Issue Date: March 25, 2007
The scoop on discount travel books, coupons
Since 1962, Entertainment Publications has sold paperback books that are stuffed with discounts on hotels, restaurants and attractions. Even now, when there are so many free travel discounts on the Web, Entertainment is going strong. The company publishes more than 160 discount books for cities around the world, including Las Vegas for $27, Hawaii for $37 and New York City for $32. It even discounts its own discount books, so the New York City book currently can be bought for just $22. But before you buy one of these guides, let's take a closer look at what your money gets you.
In the New York City book, the hotel discounts rarely are better than those found on sites like hotels.com. The restaurants offer the best value: usually, two-entrees-for-the-price-of-one specials. But visit the publisher's website first and scroll through the restaurant deals offered. You're more apt to find ethnic and fast-food places than fine dining establishments.
And if the idea of paying for discounts doesn't appeal to you, look to hotelcoupons.com, travelcoupons.com and destinationcoupons.com, which offer free hotel/motel discount coupons.
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Improve your game
With March Madness in full swing, are you itching to up your own game on the court? Basketball can be anything from a casual shooting session to an intense full-court game, but whatever your hoops style, improving some key skills can help to ensure your best performance.
"Basketball is a sport of speed, quickness, strength and power," says Rob Price, author of "The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Basketball" (Sportsworkout.com; $16.95). "People should emphasize sprinting drills, calf training and core training in order to maximize their potential."
Price offers a few other moves to improve your performance on the court. (Do each at full intensity for 30- to 60-second intervals.)
Step Jumps
1. Stand beside an object to be cleared (a box or step exercise block).
2. Bending knees up, jump vertically and laterally off the ground and over the object.
3. Land on both feet, then jump in the other direction over the object.
Single Leg Hop to Box
1. Stand facing a sturdy box with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart.
2. Lower your body into a semi-squat position and jump up onto the box, landing on one foot, which should land softly on box.
3. Step (don't jump) back down, then repeat with your other leg.
Seated Russian Twist
1. Sit on the ground, bend knees, and raise and suspend both feet.
2. Holding a medicine ball, twist your torso from side to side and touch the medicine ball to the ground on each side.
Contact Jorge Cruise, author of The 3-Hour Diet, at 3hourdiet.com.
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Direct deposit could help you save more
Direct depositors set aside $90 more per month.
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Do you manually deposit your routine checks, such as paychecks or dividends? If you switch to direct deposit, you might sock away more in savings, says a study conducted by NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association. Consumers who used direct deposit or direct payments to save for education, for instance, put aside $90 more per month than those who used another method.
If you don't yet use direct deposit, talk with your payroll representative about signing up. If your employer doesn't offer it, then ask for it.
"Split your direct deposit between two or more accounts -- one account to pay your monthly expenses and another that directs the payment into a high-yield savings account or a retirement account," says NACHA president and CEO Elliott C. McEntee.
And starting this year, if you are due a 2006 tax refund and choose direct deposit, you can divvy it up. Split the money into as many as three accounts (regular savings, Coverdell education savings, IRAs, Health Savings Accounts) with up to three financial institutions of your choice.
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How much vitamin D?
Several recent studies suggest that higher doses of vitamin D than previously thought may strengthen bones, reduce falls in the elderly and slash the risk of cancer -- notably, colon and breast cancer.
But isn't too much vitamin D toxic?
Yes, but the safe limit is much higher than commonly believed, says a new analysis by researchers at Creighton University and the Council for Responsible Nutrition. Based on the latest evidence, they've determined that 10,000 IU of vitamin D a day is nontoxic for most healthy adults.
Currently, the safe upper limit for vitamin D, set by the National Academy of Sciences, is 2,000 IU -- far too low, according to the latest evidence, the researchers say.
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