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When is it ok to borrow money?
By David Eppers
It’s a good rule of thumb to make sure you can pay for everything you spend. This is especially true when you are purchasing consumable goods (like groceries), nonessential items (concert tickets), or impulse items (extra cool gifts). The most common way to “borrow” for these purchases is with a credit card. [Refer to my July 2007 article “Credit Cards – Tool or Torture”]. If you can afford to pay cash, but use a credit card for convenience or bonus points that’s fine. If you overspend and can not pay off the credit card each month, you are BORROWING. STOP!
There are several situations where it may be good to borrow.
- Buying a house: If you choose the right property it can increase in value. Be certain that you can afford the payments, operating costs, and maintenance. I don’t consider a house as an investment as much as a means to improve your quality of life.
- Financing an education: This is an investment. To make this a wise choice, consider your career choice and potential income enhancement that the advanced education will bring.
- Emergencies: Be careful what you define as an emergency. Busted hot water heater, maybe. High-def flat screen for a Super Bowl party, no.
- Car purchase or home improvements: Be careful not to overspend or over borrow in these situations. In all of the excitement of the purchase it’s easy to think you need more than you actually do.
When borrowing, make sure the “term” (the period over which you pay off the loan) is not too long. A house with a 30 year term is not uncommon. A new car should be paid off in no more that 5 years; a used car should be paid off in 3. You don’t want the loan amount to exceed the value of the car.
Note the interest rate and shop it around to make sure it’s fair. If you have decent credit, you should not have to pay more than the average. [Refer to my September 2007 article “How Can I Improve My Credit Score?”].
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 PAN-SEARED SEA BASS WITH TOMATO AND ZUCCHINI COULIS
by Jim Gehler
2 ounces olive oil add
¼ teaspoon rosemary
¼ teaspoon oregano
3 pounds tomatoes, skinned, seeded, diced
½ pound zucchini, diced
2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
4 6-ounce portions sea bass
1 fresh lemon
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
Add rosemary and oregano to olive oil. Allow oil to set for one hour.
Place tomatoes in 3-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer until juice evaporates and fiber breaks down, about 20 minutes. Add zucchini; cook 1 minute, seasoning to taste. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Reserve (Yields about 2 pints coulis).
Season sea bass with cumin, salt and pepper. Add infused oil to a hot skillet; sear fish on both sides and cook until tender. Pour some of the coulis onto a heated plate. Lay a portion of the fish on the plate. |
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Storms to Ponder:
submitted by Cathy Hamblen
“There’s a strange sense of pleasure being beat to hell by a storm when you’re on a ship that is not going to sink.”
From A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett
I think Charles Allen said it first. “When faced with problems which threaten to steal your peace of mind, learn the meaning of the work ‘imperturbability.’”
I heard of two artists who were asked to illustrate peace. Each was assigned the task of depicting a peaceful scene on canvas.
The first artist drew a beautiful picture of a countryside on a warm, spring day. A soft sun illumines green grass. A picturesque farm house and grazing cattle are bathed in it s warmth. A farmer walks contentedly behind strong plow horses making his field ready for spring planting. The picture is on e of beauty and quiet tranquility.
The other artist took a different approach. He drew a majestic, rugged cliff. Gnarled trees, twisted by years of violent winds, jut from the craggy mountainside. Dark clouds hang low and fierce while jagged streaks of lightening slash across an angry sky. The picture is one of violence, chaos and rage.
But as one looks closely, something else becomes visible. There in one of the crevices of the rocky mountain, tucked back just out of reach of the wind and rain – a nest with two small birds. Apparently unconcerned about the impending storm, they appear calm, cozy and peaceful as they patiently wait for the turbulence to pass.
And isn’t that the way it so often is? We may want to be surrounded by peace, but storms rage. Problems and pressures without threaten to steal peace of mind within.
The answer is imperturbability: inner peace, which doesn’t leave with, circumstances change. It’s a peace, which is greater than the problems of life, built on assurance that the tempest will finally pass, we will survive the storm, we may grow stronger because of it and, in the meantime, we will not endure it alone.
Imperturbability – it’s the result of a peace, which passes understanding. For serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.
uthor Unknown.
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Charting and Nurses
Debbie Berling
Charting has become at times a task that nurses hesitate to complete. Most nurses chose their career to take care of people. Yes, we expected to document, but until you graduate and work the floor, you have no idea just how much documentation is needed/required. It is difficult to find nurses that do excellent charting. It takes experience, good assessment skills and knowledge of regulations to do exceptional charting. Don’t worry! It can be learned!
There are a few tips that I can give you to enhance your skills. With practice, you can become more efficient and your charting will be of better quality.
* Keep your 24 hour report sheet with you and take notes as they occur. Otherwise you may forget something such as vital signs, weights, refuse meds, etc
* Keep all current information in the 24 hour book. Many nurses waste so much time searching for faxes, labs, and transfer documents that they leave less time to chart. Take the time to keep information together and your charting information will flow.
* Use the acute charting as a guide but remember what you have been taught: “chart a picture”. What do you want the next nurse to know about that patient clinically?
* Learn policies and what is required. Make it a goal to learn a policy each time you work or at least 1-2 a week.
* Chart throughout the shift and not all at once. You will be more likely to be interrupted when charting for a long period. Spacing your charting will help you complete what is required.
Ask questions and don’t be afraid to speak up for help. Remember that a successful person is not afraid to state their weaknesses. This is a New Year and time to look at how you can become better at what you do.
Have a wonderful year!
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January is National Oatmeal Month
by Beth Lind, R.D.,L.D.
Oats and other whole-grain foods are an essential part of a healthy diet. Unfortunately, many of us fail to get the recommended number of servings of fiber-rich foods each day.
Top 10 Oat Benefits
- Oats are a source of soluble and insoluble fiber.
Oat soluble fiber promotes heart health and insoluble fiber benefits the digestive system.
- Oats may help with weight control.
People who eat breakfast regularly are more likely to weigh less than those who skip it
- Oats are a whole grain.
As part of a plant-rich, low-fat diet, whole grains may help protect against chronic diseases, such as heart disease and some cancers.
- All oat forms are equally nutritious.
Old fashioned oats (5 minute), quick oats (1 minute), and instant oats are different forms of the same thing – whole grain oats.
- Oats were the first grain recognized by the FDA to help reduce blood cholesterol.
- Oats offer many nutritional benefits.
Oats contain a variety of vitamins, minerals and unique antioxidants in addition to a greater proportion of protein than other common cereals.
- Oats are packed with flavor.
Oats impart a nutty flavor to favorite baked goods and to toppings for fruit crisps and crumbles.
- Oats add texture.
Oats add a pleasantly chewy texture to baked products.
- Oats are quick, convenient and full of variety.
- Oats are versatile.
Quick or old fashioned oats can be substituted for up to one-third of the flour called for in recipes for muffins, biscuits, pancakes, loaf-type quick breads, coffeecakes, yeast breads, cookies and bars.
Adapted from www.quakeroatmeal.com |
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Happy New Year
by Dr. Art Gendelman
It has been a great year for me! Being part of Carespring has been a revitalizing experience. I have met more people, learned more things and enlarged my life.
Change is always stressful but I think standing still is not a good idea. It may be easy to stand still but not very interesting. I have tried to encourage every one I talk to that change can be for the good and should be encouraged. Sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you thought, but the process is just as important as the result. As someone once said, “The destination is not the goal, the journey is.”
Have a great year. Try something new.
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New Year's Eve Reflections
New Year's Eve is a time for reflection as well as celebration.
As you look back on the past year and all that has taken place in your life, Remember each experience for the good that has come of it and for the knowledge you have gained.
Remember the efforts you have made and the goals you have reached.
Remember the love you have shared and the happiness you have brought.
Remember the laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears.
And as you reflect on the past year, also be thinking of the new one to come.
Because most importantly, this is a time of new beginnings and the celebration of life.
Author: Taylor Addison
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The Holiday's
by Kim Majick
The holidays can be a very difficult time for our residents.
With the hustle and bustle of our every day lives during this time of year, it is easy to forget that those we care about are feeling an extreme sense of loss. Be extra sensitive to those you care for at this time. The extra hug or rub on the back will be the greatest gift.
As well, take time for yourself to assure that you are physically and emotionally prepared to be the Carespring Hero! |
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