You may think you're too young to think about retirement, especially if you just graduated and are heading into your first entry level position, but it is never too early to prepare. With social security dwindling due to the baby boomers retiring, establishing financial security early is ideal. Managing your personal finances is key to being able to retire after 30 years of hard work.

Analyze your debt. Calculate your balance on credit cards and take into account your student loans.
Account for your bills. Whether you're buying, renting, or leasing a car, apartment, or home, these will be crucial. Be sure if you're in the market for any of these things that you are comfortable making payments regularly.
Secure regular income. With this economy, job security is a major issue. Your income will play a huge role in preparation for your retirement. Steady income will help you in your financial planning.


Here's a break down of where your money should be going:

• 50% of your check should go towards bills such as your mortgage/rent, car note, utilities, etc.
• 20% of your money should be used to take care of your debt from credit cards and student loans.
• 15%, divided in half for retirement and a savings/emergency fund, is recommended.
• The other 15% is available for your disposable income.
• If this plan is followed consistently for 30 years or more, you will have a nice nest egg to retire on, without even including pension or a 401K.

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The incidence of food allergies is on the rise.  Mostly likely you or someone close to you suffers from some level of food sensitivities.  Many of my patients come in for this very problem.  Some of them don’t realize allergies might be causing or contributing to other health issues.  (See list below.) 

Why is this increase occurring?

I’ve found through research and clinical experience different reasons.  A few of them include:

1. Over-consumption of or too early exposure (under 6) to high allergen foods.
2. Genetically modified foods.
3. Side effects of certain vaccines.
4. Weakened immunity, if not breast-fed or exposed to high allergen foods through breast milk.
5. Overuse of antibiotics- either as medication or in non-organic animal products.

One of the tricky things about food allergies is that they don’t always show up how you’d expect.  Not everyone responds with an upset stomach, digestive complaints, or fatigue after eating.  This is not something many doctors know, unfortunately and may be slow to diagnose. 

Below is a list of some of side effects of eating foods you’re allergic to:

Eczema, Ear Infections, Infertility (men and women), Depression, Asthma, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autism, Diarrhea, Gas, Abdominal Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Gallstones, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Peptic Ulcer, Psoriasis, Rosacea, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Urticaria, Migraine Headaches, Multiple Sclerosis, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Epilepsy, Celiac Disease, Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Frequent Flus & Colds, and Weight Gain.

If you have any of the above health concerns, please consult a qualified physician for diagnosis and treatment. There is hope! Healing or minimizes food allergies is now possible. Abstaining from those foods, acupuncture/acupressure, detoxification, proper nutrition, and appropriate supplementation are a part of the protocol. Boosting your immune system, cleansing your body of toxins, and healing any damage done to your digestive tract from the exposure to allergen foods will bring you optimal wellness.  The result will most likely be at minimum a reduction in allergy symptoms, and at best- a complete elimination of your allergies.

Live Natural.  Live Well.

Heather