For Most Workers, Life After Retirement Looks a Lot Like Life Before Retirement

Back in the day, retirement actually meant something. Not like today, where it seems more workers are playing fast and loose with the term: A new study from CareerBuilder indicates that the majority of workers plan to continue working after retirement.
According to the nationwide survey, released today, 60 percent of workers age 60 and older plan to look for a new job after retiring from their current companies, up from 57 percent last year.

When asked how soon they think they can retire from their current jobs, 12 percent of respondents said they don’t think they’ll ever be able to retire. Another 27 percent plan to retire in the next one or two years, while another 47 percent believe they will retire anywhere from three to six years from now.
While financial reasons account for many workers delaying retirement, a significant number of workers choose to keep working simply because they enjoy their jobs, the survey found. Read More

Finally Feeling Better? 7 Places You Should Clean

The other day we stopped by a friend's home as she was wrestling an already dry duvet into the dryer. We were a little puzzled until she explained that she'd been sick for a few days. The first thing she always does when she gets better is to clean the duvet or throw it into the dryer to freshen it. Here are some other things she does:

• Change the bedding. She also gives her pillows the dryer treatment, usually accompanied by a lavender sachet. Even if it doesn't kill any germs, her bedding smells clean and fresh.
• Replaces or cleans the toothbrush: our friend changes her electric toothbrush's brush head. We've also heard that you can clean a manual toothbrush by boiling it.
• The teakettle: Those cups of tea were soothing while you were sick. Now's the time to give it a good scrub.
• Door knobs: especially the ones leading to the bedroom and the bathroom.
• Sink handles: both the bathroom and the kitchen.
• The refrigerator handle: this is one we always forget.
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•  © 2013 Apartment Therapy

Medicine cabinet makeover tips for people with high blood pressure

(BPT) - If you're among the 68 million Americans who have high blood pressure, you may feel that taking your medicine, getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy diet means you're doing everything you can to manage your condition. But with cold season in full swing and many areas of the country recording record numbers of flu cases, it might be time for a medicine cabinet makeover as well - a total renovation in which you toss out any over-the-counter (OTC) medications that contain decongestants.



That's because the same ingredients in decongestants that help relieve the nasal swelling associated with congestion also affect other blood vessels in the body, causing blood pressure and heart rate to rise - a potentially dangerous situation for those with high blood pressure. Unfortunately, just 10 percent of those with high blood pressure are aware they should avoid decongestants, and nearly half don't know they should take a special OTC medicine when they have a cold or the flu, according to a survey by St. Joseph, makers of over-the-counter medications.

"The number of hypertensive people who don't know to avoid decongestants is shocking," says Bernie Kropfelder of -St. Joseph Health Products, LLC. "Each year, 5 to 20 percent of Americans will catch the flu, so it's important for people with high blood pressure to talk to their doctors or pharmacists about which OTC medicines to avoid."

If you have high blood pressure, start your medicine cabinet makeover by replacing OTC medicines that contain decongestants with remedies that don't, such as St. Joseph's new line of cold and flu products. The brand's products for fever and pain contain acetaminophen, which will not interfere with aspirin's benefits if you're on an aspirin regimen.

Next, remove from your medicine cabinet, pantry or refrigerator dietary supplements that are high in sodium, as high levels of salt are commonly known to increase blood pressure. For example, many protein supplements contain hundreds of milligrams of sodium per serving.

Likewise, avoid supplements that contain extracts of grapefruit, and talk to your doctor about whether you should also remove grapefruit and grapefruit juice from your diet. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal points out that the number of medications that interact adversely with grapefruit is on the rise. There are now more than 85 drugs known to be affected by grapefruit, including calcium channel blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure, according to a CBC News report. -
Once you've removed adverse products from your medicine cabinet, you'll have plenty of room for additions that are good for your heart, your high blood pressure and your overall health, including:

* Fish oil - Supplements like fish oil that contain omega 3 fatty acids offer a host of health benefits, and are known to be good for your heart. People with high blood pressure are at increased risk of heart disease, so adding heart-healthy supplements to their diets may be beneficial.

* Beet juice - OK, while this one should probably go in your refrigerator, adding beet juice to your diet may help your blood pressure control. Researchers at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia have found that within hours of drinking beet juice, study subjects had lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of four to five points, WebMD reports.

* Sesame and rice bran oil - WebMD also reports that a recent study showed taking 35 grams of a sesame/rice bran oil blend daily can help lower blood pressure.

Finally, add some relaxation time to your "mental medicine cabinet." Stress can elevate blood pressure, so engaging in activities that help reduce stress can aid in your efforts to control your blood pressure. While it's not always possible to avoid stressful situations, you can counter the effects of daily stress with activities like meditation, yoga, listening to relaxing music or even just spending time with a beloved pet.

Dogged by pricey pet care? Cost-cutting tips for pet owners

(BPT) - These days, everyone is searching for ways to save money and stretch budgets. Consumer experts advise people to sniff out deeper discounts, saving opportunities and additional ways to cut costs. For pet owners, it can feel challenging to cut costs without compromising on care.


Being vigilant is key, according to pet expert, Charlotte Reed. "Clip coupons, use store circulars and ask for discounts like family and friend's rewards, and multiple pet or store loyalty programs," says Reed. "Constantly challenge yourself to find ways to save money when it comes to pets. I do it every day!"

To get started, Reed suggests using these five tips. Before you know it, you'll be seeing savings on everything your four-legged friend needs.

1. A membership that pays
You might think of AAA as being strictly for roadside assistance. Think again - pet owners can enjoy additional discounts, which most people never take advantage of. For example, pet-owning members can shop in-store or online and receive discounts with pet manufacturers and national pet retailers. Some discounts vary among regional auto clubs, but it's always worth it to ask.--

2. Investigate discount pet medications
The Advocacy for Pets and Affordable Wellness (APAW) raises awareness among pet owners about significant cost savings they can enjoy simply by asking their vet for a prescription, and purchasing that medication from their local retail pharmacy. Just be sure to confirm the retailer's pet pharmacy program before dropping off your pet's prescription. In addition, pet owners can purchase vet-grade, over-the-counter, generic medications, such as flea and tick treatment, for a fraction of the cost of the brand name at pharmacies such as Walmart, Sam's Club or Costco. Visit www.APAW.org for more savings tips, and to find out what pharmacies carry pet Rx programs.

3. Deep discounts on pet necessities
Pet food and cat litter are two of the biggest pet expenses for dog and cat owners. If you purchase these products online from larger online retailers, cash in on the auto-ship option. In most cases, consumers not only get the discount prices of online purchasing, but they frequently get additional discounts which can more than make up for shipping cost.

4. Pet insurance can help you save in the long run
Americans spent $50.96 billion on pets in 2011, and $13.41 billion of that was on vet care, according to the American Pet Products Association. In recent years, treatments once reserved for humans, from radiation therapy to kidney transplants, are now available for pets. That means once-fatal conditions are now treatable, but often at high cost. For pet owners willing to spend the money to treat their pet, insurance can be a viable option. Carefully reviewing deductibles and monthly payments will ensure insurance can fit into your budget, ultimately helping to defray costs in the event of an emergency.

5. DIY can keep money in your wallet
Bathing and grooming at home can help save money, as opposed to going to a dog wash or paying a groomer. For additional savings, protect your pet's health by cleaning his ears, brushing his teeth and clipping his nails. Ask your veterinarian or a vet tech to teach you how to maintain your pet's health with these preventive measures.-

When your pet is a member of the family, you want to give him the best care possible. These ideas and others about affordable pet care can be found using resources like APAW; they'll help you treat your pet right - without breaking the family budget.

Study: Exercise Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

Being in good shape during your 40s may help lower your risk for Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia in your senior years. And the better shape you're in, the lower this risk may be, a large new study suggests.
Nearly 20,000 healthy people took a treadmill test to measure their fitness levels when they were middle-aged. Researchers then reviewed Medicare claims data to see who was diagnosed with any type of dementia in their later years. Follow-up lasted an average of 24 years, with patients assessed for signs of dementia at ages 70, 75, 80 and 85.
Those participants who were deemed physically fit via the treadmill stress test were less likely to develop dementia after age 65 than were their counterparts who were less fit, the study showed.
The findings appear in the Feb. 5 Annals of Internal Medicine. Read More.