(NewsUSA) - Young adults who are new to the workforce have a lot to think about. But when it comes to compensation, there are many ways to make your salary and benefits work for you. Taking full advantage of opportunities for saving and investing now will pay off later.     

One of the simplest and most effective ways to save for retirement is through an employer-sponsored plan. Many employers offer a 401(k), which allows you to invest part of each paycheck directly into the plan. That helps make saving automatic, and pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income.

Make a Match     

Some employers will match a percentage of what you contribute to your 401(k) up to a certain limit. The amount of the match varies, and some employers may not offer this option. But if you have this option, be sure to contribute enough to take advantage of the match. For example, an employer may match 100% of what you contribute to your plan up to 3% of your salary, then 50% of the next 2%. If your annual salary is $60,000 and you are able to contribute a total of 5% ($3,000) to your 401(k), the company match in this example adds another $2,400 to your retirement fund courtesy of your employer.

Health Insurance Helpers     

Make the most of your employer-sponsored health insurance by learning the details and choosing a plan that best meets your needs. You may have choices between a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, which usually costs less per month but may limit the network of health care providers you can visit, or a preferred provider organization (PPO), which usually costs more but may allow more flexibility for the provider network. Either way, invest in your health by scheduling regular checkups: Most plans will cover preventive/wellness visits at 100% or with a minimal copayment.

Consider Additional Insurance     

Some employers provide their workforce with a life insurance benefit. Additional life insurance, while less important if you are young and single, may be worth considering if you have family members to support. Also, don’t discount disability insurance, which can provide needed income if you are ill or disabled and can’t work.     

Make sure to learn about other benefits that can boost your finances, such as tuition reimbursement, health savings accounts or employee stock purchase plans.     

The information can seem overwhelming. Although you may feel comfortable making decisions about employee benefits on your own, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM professional may be helpful as a sounding board for your ideas and to discuss how current benefits decisions fit into your larger financial planning picture.     

Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org to find a financial planner who can help you navigate employee benefits and other financial aspects of your new job.

(NewsUSA) -  

“The Absolute: Collected Poems of Sri Chinmoy”       

This book is a collection of Sri Chinmoy’s poems, selected from his entire body of poetic work that spans more than six decades. All of his early poems were written from within the poetic restraints of meter and rhyme. Only later in his poetic career did he write in free verse.  

Speaking of his poetry, Sri Chinmoy says, “Throughout my poetry-journey, my poetry-tree has cherished various branches: philosophy, prayer, religion, spirituality, my love of Nature’s beauty, my love of word-making, which the English language indulgently allows me to explore, and my abiding love, concern and hope for this world of ours.” Sri Chinmoy’s poetry offers hope, strength and salvation to many an earnest traveler in his or her journey through life.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3OiiMPe.

“Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless”
by Mitzi Perdue  

Winner of the Literary Titan Award for Nonfiction. “The Chicken Man’s” wife writes about the “Chicken Soup” guy. Mitzi Perdue spoke to many of the important people who inspired “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” co-author Mark Victor Hansen along the way and to those with whom he made a true difference in their lives. Hansen conquered many mountains by never letting any obstacle get in his way and by inspiring others to make a difference. His story is exceptional, but it is his extraordinary perseverance and generosity that led to his long-term success.  

Perdue is a meticulous writer who captures the essence of Mark with true stories that are inspiring and amazing in showing the tenacity of one man who learned that in order to receive, first you must give.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3udF0dY.

“TARRA: Mission to Earth”
by Inna Van Der Velden  

Anthony and his friends come to Earth to find the antidote for the fear dust pollution. The children on their native planet, Tarra, are in severe danger. If Anthony’s mission doesn’t succeed, life on Tarra will cease to exist.  

Readers experience a number of adventures and come to their own revelations, sensing with their heart and acting on their intuition. See Earth from an interstellar traveler’s perspective and learn how to live within its harmony.   TARRA: Mission to Earth, geared for ages nine to 12, has incredible magic hidden within. It opens every reader to a deeper understanding of our planet. “TARRA: Mission to Earth, The Family Companion” includes 34 tasks for children as well as an adult guide.

Purchase at  https://amzn.to/3ympqOJ.

“Diamond Eyes Makes His Mark”
by DJ Key  

Mark Van Buren, nicknamed Diamond Eyes, is a 14-year-old misfit who can't do anything right. When his father and stepmom plan to ship him to Florida to live with his uncle DJ and aunt Rita, founders of a cover band, the Ambient Images, he worries he won't be accepted. But when he fills in to sing one night, it changes his life.  

Various adventures take him on an Alaskan cruise, the Las Vegas desert, an Amish farm, and a crocodile-infested swamp. The book is a testament to the trials and tribulations adolescents face in today's world, such as bullying, suicidal thoughts, loss of a loved one and sexual identity. Ultimately, it is a tale of faith, endurance and the power of unconditional love.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3I12mcu.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(Reissued 9/16/2022)

(NewsUSA) - A decade ago, Infographics were the “it” tool to promote your business, but became a less desirable way of promoting your business a few years ago. NewsUSA, a brand content agency, argues that infographics are still one of the best marketing tools to pitch your clients. 

(NewsUSA) - Inflation is top-of-mind for most Americans, as a majority say that they have reduced household spending in many areas except when it comes to retirement savings and life insurance.

A new USAA Life Insurance Company survey explored how American civilian and military-connected families are faring in today’s economy and the financial decisions they are making as a result.

For more information, visit USAA.com/lifesurvey

(NewsUSA) -  

Jeffrey Breslow’s new memoir, “A GAME MAKER’S LIFE: A Hall of Fame Inventor and Executive Tells the Inside Story of the Toy Industry,” is the gripping account of how the inventor held his company together after an employee opened fire in the Marvin Glass and Associates conference room in 1976. The gunman killed two of the Chicago firm’s partners and an employee and critically wounded two more employees before killing himself. Jeffrey Breslow, a partner, missed taking a bullet only because the gunman didn’t see him -- he had just stepped into an adjoining office to take a phone call. The gunman left behind a hit list of fourteen names. Breslow later learned that his name was second on the list.  

Before the shooting, Breslow was the youngest partner of toy industry giant Marvin Glass and Associates at age 33. After the shooting, and despite his youth, Breslow’s partners voted him in as managing partner. Thrust into leadership by default, he faced incredible challenges, including consoling the families of the victims, dealing with the staff’s PTSD and rebuilding a sense of safety and morale. He was also determined to keep the successful but reeling business alive. He needed a miracle -- and he got one. His partner Howard Morrison created a blockbuster, Simon, which Smithsonian Magazine says “ushered in the era of electronic games.” The firm was back in business.  

In spite of the tragedy, Breslow still felt incredibly lucky. Marvin Glass had personally hired him in 1967, soon dubbed him a “boy genius” and made him a partner after 18 months on the job.  

From the first iconic toy Breslow developed, called “Bucket of Fun,” he gifted us with some of the most memorable toys of childhood, including: “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots,” “Ants in the Pants,” “Fashion Polly Pocket,” “Guesstures,” “Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash,” “California Roller Baby,” “The Animal” and “Masterpiece.”  

The secret to his success was creating games that each player thought they had a chance of winning. Clients of Marvin Glass and Associates included Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Ideal Toy, Fisher-Price, Playskool and many others.

Breslow rose to the challenge and learned to:     

• Consistently do the unexpected.     
• Never take “No” for an answer.     
• Help employees maintain their well-being.     
• Unlock the secrets of pleasing clients.     
• Be persistent, especially if an idea was unusual or cutting-edge.     
• Hire more women. Half of toy customers are female, and yet women were under-represented at his company.   
• Find mentors -- they don’t just come to you.  

Breslow would go on to an unprecedented career. He is the only toy designer to win the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval twice and was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 1998. It’s surprising that a man who played for a living had his leadership mettle forged in crisis, but “A GAME MAKER’S LIFE” is more than a memoir, it’s a guide to success under pressure, rebuilding a business and learning how to honor those who were lost -- by bringing joy to children and families around the world.

Purchase this book at https://amzn.to/3nmARRo.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Summer may be winding down, but it’s not over. Even as vacations end and school begins, summer weather and outdoor entertaining and activities linger into October in many places. Chilean lemons are the perfect complement to end-of-summer meals and drinks on the patio or in the park.       

“With their sunny zest and refreshing juice, lemons aren’t just delicious, they also pack a healthy punch,” says Karen Brux, managing director for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association. Lemons are a good source of many key nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.  “You could say that lemons from Chile are the unsung heroes of summer,” Ms. Brux adds.       

Lemons are versatile. Try adding lemon juice to marinades, lemon slices to creamy pasta sauces, or featuring fresh lemons in lemon custards or meringues for an ultimate end-of-summer dessert. When cooking with lemons, you can use their zest or juice, but try them grilled, says Brux.     

Grilling intensifies the flavor of the lemon juice. Just put some slices on the grill along with your fish, beef or chicken. Grilled lemon wedges work in cocktails, too!     

Try this easy recipe for grilled chicken with lemon:

Grilled Chicken with Lemon

Ingredients:

• zest of two lemons
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves chopped garlic
• 5 sprigs rosemary
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• coarse black pepper to taste
• 4 large chicken thighs

Instructions:     

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.   
2. In a large shallow baking dish, whisk together the juice and zest of 2 lemons, 1/2 cup olive oil, 6 cloves chopped garlic, 5 sprigs of rosemary, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and plenty of coarse black pepper.     
3. Add 4 large chicken thighs to the mixture, toss to coat and let the chicken rest for 45 minutes at room temperature.     
4. Before cooking, be sure the chicken thighs are skin-side up. Cut the remaining zested lemons into halves or quarters, and nestle them among the chicken. Add a final grind of black pepper on top.     
5. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes or until the juices run clear. If you would like extra browning, briefly place the baking dish under the broiler.     

Visit fruitsfromchile.com for more tasty recipes, and look for lemons from Chile at your local retailer through early October.

(NewsUSA) -  

“Tuscan Son”
by Robert Berne       

Called “a tour de force adventure within the modern university that is both a great read and eerily familiar,” a university vice president finds himself thrust into a hellish Panamanian prison, at the mercy of unknown forces.  

When a university receives a bequest of a village in Tuscany to use as a study-abroad site, Bill, the vice president, has to negotiate terms with the donor’s angry son, who thinks the village belongs to him. Bill discovers something very wrong.  

As he suspects organized crime is involved, he is lured to Panama, supposedly to sign the transfer papers. Instead, he is thrown into prison and denied contact with the outside. He then realizes his cellmate’s drug-dealing family is his only hope for freedom, but at what price?

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3aW1lG6.

“Pressure Point”
by Betty Briggs  

A letter from Stephanie’s sworn enemy, Jessica, regarding the young child, Zoey, who is half-sibling to Stephanie’s son, Ryan, throws her world into tailspin. Engaged to the man of her dreams, Stephanie must set wedding plans and her job as an attorney aside, and travel to Mexico with fiancé, Colton, to try to find Zoey.  

If that is not enough, Stephanie’s ward, Jill, is also in danger from her own mother and the madman she lives with, who want to reclaim the 16-year-old and drag her back into a life of abuse. Will Stephanie be able to safely bring her family together and have a happily-ever-after wedding to Colton on Christmas Day in Montana? And what about Stephanie’s horse, Kingston, and the special pony, who help Stephanie cope?

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3zzKgwa.

“A Sky of Infinite Blue”
by Kyomi O’Connor  

From an early age in Japan, Kyomi’s life is filled with emotional difficulties. To escape the darkness, Kyomi moves to the U.S. to start a new life. Soon, she falls in love with her husband-to-be, Patrick, whose love and support help her begin to heal. Eventually, they dedicate themselves to a Buddhism practice that changes both their lives -- aiding them in their spiritual growth and in realizing their desire to help others.    

Then Patrick is diagnosed with cancer and loses the battle. Devastated, Kyomi spends a year lost in grief. But then she begins to write, uncovering truths about herself, her life history  and her relationship with Patrick. After years of struggle, Kyomi finds the light that had existed within her all along.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3yiRm64.

“The Golden Gladiator”
by Michael Lynch  

This is the true story of the oldest American football player’s return to the gridiron and glory between the ages of 64 to 68. Michael was a football hero in high school, college and the semi-pro leagues on Long Island in the 1960s and 1970s. After seeing his nephew play in an All-Star game in 2012, he decides to turn back the clock and play football again in one of the toughest semipro leagues in America, with and against players 30 to 40 years younger.  

“The Golden Gladiator” is a story of courage, redemption, tragedy and love as Lynch plays for four years in more than 50 games. He is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest American football player. The book has received two Five-Star reviews by Literary Titan and The Book Connection.

Purchase at www.thegoldengladiator.com.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(Resubmitted 9/9/2022) 

(NewsUSA) - You may be among the 42 million Americans currently infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and not know it. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, affecting more than 70 percent of sexually active adults at least once in their lifetimes. Unlike the “low-risk” HPV strains that produce visible lesions, “high-risk” HPV is an “invisible” infection that can lie undetected for decades and can lead to six different types of cancer; the two most common being cervical and head-and-neck cancers.       

A recent breakthrough in the study of HPV is providing physicians and patients with a new avenue for addressing high-risk infection.  Researchers at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston studied the effect of a unique natural Japanese medicinal mushroom extract called AHCC® on women with persistent high-risk HPV infections.  They found that daily use of AHCC® helped to clear an active HPV infection in two-thirds of study participants after only six months, while volunteers in the placebo group did not see comparable results.     

The randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, considered to be the gold standard protocol for clinical research, was co-funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the June 2022 issue of the prestigious medical journal Frontiers in Oncology.     

Current standard of care entails screening women for HPV during their regular gynecological exam. HPV usually goes undetected in men unless and until they are diagnosed with an HPV-associated cancer; as a result, they often spread the infection without knowing it. When a patient tests positive for HPV, the current protocol is often referred to as “watchful waiting” which entails monitoring the patient’s condition through regular exams but not providing any pharmacological or surgical treatment.     

This latest study shows that there is something that patients can do during this “waiting” period other than just passively anticipating their next exam. “Our results showed that AHCC® supplementation helped the majority of patients in the AHCC® arm of the trial to become HPV-negative, therefore decreasing the long-term risk of HPV-related cancers,” says Dr. Smith. “Importantly, through multiple studies, we have shown that AHCC supplements are safe.”     

There are more than 30 human clinical studies and over 50 papers on AHCC® that have been published in Medline-indexed NIH-recognized scientific journals. AHCC® contains a unique combination of potent active components including alpha-glucans and axoglucan™ fractions, discovered by the Amino Up company of Sapporo, Japan. Numerous reputable supplement brands offer AHCC® in North America. Verified authentic products sold under the registered AHCC® trademark of Amino Up are listed on the AHCC Association website at www.AHCC.net.

(NewsUSA) -  

“Ice Islands”
by Humphrey Hawksley       

This fourth Rake Ozenna thriller will leave readers breathless. Rake faces dangerous choices and deadly consequences in this rip-roaring political thriller that takes you from the ice islands of Finland to the bustling streets of Tokyo via Russia and the White House.  

Rake’s mission is to gain access to the Kato family -- Japan’s most dangerous crime empire -- through its daughter, Sara. But when the son of the Russian leader is murdered and Sara is implicated, a political crisis among Russia, Japan and the U.S. is set in motion. Rake needs to keep Sara alive while uncovering the true extent of the Kato family’s threat to America. Prepare for a page-turning, riveting ride.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3O1cPXa.

“Think Healthy, Be Healthy”
by Beth Linder-Moss  

“Think Healthy, Be Healthy” is a complete guide to living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. It offers simple ways to restructure your life to create the healthiest version of yourself -- even with today’s crazy schedules -- by making easy-to-implement changes in all aspects of your daily life. These modifications will empower you to enhance your physical and mental well-being, as well as your confidence.  

With more than 30 years of experience as an Exercise Physiologist, Personal and Group Fitness Trainer and Health Coach, the author shares her insights by providing advice on fitness, positive thinking, nutrition and sleep habits. Positive thoughts and choices are the key to a balanced lifestyle.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3dpfCwx.

“The Most Likely Club”
by Elyssa Friedland  

At their milestone high school reunion, a group of friends make a pact to achieve their high school superlatives one way or another, in the lively new novel from the acclaimed author of “Last Summer at the Golden Hotel.”  

In Bellport, CT in 1997, four best friends and high school seniors are ready to light the world on fire. Fast forward 25 years and nothing has gone according to plan as the women regroup at their dreaded high school reunion. When a forgotten classmate has a surprising announcement, the friends wonder: Is it too late to make their dreams come true? Fueled by nostalgia and one too many drinks, they form a pact to push through their middle-aged angst to bring their teenage aspirations to fruition.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3ElhW0L.

“A Bend of Light”
by Joy Jordan-Lake  

A quiet coastal village in post-World War II America is shaken when the secrets of the past and present collide in a riveting novel by the best-selling author of “Under a Gilded Moon.”  

Five years after the war, Amie Stilwell returns to her hometown in Maine, starting over in the same village where her life once went so wrong. Waiting for her is her surrogate mother, Shibby Travis. But the unexpected also awaits.  

An abandoned boy is found with a note pleading that he be watched over. Amie and Shibby take him in, but the mysteries multiply when a Boston socialite is found dead in Amie’s barn and an old friend suddenly reappears. Through the hazy filter of a town’s secrets, Amie must confront her own painful past.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/38TWDrE.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(Reissued 9/23/2022)

(NewsUSA) - Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, lung cancer remains a leading cause of death for Black men and women. In the United States, estimates suggest that more than 73,000 Black individuals will die from lung cancer in the next year alone.     

While there are many new treatments for lung cancer, disparities persist across racial and ethnic lines. Given these disparities, Black Americans in particular should learn what questions to ask their doctors to optimize their care.  Specifically, they should ask, what is my biomarker?     

All lung cancer patients should ask their doctors about biomarkers, a new frontier in targeted therapy that may reduce or eliminate the need for chemotherapy and improve outcomes.     

Each cancer tumor is unique, and some have specific traits called “biomarkers.” If you identify your cancer biomarker, there may be treatments that target that specific biomarker, according to Dr. Sydney Barned, a doctor and lung cancer patient.     

“In many cases, these treatments mean taking pills instead of chemotherapy and radiation. Asking for biomarker testing is extremely important, not only in treating your cancer but also in improving your quality of life,” she says.     

“The doctors originally thought I had pneumonia, but I didn’t get better,” says Brandi Bryant, a mother of four and a lung cancer patient.     

“When more treatments didn’t work, I had a biopsy, and they diagnosed me with stage 4 lung cancer. I was prescribed radiation, chemo and immunotherapy (where your body attacks the cancer cells), but the doctors finally put me on targeted therapy where I take eight pills per day. Today, four years later, I show no evidence of cancer. It doesn’t mean the cancer is cured, but it means that it is not growing in my body,” she says.     

“Many people, especially patients of color, are diagnosed and treated by doctors who are not lung cancer specialists. So, it is important for you to ask whether your cancer has been tested for its biomarker before you start treatment,” Brandi adds. “Knowing my biomarker made the difference in my treatment and how much I can do with my kids,” she emphasizes.     

In Dr. Barned’s case, “Knowing my biomarker meant being able to finish my hospital residency. I am on targeted therapy to help my body fight my specific type of lung cancer. So, knowing my biomarker made a huge difference in my life.”     

Many breakthroughs, such as targeted therapy for biomarkers, come from research supported by the Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA). “If you have lung cancer, ask your doctor to identify your biomarker,” Dr. Barned says. “Where there is knowledge, there is hope,” she adds.     

For more information, visit LCFamerica.org or text LCFA to 41444.