagine that to stay in shape, your favourite star probably has to spend several hours a day in the gym, but it is just simply not the case. The vast majority of celebrities don’t spend a long time in the gym – after all, they are not looking to bulk up their physique, they just want to stay in shape, and you can do this through short but high intensity sessions. This can include the favourite of Halle Berry, which is interval training, where you do a period of high intensity workout, followed by a short break, and then back into the workout, repeating the process a number of times.

 

Another great tip is that you shouldn’t worry too much about the scales. Whether you’ve gained or lost a few pounds is actually relatively irrelevant – we all know that muscles weights more than fat, so if you’re going to the gym regularly and gaining weight that might be due to additional muscle bulk. Instead, let your clothes be the judge – if they fit you properly or you’re beginning to need a belt, it can be a clear indicator that the work is paying off.

Categories: celebrities, celebrity, fit, high intensity, money, nbsp, shape, Weight Loss

What"s the Price Tag on Your Smile? Ways to Improve Your Teeth

There are plenty of reasons to fear a trip to the dentist. Most of these fears are irrational, but one of them is completely logical. That is the fear of over paying for good dental care. No one likes to spend money to sit in an uncomfortable chair and be prodded by a dentist, especially with the outrageous costs of treatment. However, there are ways to be frugal, even when it comes to medical aid.

 

Cash Discount

Some dentists offer cash discounts. Not everyone has the cash upfront to cover a dental bill, but if you do, you can probably save yourself some money in the long run. Credit card payments take time to fully process, and they can sometimes cause problems for the dental office. Because of this, many dentists appreciate cash payments and sometimes offer rewards for them. You can always talk to your dentist to see if he or she would be willing to practice such a method, if they do not already.

Strategic Appointments

It is possible to separate a major dental appointment into two smaller visits that land on the end of one coverage year and the beginning of another. This way you can avoid exceeding your coverage limit by only adding half of the cost of a major appointment to your current year. Many dentists are willing to work with patients in this way. However, most patients are unaware of this option.

Clinical Studies

Many clinics often ask patients to participate in studies, allowing them to get dental work done for free. If you need to get your wisdom teeth removed, but can’t foot the bill, you might try looking into one of these studies—you could get this procedure done for free! A Salt Lake City wisdom teeth research clinic has been able to offer patients in Utah free wisdom teeth removal—making it possible for them to have this necessary procedure done without breaking the bank.

Revolving Payment Plan

One way to deal with massive dental bills is to break them down into smaller payments that can be dealt with over time. Many dental offices are willing to set up a revolving payment plan that allows patients to pay a portion of the bill every week or month. There are usually no interest fees, and most dentists will be lenient with long time patients.

Preventative Care

The best way to save money on dental care is to avoid it altogether. This does not mean that you should let your teeth rot out of your head. Instead, try to take home dental care more seriously. Brushing twice a day is great, but flossing is the best preventative dental care there is. Most dental problems are related to gum health, so be sure to floss twice a day to keep your gums strong and healthy. This will save you money by preventing gum disease and other health problems.

 

Medical bills are one of the largest expenses nation wide. There is no harm in trying to find new and innovative ways to save money on your dental bill. The best way to do this is to simply talk with your dentist. If they care about their patients, then they will be willing to offer advise on how to best handle your medical bills.

Categories: appointments, care, cash, Dental, dental care, medical bills, money, Patients, revolving payment, save money, Smile, wisdom teeth

5 Reasons Your Wellness Is Important For Your Wellbeing

In this contemporary era, the wellness industries are thriving as more and more people seek information and advice regarding how to obtain or maintain optimal health. The fact that there exists a rising interest in wellness is a great thing given that wellness can contribute to general well-being in a variety of important ways. Here are five:

 

Saves Money

As many people know, debilitating diseases and conditions necessitate treatment that often comes in the form of medical help. This medical help translates into medical bills that often leave people scrambling for money they don’t have. Yet when individuals practice preventive care and thereby prevent themselves from becoming sick, much of these medical bills can be avoided. If you’re interested in saving money this way, practice great preventive care by doing things such as eating well and attending your annual medical appointments consistently. If you need to set up a dental appointment, The Dental Plaza can provide you with the quality care you need and deserve.

 

Promotes Longer Life

When we live a life guided by continual wellness, we often find ourselves living longer. This is a great thing as it affords us the opportunity to continue learning and growing as spiritual, intellectual, and emotional beings. On the other hand, neglecting our health can result in a premature end to our lives that precludes us from experiencing and enjoying the fullness of human existence.

Prevents Disease

Keeping our bodies in a state of wellness functions as a great way to prevent the onset of disease. The ability to prevent disease by maintaining wellness is wonderful because it precludes us from encountering the challenges that result from having illnesses such as physical pain and isolation from others.

 

Improves Mood

When we exist in a state of continual wellness in which disease is entirely absent and we are thriving, we are less subject to the mood swings that often result from living in a diseased state. Moreover, we often find ourselves having very positive moods when we live in a state of wellness. Indeed, engaging in activities that are conducive to wellness such as exercising results in the production of serotonin, the “happy hormone” responsible for inducing feelings of calm and joy.

 

Decreases Time Off From Work

Individuals who fall prey to illness often find themselves having to take time off from work to recover from their condition. Yet when we remain in a state of wellness, we are less likely to have to take this time off. Over time, the ability to work more can translate into greater well-being that comes to fruition as a result of things like being able to make more money, climb the socioeconomic ladder, and engage in activities that leave one feeling personally and professionally fulfilled.

 

As made plain by the information listed above, maintaining your wellness can play an integral role in keeping you mentally, physically, and spiritually fit. When you walk in this great well-being, your world is likely to be rife with the productivity and positivity that makes life the rich and rewarding thing we want it to be. Good luck!

Categories: continual wellness, Longer Life, Medical, medical bills, money, nbsp, preventive care, state, Wellbeing, Wellness

Can Supplements Help People with Bipolar Disorder?

Many people choose supplements, whether to target a specific wellness problem, or to improve their general wellbeing, but are they advisable when you have bipolar disorder? Supplements can be beneficial for ensuring you get all the vitamins you need every day, especially for the optimal functioning of your brain and nervous system, but when it comes to the direct treatment of bipolar disorder, there’s no real consensus as to how useful they are. Are supplements an option, or just a waste of your time and money?

 

Some supplements have been designed to prevent deficiencies of certain nutrients in your body. Multivitamins and fish oil capsules fit into this category. In bipolar disorder, researchers have made links between mood swings and deficiencies in B vitamins, and so arguably this is where supplements come into the equation. Plus, you have pills that are marketed as sleep aids or antidepressants, but the effectiveness and safety of these supplements have come under some scrutiny.

 

As it stands, there isn’t a great deal of evidence that proves supplements are effective for helping treat major medical conditions, so before you use them, it’s important to consult your doctor. This is especially important when you have bipolar disorder, as there are various negative side effects to supplements if you take them with certain medications. Depending on the supplement you take and how it interacts with your body, it could worsen your depression or mania symptoms. Plus, no matter who you are or what condition you have, you can have too much of a good thing; even too many vitamins can be toxic to your body so, again, medical supervision is key.

 

In fact, Dr. Soroya Bacchus, who practices in California, discourages the use of supplements other than a basic multivitamin. She notes that as people who are bipolar are often already taking a lot of pills, and supplements can interact with standard bipolar medications, there’s really no point in bothering. She explains, ‘Supplements are a waste of time and money. I would rather you save your money and spend it on something you can really enjoy.’ Obviously, this is just one opinion in a wide range of perspectives, so research supplements thoroughly and consult a doctor you trust to find out what’s right for you.

Categories: bipolar, bipolar disorder, body, Deficiencies, Disorder, Evidence, money, Supplements

It Won’t Make You Happy: Money Less Important than Respect

Do you care what people think, or is your emotional health more instilled in how much money you earn? According to a new article published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, overall happiness in life comes down to how much you are respected and admired by your peers, rather than your financial wellness.

Psychological scientist Cameron Anderson of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley explored the relationship between different types of status and wellbeing in the article with his co-authors. Anderson explained, ‘We got interested in this idea because there is abundant evidence that higher socioeconomic status – higher income or wealth, higher education – does not boost subjective wellbeing (or happiness) much at all. Yet at the same time, many theories suggest that higher status should boost happiness.’

Ok, so money and status doesn’t make you happy – but what does? Instead of happiness coming down to socioeconomic status, Anderson and his colleagues theorised that it was more of a question of higher sociometric status. That is, respect and admiration in your face-to-face groups, such as your friendship network, your neighbourhood, or your athletic team. Anderson commented, ‘Having high standing in your local ladder leads to receiving more respect, having more influence, and being more integrated into the group’s social fabric.’

In the first of four studies, the research team polled 80 students who participated in 12 different campus groups, such as sororities and ROTC. After accounting for gender and ethnicity, the researchers discovered that sociometric status predicted students’ social wellbeing scores. In the next study, the researchers surveyed a larger and more diverse sample of participants. They were able to at least partly explain the relationship between sociometric status and wellbeing; students felt a sense of power and social acceptance in their personal relationships.

Over the next two studies, the team looked at how this might be manipulated when sociometric status changed. Anderson noted, ‘I was surprised at how fluid these effects were – if someone’s standing in their local ladder went up or down, so did their happiness, even over the course of 9 months.’ He added, ‘One of the reasons why money doesn’t buy happiness is that people quickly adapt to the new level of income or wealth. Lottery winners, for example, are initially happy but then return to their original level of happiness quickly. It’s possible that being respected, having influence, and being socially integrated just never gets old.’

Categories: money, Research, respect

What is the Impact of Debt on your Mental Health?

A new study suggests that financial pressures of being at university are impacting the mental health of students, leading to further services being needed. A leading figure in student mental health, Dr Annie Grant, stated that they are supporting students who normally would have been receiving more regular support, but who are dealing with the effects of NHS cuts, which is leading to more challenges for services to provide the clinical support that students need. It’s important for universities to provide conditions where students can thrive both academically and socially, but six percent of Britain’s 2.49 million students develop mental health problems whilst studying. Despite this, at least 79 percent of universities have dedicated staff to help, but they’re keen to state that they are not an alternative to the NHS when it comes to providing clinical support.

 

The struggle of finding employment, coupled with the £40,000 debt you leave university with, leads many people to feel concerned. This is linked with the figures which suggest that student suicides rose by 50 percent between 2007 and 2011. The National Union of Students released figures from a recent survey which shows that one in 10 students had experienced suicidal thoughts, and a further 14 percent had considered self harm. 38 percent of those questioned also stated that they’d experienced feelings of panic, as well. Student services have seen a great expansion of provisions for counselling students, with varying problems that range from acute homesickness to more serious problems, including psychosis and schizophrenia.

 

The changes in one’s lifestyle when they move out of their home and into a student environment can impact people in different ways, and many students experience feelings of depression during this time. Often, people don’t realise or are in denial about their symptoms, which is why services are important in order to help people whose symptoms have developed into more serious conditions. Increasingly, the debt and other concerns in a student’s life are seen to be building to stages that they cannot deal with – it’s vital that the symptoms of mental health problems are publicised so that people are aware of what to look out for.

Categories: depression, Mental Health, money

Financial Stress: How it Affects Your Health

Financial trouble is one of the top stressors in people’s lives. It permeates the way they live, how they work and all of their personal relationships. As a result, unresolved financial issues can take a very serious toll on their overall health. Below are just some of the ways that anxiety over finance may negatively affect health and how to adopt ways to effectively deal with it.

1. Loss of sleep is something that many people deal with. However, those with financial stress are more prone to experience sleeping difficulties. Sleep deficits are known to impair judgment, which can lead to career and other mistakes and accidents. A lost job causes even more financial stress. Immune functions and cognitive abilities are also affected by lack of sleep which leads to additional health and relationship problems.

One way to avoid all of this is to first keep track of where you stand financially. Then address tax and credit card liabilities by hiring professionals. Finally, institute a system whereby spending and finances are tracked and managed to avoid further problems.

2. Credit card debt and tax bills can contribute to unhealthy emotions that can take a toll on personal health, both mentally and physically. Financial stress is linked heavily to depression which leads directly to other illnesses. It is said that mental health is the precursor to physical health, so resolving these financial issues is critical in order to get and stay healthy.

3. People experiencing financial anxiety become frustrated and often adopt a sense of hopelessness as debt continues to pile up. Increasing amounts of money are necessary just to pay for the interest. Tax liabilities only compound over time, just as credit card debt and unpaid obligations like mortgages.

The loss of a home creates its own high levels of very menacing stress. The negative attitude that results is something that many people never fully resolve.

4. Unhealthy coping mechanisms can easily develop in people who experience financial stress, which compounds into self neglect and poor care. For instance, people may seek to numb anxiety with smoking, alcohol, drugs, overeating, unprotected sex and prescription and over the counter medications. Taking these substances and engaging in these behaviors on a long term basis generally leads to deteriorated mental and physical health which causes even more expense and stress.

Resolving Financial IssuesLess money available for necessities also creates a situation where corners need to be cut for essentials like health care. As a result, people are taking the chance that their health is suffering without taking action to remedy it. Remember that financial problems that are ignored will only get worse. One of the best ways to avoid these health problems is to hire tax relief and accounting professionals.

 

Getting professional help, such as a tax relief specialist who offers free tax consultation, is what could make the difference between developing a serious illness or health issue or not. Seeking professional help is a far better strategy than allowing small problems to go unchecked that easily turn into much larger or even fatal situations.

Melanie Fleury has experienced financial stress due to a variety of reasons, including job loss and tax issues. She advises that getting a free tax consultation from a professional like Instant Tax Solutions is a good way to learn what your options are. Having a plan can reduce or even relieve the stress that comes with financial uncertainty.

Categories: financial stress, health, money

Put Your Money where Your Mouth is: Uni Divestment Campaigns

Fossil fuel ‘divestment’ campaigns are spreading across Australia as activists target what many think is the root cause of the problem: money. Tom Swann, a student at the Australian National University (ANU), is a founding member of one of Australia’s first divestment campaigns, Fossil Free ANU.

Swann argues that universities are essential to taking action on climate change. ‘We don’t think it’s appropriate that a university that likes to boast its green credentials and its world-class research on climate change and other environmental issues invests its student fees in the companies that are creating this problem,’ he said. ‘Our campaign started when activists from the Northern Rivers of NSW contacted us about a holding that the ANU had in a coal seam gas company called Metgasco…We set up a fake gas rig at the Uni and did a lot of leafleting and postering, and we got a commitment from the vice chancellor to sell their shares.’

For many though, this isn’t just about ethical and environmental considerations, but about financial considerations as well. According to project director James Leaton, up to 80% of the coal and gas reserves owned by fossil fuel companies will be “unburnable”, which means the companies will lose 60% of their value. He explained, ‘There is a focus on short-term returns which means most investors follow the market, assuming they can get out before any bubble burst. The sub-prime crisis and dotcom bubble show that not everyone can get out in time.’

He noted, ‘There is an a opportunity now to prevent the carbon bubble inflating further by limiting the capital flowing into developing more coal, oil and gas reserves.’ Leaton reported, ‘Mining companies like BHP Billition and Rio Tinto are already pulling back on thermal coal and can deploy capital elsewhere — shareholders should be encouraging this.’ He added, ‘Reducing exposure to pure coal operators should be considered. Challenging strategies which are pouring more capital into expensive export projects should be a priority. Capital should returned to shareholders if the company does not have a viable proposal.’

Swann commented, ‘Obviously divestment is not an end in itself. It is one tactic amongst many. But when you consider the scale and urgency of the problem and the fact that this is something people can do on their own campuses, in their own communities, and see tangible results, I think it is an extremely important tactic. These industries have to go out of business, or the planet is going to go out of business.’

Categories: australia, Divestment Campaign, money

Is the Financial Crisis Causing You to Gain Weight?

If you’re worried about your financial wellness, you may also be putting other aspects of your wellbeing at stake. This is according to new research from Weight Watchers, which found that money worries are making us overweight because we are comfort eating when money is tight.

According to the study, 75% of Brits are ignoring a balanced diet in favour of unhealthy treats that lift their spirits. This means that, as a direct consequence of their financial situation, 18.3m Brits have experienced weight gain. However, it’s not just a growing appetite for comfort food that’s swept the nation, but the results of the study also revealed that, contrary to what Jessie J might sing, it’s all about the price tag. These unhealthy foods are as cheap as, well, chips, which is prompting people to indulge. When it comes to food purchases, the research showed that eight out of ten cash-strapped Brits priorities cheap over healthy options.

This research follows another recent study from the Mental Health Foundation, which demonstrated that more than half of British adults find their life more stressful than they did five years ago. More than 25% of respondents cited money as a cause of this enhanced stress, and the mental health problems don’t stop there. You are ten times more likely to suffer from depression now than people in 1945, which is clearly demonstrated by the fact that anti-depressant use is on the rise.

However, research by the University College of London has suggested that comfort eating doesn’t actually help, but in fact eating a diet high in processed food can in fact increase your risk of depression. The study showed that people who eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and fish actually have a lower risk of depression. Zoe Hellman, Head of Public Health at Weight Watchers, adds, ‘It is alarming that such a high percentage of Brits are turning to comfort eating when money is tight as weight gain soon becomes another issue to add to their anxiety levels.  Eating cheap, calorie laden food can lead to much bigger problems in the long term, such as the serious health risks associated with being overweight or obese.’

Is the Financial Crisis Causing You to Gain Weight?

Categories: comfort, comfort eating, Comfort Food, eating, Finances, Mental Health, money, Research, weight, weight gain, weight watchers

New Phone? How to Get Rid of Your Old Device

With Earth Day not long gone, now is the perfect time to remember the simple values of environmental wellness. Whether you need to work on turning things off when you don’t need to use them, or simply just remembering to make sure your crisp packet ends up in the bin when you’re finished with it, there’s always something you can do to make a positive impact on the planet’s wellbeing. A great place to start is with your mobile phone.

The proper disposal of mobile phones is important to the environment, and throwing them into the bin should never be an option. You can sell your phone, donate it or even trade it in and get money off your new one, but if these options run out, you should always recycle your electronics. If your phone is busted and no one will be able to get any use out of it, recycling is a great way to go – but that doesn’t mean you have a long way to go before you reach your local recycling.

These days, a lot of shops and carriers will recycle your phone for you. Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, exPhone, your carrier’s shop or your manufacturer’s website may be good places to take your phone off your hands. You won’t get much more than a “thank you” going down this route, but you’ll at least be secure in the knowledge that your device will go through the proper channels of disposal or reuse instead of ending up in a landfill somewhere. If you send in your device to Envirophone, you could even get some money out of it.

If you want more than a pat on the head when you get rid of your old devices, selling them will help you do your bit for the planet, and your bank balance! Presumably, if you’re getting rid of your old phone, you’re going to need a new one and so selling your old devices can help you to get the money you need towards it. Many users sell their devices on online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay or Gumtree. However, if you have an Android device, Swappa is your best bet as this site is used exclusively for trading and selling Android phones.

New Phone? How to Get Rid of Your Old Device

Categories: Device, devices, money, phone, Phones, recycling, Selling

The Cost of Surviving: Life Insurance

With an increase in cancer survival rates, the prospect of living a full life is a promising one. With medical science serving as the balm to the life-threatening illness that claims the lives of thousands, the chances of dying from it now are becoming significantly less. The survival rates are only climbing upwards.

Cancer is one of many illnesses that presents individuals with the value of life. Teetering between hope and loss, families and their diagnosed loved ones go through a rickety road where the uncertainty is ever-present in the scope of recovery.

As such, finances are probably the last thing on everyone’s mind however, financial protection ensures that no matter what happens, a debt is not left hanging over the heads of the ill. Life insurance is one such example of financial cover, where surviving cancer does not have to tow a resulting debt.

According to the Telegraph, Tom Baigrie, chief executive of LifeSearch, an online financial protection adviser, said: “While many people are living longer they are doing so having previously survived a serious illness. However, the financial impacts of living in poor health after an illness can often be very difficult if there wasn’t any critical illness insurance in place.

“Living longer with cancer is a lot better than the alternative, but not so much so if you can’t maintain your standard of living. So having an element of critical illness cover, which pays out on life threatening cancers is simple common sense.”

What tends to make individuals flinch is the concept, naturally, of cost. It is understandable to flinch away from the prospect that you have to shell out thousands to protect everyone’s interests – but it doesn’t have to be a “money or your kneecaps” scheme. It isn’t limited to cancer, but to all life-threatening ailments, such as heart attacks.

A life-cover is a protective film that serves to lessen the stress that you are already presented with. Nobody deserves to have an extra weight in their life when it is already under threat by another. By maintaining a safety net over the threat of debt, you can keep you and your loved ones secure by paying just under £30 a month.

The Cost of Surviving: Life Insurance

Categories: cancer, critical illness, financial, financial protection, heart health, life, life insurance, life threatening, living, living longer, money, survival rates