Student Loan Consolidation - How does it Work?
Student loans are a great source of financial aid for students who need help paying for their education. Unfortunately, students often leave college with burdensome debt. In addition, they often have multiple loans from different lenders, meaning they are writing more than one loan repayment check each month. The solution to this problem is loan consolidation.
What is loan consolidation?
Loan consolidation means bundling all your student loans into a single loan with one lender and one repayment plan. You can think of loan consolidation as akin to refinancing a home mortgage. When you consolidate your student loans, the balances of your existing student loans are paid off, with the total balance rolling over into one consolidated loan. The end result is that you have only one student loan to pay on.
Both students and their parents can consolidate loans.
Should I consolidate my loans?
Loan consolidation offers many benefits:
* Locks in a fixed, usually lower, interest rate for the term of your loan, potentially saving you thousands of dollars (depending on the interest rates of your original loans)
* Lowers your monthly payment
* Combines your student loan payments into one monthly bill
In addition, consolidated loans have flexible repayment options and no fees, charges, or prepayment penalties. There are also no credit checks or co-signers required.
You should consider consolidating your loans if the consolidation loan would have a lower interest rate than your current loans, particularly if you are having trouble making you monthly payments. However, if you are close to paying off your existing loans, consolidation may not be worth it.
How will the interest rate for the consolidated loan be?
The interest rate for your consolidated loan is calculated by averaging the interest rate of all the loans being consolidated and then rounding up to the next one-eighth of one percent. The maximum interest rate is 8.25 percent.
To figure your interest rate, visit loanconsolidation.ed.gov for an online calculator that will do the math for you.
How much can I save?
How much you save by consolidating loans depends on what interest rate you get and whether you choose to extend your repayment plan. According to Sallie Mae, the leading provider of student loans in the United States, consolidating student loans can reduce monthly payments by up to 54 percent. However, the only way to reduce your payment this much is to extend your repayment plan. You typically have 10 years to repay student loans, but, depending on the amount you're consolidating, you can extend your repayment plan all the way up to 30 years. Remember that if you choose to extend your repayment term, it will take longer to pay off your overall debt and you'll pay more in interest. There are no preypayment penalties, so you can always choose to pay off the loan early.
Am I eligible to consolidate my loans?
In order to consolidate your loans, you must meet the following criteria:
* You are in your six-month grace period following graduation or you have started repaying your loans
* You have eligible loans totaling over $7,500
* You have more than one lender
* You have not already consolidated your student loans, or since consolidation you have gone back to school and acquired new student loans
The following types of loans can be consolidated:
* Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
* Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
* Direct PLUS Loans and Federal PLUS Loans
* Direct Consolidation Loans and Federal Consolidation Loans
* Guaranteed Student Loans
* Federal Insured Student Loans
* Federal Supplemental Loans for Students
* Auxiliary Loans to Assist Students
* Federal Perkins Loans
* National Direct Student Loans
* National Defense Student Loans
* Health Education Assistance Loans
* Health Professions Student Loans
* Loans for Disadvantaged Students
* Nursing Student Loans
Where can I get a consolidation loan?
You can consolidate your loans through any bank or credit union that participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program, or directly from the U.S. Department of Education. The loan terms and conditions are generally the same, regardless of where you consolidate. You may want to check first with the lenders that hold your current loans.
If all your loans are with one lender, you must consolidate with that lender.
If you decide to consolidate your student loans, remember that you can only do so once unless you go back to school and take out more loans. Therefore, you will want to make sure you get the best deal the first time. The interest rate will be the same from all lenders, but some lenders may offer future rate discounts for prompt payment and a discount for having monthly payments directly debited from your account.
Can my spouse and I consolidate our loans together?
You can consolidate your loans together, but it is not a good idea for a couple reasons:
* Both of you will always be responsible to repay the loan, even if you later separate or divorce
* If you need to defer payment on the loan, both of you will have to meet the deferment criteria
When should I consolidate my loans?
You can consolidate your loans any time during your six-month grace period or after you have started repaying your loans. If you consolidate during your grace period, you may be able to get a lower interest rate. However, since you will lose the rest of the grace period, it is a good idea to wait until the fifth month of the grace period before consolidating. The consolidation process usually takes 30-45 days.
Friday, May 14, 2010
How to Shop For Low, Interest Only Mortgages
Where do you find low interest, interest only mortgages? Almost every store on the street offers these types of mortgage products, but who is the best, and who is the lowest? That's going to take some work on your part, and maybe just a little luck.
What kind of information will you need in order to shop for and secure a great interest only mortgage, with a great low interest? Well, you're definitely going to need a good credit rating, proof of income, an appraisal on the property, and a little bit of luck. There are several products out there in the interest only mortgage segment of the market, and a few are actually going to have a pretty low interest rate tied to them.
For example, the 3/1 ARM, or the 5/1 ARM, these mortgages should have great interest rates, and if you have great credit, you should be able to find financing to suit your budget, your desire for a low interest rate, and an interest only mortgage that you can live with. These types of adjustable rate mortgages offer the interest only feature for a very limited time, and this is what the average consumer should discipline him or herself to use for financing. Extending the interest only option out past these years, could put the consumer in a dire position, should the real estate market take a downward turn, they're going to be left with a huge mortgage, and property that is no longer worth the original mortgage amount. Now, that's not likely to happen since the value of the average home in America has seen a steady 5 to 6% growth for the last 10 years. But, it could happen. Take a look at the stock market after the tremendous growth spurt of the late nineties.
Other variables in your quest for a low interest rate will be determined by the type of lending institution you choose, the determination of any government program eligibility, and your geographical location.
Banks are traditionally a little higher with their down payment requirements, but their interest rates are usually lower than those of a mortgage company. The exception: online mortgage lending. Thanks to the fact that this is an area of growth that everyone and every company are promoting, they're striving to compete with even the lowest interest rate lenders, in order to grow their market.
What kinds of government approved mortgage loan programs are available for the low interest-only mortgage shopper today? There are actually more programs available today than any other time in recorded mortgage history; and the ability to qualify for these programs is at an all-time high. Fannie Mae, or the Federal National Mortgage Association and Freddie Mac set guidelines and product availability for homeowners and residents that quality for low- to moderate income based mortgages. They also offer low-interest only mortgages in order to accommodate an ever broadening market. The graduated payment mortgage is an option for FHA homeowners who currently have low to moderate incomes but expect them to increase substantially over the next few years; this can be compared to a balloon note or the interest only products in use today.
Your location will play a key role in your ability to obtain the lowest interest rate using the interest-only mortgage option, also. Prospective homeowners looking to purchase a home in a high end, resort area will, of course, have more choices available, as there are more buyers and sellers competing, as well as lenders for business. The other geographical contributing factor is the real estate market in your area. If the market is great, prices are not suppressed, and there is moderate movement in the buy and sell market, it increases your chances of obtaining the low interest rate you're seeking.
The interest only mortgage product and a low interest rate are not mutually exclusive. They can be paired, and under the right circumstances produce a winning mortgage product for the right consumers. The route to achieving this goal will take education on the part of the consumer, hard work, and a little luck in locating the right mortgage lender.
What kind of information will you need in order to shop for and secure a great interest only mortgage, with a great low interest? Well, you're definitely going to need a good credit rating, proof of income, an appraisal on the property, and a little bit of luck. There are several products out there in the interest only mortgage segment of the market, and a few are actually going to have a pretty low interest rate tied to them.
For example, the 3/1 ARM, or the 5/1 ARM, these mortgages should have great interest rates, and if you have great credit, you should be able to find financing to suit your budget, your desire for a low interest rate, and an interest only mortgage that you can live with. These types of adjustable rate mortgages offer the interest only feature for a very limited time, and this is what the average consumer should discipline him or herself to use for financing. Extending the interest only option out past these years, could put the consumer in a dire position, should the real estate market take a downward turn, they're going to be left with a huge mortgage, and property that is no longer worth the original mortgage amount. Now, that's not likely to happen since the value of the average home in America has seen a steady 5 to 6% growth for the last 10 years. But, it could happen. Take a look at the stock market after the tremendous growth spurt of the late nineties.
Other variables in your quest for a low interest rate will be determined by the type of lending institution you choose, the determination of any government program eligibility, and your geographical location.
Banks are traditionally a little higher with their down payment requirements, but their interest rates are usually lower than those of a mortgage company. The exception: online mortgage lending. Thanks to the fact that this is an area of growth that everyone and every company are promoting, they're striving to compete with even the lowest interest rate lenders, in order to grow their market.
What kinds of government approved mortgage loan programs are available for the low interest-only mortgage shopper today? There are actually more programs available today than any other time in recorded mortgage history; and the ability to qualify for these programs is at an all-time high. Fannie Mae, or the Federal National Mortgage Association and Freddie Mac set guidelines and product availability for homeowners and residents that quality for low- to moderate income based mortgages. They also offer low-interest only mortgages in order to accommodate an ever broadening market. The graduated payment mortgage is an option for FHA homeowners who currently have low to moderate incomes but expect them to increase substantially over the next few years; this can be compared to a balloon note or the interest only products in use today.
Your location will play a key role in your ability to obtain the lowest interest rate using the interest-only mortgage option, also. Prospective homeowners looking to purchase a home in a high end, resort area will, of course, have more choices available, as there are more buyers and sellers competing, as well as lenders for business. The other geographical contributing factor is the real estate market in your area. If the market is great, prices are not suppressed, and there is moderate movement in the buy and sell market, it increases your chances of obtaining the low interest rate you're seeking.
The interest only mortgage product and a low interest rate are not mutually exclusive. They can be paired, and under the right circumstances produce a winning mortgage product for the right consumers. The route to achieving this goal will take education on the part of the consumer, hard work, and a little luck in locating the right mortgage lender.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Death and Disability Insurance
An illness can cost far more in monetary terms than just the value of the medical bills or health insurance premiums you pay. The disruption to your income stream can wreak havoc with your lifestyle (and/or that of your dependants), especially if the illness is prolonged or (yikes!) terminal.
Wherever there's a financial risk, the insurance industry is sure to be there with a product to cover you. And death and disability is no exception.
There are several different types of policy in the insurance marketplace, designed to maintain your financial security, and/or that of your family or other dependants.
You can get these policies directly from a life insurer – all the major general and life insurers offer them. Or you can use an intermediary, like a broker or an agent. They come as a stand-alone product, or several products bundled together.
Some policies are available via your superannuation fund – and usually at a very competitive price. But the amount of cover may be limited, so you may need to take out additional cover.
If you don't have dependants, or you wouldn't suffer financially from a disabling condition, then these policies probably aren't for you. Feel free to click your back button of your browser and visit another part of the site.
But if you do have dependants – and the consequences of your death and/or disability have been preying on your mind – then read on (we promise to keep it snappy).
Top
Term (Life) Insurance
This is a lump-sum payment in the event of your death, paid out to your nominated beneficiary. The payout can be used for any purpose – to pay off debts, or invested to generate an income stream for surviving family.
Premiums vary depending on age, sex, whether you smoke and your occupation – higher-risk occupations such as blue-collar manual work attract a higher premium than white-collar professional work.
Most policies will require you to have a medical examination and possibly blood tests. If you have a pre-existing medical condition you may have to pay an additional premium. Some policies won't pay out if death is from suicide.
Some financial institutions offer policies called accidental death cover, which covers you in the event of death from accidental injury. As only a small percentage of deaths are from accidents, these aren't really worth the money.
Our verdict – term (life) insurance is a must for anyone with dependants.
Top
Income Protection (Disability) Insurance
Life insurance industry statistics tell us that at the age of 35 you are 10 times more likely to be disabled from an illness or injury than you are to die from it.
How will you pay the bills? The mortgage repayments? School fees, etc etc?
You may get a limited amount of sick pay from your employer if you're salaried, but it won't last long. There's always workers' compensation, but that only covers you for work-related injuries – a small percentage of causes of disability.
But if you have an income protection policy it will pay up to 75 per cent of all income (salary/wages plus super plus any other benefits) allowing you to maintain your lifestyle pretty much intact, and to keep paying off the home mortgage and any other loans you may have.
The actual monthly income you are paid from the policy can be agreed on when you take the policy out (a so-called 'agreed value per month' policy). Or it can be calculated according to the income you're earning at the time when you make the claim. These so-called 'indemnity policies' are cheaper, but riskier – if your income has fallen at the time you make a claim, you risk a much lower payout.
Income protection polices aren't quite as cheap as term/life policies. The cost as a rule-of-thumb is two per cent of annual salary. But that buys you a lot of cover.
Just like term cover, premiums are higher the older you get, if you smoke, if you're male and if you are in a risky occupation. There is usually a waiting period between claiming and getting your first payment – the longer the 'no claim' period, the cheaper the premium. The premiums are tax deductible, but the income stream paid out by the policy is taxed.
A word of warning about these policies – there is a lot of variation from policy to policy and the devil is in the detail.
Look carefully at the definition of disability. Some define you as disabled if you're unable to do the sort of work that you normally do. Others define it as being unable to do ANY sort of work. With the latter type of policy,
Some policies are guaranteed renewable. Others don't automatically renew, but will only renew at the insurer's discretion. If you develop a condition that could lead to a later claim the insurer may choose not to renew the policy.
Our verdict – recommended for those with financial liabilities and dependants.
Top
Trauma Insurance
Otherwise known as 'crisis' or 'vital' cover, trauma insurance pays out a lump sum on the diagnosis of a range of about 30 nominated life-threatening conditions – like cancer, heart attack, stroke, heart bypass surgery, paralysis, and head trauma (but not for accidental death from injury). It's often bundled with term/life cover.
Trauma insurance is designed to pay the inevitable medical bills associated with a major illness, or fund a holiday, pay out a home mortgage, or allow the injured person to work part-time until retirement.
Things to watch out for: some policies have a narrow definition of what constitutes suffering from a particular condition. It may not be enough to have signs and symptoms of a heart attack – you may have to have certain changes in an electrocardiogram test, for example. The policy that covers the greatest range of conditions isn't necessarily the best.
Our verdict – optional.
Top
Where do I get it?
You can buy any or all of these insurance policies direct from the insurer or through an intermediary such as a broker or agent, who will advise you on which combination of policies and products are best suited to your needs.
Brokers are preferable to agents, as they are independent and have access to a greater range of products – insurance agents only deal with products from a limited range of insurers. Brokers charge a commission but they generally negotiate discounts from insurance companies, so in the end it costs no more to go through a broker than it is to buy direct from the insurer.
Wherever there's a financial risk, the insurance industry is sure to be there with a product to cover you. And death and disability is no exception.
There are several different types of policy in the insurance marketplace, designed to maintain your financial security, and/or that of your family or other dependants.
You can get these policies directly from a life insurer – all the major general and life insurers offer them. Or you can use an intermediary, like a broker or an agent. They come as a stand-alone product, or several products bundled together.
Some policies are available via your superannuation fund – and usually at a very competitive price. But the amount of cover may be limited, so you may need to take out additional cover.
If you don't have dependants, or you wouldn't suffer financially from a disabling condition, then these policies probably aren't for you. Feel free to click your back button of your browser and visit another part of the site.
But if you do have dependants – and the consequences of your death and/or disability have been preying on your mind – then read on (we promise to keep it snappy).
Top
Term (Life) Insurance
This is a lump-sum payment in the event of your death, paid out to your nominated beneficiary. The payout can be used for any purpose – to pay off debts, or invested to generate an income stream for surviving family.
Premiums vary depending on age, sex, whether you smoke and your occupation – higher-risk occupations such as blue-collar manual work attract a higher premium than white-collar professional work.
Most policies will require you to have a medical examination and possibly blood tests. If you have a pre-existing medical condition you may have to pay an additional premium. Some policies won't pay out if death is from suicide.
Some financial institutions offer policies called accidental death cover, which covers you in the event of death from accidental injury. As only a small percentage of deaths are from accidents, these aren't really worth the money.
Our verdict – term (life) insurance is a must for anyone with dependants.
Top
Income Protection (Disability) Insurance
Life insurance industry statistics tell us that at the age of 35 you are 10 times more likely to be disabled from an illness or injury than you are to die from it.
How will you pay the bills? The mortgage repayments? School fees, etc etc?
You may get a limited amount of sick pay from your employer if you're salaried, but it won't last long. There's always workers' compensation, but that only covers you for work-related injuries – a small percentage of causes of disability.
But if you have an income protection policy it will pay up to 75 per cent of all income (salary/wages plus super plus any other benefits) allowing you to maintain your lifestyle pretty much intact, and to keep paying off the home mortgage and any other loans you may have.
The actual monthly income you are paid from the policy can be agreed on when you take the policy out (a so-called 'agreed value per month' policy). Or it can be calculated according to the income you're earning at the time when you make the claim. These so-called 'indemnity policies' are cheaper, but riskier – if your income has fallen at the time you make a claim, you risk a much lower payout.
Income protection polices aren't quite as cheap as term/life policies. The cost as a rule-of-thumb is two per cent of annual salary. But that buys you a lot of cover.
Just like term cover, premiums are higher the older you get, if you smoke, if you're male and if you are in a risky occupation. There is usually a waiting period between claiming and getting your first payment – the longer the 'no claim' period, the cheaper the premium. The premiums are tax deductible, but the income stream paid out by the policy is taxed.
A word of warning about these policies – there is a lot of variation from policy to policy and the devil is in the detail.
Look carefully at the definition of disability. Some define you as disabled if you're unable to do the sort of work that you normally do. Others define it as being unable to do ANY sort of work. With the latter type of policy,
Some policies are guaranteed renewable. Others don't automatically renew, but will only renew at the insurer's discretion. If you develop a condition that could lead to a later claim the insurer may choose not to renew the policy.
Our verdict – recommended for those with financial liabilities and dependants.
Top
Trauma Insurance
Otherwise known as 'crisis' or 'vital' cover, trauma insurance pays out a lump sum on the diagnosis of a range of about 30 nominated life-threatening conditions – like cancer, heart attack, stroke, heart bypass surgery, paralysis, and head trauma (but not for accidental death from injury). It's often bundled with term/life cover.
Trauma insurance is designed to pay the inevitable medical bills associated with a major illness, or fund a holiday, pay out a home mortgage, or allow the injured person to work part-time until retirement.
Things to watch out for: some policies have a narrow definition of what constitutes suffering from a particular condition. It may not be enough to have signs and symptoms of a heart attack – you may have to have certain changes in an electrocardiogram test, for example. The policy that covers the greatest range of conditions isn't necessarily the best.
Our verdict – optional.
Top
Where do I get it?
You can buy any or all of these insurance policies direct from the insurer or through an intermediary such as a broker or agent, who will advise you on which combination of policies and products are best suited to your needs.
Brokers are preferable to agents, as they are independent and have access to a greater range of products – insurance agents only deal with products from a limited range of insurers. Brokers charge a commission but they generally negotiate discounts from insurance companies, so in the end it costs no more to go through a broker than it is to buy direct from the insurer.
Life insurance
All policies fall into one of two camps.
There are term policies, or pure insurance coverage. And there are the many variants of whole life, which combine an investment product with pure term insurance and build cash value.
2. Insurance is sold, not bought.
Agents sell the vast majority of life policies written in the U.S. because the life insurance industry has a vested interest in pushing high-commission (and high-profit) whole-life policies.
3. Whole life is expensive.
Policies with an investment component cost many times more than term policies. As a result, many people who buy whole life often can't afford an adequate face value, leaving themselves underinsured.
4. Whole-life policies are built on assumptions.
The returns quoted by the agent are simply guesses - not reality. And some companies keep these guesses of future returns on the high side to attract more buyers.
5. Keep your investing and insurance strictly separate.
There are better places to invest - and without the high commissions of whole-life policies.
6. Buy enough term coverage to fill your needs.
Life insurance is no place to skimp, especially with rates at historic lows.
7. Match the term of the policy to your needs.
You want the policy to last as long as it takes for your dependents to leave the nest - or for your retirement income to kick in.
8. Buy when you're healthy.
Older people and those not in the best of health pay steeply higher rates for life insurance - so buy as early as you can, but don't buy until you have dependents.
9. Tell the truth.
There's no sense in shading the facts on your application to get a lower rate. Be assured that if a large claim is made, the insurance company will investigate before paying.
10. Use the Web to shop.
Buying life insurance has never been easier, thanks to the Internet. You can get tons of quotes - and avoid the pushy salespeople.
There are term policies, or pure insurance coverage. And there are the many variants of whole life, which combine an investment product with pure term insurance and build cash value.
2. Insurance is sold, not bought.
Agents sell the vast majority of life policies written in the U.S. because the life insurance industry has a vested interest in pushing high-commission (and high-profit) whole-life policies.
3. Whole life is expensive.
Policies with an investment component cost many times more than term policies. As a result, many people who buy whole life often can't afford an adequate face value, leaving themselves underinsured.
4. Whole-life policies are built on assumptions.
The returns quoted by the agent are simply guesses - not reality. And some companies keep these guesses of future returns on the high side to attract more buyers.
5. Keep your investing and insurance strictly separate.
There are better places to invest - and without the high commissions of whole-life policies.
6. Buy enough term coverage to fill your needs.
Life insurance is no place to skimp, especially with rates at historic lows.
7. Match the term of the policy to your needs.
You want the policy to last as long as it takes for your dependents to leave the nest - or for your retirement income to kick in.
8. Buy when you're healthy.
Older people and those not in the best of health pay steeply higher rates for life insurance - so buy as early as you can, but don't buy until you have dependents.
9. Tell the truth.
There's no sense in shading the facts on your application to get a lower rate. Be assured that if a large claim is made, the insurance company will investigate before paying.
10. Use the Web to shop.
Buying life insurance has never been easier, thanks to the Internet. You can get tons of quotes - and avoid the pushy salespeople.
How to Pay Off Your Payday Loan
Are you trapped in payday loan cycle? You get new payday loan to cover your existing loan and it keep repeating until you are overwhelming. If you are, you are not alone. Many people take out their first one hoping to pay off in full in the next payday, but end up with taking out more loans and scrambling to cover one after another until their debt reach to the overwhelming level and don't know what to do. How to break this payday loan cycle and pay it off? Here are 5 practical ways to help you break the payday loan cycle:
1. Understand What You Are Up Against
Each state and each country have certain law against payday loan borrowers. For example, Oklahoma's laws allow payday loan's repeat borrowers who have taken out three consecutive loans to repay their loan balance in four equal installments. This is a good opportunity for you to break the cycle and pay off the loan.
You should also be able to find your local or state government representative that can provide help and advices on how to handle your overwhelming debt issue. You may discover more options to pay off your payday loan.
2. Pay the Loan(s) off ASAP
The fact is whatever you have borrowed, you need to pay it back; Let face it. Thinking of paying off your payday loan without any action won't get your debt problem resolve. What you must do is finding a way to repay the loan in the next payday without getting a new payday loan and find some way to get through what will be a very difficult several weeks without the money.
Some ideas to cash out money to pay loans:
* Have a yard sale or garage sale. Put anything that can be sold such as furniture, clothes, gifts, watches, jewelry and etc.
* Sell a few things in your local newspaper's free ads or sell them online at eBay.
* If you are under employment, you may discuss with your employer to get an advance salary and repay it over several pay periods.
* Borrow from your family or relatives to pay off your payday loan and repay them over several pay periods.
* Get a second job or part-time job to earn extra money to clear your debt.
* Cut down your monthly expenses and optional spending such as entertainment, clothing and vacation to save more money to pay into your debt.
3. Get Help From Credit Counseling Service
If your debt is too overwhelming and something in such a desperate situation, you can be out of mind in thinking a solution. Then, the best option should be getting help from finance professional such as credit counseling service.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) are non-profit counseling centers that can offer you with individual financial advices based on your financial situation. A consultant will be assigned to you to understand in details your current financial situation before proposing options and solutions to your financial issue. These options can be especially helpful to help you understand your options and what are the best solutions to your debt issue. In many case, you will be advised to enroll into their debt management plan so that you can follow their plan to work your way out of debt. However, it is optional but if you decide to enroll into any debt management plan, you must aware that there will be a small monthly fee involve.
Summary
Keeping yourself circular inside the payday loan cycle will drag you into overwhelming and stressful debt issue. The only solution is finding a way out of it by breaking the payday loan cycle. Beside, working out your own ways to pay off the loan as soon as possible, you can get help and guidance from professional such as consumer credit counseling service.
1. Understand What You Are Up Against
Each state and each country have certain law against payday loan borrowers. For example, Oklahoma's laws allow payday loan's repeat borrowers who have taken out three consecutive loans to repay their loan balance in four equal installments. This is a good opportunity for you to break the cycle and pay off the loan.
You should also be able to find your local or state government representative that can provide help and advices on how to handle your overwhelming debt issue. You may discover more options to pay off your payday loan.
2. Pay the Loan(s) off ASAP
The fact is whatever you have borrowed, you need to pay it back; Let face it. Thinking of paying off your payday loan without any action won't get your debt problem resolve. What you must do is finding a way to repay the loan in the next payday without getting a new payday loan and find some way to get through what will be a very difficult several weeks without the money.
Some ideas to cash out money to pay loans:
* Have a yard sale or garage sale. Put anything that can be sold such as furniture, clothes, gifts, watches, jewelry and etc.
* Sell a few things in your local newspaper's free ads or sell them online at eBay.
* If you are under employment, you may discuss with your employer to get an advance salary and repay it over several pay periods.
* Borrow from your family or relatives to pay off your payday loan and repay them over several pay periods.
* Get a second job or part-time job to earn extra money to clear your debt.
* Cut down your monthly expenses and optional spending such as entertainment, clothing and vacation to save more money to pay into your debt.
3. Get Help From Credit Counseling Service
If your debt is too overwhelming and something in such a desperate situation, you can be out of mind in thinking a solution. Then, the best option should be getting help from finance professional such as credit counseling service.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) are non-profit counseling centers that can offer you with individual financial advices based on your financial situation. A consultant will be assigned to you to understand in details your current financial situation before proposing options and solutions to your financial issue. These options can be especially helpful to help you understand your options and what are the best solutions to your debt issue. In many case, you will be advised to enroll into their debt management plan so that you can follow their plan to work your way out of debt. However, it is optional but if you decide to enroll into any debt management plan, you must aware that there will be a small monthly fee involve.
Summary
Keeping yourself circular inside the payday loan cycle will drag you into overwhelming and stressful debt issue. The only solution is finding a way out of it by breaking the payday loan cycle. Beside, working out your own ways to pay off the loan as soon as possible, you can get help and guidance from professional such as consumer credit counseling service.
Adult Education
Distance learning and adult education are certainly in the spotlight at the moment. As economic problems spur individuals to improve their CVs or consider a change in career, and universities begin to offer more and more distance and e-Learning courses, now seems the perfect time for adults to think about going back to school. But adult education is not only about teaching older learners new skills and subjects, it also has a wider social importance - and can achieve far more.
In order to have this far reaching achievement, adult education must be taught and used with such prospects in mind. In his essay, The Liberating Role Of Education, Julius K. Nyerere argues that wanting to learn should not be for the goal of achievement itself, in his words: 'such a desire is merely another aspect of the disease of the acquisitive society'.
Consequently, adult education should be aiming to liberate the student in all senses of their character. Nyerere's example is thus: "Learning how best to grow soya beans is of little use to a man if it is not combined with learning about nutrition; or the existence of a market for the beans." It seems that adult education during a recession needs to be wholly encompassing - involving the learning of a new subject, along with the best ways to absorb and reinterpret the information on the subject (then and beyond), and to develop an understanding of how best they can utilize that knowledge in relation to the wider world.
In an article at guardian.co.uk, Paul Mackney of Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning discusses the importance for the government to promote adult education currently, but also the difficulties that come along with it. He states, "Employers are going to have a problem in delivering training when they are simply trying to survive. Short courses will be needed to encourage people back into learning." Yet, society itself is dependent on social inclusion and cohesiveness that comes with employment and training. He argues, "the 19th century had been about developing elementary education, the 20th century about developing secondary education and the 21st century would be about developing mass further education and higher education."
As a result of these arguments, it seems that one of the primary roles of adult education is almost beautiful in its simplicity - to give confidence. After years of working a job the idea of a change and going back to school is a huge step, and one that involves great bravery. Yet, an adult education course should not only inspire confidence in an individual's knowledge of a subject, but also should show they can connect with their world and themselves in a more rewarding way - and that education can and should be continued at any point in their life.
In order to have this far reaching achievement, adult education must be taught and used with such prospects in mind. In his essay, The Liberating Role Of Education, Julius K. Nyerere argues that wanting to learn should not be for the goal of achievement itself, in his words: 'such a desire is merely another aspect of the disease of the acquisitive society'.
Consequently, adult education should be aiming to liberate the student in all senses of their character. Nyerere's example is thus: "Learning how best to grow soya beans is of little use to a man if it is not combined with learning about nutrition; or the existence of a market for the beans." It seems that adult education during a recession needs to be wholly encompassing - involving the learning of a new subject, along with the best ways to absorb and reinterpret the information on the subject (then and beyond), and to develop an understanding of how best they can utilize that knowledge in relation to the wider world.
In an article at guardian.co.uk, Paul Mackney of Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning discusses the importance for the government to promote adult education currently, but also the difficulties that come along with it. He states, "Employers are going to have a problem in delivering training when they are simply trying to survive. Short courses will be needed to encourage people back into learning." Yet, society itself is dependent on social inclusion and cohesiveness that comes with employment and training. He argues, "the 19th century had been about developing elementary education, the 20th century about developing secondary education and the 21st century would be about developing mass further education and higher education."
As a result of these arguments, it seems that one of the primary roles of adult education is almost beautiful in its simplicity - to give confidence. After years of working a job the idea of a change and going back to school is a huge step, and one that involves great bravery. Yet, an adult education course should not only inspire confidence in an individual's knowledge of a subject, but also should show they can connect with their world and themselves in a more rewarding way - and that education can and should be continued at any point in their life.
How to lose weight
do you want to slim down fast for that beach vacation or high school reunion? While there are many things you can do to shed pounds, losing weight too quickly, like any sudden change to your body, can be dangerous. While fad diets, diet pills, and fasting may indeed induce rapid weight loss, these methods can cause you to lose muscle and may also injure your heart and other organs fairly quickly. The best solution? Don't go for an overnight miracle. Instead, follow these steps to lose weight rapidly, healthily, and sustainably.
Steps
Determine your daily caloric intake. Losing weight is simply an activity. Lower your calories intake without starving. Remember to calculate your metabolism. The metabolism is a large part of your calories burned in an average day. To win the battle, know how many calories you consume in a day.
o Write down all the things you eat on a typical day. Carry a small notebook with you and write down every snack, every drink, and the contents of every meal. There are also great websites that you can use to keep track of calories, get recipes, and help achieve your goal. Don't forget to include the pats of butter or the spoonful of sugar in your coffee. It's best to do this for at least a couple weekdays and a weekend; it's even better if you can go a full week. There are also calorie tracking websites that can help you to do this, for example the US government Pyramid Tracker website.Pyramid Tracker
o Do an itemized calorie count. When possible, write down the number of calories in each thing you eat as you eat it. Keep in mind that the recommended serving size is often considerably smaller than the serving you actually eat. Look up the calorie count on the internet for foods that don't have calories listed on the container or for fast food meals. You don't have to be 100% accurate, but you do want a good estimate of the number of calories you're taking in. There is an idea that multiplying your ideal weight by ten will produce a rough estimate of the number of calories you need to eat per day to maintain your weight. This is not true for everyone. You may wind up grossly under or over estimating the number of calories you should be eating. Consult a nutritionist. Use a scientific or health website to determine the number of calories you should eat a day or consult your doctor. Everyone has different metabolisms and there is no blanket rule that covers everyone's recommended calorie intake. Reducing 500 calories per day from the calories you eat to maintain your weight can help you lose a pound of fat per week.[1]
Go over the list and decide which foods to cut out or reduce. Cutting calories is usually a lot easier than you might think. For example, that daily tall latte in the morning may pack 500 calories. Since a pound of flab (lost or gained) is roughly equivalent to 3,500 calories, replacing that rich beverage with black coffee can help you lose a pound a week. Other easy cuts include salad dressing (salad dressing is the number one source of fat in the average American woman's diet), soda pop, candy, and butter. Look at the nutritional information for the foods you eat, pay special attention to your intake of saturated fats and empty calorie, high-sugar foods. You don't need to cut these things out entirely, but if you reduce your intake of high-fat, high-calorie foods you'll lose weight faster.
Seek out alternatives to the unhealthy foods you've identified. You can simply reduce the amount of soda you drink or mayonnaise you put on your sandwiches, or you can substitute healthier choices. Drink water instead of soda, for example, or use mustard instead of mayo. Low-fat and low-calorie options are also available for most foods, and many of these are natural, (although some are made with strange chemicals), and tasty. Start trying to eat healthy in most meals:
o Choose lean meats. Chicken and fish are both very low in fat, and certain fish like salmon, sardines, and fresh tuna are an excellent sources of antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are also beneficial to your health, so aim to replace some or all of the beef or pork in your diet with these foods.
o Replace high-calorie side dishes with healthier alternatives. Many people get a ton of calories from side dishes such as macaroni and cheese, French fries, or potato salad. You can eat healthier and lose weight by replacing these with fresh vegetables and salads. Pre-made salads are practically effortless, and when accompanied by a reduced-calorie dressing or no dressing at all, they're weight-loss gold.
o Start your days off right. A fattening breakfast of bacon and eggs or a pastry can be replaced with yogurt, oatmeal, high-fiber, low-sugar cereals; or fresh fruit for fruit smoothies. However, for those on a low carbohydrate diet bacon and eggs are a great combo for breakfast, since neither have carbs. But don't fall into the trap of skipping breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast increases your rest metabolic rate earlier in the day, and reduces snacking before lunch.
Plan your meals. Look for healthy, delicious meals online or in your cookbooks, and create a menu for the week. Make sure that your meal plan reduces your total calorie intake: you're not going to lose weight if you consume the same amount of calories by eating different foods. Make a list of what you'll need for these meals, and -- except for a few snacks, of course -- don't stray from your list when you get to the market. Planning your meals helps ensure you get a balanced diet and reduces the temptation to stop off for fast food or order a pizza. Remember, it's easier to stick to your shopping list if you shop when you aren't hungry - this will help avoid impulse buys which contribute to calorie consumption.
Watch your portion sizes. Eating a whole bag of rice cakes in one sitting won't help you lose weight. When eating chips, nuts, or dried fruit, put a portion in a small bowl and then put the bag away. That way you won't mindlessly eat a larger portion than you had intended. Even if you only make minimal changes to your diet choices, reducing portion size will inevitably reduce caloric intake. A great way to watch portion sizes while snacking is to buy one serving 100 calorie packages - and they come in many favorite snack food items! Eat slowly to avoid overeating; you will get satisfied with less calories.
Graze on healthy snacks. Just because you're getting healthy doesn't mean you can't snack. In fact, eating small meals and snacks throughout the day, or grazing, has been shown to aid weight loss, compared to eating three large meals a day, by keeping metabolism steadier. Pick snacks that are low in calories and fat and high in fiber dried apricots, nuts, rice cakes, fruits, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, and so on. Vegetables are generally very low in calories, very high in fiber, and full of flavor and nutrition. Avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes, and try to eat vegetables plain, without fatty dressings or dips. Fruit also makes a good snack. Fruit contains more soluble fiber than vegetables, which slows your body's absorption of carbohydrates, thus releasing energy more slowly preventing sugar highs, and keeping you feeling full longer. Fruit juices are not a replacement for the real thing. You need that fiber, and juices often have more calories than the equivalent serving of fruit and as many calories as soda! Be careful with dried fruits, because without the water, you tend to eat more, and fruits, when dried, are calorie-rich per ounce. With any dry or dried food, be sure to drink plenty of water.
Get more fiber. There are many myths about fiber, but there is science to back up its helpful role in the diet. Fiber keeps the right amount of water in your intestines, making your digestive system work more efficiently and helping to keep you regular. Thus, just eating enough fiber may help you feel slimmer in just a day or so. There is also evidence that fiber in the diet can help prevent stroke and heart disease, ease the effects of diabetes, and may even directly help in weight loss.
Drink plenty of water. Adequate water is essential for health, and a great many people simply don't get enough. What's more, if you're chronically dehydrated, your body will retain water in unflattering places, so if you make sure to get plenty of fluids you can start visibly trimming down in as little as a day. Remember, the more you exercise, the more water you'll need. See the related wikiHow for more details on how much water you should be getting. Drink one glass of water before your meal; it will help digestion and also to get the sensation of fullness in your stomach that will keep you from overeating; that in combination with eating slowly, will allow you to stop eating when you are satisfied, not when you already ate too much.
Exercise. Remember, you can lose weight either by decreasing your calorie intake or increasing the number of calories you burn. Any health strategy should include both, but if you want to lose weight fast, exercise is essential.
Perform low impact aerobic activities. Moderate aerobic workouts incorporating brisk walking, cycling, aerobic machines, or swimming not only burn calories they also keep your heart healthy. Swimming is great, especially if you are quite overweight or have joint problems, because you can get the same benefits of running typically burning even more calories with much less stress on your joints. Try to get at least 30-40 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three or four days per week.
Pump some iron. Resistance training, weight training, can help both sexes stay lean by building muscle and raising metabolism. The fact is, hours and hours of aerobic exercise won't help most people lose weight fast because your metabolism drops back to normal fairly quickly after stopping the exercise. If you gain muscle, however, your body's resting metabolism, (the amount of calories you burn when you're just sitting still), increases, because muscle requires a lot of calories to maintain. Studies have shown consistent weight training to raise the body's metabolism by 15%. This means an average woman might burn 200-300 more calories at rest every day! Resistance training is the gift that keeps on giving!
Rest properly. This means not only taking at least 24-48 hours between strength training the same muscles, and taking 1-2 days off from exercising each week; it also means knowing how much sleep you need, since sleep deficiency impairs your ability to lose fat.
Be realistic. Don't expect a miracle. Healthy weight loss can be achieved fairly quickly, but you'll need to be patient. In addition, be sure to set realistic goals. Make sure that the weight you're trying to reach is a healthy weight for you, and keeping in mind that gaining pounds of muscle will help you lose fat, be trimmer, and look better even though you don't actually lose any weight. Your goal should be a healthy body, not a number of pounds! Everyone looks good at a different weight. A short person may look really good at about 112 pounds, but a person of a taller height would just look unhealthy. Keep yourself at a weight that makes you look good, not at a number that sounds good.
Make adjustments. A successful weight loss strategy based on reducing calorie intake and increasing activity can be adjusted to maintain your desired weight once you reach it. Unlike typical diets, this method is sustainable; it is a lifestyle change, not a binge-and-purge exercise. Slowly adjust your diet and exercise to include more weight training and calories, as much as is comfortable for you. If you do gain any weight back, you want that weight to be lean, toned muscle, not fat. In addition, weight training, no matter what your age, prevents muscle atrophy and can help stave off osteoporosis.
o Instead of thinking of it as losing a certain amount of pounds, think of it as being a certain weight. So if you are 145 pounds, and you would like to lose 10 pounds, think of it as being 135 pounds. This helps you think about it as a long-term goal and not just losing the weight to gain it back again.
Be confident. You need to believe in yourself! If you want to diet, and you know that it will make you feel better, then you need confidence. Otherwise, the temptation to cheat on your diet will make it harder, and you will not feel better when you do lose weight. Avoid temptations like chocolate, ice cream, and cookies. They may taste good, but there are other foods that taste delicious, too, without being unhealthy. You need to always encourage yourself to achieve the goals that you have set. Learn to evaluate your efforts fairly and objectively. If you fail to achieve your target for the week, find out why is it so. Is it because you have missed an exercise session? Or you have been eating junk food for one of the days? After evaluating, look ahead to next week and try your best to stick to your plan.[2]
Be consistent and disciplined, and have self motivation. To lose weight effectively, you need to stick to your weight loss plan religiously so as to see results. When you have the thought of giving up, visualize how good you will look when you manage to slim down successfully.[2]
Steps
Determine your daily caloric intake. Losing weight is simply an activity. Lower your calories intake without starving. Remember to calculate your metabolism. The metabolism is a large part of your calories burned in an average day. To win the battle, know how many calories you consume in a day.
o Write down all the things you eat on a typical day. Carry a small notebook with you and write down every snack, every drink, and the contents of every meal. There are also great websites that you can use to keep track of calories, get recipes, and help achieve your goal. Don't forget to include the pats of butter or the spoonful of sugar in your coffee. It's best to do this for at least a couple weekdays and a weekend; it's even better if you can go a full week. There are also calorie tracking websites that can help you to do this, for example the US government Pyramid Tracker website.Pyramid Tracker
o Do an itemized calorie count. When possible, write down the number of calories in each thing you eat as you eat it. Keep in mind that the recommended serving size is often considerably smaller than the serving you actually eat. Look up the calorie count on the internet for foods that don't have calories listed on the container or for fast food meals. You don't have to be 100% accurate, but you do want a good estimate of the number of calories you're taking in. There is an idea that multiplying your ideal weight by ten will produce a rough estimate of the number of calories you need to eat per day to maintain your weight. This is not true for everyone. You may wind up grossly under or over estimating the number of calories you should be eating. Consult a nutritionist. Use a scientific or health website to determine the number of calories you should eat a day or consult your doctor. Everyone has different metabolisms and there is no blanket rule that covers everyone's recommended calorie intake. Reducing 500 calories per day from the calories you eat to maintain your weight can help you lose a pound of fat per week.[1]
Go over the list and decide which foods to cut out or reduce. Cutting calories is usually a lot easier than you might think. For example, that daily tall latte in the morning may pack 500 calories. Since a pound of flab (lost or gained) is roughly equivalent to 3,500 calories, replacing that rich beverage with black coffee can help you lose a pound a week. Other easy cuts include salad dressing (salad dressing is the number one source of fat in the average American woman's diet), soda pop, candy, and butter. Look at the nutritional information for the foods you eat, pay special attention to your intake of saturated fats and empty calorie, high-sugar foods. You don't need to cut these things out entirely, but if you reduce your intake of high-fat, high-calorie foods you'll lose weight faster.
Seek out alternatives to the unhealthy foods you've identified. You can simply reduce the amount of soda you drink or mayonnaise you put on your sandwiches, or you can substitute healthier choices. Drink water instead of soda, for example, or use mustard instead of mayo. Low-fat and low-calorie options are also available for most foods, and many of these are natural, (although some are made with strange chemicals), and tasty. Start trying to eat healthy in most meals:
o Choose lean meats. Chicken and fish are both very low in fat, and certain fish like salmon, sardines, and fresh tuna are an excellent sources of antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are also beneficial to your health, so aim to replace some or all of the beef or pork in your diet with these foods.
o Replace high-calorie side dishes with healthier alternatives. Many people get a ton of calories from side dishes such as macaroni and cheese, French fries, or potato salad. You can eat healthier and lose weight by replacing these with fresh vegetables and salads. Pre-made salads are practically effortless, and when accompanied by a reduced-calorie dressing or no dressing at all, they're weight-loss gold.
o Start your days off right. A fattening breakfast of bacon and eggs or a pastry can be replaced with yogurt, oatmeal, high-fiber, low-sugar cereals; or fresh fruit for fruit smoothies. However, for those on a low carbohydrate diet bacon and eggs are a great combo for breakfast, since neither have carbs. But don't fall into the trap of skipping breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast increases your rest metabolic rate earlier in the day, and reduces snacking before lunch.
Plan your meals. Look for healthy, delicious meals online or in your cookbooks, and create a menu for the week. Make sure that your meal plan reduces your total calorie intake: you're not going to lose weight if you consume the same amount of calories by eating different foods. Make a list of what you'll need for these meals, and -- except for a few snacks, of course -- don't stray from your list when you get to the market. Planning your meals helps ensure you get a balanced diet and reduces the temptation to stop off for fast food or order a pizza. Remember, it's easier to stick to your shopping list if you shop when you aren't hungry - this will help avoid impulse buys which contribute to calorie consumption.
Watch your portion sizes. Eating a whole bag of rice cakes in one sitting won't help you lose weight. When eating chips, nuts, or dried fruit, put a portion in a small bowl and then put the bag away. That way you won't mindlessly eat a larger portion than you had intended. Even if you only make minimal changes to your diet choices, reducing portion size will inevitably reduce caloric intake. A great way to watch portion sizes while snacking is to buy one serving 100 calorie packages - and they come in many favorite snack food items! Eat slowly to avoid overeating; you will get satisfied with less calories.
Graze on healthy snacks. Just because you're getting healthy doesn't mean you can't snack. In fact, eating small meals and snacks throughout the day, or grazing, has been shown to aid weight loss, compared to eating three large meals a day, by keeping metabolism steadier. Pick snacks that are low in calories and fat and high in fiber dried apricots, nuts, rice cakes, fruits, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, and so on. Vegetables are generally very low in calories, very high in fiber, and full of flavor and nutrition. Avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes, and try to eat vegetables plain, without fatty dressings or dips. Fruit also makes a good snack. Fruit contains more soluble fiber than vegetables, which slows your body's absorption of carbohydrates, thus releasing energy more slowly preventing sugar highs, and keeping you feeling full longer. Fruit juices are not a replacement for the real thing. You need that fiber, and juices often have more calories than the equivalent serving of fruit and as many calories as soda! Be careful with dried fruits, because without the water, you tend to eat more, and fruits, when dried, are calorie-rich per ounce. With any dry or dried food, be sure to drink plenty of water.
Get more fiber. There are many myths about fiber, but there is science to back up its helpful role in the diet. Fiber keeps the right amount of water in your intestines, making your digestive system work more efficiently and helping to keep you regular. Thus, just eating enough fiber may help you feel slimmer in just a day or so. There is also evidence that fiber in the diet can help prevent stroke and heart disease, ease the effects of diabetes, and may even directly help in weight loss.
Drink plenty of water. Adequate water is essential for health, and a great many people simply don't get enough. What's more, if you're chronically dehydrated, your body will retain water in unflattering places, so if you make sure to get plenty of fluids you can start visibly trimming down in as little as a day. Remember, the more you exercise, the more water you'll need. See the related wikiHow for more details on how much water you should be getting. Drink one glass of water before your meal; it will help digestion and also to get the sensation of fullness in your stomach that will keep you from overeating; that in combination with eating slowly, will allow you to stop eating when you are satisfied, not when you already ate too much.
Exercise. Remember, you can lose weight either by decreasing your calorie intake or increasing the number of calories you burn. Any health strategy should include both, but if you want to lose weight fast, exercise is essential.
Perform low impact aerobic activities. Moderate aerobic workouts incorporating brisk walking, cycling, aerobic machines, or swimming not only burn calories they also keep your heart healthy. Swimming is great, especially if you are quite overweight or have joint problems, because you can get the same benefits of running typically burning even more calories with much less stress on your joints. Try to get at least 30-40 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three or four days per week.
Pump some iron. Resistance training, weight training, can help both sexes stay lean by building muscle and raising metabolism. The fact is, hours and hours of aerobic exercise won't help most people lose weight fast because your metabolism drops back to normal fairly quickly after stopping the exercise. If you gain muscle, however, your body's resting metabolism, (the amount of calories you burn when you're just sitting still), increases, because muscle requires a lot of calories to maintain. Studies have shown consistent weight training to raise the body's metabolism by 15%. This means an average woman might burn 200-300 more calories at rest every day! Resistance training is the gift that keeps on giving!
Rest properly. This means not only taking at least 24-48 hours between strength training the same muscles, and taking 1-2 days off from exercising each week; it also means knowing how much sleep you need, since sleep deficiency impairs your ability to lose fat.
Be realistic. Don't expect a miracle. Healthy weight loss can be achieved fairly quickly, but you'll need to be patient. In addition, be sure to set realistic goals. Make sure that the weight you're trying to reach is a healthy weight for you, and keeping in mind that gaining pounds of muscle will help you lose fat, be trimmer, and look better even though you don't actually lose any weight. Your goal should be a healthy body, not a number of pounds! Everyone looks good at a different weight. A short person may look really good at about 112 pounds, but a person of a taller height would just look unhealthy. Keep yourself at a weight that makes you look good, not at a number that sounds good.
Make adjustments. A successful weight loss strategy based on reducing calorie intake and increasing activity can be adjusted to maintain your desired weight once you reach it. Unlike typical diets, this method is sustainable; it is a lifestyle change, not a binge-and-purge exercise. Slowly adjust your diet and exercise to include more weight training and calories, as much as is comfortable for you. If you do gain any weight back, you want that weight to be lean, toned muscle, not fat. In addition, weight training, no matter what your age, prevents muscle atrophy and can help stave off osteoporosis.
o Instead of thinking of it as losing a certain amount of pounds, think of it as being a certain weight. So if you are 145 pounds, and you would like to lose 10 pounds, think of it as being 135 pounds. This helps you think about it as a long-term goal and not just losing the weight to gain it back again.
Be confident. You need to believe in yourself! If you want to diet, and you know that it will make you feel better, then you need confidence. Otherwise, the temptation to cheat on your diet will make it harder, and you will not feel better when you do lose weight. Avoid temptations like chocolate, ice cream, and cookies. They may taste good, but there are other foods that taste delicious, too, without being unhealthy. You need to always encourage yourself to achieve the goals that you have set. Learn to evaluate your efforts fairly and objectively. If you fail to achieve your target for the week, find out why is it so. Is it because you have missed an exercise session? Or you have been eating junk food for one of the days? After evaluating, look ahead to next week and try your best to stick to your plan.[2]
Be consistent and disciplined, and have self motivation. To lose weight effectively, you need to stick to your weight loss plan religiously so as to see results. When you have the thought of giving up, visualize how good you will look when you manage to slim down successfully.[2]
Vioxx
Vioxx was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2004.
The manufacturer of Vioxx has announced a voluntary withdrawal of the drug from the U.S. and worldwide market. This withdrawal is due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and stroke) in patients taking Vioxx.
Notify your doctor immediately if you develop abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort; nausea; blood in your vomit; bloody, black, or tarry stools; unexplained weight gain; swelling or water retention; fatigue or lethargy; a skin rash; itching; yellowing of your skin or eyes;"flu-like" symptoms; or unusual bruising or bleeding. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
What is Vioxx?
Vioxx was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2004.
Vioxx is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Vioxx works by reducing substances that cause inflammation, pain, and fever in the body.
Vioxx is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and certain forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; to manage acute pain in adults; to treat migraines; and to treat menstrual pain.
Vioxx may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Vioxx?
The manufacturer of Vioxx has announced a voluntary withdrawal of the drug from the U.S. and worldwide market. This withdrawal is due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and stroke) in patients taking Vioxx.
Do not take Vioxx without first talking to your doctor if you have experienced asthma, hives, or an allergic reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), celecoxib (Celebrex), valdecoxib (Bextra), or meloxicam (Mobic). You may experience a similar reaction to Vioxx.Before taking Vioxx, tell your doctor if you
-
smoke;
-
drink alcohol;
-
have ever had an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach;
- have liver disease;
- have kidney disease;
-
have asthma;
-
have congestive heart failure;
-
have fluid retention;
-
have heart disease;
-
have high blood pressure;
-
have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder or are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
-
are taking a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone and others), methylprednisolone (Medrol and others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, and others), and others.
You may not be able to take Vioxx, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions, or are taking any of the medicines, listed above.
Vioxx is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Vioxx should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because it may affect the formation of the baby's heart. Do not take Vioxx without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Vioxx passes into breast milk. Do not take Vioxx without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding. If you are over the age of 65 years, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Vioxx. You may require a lower dosage or special monitoring during treatment.ACNE
Acne (acne vulgaris, common acne) is not just a problem for teenagers; it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid- to late-20s, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). On the positive side, those few individuals who have acne into their 40s may well grow out of it. Acne can appear on the skin as any of the following:
* congested pores ("comedones"),
* whiteheads,
* blackheads,
* pimples ("zits"),
* pustules, or
* cysts (deep pimples, boils). The pus in pustules and cysts is sterile and does not actually contain infectious bacteria.
These blemishes occur wherever there are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.
You can do a lot to treat your acne using products available at a drugstore or cosmetic counter that do not require a prescription. However, for tougher cases of acne, you should consult a physician for treatment options.
What causes acne?
No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty, stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Sebum (oil) is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria (which live on everyone's skin and generally cause no problems) to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed.
Inflammation near the skin's surface produces a pustule; deeper inflammation results in a papule (pimple); deeper still and it's a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a "whitehead." If the oil accumulates melanin pigment or becomes oxidized, the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a "blackhead." Blackheads are therefore not dirt, and do not reflect poor hygiene.
Here are some factors that don't usually cause acne, at least by themselves:
* Heredity: With the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life.
* Food: Parents often tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don't cause acne or make it worse. Although some recent studies have implicated milk and dairy products in aggravating acne, these findings are far from established.
* Dirt: As mentioned above, "blackheads" are oxidized oil, not dirt. Sweat does not cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly after exercise for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.
* Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne.
* Hormones: Some women break out cyclically, but most women (and men) don't. Some oral contraceptive pills may help relieve acne, but unless a woman has abnormal menstrual periods and excessive hair growth, it's unlikely that hormones play much of a role in causing acne. Pregnancy has a variable effect on acne; some women report that they clear up completely, and others get worse, while many others see no overall change.
* Cosmetics: Most cosmetic and skin-care products are not pore-clogging ("comedogenic"). Of the many available brands, those which are listed as "water-based" or "oil-free" are generally a better choice.
In occasional patients, the following may be contributing factors:
* Pressure: In some patients, pressure from helmets, chinstraps, collars, suspenders, and the like can aggravate acne.
* Drugs: Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone or the steroids that bodybuilders or athletes take). Other drugs that can cause or aggravate acne are anticonvulsant medications and lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder. Most cases of acne, however, are not drug-related.
* Occupations: In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting oils may produce acne.
* congested pores ("comedones"),
* whiteheads,
* blackheads,
* pimples ("zits"),
* pustules, or
* cysts (deep pimples, boils). The pus in pustules and cysts is sterile and does not actually contain infectious bacteria.
These blemishes occur wherever there are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.
You can do a lot to treat your acne using products available at a drugstore or cosmetic counter that do not require a prescription. However, for tougher cases of acne, you should consult a physician for treatment options.
What causes acne?
No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty, stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Sebum (oil) is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria (which live on everyone's skin and generally cause no problems) to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed.
Inflammation near the skin's surface produces a pustule; deeper inflammation results in a papule (pimple); deeper still and it's a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a "whitehead." If the oil accumulates melanin pigment or becomes oxidized, the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a "blackhead." Blackheads are therefore not dirt, and do not reflect poor hygiene.
Here are some factors that don't usually cause acne, at least by themselves:
* Heredity: With the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life.
* Food: Parents often tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don't cause acne or make it worse. Although some recent studies have implicated milk and dairy products in aggravating acne, these findings are far from established.
* Dirt: As mentioned above, "blackheads" are oxidized oil, not dirt. Sweat does not cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly after exercise for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.
* Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne.
* Hormones: Some women break out cyclically, but most women (and men) don't. Some oral contraceptive pills may help relieve acne, but unless a woman has abnormal menstrual periods and excessive hair growth, it's unlikely that hormones play much of a role in causing acne. Pregnancy has a variable effect on acne; some women report that they clear up completely, and others get worse, while many others see no overall change.
* Cosmetics: Most cosmetic and skin-care products are not pore-clogging ("comedogenic"). Of the many available brands, those which are listed as "water-based" or "oil-free" are generally a better choice.
In occasional patients, the following may be contributing factors:
* Pressure: In some patients, pressure from helmets, chinstraps, collars, suspenders, and the like can aggravate acne.
* Drugs: Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone or the steroids that bodybuilders or athletes take). Other drugs that can cause or aggravate acne are anticonvulsant medications and lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder. Most cases of acne, however, are not drug-related.
* Occupations: In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting oils may produce acne.
Pleural Mesothelioma Description
Pleural mesothelioma is the mesothelima that deals with the lungs. Two types exist:
- Malignant (cancerous)
- Benign (not)
Benign mesothelioma can often be removed surgically, are generally not life-threatening, and are not usually related to asbestos exposure.
Pleural mesothelioma can occur because of a long-term exposure to Asbestos. "Asbestos" refers to a family of magnesium-silicate mineral fibers that have been commonly used for insulation and in the shipbuilding and construction industries. Interestingly, a history of asbestos exposure is found in 80 percent of patients who present with mesothelioma.
Other factors that may contribute towards pleural mesothelioma include:
- chronic lung infections
- tuberculous pleuritis
- radiation (Thorotrast)
- exposure to the simian virus 40 (SV40) or mineral fibers (Zeolite).
Although tobacco smoking has not been associated with the development of mesotheliomas, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure greatly increases the risk of lung cancer.
The condition itself is a cancer of the cells that make up the pleura or lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs. Its only known cause in the U.S. is previous exposure to asbestos fibers, including chrysotile, amosite or crocidolite. This exposure is likely to have happened twenty or more years before the disease becomes evident, since it takes many years for the disease to "incubate." It is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for about 75% of all cases.
The first step in verifying pleural mesothelioma usually is a chest x-ray or CT scan. The next step is a bronchoscopy - this involves a viewing scope which the doctors use to look inside the lungs.
The actual diagnosis itself usually requires removing and analyzing a piece of tissue through a biopsy. This could be a needle biopsy, an open biopsy, or through a tube with a camera (thoracoscopy or chest scope.) The tissue sample is tested by a pathologist.
Fluid build-up from the pleural effusion can generally be seen on a chest x-ray and heard during a physical examination. This is important because there are also benign pleural effusions and other tumors that have a similar appearance to mesothelioma such as pneumonia.
The spread of the tumor over the lung pleura will thicken it, reducing the flexibility of the pleura and encasing the lungs in an increasingly restrictive space. This makes breathing more difficult. At first a person with mesothelioma may be breathless only when he or she exercises, but as lung function drops, he or she can become short of breath even while resting.
The tumor spreads by direct invasion of surrounding tissue. As it spreads inward it can compress the lungs. As the tumor spreads outward it can invade the chest wall and ribs, and this can be extremely painful.
Currently we do not know exactly how and why asbestos fibers cause mesothelial cells to become abnormal (malignant or cancerous.) Many clinical studies are dedicated to this.
As of yet, there is no known cure for malignant mesothelioma. The prognosis depends on various factors, including the size and stage of the tumor, the extent of the tumor, the cell type, and whether or not the tumor responds to treatment.
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