Debit Card Information Stolen While Driving To Another State

Feb. 27, 2015

Dear Cathy:

On my drive moving to another state instead of taking cash with me, I used a debit card to purchase gas as I passed through several states.  When I finally reached my destination after 3 days, my bank contacted me to see if I purchased over $2,000 worth of items from Wal-mart, so obviously somewhere along my route, my bank information was stolen.  The bank did put the funds back into my account but what should I do in the future to make sure this doesn’t happen again?  Risky Traveler, Florida

Dear Risky Traveler:

This is a two-edged sword because when you drive or travel around the U.S., it’s always good to use debit or credit cards in case you come up missing and law enforcement officers can track your moves, however, when you drive to other states, your information can be easily stolen especially today in the world of technology.

Traveling is always risky when you use a debit or credit card so having cash especially to pay for food and other emergencies, might help avoid this situation in the future.  Most hotels will probably prefer debit or credit cards so they can bill you after you leave in case of any additional room costs.

Even when you eat inside of restaurants, visit drive-thru eating places, when paying for gas, or making other purchases, your credit card information can be swiped and stolen especially today.  

Most people should have two debit cards or two credit cards and use one specifically for gas, food and other emergencies. This way any would be criminal won’t have access to the bulk of your funds.  It's also a good idea to check your bank account balances at least once a day, even when traveling, in case you have to report any type of fraud to your bank.

What Businesses Can My Kids Start Around Pets?

Feb. 26, 2015

Dear Cathy:

My family loves pets.  We have always had a dog and cat.  I am unaware of any pet businesses that my boys, 12 and 13, can start.  Are there businesses we can create that deals with animals?  Animal Lover, Midwest

Dear Animal Lover:

Over 60% of all homes have pets so starting a business dealing with pets just makes sense.  There are many businesses that your kids can start dealing with pets.  In Chapter 4 of my business book “The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs,” there is a list of eleven different businesses dealing with animals especially dogs and cats. 

Here is a short list of these businesses with a short description:

-Pet Sitting/Puppy Daycare - Everyone needs a break from their pets so you can run a pet sitting/puppy daycare business out of your home, go into your client’s homes or obtain a facility in the community.

-Pet walking - Many pet owners have to come home at lunch or early in the evening just to walk their animals.  This causes undue stress on people so they would love for you to walk these animals for them.

-Pet Photography - Pet owners will pay you up to $200 or more to take pictures of their animals so buy a camera and get started today.  There are all types of possibilities to merchandise these pictures by putting them on glasses, mugs, calenders, T-shirts, etc.

You can set up any of these businesses dealing with animals for less than $100 within the next two weeks.  This does not include becoming legitimate or putting up a website.   You can conduct more research for each business in libraries, online and ask a vet to mentor your kids.  For a list of each step to take to set up the business, read Chapter 2 of “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Starting Your Own Business.” 

How Can My Husband and I Tell If We Are Healthy?

Feb. 25, 2015 

Dear Cathy:

My husband and I are both 50 years old and feel energetic.  We go to a doctor every six months for checkups.  We try to eat right, drink good water, exercise and get plenty of sleep.  We also use natural cleaning products for our home, put natural products on our bodies and engage in regular detoxification programs.  But how can we really tell if we are healthy?  Healthy in Chicago

Dear Healthy:

As long as you are not on any medications and you are keeping your important numbers (cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides, waist size (under 40 inches for men and under 35 inches for women, etc.)) in range, then you are fairly healthy. 

Other ways to tell is by visiting a Kinesiologist -- who can look at your ‘dry’ and ‘live’ blood under a microscope called “Live Blood Cell Analysis.”  Because your blood is the pathway to the flesh and tells all, they can look at your blood and tell you what is happening in your body. 

It is really not a diagnostic procedure for any specific diseases but they can tell you if a disease is forming in your body especially diabetes and if you are receiving enough Omega 3s or other nutrients in your diet.  It is best used to help determine the optimal diet and most effective supplementation for enzymes, herbs, antioxidants, etc.

If you can’t afford this procedure then buy pH strips and test your first urine and saliva of the day – but remember that the blood is the most telling of all.  The pH of the blood should be 7.365.  If your blood and body is ‘alkaline’ versus being ‘acidic’ -- then chances are -- you are fairly healthy.

Learn more about how to maintain your health by reading my book “How To Take Control of Your Own Life:A Self-Help Guide to Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days” which will help you maintain your energy and vitality as you age gracefully.

Is My Book Non-fiction If I Use Fictitious Names to Keep from Being Sued? ​

Feb. 24, 2015

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​Dear Cathy:

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I am writing a non-fiction book about the workplace abuse that occurred in my workplace but how do I keep from being sued when I mention people’s names?   If I decide to use fictitious names, will this keep me from being sued and would the book still be non-fiction?  Anonymous in Nebraska

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Dear Anonymous:

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Yes the book will still be a non-fiction book if you use fictitious names for the people in your stories.  Unlike fiction books where you use fictitious characters, in non-fiction books you have the right to refer to the individuals in your book as fictitious characters in order to keep from being sued.

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Many people are afraid to tell their stories in books because of their fear of being sued and this along has kept the world from learning what really happens in many workplaces all over America.  

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Not only can writing a truthful book about your workplace be healing for you but it can be very therapeutic for you and others – so do it.  Writing a book about your life is the best way for others to get to know you -- so it will present other opportunities for you to become a speaker or create your own line of lectures, seminars and workshops.  

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When you write a book about your life, you need to decide if it will be about your entire life or a certain part of your life.  If you are coming from a “specialized industry” such as Banking, Financial, Mortgage, Education, Medical, International Traveling, Law Enforcement, Government, Technology, etc. – an industry that many people have very little knowledge of, there are many opportunities for you to write a book about your life and educate others.  To learn more read the book “How To Write A Book: The Complete Guide to Writing and Selling Your Own Paperback and E-book.”

Do I Need A Degree to Start A Business?

Feb. 23, 2015
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Dear Cathy:
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I have been told by my friends that you need a degree to start a business.  I am finishing up my undergraduate degree at a prominent university so how do I start setting up a business? Looking Forward to Starting a Business, Colorado
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Dear Looking Forward to Starting A Business:
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Many people think people with college degrees are the only ones that can start businesses.  If you had conducted your research, you would have found out that even young people -- as young as 5 years old can become a business owner so no degree is necessary.
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First you need to figure out what is your passion and start a business around your passion.  The first stage of business is the research stage where you need to go out and conduct research.  You might have to spend 6 months to 2 years in this stage. 
The more research you conduct at the front end of your business, the sooner you will be able to open up the doors of your business.
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There are several ways to conduct research including reading books at libraries, community bookstores and online bookstores.  You can also conduct research from the leisure of your own home by using the two largest search websites on the internet -- google.com and yahoo.com.  
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You can get a business mentor which will help you avoid some of the financial mistakes that you will probably make.  Many mentors would be honored to mentor people but are seldom asked so go out there and find a mentor.  
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Being a part of an ethical business group will also be key to keeping you motivated but make sure they are bringing in others to help you grow your business.  For business ideas read the book “The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs” and for a complete check-list to start and build a business read “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guiding To Starting Your Own Business.” 

Who is Monsanto and Why Do One Company Own 40% of All U.S. Grown Food Crops?

Feb. 19, 2015

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Dear Cathy:

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I know Monsanto made the chemicals that caused many men from Vietnam to come down with Agent Orange but what else are they up to and why is there a worldwide movement to STOP Monsanto?  Confused in Virginia

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Dear Confused:

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Monsanto is a profit-motivated biotech chemical company created in 1901 in St. Louis to oversee agriculture and plants in the environment.  Michael Taylor was employed at FDA.gov at one time and he was also an attorney with Monsanto as a client.  He then became Monsanto’ Vice President.  Now he is back at FDA.gov as the “U.S. Food Safety Czar” in charge of FDA’s food policies.

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It has been discovered that Monsanto is not only poisoning plants and animals but humans also.  Monsanto has spent over $30 billion in recent years buying numerous U.S. seed companies and now they own up to 90% of all the seed companies in the U.S and 40% of all U.S. crops are now owned by Monsanto.  

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As a result, Monsanto now control the U.S. seed business.  Their motto is “He who owns the seeds -- controls the world‟s food supply.”  They have patented these seeds forcing farmers to buy new seeds every year.  If farmers fail to hang onto a supply of traditional seeds, they will be forced to buy these toxic Genetically Modified (GM) seeds.  

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Besides creating Genetically Modified (GM) foods, Monsanto also created Agent Orange (which caused many men to get cancer from the Vietnam War); PCPs (which are poisons that were leaked from the plant in Anniston, AL into the water system where many people died of cancer); DDTs (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane which is an insecticide, toxic to humans and animals when swallowed or absorbed through the skin, that has been banned in the U.S. since 1972); Bovine Growth Hormone (growth hormone found today in all beef, milk, chicken, eggs, etc.); Aspartame (a sugar substitute that is causing an explosion of brain cancers today); Roundup Ready Weed Killer (poisonous herbicide which is currently being sprayed on play grounds, football, baseball, soccer fields, etc.). 

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A key component of the U.S. Monsanto plan to dominate world agriculture with Genetically Modified (GM) seeds is the “absence of labeling” of Genetically Engineered (GE) foods.  So join the movement to label foods as GMOs at www.ResponsibleTechnology.org, www.Occupy-monsanto.com and www.MillionsAgainstMonsanto.org.  

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What Is The Connection Between Processed Foods and GMOs?

Feb. 17, 2015

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Dear Cathy:

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I grew up on a farm and have always been a healthy eater and avoided processed foods.  It's scary to find out that 90% of all grocery store foods have been contaminated with GMOs.  Can you explain the connection between processed foods and GMOs?  What exactly are GMOs?  Healthy Eater, Georgia

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Dear Healthy Eater:

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GMOs are also referred to as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Genetically Modified (GM) foods, Genetically Engineered (GE) foods, Genetically Altered Foods, and Frankenfoods.  Basically over 90% of all grocery store foods especially processed foods (foods which have been dried, flaked, mixed, frozen, canned, boxed, bottled, packaged or prepared) are referred to as GMOs.  

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Scientists took the DNA of plants and the DNA of animals and mixed it with pesticides and herbicides and bacteria and fungus -- to try to create some type of “superbreed” - a plant or animal that grows faster, bigger, and stronger. 

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They put the pesticides and herbicides into the seeds which grows this toxic food which have no nutritional value -- so there is no way to avoid eating pesticides or herbicides which are heavy metals or neurotoxins which causes the brain to give out.  

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This is why there has been an explosion of brain illnesses such as autism, Alzheimers, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s, brain cancer, mental illness, depression, bipolar, brain fog -- along with other multiple illnesses such as food allergies; antibiotic resistant diseases and other new diseases (Morgellon’s disease, etc.); toxins; digestive issues; nutritional issues; organ damage; reproductive disorders; birth effects such as kids born with smaller brains and low birth weight; miscarriages, infertility or lower sperm counts; immune problems; diabetes; high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer; obesity, blindness, accelerated aging – just to name a few.

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These foods have been on the U.S. market for 20 years so it should be everyone's goal to avoid processed foods while they raise their nutritional IQ by eating foods in as natural forms as possible.  You can learn more about GMOs by signing up for the newsletters at www.ResponsibleTechnology.org, www.Occupy-Monsanto.com, and www.MillionsAgainstMonsanto.org or conduct your own research at www.google.com and www.yahoo.com.  

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How Can I Help My Wife Who is Fighting Off Depression?

Feb. 16, 2015

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Dear Cathy:

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My wife and I have been married for 7 years but we don’t have any kids yet. My wife goes in and out of depression.  We both have high pressured jobs so we don’t have a lot of time for exercising which will probably help.  What can I do to help my wife?  Fighting Off Depression, California

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Dear Fighting Off Depression:

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This is nothing new because many women today are fighting off depression so don’t think this is only happening to your wife.  What you need to understand is that the number one issue that women face in the workplace is depression so there is a good chance that her workplace might be contributing to her depression.  

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There are a few things you can do.  Even though the both of you have high pressured jobs, you still will need to make appointments for exercising because exercising releases endorphins which makes your brain feel good so it will be important to put exercising on your schedules.

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The brain is involved in everything you do – how you think, feel, act and interact with others.  When your brain works right – you work right.  So therefore, you want to eat good brain food especially green foods because green foods releases serotonin which makes your brain feel good.

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The depression supplements are Vitamin D for your mood and Omega 3 Flaxseed and Fish Oil Supplements.  However, all women should take a Multivitamin for women which will help with PMS and Menopause and should get at least 20 minutes of sunlight everyday.

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The Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods (processed foods) today causes all types of brain issues including depression.  Eating nutrient-dense foods, taking the right supplements for depression, engaging in a regular exercise program along with getting plenty of rest will be key to her becoming her old self again.  

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If this doesn’t work, she might want to look at changing jobs or she might need to seek out professional help but try the above natural remedies first.  You can learn more about how the human body operates by reading my health book “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days.” 

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Wife With Heavy Menstrual Cramps

Feb. 11, 2015

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Dear Cathy:

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My wife experiences heavy menstrual cycles and painful cramps every month and usually have to take one or two days off from work during this time. She also craves chocolate during this time.  Is there anything that she can do naturally to help ease the cramps and pain and slow down the bleeding? Heavy Cramps, New York

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Dear Heavy Cramps:

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First of all you need to understand that many young girls and women also experiences heavy menstrual cramps along with heavy bleeding which is caused by their diets, especially eating GMO foods (processed foods).  The foods have no nutritional value and also causes infertility in women and sterility in men.

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Until she goes naturally and start eating foods in as natural forms as possible, she will continue to experience these symptoms which can lead to fatigue, anemia, shortness of breath and other health issues including cancer.

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Periods are considered heavy if there is enough blood to soak a pad or tampon every hour for several consecutive hours.  Other symptoms could include nighttime bleeding that requires getting up to change pads or tampons, passing large blood clots during menstruation, and a period that last longer than 7 days.

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If she is craving chocolate, it's because she is really craving magnesium so she needs to take a Multivitamin daily for women which contains calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D and eat foods containing magnesium.

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Sitting in a warm bath or using a hot water bottle can help ease menstrual cramps, but be careful taking any over-the-counter pain medications which can cause damage to the liver.  Regular exercise and getting plenty of rest will also help but it’s imperative that she eats a natural diet.  

Is Prostate Cancer Hereditary?

Feb. 10, 2015

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​Dear Cathy:

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My husband is starting to have trouble with his prostate.  My husband's father and brother both had prostate cancer.  They are doing fine after surgery.  What does my husband need to know about prostate cancer and is it hereditary?  Family History of Prostate Cancer, Florida

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Dear Family History of Prostate Cancer:

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Every man should get his prostate checked by age 40, earlier if they have family history. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men.  African American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world.  The risk for prostate cancer increases with age.  Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men and most often appears after age 50 but can appear at an earlier age especially today because of the toxic world that we live in.

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Diets are certainly a factor.  Family history also plays a role because most families were raised eating the same diets but most diseases are not hereditary.  If a man's father or brother has cancer of the prostate, his risk is two to three times greater than average.  Men who eat large amounts of animal fat, particularly fats from red meat, may face a greater risk of prostate cancer than men who eat less animal fat.

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Prostate cancer forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system). The prostate produces semen, the fluid that carries sperm.  The prostate gland is found below the bladder and in front of the rectum.  Normally, the prostate is about the size of a walnut.

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As a man gets older, the prostate often becomes enlarged.  More than one-half of American men over the age of 60, have some enlargement of the prostate.   This is not usually caused by cancer but could possibly cause other problems.

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Often, there are no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer.  If symptoms do occur, they can vary, depending on the size and exact location of the lump or the growth in the prostate.  Since the prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen, any change in the prostate can cause problems with urination and ejaculation. However, similar symptoms can be caused by a number of things, including an infection or a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

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If a man has any problems with weak or interrupted flow or pain while urinating, painful ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen, or, a nagging pain in the back, hips or pelvis, he should see a health care provider or an urologist to find out what's going on.  The only way to detect prostate cancer is by taking a PSA test or getting a rectal exam.   Saw palmetto, green tea and zinc supplements from whole or health food stores aids in preventing prostate cancer.  

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Am I At Risk for Alzheimer's?

Feb. 5, 2015

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Dear Cathy:

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Am I at risk for Alzheimer’s disease since my mother and several of her sisters and a brother suffered from the disease?  What causes the disease? Alzheimer’s Risk in Kentucky

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Dear Alzheimer’s Risk: 

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The pharmaceutical industry today want you to think that diseases are hereditary but that is not true.  Just because several relatives in your family had the disease -- doesn't mean that will be your fate. 

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Alzheimer’s (also known today as “Type 3 Diabetes”) is an extremely serious disease.  Over 60% of people in nursing homes are in their late 40s and early 50s and many are there because of Alzheimer's - so nursing homes are no longer called 'Old Folks Homes.'

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Back in the day many women were given complete/total hysterectomies where they removed everything, including their ovaries, and this is a main reason why so many women are coming down with Alzheimer’s today because it causes you to be at risk for Alzheimer’s, Heart Disease, and Osteoporosis.  The goal is to never allow your doctor to give you a complete/total hysterectomy.  Try to always keep your ovaries.

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Another main reason today for Alzheimer’s is due to living in toxic environments containing heavy metals and eating toxic foods especially Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods (aka processed foods) which are full of heavy metals.  Heavy metals are neurotoxins -- which causes your brain and nervous system to give out.  

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As you age try to keep your brain healthy by reading books, doing puzzles, etc.  Before eating anything – ask yourself – “Is this good for my brain?"  The real brain supplements are a daily multi-vitamin for men or women, Vitamin D which is the mood vitamin, Fish Oil and Flaxseed Oil Supplements and Calcium especially for women for problems with bone loss.  To learn more about heavy metals read the e-article "How To Gain Back Your Mental Clarity by Eliminating Heavy Metals."  

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How Can My Family Keep Down College Costs?

Feb. 4, 2015

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Dear Cathy:

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My husband and I never attended college so it’s a lot to learn when it comes to my two sons in the 6th and 7th grade.  What would be the one piece of solid advice that you can give my sons and us so that we can help them get into a good college one day while we save money?  Excited About the Future, Kansas

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Dear Excited About the Future:

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Some students are ending up owing up to $100,000 in student loans after undergrad and graduate school. This is because many students never look for grants and scholarships -- so this will be key if they are to keep down college costs.  

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Many reasons many students don’t look for grants and scholarships are because they are uninformed on how to go about this or just too plain lazy.  If students don’t get proactive to seek out these grants and scholarships, starting in the 9th and 10th grade, then parents need to take over and do this for them -- so start with high school counselors, read books on scholarships and talk to other parents.

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College seems a long way off in the 9th grade, but that’s when students need to start thinking about it seriously.  The reason is simple -- their 9th grade academic and extracurricular record will be part of their college application.  Low grades in the 9th grade can seriously jeopardize a student’s chances of getting into the country’s most selective colleges.  

High school counselors will prepare them for the military instead of college if they don't keep their grades up throughout high school -- so it's important for parents and students to understand their priorities starting in the 9th grade.

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Other steps students should take in the 9th grade should include meeting with their high school counselor to find out what type of college admission services the school provides; What high school courses will best help them reach their goals; and what successes their school has had in getting students admitted to selective colleges and universities.  

For other information on how to save money for college read Chapter 12 entitled "How To Get Into College" in the book "Recession Survival Guide: How To Get Back Into the Driver's Seat."

​Can I Receive Grant Money for My Non-Profit Business?

Feb. 3, 2015

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Dear Cathy:

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I believe I am finally ready to start a business.  I want to form my own non-profit organization to fed, clothes and shelter the homeless.  Will I be able to get grant money to do this?  Eager To Get Started in DC.

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Dear Eager to Get Started:

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I don’t know if you have been paying attention lately, but the U.S. doesn’t really care about homeless people.  As a matter of fact many cities have declared war on the homeless so starting a business to fed, clothes and shelter them will be extremely hard to operate and be successful.  

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There is a lot of misinformation when it comes to non-profits and grant money.  If you decide to move forward with this venture go in with both eyes opened.  Only certain groups are getting this grant money.

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The biggest myth about grant money is that it is readily available for businesses who is performing great work in the community but the truth is we’ve all seen the headlines -- “Millions in free government money for your business.”   Late-night infomercials, reference guides and websites promote the availability of grant money to entrepreneurs for starting and expanding businesses.

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Does it sound too good to be true?  Well, it is!   Generally, cities, counties, school systems, and other non-profit entities are the groups who receive grants.  In addition, some federal and state agencies award a limited number of grants for very specialized business activities dealing with scientific research and development.

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Everyone has great ideas, but the reality is if you open a “non-profit" business, the chances of you getting grant money is very slim.  Your goal instead should be start a “for-profit” business.  You can view a list of potential businesses in my business book “The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs”  and this business book will take you through the entire process -- "How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Starting a Business (Series 2)."   

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Dream Home Nightmare ​

Feb. 2, 2015​

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Dear Cathy: 

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We are a young couple and we closed on our first home which was new over 13 months ago.  Even though we had several items that had a warranty and needed to be fixed after we moved in, it was hard catching up with the builder who has been dodging our phone calls.  What can we do to get the repairs to our dream home completed?  Dream Home Nightmare, Virginia

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Dear Dream Home Nightmare:

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Customer service in every industry is horrible in these days and time.  Some home builders are not living up to the warranty contracts on new homes and refuse to complete warranty items in the time specified in the contracts.  This causes confusion and turmoil for new homeowners.

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Families need to stay proactive and hands-on when it comes to moving in new homes. You need to make sure that everything works and that you contact these builders to report items under warranty.

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You should contact them by phone and certified mail.  If these home builders do not respond back to you in a timely manner, then this is essentially a type of fraud.  You need to report home builders committing fraud to the correct offices. Contact your local state's attorney general’s office to file a complaint against the builder.  

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Also check out the Better Business Bureau (www.BBB.org) and google the company to see if there has been any other complaints filed on the builder because you might be able to sue also. However, a lot of this research should have been completed before the construction of your new home started.  That way it might have paved the way for you to go with other home builders in other areas.

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