Ringing in the New Year always sparks reflection on a new beginning and enthusiastic goals for the year ahead. Whether it be personal growth, must do experiences, or starting a new way of eating, we plan by jotting it down on paper, making a visual board, or telling someone our desires to be held accountable.… Read more »
Financial Health
Allocation Pie
- By Michele T. Sarna, AIF, AWMA
- November/December 2019
‘Tis the season…to eat pie! With the holidays around the corner, many of us will forego our diets and allow ourselves to enjoy the season baking our favorite desserts to share with family and friends or enjoy the benefits of the enthusiastic chefs in the group. As a seasonal baker, I reflected on the time… Read more »
How to Talk to Your Kids About The “S” Word…SAVINGS!
- By Michele T. Sarna, AIF, AWMA (and mother of 4)
- September/October 2019
It’s back to school time again and excitement is in the air for students and parents. Whether the kids are starting kindergarten, heading off to college, or somewhere in between, for many of us, this means long lists of school supplies, new clothes, new backpacks, and a drained wallet. Nevertheless, it’s a great time to… Read more »
Voluntourism: Can Your Non-profit Benefit?
- By Lauren Del Sarto
- September/October 2019
Voluntourism, or traveling to a destination to contribute your time and skills to the local community, is one of the fastest growing travel trends globally. The grassroots effort started in the 1990s and is now a bucket list item for travelers of all ages. A 2008 study estimated that 1.6 million people volunteer on vacation… Read more »
My Friend “Charity”
- By Michele T. Sarna, AIF, AWMA
- July/August 2019
I have a close friend, Charity. I like Charity. She’s one of those friends who always makes you feel good about yourself. Unfortunately, as with most friends, finding time to spend together presents challenges. We are busy with work, family, and other commitments. Sometimes, months go by without ever connecting. Like a true friend, however,… Read more »
In June, HARC hosted the 4th Annual Coachella Valley Workplace Wellness Awards recognizing local businesses that prioritize employee health and wellness. The event took place at the Classic Club in Palm Desert and brought together a variety of organizations which recognize that having a healthy workforce is key to a healthy and thriving business. Winners… Read more »
Buying a Home: Lessons from Three Little Pigs
- By Michele T. Sarna, AIF, AWMA
- May/June 2019
Once upon a time there were 3 little pigs that wanted to buy a house. Each of them had their own ideas on where they wanted to live so they each went off to find a home. House of Straw. The first little pig met with a lender and to its surprise could qualify for… Read more »
Summiting the Markets
- By Michele T. Sarna, AIF, AWMA
- March/April 2019
A few years back I took on the challenge to hike and summit Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in California at 14, 505 feet. For weeks I hiked, ran, and did whatever I thought was necessary to physically prepare for the event–not to mention practicing carrying a 35-pound backpack with all the necessities. In reflecting… Read more »
Vaastu Architecture
- By Jen Jones AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
- March/April 2019
In ancient India, thousands of years ago, temples and houses were often constructed using very specific building codes written in texts called Vaastu Shastras. This code was a combination of strict rules governing mathematics, proportion and geometry on how a structure must be built. When a building is designed using these rules it vibrates with… Read more »
The Game of Golf “FORE” Savings
- By Michele T. Sarna, AIF, AWMA
- January/February 2019
Learning how to play the game of golf can be very challenging. The terminology alone is a hurdle in itself: bogey, eagle, mulligan, shank, fried egg! Seriously, was this originally an initiation into a secret society? Nonetheless, those who play are passionate about the game. Understandably so. You spend a good part of the day… Read more »
The Tortoise and the Hare
- By Michele T. Sarna
- November/December 2018
Remember the famous fable The Hare and the Tortoise? Spoiler Alert: The tortoise ends ups winning the race. That story always comes to mind when speaking with individuals about saving for retirement. The tortoise looked at the race as a marathon – maintained a steady pace, kept his eye on the finish line, didn’t deviate… Read more »
Increase Your Networking IQ
- By Susan Murphy, PhD
- November/December 2018
Have you ever felt stressed at the thought of attending networking events, conferences and even holiday parties? Understanding networking fundamentals can help ease the discomfort and make you become a better networker. Show Up. As Woody Allen says, “80% of success is showing up” and that certainly applies to networking. Even when it’s raining, show… Read more »
Financial Fitness
- By Michele T. Sarna
- September/October 2018
As we fall into a new season, staying focused on wellness may fade away with the summer tide. Whether we spent the first part of the year working towards that summer body or a desired fitness goal, we tend to lose focus during the fall and winter months. Year after year, we put a lot… Read more »
Five Tips for Mindful Medicare Enrollment
- By Musia F. Witkes
- September/October 2018
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, also known as Open Enrollment, is a time for Medicare enrollees to review their current insurance and change to a better Medicare plan. With a multitude of Medicare plans available, Annual Enrollment Period may seem more confusing and overwhelming than liberating. Here are my top five tips for selecting the best… Read more »
Creating a Workplace Wellness Program
- By Kristi Vaughn and Megan Guerra
- July/August 2018
Desert Oasis Healthcare, two-time winners at HARC’s Workplace Wellness Awards, shared their company’s success with attendees at this year’s event in June. We asked them to also share with Desert Health readers in an effort to inspire other valley businesses to follow suit. Desert Oasis Healthcare (DOHC) serves the residents of the greater Coachella Valley… Read more »
Is a Reverse Mortgage Loan Right for My Mom?
- By Mark Anthony Erskine, CRMP, CSA
- March/April 2018
A reader asks: My Mom is in her late seventies and lives on a very limited budget. I would like to see her have a more comfortable retirement and more money now to do the things she loves. She owns her home which I don’t care to inherit. Her concern is that she may need… Read more »
This past fall, the United Way was busy encouraging healthy activities among businesses, organizations and individuals across our valley. Three grass roots programs, the 9 Weekly Walks, the Wellable Workplace Wellness Challenge, and the Tram Challenge, brought together thousands and resulted in hundreds of thousands of miles of physical activity, and many charitable items collected.… Read more »
It Is a Race towards the Finish Line of 2017!
- By Cindy Kleine
- November/December 2017
While you may think 2017 is almost over, early November marks the middle of annual open enrollment (AEP) for Medicare, so there is still time to make a change in your Medicare plan for next year. You should have received your notice of changes from your insurance company. Like most people, their intentions are good.… Read more »
Are You Ready for the “Holidaze”?
- By Cindy Kleine
- September/October 2017
Let’s face it, most people love autumn, especially here in the desert. The weather cools off a little bit, football is in the air, the kids are back in school, and right around the corner is holiday fun! Most of the regular holidays we enjoy such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Yom Kippur and Christmas occur on… Read more »
Local companies that prioritize health and wellness were recognized at the second annual Coachella Valley Workplace Wellness Awards presented by HARC, a local nonprofit that provides research and evaluation services related to health, wellness, and quality of life in the Inland Empire. “With many working adults spending the majority of their waking hours at work,… Read more »