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2012
Plymouth
2 How To – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – www.MinnLocal.com
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DENTIST Choosing a family dentist is not exactly on top of everyone’s “to do” list. However, the right dentist, combined with proper hygiene at home, reduces the likelihood of potential teeth, mouth and even general health problems down the road. Remember, the dentist you choose is your partner in health care, much as your physician or nurse practitioner might be, so it’s important to choose your dentist wisely. Here are a few tips for the search:
How does the dentist handle emergencies?
Make sure you know what type of dentist you need
Don’t be afraid to ask about fees
Dental care ranges from orthodontics (repositioning of teeth), to pedodontics (the care exclusively for children and teens), to periodontics (who mainly care for gums and supporting mouth tissue), to prosthodontics (dentists trained for full mouth rehabilitation). For the most part, a general dentist will be all you need, and that dentist will refer you to a specialist if needed.
Most dental practices are more than happy to discuss fees and financial arrangements prior to your first visit. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call for information.
Ask for referrals
The mark of a good dental practice is one that shows you preventative care such as how to brush your teeth properly and how to floss. The good dental practice also has the appropriate literature on hand to reinforce the instructions. Preventing dental disorders now means fewer dental costs in the future.
Although it’s tempting to pick out a dentist from the yellow pages (or even off the Internet), referrals are always a better way to go. Friends, neighbors and co-workers might have some ideas, as would your physician and/or local pharmacist. If none of these referrals are options, contact your local dental society or the American Dental Association (ADA) for a referral. Even if you’re on a dental HMO, you can still ask the office for patient referrals.
There is nothing more frustrating then cracking a tooth on a Saturday – and finding your dentist is unavailable for help until Monday. While most dentists will arrange for a colleague or can refer in such an emergency, it’s always helpful to know this before an actual accident happens.
Be sure the practice offers dental health education
Make sure the office staff is friendly and helpful For many people, going to the dentist can be a challenge enough. Being faced with a surly, unsympathetic or abrupt receptionist or office manager can leave a bad first impression and can ensure the patient will never return again.
While going to the dentist isn’t necessarily a walk in the park, it doesn’t have to be a huge problem, either. Selecting the right dentist for you and your family can make the entire process of getting your teeth cared for that much easier. You can have a better experience with dentistry by both taking the time to research and make the right choice in dentists, and by performing good oral health care at home in between visits. February is National Dental Health month. It is very important that you get regular, professional dental care. Your teeth and gums are indicators of general health. Keeping your smile beautiful makes sense for obvious reasons. But changes in your mouth can also sound the early alarm for other conditions like heart disease, systemic infection, cancer and more. Your dentist is a key player on your total health care team.
Important points • Make sure you know you need • Ask for referrals • How does the dentist • Don’t be afraid to ask • Be sure the practice education. • Make sure the office helpful.
what type of dentist
handle emergencies? about fees. offers dental health staff is friendly and
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4 How To – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – www.MinnLocal.com
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FUNERAL PLAN
It may be a gift to those you love
It was Ben Franklin who said nothing is certain but death and taxes. This article does not deal with taxes, but rather the other certainty in life. Everyone dies, so a discussion of funeral planning is never irrelevant. When someone we love dies, there are varying stages of anger, confusion and numbness. The funeral is one of the most significant means we have of dealing with grief. The funeral ritual helps us focus our emotions and brings a sense of meaning to death. It confirms the reality of death and provides a catalyst for mourners to talk about the deceased. Experts tell us being able to talk about the life of a deceased loved one is one of the first steps toward accepting death.
Prearranging your funeral Prearranging your funeral is not much different than any other planning you have carried out during your lifetime. You buy insurance in case of fire, flood, theft or death. These coverages are purchased as an act of love and responsibility for those you love in case an unfortunate incident occurs. A pre-planned funeral accomplishes the same goals. A preplanned funeral can prevent your family members from having to make a number of significant decisions at a time when they are confused and upset. They will have enough on their minds dealing with grief without having to make several important decisions in a very short period of time. Experts tell us that there are an average of 50 decisions to be made when arranging a funeral. Adding to the need for preplanning is the fact that our lifestyle is more complex in today’s world. Family members often live in different states, complicating rapid decision making. Further complications stem from frustrations that occur when dealing with government agencies in different states. A solid preplanning session can help prevent these complica-
tions which can loom very large during a time of pain and sorrow.
How to plan A call to a funeral director or a pre-arrangement specialist probably would be a good beginning in making sure you have covered all your bases in your planning. He or she can lead you through a process to ensure you don’t forget vital information in your plan. Some funeral directors and prearrangement specialists offer free booklets that provide a “punch list” of topics to think through and record your wishes. Topics in these guides include funeral details ranging from visitation to the memorial service and alternatives from burial, cremation or entombment. These are obvious decisions, but other important topics include categories that will provide a helping hand to your family. Additional topics include organizations to be notified with phone numbers, persons to be notified, medical history, estate information, banking information, real estate holdings and insurance policies. Many include obituary information outlines, personal property inventories and special instruction and information pages. There may also be information regarding the importance of your will and how to go about ensuring it is accurate and updated.
Prefunding your funeral Prefunding your funeral also is an important consideration. Your funeral director or prearrangement specialist can show you options which will waive your family from possible financial burden later. You may take out a life insurance policy which would cover funeral expenses, or invest in a funeral trust account or final expense insurance policy. In most cases, funds invested today would be enough to cover the total cost of the funeral since interest earned by the funds will offset the effect of inflation.
Government regulations safeguard your investment so funds will always be available for use. Another important part in your plan is to make sure your loved ones know where your recorded wishes can be found. Millions of dollars in government and insurance death benefits go unclaimed because family members do not know where to find information they need at the time of death. Some considerations that also need to remain in the forefront of the preplanning agenda: • Social Security: When a loved one dies, dependents and survivors may be eligible for certain benefits such as death payments, survivor’s benefits and Medicare. Qualifications depend on several factors such as age, marital status, number of dependent and whether employment was under Social Security. Your Social Security account should be verified periodically to ensure contributions are posted. All benefits must be applied for since payments are not automatic. • Veterans Benefits: Honorably discharged veterans are entitled to benefits that may affect decisions about funeral arrangements. For example, veterans may qualify for a cemetery plot and burial allowances, a headstone and burial flag, as well as pension for survivors. • Medicaid: Having a properly structured prepaid funeral is a very important reason why preplanning a funeral is imperative. If an individual has placed their funds into a prepaid funeral plans, after they have itemized a funeral pre-arrangement, the money would most likely be protected 100% from paying for any nursing home costs. In most cases they can also pay for burial space items for their immediate family members. Each persons situations is unique and laws change, however, most funeral directors and pre-arrangement specialists work closely with Elder Law Attorneys who keep them updated on current Medical Assistance laws.
www.MinnLocal.com – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – How To
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6 How To – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – www.MinnLocal.com
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BANK
Finding the right bank means assessing your needs first. Whether you're looking for a new bank or just want to evaluate how well your current banking relationship is meeting your needs, answering the following questions can help you identify your “banking personality” and perhaps make your shopping a bit less of a chore. • What is your goal in establishing a banking relationship? Answers may include “to save money,” “to have a checking account,” “to get a loan,” or all of the above. • How much money can you keep on deposit each month and how many checks will you write? This will help you figure out how complex or simple an account you might need. “Packaged” or “multi-service” accounts offer a variety of services for one fee, while "no frills" accounts offer a minimum number of services at an extra-low price. Other accounts might be designed cafeteria-style: you choose from a variety of services and pay as you go. • Will you be buying a home or car or making another large purchase in the near future? You'll want to find out about the variety of loan products offered. • How many savings products are offered? This is important if you hope to save for a big expense or toward your child's or your own!) future education. Many banks now offer uninsured investments, such as mutual funds, as well as the more traditional insured deposit accounts. • What time of day do you expect to do most of your banking? Some people prefer to visit the bank during their work hours, while others prefer a bank located close to home that they can visit over the weekend. • Do you like the convenience of automated teller machines and other types of electronic services — like banking through your personal computer, or do you prefer to deal directly with bank personnel? Answering this question will
help you determine if you’d be happier at a bank with an extensive branch network emphasizing regular, evening, or weekend hours, or one that focuses more on electronic services like ATMs and PC banking. Now that you have the answers to these questions, call or visit several banks near your home or office — more and more banks even offer information over the Internet. Shop your current bank first if you think your relationship isn’t all it could be. Perhaps they have introduced new accounts or services you aren’t even aware of that would better suit your needs. Let them know if the level of service or convenience don't meet your expectations and give them the opportunity to design a relationship that works for you. Compare fees and service charges at the banks you're considering, as well as interest rates on loans and deposit accounts. What does each charge for services like cashiers checks, safe deposit box rental and ATM use? Because price isn’t the only — or even most important — factor for most people in choosing a bank, take a minute to think about how comfortable you feel at each institution. Are your questions answered quickly and accurately? Do customer service personnel offer helpful suggestions? Will the hours and locations save you time and meet the demands of your lifestyle? Finally, look for an institution that is federally insured. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. You will find federal deposit insurance stickers displayed on doors and teller windows.
fer funds virtually anywhere an ATM is located. Bank customers should always use common sense when using an ATM. These tips are a start, but the best advice is simply not to use an ATM if you feel at all uncomfortable doing so. ATMs provide convenience, but they haven’t replaced the bank teller. If you prefer, conduct your business in the bank lobby. • Always protect your ATM card and keep it in a safe place, just like you would cash, credit cards or checks. • Do not leave your ATM card lying around the house or on your desk at work. No one should have access to the card but you. Immediately notify your bank if it is lost or stolen. • Keep your Personal Identification Number (PIN) a secret. Never write it down anywhere, especially on your ATM card. • Be aware of your surroundings, particularly at night. If you observe or sense suspicious persons or circumstances, do not use the machine at that time. • Have your ATM card ready and in your hand as you approach the ATM. Don't wait to get to the ATM and then take your card out of your wallet or purse.
ATM safety tips
Questions to think about
The automated teller machine (ATM) revolution has made banking more convenient today than ever before. With the touch of a few buttons, you can withdraw cash, make deposits and trans-
Important points • Assess your banking needs. • Visit several banks near your home or office. • Think about how comfortable you feel at each institution. • Look for an institution that is federally insured. • Compare fees and service charges.
• What is your “banking personality?” • How much money can you keep on deposit each month? • How many checks will you write?
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www.MinnLocal.com – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – How To
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8 How To – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – www.MinnLocal.com
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HEATING & COOLING SYSTEM
Burning money? Encouraging mold growth? Aggravating allergies? The right heating and air conditioning system can help ensure you do not face any of these problems. What things should you know before you choose air-conditioning or heating systems? •Selecting a Reliable, Experienced Contractor is Essential •Getting the Right Size System is Extremely Important. •The Efficiency and Life Expectancy of Systems Varies Greatly •Humidification and Dehumidification are as Important as Heating and Cooling •Fresh Air Ventilation Creates a Healthier Environment •Adequate Filtration Is Also Important to Safeguard Your Family’s Health •Warranties Differ – Make Sure You Are Covered
Contractor Selection Finding a conscientious, licensed, bonded and insured contractor is crucial. A large Yellow Pages ad doesn’t mean competence, dedication or service. It may be a firm with more marketing dollars than experience. Check with the local Better Business Bureau and ask about their years in business. Everybody may say they have 24-hour service should you have problem. Can they truly deliver it?
Equipment Sizing Having the right sized heating system is essential for Minnesota winters. If you have some areas of your home that always seem to be cold a higher fan capacity variable speed furnace might help. But with air conditioning, bigger is not better! An oversized cooling system can leave you uncomfortable and unhealthy. It also may give you higher energy bills and installation cost. It will stay on shorter times, which may cool your home fine but not remove enough moisture from the air. You also get blasts of cool air. This is unhealthy and makes your house feel like a cave. If there is any question about sizing, the contractor should be able to do a load calculation to confirm that the system is properly sized.
Efficiency & Life Expectancy It is important to consider the “True Cost of Ownership” of your expensive mechanical systems. An inexpensive, low-bid system will usually cost much more in the long run. First, a small amount spent up front on a more efficient system will pay back quickly in lower energy bills. It might be tempting to save by not replacing the indoor air conditioning coil. But that greatly reduces efficiency. You usually get what you pay for in
terms of equipment life. A low-cost system may need to be replaced in 5 to 7 years instead of 15 to 20. Or, you may be faced with extensive repairs over time. These are both costly and a headache (and possibly disastrous because equipment typically fails when running hard in a deep freeze or heat wave.)
Humidification/Dehumidification The humidity in gets sucked out of your home in the winter and seeps in during the summer. Both can lead to comfort problems, unhealthy air and damage to your home. A dry winter home can lead to more viruses and respiratory problems. It will pull moisture from walls (causing cracks), from window and door frames (creating gaps and more problems), from pictures and artwork, and even from your skin. Summer humidity leads to mold growth and unhealthy damp air. It warps woodwork and damages other porous material. Central humidifiers and dehumidifiers are inexpensive remedies compared with ruining your valuable belongings, wasting energy and hurting your health.
Ventilation The air in your home can be as much as 5 times as polluted as the air outside! Dust, pollen, mold, carbon monoxide and other pollutants can make the
indoors very unhealthy. That is why many homes built today have heat or energy recovery ventilators to constantly flush out the stale air and bring in fresh outside air. They will recover up to 80% of the energy of the outgoing air.
Filtration The typical 1-inch furnace filter traps only 15% of the pollutants, fills and then dumps most back into the air stream in about 60 days! The particles circulate through your home in the air you breathe. A 5-inch high-efficiency filter is about 99% efficient, will not dump and requires changing every 6 months. Electronic air cleaners remove a greater variety of particulates and pollutants.
Warranty Some companies’ warranties are very short and the equipment is hardly covered by the manufacturer. Today some high efficiency equipment has extended warranties up to 10 years. Make sure you are covered in writing.
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10 How To – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – www.MinnLocal.com
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BATHTUB LINERS AND WALL SURROUNDS
Those who are looking to a bathroom makeover without high expense and hassle should consider a bathtub liner and wall surround. These liners and surrounds fit over your existing tub and walls for a quick and affordable remodel. Replacing bathroom tile, and the tub or shower are some of the most common bath remodeling projects, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. However, these projects can be costly. A basic remodeling job includes replacing the tub, removing tiles and plumbing, possibly costing $6,000 to $8,000. The average remodeling job is more extensive, and costs close to $10,000, according to the National Association of Realtors. These remodel projects can take weeks to complete, depending on how extensive the project is. Choosing a tub liner and wall surround can be a less expensive alternative. For example, a tub liner and wall surround can be installed in one day, with complete systems starting at $2,800.
What to look for
Find a reputable company
When shopping for a bathtub liner and wall surround, ask the company many questions. How do you determine which type of tub I have? How is the liner installed? Are the walls seamless? Some wall surrounds cover the walls in one piece with no seams; others will have multiple panels with seams in the corners. Are you the manufacturer or a distributor? When required, do you use a licensed plumber?
Are the installers properly trained? Installers should be trained in the installation of tub liners and wall surrounds, not windows, gutters or siding. Ask what kind of product training is involved. Are they using employees or subcontractors? Make sure you feel comfortable allowing this company to work in your home. The company should be there for you after the installation. What type of warranty do they offer? Ask your company for references, call these past clients, and ask them if they were satisfied with their service and if they would hire that company again. Finally, check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints or suits filed against the companies you are considering.
Is your bathroom ready? Never install a tub liner or wall surround over a degraded bath or shower area. Installing a wall surround over a wall that is rotting or missing tile will only worsen current conditions, necessitating a major remodeling overhaul in the future. Any damage should be evaluated and repaired prior to installation of the tub liner and wall surround.
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