According to Fidelity Investments' 2020 New Year Financial Resolutions Study, 82 percent of respondents said they're in a similar or better financial position than last year. Perhaps surprisingly, most credited their success to their own good habits - saving more (47 percent) and budgeting (29 percent) - rather than their investment gains (18 percent) from a stock market that made one high after another. Less than 25 percent put it down to having been able to work more hours in a strong economy.

And, as the study makes clear, they want to keep the momentum going.

Of the 67 percent considering making a financial resolution, "saving more" and "paying down debt" topped the list, respectively, at 53 percent and 51 percent.

"Living a debt-free life was the biggest motivator for them," said Melissa Ridolfi, Fidelity's vice president of retirement and college products.

Heck, given the choice between the classic New Year's resolution of losing five pounds or socking away $5,000, a resounding 84 percent in the national survey of 3,012 adults opted for savings.

But you want to know some of the biggest and smallest mistakes or setbacks they fessed up to, right? See if you can relate to any of these:

* Dining out too much (36 percent).

* Spending too much on non-essentials like unused apps, streaming media services, and subscription retail boxes (29 percent).

* Taking on debt or adding to existing debt (28 percent).

*Splurging on something they couldn't really afford (28 percent).

* Unexpected medical expenses (24 percent).

* Failing to save as much for retirement as they should (18 percent).

So with all the interest in getting a grip on debt, who seems to be faring the best at it?

Boomers, the study found, with 29 percent crediting being better off financially at year's end to having refinanced, paid off, or reduced debts or loans. Generation X, the next oldest, trailed at 21 percent, followed by 19 percent of millennials, and just 6 percent of Generation Z.

"Boomers are getting the message that the closer they get to retirement, the more essential it becomes to get their debt under control to make the most out of retirement savings," Ridolfi said.

Certainly there's no law that says you have to make a New Year's resolution - financial or otherwise - but even a huge chunk of those surveyed who weren't contemplating explicitly doing so still said they were planning on, say, building up emergency funds. As for what you might call the "traditionalists" out there? Fidelity has some tried-and-true tips that can help ensure your financial vows don't wind up being among the 80 percent of all resolutions that U.S. News says, alas, fail by the second week of February.

The firm also has an impressive, free online "Moments" tool designed to help you plan for lifestyle changes or react to a myriad of curveballs - i.e., the unexpected medical expenses cited as a big setback in the study - that life throws at you. And accessing the Fidelity Retirement Score gives you a quick look at where you stand with your savings.

Oh, and here's one last thing to see if you can relate to: Seventy-eight percent of those surveyed predicted they'd be even better off financially in 2020.

Identifying these so-called "social determinants of health" helps doctors determine the root causes of their patients' medical conditions and is critical to improving whole-person health. The Physicians Foundation found that nearly 90 percent of doctors have patients whose health is affected by these key factors.1

Below are some examples to illustrate how social factors can affect you and your health:

* Loneliness and social isolation. More than a quarter of the U.S. population live alone. Loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased mortality and poor health outcomes. Identifying individuals at risk for these factors allows doctors to recommend prevention and care strategies to improve their patients' health.

* Food insecurity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for a healthy life. According to Feeding America, food insecurity exists in every state in the United States. Seniors face challenges that put them at risk of food insecurity, such as being on a fixed income and having to choose between buying food or medicine, or struggling to obtain food without reliable transportation.

* Transportation Barriers. A lack of transportation affects an individual's health and well-being - from accessing health care services and healthy food options to maintaining social connections. Lack of transportation is the leading cause of patient no-shows for medical appointments, and missed appointments are associated with increased medical care costs and increased emergency room visits.2

But many Medicare Advantage plans, provided by private health insurers such as Humana, offer their members health and wellness benefits, programs and services to help address social determinants, with rides to medical appointments, meal benefits, social interaction and screening for food insecurity.

Humana is working to address social determinants of health through its Bold Goal, by working with Humana care teams, physicians, nonprofit organizations, and business and government leaders to identify, screen and refer members to community resources and long-term support.

The Bold Goal is a population health strategy to help improve the health of the communities we serve by 20 percent by 2020 and beyond.

For more information, visit populationhealth.humana.com.

1 https://physiciansfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/physicians-survey-results-final-2018.pdf

2 http://www.aha.org/transportation  

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His view is supported by a National Intelligence Estimate, multiple Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports and testimony, and the recently released new Global Health Security Index by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

After more than a decade of study, Dr. Hatfill and his team have published a comprehensive book, "Three Seconds Until Midnight" which revisits the challenges of the 1918 pandemic and highlights the limitations of the current U.S. public health system while offering some possible solutions. With an introduction written by the famous virus-hunter C.J. Peters, MD, the book also delves into the causes and problems caused by the continuing emergence of new human infectious diseases previously unknown to science.

"The overwhelming majority of Americans assume that the CDC and public health authorities will rapidly detect a new outbreak of a lethal infectious disease and quickly respond with a vaccine, drugs, and other measures to contain the event. In reality, none of this is guaranteed," Dr. Hatfill emphasizes.

The latest Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) documents show that in a 1918-type pandemic Influenza event, a minimum of 123 to 125 million Americans will not receive any anti-viral drugs or vaccine until after the peak period of infections and deaths. As these individuals watch some of their neighbors, co-workers, or family members become ill and some die around them, all there will be is government advice to frequently wash their hands, cough or sneeze into their sleeve, and if sick, to stay home from work.

In the book, Dr. Hatfill and his team point out how the U.S. has an insufficient public health workforce and lacks the "surge" medical capacity needed for a lethal pandemic situation and that no programs are currently in place to train volunteers on how to safely work in an infectious disease environment.

To decrease hospital overcrowding during a 1918-type pandemic, the DHHS will advise communities to set up Neighborhood Emergency Help Centers to triage which patients can be nursed at home. Yet most adults are uninformed on how to care for ill family members if they contract a contagious and possibly lethal infection, and entire households will become ill, Dr. Hatfill says. Historically, the poor, socially disadvantaged urban communities will have the highest infection, hospitalization, and death rates.

The major problems in pandemic preparedness occur with the local city authorities who are largely unprepared to manage an outbreak of a serious lethal infectious disease on a 1918-type scale. This includes developing methods to manage essential worker absenteeism, pre-planning alternate care sites, gross rapid expansion of mortuary capabilities and teaching non-pharmaceutical interventions to the public.

"There are worse viruses in nature than another 1918-type influenza strain. These viruses are simply waiting for the right conditions to adapt and jump species into man," says Dr. Hatfill. "We are the only large mammal to have ever achieved such a high-density global population level and we have no precedent to indicate if we are nearing a threshold or not." As a consequence, we are all participating in a huge on-going biological experiment."

His book outlines the urgent need for a universal flu vaccine and more effective antiviral drugs. It also describes a disaster train concept for improved military support to disadvantaged communities acting in a disaster response mode, similar to the role played by the Armed Forces after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"Three Seconds Until Midnight" is available for purchase online via Amazon or Kindle.

For more information, visit www.threesecondsuntilmidnight.com.

On one hand, school choice recognizes that children are different by nature; they have varying personalities, strengths, and ways of learning. Children's natural differences are one reason we need a variety of schools. While a one-size-fits-all education can't meet the diverse needs of every single child, school choice can allow parents to look for the school best tailored to their child's unique needs.

School choice also recognizes that the learning environment itself can impact a child's success and happiness. Maybe, as an adult, you've felt the difference between a workplace environment that challenges, supports, and stimulates you, and one that drains you and stunts your growth. Kids spend nearly as much time at school as adults spend at a job, and that environment has a profound impact.

Some children are easily inspired by the sheer discovery involved in math, science, and reading. Others find the subjects lackluster on their own and aren't inspired until their life is touched by the example of a fantastic teacher or the uniqueness of a hands-on learning experience.

Every child is different. Moms and dads are experts on their children's needs, interests, and uniqueness - and moms and dads are best qualified to determine the learning environments that will inspire their daughters and sons.

Parents, it's not too soon to think about where your child will thrive in the 2020-2021 school year. If your school works well for your child, share that success with others this National School Choice Week (Jan 26-Feb 1). It might encourage a parent who is struggling to find the right fit for his or her child. If you're interested in switching schools, start researching your options right away at schoolchoiceweek.com.

The more we encourage diverse, innovative learning environments and support families in finding the best fit, the more our children will be inspired to succeed and be happy.

Andrew Campanella is president of National School Choice Week and the author of The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Finding the Right School for Your Child.

Detecting symptoms of Alzheimer's disease as early as possible can be critical to provide appropriate care and avoid potentially dangerous situations. And family and friends can play a vital role in recognizing and calling attention to these changes in behavior, especially for older adults who live alone.

While celebrating with loved ones this holiday season, Home Instead Senior Care encourages everyone to become more familiar with the symptoms of Alzheimer's, to be more aware so that critical warning signs are not overlooked.

Although many are aware that Alzheimer's disease affects a person's memory, there are several other lesser-known indicators that commonly go unnoticed such as notable changes in mood or personality, difficulty completing familiar tasks, trouble pronouncing words or writing, and increased anxiety.

Lakelyn Hogan, Home Instead Senior Care gerontologist and caregiver advocate, says, "People get wrapped up in the holidays and can miss important signs that a family member needs help - and doesn't even know it." She asks families to be mindful of the following signs that a loved one is struggling:

* Disruption of daily life. Is your loved one easily confused by changes to his or her routine? Are they beginning to forget everyday tasks, such as taking medication, feeding a pet or paying bills?

* Unusual behaviors. Have you noticed they seem unusually agitated or upset? Does it seem like his or her personality has shifted? Do they seem depressed or down?

* Disengaged with family. Is your loved one having a hard time remembering names of familiar family members? Does it look as if his or her mind is going blank during conversations? Are they having trouble keeping up with topics of discussion?

* Impairments in mobility and judgement. Do they seem afraid or unsure when using stairs? Do they hesitate before taking steps or going down ramps? A decline in cognitive ability can also affect the senses, impairing depth perception and hearing.

* Loss of words. Does it seem they are forgetting words for everyday objects, such as toothbrushes, spoons or cups? Are they slow to form sentences or respond to questions?

"It's important that we walk alongside our love ones in the aging process to ensure they are living safe and healthy lives," explains Hogan. "This holiday season, consider the signs that may indicate early-onset or developed Alzheimer's disease and talk to your senior relative or their caregiver about ways to accommodate their symptoms."

For additional tips and resources on spotting the signs of Alzheimer's, go to www.HelpforAlzheimersFamilies.com or, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office or www.homeinstead.com.

The Bay Gardens Resorts properties are ideally situated to take advantage of the best restaurants, activities, and events that the community of St. Lucia has to offer. For example, the month of October featured the Saint Lucia Arts & Heritage Festival, and included music, theater, lectures, art exhibitions, and street parties, all conveniently located in nearby Rodney Bay Village for easy access by Bay Gardens guests who booked its Creole Heritage Special.

The feeling of community at Bay Gardens Resorts is mirrored in the resort's local ownership, which conveys a different vibe than a large, international chain resort.

Throughout its 25-year existence, the award-winning resort chain has been dedicated to sustainably developing its St. Lucian society. Participating in the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association's Virtual Agricultural Clearing House (VACH) and its farm-to- table approach when designing menus have fostered better linkages with local farmers.

As a Green Globe Gold Member, environmental responsibility plays a vital role in business affairs conducted by the brand. Additionally, the company invests in the growth of its local economies as most of the staff and management are local, highly expert and experienced in fielding questions, planning events, and providing customer service for everyone from business travelers to wedding parties to families with small children.

The Bay Gardens Resorts family of properties has something for every taste.

Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa, for instance, offers an all-inclusive experience that caters to those seeking plenty of sand and surf, as well as spa indulgence. Guests staying seven nights or more who opt for this option not only get the best value with access to the Rodney Bay Dine Around Program and an opportunity to dine at affiliated restaurants, but also significantly assist in contributing to the community.

The resort also includes a business center, wedding gazebo, and on-site water park.

By contrast, the Bay Gardens Hotel and Bay Gardens Inn provide luxury and pampering in intimate, boutique-style settings.

"Cherishing a long tradition of unmatched Caribbean hospitality, our hotel in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, has built a reputation on friendly service, stylish accommodations, and unforgettable scenery," according to the website for the Bay Gardens Hotel, and this combination of service, style, and scenery applies to the other properties.

A new addition to the Bay Gardens family is Bay Gardens Marina Haven, a 35-room space located within a botanical garden adjacent to the Rodney Bay Marina.

Want to be right on the water? Consider the Waters Edge Villas, a pair of private villas with luxury amenities and marina views.

Both the Waters Edge and Marina Haven provide complimentary shuttle service to the other Bay Resorts properties, so guests can take full advantage of the larger community of Rodney Bay, with its nightlife, shops, and restaurants.

Visit baygardensresorts.com for more information.

1. The Chair 

Finding the perfect task chair is an important first step when creating a healthy comfortable workspace. Jonathan Puleio, a certified ergonomist and Global VP of Consulting for Humanscale, is focused on the correlation between a person's comfort while working and their overall experience. He suggests that a comfortable ergonomic chair can lead to an increase in alertness as well as an increase in blood flow, benefitting a person's well-being. Puleio further suggests looking for a chair that automatically adjusts to the sitter, so they don't need to fumble with confusing knobs and levers to be comfortable as they change tasks and positions throughout the day. One chair Puleio recommends is Humanscale's Liberty chair which, like all Humanscale chairs, offers a self-adjusting weight-sensitive recline with a pivoting backrest that provides lumbar support for all sitting positions. 

2. The Desk 

Ergonomists now know that it's important for people to be able to move freely throughout the day in order to be healthy, comfortable and focused at work. A good sit/stand desk should be simple, intuitive and easy to use, so if a person needs to stand or sit while working, the process of raising or lowering the desk is seamless. Humanscale's Float table, for example, has an integrated counterbalance mechanism that accommodates varying weight loads, so raising or lowering the desk is as quick and easy as sitting or standing and doesn't interrupt the workflow. 

3. The Lighting 

With the rise of backlit screens and open floor plans, task lighting, as a supplement to natural or overhead lighting, is necessary for an optimal work experience. "To avoid ocular discomfort that can negatively impact one's performance as well as their overall health and well-being, it's important to find proper task lighting that casts a wide footprint, is glare-free and offers a single shadow, and that is smooth and easy to adjust as needs shift throughout the day," says Puleio. The adjustments a task light should be able to perform include both manual positioning and brightness levels.

Humanscale's Horizon 2.0 is one task light that meets these needs. It reduces eye strain and improves overall comfort by providing glare-free light that intuitively adjusts for a range of activities, from reading documents to writing emails, and everything in between. 

4. The Monitor Arm 

Though often overlooked, monitor arms promote a clutter-free workspace and support a healthier, more ergonomic working posture, making it a must-have for the ideal desk setup. Many professionals tend to lean in toward their computer monitor in order to see it better. Monitor arms enable them to pull the monitor closer so they can sit in a healthy posture, with their back against the back of the task chair, and still see the work on their screen. 

5. The Keyboard Tray 

A keyboard tray is another vital tool that helps achieve an ergonomic workspace. This tool brings the keyboard and mouse closer and encourages professionals to sit in a healthy, neutral posture without leaning forward. A well-designed keyboard tray offers protection from carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back pain and other musculoskeletal issues. Other ergonomic tools, including Humanscale's NeatTech, NeatUp and NeatLink, help to keep the desktop clear of cables and clutter.

With each of these tools working in harmony to provide ergonomic support and comfort, anyone can have a "perfect" workstation.

"The big wild card is the need people have for the product. That trumps everything," states best-selling author Lonny Kocina, CEO of Media Relations Agency. "If a product works well, even bad marketing can't kill it. But if people don't need the product, the best marketing in the world isn't going to save it."

Kocina, author of "The CEO's Guide to Marketing," explains how to tell the difference. His book has been an Amazon best-seller since it was released in 2017 and was a 2018 Axiom Business Book Silver Award winner.

Kocina says most marketers don't know enough about marketing to understand whether it is responsible for a sales problem or whether it is accelerating a product's natural lifecycle. "If a product doesn't work, you're going to find out faster when you're using a good marketing process," he explains. "So, when someone in the room tries to blame marketing for all the problems, you'd better have your facts in order.

"Does your team truthfully understand marketing? Were you on point with your messaging and your positioning? Did you use the promotional mix and schedule correctly? Did you cycle through it as you should? If you can say yes to all that, and the product didn't work, then you can say it wasn't your marketing." 

The six-step process designed to increase marketing results 

In his fully illustrated book, Kocina outlines a six-step process designed to dramatically increase your marketing results. "I call it Strategically Aimed Marketing, or SAM 6, for short. This process will assure creative people stay focused, on track and doing their best work."

The SAM 6 steps are:

1. Gain competence in marketing concepts and principles. "Wouldn't it be great if we all spoke the same marketing language? Dentists know bicuspids from incisors. Lawyers know affidavits from briefs. A competent marketer has a clear understanding and a working knowledge of marketing concepts and principles."

2. Developing code sheets. "Code sheets are a means of gathering and documenting important information about your company and the products it promotes."

3. Select channels. "The promotional mix channels you choose to employ depend on many variables, including your message, the market and your resources."

4. Schedule calendar. "Your marketing calendar is a trusted guide to ensure that you cycle through each product and its primary value points with a maximum flow of on-point promotional messages."

5. Develop a control template. "Your control template provides the guidelines for your writers, designers and other creative staff to follow without losing sight of the marketing necessities"

6. Assemble your creative team. "You need to assemble the right people for the job, and then let these creative souls work their magic within the parameters you set."

Kocina also says those who follow these steps will feel more empowered by their marketing.

"SAM 6 brings a clarity and process to this tension-filled field. "I've been CEO of Media Relations Agency for three decades. I've worked with hundreds of clients across the country. I get to see what's behind the scenes. I can tell you, the companies that follow a logical process are the ones getting the most bang for their marketing dollars."

To access free SAM 6 tools, go to Publicity.com.

The BABOR skin care product line, developed in 1956 in Germany by biochemist Dr. Michael Babor, has an established reputation of science-based skin care. Each item in the company's latest line of Power Serum Ampoules is designed with advanced-strength active ingredients to address specific skin issues quickly and effectively with precision single doses of targeted ingredients.

"At BABOR, our highly innovative active formulations are carefully combined with our exclusive treatment methods to provide outstanding results and a uniquely indulgent experience," according to the company website.

The new DOCTOR BABOR Power Serum Ampoule collection launched in January 2020 and features six products: Ceramides, Ferulic Acid, Growth Factor Concentrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, and Vitamin C. The collection continues the high standards and precision use of clinical ingredients for individualized skin care.

The Growth Factor serum is of particular interest to individuals seeking treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, as well as maintaining the skins elasticity and firmness and preserve the cell's optimal metabolic efficiency.

The serum contains two active ingredients, cyclopeptide and oligopeptide, that stimulate the skin's natural growth factors and promote collagen and elastic production.

The Vitamin C serum is targeted to brighten the skin and protect against the development of age-related skin damage. The Hyaluronic Acid serum is formulated to help promote skin hydration, and the Retinol serum focuses on resurfacing, improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of pores.

The Ferulic Acid serum promotes skin regeneration and is engineered to support the skin's natural defenses, and the Ceramides serum contains a blend of three skin ceramides that combine with the skin's natural lipids to protect against moisture loss and promote skin barrier repair.

All BABOR products comply with the European Cosmetic Safety Standards. In addition, the Power Serum Ampoules contain no artificial colors, fragrances, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or gluten.

For more information about precision, targeted skin care and the BABOR skin care product line, visit BABOR.com.

And now that those days are behind you, the hustle, bustle and hassle of commercial airlines and airports can be your next farewell.

Meet ONEflight International, your new travel buddy, bringing the joy and thrill back to flying. No more turning on your Google flight tracker for the best deals or acting out a scene from the Hunger Games when it comes to an airline's early flight check-in process.

ONEflight International's new state-of-the-art Book A Jet or BAJit.com program makes taking that trip to California (or anywhere else you have to go, for that matter) as easy as calling your nearest ride- hailing company.

Think this service may be outside your budget? Think again. ONEflight's volume-based pricing allows savings of 30 to 40 percent over typical private jet costs and with a database of more than 4,000 jets and 500 of the leading charter operators, you are guaranteed to find the perfect size and style.

The price for a single flyer may seem daunting. However, President and CEO Ferren Rajput believes the private flights are ideal for businesspeople and families.

When factoring in the time, money and overall hassle it takes to travel in groups, flying private quickly appears as the most viable option. Plus, let's not forget that each flight comes with a complimentary catered meal - and we're not talking bagged pretzels and a cup of water. Passengers are connected with a Concierge Coordinator that will accommodate any food and dietary restrictions to provide a deliciously catered meal selected by the passengers, with crowd favorites such as steak and potatoes.

Private jets also offer the convenience of smaller, less crowded airports. For the group of business folks eager to reach their destination, flying private cuts out the stress. No long check-in station or even longer TSA lines to fight through, shaving off hours of travel time and leaving more time for business.

In an interview with Arizona Daily Mix Channel 7, President and CEO Rajput says, "the private jet segment was really just supposed to be for the wealthy, the top super- rich, but it's not that anymore."

With the new system BAJit.com, developed by ONEflight International, anyone can experience the luxury and convenience of a private jet.

"If you're going to fly private jets, you need to check out ONEflight's BAJ, the most efficient booking system." says Robert Herjavec, founder and CEO of Herjavec Group, a global cybersecurity company, leading Shark on ABC's Shark Tank, and brand ambassador for ONEflight.

So, before you book your next getaway, be it business or pleasure, check BAJit.com for the best options.