Certain diets help with making babies

Found on www.ksn.com/ and brought to you by Tricks To Getting Pregnant Faster

.Published: 5/24 11:04 am

 

HARTFORD, Connecticut (NBC) -- The dream of having a healthy baby starts long before the infant is brought home.

Rebecca Brandt knows that. She and her husband have been trying to conceive for four months.

"I’m approaching my mid 30's now, been married for just under two years, and it's something that my husband and I really want," said Brandt.

Rebecca is now making a conscious effort to eat the foods her body needs right now to help make a baby.

The website "what to expect dot com" has narrowed down the key foods to help women and men up their baby-making odds.

They include minerals, starting with calcium for women.

Three servings a day, and it's not just in milk and cheese; broccoli, soy products and leafy green veggies have it too.

"Calcium is good for the person and for the baby because it's a key component of bone. It also is involved in muscle contraction and the nervous system as well," Joseph Walsh, M.D., chief of obstetrics at UConn Health Center said.

Dr. Joseph Walsh encourages overall good health for optimum fertility.

Another mineral for women, manganese, is required for reproductive health.

It can be found in things like spinach, carrots, whole grains, nuts and bananas.

Zinc is good for women and men.

Zinc-rich foods include meats, almonds, yogurt, eggs, and cooked shellfish.

Pomegranate juice and pumpkin seeds boost sperm count.

And studies show that the more produce a man consumes, the more active his sperm is.

“Being overweight can cause menstrual dysfunction and poor egg production, so it can lower your chance of getting pregnant,” said Dr. Walsh.

And while Dr. Walsh does not believe caffeine impairs fertility, he does recommend cutting back.

“There's some evidence suggesting if you have over 200 milligrams a day, which is 2 or 3 strong cups of coffee you have an increased miscarriage rate, although even that is controversial,” said dr. Walsh.

He says cigarette smoking is also a no-no.

It can also cause problems with sperm and affect the woman.

Alcohol is also a known toxin.

“We know it causes birth defects, so while you're trying to get pregnant you might want to cut back because most people don't know when they become pregnant,” said Dr. Walsh.

Automatic Stay in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What Is and Is Not Stopped

Found on www.prlog.org/ and brought to you by Lawyer Salinas

 

Apr 26, 2012 -
You may have a lot of questions about what happens after bankruptcy. Worries about lawsuits being filed to collect debt may plague you. Some of the more common bankruptcy questions pertain to unemployment benefits, utility services, foreclosures or evictions, loans, taxes, and child support.

To learn more about your rights and how the automatic stay may impact your bankruptcy case, you would benefit from speaking to an attorney who handles this area of the law. There may be Texas bankruptcy exemptions that you aren’t aware of.

Automatic Stay in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What Is Stopped?

An automatic stay can help prevent others from bringing a lawsuit against you when filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy. There may be an attempt to collect payments owed.

Not everything can be stopped in an automatic stay; however, some of the more common emergencies that bankruptcy clients may experience are often stopped.

For instance, if you receive unemployment benefits and were overpaid, the automatic stay can prevent the collection of these funds. The only thing it can’t help with is if you are denied benefits or they are terminated because you are found to be ineligible.

Another emergency that is stopped under automatic stay is when you are facing a disconnection of utility services such as electric, gas, water, and telephone. An automatic stay generally prevents it from happening for at least 20 days.

If you face eviction or a foreclosure, the automatic stay can help. With an eviction, there is still the potential that you ultimately could lose. For instance, if there is already a judgment against you, it may not be stopped. On the other hand, you may be able to stop eviction proceedings for several days or weeks.

In a foreclosure, proceedings will be stopped temporarily. At some point you still could lose your house, but this at least buys you some time.

Finally, your automatic stay can help stop your wages from being garnished due to alimony and/or child support to restore your salary back to its full amount.

Automatic Stay in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What Is Not Stopped?

There are some things that aren’t stopped in an automatic stay. For instance, if you have a loan from a pension, you may find those payments automatically taken from your wages.

Or if you owe taxes, a lien can still be placed against you. You may find your wages or property are eligible to be seized.

Other things that may not be stopped in an automatic stay include previous bankruptcy filings, monies owed from criminal proceedings, and lawsuits pertaining to alimony or child support.

Keep in mind that even with those things that are generally stopped in an automatic stay, creditors may be able to circumvent it. They can request that the stay be lifted, depending on the specific circumstances.

The best way to learn about your rights and how your debts are impacted by a chapter 7 bankruptcy is to seek legal counsel. An attorney, at Warren & Migliaccio, who handles these types of cases, can explain what happens after bankruptcy and answer common bankruptcy questions. Call 1-888-584-9614.

Visit us at: http://wmtxlaw.com/

Cost of Owning and Operating Vehicle in U.S. Increased 1.9 Percent According to AAA's 2012 'Your Driving Costs' Study

Found on www.marketwatch.com/ and brought to you by Car Repair Salinas

 

 

 

 

ORLANDO, Fla., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Increases in gas and tires drive up average costs for sedans to $8,946 yearly, 59.6 cents per mile; SUV costs up to $11,360 yearly, 75.7 cents per mile

AAA released the results of its annual 'Your Driving Costs' study today revealing a 1.9 percent rise in the yearly costs to own and operate a sedan in the U.S. The average costs rose 1.1 cents per mile to 59.6 cents per mile, or $8,946 per year, based upon 15,000 miles of annual driving.

"The average driving cost for 2012 is up due to relatively large increases in fuel and tire costs, and more moderate increases in other areas," said John Nielsen, AAA director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. "Those increases were offset by a decrease in depreciation resulting in an overall increase of 1.9 percent."

The findings of the 2012 'Your Driving Costs' study include:

Based on Driving 15,000 miles annually Small      Medium Sedan Large Sedan Sedan Average SUV 4WD    Minivan Sedan Cost Per Mile                          44.9 cents 58.5 cents   75.5 cents  59.6 cents    75.7 cents 63.4 cents Cost Per Year                          $6,735     $8,780       $11,324     $8,946        $11,360    $9,504

In-depth findings of this year's study, including a breakdown of specific costs by category of vehicle and various annual mileages, are contained in the 'Your Driving Costs' brochure which is available at select local AAA branch offices or may be downloaded at the AAA Newsroom.

"Some driving costs fluctuate at different times during the year, such as what we have experienced with fuel prices since the middle of February," explained Nielsen. "However, AAA's use of a consistent methodology for its study allows an accurate comparison of driving costs from year to year, and the figures can reliably be used to compare different categories of vehicles."

Nielsen continued, "AAA understands that high fuel prices are a real concern for consumers, and those in the market for a new vehicle may want to be cautious and determine projected operational costs based on varying levels of fuels costs. To assist consumers in determining their individual driving costs, the AAA 'Your Driving Costs' brochure contains a worksheet that can be filled out and personalized for a specific area, driver and vehicle.

Fuel Costs Up 14.8 PercentThe cost of fuel had the largest percentage increase from 2011 to 2012, rising 14.8 percent to 14.2 cents per mile on average for sedan owners. The average cost of regular grade fuel (used by most of the study vehicles) rose 16.6 percent, from $2.880 to $3.357 per gallon. Several vehicles included in the 'Your Driving Costs' study had increases in fuel economy, resulting in the overall average fuel cost increase being slightly less. The fuel costs in the 2012 study were calculated using the national average price for regular, unleaded gasoline during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Tire Costs Up 4.2 PercentThe cost of tires ranks second highest among the factors that rose from 2011 to 2012, increasing by 4.2 percent to one cent per mile on average for sedan owners. The rise in cost can be attributed to higher costs for natural rubber, and the increased cost of oil used in tire production and transportation from factory to distributors across the country. A collateral factor is a trend for manufactures to equip new cars with premium-grade tires rather than mid-grade tires.

Depreciation Drops 4.9 Percent Depreciation costs were up slightly in 2011, but for 2012 the trend has reversed with depreciation falling across the board by nearly five percent. This change may be a consequence of reduced new car sales over the past few years, which has resulted in a relative shortage of good used cars on the market, driving up their value. This is good news for those in the resale market as their vehicles will retain a greater portion of their purchase cost.

Maintenance Costs Up 0.7 PercentMaintenance costs are slightly higher in the 2012 'Your Driving Costs' study with an increase of 0.7 percent to 4.47 cents per mile on average for sedans. Factors contributing to the increase include higher prices for oil and more manufacturers now requiring synthetic or synthetic-blend motor oils. Although the use of these oils often comes with extended service intervals, the higher cost of the oil combined with increased maintenance operations at each service (which adds to the time required) can combine to increase overall vehicle maintenance costs.

Insurance Costs Up 3.4 PercentAverage insurance costs for sedans rose 3.4 percent (or $33) to $1001 yearly. Insurance rates vary widely by driver and driving record, issuing company and geographical region. AAA insurance cost estimates are based on a low-risk driver with a clean driving record. For 2012, this group saw a small increase that offset a decrease experienced in 2011. Quotes from five AAA clubs and insurance companies representing seven states showed across the board increases for all sedan sizes, with large cars having the biggest increase.

62nd Year of 'Your Driving Costs' StudyAAA has published 'Your Driving Costs' since 1950. That year, driving a car 10,000 miles per year cost 9 cents per mile, and gasoline sold for 27 cents per gallon.

Driving Costs are also affected by how well your vehicle runs. Performing regular maintenance not only ensures fuel-efficient operation but can help prevent costly vehicle repairs that can add to your total ownership cost. For more information on ways to keep your vehicle in top condition read the owner's manual and visit AAA.com for vehicle care information, automated maintenance reminders and repair facility locator tools.

The 'Your Driving Costs' study analyzes the cost to own and operate a vehicle in the U.S. Variable operating costs considered in the study include fuel, maintenance and tires. Fuel costs are based on $3.357 per gallon (average price of gas for October 2011-December 2011/AAA Fuel Gauge Report) and Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy ratings weighted 60 percent city, 40 percent highway driving. Fixed ownership costs factored into the results include insurance, license and registration fees, taxes, depreciation and finance charges. These ownership costs are assumed to be on a purchase of a new vehicle, depreciated over five years. Finance charges are based on five year loan at six percent interest with a 10 percent down payment. Your actual operating costs may vary. Refer to page three of AAA's 2012 'Your Driving Costs' brochure for a list of vehicles and assumptions used in the study.

To conduct its study, AAA's auto buying and repair experts compiled detailed driving costs for small, medium, and large sedans. Driving costs in each category are based on the average costs for five top-selling models selected by AAA. By size category, they are:

Small Sedan - Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.

Medium Sedan - Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.

Large Sedan - Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon.

Though not part of the AAA composite average, SUV and minivan information is also included in 'Your Driving Costs' to help buyers estimate operating costs for these types of vehicles. Selected models include:

SUVs - Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner.

Minivans - Dodge Grand Caravan, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest and Toyota Sienna.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

AAA news releases, high-resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at newsroom.aaa.com.

Stay connected with AAA on the web via:

Twitter.com/AAAautoTwitter.com/AAAnewsYouTube.com/AAAFacebook.com/AAAfanpageFacebook.com/AutoSkills

 

SOURCE AAA

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved  

 

Child Custody Issues: Tips For Being Civil With Your Ex after Divorce

Found on www.prlog.org/ and brought to you by Lawyer Salinas

 

Apr 05, 2012 -
If you're a parent, your divorce will have an impact on your child. Even if your divorce is a reasonably friendly one, there will be many changes happening in the family and home, particularly changes that come with Virginia child custody decisions. While life after divorce isn't always easy, you're not helpless to control the outcome.

Most parents feel anxious and guilty about the possible effects of their divorce on their children, and will do whatever it takes to help their kids adjust to this difficult time. One of the best steps you can take to minimize the negative effects of divorce on your kids is to try and remain civil with their father. While you and you ex-husband might have your issues, it's best to try and cooperate with him so that you can effectively parent your children together.

Life after Divorce: Tips For Managing Your Relationship With Your Ex

The following tips may help you better manage your relationship with your ex-husband.

•   As a parent getting back on track after divorce, watching your words will be one of your top priorities. Divorce can be an emotionally rocky experience that can bring out some highly charged feelings. It can sometimes be difficult not to rip into your ex or vent about him to your friends. The trick is to not do either of these things in front of your kids.

•   Your children need to feel valued and loved by both parents. They also need to know that it's OK for them to love both parents. Because of that, a parent shouldn't show jealousy or try to turn their kids against the other parent. This can sabotage your Virginia child custody plan as well as your relationships with your children.

•   It's also wise to limit the amount of information you give your children about the divorce. Even older kids are still kids, and it isn't fair to burden them with details of you and your ex's trials.

•   Focusing on the positive can be a vital part of helping your family get through divorce and adjusting to Virginia child custody arrangements. Everyone has positive attributes so try to focus attention on the things that make each family member special and unique.

•   It's best to form an amicable relationship with your ex as soon as possible. While the emotional healing following the divorce won't likely be immediate, your effort to be civil should. This will help you and your kids avoid the drama and stress of arguments, anxiety and division in the family.

•   While you should do what you can to be a good co-parent after divorce, you should remember to take good care of yourself and your own emotional needs as well. Your ex might not always be cooperative with you despite your efforts to reach out to him. When this happens, it's his mistake and not yours. Don't stress out over what you can't change.

Try and keep the wellbeing of your children in mind. Remember your goals and hopes for your kids and let those aspirations guide you to make the right decisions. If necessary, seek family counseling to help you, your children and your ex (if he chooses to participate)

adjust to the new living arrangements and move on to a full life after divorce.

Contacting a Virginia Child Custody Attorney

At Hofheimer/Ferrebee, we understand that the health and happiness of your children is your #1 concern. We will work with you to address any fears and anxieties you may have about your children’s future. Our women’s-only divorce attorneys will guide you every step of the way to ensure that you achieve the best possible child custody and child support arrangements for you and your children.

To learn more about your Virginia divorce, request a FREE copy of our guide, What Every Virginia Woman Should Know About Divorce, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.

Find us at: http://www.virginiadivorceattorney.com/reports/what-ever ... and http://www.monthlydivorceseminars.com/

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The attorneys of Hofheimer/Ferrebee P. C., have met with, counseled and successfully represented thousands of women in their divorces.

Supreme Court Filing: Obamacare Compels Individuals to Pay for Surgical Abortion Coverage

Found on www.prlo.org/ and brought to you by Lawyer Salinas

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb 13, 2012 -

 

The individual mandate not only forces individuals into private purchases, it also effectively mandates personal payments for surgical abortion coverage, without exemption for individual's religious or moral objections.  This is the argument presented by seven medical organizations in an amicus brief filed today in the U.S. Supreme Court by lead counsel Bioethics Defense Fund (BDF), along with several leading public-interest legal organizations.

BDF’s Supreme Court filing presents a novel argument based on the Obamacare Act’s lack of conscience protections.  BDF president and general counsel Nikolas T. Nikas pointed to the brief’s visual imagery:  “Like a Russian nesting doll, the individual mandate has nestled within it a hidden, but equally unconstitutional scheme that effectively imposes an ‘abortion premium mandate’ that violates the free exercise rights of millions of Americans who have religious objections to abortion.”

Set to go into effect in 2014, the unconstitutional provisions found in Section 1303 of the Obamacare Act compel enrollees in certain health plans to pay a separate abortion premium from their own pocket, without the ability to decline abortion coverage based on religious or moral objection.  

According to BDF senior counsel Dorinda Bordlee, “the recently implemented HHS contraceptive mandate is simply another aspect of Obamacare in action.”  The amicus brief filed today informs the Supreme Court that “[e]ven beyond the recent HHS mandate, the abortion premium mandate provisions found in the original Act are sufficient alone to substantially burden [Americans’] free exercise of religion.”  

Nikas referenced the opportune timing of the Court’s briefing schedule, noting,  “Bioethics Defense Fund and our co-counsel are pleased at this critical point to call the Court’s attention to the direct assault on religious liberty effected by both the abortion premium mandate found in the Act itself, as well as this first of many HHS mandates that the Act authorizes the Secretary of Health to implement without congressional approval.”

Bioethics Defense Fund counsel developed the novel argument when the brief was first filed in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in support of 26 state attorneys general.  The theory was developed with the assistance of co-counsel Mark Rienzi, senior counsel of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and associate law professor at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.  Additional co-counsel on the Supreme Court brief include Alliance Defense Fund, Americans United for Life, and Life Legal Defense Foundation.

The seven pro-life medical organizations represented as friends-of-the-

court include American College of Pediatricians, Christian Medical and Dental Association, American Assoc. of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists,  Catholic Medical Association, Physicians for Life, National Assoc. of Prolife Nurses, and Medical Students for Life of America.

Read the brief and learn more at http://www.BDFund.org/ObamacareinCourt.

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Bioethics Defense Fund is a public-interest legal organization whose mission is to defend the human right to life strategic legislation, litigation, and public education on issues involving abortion, rights of conscience, human embryo experimentation, and end-of-life.

How to Get a Used-Car Warranty (and Not Get Screwed)

Getting a little peace of mind when you buy a preowned car isn't always easy. We help you navigate certified preowned warranties, aftermarket alternatives, and not voiding your coverage.

Found on www.popularmechanics.com/ and brotught to you by Car Repair Salinas

February 13, 2012 6:30 AM  

It's Eric Anderson's job to know how much it costs you to own a car. And number-crunchers like Anderson, a senior analyst at IntelliChoice, know more than they ever have before—thanks partly to the proliferation of certified preowned (CPO) programs that nearly every carmaker in America now offers. These programs offer extended service contracts as part of the package when you buy a used car, which means, among other things, that all the repairs are tracked—and tracked in the same way that repairs done under new-car warranties are.

Anderson's math helps guide IntelliChoice's Best Overall Value of the Year Awards. But the real reason data like his matter to you is that it shows the differences in warranties that various automakers offer on preowned cars—both CPO vehicles and other used autos.

Figuring out whether to buy a warranty on a used car, or how to do it, can be a tangled mess. But we're here to help. For some advice on buying used, what warranties are best on the CPO front, and what to watch out for in extended warranties if you don't buy a CPO vehicle, read on. As you might imagine, it all starts with "read the fine print."

Go CPO

Certified preowned-car warranties provide peace of mind because factory warranties are backing the product, but Anderson says there's another crucial factor: manufacturer vetting. CPO cars have to be in good to great shape to be insurable. "The only way [car companies] can offer CPO is because they're making money on the aggregate of the warranties. If they weren't, the business model wouldn't make any sense."

Like any insurer, carmakers want to insure mostly healthy patients. But unlike health insurance providers, car companies can inspect every patient top to bottom to make sure it's healthy. They'll do small repairs to prep a CPO for sale, but any vehicle that needs major work, such as a new transmission, will never make it into the certified preowned pool.

The upshot: A CPO car is already a good machine or the carmaker would never sell it as such. That puts the dealer in a position where he doesn't feel like he has to hide anything from you.

Shopping for CPOs

But just as new-car warranties differ, not all CPO warranties are created equal. When you're shopping for one, Anderson says, look first at the deductibles. Audi charges $85, BMW $50, and Land Rover $100, none of which may surprise you (though neither Mercedes or Lexus charges a deductible). But it is a shocker that Chrysler charges $150 and Ford $100.

Also, check whether the CPO warranty is transferable if the car is sold prior to its expiration, which could apply to you if you're the buyer or the seller. Audi, Infiniti/Nissan, and Lexus all say no, but Kia will let you transfer a warranty, though it charges $40.

There's a ton of fine print that comes with CPO warranties. Read it—the details should be on the manufacturers' websites. The information within covers a lot of ground. Can you finance a CPO car? Can you lease a CPO car? Is roadside assistance included? Look for deal-breakers. There's no such thing as perfection; it just depends on where you're willing to bend and where you're not.

The biggest question, however, is the obvious one: how much coverage you're going to get and for how long. Lexus offers three-years/100,000 miles, which is one of the best CPO warranties around. It compares favorably witih other programs that offer anywhere from three months comprehensive/12 months powertrain to 24 months comprehensive coverage.

To Extend the CPO Warranty or Not?

Before you buy a certified preowned car, you should investigate not only the warranty details, but also whether you can buy an extended warranty.

This is especially true for a luxury car, and even more so if the CPO contract covers only a year or two. Luxury cars are typically expensive to maintain and the extra warranty protection is nearly always a wise play. However, Anderson says, extended warranties are becoming an increasingly smart move even for other vehicles. "Think of Ford's Sync or any other sophisticated electronic system," he says. When it goes south, it requires a great deal of troubleshooting. "Often the parts are cheap, but it takes them a long time to figure out why something isn't working, and at $85 or $120 an hour, that labor adds up quickly."

But (you knew there was a but, right?), not all extended warranties are necessarily worth it. Audi doesn't even offer one, nor does Porsche or Mini, and even if you can get one you still need to look at the limitations. For instance, you might find an extended warranty that covers up to five years, but ends at 74,000 miles. If you're buying a car with 60,000 miles on it already, that extended warranty isn't much good.

Finally, a little secret of the extended warranty game is that they cost the dealer a set amount. How much isn't public knowledge and carmakers won't share that information, but dealers are free to use it as a bargaining chip. They can throw it in with the purchase price of a CPO car or non-CPO car; they can charge more than it costs them. The point is that it's negotiable, so you should feel free to ask for the time to study what the warranty covers and what it doesn't, and haggle over the price.

Don't Fear if You Don't Buy CPO

Sometimes a certified preowned car isn't an option. What if you inherit a car, buy one from a neighbor or a friend, or buy an ordinary, non-CPO used car? You can still get coverage by purchasing a factory extended warranty from a dealer, or an aftermarket warranty. While the latter idea scares many customers, probably because of a belief that the factory warranty is "better," the truth is that most factory warranties are serviced by the same companies that sell aftermarket warranties. Remember: It's all insurance. Carmakers don't really want to be in the insurance business, they want to be in the car business. So they negotiate contracts with giant companies that provide insurance in the form of warranties.

Both JM&A and EasyCare provide both aftermarket insurance to dealers and new/used-car insurance to dealers and manufacturers. EasyCare lets you buy insurance directly from them, while JM&A processes most of its sales directly through dealers.

Do your homework when scouting an aftermarket warranty—and be cautious. Anderson says he's rated the warranties from companies like JM&A and EasyCare because they're safe for consumers and have a long legacy in business. But IntelliChoice actually stopped even bothering to rate the products from a slew of other firms that seemed to come and go every year.

He suggests asking for a referral to a BBB rating and even finding out what dealers or car manufacturers the insurance companies work with. If you're on the phone shopping for a quote, the salesperson ought to be able to steer you to that information easily—it's a red flag if she or he can't. The same goes for the shopping experience at the dealer. They may not know off hand about every company, but they should certainly be able to provide you with paperwork so you can do this legwork yourself.

Pimp Your Ride, Void Your Warranty

It's fine to be a tinkerer, and if you're changing your own tires, air filter, or oil, that's usually fine. But if you're doing performance modifications on your used car, then be warned: You're almost surely voiding your base, CPO, or extended coverage. That should be a no-brainer, but it's yet another reason to ask lots of questions before you buy any coverage—you should be able to find out what basic service you can do on your own car without endangering the warranty. "Dealers aren't looking for reasons to deny you coverage," Anderson says, since they're going to get reimbursed for whatever work they do on your car. But they have to protect their own liability. If you put a turbo on your Civic, then you can bet any drivetrain coverage you had went up in smoke.

The Bottom Line

Messy, right? There are some simple rules to follow. Namely: The best plan B for those of us who can't afford driving new is to drive CPO. It's a safer bet at least than driving a car with no warranty of any kind. And don't be afraid of an aftermarket warranty—it you buy it from a legit company with a long record.

But there's no default answer to cover every possible car and situation, so do your homework—and know yourself. Weigh what you owe on the car and its potential resale value; then consider whether you can afford to drop multiple thousands of dollars on a new engine or a replacement transmission, or whether the hedge of an extended warranty (which could cost you somewhere between $600 and $2000) is a smarter gamble.

Plus, doing all this math will give you a much better idea of the value of your car and how much you value peace of mind. This is why the risk averse lease, or at least sell once the manufacturer's warranty has expired.

Read more: How to Get a Used-Car Warranty (and Not Get Screwed) - Popular Mechanics

The End of the J.G. Wentworth Battle

Found on www.prlog.org/ and brought to you by Lawyer Salinas

Many elder law practitioners that utilize Medicaid Compliant Annuities in their planning are familiar with J.G. Wentworth proclaiming their ability to purchase any annuity - regardless of the provisions.

 

Jan 18, 2012 -
Many elder law practitioners that utilize Medicaid Compliant Annuities in their planning are familiar with J.G. Wentworth proclaiming their ability to purchase any annuity - regardless of the provisions.

We all know that a Medicaid Compliant Annuity cannot be sold under any circumstances.  The insurance company will refuse to honor any requests regarding change in ownership, annuitant, payee, or beneficiary.  This is because a Medicaid Compliant Annuity is irrevocable and non-assignable, in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

Notwithstanding the above, over the years I have seen many cases progress to fair hearings solely because J.G. Wentworth's false claims.  And every case had a very similar set of case facts: a Medicaid Compliant Annuity was purchased, J.G. Wentworth claimed they could buy it and provided a false valuation, and the applicant was then denied Medicaid benefits for being overresourced.  It was a truly unfortunate situation, and one that I attempted to correct directly with J.G. Wentworth on numerous occasions, to no avail.

However, I am pleased to announce that the battle with J.G. Wentworth is finally over.  As of December 15, 2011, J.G. Wentworth has agreed to start working with Krause Financial Services.  The company will now provide a formal written letter stating that they are unable to purchase the policy due to the provisions, if it is in fact irrevocable and non-assignable.
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Krause Financial Services specializes in helping families qualify for Medicaid benefits through the use of Medicaid Compliant Annuities, and Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits through the use of various life and annuity insurance products.