According to a new "Female Financial Empowerment" survey from Edward Jones, while women have made great strides in gender and income equality in the workplace, one of the biggest challenges they continue to face is their tendency to "prioritize immediate family needs" over saving for their own future.

That certainly helps explain what the financial services firm acknowledged was an inherent conflict in the findings: While seven out of 10 women polled said they felt "confident" about their financial knowledge, all too many have actually done little to nothing to generate their own long-term wealth.

"Only 25 percent of women surveyed consider saving for retirement as their most important goal over the next three to five years," said Nela Richardson, an investment strategist at Edward Jones. "That tells us that female financial empowerment should be next on the list of barriers women have broken over the past few decades."

The two other biggest challenges women need to surmount, according to the national sample of 1,004 adult women ages 18 and older?

They're either waiting for some amorphous "perfect" time to invest - something, in all fairness, men are also guilty of - or they're waiting for … you name it to motivate them.

A big raise or other windfall (49 percent). A financial emergency (20 percent). A significant life event (20 percent). A market correction (12 percent).

None of which, let's be frank, is likely to make you the next Francoise Bettencourt Meyers. (More on that in a minute.)

"Waiting for a raise or a significant life event, by definition, isn't a financial strategy," Richardson said, "and they'll always be competing priorities. The key is to anticipate both tailwinds and headwinds in life, and be flexible enough to adapt to changing situations so you can meet your long-term financial goals."

Edward Jones lays out a female-centric approach to handling your finances on its website. But here's a quick cheat sheet to get you started:

* Make yourself a priority by starting to invest now in order to give your money time to grow - never underestimating the power of a wondrous thing called compound interest.

* Begin small with modest investments.

* Develop a goals-based financial strategy.

As for how much better women are doing financially, here's one notable sign: Forbes' list of the world's 100 richest people featured just four females in 2000 compared to 10 this year. The richest woman - and fifteenth overall - was the aforementioned L'Oréal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers ($49.3 billion), who's chairwoman of the family's holding company.

But she inherited her wealth, you say? Well, the youngest self-made billionaire ever, according to Forbes, is none other than 21-year-old cosmetics wunderkind Kylie Jenner ($1 billion).

The Next Generation Test for Prostate Cancer 

While Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is currently the most used screening test for prostate cancer, it is widely recognized that PSA results can indicate the possibility of prostate cancer when none is present.

The Prostate Health Index (phi) is an FDA approved blood test that can help differentiate prostate cancer from benign prostate conditions in men with elevated PSA.

The Prostate Health Index is fast becoming the "second opinion" for men with elevated PSA who want more information before deciding to move forward with a prostate biopsy.

The Prostate Health Index utilizes three different PSA markers (PSA, freePSA, and p2PSA) as part of a sophisticated algorithm to more reliably determine the probability of cancer in patients with elevated PSA levels and can help men and their physicians decide if a prostate biopsy is indicated.

Like many men who are told they have an elevated PSA, Jim Robinson was concerned about prostate cancer. "I certainly didn't want to delay treatment if I had prostate cancer, but I was also worried about having a prostate biopsy if I didn't need one." Jim's story is not an unusual one, after all, studies have shown that approximately 70 percent of men with an elevated PSA who have a biopsy do not have cancer.

In addition to prostate cancer, a number of benign (not cancerous) conditions can cause a man's PSA level to rise. The most frequent benign prostate conditions that cause an elevation in PSA level are prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (enlargement of the prostate.

The Prostate Health Index is included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guideline for Prostate Cancer Early Detection as a blood test to improve specificity for prostate cancer detection. The Prostate Health Index is indicated for men age 50 years and older with an elevated PSA between 4ng/ml and 10ng/ml. 

Patients Can Order The Test Online 

Men who want a greater say in their treatment and want the Prostate Health Index test done at their request, can now initiate a physician order online through a telehealth physician network that can address a patient's immediate need to get tested and to help guide their management. Patients are advised to share their test report with their regular healthcare professionals so that results can be integrated into their treatment plans.

Learn more about the Prostate Health Index at www.mycancerrisk.info/phi or by calling 1-855-420-7140 ext 0.

Drinking eight-ounces of Florida Orange Juice is the perfect way to start off the weekend - either during breakfast or by adding it to your favorite Cinco de Mayo or Derby cocktail.

The popular refrigerator staple is known for its "Amazing 5" benefits: no added sugar, vitamin C, potassium, folate and great taste; and an 8-ounce serving of 100-percent orange juice helps Americans meet their recommended daily fruit intake.

The vitamin C, potassium and folate in Florida Orange Juice offer several nutritional benefits for your body, such as helping support healthy skin and bones, proper muscle function and red blood cells. It also contains only natural- occurring sugar straight from the orange and is different from other orange juices in that it comes directly from the sandy soil of Florida, making it not only nutritious but also giving it a one-of-a-kind taste - like pure sunshine in a glass!

While fueling your fun with the "Amazing 5" found in Florida Orange Juice, you can also help keep your body hydrated, thanks to its electrolytes, which can help you to keep going strong throughout the day. Even on your routine weekdays, 100-percent orange juice is a great way to increase your vitamin and nutrient intake for all your activities - whether it's a pre-soccer practice snack for your kids or incorporating it into delicious recipes throughout the week, such as smoothies, salad dressings and make-ahead dinners.

To join the celebrations on May 4, consider trying a festive recipe, such as the Florida Orange Margarita, which is the perfect blend of sweet and sour, by visiting FloridaJuice.com, or follow @FloridaOrangeJuice on Instagram and Facebook and share the way Florida Orange Juice fuels your fun by using #NationalOJDay.

For more information about the great taste and health benefits of Florida Orange Juice, visit Floridajuice.com.

Eighty-one percent of Americans believe their "most valuable asset" is their family, according to a new survey by Edward Jones and the nonprofit consumer-education organization Life Happens. And one quarter of respondents in the national sampling of adults confessed that their biggest fear was saddling their nearest and dearest with unexpected financial burdens if they're unable to work or die prematurely.

Which begs the question: If we're so worried about protecting what we treasure most, why don't more people have life insurance?

Ask most experts, and they'll tell you that such policies can help provide crucial resources for anyone with loved ones to support. And yet the latest figures show only 41 percent of U.S. households have individual life insurance.

"Most Americans have little or no safeguards for their financial goals," says Ken Cella, principal of the Client Strategies Group at the financial services firm Edward Jones. "They may understand the value of having emergency funds to cover unexpected financial expenses in the short term, but they're less protected for the long-term financial implications."

Faisa Stafford, president of Life Happens, puts it even more bluntly: "Emergency savings aren't a long-term financial solution, especially if a family's primary breadwinner were to die."

Much of the disconnect between what we'll call "the urge to protect" and the reality on the ground can be blamed on one or both of the following misconceptions:

* It's too expensive. Think of this as the equivalent of the alligators-in-New-York-City-sewers myth. When Life Happens and LIMRA, a global life insurance research and consulting group, asked participants in their 2017 Insurance Barometer Study how much a $250,000 term life policy for a healthy 30-year-old would cost, NerdWallet reports, the median estimate was $500 a year - more than three times the actual annual amount of $160.

But let's say that would-be policy holder wanted even more protection for his dependents. Forbes magazine recently calculated that that same incorrect median estimate - $500 - would buy a healthy, non-smoking, 30-something male a 20-year term policy with a million-dollar death benefit. Some people spend more than that in a year on caffe lattes.

That said, prices do vary based on factors like age, health, amount of coverage, and whether you opt for term or permanent insurance. The former - the most affordable - covers a specific time frame (usually 20 years or less), while the latter stays in force for life (as long as you continue to pay the premiums). Online aids like Edward Jones' complementary Life Insurance Needs calculator can help with factors to consider when determining how much life insurance may be appropriate for you.

* The policy I have through work is good enough. And if you're no longer employed there? Not only is group life insurance generally not portable, it typically only provides benefits equal to one or two times your annual salary.

"Growing families usually need greater protection than that," says Scott Thoma, an investment strategist at Edward Jones, "and they need coverage that's not contingent on work status."

Know that life insurance doesn't simply assign a monetary value to someone's life. Which brings us to another revealing finding of the Edward Jones-Life Happens "Protect What Matters" survey.

Twenty-three percent of participants didn't know it can even cover expenses like college tuition for a surviving child.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico, and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.

Among those who want to age in a new home, many older adults are searching for improved practicality - with top desired features, including single-floor living and easy or low cost of maintenance. For those who want to stay in their current homes, nearly two-thirds have given thought to age-friendly modifications, such as adding grab bars to bathrooms or other safety measures.

When seniors and loved ones are faced with the question of what features are best for them, it's important to consider effects of aging that could make certain areas of the home hazardous, such as:

* Agility and mobility. Conditions such as arthritis can impair mobility. Stairs that were once easy to navigate might now present a challenge.

* Balance. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and other chronic conditions increase the risk for balance problems, as well as falls on slippery floors and getting in and out of the bathtub.

* Eyesight. Studies indicate that a 60-year-old needs at least three times more ambient light to see than a 20-year-old. Poor eyesight may make medication management and personal grooming difficult, and can lead to tripping hazards.

* Memory. The effects of memory loss might make it hard for an older adult to stay on a medication plan, remember to turn off stove burners or pay bills on time.

With so much to consider, it's easy to feel overwhelmed navigating the decision of where to age. In fact, just one in four seniors surveyed report having specific plans for where they will live as they become older.

To help seniors make an informed decision on the best place to age, Home Instead is introducing Home Your Own Way, a new collection of free resources for seniors and their loved ones to navigate options and determine what "home" might look like for them.

Whether older adults age in their current home, downsize, move to a senior living community or choose to live with relatives, the goal of Home Your Own Way is to provide seniors and families with the resources they need to make a decision that is right for them.

To learn more about defining home your own way, visit www.HomeYourOwnWay.com or, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office or www.homeinstead.com.

Today, it is rare and often illegal to let a dog roam off-leash. Even large parks usually have leash laws. At the same time, dog ownership is growing.

According to the American Pet Products Association, there are over 60 million US households with at least one dog. And those dog owners are increasingly looking for places to let their dogs run and socialize off-leash.

Some communities have solved this by creating off-leash areas such as fenced-in parks where people can let Spot run free.

According to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a good dog park has a few essential features. The basics are bags and trash cans for cleaning up after dogs, fresh drinking water, and shade for cooling down.

Ideally, dog parks would include separate entrance and exit gates, allowing everyone to comeand go with not only ease, but safety. And a dual-gate system would help eliminate dogs escaping through any open gate while another dog is entering or leaving through it.

While those are the basics, dog parks are popping up around the country with additional fun features to keep canines safe and happy.

Beau's Dream Dog Park in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has a tennis ball tree that launches balls for large dogs.

Pilgrim Dog Park in Provincetown, Massachusetts has pet-friendly sculptures designed by local artists that dogs can play on.

Catalyst Experiential is currently designing the Bucks County Dog Park, which will be one of the most feature-laden in the country. The entrance is designed to resemble the two halves of a large, broken dog biscuit. Once they pass through the "dog biscuit" entrance, dogs will find water features, an agility station, ample shade, and even dog-wash facilities inside their park. It's like Disney for dogs!

The dog park is one of many projects that Catalyst Experiential is bringing to communities as a part of their vision to integrate community and communication.

The "broken dog biscuit" entrance to the park features two displays that will enable local government, schools, organizations and businesses to speak directly to the communities they serve, including announcing local events, issuing safety messages, and other timely communications.

A dog lover and owner himself, Catalyst Experiential CEO Thaddeus Bartkowski explains that "while dog ownership has increased, rules and regulations restricting the ability of dogs to run free has unfortunately been on the rise as well."

"What we hope to create is a place where dogs can get the off-leash exercise they deserve to enhance quality of life for both the dogs and their owners," he says.

For more information about Catalyst Experiential, reach out here.