News-blog-2019-2020

Tweety, It’s Cold Outside ( NewsUSA ) – Wintertime. Love it or hate it, it arrives every year. Some of us dread the cold, some of us revel in it. While a lot of us head toward the equator, many of us ‘hibernate’ by hunkering down at home, protected from the elements. We stay warm in winter by layering clothing, wearing socks and hats, adding layers of blankets to bedding, blocking drafts and even baking which helps warm the house without touching the thermostat.Coping with the cold, dark days of winter can be challenging for humans and it’s also a trial for birds. Our feathered friends have evolved in some ingenious ways to cope with wintry weather.Some species migrate to warmer places, some flock together to share their warmth and if they stay put, many have developed some unique physical characteristics that protect and defend them from the cold.So how do wild birds stay warm in winter? They’ve adapted physically: many grow extra feathers or shed all their plumage (called molting) a...

Kick Off Your College Financial Aid Game This Fall ( NewsUSA ) – Fall is here, and high school seniors (and their parents) are in the thick of the college application process.But these days, the cost of tuition can seem daunting: 85 percent of parents believe the cost of college is more of a financial burden than in past years, according to a College Ave Student Loans survey of 1,072 parents conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights. However, many families may not realize and take advantage of the range of financial aid opportunities and options available."Don’t let the ‘sticker price’ of a college sway you from applying," says Joe DePaulo, Co-Founder and CEO of College Ave Student Loans."The college ‘sticker price’ typically refers to the published annual cost of attendance for any given school, which includes tuition, fees, and an average estimate of other related costs like room and board. The actual price families will pay depends on how much financial aid th...

Replacing a Roof: 4 Things to Consider ( NewsUSA ) – Are you considering a home improvement project that will deliver value, curb appeal and performance? Replacing the roof is a good place to start.From an economic perspective, REMODELING magazine’s 32nd Cost vs. Value Report states that a new asphalt roof recoups more of its value at resale compared to other home improvements such as a major kitchen remodel, bathroom addition or backyard patio.Representing as much as 40 percent of a home’s exterior, the roof is an easy way to boost curb appeal. Homeowners are no longer limited to gray, taupe and other neutral shingle colors. New palettes and color selection tools make it easy to integrate color into the roof. Today’s calibrated shingles are infused with hues that add depth, dimension and subtle color.Unsure what shingle color will best complement your home’s exterior? Designer and style expert Chad Esslinger offers some tips: * Seek out Digital Design Tools: Technology makes it easy ...

Four Tips for Boosting Exercise Motivation in Seniors ( NewsUSA ) – You’re never too old to develop or refine an exercise program. And there has never been more opportunity to find an array of programs that suit your interests, your fitness ability and your lifestyle.As an older adult, the reasons for exercise change: benefits include helping to control chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, strengthening muscles to prevent falls, and improving flexibility to maintain activities of daily living.An added benefit? Regular exercise can help boost your mood and improve your overall sense of well-being. And, you’ll make new friends! (Of course, always talk to your doctor before starting any type of exercise program.)Where to look for a new exercise program? Start with your local fitness or community center. The key is finding activities that you enjoy. Some tips to get started:- Follow your interests. Like to dance? Swim? Maybe yoga or Tai-Chi sounds appealing. There are fit...

Hispanic Homeowner Follows A Step-By-Step Plan to Buy A House ( NewsUSA ) – A national housing survey found 88 percent of Hispanics felt homeownership was a good long-term investment, with 92 percent reporting they planned to be homeowners.Jocelyn Vasquez is living proof of those statistics.At a young age, her parents instilled the belief that if you owned a home, you had achieved the American dream. That dream of homeownership carried a lot of weight for her Hispanic parents, who had immigrated from El Salvador in 1977.Jocelyn turned the dream into an aggressive goal for herself:"My goal, as a U.S. citizen, was to graduate college and get a house before turning 30," says Jocelyn. "And, I wanted to do it on my own."To accomplish this, the Los Angeles, California resident made a roadmap for herself. She saved, attended college and kept her student loan debt as low as possible – all without burdening her parents.After she graduated, Jocelyn got a job as a loan office...

Veterans, Here’s How to Maximize Your Health Benefits in 2020 ( NewsUSA ) -If you are a veteran considering Medicare options, you have the opportunity to maximize your coverage by electing to have a Medicare Advantage plan along with your Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits.Fortunately, finding a Medicare Advantage plan that works in tandem with VA health care benefits is easier than you think, as you can enroll in plans that are available to everyone eligible for Medicare, but that are designed to complement VA health care benefits.As a veteran, it’s important that you understand how a Medicare Advantage plan may balance out any VA benefits you have in order to maximize your health benefits. * Can Medicare Advantage and VA benefits work together? A Medicare Advantage plan that does not interfere with existing VA benefits you have may be an excellent fit for those who want to enhance their benefits and coverage. Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan may provide access to add...

The Benefits of Shopping Small This Holiday Season ( NewsUSA ) – Small Business Saturday casts a national spotlight each year on independently-owned businesses, which includes a wide variety of shopping options, from the mom-and-pop storefronts in your local community to home-based e-commerce businesses. Since its inception in 2010, Small Business Saturday spending has reached an estimated $103 billion, according to American Express. Motivated by the potential for growth, small businesses across the country are taking advantage of this movement with more enthusiasm year after year, given strong consumer response. GS1 US, an information standards organization that helps small brands identify their products for commerce, recently spoke with small business owners who have run successful Small Business Saturday campaigns. They discussed three big benefits to buying from small businesses this holiday season. Unique Products Consumers are hungry for a wide variety of unique products, whi...