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Tag: budget

  • Are pricey pet foods really better? Read these tips on finding the best food to fit your budget. | Entertainment/Life

    Are pricey pet foods really better? Read these tips on finding the best food to fit your budget. | Entertainment/Life

    Choosing the right doggy or cat meals can be a overwhelming job. With all of the options out there, and in this age of natural and organic and specialty decisions — I necessarily mean, there is a refrigerated portion for pet dog foodstuff now — how is one to know what is finest for their pet?

    Regardless of which doggy food stuff you get, it is essential to know that dry food is essential to a pet’s well being and for maintaining enamel and gums in very good ailment.

    Although individuals very little packages of moist food items may possibly search captivating and are often gulped down by pets, they nevertheless must have dry, challenging foods.

    So, which foods is very best, and does costly suggest improved? In this article are some points to look at:

    Examine THE Components: The very first ingredients ought to consist of meat (hen, beef, turkey, salmon). That is commonly followed by a lengthy listing, which include preservatives. Do not enable preservatives discourage you — we try to eat them, also, and they are what give the product or service its shelf daily life.

    Having said that, meat byproducts and corn need to not be a person of the to start with a few components.

    EXTRAS: The additional highly-priced foods ordinarily have excess oils, like salmon oil, and fatty acids that assistance a pet’s coat as perfectly as common health and fitness.

    All those with a lot more than one or two animals, specially significant puppies, may well not want to shell out the cash to get big quantities of these costly foods. Having said that, this type of foodstuff can be acquired in more compact quantities and blended with a pet’s common food stuff to improve it.

    Shifting Meals: It is important, nonetheless, in no way to transform a pet’s food overnight. Unexpected variations in diet regime can trigger an upset stomach and diarrhea. When creating a change to a new foods, do it step by step by introducing a very little of the new meals to the existing food until finally the sought after combine ratio is fulfilled, or until finally the new meals has absolutely changed the outdated.

    Basics, Plus: Most of the key nationwide model meals (Purina, Pedigree, and so forth.) normally give a pet what he requires, and these food items can usually be increased with salmon oil, probiotics, fatty acids and/or oils — the components that make the high-priced foodstuff so expensive.

    Even fresh-steamed snap beans, slice-up carrots, pumpkin and frozen or clean peas all incorporate nutritional worth to a packaged dry food stuff. But yet again, make these improvements progressively so the pet’s stomach is eased into these new foods.

    Exclusive Treatment: If your pet has exclusive dietary wants, talk to with your veterinarian to determine what food is finest. The two of my puppies are on prescription diet plans, 1 for kidney care and the other mainly because he needs to lose a few pounds.

    Look at THE Bundle: Irrespective of what form of food items you decide to get, make absolutely sure to look at the date on the packaging in advance of obtaining, and when residence, take a look at the food items to make certain no bugs are within. All it takes is 1 microscopic gap in the bag and bugs can get in.

    STORAGE: If the pet food stuff is stored in a plastic bin, make confident to scrub out that bin at the very least after a thirty day period. Oils are absorbed into the plastic and can step by step spoil regardless of what goes into the bin.

    Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer coordinator for Animal Rescue New Orleans, a nonprofit, volunteer-centered, no-eliminate shelter. For extra data on ARNO, visit www.animalrescueneworleans.org.

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  • Pandemic uncertainty complicates Medicaid budget

    Pandemic uncertainty complicates Medicaid budget

    By Rose Hoban

    What a difference a decade can make.

    Republican lawmakers raised a ruckus 10 years ago when officials from the state Department of Health and Human Services informed them that North Carolina had spent millions of dollars more than projected on the Medicaid budget.

    But this month, when Dave Richard, the DHHS head of Medicaid, informed state lawmakers at a Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice that Medicaid expenses were running higher than expected for the fiscal year ending in June, no similar outcry occurred.

    That shortfall in a $4 billion budget could top $100 million, Richard projected. Though it’s a small percentage of the overall budget, the dollar figure can be eye-popping, nonetheless.

    There are many reasons for the extra expense, including the pandemic and all the unexpected and related health care costs.

    In the spring of 2020, as historic questions about the pandemic loomed, Congress took huge steps to do away with barriers to treatment for the novel coronavirus.

    Republicans and Democrats pushed aside the hyper-partisanship that often plunges big bills and critical issues into a quagmire. Unaware of what lay ahead for the next two years, Congress came together to adopt the $2 trillion  CARES Act.

    Pandemic beneficiaries

    Tucked into the massive relief bill was a measure forbidding states from removing people from Medicaid rolls if they had suddenly qualified for the benefit because of job loss or other reasons during the pandemic.

    That applies throughout the duration of the public health emergency. No beneficiaries can be removed from Medicaid rolls until the end of the month in which the emergency expires.

    Usually, low-income workers in North Carolina don’t qualify for Medicaid. Most enrollees are children whose families barely make a living wage, people with disabilities and elderly people with little to no built-up wealth.

    In North Carolina, however, some low-income parents with children younger than 18 can be enrolled in the program for as long as their child qualifies. 

    The number of Medicaid beneficiaries in North Carolina more than doubled from March 2020 to this month, according to Richard. There were about 205,000 adult beneficiaries in March 2020. Now there are nearly 418,000 adults on the Medicaid rolls.

    More children qualified too, but since most children in the state already had some form of health insurance — whether Medicaid or otherwise — that part of the program hasn’t had the same rapid growth. 

    Monthly Medicaid enrollment growth since start of public health emergency. Image, data: NC DHHS

    All those extra people added to the program’s cost, Richard told lawmakers, leading to the news that Medicaid would be over budget for the first time in years.

    “The forecast was much more difficult because we were doing this in the middle of a pandemic,” Richard said. “And we were moving into managed care.”

    Nine months ago, the state changed how its Medicaid system was administered, moving from an in-house, fee-for-service program to a system run by large commercial managed care companies.

    Republican lawmakers pushed for the change not long after making political noise about the budget overrun in 2012, claiming mismanagement of the system after the Medicaid expenses outpaced what had been budgeted.

    When Richard updated lawmakers this month on the Medicaid budget, he said North Carolina had spent about 67 percent of its Medicaid budget. At this point in last year’s spending cycle, the program had spent 64 percent of its budget.

    “There are certain things … we didn’t recognize,” Richard said. “The enrollment projections are higher than we thought we would be.”

    “We thought at some point, this would even off quicker than it did,” Richard added. 

    Still in emergency mode

    Not only did North Carolina see its Medicaid beneficiary numbers explode, the federal and state government allowed rate hikes for health care providers during the pandemic.

    While the federal government pays an enhanced rate of more than 72 percent of the state’s Medicaid costs currently, there are still expenses that the state has had to bear. 

    Skilled nursing facilities got a bump up in rates to help them hire more personnel. Hospitals got a rate hike to help them cover the costs of personal protective equipment, staffing and long hospital stays by uninsured COVID patients. There also were extra costs for just about everything related to the pandemic.

    “We did do a lot of those COVID temporary rate increases that we’ve talked about,” Richard said. “And they stayed on longer than we planned.”

    Nonetheless, Richard assured lawmakers that he was confident that the spending trends were “going the right direction.”

    One reason for his confidence is that there are also one-time federal pandemic funds still sloshing around in the state budget to cover gaps that might arise because of the pandemic. 

    Another reason for his confidence was that NC public health officials thought at the time that the end of the federal public health emergency was to occur in the middle of April.

    During a pandemic with so many curves, many know to expect the unexpected.

    On the same day that Richard met with state lawmakers, federal Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra pushed the end out to mid-July, meaning that the bumped-up rates and the extra people would remain on North Carolina’s Medicaid balance sheets for an additional 90 days. 

    ‘Forecasts are always wrong’

    A decade ago, Medicaid was over budget for several years in a row and Republican lawmakers roundly criticized the program as wasteful. 

    This year, criticism of cost overruns has been muted, if there at all. 

  • How to Eat Healthy on a Budget: Money-Saving Tips

    How to Eat Healthy on a Budget: Money-Saving Tips

    With grocery costs heading up thanks to inflation it can be tricky to locate the food items your spouse and children requirements and enjoys. For many, having a healthy (and economical!) supper on the table every single night can be a problem.

    Diane McCrohan, associate professor and chair of the advertising section & management section in the University of Company at Johnson & Wales College instructed Currently Meals that there has been a large improve in protein expenses as of late.


    “The biggest improve that we have seen is the 20{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} improve calendar year to year in meat and veal rates, as nicely as chicken costs expanding 9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} yr to calendar year,” she claimed. “The major way to cut down this value is to invest in your meat in bulk and on sale. Then commit in a freezer and keep your meat.” When you see chicken on sale for 99 cents a pound, you may be in a position to stock up!

    McCrohan claimed one more terrific technique for customers looking to help save dollars is to indicator up for retail outlet loyalty packages.

    “Often sign up for the grocery shop loyalty application,” she claimed. “They provide member only offers that you do not want to lower coupon codes in order to get.”  

    Jenna Helwig, individual chef and food stuff director at Genuine Uncomplicated explained on These days that it is attainable to deal with your subsequent foodstuff store and cook dinner foods that are straightforward on your wallet that the entire household will get pleasure from. 

    Store frozen

    Shopping the frozen aisle for fruits, veggies and fish is a wonderful dollars-conserving strategy. “Frozen foods have a for a longer period shelf everyday living, which leads to considerably less foods squander,” explained Helwig. “Furthermore, when it will come to veggies like spinach and kale, they are presently washed and chopped for you.”

    For the best excellent, look for “one ingredient” products and solutions that are frozen contemporary (meaning nothing is added to them).

    “In conditions of greenback figures, berries are one of the most apparent sites to help save especially because they go lousy so rapidly and you close up throwing them away,” stated Helwig. “You can preserve $2 on 10 ounces of frozen raspberries as in contrast to clean.”

    When it will come to shrimp (an effortless protein to add to salads and pasta dishes) you can preserve about $7 a pound by shopping for frozen (plus those people “fresh new” shrimp are typically beforehand frozen anyway!).  

    Make a strategy

    Helwig indicates customers look at their fridges and pantries prior to heading out to the retailer. This way, you will not end up acquiring goods you presently have. Stick to your checklist and continue to be absent from people impulse buys.

    “Look at mailers and grocery shop applications for weekly product sales,” explained Helwig. “Program your foods based mostly on what is marked down.”

    McCrohan reported to not only shop with a meal prepare in mind, but also to shop with a monetary funds.

    Another smart tactic is to do your grocery procuring on-line so there are no surprises at the register. 

    Compare unit rates

    McCrohan claims it is really essential to compare not just the value tag but the device pricing when at the supermarket. “This will allow you know the minimum costly solutions to get,” she explained. “Review the device pricing amongst retail outlet and nationwide makes. You will discover significant differences in charge.” In many cases, the shop manufacturer and the countrywide brand name are processed in the very same plant. 

    Do-it-yourself snacks and ingredients

    When it arrives to saving critical income on your grocery monthly bill, Helwig indicates using meal prep to your gain. For instance, shredding your personal cheese and chopping your have veggies tends to make for a huge financial savings.

    Whilst snack-sized things can be hassle-free for school lunches, buying the biggest bag and then portioning out your very own snacks will conserve you income.

    “A standard container of Jif peanut butter charges 40{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} fewer than Jif To Go singles,” mentioned Helwig. “Rather, make your own ‘singles’ with very small reusable containers.”

    If you are buying in bulk, contemplate if any of the goods can be frozen as leftovers. Often attempt to stay away from squander, as food items waste equals cash squander claimed Helwig.

    Store inside aisles

    “We listen to a ton about ‘shopping the perimeter’ of the shop for healthful items but there are numerous healthy and a lot less costly goods in the center aisles too,” mentioned Helwig. “Consider beans, canned fish, brown rice, pasta, oats and jarred veggies.”

    For instance, canned salmon can be $5 a pound vs . $20 additionally a pound when purchased refreshing. “Canned is great for burgers and salads,” stated Helwig. “You can expect to see related discounts with canned tuna.”

    Store a number of marketplaces

    If you want to help save major, never do all your searching in a person put.

    “Look at the sale flyers and assess charges,” McCrohan said. “Do not do all your shopping at one supermarket. Acquire advantage of every one’s revenue. Frequently supermarkets will have a handful of objects at an great price just to get you in the store. Do not slide into the trap.” Obtain the revenue products that you need and move to the next supermarket.  

    Splurge on these products

    When it truly is wonderful to help save on groceries, there are some items that are basically worthy of investing excess on stated Helwig.

    “A good quality EVOO does not go as a result of comprehensive processing like much less expensive alternatives — which means it is packed with wholesome compounds these as anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties,” claimed Helwig. “A further advantage to better-high-quality EVOO is that it has a distinct flavor, producing your veggies taste even improved.”

    Pastured eggs

    “A few bucks much more a dozen, but the taste and nourishment are both of those better,” explained Helwig regarding eggs that arrive from chickens that roam free of charge.

    Ronnie Koenig is a author for Right now.com, covering the meals and pop lifestyle beats. She also writes about health and fitness and wellness, parenting and interactions for NBC Superior and TMRW x Now, serves as a senior editor for New Jersey Household, and contributes to The New York Instances and Real Uncomplicated. She is a graduate of Barnard University and a mother of twins.

  • Fitness: Your home gym should fit your space as well as your budget

    Fitness: Your home gym should fit your space as well as your budget

    Whether you live in an apartment, condo, town home or single-family dwelling, here are some tips on how to set up a first-rate home gym.

    Publishing date:

    Jan 23, 2022  •  January 23, 2022  •  4 minute read  •  Join the conversation

    If budget is your primary consideration, start with a few key pieces of equipment and build your inventory slowly as your needs become more defined.
    If budget is your primary consideration, start with a few key pieces of equipment and build your inventory slowly as your needs become more defined. Photo by Michael Loccisano /Getty Images

    Office, classroom and now gym. Homes are bursting at the seams to make room for activities that weren’t part of the original floor plan. And while local gyms will eventually open up, the flexibility of working out at home has plenty of active Canadians contemplating turning their makeshift home gyms into something more permanent.

    While it’s a rare for a home gym to rival the inventory of equipment and exercise options found at your local fitness club, it’s possible to set up a home workout space to fit any budget or floor plan. Compact or spacious, expensive or bargain basement, high tech or old school, garage, basement, spare bedroom or studio apartment, the best home gyms are efficient in both the space they occupy and the workout they offer.

    Whether you live in an apartment, condo, town home or single-family dwelling, here are some tips on how to set up a first-rate home gym.

    Who’s going to use the space?

    The first step in setting up a home gym is making sure it’s stocked with the right equipment. Before you decide which machines and weights to buy, talk with all potential users to make sure there’s something for everyone. A house full of adults and teenagers will equip their gym differently than a couple in their 60s. Just like the home gyms of a marathoner and a Crossfit enthusiast will probably feature vastly different pieces of equipment. Home gyms that get the most use are built around the fitness goals of its users.

    Decide on the gym’s primary function

    Do you want your home gym to fill in for days when your regular workout is inaccessible, like a runner who uses a treadmill on days when work, family or weather makes it impossible to put in the miles outdoors? Or maybe your idea of the perfect home gym is one designed to complement rather than replicate your regular routine, similar to a cyclist whose gym is equipped with weight-training equipment instead of a stationary bike. Then again, maybe you’re planning on getting rid of your gym membership in favour of a fully equipped, full-service home gym. The more a gym delivers on your fitness goals not only is it more likely be used, you’re less likely to waste money and precious space on pieces of equipment that collect more dust than sweat.

    Create a floor plan

    If space is limited, decide what pieces of equipment you can’t do without and work around that footprint to create the rest of your gym. Don’t pack the space so tight there’s no room to put down a mat, swing a kettlebell or do a couple of walking lunges. Many exercise equipment manufacturers have models geared to small spaces, which is helpful when square footage is tight. When looking for large pieces of equipment like treadmills or squat racks, take the time to review the wide range of models and sizes available. Include room for accessories like a fan, storage for weights and enough wall space for a mirror.

    Consider starting small

    If budget is your primary consideration, start with a few key pieces of equipment and build your inventory slowly as your needs become more defined and your bank account more robust. The best bang for your buck is versatile equipment that trains more than one body part or facilitates a variety of exercises. A pair of adjustable dumbbells that replace anywhere from eight to 16 individual sets of dumbbells with one paired set, a step, mat, resistance bands, skipping rope and kettlebell are good choices. Eventually you can add a weight bench, cardio machine and whatever else you need to fulfill your fitness needs — but don’t be surprised if your initial budget-conscious home gym fits the bill for years to come.

    Set up a smart gym

    What started with the revolutionary Peloton bike has exploded into a new industry of connected exercise machines that offer more variety in terms of workouts. There are treadmills, bikes, rowing machines and space-saving mirror-type devices that offer everything that made the Peloton so popular: livestreamed and/or on-demand workouts led by high-energy trainers and a screen with a real-time display of your personal exercise metrics along with a leaderboard of exercisers doing the same workout from homes around the world.

    Admittedly pricey, smart exercise equipment brings the energy of a community gym into your home. The guided instruction and extra motivation of a lively online community of exercisers sweating with you comes with a monthly subscription fee.

    A great option for small spaces, smart exercise machines fit easily into a spare bedroom or an under-utilized corner of an apartment while offering a large variety of workouts both on and off the machine. They also have lots to offer beginner and veteran exercisers alike, which makes them great for homes with multiple users.

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