Pet Insurance

As the cost of healthcare for pets continues to go up, having pet insurance might seem more necessity than luxury. Choosing the right pet insurance can be tricky, though, given the usual insurance fine print. Here are three of the main things to keep in mind when shopping around: • Pet insurance typically does not cover preventative medicine. It’s designed to help offset the costs of treating a serious injury and/or illness, not your pet’s annual wellness exams. Some plans do cover routine care, but they’re more expensive. • Pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. You can still get insurance for a pet with a pre-existing condition, it will just be stipulated in your policy that it isn’t covered. Insurance companies get records from your vet to check on this. • Pet insurance is a reimbursement system. You’ll need to pay the full veterinary bill at the time of service and get reimbursed from the insurance company based on your plan. Ask your vet’s office for insurance recommendations. They don’t work directly with pet insurance providers, but they’ve no doubt heard positive (and negative) reviews from other customers about different providers.

Effective Email

269 billion emails are sent every day worldwide, many by professionals in a working environment. While you may know proper email etiquette, follow these tips to make sure your business emails aren’t deleted.  Use a concise, compelling subject line. “More information” and “new program” only ask the recipient to say “about what?” Better to say “Action Items On Project XYZ.” Say “urgent” if necessary.  Don’t use long lists of email addresses if the subject only pertains to some of them. Type the relevant addresses into the address line ("To" line) and use the BCC line for the others.  Keep your message to the point. Say why you’re writing within the first two lines and try to limit yourself to one topic. Using bullet points helps you organize your thoughts. Re-read or print your email out (if you have time) before you send it.  Be careful with humor and irony. Emails aren’t good at conveying emotions, and humor, inside jokes or over-used phrases don’t really build a dynamic business relationship. Avoid phrases like “can I pick your brain” (what are you offering in return?); or “please advise” (better to say “can we discuss this further?”).  Respect confidentiality. Should everyone read this?  As a recipient, do not “reply all” unless everyone needs to know. You know this but people still do it, sometimes accidentally.  Respond promptly. Don’t leave people hanging. Include your signature and phone number for follow-up.

6 Pantry Items To Toss Now

One area we tend to overlook when we’re in the midst of a cleaning frenzy is the kitchen cabinets. But there are probably a lot of things in your kitchen cupboards or pantry that need to go. 1. Plastic containers: Do an audit of your stash for matching lids to every container and get rid of the extras. Cull warped containers, too, as these won’t seal food properly. 2. Freezer mysteries: You probably had good intentions to use the now-unidentifiable leftovers at the back of your freezer, but if it’s been there for a year it’s time to let go. 3. Spices: Do a sniff test on your dried spices. If there isn’t much of a scent anymore, it no longer merits space in the cabinet. 4. Metal pans and utensils: Anything rusty should go, and any non-stick pans with scratched surfaces should be tossed as well. 5. Mugs, bowls, and cups: Anything you drink from should be free of chips and cracks, which can cut your mouth. And with antique items, you don’t know if the chipped surface is actually lead paint. 6. Takeout paraphernalia: From the drawer stuffed with takeout menus and to-go chopsticks to that container packed with ancient ketchup and soy sauce packets, chances are you can get rid of it without regret.

Efficient House Cleaning

Get yourself in the right mindset and clean your home more efficiently. 1. Schedule cleaning as a job. 2. Wear comfortable, washable clothing. Have aprons, goggles, and cleaning gloves handy, if needed. 3. Invest in well-made cleaning tools. 4. Pick up clutter before cleaning.

Franklin D Roosevelt - 1st Inaugural Speech

The first inauguration of F.D.R was held on Saturday March the 4th 1933. Broadcast nationwide on several radio networks, the speech was heard by tens of millions of Americans and set the stage for Roosevelt’s urgent efforts to respond to the unprecedented crisis of the time. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has been met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days. The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit. The withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no market for their produce; the savings of many years in the thousands of families are gone. More important, a host of unemployed citizens face a grim problem of existence, an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment. We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of the national unity; with the clear consciousness of old and precious moral values; with the clean satisfaction that comes from stern performance of duty by old and young alike. We aim at the assurance of a rounded and permanent national life. I will return the courage and devotion that benefit the time. I can do no less. In this dedication of a Nation we humbly ask the blessing of God. May He protect each and every one of us. May He guide me in the days to come.

Depression is Real

Depression isn’t talked about often, but about 7% of adults in the United States (nearly 16 million people) have shown signs of being depressed in the past year. If you know someone who shows signs of depression, here are four tips to help your friend or loved one: 1. Recognize symptoms. Common signs include lack of interest in things the person used to enjoy, problems with sleeping, showing feelings of hopelessness, and withdrawal from daily activities and conversations. 2. Listen. Do not deny what the person has to say. Instead, validate their feelings. Keep in mind that speech may be slow and less coherent, so be patient. 3. Encourage them to find help. You can provide support and listen to their concerns, but a trained professional should assist with long-term care. Offer to help find information for mental health resources or make an appointment, if necessary. 4. Enlist help from others. If they are resistant, talk to other important people in their lives (such as family, clergy, or healthcare professionals) to ensure they get the help they need. If your loved one may be suicidal, don’t assume the situation will simply pass. Let them know you take their feelings seriously, and offer to accompany them to the hospital. Call their doctor or your own for advice if you need help deciding what to do. If it’s an emergency, call 911; responders are trained to deal with mental health crises. You can call the National Suicide Prevention hotline 24 hours a day for help and information at 800-273-TALK. You can also chat online with someone at: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Dressing Your House for Success

When selling your home, look at your home through a potential buyer’s eyes, and follow these steps to make it show well and receive a good offer: • Clean and repair. Your buyer’s first impression is from the street. Clean up the yard, the landscaping and check your exterior paint job. On the inside, shampoo the carpets, scrub the floors and clear off all the counters. Remove old wallpaper and paint the walls a neutral color. Fix things that need fixing, like squeaky doors, broken tiles etc. • De-Clutter. Get rid of all that “stuff” you’ve accumulated in the garage, the backyard and the basement. And don’t forget the closets! • “Stage” it to look like a model home. Put away your personal items and remove large pieces of furniture. Ask your REALTOR® for ways to “dress up” your home (candles, new linens etc.) to maximize your selling potential.