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Taking Control Of Your Finances Pittston, PA - Many people feel as though their personal finances are out of control, with no hope of ever recovering from the financial mayhem in which they find themselves. With jobs lost, mortgages underwater, and retirement accounts still on life-support, this feeling of hopelessness is understandable. For those who think that financial stability is out of reach, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CCCS) reminds consumers that even if their current situation seems hopeless, there are steps they can take now that will put them in a better financial position. Each tip in the following list can be implemented at little or no cost, and put you on the road to solid financial ground. Live within your means - Simply put, don’t spend more than you make. To accomplish this, put the credit cards away. Many well-meaning people resort to living off of credit when facing a financial crisis, digging an even deeper financial hole. Instead, try living on a cash basis. People who do this typically spend 20 percent less, and they do it without feeling deprived. They buy what they want, but since their level of awareness has increased, they don’t spend as frivolously. Get financially organized - Sometimes people become so overwhelmed that they bury their head in the financial sand. Not only do they neglect paying their bills on time, they don’t even open the monthly credit card statements. Such habits result in late fees, a tarnished credit report and a lower credit score. Become financially organized by creating a cash-flow calendar where you record each payday for everyone in the home who earns money. Next, write down which bills are to be paid out of each check. Get into the habit of keeping all bills in one location so that you can easily put your hands on them, and commit to visiting your financial center at least once per week. Don’t overdraft your checking account - Even if you have overdraft protection, this is a habit that speaks of a deeper problem that should be addressed. Write down each deposit and withdrawal in your check register, including all debit and ATM transactions. Regularly balance your checkbook, and reconcile your bank statement within one week of it arriving. If you do these things, but continue to overdraft your account, the overdraft is no accident. Do not continue in this pattern. Instead, reach out to a legitimate credit counseling agency for help resolving whatever is at the root of this problem. Know where your money goes - Have everyone in your household who spends money track their spending for 30 days. At the end of the month, come together to review the findings and determine where the leaks are. Jointly decide how to plug them. Make adjustments so that your budget reflects exactly how you want your hard-earned money to be spent. You will never be fully in charge of your finances until you complete this exercise. Create a rainy-day fund - Many people say they can’t afford to save. Neither can they afford to be ill-prepared for the inevitable money-gobbling emergency. Now that you’ve tracked your spending and are allocating where your money goes, be sure to include a savings category with money ear-marked for that purpose each month. Improve your tarnished credit - If recent events have made your credit report less than stellar, work on improving it. Review the damage by obtaining a free copy of your credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com. Look for what’s doing you the most harm, things such as accounts that have gone into collections, or old credit card bills that you’ve forgotten about. Create a plan to begin repaying these debts, even if it’s a small amount each month. A past-due bill that has been paid is less damaging than a past-due bill that remains unpaid. Further, recent activity has a stronger influence on your credit score than things that happened in the past, so taking positive steps now will likely result in an improved score down the road. Slowly reenter the world of credit - Most people will need a thick and positive credit file to obtain the credit necessary to buy a big-ticket item such as a house or a car. If you are not currently a candidate for more traditional forms of credit, you may want to consider applying for a secured credit card. You will be required to place a pre-determined amount of money up as collateral on the account. Your spending limit will be equal to this amount. Make sure that the secured card you select reports your activity to each of the credit bureaus and doesn’t have unreasonable fees. Treat your obligation responsibly, and it is likely that you will soon be offered an unsecured card. “If you’ve suffered a financial set-back, know that it is possible to restore financial stability to your life,” said CCCS spokesperson, Terri Stocki . “CCCS assists 24,266 people each year, and understands how overwhelming it can be to deal with a serious financial situation. Consumers do not have to face the journey alone, however, as there is legitimate help available. The sooner you reach out for assistance, the sooner you will be on that road to recovery.” If you need help recovering from a financial set-back, reach out to Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern PA. To be automatically connected to the CCCS closest to you, dial 1-800-922-9537, or find a counselor online at www.cccsnepa.org.
Webpage Launched For Rte. 706 Project Dunmore - Details of PennDOT’s Route 706, New Milford, Bridgewater and Rush Twps. project in Susquehanna County, are now available through the district website, www.neparoads.com. The public is now able to view the project details and plans and may sign up to receive free email updates on the project as it progresses. Information includes the project overview and site map, construction schedule and plans, impacts to traffic and more. A photo gallery will be added. By navigating to the website, www.neparoads.com, and selecting Roadwork, then Current Projects, visitors will find a link to the Route 706 project page located beneath the green district map in the center of the page. “Residents, businesses and other stakeholders are curious about this project because it will have a significant impact on their community,” says George Roberts, P.E., District Executive. “The website is one of the best resources for them to learn about it and to ask questions.” Visitors to the website may subscribe to receive email updates of the project by emailing kdussinger@state.pa.us or jamay@state.pa.us. In the subject lines, put “Route 706 Project.” Information will be updated regularly as it becomes available.
Engagement Announced Darpino - Mullen Edward and Nancy Darpino of Apalachin, NY are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Nicole Amber Darpino to Dr. Brett Allen Mullen, son of Reed and Jill Mullen of Great Bend, PA.
Nicole and Brett Nicole is a 2008 graduate of SUNY Brockport where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Nicole is employed by Lourdes Hospital as a medical technologist. Brett is a 2007 graduate of SUNY Cortland and received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from New York Chiropractic College in 2010. Brett is a chiropractor at HealthSource of Great Bend, PA. The couple plans a June 10, 2011 wedding in Owego, NY.
Nominations Open For Recognition Awards Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania (NAP) has announced a “Call for Nominations” and is now accepting applications for its prestigious nursing awards. Nominations may be submitted by anyone who wishes to recognize excellence in nursing. To be eligible, the nominated individual must be practicing as a nurse in Pennsylvania. Applications must be postmarked by midnight, May 31 for consideration for Awards in 2011. The awards will be presented at the 22nd anniversary of the Nightingale Awards Gala, to be held November 4, at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill. Six categories of nursing are recognized in the call for nominations: Advanced Clinical Practice, Clinical Practice RN, Clinical Practice LPN, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, and Nursing Education. A non-profit organization, Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania (NAP) was established in 1989 to honor nurses employed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Foundation’s purpose is “to recognize the exceptional nurses of today and to recruit the nurses of tomorrow.” The organization is led by a voluntary Board of Trustees who volunteer their time and services. Financial support has been received from healthcare institutions, professional organizations and individuals throughout the state. Interest from the Nightingale Awards and Scholarship Fund is used to enhance efforts to recognize, recruit and retain nurses throughout the Commonwealth. As another part of the core mission, Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania has presented scholarship monies to Pennsylvanians pursuing nursing education that prepares them to become practical or registered nurses or an advanced nursing practice degree. Nomination forms can obtained directly from the NAP website www.nightingaleawards.org or by contacting the NAP headquarters, 801 East Park Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg PA 17111; phone 717-909-0350; e-mail ruth@pronursingresources.
Make Sun Protection Part Of Your Lifestyle New York, NY - One of the first signs that spring is coming, Daylight Saving Time began this year on Sunday, March 13 at 2 a.m. An extra hour of daylight each day means not just longer days, but additional exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. About 90 percent of all nonmelanoma skin cancers and about 65 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun. With this in mind, The Skin Cancer Foundation reminds everyone to take precautions before spending time outdoors. “After a particularly long and arduous winter, I’m sure everyone looks forward to Daylight Saving Time,” said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “The sun may not feel that strong this time of year, but its UV rays still penetrate and damage the skin, so it’s important to keep the skin protected. Even on cloudy days, about 80 percent of UV rays can still reach us.” In addition to being linked with skin cancer, the sun can also age the skin prematurely. Up to 90 percent of visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging (such as wrinkling and brown spots) are caused by the sun. By making sun protection a part of your lifestyle, you can spend time outdoors without jeopardizing the health of your skin. Be sure to follow The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Prevention Guidelines: Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Do not burn. Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months. Examine your skin from head-to-toe every month. See your physician every year for a professional skin exam. The Skin Cancer Foundation is the only global organization solely devoted to the prevention, early detection and treatment of skin cancer. The mission of the Foundation is to decrease the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and research. For more information, visit www.SkinCancer.org.
Young Republicans Host Meet The Candidates Night The Susquehanna County Young Republicans held their first “Meet the Candidates” night on March 10, at the Bartron Myer Community Room in Montrose. Twenty people attended this inaugural event. Raymond Telnock, candidate for Magisterial District Judge of the northern district, and Alan Hall and Rick Oakley, candidates for County Commissioner, attended the event. Each candidate talked to the group in the following order.
Pictured (l-r) above: back - Nick Welch, SCYR chairman, Matt Fearnley, SCYR vice chairman, Raymond Telnock, District Judge candidate, Alan Hall, County Commissioner candidate; front - Robin Cobb, SCYR secretary, Rick Oakley, County Commissioner candidate, Bill Umberger, SCYR treasurer. Raymond Telnock, District Judge candidate, spoke about his extensive criminal and civil law experience, his certification by the state and preparation for the job of magisterial district judge. When asked about his long-term goals for the position, Mr. Telnock stated that he will be a full-time judge for the citizens of the district and he promised fair and impartial adjudication of the law. Alan Hall talked about his work experiences and listed accountability, transparency and long-term planning as some of his greatest strengths for the office of county commissioner. He said that commissioners are servants of the public and stressed the need for commissioners to be available to the people, county-wide, to share ideas and disseminate information. He told the group about his work experience with little league and that he never took money for umpiring games. The asset in the county that Mr. Hall would most promote is our work force and strong work ethic in the people here. Rick Oakley shared that his strength for the office of commissioner is the common sense factor. He then gave a few examples of some decisions by the county that he sees as a lack of common sense. Mr. Oakley stated that the asset he believes to be unique in our area is that people care more here. As for the gas business in the area he added that, "if you are watching (the gas companies in the area), they will stay on the straight and narrow." He agreed with many points made by Alan Hall, including work ethic of county residents. The group then told the candidates what they would like to see in the county. Ryan Stalker stated that he would like to see a positive move to a functioning industrial park within the county. Bill Umberger brought up another point that we have the work force with the skills to work from home, so the county should make connections with companies that have virtual office capabilities. Anyone with the skills, a broadband connection and a phone line could stay in the county to work, so the county should seek out companies to partner with for virtual office jobs. At the end of the two hour event of speaking, questions and answers, Becky Stalker thanked Mr. Telnock, Mr. Hall and Mr. Oakley for valuing the group enough to attend. The rest of the group echoed her sentiments. The next meeting of the Susquehanna County Young Republicans is April 7, 7:00 p.m. at Original Italian Restaurant in Montrose. For more information, please visit scyrs.com.
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