(NewsUSA) - As more venues reopen and both temperatures and vaccination rates rise, people's thoughts turn to summer, and summer vacation. For those on a budget, or working to pay off debts, a vacation may seem like a frivolous expense, but some savvy planning will let you get in some much-needed relaxation.

These tips from a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can help:

- Set priorities. Make sure the basic expenses are covered, then consider how much you might have to spend on summer activities. Set a budget to prevent overspending, and cut back on some areas if you can to put more in the summer fun fund. Summer is for fun, but not at the expense of sabotaging your smart financial goals.

- Find deals. If you want to travel, take advantage of flexible bookings now offered by many airlines and hotels to attract cautious customers. Other ways to save on travel include using rewards points and traveling at off-peak times. If you want to stay close to home, take advantage of free local activities, festivals, parks, trails, and museums, more of which are opening every day.

If you like to summer in the same spot, and know that it will be a longtime family tradition, consider the financial pros and cons of investing in a vacation home, says CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Joshua Charles CFP®.

"Many people will purchase the second home with the idea of renting it when they are not using it (Vacation Rental by Owner - VRBO), or use a management company to find renters and manage the property," says Charles. "This can help offset the monthly expenditures, but be careful as you might be dedicating more money, time and energy than you expected to for the venture," he cautions.

Other options for investing in your favorite getaway without the headaches of ownership include:

- Timeshares. Timeshares require less work than homeownership, but they may have pricey recurring fees, so read the fine print, says Charles.

- Fractionals. If you buy a vacation home with a group of people, family, friends, or other investors, the upfront cost is less and there is no need for offseason rental. Plus, there are potential tax deductions.

A CFP® professional can provide guidance and advice to help you plan your best summer ever, whether planning this year's vacation or setting the stage for years of memories.

Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more advice about vacation planning and vacation-home investments.

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA) - Millions of students who have worked hard at their coursework throughout the year are preparing to take AP Exams this spring, giving them an opportunity to earn college credit and placement.

To help meet the needs of schools and their students, the AP Program is providing as much flexibility as possible for this year's AP Exams. This year, schools across the country will decide whether to administer traditional paper-and-pencil exams, digital exams or both to their students. The 2021 AP Exam schedule has three testing dates for each subject between early May and mid-June. Schools can choose a mix of at-home digital and in-person exams and mix testing dates, as needed.

Whether paper-and-pencil or digital, all AP exams will be full- length. As in the past, AP Exams will measure the full scope of a first-year college-level course and colleges will award credit and placement for scores of 3 or higher. By taking AP exams, students will have the opportunity to earn the college credit and placement they've been working toward all year.

As the 2021 AP Exam administration approaches, the College Board has introduced a digital testing app and digital practice for students who will be taking digital AP Exams, either at-home or in-school. Students can get ready for digital exams right now, by downloading and installing the new digital testing application, and begin practicing with sample questions in the app. We have a few more tips for students taking digital tests:

• Students should download the application and practice on the same device they'll use to test.
• Students must complete exam setup 1-3 days before each exam they're taking.
• Students need to check in 30 minutes before the start of their digital exam. Students should ensure they know what time the exam starts in their time zone.
• Students can only test on a laptop or desktop computer (Mac, Windows, or school-managed Chromebook). A managed device means your school controls the programs that are installed.
• The testing application keeps students from losing their work, even if their Internet goes out.
• There won't be any handwritten responses on digital exams; all answers can be done directly in the testing app.
• Students will be able to request a makeup exam if they experience an unavoidable test disruption.

All students have access to free AP Daily videos and AP Daily: Live Review sessions, which are accessible through AP Classroom on the College Board website. AP Daily has over 21 million full video views since September 2020, and AP Daily: Live Review sessions will be held on YouTube from April 19-29 to help students review course content and skills before exams. Students are encouraged to talk with their teachers about the best ways to practice before their exam. Teachers can also assign videos to students and track which students watch.

Details about AP Exams will be updated regularly on the College Board website and shared through email, online educators' communities, and other social media.

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA) People across the globe are consuming more sugar than ever. The fallout of this worldwide added, processed, and refined sugar addiction comes at a very high price -- our health. Brad Woodgate, self-made serial entrepreneur and nutrition industry expert, is taking on sugar with his first book: "No Sugar in Me," which was just published earlier this month.

"Sugar consumption is out of control and has become a health concern for everyone -- it's addictive and completely detrimental to our health," says Woodgate, CEO and Founder of No Sugar Company. "This book is my effort to help people struggling with their sugar dependency. In my 21 years in the health and nutrition industry, I've never seen anything worse than refined sugar."

Over the years, the author has turned a $30,000 investment into over $1 billion in sales. Having launched several successful companies over the past 21 years in the health and wellness space, he has managed over 500 employees, launched over 700 products, and distributed to more than 50 countries.

 ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING FOOD COMPANIES

Through all of this, he has learned what works in this space and what doesn't. Brad helped many people and celebrities reach their wellness goals. In 2015, based on his own health concerns, Brad took a very strong interest in the effects of refined sugar on our health. This led to the establishment of the No Sugar Company in early 2019, which has quickly disrupted the global food industry and is now one of the fastest growing food companies in North America.

"No Sugar in Me" isn't an all-or-nothing detox or a quick-fix diet. This book is about changing your lifestyle through eliminating refined sugar from your diet and embracing better nutrition to gain better health. In his debut book, Woodgate details what sugar really does to your body, how it is hidden in the foods you eat every day, and the cold hard truth about refined sugars.

IMPORTANT AND SHOCKING INFO

Woodgate also arms readers with important and shocking information, like how some 72 different terms can refer to sugar in our food, and how to watch out for them. Big culprits include: No Fat Yogurt (often loaded in sugar) and bread.

"Refined sugars are like the modern-day cigarette -- their negative effects are finally being publicized, and it's only a matter of time before they become regulated," says Woodgate. "But until then, consumers can take the power into their own hands by saying no to refined sugars. I feel strongly that the "No Sugar in Me" lifestyle will be one of the biggest health movements to date."

HOW TO CRUSH CRAVINGS

Also included are simple, but delicious, No Sugar Food Swaps, a special section on how to crush cravings and how to bring your kids into the no sugar lifestyle with you.

If Woodgate has his way, we'll start to scroll down the nutritional labels past the Fat content on our food to see what sugars are hiding in plain sight.

Interested in "No Sugar in Me?" CLICK HERE FOR A FREE E-BOOK.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - A healthy immune system has always been important, but now more than ever, the best products for immune system support are those that boost both respiratory health and heart health.

Consumers looking to make their immune system as strong as possible need to know about several key ingredients that support immune system function at both the heart and respiratory levels.

Most products have been designed to support the immune system by providing the recommended amounts of daily vitamins and minerals to help protect against colds and the flu. Only a few manufacturers have formulated products to meet today's challenging environment. These unique products are engineered to promote respiratory and heart health, to help protect against viruses, and to support the body's ability to reduce inflammation and speed recovery.

"It's like upgrading a black and white TV to a high-definition flat screen color TV," says Dr. James Rouse, a naturopathic family doctor and consultant to BergaMet North America, a manufacturer of exclusive natural supplements.

The Clinical IMMUNE™ supplement product is revolutionizing the immune industry by combining 11 key ingredients including BetaVia™ Complete and Citrus Bergamot SuperFruit™ that focus directly on respiratory and heart heath. BetaVia™ is a patented proprietary form of beta glucans that has been clinically proven to lower respiratory symptoms up to 80%, and Citrus Bergamot Superfruit™ has more than 17 clinical trials that confirm a unique ability to support healthy cardiovascular systems including but not limited to cholesterol and blood sugar.

"We know from the clinical trials that Clinical IMMUNE works. It offers three levels of support: the three P's, Protection, Prevention and Propel," says Dr. Rouse. "With the three P's, the immune system recovers faster and stronger," Dr. Rouse explains. "I speak with so many people who are exhausted and stressed with today's overwhelming challenges. My recommendation is to do everything you can to protect yourself and your loved ones by strengthening your immune system."

Mique, a mother, wife and entrepreur from Colorado says, "I decided to try Clinical IMMUNE for my family and myself. Within days, we noticed that our sinuses and lungs felt clearer. She adds, "I checked with my doctor and I am told that the combination of ingredients in Clinical IMMUNE can be effective immediately," she adds.

Clinical IMMUNE also contains other key ingredients to promote a strong immune system including vitamins C, D, E, and B, as well as zinc and selenium. The addition of natural immune-system boosters alpha lipoic acid, L-glutamine, and olive leaf extract also help defend the body against free radicals and support a healthy metabolism.

Clinical IMMUNE is free of wheat, gluten, fish, egg, dairy, and lactose, and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Visit tryclinicalimmune.com for more information about the supplement or call 1-855-556-2131 for more details. The BergaMet North America stock symbol is HYEX.

(NewsUSA) - Persistent migraines and cluster headaches disrupt the lives, careers, and families of many people who struggle to find relief from debilitating pain. Migraine is one of the world's most common health conditions, affects roughly 39 million people in the United States, making it the sixth most prevalent illness in the world according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation's Global Burden of Disease study. In addition, recent studies on symptoms of "long-haul" Covid-19 states that migraine is a common long-term effect of the illness.

Common symptoms of migraines include a throbbing pain or pulsing sensation on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Medications can provide some relief, but many come with side effects that can be as bad as the headaches themselves, and invasive procedures carry additional risks for complications

Few effective options are available for migraine and cluster headache sufferers. Some patients try non-traditional therapies such as biofeedback, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, and herbal remedies, but success is limited, according to research.

However, evidence suggests that stimulation of the vagus nerve, a large nerve that helps the body regulate pain, can provide relief from migraines and cluster headaches.

The benefits of vagus nerve stimulation are especially notable for populations seeking safe, simple, drug-free treatments, such as adolescents and veterans.

"Over time, we have learned about the incredible power of the vagus nerve," says Peter Staats, MD, chief medical officer at the National Spine and Pain Centers and chief medical officer of electroCore, the makers of the gammaCore device.

"We achieved a technical breakthrough in 2010 when we developed the ability to administer vagus nerve stimulation non-invasively by delivering a proprietary signal through the skin to either the right or the left branches of the vagus nerve in the neck," he says.

Kerrie Smyres began using gammaCore in June 2016. With it, she went from getting a migraine attack every time she ate to being able to eat anything she wanted without an attack. "I was also able to go from barely working to working full-time and have been able to stop taking all my preventive migraine medications and rarely use abortive medications."

The gammaCore Sapphire™is a handheld, non-invasive device that uses gentle electrical stimulation to activate the vagus nerve. The device, which has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment and prevention of migraines and cluster headaches, is available with a doctor's prescription.

Using the device is a simple, three-step process that patients can do at home or on the go. First, find the spot on your neck near your pulse to activate the vagus nerve. Next, apply the accompanying gel to the stimulation surfaces, turn it on, and place it on the neck. Finally, adjust the intensity to a comfortable level, holding in place for a 2-minute stimulation.

For more details, please visit gammaCore.com. A Headache Discussion Guide may be helpful to share with your healthcare provider.

gammaCore Sapphire™ (nVNS) is indicated for use in adult patients for the preventive treatment of cluster headache, the acute treatment of pain associated with episodic cluster headache, and the acute and preventive treatment of migraine in adolescent (age 12 and older) and adult patients.

Important Safety Information

• The effectiveness of gammaCore has not been established in the acute treatment of chronic cluster headache
• gammaCore is contraindicated for patients if they:
  • Have an active implantable medical device, such as a pacemaker, hearing aid implant, or any implanted electronic device
  • Have a metallic device, such as a stent, bone plate, or bone screw, implanted at or near the neck
  • Are using another device at the same time (e.g., TENS Unit, muscle stimulator) or any portable electronic device (e.g., mobile phone)
• Safety and efficacy of gammaCore have not been evaluated in the following patients:
  • Patients diagnosed with narrowing of the arteries (carotid atherosclerosis)
  • Patients who have had surgery to cut the vagus nerve in the neck (cervical vagotomy)
  • Pediatric patients (younger than 12 years)
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with clinically significant hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, or tachycardia

Please refer to the gammaCore Instructions for Use for all of the important warnings and precautions before using or prescribing this product available at gammaCore.com.

(NewsUSA) -Memorial Day is approaching, and this year there is something simple that everyone can do to honor past and present military personnel -- wear or display a red poppy.

The simple red poppy flower has symbolized military sacrifice since World War I, but National Poppy Day (the Friday before Memorial Day) got its start in 2017 by an act of Congress.

The choice of the poppy was inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Fields," written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front line in World War I in Europe. Since then, the poppy has become a symbol to raise awareness and recognize the sacrifices of military personnel and their families.

The American Legion, the nation's largest veterans service organization that includes nearly 2 million members worldwide, adopted the poppy as the official memorial flower in 1920, and began a national poppy distribution program associated with Memorial Day in 1924.

"National Poppy Day is a time to honor every member of the Armed Forces who died in the name of liberty, freedom and democracy," says James W. Oxford, national commander of The American Legion.

"Wearing this symbolic red flower shows your support of veterans for generations to come."

Everyone can participate in National Poppy Day. Wear a poppy or a poppy-themed item, such as a pin, t-shirt, bracelet or a poppy sticker, and tell people what it means. Share poppies with friends, family and colleagues. Accept a poppy and make a donation if you see members of The American Legion Family distributing poppies.

"Each year, members of the American Legion Family, led by the American Legion Auxiliary, distribute poppies with a request for a donation," says Nicole Clapp, national president of The American Legion Auxiliary.

"All donations received are then used by The American Legion Family to support the future of local veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs."

This year, National Poppy Day takes place on Friday, May 28.

For those on social media, share your military stories or poppy photos, and use the hashtag, #PoppyDay #LegionFamily.

Visit poppydayusa.org for more information about National Poppy Day, to purchase poppy-themed items, or to donate to The American Legion.

(NewsUSA)