Monday, September 16, 2013

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}



Smart Financial Moves For
Soon-To-Be Parents

About to add to your family?  Here are insurance and savings tips:

Ø  Review your health insurance before you get pregnant (if possible).  Most group health plans must cover maternity care, but 87 percent of individual plans do not.  Under health care reform, in 2014, maternity and newborn services must be covered by all new plans sold to individuals and small businesses and by plans sold on state-based insurance exchanges.  If you don’t have insurance for the child, see options at www.insurekidsnow.gov.

Ø  Purchase adequate life insurance.  Experts suggest you want to have around $250,000 of life insurance per child. Estimate how much you’ll need at www.lifehappens.org.

Ø  Invest in a 529 savings plan for your child’s education.  A “moderate” college budget for an in-state public college is between $15,000 and $20,000 per year, while a moderate budget at a private college can be up to $45,000 each year.  Learn about 529 plans and use the college cost calculator at www.collegesavings.org.




Thursday, September 12, 2013

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}



Odd Interview Questions
Glassdoor.com reports that companies are getting creative in asking job interview questions.  Prepare yourself in case you get asked something like this:
·    “If you were to get rid of one U.S state, which would it be and why?”  Forester Research
·    “How many cows are in Canada?” Google
·    “How many quarters would you need to reach the height of the Empire State Building?”  Jet Blue
·    “What songs best describe your work ethic?”  Dell

Monday, September 9, 2013

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}



Save Thousands On College With
These 5 Financial Aid Secrets

Do you have a senior in high school this year?  If you do (or know someone who does), it’s time to start applying to colleges and seeking the financial aid and scholarships you’ll need to help pay for their education. 
Here are five secrets to pay less for higher education:

Ø  When parents’ income matters.  The year prior to the student’s high school graduation is the basis for financial aid calculations.  When possible, shift income to this year before Spring graduation in the coming year.  This may help you qualify for more financial aid.

Ø  Apply early or lose funding.  After January 1, complete and submit the Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) at  www.fafsa.ed.gov, and apply for aid packages your school(s) of choice may require. 

Ø  Cheaper college tuition may cost you more.  Private schools are often endowed with funds to offer up to 100% the cost of college.  State schools may have lower tuition costs, but significantly less scholarship money.  Apply to both types of schools and compare overall costs after scholarships are factored into the equation.

Ø  Do not “negotiate.”  Each school has different rules on how scholarship money is awarded.  It doesn’t help to mention another school’s offer to the aid director.  It won’t get you a better scholarship package.  However, it is okay to ask a college to review a previous decision by saying: “What else can you find to make it possible for my child to go to school here?”

Ø  Outside awards may help, but only slightly.  Awards from community organizations may range from $100 to $1,000 and are a great source of pride.  Keep in mind that these cash awards are considered a resource by the IRS and may lower your ability for federal funding.  Your best option is to apply for as many scholarships offered directly from the college before spending too much time on outside funding.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Rare Find Omaha Property: Stone Ridge East Ranch









Single Family Property
Year Built: 2005
Total Bedroom(s)
3 Total Bath(s)
Approx. 2745 sq. ft.
Forced Air Heat
Air Conditioning
2 Car Garage
Composition Roof
Lot size:  113 x 77
Finished Basement
Patio
2012 Taxes: $4,997.30

Click HERE for more pictures and information.



Large open floor plan with soaring ceilings greets you in this 4bed, 3bath, w/o ranch home with over 2,700 fin sqft. Tremendously large eat in kitchen with island, ss appls, pantry, desk, plus open to the living room. Spacious master with w/i closet, double vanity, whirlpool tub & shower. Basement features a huge rec room, 3/4 bath, 4th cnfrm bdrm w w/i closet, and tons of storage. Ama

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

{Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living in Omaha}



Top 10 First Aid Mistakes
& The Correct Response

According to the Red Cross, these are the 10 most common first aid mistakes and what to do for each situation.  By knowing the correct response in an emergency you can help someone survive until help arrives, and make recovering from personal injuries faster.

¨      Mistake #1:  Putting butter or ice on burns.
¨      Do This Instead: You should rinse the area with cool water and cover with a sterile dressing so you don’t damage the skin tissue.  If the burn is severe, see a doctor.

¨      Mistake #2:  Inducing vomiting with your finger or by taking “syrup of ipecac” when a poisonous substance is swallowed.  
Do This Instead:  Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or your doctor.  Inducing vomiting can be even more harmful.  Don’t eat or drink anything unless directed by a medical professional.

¨      Mistake #3:  Treating a bleeding limb by applying a tourniquet.
Do This Instead:  Pad the wound with sterile gauze, apply direct pressure and wrap the wound securely.  Get medical help if the bleeding doesn’t stop, the wound is deep, or is caused by an animal bite.
¨         
¨      Mistake #4:  Applying heat to a sprain, strain, or fracture.
Do This Instead:  Put an ice bag on the injury for 20 minutes to reduce swelling, and use a barrier between the ice and skin.

¨      Mistake #5:  Moving a car accident victim away from the scene. 
Do This Instead: Leave the injured person in place until paramedics arrive – unless the car is on fire, in an unsafe location, or the person is not breathing and you have to perform CPR on a flat surface. 


¨      Mistake #6:  Rubbing when there’s a foreign substance in your eye.
Do This Instead:  Rinse the eye with tap water.  Rubbing it could scratch the eye.

¨      Mistake #7:  Using hot water to thaw a cold extremity. 
Do This Instead:  Gradually warm the extremity by soaking it in lukewarm water.  Drastic temperature change can cause further damage.

¨      Mistake #8:  Rubbing alcohol on the skin to reduce a fever.
Do This Instead:  Lower the fever by giving ibuprofen.  If a high fever continues for several days, see a physician or go to the ER.  Using alcohol may cause alcohol poisoning, especially in young children.  

¨      Mistake #9:  Treating an allergic reaction to bee stings at home.
Do This Instead:  Call an ambulance if the victim has breathing problems, tight throat, or swollen tongue.  Delaying professional treatment for a respiratory reaction could be fatal.   

¨      Mistake #10:  Applying ointment to a cut or scrape, then covering it with a bandage, and leaving it untended to heal for a few days.
Do This Instead:  First, wash the wound with soap and water.  Bandage it and change the dressing twice a day.  Since fresh air allows the wound to heal, it’s best not to use ointment, which can keep the wound moist.  Use a looser dressing at bedtime so the wound can get air.