IRA Information

Q. If my employer does not offer an IRA, where can I get one?
A. An IRA can be opened with a bank, credit union, insurance company, or brokerage firm. Tax-deductible contributions for a particular year may be made until the date that your tax return is due, usually April 15.
Q. Do I have to pay taxes on the money while it is in an IRA?
A. There are two kinds of IRA’s: the traditional IRA and the Roth IRA. With the traditional IRA, taxes on your contributions up to the legal limit are deferred until you begin withdrawing the money. Roth IRA contributions are taxed as regular income before deposit, but are not taxed at withdrawal. Consult your financial advisor regarding the best option for you.
Q. How many IRA’s can I have?
A. You can have as many IRA’s as you wish. The current limit on tax-deductible contributions is $2,000 per individual; under the Tax Relief Act of 2001, this amount will gradually rise to $5,000 by the year 2008. You may distribute your contribution among your accounts as you see fit.

Vitamin C Alert

As the weather begins to get colder, it is a good idea to give children extra Vitamin C, but the candy type of Vitamin C is not always the best choice, especially for cavity-prone kids. For them, the liquid version may be healthier. The reason is that pieces of chewed tablets can lodge between teeth, where the acid will eat away tooth enamel. Lodged pieces can also cause problems for adults with receding gums.

Help for Canker Sores

When a canker sore first appears, it is painful to apply ice. To soothe the pain, apply a wet tea bag, Vitamin E, or antacids such as Mylanta. To expedite the healing, apply three parts water and one part hydrogen peroxide four or five times during the day.

Pomegranate Power

To expel mucus from the back of the throat, simmer 2 tablespoons of dried pomegranate rind in 3 cups of water for 20 minutes. Then strain. Stir in 3 tablespoons of honey. Gargle as often as needed, at least 4 times per day. This mixture will stay fresh for one week.

How to Talk to Your Teen . . .

Here are suggestions for improving the lines of communication between parents and teenagers:

1. Teens love and need to talk. Try listening without interrupting.
2. You must listen carefully and completely. Teens can tell if you are hearing what they are saying or if you are really thinking about something else, such as bills or shopping.
3. Thank them for sharing their thoughts or concerns with you. It makes them feel that what they have to say is important.
4. Take a walk with your teen so that you can talk without interruption. (Remember to leave your pager or cell phone behind.)
5. Point out your teen’s talents. Most teens are consumed with what they do not have; remind them about all their positive attributes.

. . . And How Not to Talk to Your Teen

1. “I can’t talk to you now.” Many teens find it hard to talk to parents. If you cannot stop what you are doing, set a concrete time to talk with your child, but realize that he may not be willing to discuss the matter with you at a later time.
2. Don’t argue. Teens love the energy of arguing. If you cannot get your point across, try writing a note. (Teens love to get mail. Why not buy a nice card, put down your thoughts, and mail it to her?)
3. Don’t tell a teen that she is overreacting. The issue may not seem so important to you, but it is very important to her. You should listen actively and you should validate the urgency of her feelings. Try to find a solution only if she wants to employ your services.
4. Don’t tell a teen that the topic he wants to discuss does not interest you. It is important for you to discuss topics that your teen finds compelling, regardless of your level of interest in these matters. Often teens do not know what to discuss with their parents, and a topic that may seem unimportant may lead to a discussion that is indeed very important.

Essential Oils for Your Face

Essential oils are wonderful for a variety of skin conditions, but the creams on the market that include essential oils are very costly. An economic alternative is to add pure essential oil directly to your favorite moisturizer.

For normal skin, add geranium, lavender, or ylang ylang. For oily skin, try lemon, cedarwood, or basil. For dry skin, peppermint, rosemary, or sandalwood may help. For acne, try bergamot, eucalyptus, or juniper.

BOOK REVIEW

From the Heavens to the Heart, by Tzvi Jacobs

It is inspirational to begin the New Year with a book of miracle stories. In From the Heavens to the Heart, Tzvi Jacobs takes his readers on a wonderful journey based on the stories of ordinary people seeing G-d’s guidance in their lives.

Jacobs grew up non-observant in Charleston, South Carolina, later becoming religious and attending a yeshivah in New Jersey. He shares experiences from the different parts of his life and the lives of others, experiences within which he finds the hand of G-d and the ability of human beings to achieve their potential.

The stories are well written and will leave you with a smile on your face. The book can be purchased at your local store, or on the web at Amazon.com or Walmart.com. Or call 973-984-7622.