Do you remember your mom telling you the simple way to avoid a cold or the flu was to go outside and get some fresh air? She thought it was breathing dirty air that caused the infection. Well, as it turns out, she was correct in her wisdom – but for a different reason.

We now know that viruses cause colds and the flu, however, researchers at Harvard University discovered that a lack of daily sun…especially in winter…prevents our bodies from making the one thing it needs to fend off colds and the flu: Vitamin D. Vitamin D is deficient in most non-tropical areas, and during the winter it gets worse due to an even lower exposure rate.

So how do you avoid colds and the flu? Spend some time in the sun. If you can’t expose yourself to regular sun, then take cod liver oil (extremely high in Vitamin D) especially during the winter. The best cod liver oil comes from the cold waters of Norway. It’s natural, pure, and free of mercury.

In these times of uncertainty, air travel can be a frustrating maze of ticket lines, security checks and flight delays. The Department of Homeland Security has issued several recommendations that can save you from secondary screenings and maddening luggage searches.

1. Passengers should place all metal items in a carry-on bag while waiting in line. Avoid wearing metal jewelry, belts or clothing. Avoid over-packing luggage and keep presents unwrapped. If possible, use see-through bags for clothes and toiletry items. If your luggage is inspected, it will make it a quick job for security personnel.

2. Be advised to take all computer laptops and other electronic devices out of their cases while standing in line.

3. Any jackets or long coats should be taken off and ready to be screened.

4. Wear slip-on shoes. You will need to remove your shoes for security screening, and loafers or hush puppies will make the process easier.

5. All shampoos, mouthwash or other liquids must be in a container of 3.0 oz or less. The container must have the quantity (3 oz or less) marked on the label – otherwise it will be removed. Finally, all liquids must be placed in a quart-sized clear plastic bag to go through security.

FREE Consumer Help Is Just A Phone Call Away!

Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling or refinancing a home. Best of all, it’s FREE.  See my “Free Resources Page” at www.MarcsHomes.Com

Perhaps you crave an early retirement (let’s say, by age 55) so you can travel, play golf or write the great novel. Or maybe you want to switch gears at some point and pursue a new career direction without worrying about money. Either way, there are common-sense steps to reaching your financial goals. Here are a few sound money strategies you can start using to get out of the “daily grind” and into your retirement “fun zone”!

* Start saving early, frequently and as many ways as you can! Use automatic payroll deductions and take full advantage of tax-advantaged 401(k) s and Roth IRA accounts. Here is a prime example of building a solid nest egg: Let’s say you start saving $500 a month at age 40 with annualized earnings of 8%. By age 65, you would have saved about $475,000. If you had started at age 30, you’d have that amount by age 55. If you leave it intact in your savings account for another 10 years, it would grow to over $1,054,000 without adding another cent to it! Based on your lifestyle, you might want to estimate that you need 70% to 100% of your present yearly income to cover expenses during retirement.

* Practice reality-based investing. The best solution is to hire a qualified financial planner and work together to structure a diversified portfolio. Look at the whole gamut of asset classes, with special attention paid to your risk tolerance and time-line. Conduct a yearly review to re-balance your portfolio to bring it back to consistent earnings.

* Don’t reach into your retirement savings until retirement. Here’s where many people backslide: They begin to eye the money for new houses, cars or fancy vacations. Retirement seems far off in the dim future so lots of rationalizations can be created for dipping into the money now. Remember, you may be less flexible to build-up the same amount of money later in life. If you absolutely NEED to tap into your retirement funds, do so as a last resort and replace them as quickly as possible. Make savings a habit, wise spending a discipline, and you’ll be on your way to an early (and comfortable) retirement.

Learn How To Maximize The Value Of Your Home! 

Did you know there’s a free consumer report showing which repairs and fix-ups will net you the most value for your home?  It’s call the “Homeseller’s Guide To Money-Making Fix-Ups,” and it’s great even if you’re not planning on selling soon.  You can get a free copy by visiting our webstie at…

www.MarcsHomes.Com