Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Television Could Be Killing You

On average, Americans watch 31 hours of television per week. And new research shows that your television could be killing you--at least in one sense.

Data from an Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study, which followed 8,800 male and female participants, found a strong correlation between sedentary television viewing and premature death.

According to the study, for each hour per day spent in front of the television, the risk of developing fatal cardiovascular disease increased 18%, the risk of deadly cancer rose 9%, and overall risk of death jumped 11%.

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The study also found that those who watch more than four hours of television per day were 80% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and 46% more likely to die from any cause than those who watched two hours or fewer per day.

The good news? Television watching in itself is not dangerous, but a predominantly sedentary lifestyle is. You can watch as much television as you want, but you have to get your blood pumping while you do it. For starters, try riding an exercise bike while watching your favorite program, or taking a stroll on a treadmill while watching the news.

If you're not yet ready to get off the couch, you can get healthier by substituting the bag of potato chips and pork rinds for a stick of celery or an apple.

If you won't give it a try for your health, how about your pocketbook? You'll be amazed how much you'll save on health insurance--and your grocery bill--by shedding a few pounds.

Texting Banned for Drivers of Big Rigs and Buses

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Tuesday that text messaging by drivers of large trucks and buses has been banned.

Offenders could be charged with up to $2,750 in fines and penalties.

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Research has found that truck drivers regularly look



Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Car Insurance Comparison – How to Get the Best Deal

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Car Insurance Comparison – How to Get the Best Deal

By Ricky Lawrence
Published: Sunday, January 31st, 2010

In the past, a person who plans on buying car insurance would have to call an agent to do the shopping for him. Everything was done manually; the agent and the insurance buyer had to meet personally to get things done.

Today, however, it is possible to buy your own insurance without having to call a broker. You can actually shop for insurance while you are in your favorite couch. Thanks to the internet, buying car coverage is just a few mouse clicks away.

Yes, there are at least hundreds of insurance companies online; and finding the best deal can be much harder than it seems. What you need is a car insurance comparison site to filter these insurers and get yourself the best deal.

Here are the things you need with you when making a car insurance comparison:

1. Background information

Conduct thorough research on the top insurers in the internet. This is a good way to sort through the many options you have on hand. List all companies you want to check out. Find background information on companies you are considering. How long have they been in the business? Are clients satisfied with their services? Do they pay dutifully?

2. Insurance needs

Your insurance needs dictate how much your premiums will be. What are your needs? Are your insurance company options going to cover these? Which companies cannot give you what you need? Cross out all the companies that you think cannot render the service you call for.

3. Discount details

Another thing to keep in mind when doing a car insurance comparison is the discount details. You should want to know whether your options give discounts for safety driving courses finished or clean driving records. Companies that give this privilege must become among your top priorities.

4. Insurance quotes

Insurance quotes are an estimation of how much you are going to pay an insurer for coverage. They are based on the information you supply to the insurance company. These quotes can easily be obtained online. All that you have to do is input basic information about yourself and your vehicle. The information will be processed and you will be given a free quote. Do this for every insurance firm you consider. Remember that the cheapest quote is the most desirable.

The things mentioned above are a few things that you need when making a car insurance comparison. It is essential to realize that you should always buy insurance that will provide a great deal for your budget. Purchase a coverage that can provide your needs without making a hole in your pocket.