Do your homework before buying a new vehicle Eating well can be a major factor in improving your heart’s health
By Jen Vogt While we can’t help but think of keeping our heart emotionally healthy, it’s also important to keep our heart physically healthy. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news is that cardiovascular health is largely in our control. Eating well plays a large role in improving heart health.
Some experts suggest capping your new vehicle payment at no more than 20 percent of your monthly take home pay.
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pring is one of the busiest times of the year to purchase a new car. While driving your vehicle off the lot can be exhilarating, many consumers wonder if they bought the right car at the best price. For those looking to add a new automobile, there are a few factors to consider.
Car buying is fun when you know exactly what you want, how much it will cost, and how you’re going to pay for it. The best way to make sure you’re getting the most for your money is by conducting a little research before starting the buying process. After all, car buying is fun when you know exactly what you want, how much it will cost, and how you’re going to pay for it. Here are a few things to consider before you step on to a car lot. • Figure out what you can afford: Buying a new car can be one of the biggest purchases most people ever make. Some experts suggest capping your car payment at no more than 20 percent of your monthly take home pay. • Narrow your choices: Although a
sporty two-seater might be the perfect choice for a single driver, families might be equally thrilled with a brand new crossover or sedan. When looking for a car, write down what’s important to you. Consider such things as seating capacity, gas mileage, safety, and performance. Armed with this list, you’ll be able to narrow down your choice to that perfect set of new wheels. • Get the best deal: Any major purchase requires keeping an eye on the bottom line. Follow the automotive section of your local newspaper or get on the Internet to find the best sales. You should also look for incentives and rebates to lower the car’s cost. • Explore your options: Few aspects of the car buying process are more fun than looking at all the bells and whistles. Luxurious upholstery, power locks, remote keyless entry, and heated mirrors are some conveniences many new car owners wouldn’t want to live without. Others may covet DVD systems, high-tech audio equipment, satellite radio, hands-free phones, or navigation systems built into the dash. Make a list of your must-haves. Before you step onto the showroom floor, it’s important to know exactly what kind of car you need, how much you want to spend, and what options you consider necessities. Armed with this knowledge, you can then negotiate the best price and ride off in the car or truck of your dreams. (Family Features provided this information.)
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New Horizons
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March 2014
Use these simple steps next time you shop to fill your grocery cart with foods that will help keep you healthy and vital for as long as possible: • Buy colorful fruits and vegetables: They’re low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Check your basket before you check out to make sure you have fruits and vegetables in every color of the rainbow. • Avoid high fat dairy or meat: Look for skinless cuts of meat with the least amount of visible fat. Any ground meat should have less than 20 percent fat. Your dairy products should also be 2 percent reduced fat or less. The one fatty food you should buy more of (at least two servings per week) is fatty fish such as salmon or trout. • Pick up plenty of nuts and high fiber foods: Fiber can help lower cholesterol and keep you feeling full. You can find fiber in fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grain breads, cereals, and nuts. • Read nutrition labels: When making healthy food and drink changes, it’s important to see what you’ll be putting into your body. Research has shown that people who read nutrition labels tend to be slimmer than those who don’t. • Don’t overlook frozen or canned fruits and vegetables: The most important thing is to have healthy foods readily available when you’re hungry. Frozen produce has the same health benefits as fresh and is often a great way to cut costs at the grocery store. Canned products can offer similar benefits, as long as you’re selecting ones that are unsweetened or unsalted. Eating for heart health can seem overwhelming, but don’t get discouraged. Talk with your doctor for more information and to get his or her suggestions. Make it a point to incorporate small changes, a little at a time, and soon the whole family will be eating better and significantly reducing their risk for heart disease. (Vogt is with Midwest Geriatrics, Inc. in Omaha.)