Baby Boomers Trading In and Trading Up Their Vehicles

A recent study has found that Baby Boomers have now become the most likely age group to purchase a new vehicle, many of whom choose to finally buy their “dream car.” Luxury automakers Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Porsche are among the most popular choices, with over 50% of sales attributed to Boomers.

“Many Baby Boomers are experiencing another phase in their life,” said Jesse Toprak of TrueCar.com. “The nest is empty and because they have reached a heightened income level giving them both time and financial freedom, they chose vehicles that provide them with a luxurious, safe feel and a youthful, sporty drive.”

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LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL

Making a few simple changes to your diet could help lower your cholesterol naturally. Below are the Top 5 foods as recommended by the Mayo Clinic:

• Olive Oil
• Nuts – walnuts, almonds, pecans
• High Fiber Foods – oatmeal, kidney beans
• Foods with added plant sterols – OJ, yogurt drinks
• Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids – salmon, halibut

For more information, please click here.

REAL ESTATE TREND: TINY HOUSES

When it comes to houses, bigger isn’t always better. Tiny houses are the newest trend in the housing market, especially for those boomers looking to downsize. Averaging from 100 to 400 square feet, they offer many of the same amenities of a larger home – a sleeping area (usually a loft), kitchen, bathroom, and storage but in a significantly reduced space. Benefits of a tiny house include little to no mortgage, lower bills, and reduced maintenance.

Because they are not installed, they are likened to recreational vehicles and can be transported with a trailer to campsites or used as an in-law apartment or as a home office , parked conveniently in your yard.

Tiny homes are also environmentally conscious.   They can be off-grid, self-sustaining homes. Some come with solar energy panels, composting toilets and are configured to capture, filter and store rainwater.

“What tiny houses really do is change the game in terms of your finances, your life, your time and the opportunities you have,” says Ryan Mitchell, “The Tiny Life” founder/blogger. “It focuses on the life you lead outside the house.”

To read more about this trend, click here.

Asthma Treatment Breakthrough

A team of scientists from Cardiff University in Great Britain believe they have identified the root cause of asthma. Experiments on mice and human airway tissue found that calcium sensing receptor cells – which detect changes in the environment – go into overdrive in asthmatics, triggering airway twitching, inflammation, and narrowing. Remarkably, drugs already exist which can deactivate these cells. They are known as calcilytics have been used to treat people with osteoporosis.

Professor Daniela Riccardi says, “If we can prove that calcilytics are safe when administered directly to the lung in people, then in five years we could be in a position to treat patients and potentially stop asthma from happening in the first place.”

Read the full article here.

SODIUM IN YOUR DIET

Sodium is essential for proper body functions –it helps balance fluids within the body, it helps transmit nerve impulses and it can influence the contraction and relaxation of muscles.

However, the average American gets about 3,400 mg of sodium a day — much higher than the recommended 2,300 mg. Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, kidney disease, and stroke.

Over 75% of dietary sodium comes from processed and prepared foods. Reduce your sodium intake by eating more fresh foods, using other herbs and spices in place of salt in recipes, and choosing products that are labeled “low sodium.”

To learn more about reducing your sodium intake, visit the Mayo Clinic’s website.

BEE VENOM MAY HELP FIGHT CANCER

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign say venom from honeybees may block the growth or spread of cancer. A substance called melittin found in the venom prevents cancer cells from multiplying.

The author of the study, Dianjan Pan writes, “We have safely used venom toxins in tiny nanometer-sized particles to treat breast cancer and melanoma cells in the laboratory.” Pan hopes to test the treatment on rats and pigs next before eventually treating human patients.

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MORE AMERICANS RETIRING ABROAD

The rate of Americans retiring outside of the United States has doubled over the past 10 years. Low cost of living, warm weather year round, and the experience of a new culture are enticing prospects.

But, there are a few things to consider before packing your passport. Expats are still taxed by the IRS on income, regardless of where they live, Medicare coverage does not extend outside of the US, and some countries do not allow non-citizens to purchase real estate.

For more information, please click here.

FOOD SAFETY FOR SUMMER COOKOUTS

Barbecues and pool parties with family and friends often top the list summer activities. But, cooking outside can lead to bacteria growth and food-borne illness Cathy Cochran, a food safety expert at the United States Department of Agriculture, warns that the warmer months are prime time for growing bacteria. “Food-borne illness does peak in the summer time; that’s partially because bacteria does grow fastest in warm temperatures but also because people are cooking away from their refrigerators.”

The USDA suggests keeping your cooking area clean, separating your cooked food from raw food in order to avoid cross contamination, using a meat thermometer to make sure your foods are cooked to the proper temperature, and chilling leftovers to avoid bacteria growth.

For more details, please click here.

 

KNOW YOUR SOURCE WHEN ORDERING PRESCRIPTIONS ONLINE

A 2007-2010 study by the CDC found that people age 65 and older took an average of 5+ prescription drugs.  Their research also found that the cost of prescription medications has been rising.  The financial burden can be overwhelming, especially for those on a fixed income, and has led many to look for cheaper alternatives over the internet.

Of course, not all sites online are safe.  Some have been found to sell counterfeit, expired or non-FDA approved medicines.  The US Department of Health and Human Services offers the following advice for buying prescription medication online:

-The website should be licensed by the state board of pharmacy

– A licensed pharmacist should be available to answer questions

– A prescription from your doctor should be required for the purchase

– Look for security policies to ensure your personal information is protected

For more information, please visit the FDA’s website:  http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/ucm080588.htm

THE SECRET TO LONGEVITY

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 1920 the average life expectancy was 54. Today, it is 78. So, what is the secret?

The Longevity Project, a book based on an 8 decade long study at Stanford University, found that “conscientious people” tend to live longer. A conscientious person is more likely to obey rules, seek healthy relationships, and avoid risky situations.

“Most people who live to an old age do so not because they have beaten cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease; rather, the long-lived have mostly avoided serious ailments altogether,” said authors Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin.

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