Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

By Rob Wederich  
 Monthly Proverb  
 “It’s not that I’m smart, it’s just that I stay with the problems longer.”-Albert Einstein
Intelligence is only half the solution to success… the other half is not to give up. As the economy improves, companies will cautiously look to expand. Depending on how badly you wish to re-enter the workforce, you may gain an advantage by letting prospective employers know you are flexible. This could mean a willingness to telecommute a large part of the week in order to save the employer office space. It could mean accepting contract positions or accepting work out of state. If there is a decent position awaiting you in another state, explore all possible work arrangements before deciding whether to accept or reject the offer. Do you need to be out of State 24×7? Perhaps you can telecommute one or more days in order to make a long commute to PA, NY, CT, or DE more feasible. If you do work out of State, you might be able to negotiate a higher pay rate or obtain a per diem contract which grants a substantial tax break. Perhaps you can work in a branch office near you and make bi-monthly, monthly, or quarterly visits out of State. If the nature of your work typically involves sitting at a desk in front of a computer screen and talking with people on the phone, you might explore how critical it is for you to be on-site 5 days a week. Given a broadband connection to the web, free video calling via SKYPE, virtual office connectivity, and web conferencing software which permits real time simultaneous sharing of documents, PowerPoint‘s, and other work, your actual work location may prove increasingly irrelevant. Perhaps all you really need is some temporary office space for those occasional team meetings or presentations. Companies are increasingly looking into .office sharing. and telecommuting as a way to cut costs and increase profit margins. If you do accept contract work, it may not mean you are locked in for the entire period. Check the terms of your contract. Often, either party may terminate given one or two weeks‘ notice. However, keep in mind that good performance in a contract position often leads to an F/T employment offer.
While it is not easy to accomplish, you can still keep your eyes and ears open for more desirable work while performing contract work. Recruiters can help. Your network can help. Stay in touch with friends and acquaintances inside desirable companies. Your inside contacts should be able to notify you as soon as soon as positions open up. Be like Einstein. If you are persistent, if you stay with the problems longer, you will be more likely to encounter success.
On A Lighter Note
Actual Medical Chart Notes:

• Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.
• The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
• The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.
• The patient refused autopsy.
• Patient’s medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40-
• pound weight gain in the last three days.
• She is numb from her toes down.
• While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.
• Occasional, constant, infrequent headaches.
• Patient was alert and unresponsive.
• She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until she got a divorce.
• The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a stockbroker instead.

Heard a good joke lately? Please submit to: psgcnjeditor@yahoo.com for consideration.
Money Matters
Money-saving tips helping you make ends meet.
Disclaimer: We are NOT financial or legal experts. We are merely sharing ideas for you to consider. Furthermore, not every tip may be applicable or useful to every individual. Also, keep in mind that, while the Internet can be a great place to do business and find bargains, users should always remain alert of scams and disreputable people who pose a threat.  
1.  Cable for less: Instead of triple play cable, consider de-bundling.

• a. Internet. Ask around and find the best Internet provider with best service & bandwidth.
• b. Television. If you still have an analog TV, the digital converter boxes and a rooftop antenna provide a clearer picture in comparison with older analogue technology. (Note that digital technology has allowed the TV channels to provide multiple versions of local channels like WCBS, WABC, WNBC. These supplementary channels did not exist with analogue technology.)
• c. Movies. Instead of subscribing to major movie network channels (HBO, Showtime, Stars networks) at about $13+ per month, movies and TV shows can be seen on Netflix as a subscription of $10/mo. You can also watch TV series and movies for free on Youtube.com, Hulu.com, or your local public library.
• d. Telephone. As your primary phone service, consider a cell phone, or a service like Skype or Vonage. (Requires Internet access.)

2. Tax credits for energy efficiency: Obtain a tax credit up to $1,500.00 over the two year period from 2009 through 2010. All this while you save additional money from making your home energy efficient. The tax credit only applies to primary residences and is only good on products installed during these two years. For details see: http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/70010.html
3. Timer thermostat: Consider installing a timed thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature down during periods when you require less heat. Timed thermostats are generally recommended as a cost saver over the long haul. Consumer Reports claims you may cut your heating bill as much as 10-20% by setting night time temperatures 5ºF-10º F below daytime temps.
Have a good money-saving tip? Please submit to: psgcnjeditor@yahoo.com for consideration.
Health Notes
‘Tis the season for colds and flu. Now that the heat is on, you may wish to have your heating ducts cleaned to prevent mold and dust from being spread throughout the house. If your home heating system removes too much moisture from the air, it will dry your skin and nasal passages making the whole family more prone to sinus infections, bloody noses, colds and flu. If you find yourself being shocked by static electricity as you move about your home, the air is too dry. The humidity of the air in your home should range between 30% – 50%, (45% is probably ideal). You can measure the relative humidity with an inexpensive hygrometer (Radio Shack usually carries them). An in-line humidifier attached directly to the furnace is probably the easiest, care-free method of keeping humidity at a healthy level so as to save money on doctor‘s visits.
OD on nasal spray? A PSGCNJ member was recently hospitalized as a result of an overdose on over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray. According to drugs.com, never use OTC nasal sprays in larger doses or more often than is recommended by the manufacturer. In many cases, that usually means no more than twice a day and no longer than three days in a row.
Exceeding the recommended dosage may damage nasal tissues and result in chronic nasal congestion and anxiety. You have enough on your mind looking for work. Don‘t create unnecessary medical problems to add to your burden. Abide by the directions in the package insert.
“There is no such thing as bad weather, only wrong clothes”. Did you know you lose roughly 50% of your body heat through your head? That is the reason why humans have hair up there (at least some of us do). But hair is a poor insulator. Keeping warm this winter might mean finding a nice warm hat to add to your existing wardrobe. Want to turn the thermostat down in the evening and still remain comfortable? There was a time in U.S. history when a nightcap was something you wore on your head to stay warm in bed, rather than a cocktail. If your feet are cold, put a hat on your head!
If your feet are cold, put a hat on your head
Need warm clothes for the winter season? Go with synthetics like polyester or polypropylene. Synthetics are intended to be worn next to the skin. They wick moisture away from the body, shed water, dry quickly, and provide insulation even when wet. Water conducts heat away from the body 240 times faster than air. If your pants or shirt become wet from rain, snow or sweat, you will turn into an icicle 240 times faster if you are wearing cotton which absorbs water and holds it next to the skin, than if you are wearing a synthetic. Over your synthetic shirt, wear a fleece, down vest or down jacket. Down is incredibly light and incredibly warm. If the weather is wet, don a windproof waterproof shell.
Where can you find quality synthetics? Try outdoor sport shops which specialize in hiking, camping, and mountain climbing, e.g., look for shops like EMS, REI, and Blue Ridge Mt. Sports, and brands such as Mountain Hardware, Marmot, and The North Face. If you can afford to be more stylish, ski shops typically carry lightweight and fashionable clothing which is also very warm and comfortable. Looking for bargains? Inquire about discount racks and excess inventory from last year. Also search the web for bargains, but purchase only from trusted sources.
‘Tis the season for overeating. Holiday feasts encourage over eating. Tables of delicious family recipes and traditions suddenly are before you and oh, they all look so good. When the heavenly aromas hit your nose, watch out. And if the look and the smell of the feast were not enough to stimulate overeating, the social pressures also kick in. After all, you simply must have another serving of Aunties casserole, or Uncle Pete‘s high-test eggnog. You wouldn‘t want to offend anyone over the holidays by not indulging in the food they took so long to prepare…just for you. Would you?
Unfortunately, if you let the holiday spirit and your stomach take over your brain, the result may be another inch or two on your waistline. And as we all know too well from past holiday seasons, once the additional weight is put on, it is next to impossible to get rid of it. For this reason, keep in mind that showing restraint can help you maintain a decent figure and a healthy heart. When temptation strikes, think how far ahead you will be of everyone else in your New Year resolutions if you don‘t have to worry about losing extra pounds of fat. And when relatives pressure you to eat more, blame your portion control on your MD, i.e., you are under strict orders from the doctor not to turn yourself into the Goodyear blimp this holiday season. Your doctors won‘t mind using them as an excuse to eat healthy and reasonably, and you will feel really good about yourself in the New Year. Your clothes might actually fit when you go on that next job interview.