National Wear Red Day

Peggy R. Anderson

Extension Agent

January 20, 2010

National Wear Red Day

Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women. What you wear makes a statement! I encourage all women in Burke and Divide County to wear red on Friday, February 5 to help increase awareness of women and heart disease. Speak up against heart disease for yourself and for others.

·         Say “No” to unhealthy behaviors.

·         Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and how you can reduce them.

·         Tell everyone you know that heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer – more that all cancers combined.

·         Share your choices and your story, empowering by example at GoRedForWomen.org.

On the GoRedForWomen.org is a link entitled Choose a BetterU which contains a free 12 week online program that has tools and tips that add up to a complete heart makeover. Some of the 365 “quick tips” you’ll get from this program:

·         Think lifestyle, not diet. The small choices you make each day make a huge difference.

·         Write your physical activity time on a calendar. Make an appointment with yourself – and don’t break it!

·         Check food labels for the number of servings per container as well as calories.

·         Help someone else develop healthy habits. It will make you feel good and help you stick to your own plans.

·         Set a realistic weight loss goal: 1 – 2 pounds a week.

·         Don’t let your mood control your food. Figure out why you want to eat before you snack. 

New Credit Card Rules Coming in February: Read the Fine Print!

Although using credit cards is now the norm for most consumers, they can cost users a lot of money in fees and interest if you do not understand your credit card’s terms and conditions.

In the summer of 2009, Congress passed the Credit CARD Act, which puts new rules in place to benefit the consumer. More changes are on the way in 2010, said Eileen St. Pierre, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension personal finance specialist.

“One of the biggest changes made last summer was making creditors provide written notice to consumers at least 45 days before increasing an interest rate or making a significant change to the account terms,” St. Pierre said. “Consumers have the right to cancel the credit card before the increase or change goes into effect. In addition, credit card companies now must allow at least 21 days between the time a statement is mailed and when the payment is due.”

Most of the Act’s provisions go into effect Feb. 22, 2010. For consumers who carry a balance, credit card companies must first apply payments to the balances that carry the highest interest rate. Double-cycle billing is no longer allowed. If your interest rate is raised because you were late making a payment, the rate will revert back to the original rate if you make the next six monthly payments on time.

Credit card statements

“Your credit card statement is also going to look a lot different,” she said. “Your monthly bill will include an estimate of how long it will take to pay off the bill if you just make the minimum payment. There will be a year-to-date summary of overdrafts, fees and interest so you can see what your credit card is really costing you. Changes in terms notice will now be on the front page of the bill, not in a separate mailing that often just gets thrown away.”

Many college students have credit cards but often end up graduating with a substantial debt load. Under the new guidelines, credit card companies will no longer be able to target consumers under the age of 21 unless the consumer submits a written application containing the signature of a co-signer with means to repay any debt incurred on the account, or provides financial information indicating an independent means of repaying any debt.

While the provisions under the Credit CARD Act of 2009 greatly benefit consumers, credit card companies will be looking for new ways to make the profits they used to make in the past. The days of no annual fee may be gone for many consumers. Credit card companies may impose a fee for customers who do not use their card or if they don’t charge a minimum amount per year. If you have a credit card, use it and pay it off right away.

“It’s vital for consumers to read all of the material that comes with their credit card statements. Many credit card companies are increasing fees and interest rates now before the new legislation takes place in late February,” St. Pierre said. “If you see new fees on your statement, call your credit card company and ask for an explanation. The more money you end up paying your credit card company in fees is less money in your own pocket.”

Schedule:

Wednesday, January 20 – Carrington, ND

Thursday, January 21 – Carrington, ND

Friday, January 22 – Burke County

Monday, January 25 – Burke County

Tuesday, January 26 – Divide County