Spring 2011, Week 4

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Health: Fill up on colorful fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet—they are low in calories and nutrient dense, which means they are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Wealth: Want to save 10% of your income? Spend 10% less on variable household expenses such as clothing, gifts, entertainment, personal care, and transportation. By combining savings in several expense categories, it may be possible to save as much as 10% of your gross income without feeling deprived.

Health: Fruits and vegetables should be part of every meal and your first choice for a snack—aim for a minimum of five portions each day. The antioxidants and other nutrients in fruits and vegetables help protect against certain types of cancer and other diseases.
Wealth: Where do most people get the money to invest for future goals? Some receive lump sums, such as pension distributions, settlements, and inheritances. A few lucky people win the lottery or some other big prize. Most people, however, get money to invest the old fashioned way: they earn it and then they save it

Health: Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day—the brighter the better.
Wealth: How do most people find the money to save…and ultimately invest? By starting small because every dollar counts. Try eliminating things that you can live without and changing spending habits. An example is brown bagging a lunch to work one or two days a week instead of eating out.

Health: Brighter, deeper colored fruits and vegetables contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants—and different colors provide different benefits.
Wealth: Setting goals can provide the motivation needed to reduce spending today in order to save for a secure future tomorrow. Be specific with a date and a dollar cost. An example is “save $8,000 for a used car in 4 years.” Knowing your timeline can help you choose appropriate places to put your money.

Health: Eat greens packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E and K. They help strengthen the blood and respiratory systems. Be adventurous with your greens and branch out beyond lettuce—kale, mustard greens, broccoli, Chinese cabbage are just a few good options.
Wealth: Take advantage of retirement benefits that your employer offers. Contributions come right out of your paycheck, making it easy to save. Some employers also match workers’ contributions twenty-five cents, fifty cents, or even a dollar for every dollar saved. This is “free money” that should not be missed.

Health: Naturally sweet vegetables add healthy sweetness to your meals and reduce your cravings for other sweets. Some examples of sweet vegetables are corn, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes or yams, winter squash, and onions.
Wealth: If you’re paid bi-weekly, in two months of each year you will receive 3 paychecks. Employees who are paid weekly will receive an “extra” check in four months of each year. The months vary with each year’s calendar and the day of the week on which you are paid. Save at least part of this money

Health: A wide variety of fruit is vital to a healthy diet. Fruit provides fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Berries are cancer-fighting, apples provide fiber, and oranges and mangos are a good source of vitamin C.
Wealth: Save the amount of money you don’t spend by using coupons at a supermarket or drug store. If you save $8 a week using coupons, put the “savings” in a bank or credit union savings account. That’s over $400 a year in “found money”!