While many people think of fall as the beginning of school, preparation for the upcoming holiday season or even ski season, those of us in the insurance business see this time of the year as the beginning of enrollment season. A large percentage of employers have typically renewed their group benefits in January. This is nothing new. However, when you add in those who are over age 65 and the ACA Marketplace plans, the fourth quarter is quite busy for insurance companies. I hope the following … [Read more...] about Preparing for Annual Enrollment-Group, Medicare, Individual Plans
Columnists
Livable Wage, Economic Reality
Proponents of increasing the minimum wage generally argue that it will improve the standard of living for low-income earners. However, numerous studies, including one completed by the Congressional Budget Office, which provides nonpartisan analysis for the United States Congress, have shown that minimum wage increases reduce employment. Consequently, a minimum wage hike can increase earnings for some workers and cause job loss and reduced earnings for others. Artificially mandating increased … [Read more...] about Livable Wage, Economic Reality
Do I Really Need a Business Plan?
Someone emailed me at [email protected] several weeks ago and asked if he really needed to have a business plan for his start-up. It was interesting timing because I was working on one of my classes for the fall semester at Northern Arizona University called BizBlock. In BizBlock, we challenge 10 teams of seven business students to create a start-up, write a business plan and then present that business plan to a group of investors in hopes of receiving funding. A quick confession: I am a … [Read more...] about Do I Really Need a Business Plan?
What Goes Into Producing Extra Virgin Olive Oil
During the past few months, I have had the pleasure of sharing information regarding the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegars. Since olives are a fruit, the time that olives are harvested and the methods of harvesting and storage determine the ultimate quality of the olive oil produced. In order to have a clear understanding of all of the variables that result in the olive oil you have on your table, I would like to share some information with you. To help … [Read more...] about What Goes Into Producing Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Staying Healthy Throughout the School Year
Parents of school-aged children know that getting kids ready for school involves more than a new wardrobe and backpack filled with school supplies – it also involves back to school vaccinations. The county plays an important role in public health and now, with the start of school, is a good time to remind people about vaccinations and other health tips. Students from preschool to college all need vaccinations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), making sure … [Read more...] about Staying Healthy Throughout the School Year
Leaking Ductwork Can Cost You Hundreds of Dollars a Year
A new furnace can be a costly investment, sometimes upwards of $5,000. Furnaces have come a long way since the old days when 70 percent efficient units were considered “high efficiency.” Now, high tech condensing furnaces can be up to 97 percent efficient, which means for every dollar you spend on heating, you get 97 cents back in heat. An efficiency loss of only three percent is pretty remarkable, but what about your duct system? Through extensive research, the U.S. Department of Energy has … [Read more...] about Leaking Ductwork Can Cost You Hundreds of Dollars a Year
Understanding, Treating Rosacea
This is one of the more common skin diseases seen in light–skinned humans. It usually appears in early to late adult years as a facial rash. Manifestations include facial redness, easy or pronounced flushing, acne-like bumps and pustules, swelling and blunting of the fine curves of the nose, eye irritation and skin irritation (dryness and intolerance of many washes and cosmetics). Flaring of rosacea may be triggered by sun exposure, emotional stress, alcohol consumption, cold weather, spicy … [Read more...] about Understanding, Treating Rosacea
Why Mediation Helps Relationships
When conflict escalates, it can wreak havoc on personal and professional relationships, leaving more problems in its wake. Mediation can help. Mediation offers a way to work together on a solution that is mutually fair and sustainable. It helps you develop the skills necessary for maintaining healthy relationships at home, at work and elsewhere. Most people are familiar with mediation as a precursor to a lawsuit, such as in divorce and civil cases. It can also be an effective way to diffuse … [Read more...] about Why Mediation Helps Relationships
Misophonia: Don’t Make That Sound
Misophonia is the term used for people who suffer from annoyance to specific sounds. As I write this, I looked back at my choice to use the word “suffer” and then decided based on my experience with people who have the disorder, suffer is the perfect word. The person suffers when hearing particular sounds. People with misophonia are usually thought of as being “too sensitive, tightly wired, control freaks or that they are faking the problem for attention” by their friends and family. For more … [Read more...] about Misophonia: Don’t Make That Sound
Advances in Teeth Implants Improving Fit, Look, Time
In dentistry today, our options to replace teeth with implants have expanded greatly since the first implants, as we know them today, were placed 47 years ago. This type of implant, which is referred to as an endosteal implant, was intended to replace a single tooth, which is the most popular use of implants today. There are multiple types of implant crowns (restorations we place on implants), depending on the situation. Initially, on back teeth, all metal restorations are made of gold due to … [Read more...] about Advances in Teeth Implants Improving Fit, Look, Time