Spring 2011, Week 3

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Health: Eating with other people has numerous social and emotional benefits—particularly for children—and allows you to model healthy eating habits. Enjoy Easter Sunday with your family and friends.
Wealth: To calculate how much you need to save to achieve a financial goal, divide the amount you need to save by the time (e.g., number of months) you have left to save. If, for example, you want to save $5,000 by next year, you’ll need to put aside $416.67 ($5,000 divided by 12) a month.

Health: It’s not just what you eat, it’s how you eat. Eating in front of the TV or computer often leads to mindless overeating. Avoid mixing meal time with screen time.
Wealth: Get to know your bank! Take time to research the services your bank provides, such as overdraft protection, online bill-pay, or mobile alerts, which notify you via a text message if your checking account falls below a certain amount. Also, consider going online to get 24-hour access to your accounts.

Health: Take time to chew your food and enjoy mealtimes. Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite.
Wealth: How energy efficient is your home? Get tips for conducting a DIY home energy assessment at http://bit.ly/C37Eq. Learn simple tips for evaluating your home for air leaks, insulation, heating/cooling equipment, and lighting. An energy efficient home will save you money on your monthly utility bill.

Health: We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of what is in our mouths. Reconnect with the joy of eating.
Wealth: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills. Unfortunately, much of that energy is wasted. Find out how to conserve energy and save money with a free energy guide: http://www.energysavers.gov/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf.

Health: Listen to your body. Ask yourself if you are really hungry or have a glass of water to see if you are thirsty instead of hungry.
Wealth: Ask a financial planner how to save and you’re likely to hear the phrase “pay yourself first.” This means setting aside money from each paycheck as soon as you earn it, rather than waiting to see what, if anything, is left at the end of the month. In other words, make savings a top priority in your budget.

Health: During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly.
Wealth: The best way to “pay yourself first” and save money as you earn it is to use some type of automatic deposit plan such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, mutual fund automatic investment plan, or checking to savings account transfer. That way, the money is placed into savings before you even miss it.

Health: Eat breakfast, and eat smaller meals throughout the day. A healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating small, healthy meals throughout the day (rather than the standard three large meals) keeps your energy up and your metabolism going.
Wealth: It is important to have a reason to save; i.e., one or more specific financial goals (e.g., a new car in three years). Having something in mind as an eventual use for your money will increase your motivation to save. For additional ideas, check out the America Saves e-wealth coach Web site at http://bit.ly/hSJnXY