Well, it’s almost that time of year again - the holiday shopping season is just around the corner. Have you thought about what you are going to give those people on your “hard to shop for” list? Instead of another tie for your dad or music CD for your sister, why don’t you give them a truly unique and invaluable gift? I’m talking about the gift of fitness.
The gift of fitness is something that you can give to just about everybody on your shopping list, from your parents, to your spouse, a friend, your siblings, an employee or co-worker, even your children. And it’s a gift that is invaluable to everyone. After all who doesn’t want to look better, feel better, and be healthier?
And, it’s a gift that you can truly feel proud to give. When you give someone the gift of fitness, you are helping him open a door to better health (both physically and mentally). I can’t think of a more thoughtful gift that shows the recipient how much you care about their well-being. By giving the gift of fitness you are providing them with unlimited health benefits.
Of course, we all know that exercise can help people stay slim and fit. But, do you also know about all the other great benefits of exercising? Daily physical activity reduces stress and can help you sleep better. Fitness has been linked to reducing the risk of some diseases and to warding off depression. Researchers also believe that strength training can help prevent osteoporosis. Not to mention that exercise also improves self-esteem, increases stamina and ultimately helps you be able to do continuous work for longer.
I bet a lot of people on your shopping list would find these fitness benefits incredibly invaluable. If the people on your list are like most of us, they’ve probably even mentioned how they want to drop a few pounds of just get in better shape. In fact, experts say that about 62% of Americans are currently on a diet. By giving the gift of fitness you are helping provide them with motivation (which is one of the biggest obstacles in getting fit). They may feel more motivated to actually get fit because they don’t want to feel guilty for ignoring such a thoughtful gift (personal training gift certificates and gym memberships are especially good for helping with motivation).
While fitness gifts are incredibly valuable, they don’t have to be expensive. Gifts can cost as little as $5 or range into the $100s of dollars. Here are a few suggestions in the various price ranges:
Under $15:
- Resistance Band (also makes a great stocking stuffer)
- Dumbbells
- Jump Rope (also makes a great stocking stuffer)
- Exercise Mat
$15 - $35
- Fitness Ball
- Online Personal Training Program gift certificate (Workouts For You offers custom designed programs for only $20)
- Home Exercise Video (also makes a great stocking stuffer)
- Heart Rate Monitor
Over $35
- Full dumbbell and barbell set
- Treadmill
- Bicycle
- Yoga Kit
Giving something that supports health and wellness will be appreciated for years to come and may even turn someone’s life around. The gift of fitness will make the recipient feel special - they’ll know that someone cared enough to give them the opportunity to improve their health. And, giving a gift that will help someone lead a healthier life is also one of the most rewarding gifts you can give. So why spend another holiday season searching for the perfect gift only to end up with the same old things like gift certificates or socks or books? Surprise everyone this year and give the gift that comes from the heart and truly keeps on giving throughout the New Year and beyond. And don’t forget yourself - you deserve the gift of fitness too!
About The Author
Lynn Bode is owner of http://www.workoutsforyou.com an Online Personal Fitness Training company. Workouts For You offers online exercise programs for weight loss, strength training, nutritional planning and race training. Personalized programs can be designed for all fitness levels.
The programs are customized to meet your individual needs and lifestyle (based on the extensive profile you provide when enrolling) and include a motivational accountability system and a huge library of exercise technique demos. You receive all the trainer benefits without the expensive price, and you can workout wherever and whenever you want.
To receive a FREE, no-obligation fitness evaluation, visit us at www.workoutsforyou.com. Need a quick gift –we provide gift certificate delivery within 24 hours of purchase.
info@workoutsforyou.com
First of all, let’s examine exactly what credit worth means and how it affects your financial life.
Your credit worth, as defined by the financial industry, is the overall picture of your financial health that is used by lenders to determine your ability to repay debt. By looking at a combination of factors, lenders, such as banks, credit card companies, and utility companies, estimate how worthy you are of receiving a line of credit or regular services based on a payment schedule.
The most common factor used by lenders to determine credit worthiness is your credit score. Your credit score is a number generated by a mathematical formula that estimates how likely you are to pay your bills. Based on the information in your credit reports from the three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, your credit score is a factor affecting your ability to get loans and good interest rates. Lenders compare your credit report with millions of others to determine your score.
But your credit score is not the only thing that lenders look at to decide whether or not to give you a loan or a good interest rate. They also evaluate the individual entries on your credit report and the information you provide on your loan application. Some creditors consider your occupation, length of employment, and whether or not you own a home.
Each creditor creates a credit scoring system based on factors important to that institution, so you may receive different results with different lenders. For this reason, it is also important to talk to the credit manager about why you received the credit limit and interest rates that you did. You may have mitigating circumstances that affect how your credit history is viewed, or you may be on the margin between two score categories. Negotiation may be possible if you are open with the creditor about your ability to pay.
If you are turned down for credit, law states that you are entitled to a free credit report if you request it within 60 days. A few steps you can take to improve your credit worthiness include paying your bills on time, paying down your existing debt, and refrain from taking on new debt. But the points awarded by creditors for each factor varies, and an increase in your credit score depends on how one factor relates to another factor in their particular scoring model.
Collections, bankruptcies, and late payments have the greatest negative effect on your credit score, and, therefore, on your credit worthiness. Paying your bills on time may seem like a small thing when you’re writing that monthly check, but an accumulation of timely payments says a lot to a potential lender looking for a reliable client. Prompt payments in recent months can actually make a big difference in your credit score.
Your debt is a factor as well. Keeping your account balances between 25% and 50% of your available credit signals a responsible borrower. For example, if you have a credit card with a $2000 limit, keep your debt below $1000. For this reason, consolidating your credit card debt can actually lower your credit score, as it raises your debt to available credit ratio. The best solution is to simply pay off your existing cards as quickly as possible.
The length of your credit history is another determining factor in a good score. Lenders want to know that you are able to maintain prompt payments and good standing for a reasonable period of time. Most credit scoring models consider the length of your credit history, but low points in this area can be outweighed by good payment history and low debt balances.
Some creditors consider the type of accounts you have as a determining factor in your credit worthiness. While it’s a good idea to have established credit accounts, some companies consider loans from finance companies or too many accounts to be negative factors.
Checking your credit report regularly (at least once each quarter) helps you in numerous ways:
1. You need to know who is checking on your credit at any given time. Inquiries factor into your overall credit score and it is illegal to run your report unless you have given written permission.
2. Makes you aware of accounts reported incorrectly, which is extremely important in situations such as a company reporting a late payment incorrectly.
3. You may discover big surprises like a collection account filed against you that you weren’t even aware of. It happens!
4. And the really big one - someone has stolen your identity and is using your credit!
With the number of identity theft cases increasing steadily, you can’t afford to ignore your credit - especially if you are considering borrowing.
In a recent court case number 02CC13327, a 4th District Court of Appeals upheld the first $1 million judgment against a large retail company by a victim of identity theft. One of the interesting facts of this case is that the court recognized a recently developed procedure for measuring credit damage. The owner CM Financial of Fullerton, CA, Georg Finder, is an expert witness in credit cases, and is responsible for developing this process that he calls “Credit Damage Measurement,” or CDM.
Up until recently, lawyers for victims of credit damage had little chance of collecting damages beyond medical treatment, lost wages and property loss. With the development of CDM, that has all changed.
So what do you do if your credit worthiness is damaged due to situations out of your control? Call CM Financial at 714 441-0900 for starters to find out how it’s possible to calculate exact financial consequences and therefore enable you to seek out appropriate compensation.
You can learn more about CM Financial and the CDM process, including being able to view sample reports, at http://www.creditdamage.com
Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development, as well as management of communications and public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or by visiting
http://www.creditdamage.com or http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com or http://www.internet-marketing-small-business.com
There are a lot of fairly sophisticated parenting techniques and
ideas out there that are attracting attention. To be an
effective father, you can skip most of them and concentrate on
common sense rules that have always worked. They won’t always
make you the most popular Dad, but they’ll always be effective:
Rule #1 Expect A Great Deal From Your Kids
If your kids know that you expect a lot from them, they’ll rise
to the occasion. Everything from saying please and thank-you, to
efforts in school or on the athletic field, if expectations are
made clear in a loving atmosphere your kids will know that you
think a lot of them. When they know this, they’ll respond.
Rule #2 Always Be Willing To Be the Problem
When you’re convinced that someone in your family is causing the
problems and you’re blaming them for it, realize that this
problem won’t get better until you accept that you’re making it
worse by blaming them. It may briefly feel good to blame, but it
never improves anything. Loving and accepting that person will
make a positive difference.
Rule #3Know Your Child’s Life Intimately
Get to know all that you can about your kids. Know what their
favorite toys and colors are, who their best friends are, who
their heroes are, etc. By showing interest, you’re showing you
love them. By not asking, you show that they’re not that
important to you.
Rule #4Say No To Your Kids
There’s an awful lot of stuff out there for kids these
days…and of course they want to have it all. Kids who get
almost everything they want typically don’t turn out to be very
happy kids. Kids learn discipline, self-control, and how to
delay gratification when they are told no by their parents. It
may be a difficult struggle, but saying no and meaning it will
help you to have happy, healthy, and cooperative kids.
Rule #5Hitting or Spanking Your Kids Doesn’t Work
There are plenty of studies showing that kids who are spanked
have lower self-esteem. Spanking your kids will also be likely
to increase the very kinds of behaviors that you are spanking
them for. As a father, do you really want your child to be
afraid of you?
Rule #6Treat Your Wife Extremely Well
This is where your kids get their most important information
about relationships between men and women. Make a great effort
not to fight in front of the kids. Remember to be kind more
often than trying to be right.
Rule #7Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Many parents spend time threatening their children when their
kids aren’t cooperating. But if you don’t follow through on the
consequences, you can threaten till the cows come home. Your
children will learn to ignore the threats. They’ll understand
action. If certain privileges are taken away because of their
lack of cooperation, they’ll learn very quickly that you mean
business. Try your best to align the consequences with the
action. ( If you don’t clean your room in time, you won’t have
time for stories before bed.)
Rule #8Really Listen to Your Kids
Don’t just hear their words, but learn to understand the meaning
behind what they say as well. I’m picking my own clothes! might
mean that your child wants more responsibility or independence.
Be able to reflect back what your child says to you. If you want
your child to listen to you, you absolutely must listen to
her/him.
Rule #9Give Your Kids Responsibility as They Grow Older
When your kids are very young, maybe they just help make their
beds in the morning and keep their rooms clean. As they get
older, add things to their list. Tell them that this is how a
family works…everybody has certain things that they do. If you
do it when they’re young it’s more likely they’ll do it when
they’re older. Don’t reward them for things that should be
expected of them.
Rule #10Tell Your Kids They’re Great All the Time
It is especially important to tell them this when they’re not at
their best. It’s easy to tell them when things are going well.
Make it a point to tell them specifically what you think is
great about them. This will be more meaningful than generalized
praise.
Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, is the author of 25 Secrets of
Emotionally Intelligent Fathers
(http://www.markbrandenburg.com/e_book.htm#secrets. For more
great tips and action steps for fathers, sign up for his FREE
bi-weekly newsletter, Dads, Don’t Fix Your Kids, at
http://www.markbrandenburg.com
