Proper Dental Care

The ADA recommends the following for good oral hygiene:   

• Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Tooth decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove the sticky film on teeth called plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. 
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.  

Antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and stop bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of periodontal (gum) disease. ADA-Accepted antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes have substantiated these claims by demonstrating significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis. Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Clinical studies have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone. Fluoride mouth rinse is not recommended for children age six or younger because they may swallow the rinse. Consumers should always check the manufacturer’s label for precautions and age recommendations and talk with their dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.

Talk to your dentist about what types of oral care products will be most effective for you. The ADA Seal on a product is your assurance that it has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. Look for the ADA Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, oral irrigators, mouth rinses and other oral hygiene products.

Why not? Nobody has a photographic memory while talking, listening, and processing information. Simply ask the interviewer politely if she minds if you take some notes. Obviously, you should use abbreviations or keywords so that you’re not concentrating too hard on taking notes and not focusing enough on the conversation.

Myth #5 -  There is no point in conducting a job search during the summer or in December because companies aren’t hiring then.

This is absolutely ridiculous. In fact, during the summer, businesspeople are more casual and “laid back” in their attitudes and approaches. They don’t tend to be as immersed in stressful projects. What a great time to approach people! In December, companies may be focused on bringing someone on board before the new calendar or fiscal year. People are in a much more celebratory mood during this time of year, and December offers lots of opportunities for networking.

Myth #6 – The most qualified candidate has the best shot at getting a job offer.

Obviously, for most positions, a company needs someone with specific skills and experience. It is also true that many companies still lean toward someone who has worked in the same industry. It is more likely that the individual who fits into the company culture is the one who will get the offer. This means that as a candidate you are accountable for finding out and understanding what the culture is – the values that shape the company, the way people communicate, and the kinds of people who are respected within the organization. You will not find this kind of information on a Web site or in an annual report. You will find it from talking to people – the company’s employees, vendors, and ex-employees.

Myth #7 – Only certain components of a job offer are negotiable.

The two best times to negotiate with a company are when they as you to join them, and when they ask you to leave. Anything can be negotiated if you are very clear about what you need and want, and can state the reasons why. You stand the best chance of getting your needs met if you put yourself in the company’s shoes during the negotiation. Not only can compensation be negotiated but also the work itself, the way you will do the work, whom you will report to, and every other aspect of the job. Looking for a new job requires many skills, and the more you network, interview, and negotiate, the easier the process becomes. Above all, trust your instincts during your job search. As with any relationship, you may have to make compromises. However, there is absolutely no reason that you shouldn’t be able to find the right job – a job that fits your personality and fulfills your needs.

Absolutely not! The normal length of a resume is two to three pages (at most). It is fine to have addendum pages such as a list of references or published articles. A one-page resume is only appropriate for a recent college grad.

Myth 2 – If you go on an interview through a contingency or search firm, you cannot speak directly to the person who interviewed you after the interview.

The person who interviewed you  is either a decision-maker or an influencer in the hiring process. Ask him during the interview if he minds if you contact him with any questions you may have later. After all, you are the person who was on the interview, not the recruiting professional who set up your interview. HE or she is also someone you can nurture as a networking contact even if you aren’t hired.

Myth 3 – If eight people at a company interviewed you, you need to send a thank-you note only to the person you’d report to if you got the job.

Those other seven people took valuable time to interview you. Of course you should send each one a thank-you note!

Check back later with us for Myths #4 – #7.

Prices for food and fuel, two commodities you can’t do without, are up dramatically. Wages are stagnant, unemployment is on the rise, and credit is increasingly harder to get.

The best way to prepare for the economic downturn is by getting your finances in order. It’s time for you to take a hard look at current debt obligations, as well as any anticipated large expenses. No one ever regrets being prepared (just ask a Boy Scout), and NOW is none too soon to address riding out a recession.

Here are some suggestions to help you prepare:

Make yourself invaluable at work.  It is never a good time to lose a job, but when jobs are scarce, you want to make a special effort to hang onto the one you have. Be sure to have a good attendance record, be willing to take on extra tasks, and complete projects on time. Some industries, such as those associated with housing, are more vulnerable than others, but anyone would be smart to prepare for the worst by updating their resume. NOW is the time to begin networking to discover what opportunities are out there. If you are laid off, file immediately for unemployment benefits.

Investigate health insurance options.  If you are laid off, knowing your health care options in advance will put you ahead of the game. Many companies allow you to continue on their plan for a limited number of months. However, this is usually at a very high rate. Know in advance if you can be added to your spouse’s plan, or visit with an agent about stand-alone plans. Doing so will prevent any gaps in coverage.

Be familiar with your financial situation. There’s nothing like seeing your financial picture in black and white. Write down all sources of income from each wage-earner in the household. Next, subtract all of your monthly living expenses..things such as rent or mortgage, utilities, food, insurance, etc, followed by secured debt payments and other credit obligations. When times are tough, it’s critical to pay priorities in that order. If your creditor is happy, but your electricity has been turned off, you’ve paid backwards.

Pay down existing debt. High interest credit card debt takes money out of your pocket that could be going to a much better use. Devote any extra money to freeing yourself from the bondage of debt. This is a good time to consider a part-time or weekend job with all of the income earned dedicated to debt repayment. This will help you to come out from under the burden of debt, while providing you with extra money once the debts are paid off. I know, I know..the idea of a second job may not sound appealing, but neither does debt.

Don’t take on any new debt.  Hard times won’t last forever. Unless you have home or vehicle repairs that won’t wait, delay any large expenditure until you’re on more stable ground. Be willing to forego the luxuries for a while.

Start or add to a rainy day fund. Everyone should have a liquid savings account for the inevitable emergency. Without it, you’re one trip to the emergency room, one flat tire or one leaky roof away from financial distress. Understand that it’s not “if” the emergency is going to come along, but “when.” Prepare by socking away 10 percent of each paycheck. That’s a small amount of money that you’ll never miss, but you’ll certainly be glad you have it when you need it.

Consider setting up a home equity line of credit. This may be hard to do during this economic environment, but it will be impossible if you’re unemployed. Opening a line of credit will require significant equity in your home and a solid credit rating. However, if you are successful in setting up this loan vehicle, know that you won’t incur any interest unless you borrow against it. It’s a nice safety net to have in place.

Adjust your withholding allowances. No one wants to end up owing Uncle Sam. Nor do you want to give him your hard-earned money all year only to have him give it back to you interest free. The average income tax refund in recent years has been well over $2,000. If you’re used to receiving a refund, adjust your withholding allowances and start putting $200 in you pocket each month, instead of putting it into the government’s pocket.

Remember, there is no time like today to prepare for tomorrow. For help getting your financial house in order, contact us at 803-733-5450. We’ll help you locate the office nearest you.

Since we are now almost half way through February, now is a good time to review your financial resolutions to see if they have gone down the drain as in years past, or if you’re making progress toward your goals.

• Have you paid for your holiday 2008 purchases? If not, and you’re still charging, your debt is growing faster than the national debt. (Honestly, the government borrows money cheaper than consumers can.)

Why bother? Paying off credit card debt is one of the smartest moves you can make. With credit, you promise to repay debt with income you have yet to earn. Thus, having no debt provides freedom to use future income as you see fit. You can use the money as you please, choosing to invest or save, or earning interest instead of paying interest. It also lowers your credit utilization ratio which improves your credit score.

Have you set up a financial center at home? It doesn’t matter if it’s a shoebox or a full-blown home office. The point is that you have an area where you keep all financial records and can easily put your hands on what you need when you need it.

Why bother? Late fees are in the $40 range, so paying a bill late is like throwing money out of the window, not to mention the negative ding to your credit report.

• Do you review your credit report several times each year? Now that you can obtain your credit report free of charge every 12 months from each of the major bureaus, these’s no excuse for not doing it. However, a 2008 National Foundation for Credit Counseling-MSN Money Financial Literacy Survey revealed that only a minority of Americans had ordered their credit report.

Why bother? Reviewing your credit report is a sure-fire way to spot identity theft and fraud. Further, the information obtained in the report needs to be about you and only you. If inaccuracies are revealed, they need to be dealt with swiftly, as your credit report strongy influences the powerful credit score.

• Do you know your credit score? No, the score does not come with the free credit report, but the few dollars you spend to purchase it will be money well-spent.

Why bother?  Your credit score dictates what the interest rate will be on loans and credit cards, or whether you’ll be extended credit at all. A difference of just 100 points can translate into tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments over the life of a loan. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling-MSN Money Financial Literacy Survey found that one-third, or roughtly 72 million adults, readily admit they do not know their all-important credit score. Get your score and take the necessary steps to improve it.

• Have you established an emergency savings account? Americans are notoriously lousy savers. Once again, the Survey showed that roughly 76 million adults say they do not have any savings outside of those designated for retirement.

Why bother? Without adequate savings, you are just one flat tire, or one trip to the emergency room away from financial distress. Financial experts agree that it is prudent to have between three and six months income socked away in a liquid, interest-bearing acount. If money’s tight, it’s even more important to have a rainy day fund. Start small by putting 10 percent of each paycheck into savings, and then forgetting it’s there. At the end of a year, you’ll have a little over one month’s income saved; creating a welcome safety net you didn’t have before.

• Are you contributing the maximum into your retirement plan at work? More than one-quarter of Americans are not saving anything toward retirement, according to the NFCC-MSN Money Survey.

Why bother? Time is money’s best friend, thus the sooner you start saving for retirement, the larger that nest-egg will grow. Many seniors have had to postpone retirement due to being ill-prepared. If this is not how you envision your golden years, then start now by contributing to your retirement plan at work. Starting small is better than not starting at all, particularly if the company will match your contribution.

If you’ve gotten off track with your financial resolutions, now is the time to do a check-up and get back on track. There is nothing to be gained by delaying. The above represents the basics. Implementing these financial musts will lay the foundation of a sound financial future.

For professional help getting started, come see one of our trained and certified consumer credit counselors. They work with people like you everyday. Let us point you toward financial stability.