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10A Daily News – Saturday, November 24, 2012 Glory Days & maturity By Helena Oliviero The Atlanta Journal-Consti- tution (MCT) ATLANTA — For Michael Flanigan, the holi- days overflow with sweet- ness — pies, cakes and warm family time. He revels in decorating the Christmas tree with Nat King Cole crooning softly in the background, whip- ping up a sweet potato pie, playing football on Thanks- giving with cousins. Still, as an entrepreneur of a startup company mak- ing personalized gifts (the- Expressionary.com), this time of year can get extremely busy, and with that comes a certain level of stress. wonderful time of year for enjoying holiday rituals, it's inevitable that crowded malls, worsening traffic, and too many events in too little time will wear on us. Flanigan, 25, mostly While the holidays are a "When things get really rough, I breathe and medi- tate and count my bless- ings, and I'm usually OK," Flanigan said. Experts believe planning and adjusting expectations — as well as taking deep breaths — can go a long way in minimizing stress this time of year. takes the holiday stress in stride. He tries not to fret about getting the perfect gift, and he's learned it's OK to say no to holiday parties to avoid getting overbooked. lifestyles Keep your holiday stress in check 5 mistakes retirees make choosing a Medicare plan By Kristen Gerencher MarketWatch (MCT) If you have Medicare coverage or you help someone who does, it's time for your annual homework assignment: comparing your options during open enrollment to see if you can do better. MCT photo Expressionary President William Mehserle Jr., left, and Vice-President Michael Flanigan look over one of their customized dictionaries at their Norcross, Ga. office, Nov. 8. ing in a new way. To control spending- related stress, Hall also rec- ommended families orga- nize holiday spending by creating a list of financial costs for gifts, as well as parties and other expenses. Be wary, she said, of emo- tional spending. If you struggle sticking to a bud- get at a mall, try shopping online or limiting your vis- its to a retail center to just a couple of days during the season, she said. "There are the commer- cials, and it's so hyped up that it should just be perfect. And that is a very unrealis- tic expectation," said Dr. Pamela Everett Thompson, an Atlanta psychologist. Thompson said family dynamics also can be tricky, with some reverting to old behaviors when they go home. That said, every year provides a new opportunity to break away from old pat- terns, she said. "For instance, there's the daughter who has worked extra jobs to help her moth- er maintain a certain lifestyle and the moment she walks into the house, the mom is talking about how she needs new cur- tains. … Instead of getting into an argument or getting on a soapbox, the daughter can pleasantly smile and say, 'I wish I could help, but I can't.'" Kathleen Hall, founder and CEO of the Stress Insti- tute based in Atlanta, said if people are feeling low, they should consider switching things up. She suggested volunteering or starting a new holiday tradition by going on a trip or decorat- Thompson said it's important to remember what makes this time of year so special, even magi- cal, rarely comes in a box with a bow. It's the memo- ries — decorating the Christmas tree, lighting Hanukkah candles, singing songs around the fireplace. "If people could focus on memories instead of cre- ating that perfect gift, if they could focus on the laughter we share, and the reminiscing, even reminisc- ing over that pound cake you made which was a dis- aster, that is what sustains us," Thompson said. "… Research indicates over and over and over the thing that contributes to well-being is that sense of belonging and connection to community and that we can create for free." Meanwhile, Hall said she believes the devastation from Hurricane Sandy will make people more ground- ed this year. Having a sense of grati- tude can always put things in perspective, she said. "Last year, I was feeling overwhelmed, and at the last minute, I put up a Christmas tree," she said. "I put what I was thankful for on yellow Post-its on the tree. Then, my husband wrote what he was thankful for on turquoise Post-its. Then we put up lights. We The Salvation Army Red Bluff Corps 2012 CHRISTMAS RED KETTLES Volunteer Bell Ringers Needed! Become a part of this historic tradition by volunteering your time to help us collect money to provide clothing, food, and other badly needed items for the poor within our community. Church groups, families, groups of friends and indi- viduals are needed and encouraged to volunteer. All funds raised in Tehama County STAY in Tehama County to meet needs in our own community. Kettles are operated Monday's-Saturday's November 17th-December 24th Red Bluff, Corning & Los Molinos Tehama County Bellringing (530) 527-7648 To volunteer contact: kept the Post-it notes." ——— WAYS TO LOWER STRESS FOR PARTY PLANNING For the host: —In the weeks leading up to your party, plan the details and menu. Hosts should be ready at least one hour before guests arrive. Of course, we all end up rushing around at the last minute, but if you try to hit that goal, you will come close, and then you'll have time to relax. Put on relax- ing music, have a glass of bubbly and admire all that is done. —Write a schedule on a notepad, for example: 7 p.m. check roast; 7:30 start potatoes. Having the timing down is more than half the battle. The biggest source of stress is being unpre- pared and overwhelmed. Don't let that happen to you. For the guest: —We can all get a little bit uptight when going to a party or formal dinner. Guests can control their stress by being prepared and going with the flow. —Ask your host if there It can be intimidating, but the payoff for your effort is potential savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars. Through Dec. 7, Americans enrolled in Medicare, the federal health-insurance program for people 65 and older and the disabled, can make changes to how they receive their benefits. Those changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2013. In the next few weeks, beneficiaries can switch their stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan or enroll in one for the first time, if they didn't sign up when they were first eligible. They also can join a Medicare Advantage plan, a private health plan that wraps medical and often drug bene- fits into a single HMO- or PPO-like product. Or they can drop out of a Medicare Advantage plan in favor of original Medicare, the government-sponsored program that doesn't have restricted networks of doctors and hospitals. "What is daunting to Medicare beneficiaries is the sheer number of private plan options out there," said Fred Riccar- di, director of programs and outreach for the Medicare Rights Center, a nonprofit group in New York. "They all have different premiums and copayments and different cov- ered drugs and restrictions on drugs." Here are five of the costliest mistakes beneficiaries often make during open enrollment, according to experts: MISTAKE NO. 1: Not bothering to give your current is anything you can do. Bring an appropriate gift (does not have to be expen- sive) such as a bottle of wine, flowers (in a vase ready to set on the table), or a book on something of interest to the host; know how to make small talk; don't arrive more than a few minutes late; don't be the last one to leave; and don't overindulge in food and drink. coverage a checkup. The first step is to take stock of what you have. Even if you like your drug coverage, make sure you review your plan's annual notice of change, a letter from the companies that Part D enrollees should have received by now, Riccardi said. longer covered," he said. "It should specify how their pre- mium is changing or if a pharmacy is leaving the network." MISTAKE NO. 2: Failing to shop around or only con- sidering premium costs if you do. If you pass on seeing what's out there, you run the risk "It should say whether a drug that they're taking is no elegant, simple meal that you and everyone enjoy, than the beef Wellington that has left you uptight and sapped of energy. Try a fon- due made with low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese served with healthy dip- pers, such as broccoli, car- rots, apples and whole- grain bread cubes. Or a col- orful fruit platter. You'll feel great about serving your guests a delicious appetizer chock full of nutrition without the stress of too many calories. —Ask for help: Who wants to be stuck in the kitchen all night during their own party? Asking for help can relieve stress and makes guests feel a part of the event. Ask guests to bring dessert or beverages, and don't be afraid to invite them into the kitchen to help rather than leave them standing around while you are trying to finish details. —Decorate with Moth- er Nature: Often, hosts and hostesses are baffled on how to decorate. To reme- dy this, bring the outdoors in. Try filling hurricane candleholders with acorns from your backyard or let your food speak for itself. DAILYNEWS in Discount Coupons were published last week in the $59819 RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY $7500 each + … And that does not Count all the ads offering percentage discounts, two-for-ones and Free-with-Purchase offers! Don't miss a Day of it! Subscribe Today 527-2151 It pays for itself. $1000 S+H (per book) Please make checks payable to TCGHS, P,O, Box 415, Red Bluff. CA 96080. Check or money order only! —It is better to have an Sources: Kathy Bertone, author of "The Art of the Visit: Being the Perfect Host; Becoming the Perfect Guest," and Lanier Dabruzzi, a nutri- tion affairs manager for the Southeast Dairy Associa- tion ——— COOL KEEPING YOUR Here are some tips for minimizing stress during the busy holiday season: —Do a mini medita- tion: Grab a moment while waiting in traffic or sitting at your desk to take several deep breaths. Repeat an affirmation such as "Keep letting go" or "I am strong." some, it's Christmas music, and for others, it's Mozart or Coldplay, but listening to just one song can give you an immune-system boost. (Heavy metal, according to studies, is the only genre of music that does not relieve stress.) —Listen to music: For of overpaying for your drugs next year by default. "You really have to look to see that the drugs (you take) are cov- ered at the best possible price," said Katy Votava, founder and president of Goodcare.com, a consulting service focused on Medicare and health-care costs. At minimum, beneficiaries should compare drug plans every two years because costs often creep up, she said. In fact, drug plans, which you can compare at Medicare.gov, are all over the map in terms of how they structure premiums, deductibles, co-payments and tiers of coverage. "You could have a $10 a month co-pay vs. a $40 a month co-pay. You could have one medication covered for $30 a month and the other not covered at all," Votava said, noting it's possible to save $2,000 to $4,000 just by being in the right plan. MISTAKE NO. 3: Failing to account for out-of-pocket maximums. This is the number that tells you how much you could pay in a year before the plan kicks in to cover what's con- sidered catastrophic costs. Read the fine print to understand what the plan does and doesn't count toward its out-of- pocket max. Factoring in worst-case scenarios could save you thousands of dollars if you develop a condition that requires extensive health services or a pricey prescription drug. Then compare plans and do the math. MISTAKE NO. 4: Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan without first checking if your doctors are in network. About 1 in 4 Medicare beneficiaries chooses a Medicare —Feel the burn: Keep a hand weight handy to do three minutes of lifts to produce stress-relieving endorphins. —Socialize: Go to lunch or grab a coffee with someone you like at the office. Advantage plan, which sometimes offers benefits beyond what's included in traditional Medicare. If you're consider- ing a Medicare Advantage plan, remember that this model means seeing out-of-network providers can quickly become a costly proposition for you. Before signing up for this option, call your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals to verify that they participate in the plan's network. MISTAKE NO. 5: Assuming retiree health coverage from a former employer is automatically the best deal or misunderstanding how it interacts with Medicare's various parts. —Maintain an attitude of gratitude: Gratitude helps your mind focus on the big picture instead of getting caught up in minor details. Source: Kathleen Hall, founder and CEO of the Stress Institute in Atlanta said, but their retiree plan may not be the gold standard in terms of value for their money. In some cases, retirees could get better coverage at a lower cost by going with original Medicare and a Medigap plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. A basic rule of thumb is if seniors are spending more than $250 to $300 a month for their retiree coverage, they should shop around, Votava said. "Even people who are paying $200 could be paying $125." If you need help weighing your options or enrolling in a Medicare plan, there are several free resources you can con- sult. Medicare.gov has a Plan Finder tool that works by plug- ging in your ZIP code. Counselors also can assist you by calling 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227.) States also run help centers through Shiptalk.org. AARP has Medicare enrollment guides in English and Spanish on its website, AARP.org. TEHAMA COUNTY HISTORY News tip? 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