Bates Blog

(ARA) - The statistics are staggering: As the leading cause of death in the United States, cardiovascular (or heart) disease accounts for more than 2,200 deaths per day, or one every 39 seconds. Furthermore, the American Heart Association (AHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently estimate that every year about 785,000 Americans will have their first heart attack, and another 470,000 will have a recurrent attack.

And for a number of patients, talking to their doctors about low-dose daily aspirin therapy may be the "heart-smart" thing to do.

For more than 100 years, aspirin has been used as a pain reliever. Since the 1970s, however, studies showed aspirin could also be used to prevent and manage heart disease. There are a variety of patients who may benefit from aspirin therapy, including people who have had a heart attack, stroke or those with any risk factor for heart disease or stroke, as well as men over age 50 and women over age 60 who have diabetes along with any other risk factor.

According to the AHA, aspirin can help prevent heart attack.  More specifically, the AHA recommends that people at high risk of heart attack take a daily low-dose aspirin (if told to by their health care provider), and that heart attack survivors regularly take low-dose aspirin.

"You should never start aspirin therapy on your own," says cardiologist Prerana Manohar, MD. "If you feel that a daily low-dose aspirin regimen may make sense for you, be sure to talk with your doctor about its benefits and risks."

Aspirin benefits the heart in several ways. It decreases pain, inhibits blood clots and most significantly, it reduces the risk of death, particularly among people with heart disease. Additionally, aspirin can significantly reduce heart damage during a heart attack, and can prevent the occurrence of future heart problems.

"For individuals at high risk of suffering a cardiac event, aspirin really can make a difference," Manohar says. "For my patients who are prescribed a daily low-dose regimen, I encourage them to purchase store-brand aspirin sold at leading retailers and pharmacies. These products are regulated by the FDA and use the same active ingredients, but cost significantly less than the brand names."

Allegan, Mich.-based Perrigo is a pharmaceutical company that manufactures and distributes most of the over-the-counter medications found under store-brand labels at leading retailers, grocers and pharmacies. Perrigo offers consumers a variety of affordable store-brand aspirin choices that compare with a variety of brand names, including Bayer, Ecotrin and St. Joseph.

Another important line of defense in protecting against heart disease is to know and maintain your numbers. This means weight/body mass index, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels, as all have an impact on heart health. Additionally, exercising 30 minutes a day most days of the week and eating a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol and salt are some of the very best strategies for preventing heart disease. Avoiding the use of tobacco products, which according to Mayo Clinic is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease, is also critical. Finally, seeing the doctor for regular screenings is vital for managing and preventing heart disease.

"Remember to be good to your heart by eating right, moving more and working in partnership with your doctor to monitor and manage your health," says Manohar. "Together you can work to control any risk factors and determine if daily low-dose aspirin therapy is a heart-smart decision for you."

(ARA) - Financial resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep. Thirty-one percent of Americans set a financial New Year's resolution each year and only about half of them are successful, according to a 2009 study by Bankrate.com.

So what separates those who succeed and those who don't? According to the November 2011 Merrill Edge Report, a survey of the financial priorities and concerns of 1,000 mass affluent Americans (a segment of 28 million Americans with between $50,000 and $250,000 in investable assets), there are a variety of tactics people use, but ultimately there are three big takeaways when trying to improve your financial situation.

1. Planning
Take an honest look at your personal financial situation and set reasonable goals for yourself. One way many Americans are doing this more is by seeking the guidance of a financial adviser. According to the Merrill Edge Report, it is the No. 1 factor mass affluent Americans say increases their confidence in their ability to meet their financial goals.

2. Prudence
The Merrill Edge Report shows much of America is in a similar tenuous situation with their finances as they were a year ago. But those who improved their financial situation in 2011 say it was because they eliminated unnecessary expenses, paid bills on time and stuck to a budget.

"In this uncertain economy, it's more important than ever to stay in control of your personal finances," says Dean Athanasia, preferred and small business executive at Bank of America. "While we cannot control what's going on around us, we can do little things like brown bag it to work, downgrade our cable package or buy in bulk to make small improvements."

Other ways you can prudently get into financial shape next year could be to start tracking and managing your money or paying down debt over the next year. Financial management is an area where the majority of Merrill Edge Report respondents said they would focus on in the next six months, including budgeting, balancing short-and long-term financial needs, and ensuring their portfolios are properly allocated.

3. Prioritizing
Retirement planning is often neglected when times are tight. Nearly half of non-retirees expect to retire later than they had planned a year ago. Prioritizing contributions to your 401(k) or retirement savings could help reduce financial stress in the long-term.

Prioritizing saving is another area where people are struggling. The Merrill Edge Report found 57 percent of respondents believe it will be harder to save for the long-term five years from now as compared to today, and 27 percent feel it will be equally as difficult. Finding a way to focus on saving can be financially beneficial in both the short- and long term.

With a wide variety of financial guidance and tools available, you can personalize how you manage your finances. Planning for the future, being prudent with your spending and prioritizing saving can help you do what works best for you and stay on track with your financial goals this year.

For more information on balancing your portfolio and retirement strategies visit merrilledge.com or speak with a Financial Solutions Advisor at the Merrill Edge Advisory center at (888) MER-EDGE (888-637-3343). Merrill Edge, available through Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) consists of Merrill Edge Advisory Center (investment guidance) or self-directed online investing. MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Remember, investing in securities involves risks, and investment products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, and may lose value. Neither Merrill Edge nor its associates provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

(ARA) - First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes ... cooking together? With 90 percent of bridal registries containing kitchen appliances, today's couples are thinking about the thousands of meals they'll share together. Many registries focus on appliances, as couples hope to complete cooking tasks quickly and easily, but they should also consider the most important ingredient: a partner to cook with.

One truism of marriage is that the more activities a couple shares, the stronger their marriage becomes. Cooking together is a great choice because it's something that you can easily incorporate into your life, whether it's your everyday routine, entertaining guests or, of course, date night. Couples who prepare meals together create a feel-good home environment that builds trust, problem-solving and teamwork.

The kitchen also is a place of memories. You may remember mom's chicken or grandma's homemade marinara sauce. Whether you create your own recipes, cook each other's favorite dishes or just discover meals you're both fond of, cooking together can contribute many happy moments every year to your marriage.

Your bridal registry choices set the initial stage for what types of delicious meals (and drinks) you share together. Just follow these helpful hints by Black & Decker so you and your spouse can plan to cook, love and eat your way through the many years to come.

Start the day easy.
What better way to start the day than to cook and eat a meal together with your spouse? Not only is breakfast the most important meal of the day, it's also a great opportunity to connect as you fix it together.

Make coffee like a barista with a Black & Decker coffeemaker, which lets you set the strength of your brew. You can also create cafe-style sandwiches in a toaster oven for each other, or experiment with different artisan breads to see which you like best. Try hearty rye, rich sourdough or tangy olive loaf to supplement your regular white or wheat.

Entertain your guests effortlessly.
While every marriage has a foundation of two people, you'll want to include friends and family in your home celebrations. Preparing food for guests can be intimidating the first few times you try it, but with some key appliances, you can cook great dishes with just a little skill. Black & Decker appliances provide the tools you need, with the durability you want and at a value you'll appreciate.

The PowerPro 2-in-1 Food Processor & Blender will help you quickly prepare ingredients for your dishes and then quickly switch to frozen drinks when the guests arrive. With one cost-saving appliance, you can make healthy smoothies and decadent milkshakes or chop up vegetables and cheese for a homemade pizza or healthy salad. A countertop convection oven can serve as a second oven when cooking for the entire family. Cooking with convection ensures that you will never wait long for your food to be ready, whether it's a baked dish or delicious roast chicken. Finally, cleanup is easy now that most appliances feature removable dishwasher-safe parts.

Don't forget date night.
Marriage requires investment to keep the relationship fun and interesting. While everyone enjoys a night out at a restaurant, a date at home can save money and increase your bond as you create new and interesting dishes together. With the right kitchen appliances, you can save a lot of time so you focus more on each other and less time on food prep.

Instead of going to a Mexican restaurant, make a Mexican-themed meal. Starting the night off with a frozen margarita is easier if it's made in a blender that shreds ice into snow. Use your food processor to whip up a spicy salsa, then quickly slice and shred ingredients for some tacos. For dessert, a countertop convection oven can bake indulgent individual caramel flan in a snap. With just a little help from your kitchen appliances, your date-night meals will come out memorable every time.

Learning to cook together doesn't have to be a daunting task. Whether its breakfast, entertaining lunches, or date-night dinners, your appliances will help guide you through the many meals to come. Visit www.blackanddeckerappliances.com for more information on registry ideas for couple's cooking.

JACKSON CENTER, Ohio--Thor Industries, Inc. announced results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 ended October 31, 2011. Sales for the quarter were $673,000,000, up 11% from $606,684,000 last year. Net income for the quarter was $22,358,000, compared with $23,688,000 last year. Basic earnings per share (E.P.S.) for the quarter were 41 cents versus 44 cents last year.

Total RV segment sales for the quarter were $561,660,000, up 11% from $506,563,000 last year. Towable RV sales for the quarter were $499,104,000, up 18% from $422,449,000 last year. Motorized RV sales for the quarter were $62,556,000, down 26% from $84,114,000 last year. Towable RV sales for both quarterly periods include Heartland RV since its acquisition on September 16, 2010. Bus segment sales for the quarter, including buses and ambulances, were $111,340,000, up 11% from $100,121,000 last year.

Total RV segment income before tax for the quarter was $33,884,000, compared with $34,104,000 last year. Towable RV income before tax for the quarter was $32,591,000, down 2% from $33,100,000 last year. Motorized RV income before tax for the quarter was $1,293,000, up 29% from $1,004,000 last year. Bus segment income before tax for the quarter was $5,266,000, compared with $9,419,000 last year. Bus segment income was positively impacted in fiscal 2011 by a gain of $4,802,000 related to insurance recoveries.

"We are encouraged by our strong towable RV backlog driven by orders from our fall Open House event, coupled with increased RV market retail sales and planned product improvements and introductions at this week's RVIA Expo in Louisville, KY. However, the RV market remains very competitive with promotional pricing," said Peter B. Orthwein, Thor Chairman, CEO and President. "We are also seeing public transit agencies and private operators begin to replace their fleets, which provides opportunities for Thor's bus segment."

Thor is the world's largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles and a major builder of commercial buses and ambulances.

(ARA) - The idea of retirement is both exciting and daunting. After leaving the workforce, you'll have the opportunity to pursue dreams that you have envisioned for your retirement such as seeing the country through the windshield of an RV. But you'll need to have the financial wherewithal to fund those dreams and cover your day-to-day living expenses.

It is clear from everything we read in the news that many Americans likely aren't saving enough. While many people might rely on Social Security to help cover their costs during retirement, it may not be enough and those who want to live a full life in their later years should focus now on saving more.

This fact is underscored by a LinkedIn Poll that Prudential Retirement began on Sept. 9 about Americans' perceptions of workplace retirement plans. There were more than 300,000 impressions and more than 1,000 individuals voted. Of those voters, more than 50 percent were "very interested" in a guaranteed retirement income feature. Moreover, 23 percent were "somewhat interested."

Whether you're in your 20s or your 50s, retirement should be on your mind. Regardless of your age, now is the time to start planning so that you can make sure you are able to save enough to live the retirement you envision. Spend some time considering these points and consult with a financial advisor who can help you lay out a plan to maximize your savings. Some options to consider include:

• Workplace retirement opportunities. If you're fortunate enough to have access to a workplace retirement plan, take advantage of it - they are one of the best ways to save for retirement. Market volatility will always impact the stock market. However, in an effort to make workplace retirement plans more user-friendly and better help participants plan for a more secure retirement, Prudential Retirement is leading a push to introduce features into defined contribution plans that provide guaranteed retirement income. You can learn more at www.prudential.com.
• Diversification: Commonly known as, "don't put all your eggs in one basket," diversification is simply choosing a variety of investments that react differently to market conditions. Choosing a variety of them can help you manage risk since positive performance in one option may help offset poor performance in another option. Diversification should be a central theme of your retirement funding plan. However, keep in mind that application of asset allocation and diversification concepts does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. It is possible to lose money by investing in securities. If you feel unsure of what you should be doing, what your options are or need help understanding just what you need for retirement, a financial advisor can help you lay out a more clearly defined path toward your goals.
• Seek protection. "Expect the unexpected" is a classic adage that has endured for good reason. The plans you make might not follow the path your life actually takes, so it's a good idea to protect yourself in case the unexpected should happen. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure that you have an adequate amount of insurance to protect your income and your assets. In addition to a smart retirement planning strategy, life, health, disability and long-term care insurance can help protect both you and your loved ones.
• Budget and cut back on excessive spending. While we all want to live a full life every day, the decisions you make now could have a negative or positive impact on your future - it all comes down to the choices you make. Of course there are unavoidable costs that come along with day-to-day living, but the more discretionary spending you do now, the more money you'll have later. Think about cutting back on extravagances and extras - without eliminating them completely - in a way that will allow you to invest more money in your future retirement.