10 Medicine Cabinet Essentials

When it comes to first aid in the home, be prepared with a well-stocked medicine cabinet. If you need to treat an illness or injury, you will have all the basics on hand to help yourself or others.

Before you head to the drugstore, take an inventory of your medicine cabinet and what’s currently on your shelves. This is a good opportunity to clear your medicine cabinet of old prescriptions and expired products. Make this a habit and try to do this every three months. Find a local center near you that can properly dispose of old medication. Some grocery stores or community centers offer this service annually. By doing this, you won’t have to worry about how long that bottle of pink liquid has been sitting on your shelf the next time you have a sudden stomach ache.

Remember: Always follow dosage instructions as indicated on medication packaging.

Medications and first aid supplies to have on hand at all times

The following medicine cabinet supplies can treat a range of illnesses and minor injuries, from allergies and stomach aches to cut, bruises, aches and pains.

1. Emergency instructions

Tape a list of important phone numbers (doctors, Poison Control), medication instructions and allergy alerts inside the cabinet door.

2. Acetaminophen and an NSAID

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce inflammation related to conditions like backaches and toothaches. Be aware of NSAID sensitivity in your family, especially in young children.

3. Aspirin

Aspirin works as a pain reliever for adults, but it’s also important to have on hand in case of emergencies. According to the American Heart Association, taking aspirin also helps during a heart attack. In fact, people having a heart attack are often given an aspirin by emergency medical services. However, it’s wise to be aware of aspirin sensitivity in your family, and it should never be given to children under 18.

4. Antihistamine

Antihistamines treat hives, itching and allergic reactions from a wide range of causes. Stock both oral antihistamines (the liquid or pill form that may be helpful during a serious allergic reaction) and hydrocortisone cream.

5. Decongestant, cough suppressant and flu relief medicine

You won’t want to leave home to go to the drugstore when you’re feeling lousy, so keep cold and flu relief medication on hand.

6. Antacids

If you are suffering from heartburn, these are your best bet for quick relief.

7. Antibiotic ointment

Apply this after you’ve washed cuts and scrapes with warm water and soap, then cover the wound with clean bandages.

8. Bandages

Stock up on adhesive bandages of all sizes, plus plenty of gauze and sterile tape.

9. Thermometer

Feeling someone’s forehead may be a good first step, but a thermometer is necessary for an accurate temperature reading.

10. Heat and ice packs

Keep several of these on hand, as they can provide relief for everything from headaches and sprains to injuries and sore muscles.

Staying healthy and safe is everyone’s concern. But if someone gets injured on your property, you’ll need more protection than what’s available in your emergency medicine cabinet. Make sure you’re covered with personal umbrella liabilitycoverage from Nationwide, which may help protect you beyond your homeowners insurance coverage limits.

The Benefits of Minimalist Living

Accumulating things is just part of life. There are the items we need, and then there are those we don’t really need — but how much is too much? At a certain point, you may feel overwhelmed or crowded by all of your stuff. Your things may cease to have meaning, or worse, you may not be able to locate important items.

If this sounds right, it might be time to adopt a minimalist lifestyle. From a practical standpoint, relinquishing objects can help you de-clutter your living space. It also may have symbolic value, signaling a change in your perspective and priorities in life.

1. Create a minimalist living plan

You’ll have to prioritize the objects you can’t live without and those that are less important. Every room in the house can accumulate clutter. Don’t ignore any opportunity. Remember that you want fewer items.

One great way to get started with a minimalist lifestyle is to formulate a plan to systematically go through your things and determine what you want to keep. It can feel overwhelming to think you need to tackle everything in one day – and you don’t need to. Instead, break each part of the process into steps.

One idea is to set a goal of going through one room a day – or a weekend for larger rooms with more items, like your kitchen. Or, if you have a bunch of boxes to go through, sort one every evening after you get home from work. It can also help to set up a staging area somewhere else in your home; seeing the items outside their “natural habitat” makes it easier to think about their utility. However you declutter, choose the pace that works for you, and remember it’s not a race. It took time to accumulate things, and it can take some time to declutter, too.

2. Artwork and decorative objects

Artwork and ornamental objects can create a richer environment, but they’re not a necessity and can easily clutter a room. They may serve as a good starting point in your minimalist efforts. Keep only what has nostalgic value or that’s meaningful and attractive, and sell or give away the rest. If an art piece is valuable enough, consider donating it to charity.

3. Living with less furniture

Many houses have extra furniture on hand, which can overcrowd the space. Think about taking out pieces, starting with the ones that you simply don’t like anymore or that aren’t essential for your convenience or comfort. If you don’t use it frequently or have a need for it, don’t hesitate to get rid of it. Remember that some charitable services and thrift stores will pick up bulky items you want to donate.

4. Kitchen equipment and utensils

Culinary-minded households acquire kitchen gadgets and utensils quickly. You might like the aesthetics of certain items or want to purchase the latest devices. But too many small appliances and tools, like food processors and blenders, can monopolize your counter and cabinet space. So can those utensils you have doubles or even triples of — there are only so many spatulas, serving spoons or pots that you need.

Look for kitchen items you’re not using frequently or that you have multiples of. If you do an effective job of streamlining your kitchen, you’ll find that this room is easier and more enjoyable to use. This is also a helpful way to prepare for a remodel.

5. Clearing out clothing

It’s not unusual to see bedroom closets and dressers overflowing with clothes. Many of us own extra clothing, and many of us also don’t wear a good portion of our wardrobes. If you’re overstocked, pinpoint the items that you wear most frequently and donate the rest.

With these helpful ideas in mind, it’s easier to begin the de-cluttering process on your path to a more minimalist lifestyle. Whether you’re preparing for a move, cleaning the kids’ rooms after they’ve left for college or looking into adopting minimalist living, a decluttered living space provides contentment and relaxation.

Looking to enjoy even more peace of mind at home? Nationwide’s homeowners insurance coverage can help protect your important belongings, regardless of how minimalist your lifestyle is.

FIRE & BURNS: HOME FIRE DRILL

HAVE YOU PRACTICED WITH YOUR FAMILY?
  

Get out your stopwatches, because it’s time for a two-minute home fire drill. Home fires are more common than many parents realize, but only a fraction of families have an escape plan. Visit HomeFireDrillDay.com to learn fun and memorable ways to teach kids how to escape a home fire in an emergency.

STEPS TO SAFETY

MAKE A PLAN

Draw a floor plan for each floor of your home, including windows and doors. For each room, find two ways out, and label them on your plan. Get started by downloading the worksheet.
Designate one adult to help get babies, young children, or family members who need extra help out safely. Have a back-up plan in case the primary person is overcome by smoke, or is not home.
Decide on a safe meeting place for your family. Make sure it is a safe distance away from the home.

TALK TO YOUR KIDS

Make sure everyone knows what to do and where to go in case of a fire.
Test your smoke alarms once a month, and make sure your child can recognize the sound.
Teach your child to get low and crawl on the ground, where the air is less smoky.
Show your child how to use the back of his hand to check doors for heat before opening. Teach them to use a different way out if the door is hot to the touch.
If your child needs to use an escape ladder, show him where you keep it, and how to use it.
Children can become scared and confused during emergencies, so teach them to never hide from firefighters.
Teach children to NEVER go back inside a burning building. Once they are out, stay out!

DO A HOME FIRE DRILL

Practice your fire escape plan twice a year. Fires can start anywhere in the home and at any time, so run through the plan at different times of the day or night, and practice different ways out.
Use a stopwatch to time how fast everyone can get out and to the specified meeting place. The goal should be under 2 minutes.
Practice feeling the door and doorknob with the back of your hand for heat.
Explain that if they do catch fire, they need to stop, drop and roll.

Nationwide Recognized for Providing Outstanding Retirement Plan Service

DALBAR, the nation’s leading financial services market research firm, has once again honored Nationwide for its outstanding service to retirement plans. This year, Nationwide earned three separate DALBAR awards recognizing the level of service being provided to its retirement plan partners, plan sponsors and participants. The awards earned are:

• 2017 Plan Participant Service Award for contact center support to plan participants in both public and private sector plans
• 2017 Recognition for Excellence for telephone support and relationship management through the New Plan Implementation and Conversionsprocesses
• 2017 Recognition for Excellence for email support and relationship management by the Client Services Team to plan sponsors, third-party administrators and financial advisors

2017 marked the fourth straight year that Nationwide has earned both the Plan Participant Service Award for contact center support and the Recognition for Excellence for email support to plan sponsors and TPAs. This is the third consecutive year that Nationwide has been recognized for telephone support and relationship management for new plan implementation and conversions.

“Nationwide’s focus on the customer experience extends across the life cycle of its retirement plans, from the initial implementation through disbursement,” said Brendan Yeager, DALBAR director.  “Nationwide is committed to providing an award-winning experience to all of its stakeholders, from the financial advisor and third-party administrator to the plan sponsor and, of course, individual participant. The company excels at both transactional interactions through its contact center and at building trust-based relationships with plan sponsors and business partners.”

Wendy Shaw, Nationwide’s vice president of retirement plan operations, said the awards demonstrate Nationwide’s commitment to providing a superior standard of care to retirement plan customers, and its ongoing investments in its people and technology.

“We’ve worked hard to build a culture that’s committed to excellence and continuous improvement,” said Shaw. “Our commitment extends from the plan sponsor or third-party administrator all the way to individual plan participants. It starts from the time a retirement plan comes to Nationwide and carries through to each and every plan sponsor and participant interaction – from their first payroll contribution all the way through retirement. These awards are clear evidence that we are delivering on that promise, and we’re extremely proud of our service leaders and associates who consistently deliver an outstanding experience to our retirement plan clients.”

The recognition of excellence is only awarded to firms that exceed strict standards for communication. The service award is based on systematic testing of customer service throughout the year based on thousands of tests measuring how financial companies respond to the service needs of their customers.

Learn more about how you can begin working with Nationwide’s award-winning retirement planning services to help you prepare for the future.

6 Energy-Efficient Technologies to Make Your Home Greener

Installing energy-saving technology is a great idea, whether you’re moving into a new place or upgrading your current home.

Different devices and types of technology can increase the comfort of your home and help you save money. They can also help you become more environmentally conscious.

There’s an increasing array of devices and software programs that can help you increase your energy efficiency. Below you’ll find 6 ways that you can use green home technology to help the environment and your wallet.

1. Programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat is easy to install, and you can program it to change the temperature at times when you don’t need as much heating or cooling, including when you’re at work, on vacation or asleep. Some thermostats allow you to control them an app on your phone or on your computer, making it easy for you to change the temperature when you’re not home.

2. Smart home automation systems

Smart home systems integrate and can improve various functions. For example, a smart alarm system combined with cameras or sensors that monitor specific areas can keep your home safer by letting you know via your smartphone when someone is there. Smart thermostats can adjust and control temperature automatically Other programs control lighting with similar precision and efficiency. For example, with some of the latest lighting systems, you can turn off lighting by room or area, or create a schedule for when certain lights should switch on or off. That way, even if someone leaves the lights on in one room, they’ll still turn off at a designated time. Some systems control smart appliances, turning on an oven, for instance, so it’s already pre-heated when you get home; turning off a coffee maker you accidentally left on; or closing a garage door at your command.

3. Energy-efficient windows

Energy-efficient windows can decrease your heating and air conditioning costs. Switching from single-pane to double-pane windows requires an initial investment, but the cost savings will add up as you spend less on energy bills. Older windows allow hot or cold air to escape through cracks, and single-paned designs don’t retain heat or cool air as well. If you aren’t ready to upgrade your windows, you can insulate each window, which can cut some of the air leakage.

Window coverings can also help. By keeping windows shaded on hot days, you can cut down on air conditioning usage. On cold days, keep those same window shades open to allow in natural, warm sunlight.

4. Energy-efficient air conditioners

In addition to using an energy-efficient air conditioner (look for one with an Energy Star rating), energy-savings solutions include closing off air conditioning vents in parts of the home you might not be using. That way, you’re not cooling an area that’s sitting empty, which is a great way to save energy during the summer. Also, consider raising the thermostat temperature a few degrees higher from where you normally set it. A new normal for you might mean lower energy bills, and you’ll still be comfortable. If you’re using a window air conditioning unit, be sure there’s a tight fit so air doesn’t escape out the window.

5. LED lights

Controlling your lighting makes your home more comfortable, makes it easier to see and helps you relax. You can do this with automated systems by changing out some your light bulbs. LED lights use less energy and are cooler when running than traditional incandescent lights, and they also last longer. Swapping out  light bulbs helps your home go green and can save you money in the long run. Consider installing smart bulbs for even more control over your home lighting; these devices pair with a smartphone app, so you can turn them on or off or switch their color remotely.

6. Energy-saving devices

Home appliances including refrigerators, hot water heaters, dishwashers and clothes dryers consume a lot of energy. Consider purchasing energy-efficient appliances with Energy Star ratings if you’re in the market for new appliances or are looking to upgrade. Their energy-saving technology is an easy way to reduce your energy usage.

Are you on a roll with saving energy around your home? Keep up the momentum. Learn even more ways to use green technology to improve the energy-efficiency of your appliances.

Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

6 Backyard Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

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Low-budget landscaping needn’t be bare-bones. A little money and effort can create a big impact regardless of how much space you have.

Before starting your backyard renovation, have a design in mind. It’s easy to be wooed by beautiful blooms at nurseries. If you have a plan, you’re more likely to purchase the right plants and know where they should go. Here are some backyard landscaping ideas that can spruce up a yard on any budget.

1. Invest in soil

“Soil amendments and preparation – raking, tilling and grading – are the most important aspects of budget gardening,” says landscape architect Eric King. Plants grow better in improved soil, so you can start with smaller, cheaper plants rather than larger, more expensive ones.

To stretch your plant budget further, shop wholesale nurseries and end-of-blooming-season sales. Focus on perennials that can overwinter in your climate zone (so you don’t have the cost of planting each year) and that provide year-round interest through color or texture. You can add bright pops of color throughout the year with a few potted annuals.

2. Employ dimensional design

Even budget-friendly backyard landscaping ideas should include plants of various heights and textures for visual depth. Designing vertically, for instance, makes a small space seem larger and more interesting, so you get more style and function for your money. Ensure plants aren’t all one height, though.

3. Pick low-maintenance foliage

Include bushes and ornamental trees in your landscape design, too. These options add interest for decades, without the need to replant, thus saving money long-term. Slow-growing Japanese maples, for instance, add height, color and, in winter, architectural interest. Ornamental grasses add low-maintenance texture and eliminate the need to replant seasonally with flowers. Non-woody vines, like jasmine on fences or walls, add dimension and draw the eye upward. Woody vines like honeysuckle and bougainvillea, in contrast, are best suited for pergolas and other well-ventilated structures, because they trap moisture beneath their leaves, which contributes to wood rot. Vines can quickly fill in barren areas, providing extensive coverage at relatively little expense.

4. Create a destination point in your yard

Even if you have a tiny yard, you can create a destination point. A seating area and a garden feature, like a reflecting ball that’s separated from the rest of the lawn, are two examples. Budget-friendly options include refurbished and repurposed garage sale finds like retro-aluminum chairs and construction elements like salvaged windows or newel posts. If you’re handy, build your own seating after a trip to the home-supply store. Access your special area with a winding path that invites walkers to slow down and enjoy the changing views.

5. Set up a “secret room”

Mobile plantings can make the garden room multifunctional. Says landscape designer Chris Lambton, host of HGTV’s “Going Yard” series: “Using planters on casters lets you create a secret room with plenty of greenery but gives you the flexibility to easily move plants out of the way to repurpose the area for dining or entertaining.”

6. Consider alternatives

For paths or patios, natural stone or pavers are a good investment if you plan to stay in the home a while. On the other hand, “pea gravel or crushed stone can make a fabulous surface for much less money than mortared flagstone or pavers,” King says. If you choose stone or pavers, however, you can still save money by not mortaring them in place.

To install pea gravel, stone or pavers, remove any existing turf from the area and put down a layer of landscaping fabric to minimize weeds and to prevent the gravel from being pressed into the soil. You can add the pea gravel on top of the fabric. For stone or pavers, cover the fabric with sand for easy leveling. Soften the look by planting grass or creeping plants like elfin thyme or Irish moss in the spaces between the stones.

Improvisation is integral to low-cost landscaping ideas. If, for instance, replacing an unsightly fence isn’t feasible, screen it with reed or rolled bamboo. Repaint faded plastic planters using plastics paint from any home store. If your patio slab is broken, cover it with a layer of pea gravel.

Low-cost backyard renovations can be exciting and fun. Using your ingenuity to find the best deals and your creativity to employ a variety of materials can transform your yard from dreary to dynamic – even on a tiny budget.

Renovating your backyard can increase your home’s property value, too. Make sure you have the right coverage for your home and backyard, get a home insurance quote today.

How to Buy Life Insurance: a Guide

Purchasing life insurance is often a good decision. It protects your family financially when the unthinkable happens. Peace of mind for the future of your family requires some research and taking a few steps to find the best life insurance policy for your needs.

So, how do you buy life insurance? We break down the ways to get life insurance below.

Getting life insurance from your employer

Many employers offer group life insurance as a company benefit, whether they pay the entire premium or subsidize it. In fact, group life insurance represented 43% of all U.S. life insurance policies in 2014, according to the American Council of Life Insurers.

There are several advantages to these policies. If the company pays all or most of the cost, that’s, of course, a monetary savings for employees. However, the amount purchased may not meet your ultimate needs. If the benefits equal one or two times your salary, that’s probably not enough to leave your family in a comfortable financial position should you unexpectedly pass. You may have the option to upgrade the policy to a higher amount by paying the difference, or you can use this policy as a secondary one, purchasing an individual policy elsewhere.

One huge upside to group life insurance is you don’t usually have to take a medical exam to get it. It is easier to obtain group life insurance in these situations than as an individual.

The downside to getting life insurance through the employer is the coverage usually ends when employment ends. If you leave your job, whether you’re laid off or proactively find a new one, your life insurance policy doesn’t come with you. You might be able to convert it to an individual policy, but the costs may be higher than one acquired on your own. While a new employer might also offer life insurance benefits, there may be a waiting period.

Getting life insurance independently

If you want to buy life insurance independently of your employer, you can go to a specific insurance carrier or an online broker that sells policies from different companies. If you know what kind of insurance you want, you can get quotes online or with a phone call.

The advantage to getting online or phone quotes is you can get pricing information quickly and then compare quotes. If you go that route, it’s helpful to have a strong insurance background because you won’t be getting as much guidance as you would through your personal insurance agent. You might be comparing policy options without understanding the differences.

Talk to an insurance agent

Calling or meeting with a personal insurance agent is another way to get life insurance. Some insurance companies offer discounts to customer who bundletheir policies, like having homeowner, auto and life insurance all with the same carrier.

The advantage to using personal insurance agents is they already understand your financial needs and they care about you as a long-term customer. They’ll spend the time to discuss the various life insurance types so you can find the best one for you. The disadvantage to using your personal agent is that they may be tied to only one insurance carrier, so they may not be able to offer you life insurance options from other companies.

What’s next?

Once you’ve chosen the policy you want and gotten a quote, you’ll apply for the insurance. That involves speaking with an insurance agent, even if you got your quote online. The agent will ask some questions and discuss the policy you chose. The agent will also send you paperwork to fill out and sign.

It’s likely that you’ll need a medical examination as the next step. The company will contact you to set up a time. The examiner will come to your home or office for some basic testing, such as determining your weight, getting a blood sample, perhaps an EKG, and listening to your heart.

This entire underwriting process can take a few weeks. Assuming everything checks out, the insurance company will send you the policy approval and ask for payment, if you haven’t already given a deposit. The premium might be different than in the original quote, depending on the results of your  medical exam and risk category.

What Kind of Car Is Best for Empty Nesters?

Once the kids fly the coop, it’s a time of change for parents. For many it can be a time to do things they’ve dreamed about doing – traveling or resuming a sport or hobby they’d set aside.

While some might dream about what they’ll do, others dream about what they’ll drive. A family car, SUV or mini-van might have been essential while the kids were still living at home, but parents find they can begin looking at smaller, more performance-based cars now. According to Bankrate.com, choosing a car as an empty nester can be very different from shopping for a family cruiser.

One of the greatest changes for the empty nester is that this is, quite likely, the first time in years that you’ve been able to think about buying a car specifically for your needs.

It’s no longer about how much sports equipment you’ll need to haul around or how many kids are going to pile in for a family vacation. It’s going to mean asking yourself an entirely different set of questions as you set out to buy.

Are we there yet?

For some, the idea of buying a car you want – instead of focusing purely on necessity and practicality – takes some getting used to. But the fact is, your living space isn’t the only thing you can look at downsizing once your children strike out on their own. This might be the time you start seriously looking at that sporty two-seater you’ve coveted since the moment you installed a child safety seat in your minivan.

Or you may have fewer day-to-day expenses, this could be the time you consider a luxury car. If it’s been a while since you’ve shopped for a car that didn’t have to include kid-friendly amenities, you might be surprised to find just how all-encompassing the luxury market is.

Where to begin

With so many options available to you, just defining what you want is a good start. Remember that what you want and what you need may be two different things; you might have to put some thought into both of those areas before coming up with your final answer.

Tim Shults, president of the Shults Auto Group in Jamestown, N.Y., says evaluating your needs, post-children, can be very different. In Newswheel.com, he wrote that some factors for empty nesters to consider are:

Technology: It’s a different world out there, particularly if you haven’t looked at new cars for a couple of years. Read up on the available technology and make sure you’re not buying more than you’re going to use. “GPS in your infotainment system would be incredibly helpful when you get lost, but you might not want to load up on all the latest tech that could distract you,” says Shults. Do your research ahead of time so you know what you do (and don’t) want.

Safety: Car safety features seem to be improving every day, and that’s reflected in the drop in the number of deaths caused by car accidents as technology improves. Sensors can help notify you when you’re out of your lane or have another car beside you; they can also help you back up and parallel park. “Take advantage of the sensors and cameras offered nowadays,” Shults advises. “Collision avoidance can save your life.”

Visibility: Making sure you have plenty of visibility is key in shopping for a new car, and with so many more options available to you it’s important to make sure you can see what’s around you. Take your time and test drive different models to see what feels best for you. Better visibility equals safer travels.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for empty nesters when it comes to buying a car. Some may want to buy a restored version of the car they longed for when they were teens and couldn’t afford; others may want the latest and greatest. Whichever route works for you, make sure you do your homework.

As your car needs change, your car insurance needs change too. Make sure you’ve got the right protection on the road and, most importantly, remember to enjoy the ride.

Originally Posted by Nationwide

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