(NewsUSA) - After scaling back celebrations last year, people are ready to spend money on gifts, vacations, decorations and entertaining for the 2021 holiday season. But the pressure is on with news of inflation and ongoing supply chain issues. So finding everything on your wish list may be harder to find, and more expensive if you do find them.

According to Bankrate.com, the average American shopper will spend $998 on gifts and other holiday expenses. "If you have a large family or like to throw holiday parties, you could possibly double or triple that number," says Cheryl Costa, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. "Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy plenty of holiday fun, and find gifts for everyone on your list, without breaking the bank."

Costa recommends taking these steps to avoid starting the New Year with a sleigh full of bills:

Budget ahead. Subtract your "must pay" expenses from your income. Then decide how much you can reasonably afford to spend on various holiday expenses, such as:

• Decorations
• Party supplies and food
• Cards
• Gifts
• Travel

Do the math. If you go over budget in one category, cut back in another. Perhaps a family ski trip takes priority over hosting the neighbors. Or have a potluck party and invite everyone to bring a dish.

Trim the gift list. For work friends, book groups and extended family, suggest a Secret Santa, where everyone in the group is assigned someone at random. This allows each person to buy one gift, instead of buying gifts for everyone.

Get a seasonal job. Most retail stores seek extra help at night and on weekends during the holiday season. Flexibility is the norm, if your schedule permits. You can enjoy a seasonal second career and get an employee discount on your own purchases.

Curb the card. Avoid racking up high credit-card bills for holiday spending. Keep your budget in mind when you pull out the plastic for online purchases, and don't forget to look for free shipping.

A CFP® professional can help you manage your money with short-term and long-term plans to make the most of your money now and in the future. For more budgeting ideas during the holidays, check out LetsMakeAPlan.org.

(NewsUSA) -Cryptocurrency continues to expand through the global economy, but approximately 96% of Americans were unable to pass a quiz about the fundamentals of cryptocurrency, according to results of the inaugural Crypto Literacy Survey, part of a consumer education initiative from a coalition of key players in the digital currency industry.

The quiz consisted of 17 questions to assess knowledge in cryptocurrency, bitcoin, De-Fi, blockchain, mining, types of wallets, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as well as general feelings about digital currencies.

The quiz was developed by Cryptoliteracy.org, a coalition that includes Coinme, CoinDesk, and the Digital Currency Group. The coalition website launched in November in honor of the first annual Crypto Literacy Month, and includes complete results of the 2021 survey.

The survey and quiz were sent to 1,000 cryptocurrency or bitcoin-aware internet users in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, balanced across age, gender, and education level (plus race/ethnicity in the U.S.). Similar to the low pass rate of 4% in the United States, 99% of Brazilian and Mexican participants did not pass the quiz.

However, according to the survey, 30% of Brazilians and 28% of Mexicans say they intend to buy or sell cryptocurrencies in the next six months, compared to 12% of Americans.

"Our industry needs to do more to improve crypto literacy throughout the world. By doing so, we can help people improve their lives by understanding how to utilize cryptocurrencies," says Neil Bergquist, CEO and co-founder of Coinme.

"As a champion of equal and simple access to digital currencies, Coinme is proud to lead this effort in collaboration with key industry partners," he adds.

Other key insights from the survey show that overall, cryptocurrency owners scored higher on the crypto-literacy quiz, and that most owners are younger, wealthier, and male.

In addition, younger generations in the United States are nearly three times more likely to use cryptocurrency as a means of payment, while older generations tend to view it as an investment.

Consumers around the world are invited to test their cryptocurrency literacy by taking the Crypto Literacy Quiz online. Scores will be privately emailed to participants, along with tailored courses provided by CoinDesk improve knowledge of cryptocurrency concepts.

Visit cryptoliteracy.org to learn more about cryptocurrencies, test your knowledge, challenge your friends, and to read complete results from the annual survey.

You can also join the social media conversation and follow CryptoLiteracy.org on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

(NewsUSA) - As the COVID-19 pandemic continues after nearly two years, people continue searching for new ways to take control of their health and support overall wellness. This interest in self-care has led to increased interest in immune-strengthening strategies, including the use of dietary supplements.

No supplements can prevent or treat COVID-19 or other illnesses, but a combination of healthy lifestyle practices and the responsible use of science-backed supplements can keep the immune system functioning at its best. A strong immune system is your best defense against any germs you may encounter. In addition to getting vaccinated, the preventive steps of hand-washing, mask wearing, and social distancing, plus other lifestyle factors including healthy diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep, can keep your immune system functioning at its peak.

Evidence suggests that despite our best intentions to eat right and exercise, life's daily stressors often get in our way. Many Americans face nutrition gaps in areas that directly support immune function. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans estimates that more than 90 percent are deficient in vitamin D, which is often linked to a stronger immune system. Although vitamin D can be obtained through sunlight, not everyone is able to be outdoors long enough to benefit. Few foods are a natural source of vitamin D, but dietary supplements are a prudent choice to meet the daily recommended intake. This is especially important throughout the pandemic, as several recent studies associated sufficient vitamin D levels to less severe cases of COVID-19.

Other science-backed ingredients that are important for the immune system include:

• Vitamin C -- an essential vitamin that acts as an antioxidant to support the body's natural immune defenses
• Vitamin E -- a fat soluble antioxidant that plays a role in antibody production and natural killer cell activity
• Selenium -- an essential mineral that supports innate and adaptive immunity
• Zinc -- an essential mineral with antiviral and antimicrobial activity
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids -- essential fatty acid that are important mediators of inflammation and immune function.

Other science-backed supplements include elderberry and echinacea, which have been researched to support immune health. In addition, emerging probiotic research demonstrates how a healthy gut, full of good bacteria, is directly tied to optimal immune health. These vitamin, mineral, herbal, and probiotic supplements s are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may be subject to third-party and retaile- quality review. Do your research and ask your doctor or pharmacist which supplements might be right for you.

Visit KnowYourOTCs.org for more information about how dietary supplements can support a healthy immune system.

Duffy MacKay is a senior vice president of Dietary Supplements at Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

(NewsUSA)

"The Magic Pond"
by Hélene Schweiger

"There is a silver lining to every cloud." That is the motto of author Hélene Schweiger, who presents us with a tale about courage, adventure and the magic of friendship, geared towards both children and adults. As we all go through difficult experiences and changes in our lives, the message in this story helps us see the strength we have in ourselves to become who we truly are.

The author loves nature and sees beauty everywhere. She uses storytelling on a daily basis as a perfect way to convey messages to children and adults, helping children become the wonderful adults they have the potential to be. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35wRHVa.

"The Black Alabaster Box: The Last Crystal Trilogy, Book 1"
by Frances Schoonmaker

A historical fantasy for middle-grade/young adult readers and anyone who loves an adventure. A Broadway musical director and avid lifelong reader says, "If you love the fantasy of 'Harry Potter,' the time travel of 'A Wrinkle in Time' and the history of 'Little House on the Prairie,' this is for you." It spans 100 years and two world wars, starting on the Santa Fe Trail in 1856 and ending on the famous Santa Fe Chief train in 1944.

The children haven't heard of the "Last Crystal" or its life-giving water until they are drawn into a magical quest to save it, facing life-threatening challenges along the way. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3x3PHPq.

"Jojo's Kitties and Critters Coloring Book"
by E. Joelle Wade

This coloring book features hand-chosen photos from around the world, and provides images of family pets and their wild-animals friends. Simple and adorable, it's a perfect beginners' coloring experience to peacefully pass the time with fun expressions and imagination through cute and unique animals.

The author has been a working artist since 2012 and has been featured in two galleries and many personal collections for her pyrography work. This is her first public coloring book and second published children's book. Her passions are art, travel, her loved ones and spending time with her indoor cats. She currently is an instructor of pyrography at the Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen, VA. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2YWPvGl.

"Shadow of the Spider"
by E. Burgess

Jamie and Jeremiah are ordinary teenagers going about their business when a strange vortex appears and transports them to the land of Eleusia in another dimension. They are stunned to learn they were actually born there and were hidden on Earth for their own protection. What's more, Jamie and Jeremiah are part of a set of triplets, and the third triplet has been living in Eleusia all this time.

They must quickly adapt to a world where magic exists and fairytale and mythical creatures such as wizards, elves, dwarves, dragons, and Greek and Roman gods and goddesses exist. The triplets must save Eleusia from a goddess' curse that will bring evil and darkness to the land … and they have only 20 days. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3BcSBDU.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

By Brad Bauer, Senior Vice President, Bamboo Health

(MWW) - While COVID rightly remains a high priority for healthcare professionals, public officials, and the media, the pandemic has drawn attention away from the opioid epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses from April 2020 to April 2021, up almost 30% from the 78,000 deaths in the prior year.

Of those deaths, more than two-thirds involved opioids. This astounding number exceeds the overdose death toll in any year since the opioid epidemic began in the 1990s and is the largest annual percentage increase since 1999, according to The Commonwealth Fund.

It's clear that healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and federal and state governments collectively must renew their focus on opioids. Not only does opioid addiction devastate communities and families, but it also exacts a huge toll on our economy.

First, treatment services for substance use disorders such as opioid addiction need to be made more accessible and affordable to those who need it. Accessibility starts with helping to fund financially imperiled and resource-strapped treatment organizations to keep their doors open and services available. To that end, the Biden Administration in August announced $10.7 million in federal grants to enable state and regional networks of pediatric mental healthcare providers to integrate telehealth services into behavioral healthcare programs and substance abuse treatment. While that's a start, more government investment in opioid treatment is critical.

Second, we need to upgrade and expand crisis services to make these easily accessible to all in need. In July, the 988 initiative launches, establishing a new nationwide 3-digit number for people in crisis to connect with a mental health professionals and suicide prevention counselors. Beyond infrastructure needed to support this, such as mobile crisis teams, states must also invest in digital infrastructure necessary to ensure people can access care once they've contacted a crisis line.

Third, we must integrate new treatment models such as telemedicine into care plans. This may require relaxing regulations governing the delivery of remote care. We know from our experience during the pandemic that telemedicine is effective, so it makes sense to permanently waive remote care restrictions so more people can get help to overcome mental health challenges and addiction.

Finally, we must continue to use the powerful technologies already at our disposal to monitor the dispensing of prescribed opioids. State prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) allow physicians and pharmacists to see a patient's recent prescription history and make more informed decisions to keep patients safe. Providers are more aware of prescriptions and changes in prescription history to help reduce negative drug interactions, prevent opioid misuse, and reduce the risk of opioid-related harm.

Bamboo Health's NarxCare is a clinical decision support tool and care management technology application currently used in more than 30 states and jurisdictions. The platform helps prescribers and dispensers analyze controlled substance data from PDMPs to make more informed prescription-care decisions. NarxCare automatically analyzes PDMP data and then it provides an interactive visualization of prescription drug usage patterns along with use scores and an overdose risk score.

NarxCare is designed to provide physicians and pharmacists with a tool to ensure highly addictive pain medication is prescribed accurately to those who need it, while also helping to identify patients who may need intervening steps.

The opioid epidemic isn't going away by itself. We must all focus on reducing the death and destruction caused by insidious and persistent addiction. It will take caring, commitment, cooperation, and the right tools and resources. It will be a tough fight, but it's one we can win.

(NewsUSA) 

"Unknown Assailant"
by J.L. Doucette

Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Beau Antelope team up again to investigate a tragic murder/suicide at a ranch of a prominent family in the small town of Farson, Wyoming. As they explore events leading up to the night of the disturbing crime, they are drawn into the dark heart of a troubled family touched by a legacy of trauma.

Says Kirkus, " A missing person tale with a strong setting and cast of characters … Doucette's auspicious first novel puts a welcome focus on the players instead of transgressive twists." Adds Buzzfeed, "Readers will devour this page-turning mystery, full of enthralling characters, sinister plots, and an ending that you won't expect." Purchase at https://amzn.to/37RHnrh.

"Burning Ground"
by D.A. Galloway

For fans of "Dances with Wolves," frontiersmen, Native Americans, explorers in the American West or time travel adventures such as "Outlander," the author presents "Burning Ground," which topped Amazon's bestseller list in two categories!

In 1971, Graham Davidson has survivor's guilt after the death of his three siblings. Seeking a direction, he secures employment in Yellowstone National Park and embarks on a spiritual journey. Suddenly, Graham finds himself in Yellowstone a century earlier! He joins the Hayden Expedition to explore the region. Graham's perilous journey is marred by a geyser basin, grizzly bear attack and encounter with hostile Blackfeet Indians. Graham falls in love with a beautiful Crow woman and must decide: stay in the previous century with the woman he loves or travel back to the future? Purchase at https://amzn.to/3kEdVv2.

"If Not You, Then Who? Let the Games Begin!"
by David and Emberli Pridham

Brooke and Noah want to play a game, but they can't decide what to play. Basketball? Croquet? Dancing? Golf? What about all of them at the same time? With a little creativity, it might just be possible! Join Brooke and Noah as they create their own games and learn about the inventions that make sports safe and fun for everyone.

If you like fun, informative and factual kid's books such as "The Magic School Bus," then you'll love the new STEM series "If Not You, Then Who?," a recent Amazon bestseller geared towards 4- to 8-year-olds. The books are fun to read for both adults and children. Purchase at https://bit.ly/38CGyD4.

 "The Tiniest Amazon Pirate"
by Jules Fitzgerald

"The Tiniest Amazon" uses her imagination to go on a great adventure with her friends. Anyone who has ever used a wrapping paper tube as a pirate sword knows how much fun a pirate voyage can be! But will they be good pirates or evil pirates? It's perfect for 3-to-8-year-old readers, with rhymes and illustrations that maximize fun and silly.

This is the third book in "The Tiniest Amazon" Series from Fitzgerald and her amazing illustrator, B.G. Murphy. In Book 1, "The Tiniest Amazon" learns about fitting in and accepting others from a wise three-headed cat, and in Book 2 she travels to space and meets Muttnik, a space puppy. The book is available in He, She and They versions. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3o7qnH1.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Sales on Small Business Saturday and during the holiday season can often make or break a small business.

During this time, many small businesses are focused on revenues and operational efficiency. But they should also dedicate time to address their financial risks.

Small business owners can manage these risks by adapting their individual financial plans to the risks of business ownership.

The top financial planning areas of concern for small business owners are:

1. Tax planning. Businesses and individuals have different marginal tax rates at different income brackets. A CFP® professional can help you coordinate your business and personal income taxes for maximum returns.

2. Insurance coverage. Small businesses require specialized insurance coverage beyond what the owners may have for themselves and their families. Small businesses need to have a safety net in the event that they are affected by a natural disaster, death or disability of the owner or other key individual, loss of property, or lawsuits from negligence or defective products.

3. Retirement. Small business owners need more retirement planning rather than less. The good news is that business ownership affords all sorts of tax-advantaged ways to save for retirement. The ability to put aside amounts is considerably larger than what is permissible to non-business owners.

4. Investments. Most small businesses are self-financed by their owners. This may mean that the business is the owner's major or only investment. Small business owners who have extra capital may want to reinvest the money back into the business. CFP® professionals may help you diversify your investments to offset your financial risk as an owner.

5. Succession planning. Small business owners need to have a plan for what they want to do with their business after retirement. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly added a great deal of complexity to the lives of small business owners who wish to monetize their life's work and pass on their business to someone else. Working with a CFP® professional can help small business owners determine all the options for a successful transition.

If you are a small business owner or thinking about starting your own business, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more information on how to find a CFP® professional and how smart financial planning can help your small business succeed.

(NewsUSA) - And you thought nothing good came out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a new survey from financial services firm Edward Jones, a third of all U.S. adults say that the trying stretch we've been through actually sparked conversations about their end-of-life plans and preferences with close family members. For 44.5 million of them, it was the first time they'd ever broached such subjects as finances, health and legal plans.

And yet, the nationally representative survey of 2,020 adults ages 18 and older, conducted in partnership with Age Wave and The Harris Poll, also found that 60 percent of respondents cited various "roadblocks" that made initiating those discussions harder when it specifically came to financial matters. Among them:

• The desire to avoid family conflicts
• Not wanting to burden family members with their finances
• Generally being too uncomfortable with the whole subject

So, yes, Alison Carnie, a principal at Edward Jones, nails it when she describes the pandemic as "a real wake-up call for many Americans."

"Our research shows that 71 percent of Americans think the pandemic brought their family closer together," she says. "And that closeness and extended quality time together, on top of the frightening realities of the pandemic, have likely made the need for these types of conversations clearer."

Perhaps the most surprising thing the survey revealed also had to do with finances: Not only did 53 million Americans wish their parents and in-laws did a better job managing their money, but it was millennials -- those between the ages of 25 and 40 years old -- who were the most concerned about their parents' solvency.

And why were they so worried, you ask? Perhaps because they feared their parents and in-laws would become financially dependent on them one day. More than two in five U.S. adults and over half of Millennials cited this concern in the survey.

Carnie and other experts say the three most essential end-of-life documents people should have are a will, a health care directive/living will, and a durable power of attorney. Alas, only 19 percent of those age 50 and older have all three, the survey found. (Fifty-one percent of that same age group also don't have any plans to manage their long-term care needs either.)

Edward Jones has a wealth of free online tools to help increase your financial savviness, no matter what stage of life you're in. And any of the firm's trusted local financial advisors can help you strategize for the future and, yes, facilitate all those hard conversations you may or may not already have started during the pandemic.

(NewsUSA) -In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, more people are interested not only in working from home, but working out from home.

Professional trainers have stepped up to meet this demand with videos and apps to build relationships with their clients while staying in place and providing personalized fitness programs.

Trainer Solomon Pratt has the enthusiasm and expertise to engage fitness seekers in person and online with a series of videos demonstrating exercises to target all major muscle groups using a specialized resistance band.

Exercise bands have become a go-to product for home workout enthusiasts because they take up no space, but are versatile enough to target upper body, lower body, and core muscle groups.

Pratt's trademark power-resistance bands are available in four different levels to provide a complete workout for any fitness level. The bundle is called the Champion 4 pack, retails for $95 and is excellent for both men and women, Pratt says.

Specialized ankle-resistance bands come in three different levels and are available for those seeking additional challenges. The "Incredible Bundle" retails for $60 and works for both men and women

The Diva Bundle, which costs $79 and equates to 75% of Pratt's sales, includs one ankle band, three levels of the glute-resistance bands, and one power resistance band.

This, Pratt says, should be in every woman's purse to enhance their curves and tone their body anywhere.

"If it don't challenge you, it won't change you," Pratt emphasizes.

Pratt's videos and app include exercises using the bands for toning, sculpting, and strengthening to help burn fat and build muscle, at levels that can benefit anyone from beginners to seasoned athletes.

With these tools, Pratt says you can get healthy without indulging in dangerous and expensive surgeries.

"Your success depends on your cooperation," says Pratt.

Cooperation is easy with his YouTube videos, which provide detailed demonstrations of exercises using the band.

Fitness seekers of any level can sign up for Pratt's customized programs delivered through his app. The programs allow users to track their progress, receive new workouts, and choose videos aimed at different muscle groups.

In addition, Pratt's book, "The Health and Fitness Bible," is an inspirational accompaniment to his training programs. The book offers readers "a simple and effective way to develop the mindset and discipline to achieve their health and fitness goals," says Pratt. The dedication to physical fitness translates to toughness to handle the challenges in the rest of your life, he emphasizes.

For more information and links to videos and products, visit SolomonsFitnessWorld.com.

To connect on Instagram, go to TrainerDoctorFlex04, and on Facebook at Solomon Pratt and King Solomons Gem.

"The Health and Fitness Bible" is also available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZYP2MM.

(NewsUSA) - It has been another challenging year as American families and parents continue to struggle to find work, put food on the table, and make financial ends meet. Being able to give their children a merry Christmas can feel out of reach.

Supply chain and economic hurdles bring extra challenges this year to Toys for Tots, the 74-year-old national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Their annual mission is to provide toys, books, and games to children in need while delivering a message of hope to inspire children and build their self-esteem.

The annual Toys for Tots campaign also serves as a way to bring communities together, as schools, churches, and community centers serve as collection sites for donated items.

The 2021 Toys for Tots campaign season is under way in 832 counties across the Nation, but we are facing a critical shortage of toys this year, and we need the Nation's help to ensure that no child has to endure Christmas morning without even one present to open.

Last year, despite the pandemic, Toys for Tots brought joy, hope, and toys to 7.4 million children, but this year even more children are in need.

As the 2021 campaign season hits the halfway mark, Toys for Tots is asking for support now more than ever.

Last year,Toys for Tots encouraged their supporters to donate to their Giving Tuesday campaign, calling their day of generosity, Giving TOYSday. This year, Toys for Tots is asking for the same generosity on Giving TOYSday.

Giving Tuesday, November 30, has become known as a global day of generosity to highlight the joy of giving to others. Giving TOYSday is special, especially this year when so many children and families have experienced so much stress, anxiety, and despair.

"Every child deserves a little Christmas, and now more than ever, children living in unimaginable poverty need your messages of love, comfort, joy, and hope," says Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

"Your Giving TOYSday gift is urgently needed to help us ensure that no child wakes up brokenhearted on Christmas morning," he adds.

Marines and volunteers are busy engaging with local businesses, media, and community leaders to collect new, unwrapped toys for distribution to less fortunate children.

The National website provides donors with multiple avenues for donating as well.

One way Toys for Tots' donors can support the 2021 campaign is by making a monetary donation through the website. The Holiday Recognition Program is another way for donors to give to less fortunate children while honoring friends, family members, clients, or business associates.

Toys for Tots needs your help to deliver the magic of Christmas to millions of less fortunate children. Please donate today by visiting toysfortots.org, and please consider donating on Giving TOYSday! Together, we can give children in need the Christmas they deserve.