Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Challenge

Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Cooperative Extension system are launching an online Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ (SSHW) Challenge called “Spring 2012 SSHW Challenge.”  This free six-week program, open to anyone who enrolls online, will be held from Sunday, April 15, through Saturday, May 26, 2012.  Prizes will be awarded for participants who report the highest point totals. 

To sign up for the SSHW Challenge, follow the “Challenges” link on the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Web site at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/.  Set up a user name and password and download a simple one-page user’s guide with instructions about how to proceed. Enroll in the Challenge titled “Spring 2012 SSHW Challenge.”

SSHW is built on 25 research-based behavior change strategies.  The SSHW Challenge is based on the performance of ten recommended practices on a daily basis: five that involve health and nutrition and five that involve financial management.  

The five daily health and nutrition practices are: eat at least 4 cups of fruits and vegetables; get at least 30 minutes of physical activity; drink water or unsweetened beverages instead of sugar-sweetened beverages; eat at least two servings of whole grain foods; and learn something new about health and nutrition.

The five daily financial management practices are: save a $1 bill (or more) and/or pocket change; invest $5 or more per day (including automated retirement savings plan deposits); track money spent throughout the day; eat lunch prepared at home; and learn something new about personal finance.  

Doing even one of the ten recommended daily practices is a great way to get started on the path to better health and improved financial security.

Save Big by Losing Pounds

That resolution to get fit may also boost your bank account.

“Gym memberships and healthy food, both part of many people's New Year's goals for losing weight, can be expensive. But experts say the savings from being fit outweighs the added costs. Some life insurance companies reduce premiums for people in a healthy weight range. In addition, overall medical costs typically are lower for people who are fit, and some health insurance providers offer financial incentives for participants who meet wellness targets.”

• Cheaper life insurance
• Lower health-care costs
• Better health insurance
• Wellness incentives from employers and insurers

Read the details at: Smart Money
http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/deal-of-the-day/save-big-by-losing-pounds-1325716783715/

For more ideas on boosting your financial status in 2012 come to Financial Planning for Women seminar on January 11 for the Small Steps to Health and Wealth program. Check out: njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/

What will you do with your $500?

Utah State University benefit-eligible employees who have been enrolled in the health care plan since July 1, 2010 will soon receive checks for $600 minus “appropriate payroll taxes.”  (I’m estimating about $500 to invest.) The funds are available because “USU’s self-insured health plan has experienced lower than expected claims.” According to USU president Stan Albrecht, “we believe that these lower claims reflect conscious choices about personal health and wellness and the use of our University health plan.  These positive choices have created an opportunity for the University to extend this one-time wellness dividend.”
 

First, thank Wellness Center director Caroline Shugart for her unrelenting efforts to encourage improved fitness and exercise behaviors! 

Also, this is a good time to re-visit the “Small Steps to Health and Wealth” website, promoted by Financial Planning for Women, to adopt a few more positive behaviors: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/

Best uses for those funds: pay down credit card debt, fund a Roth IRA, or open a 529 college savings account for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew or whichever child you expect to be caring for you and your money in your old, old age.  

For help in choosing a mutual fund for your IRA go to the FPW website: http://www.usu.edu/fpw/schedule/powerpoints.htm (review the PowerPoint presentations on Mutual funds, IRAs, and Retirement or go to “college 529 plans.” Right click and use the "Save As" option to download the PPTs to your computer for viewing).

Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Online Challenge Begins April 10

This free five-week program to simultaneously improve your health and personal finances will be held from Sunday, April 10, through Saturday, May14.  Prizes will be awarded for participants who report the highest point totals.  The SSHW Challenge is based on the performance of ten recommended practices on a daily basis: five that involve health and nutrition and five that involve financial management. 

The five daily health and nutrition practices are: eat at least 4 cups of fruits and vegetables; get at least 30 minutes of exercise; drink water or unsweetened beverages instead of sugar-sweetened beverages; walk 10,000 or more steps with a pedometer; and learn something new about health and nutrition.

The five daily financial management practices included in the SSHW Challenge are: save a $1 bill (or more) and/or pocket change; invest $5 or more per day (including automated retirement savings plan deposits); track money spent throughout the day; eat lunch prepared at home; and learn something new about personal finance.  The latter activity, for both health and personal finances, can be accomplished by visiting Web sites, attending seminars, or by reading, listening to, or viewing media reports. 

To sign up for the SSHW Challenge, follow the “Challenges” link on the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Web site at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/.  Set up a user name and password and download a simple one-page user’s guide with instructions about how to proceed.

Small Steps to Health and Wealth™

Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Online Challenge Begins April 10

"Just in time for warm spring weather and more time spent outdoors, the Cooperative Extension system is launching an online Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ (SSHW) Challenge called “Spring 2011 SSHW Challenge.”  This free five-week program will be held from Sunday, April 10, through Saturday, May14.  Prizes will be awarded for participants who report the highest point totals. 

To sign up for the SSHW Challenge, follow the “Challenges” link on the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Web site at.  Set up a user name and password and download a simple one-page user’s guide with instructions about how to proceed. Enroll in the Challenge titled “Spring 2011 SSHW Challenge.”

The SSHW Challenge is part of Small Steps to Health and Wealth™, a national Cooperative Extension program developed to motivate Americans to take action to simultaneously improve their health and personal finances.  SSHW was built around a framework of 25 research-based behavior change strategies. 

It has been well documented that, when people monitor their behavior and measure their how they’re doing, they are often inspired to do better and achieve positive results.  Participants in a SSHW Challenge are “on their honor” to report their activities accurately.  If they “cheat” on reporting their points, they are only cheating themselves by not following the recommended daily practices.

The SSHW Challenge is based on the performance of ten recommended practices on a daily basis: five that involve health and nutrition and five that involve financial management. The five daily health and nutrition practices are: eat at least 4 cups of fruits and vegetables; get at least 30 minutes of exercise; drink water or unsweetened beverages instead of sugar-sweetened beverages; walk 10,000 or more steps with a pedometer; and learn something new about health and nutrition.

The five daily financial management practices included in the SSHW Challenge are: save a $1 bill (or more) and/or pocket change; invest $5 or more per day (including automated retirement savings plan deposits); track money spent throughout the day; eat lunch prepared at home; and learn something new about personal finance.  The latter activity, for both health and personal finances, can be accomplished by visiting Web sites, attending seminars, or by reading, listening to, or viewing media reports. 

As participants enter their personal data, they will see their point totals for each day of the week and for each of the ten activities described above.  They’ll also see a bar graph that compares their personal progress to the average scores of everyone else participating in the Challenge.  Daily motivational messages will also be provided to participants.

Doing even one of the ten recommended daily practices is a great way to get started on the path to better health and improved financial security. To sign up for “Spring 2011 SSHW Challenge” visit the SSHW Web site at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/."

For further information and/or questions contact: Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu  732-932-9155 (X 250)

Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Online Challenge Begins January 16

Just in time to rescue failed New Year’s resolutions to improve health and personal finances, the Cooperative Extension system is launching an online Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ (SSHW) Challenge called “Winter 2011 SSHW Challenge.”  This free six-week program, open to anyone who enrolls online, will be held from Sunday, January 16, through Saturday, February 26.  Prizes will be awarded for participants who report the highest point totals.  

To sign up for the SSHW Challenge, follow the “Challenges” link on the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Web site at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/.  Set up a user name and password and download a simple one-page user’s guide with instructions about how to proceed. Enroll in the Challenge titled “Winter 2011 SSHW Challenge.” It has been well documented that, when people monitor their behavior and measure their how they’re doing, they are often inspired to do better and achieve positive results.  Doing even one of the ten recommended daily practices is a great way to get started on the path to better health and improved financial security. 

“The Challenge is a great way to convert ambitious New Year’s resolutions, like losing weight and saving money, into daily action steps,” notes Dr. Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management for Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Make An Appointment! Review your financial health

When was the last time that you made an appointment...

to check on your financial health?

It is a good idea to check up regularly on your financial health. This allows you to evaluate how you are managing your money on a regular basis. The CNNMoney website offers a free and easy to use Financial Health Calculator. In less than 10 minutes, you can review your progress in personal finance areas, including debt, housing, emergency savings, investments, and retirement savings.

When you have completed the financial health test, you will receive a letter grade based on the rules of thumb used to determine "optimal" financial health. Any areas that are lacking will be colored red to allow you to see at a glance what areas you may want to review and reevaluate. If your financial health is not where you would like it to be, you can find some helpful tips available on the website. Even if you don't know exact numbers, this quick calculator can help you become more aware of your personal financial situation and set appropriate financial goals.