With the unique challenges and unpredictability caused by the coronavirus pandemic, many people were forced to neglect or ignore their savings and financial planning. That's certainly understandable. But as the economy improves, new workers and those approaching retirement can take advantage of smart ways to plan and save in a way that they may not have been able to a year ago.

The following tips from CFP Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to benefitting the public by supporting professional standards in personal financial planning, may give you some ideas on how best to plan for your retirement:

- Go high-tech, with caution. "Keeping track of your personal finances is time-consuming and not what you want to do in your retirement years," says CFP Board Ambassador Bill Schretter, CFP®.

"I recommend all my clients automate as much of the saving and reporting functions as possible. However, I do not recommend that you use free service apps," he emphasizes.

Why? Many free service apps will use your information to try to sell you financial and non-financial products that you don't need and could siphon away from your retirement savings.

"I recommend that you purchase your own program or use programs that your advisor or bank provide to help you keep your finances organized," says Schretter. "Let an app automate regular tasks, but leave the most important financial advice and management to qualified human beings," he adds.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can provide guidance as you consider these points in retirement planning, whatever your current work status or age:

- Review your goals. Does your retirement wish list include a cruise to Alaska, an African safari, or your own house on a secluded lake in the woods? Do you want to open a small business, or help out your children and grandchildren with education costs? Consider potential expenses now to plan savvy withdrawals later.

- Watch for tax traps. "If your withdrawal plan puts you into a higher tax bracket, you might want to lower the amount you plan to pull out," says CFP Board Ambassador J.J. Burns, CFP®.

Also, diversify with a range of accounts that are taxed differently for more flexibility. If you don't have a Roth IRA or 401k, it is never too early or too late to start one, and a certified financial planner can give advice on moving some retirement savings into one of these accounts to maximize future income.

Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more advice and tips to make the most of your income in retirement.

Whether plans for visiting relatives, exploring a new destination, or revisiting a favorite vacation spot, loading the car and getting behind the wheel is second nature. But, upgrading a road trip with an RV may be just the ticket to making the next adventure the best one yet.

According to Phocuswright's US Consumer Travel research, almost half of Millennials are interested in renting an RV for a leisure trip within the next 12 months. It may be because hitting the road in an RV is an exciting way to spend time traveling with friends or family on a nature-filled adventure. Don't have an RV? Thanks to sites such as RVshare, RV rentals are easier to find and book than ever. With more than 100,000 RVs to choose from across the country, the peer-to-peer marketplace has a variety of vehicles with options ranging from a luxury motor home to a confined camper, there is something for everyone at any price point. There is no special license required and the RV insurance is built-in.

"RV rentals are a great option for those to experience the RV lifestyle without having to buy an expensive vehicle," says RVshare's CEO Jon Gray.

"Travelers come to our site to find RVs for a weekend of camping or a multi-week road trip. With a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen all on-board, an RV is essentially a hotel room wherever you want it."

Want to ditch the sedan and upgrade to a motor home? Here are a few tips for renting an RV for first-timers.

• Use a trusted site: Use a trusted site such as RVshare.com where payments are protected and the owner of the vehicle is verified. RVshare also offers roadside assistance, 24/7 customer service, insurance and other perks to protect your trip and payment.
• Have a plan before booking: With camping, road tripping and RV travel being in high demand this summer, campgrounds will get booked up, especially on weekends.
• Narrow down the options: For a first-time renter, finding the right RV may feel daunting. First, consider the trip type, how many people will be traveling and what the goal of the road trip is. For a couple, a Class B Campervan is a great option for two. A family should look at a Class C driveable RV, which boasts a lot of space but is still maneuverable for those intimidated by big rigs.
• The owner is the best resource: When booking with a peer-to-peer platform, the owner is the best resource to answer questions about the vehicle, including what is included, their rules about pets and if the RV is suitable for long road trips.

Interested in learning more about how to book an RV rental? Visit RVshare.com.

(NewsUSA) - (NU) 

“The Beirut Protocol ”
by Joel C. Rosenberg

  Trapped behind enemy lines. Brutally tortured and threatened with death. And the worst is yet to come. Special agent Marcus Ryker has spent his whole life protecting others, but this time his own life is in danger.

  When a routine advance trip along the Israeli-Lebanese border goes wrong, American operatives are ambushed and captured by a rogue Hezbollah special forces team. If Marcus and his colleagues are tortured and executed on live television, the president will have to enter another war he likely can't win.

Marcus faces a life-or-death battle, and the odds of survival are narrowing. Escape seems impossible. Rescue is a fading hope. This is the CIA’s most valuable operative as you have never seen him before. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35Po5Ci.

“First Dog on Earth”
by  Irv Weinberg

  “Heartwarming story about relationships among people and dogs.”

  At the dawn of civilization, a wolf dog befriends an old hunter and revives his alpha powers among his human tribe. Together with the animal’s pack, they discover a new way of life -- a shared odyssey of survival and trust that grows into the most successful partnership the Earth has ever known, changing dogs and humans forever.

  This is the poetic story of how civilization progresses all because of the abilities the dogs bring the tribe. How does the greatest love story in history begin? With a leap into the unknown. “Like no other book you've read!” Purchase at http://amzn.to/38pfW8j.

“How to Train Your Hooman: A Field Guide”
by  Gwen Romack

   This is the lighthearted and funny read we so desperately need in these not-so-light-hearted times – and the perfect Mother’s Day gift for those dog-loving moms. 

  Follow this unique story told by an extraordinary dog, Finn. He’s irreverent, funny, and full of sass. Based on his real life, join Finn as he issues weekly reports back to K9 Rescue Headquarters on the strange behaviors and rituals of his rescue-“hoomans.”

  With sarcastic wit, he observes the curious world around him, heroically saves his unwitting hoomans from dangers (see also: evil electric toothbrush), and shares his musings about the often-lackluster level of service he feels he receives. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3bzqKDV.

“Waxing Pathetic ”
by M. B. Clark

  Waxing Pathetic is a sardonic, often hilarious, raging stream of consciousness from one mad American woman. From the pathetic to the political, the lunatic to the poetic, Clark's memoir is a masterwork of dry wit and piercing observation. 

  From Been Down This Road, where she relates her high school dating history, to This is Real...and Surreal, where she takes down some pathetic politics, Clark merges real events with dream-state fiction that evokes deeper truths hidden in memories. Waxing Pathetic will leave you breathless as you are taken down roads not taken by most American women. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3aTrCT3.

NOTE:BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

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An engagement ring is inspired by courtship memories. If an engagement ring could talk, it might tell you a story of "boy meets girl" and how an awkward guy got up the courage to approach the girl across a crowded room. The story continues with dates, vacations, meeting the parents. An engagement ring might reflect on a first vacation together, favorite walk, and the features of a girl's personality that captivated the boy into popping the question.

A ring might recall asking a father's permission, sneaking a sample ring from a drawer to determine the perfect size, and even providing some inspiration for a design that would bring her to tears when she said "yes."

Engagement rings are followed by wedding rings, which tell the story of a bright day full of joy as two become one in front of family and friends. In the future, these rings will experience years of holding hands, warming hearts, rubbing shoulders, holding babies, and serving as a reminder of a lifetime of love with the love of your life.

Custom diamond engagement rings from Cornelis Hollander help you tell your unique love story with timeless beauty. Our engagement and wedding rings represent your love, energy, and commitment to each other.

The story doesn't stop with the walk down the aisle some bright day in June, it is only beginning, and the team of skilled designers at Cornelis Hollander is honored to help start you on your journey together.

The Arizona-based company has four decades of awards and testimonials for its customized engagement ring designs that range from classic to modern, with stunning settings and sparkling gems.

"Our diamond rings are exceptional because they are made uniquely for the wearer, making them exclusive, memorable, and personal. Your ring is the ultimate storyteller of your style and commitment," according to Cornelis Hollander's son, Walter Hollander, who inherited the company from his father.

Visit cornelishollander.com for more details and to explore a unique collection of handcrafted diamond ring designs.

"The Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage"
by Bonnie Addario

The words "lung cancer" strike fear in all of us. But where is the hope? It can be found in "The Living Room," by Bonnie Addario, a 17-year survivor of stage 3B lung cancer and a determined activist on behalf of patients suffering from the disease. "The Living Room" tells the stories of 20 lung cancer patients who have bravely fought the disease and found ways to thrive, not just to survive.

The people you will meet in "The Living Room" will lead you to believe that miracles are all around us, that they're happening every day, and that they just might happen to the next cancer patient who picks up this book. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2LUl3pT.

"Attachments"
by Jeff Arch

At a boarding school in Pennsylvania, a deathbed request from the school's dean brings three former students back to campus, where secrets and betrayals from the past are brought out into the open -- secrets that could have a catastrophic effect on the dean's 18-year-old son.

Told in alternating points of view and time frames, "Attachments" is the story of two best friends and the girl they both love. The book is a puzzle -- and the only one who knows how all the pieces fit is in a coma. Revelations come out into the open, and someone is about to learn something he may or may not be able to handle. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3vs8dQG.

"Don't Say a Word! A Daughter's Two Cents"
by Elizabeth Roper Marcus

For the over 44-million adult children in America whose parents are driving them crazy and for baby boomers who are laughing about it, this is one of the few complete comic narratives that plumb the emotional challenges involved, as we navigate the line between anguish and laughter, rage and love.

"Don't Say A Word!" illuminates the maddening challenge of watching our parents' final decline, a challenge familiar to frazzled adult-children everywhere.

A perpetually warring, tyrannical pair in their 80s -- a Macy's dress buyer and a dentist -- begin wintering in Mexico.?The surprising ways in which these parents come undone reveal just what they'd spent their lives trying to hide, thereby setting her free. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3pjc7sT.

"The Magic Pond"
by Hélene Schweiger

"There is a silver lining to every cloud." That is the motto of author Hélene Schweiger, who presents us with a tale about courage, adventure, and the magic of friendship, geared for children as well as adults. As we all go through difficult experiences and changes in our lives, the message in this story helps see the strength we have in ourselves to become who we truly are.

The author loves nature and sees beauty everywhere. She uses storytelling on a daily basis as a perfect way to convey messages to children and adults, helping children become the wonderful adults they have the potential to be. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35wRHVa.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

However, many women may not realize that their risk of heart disease also increases during the menopausal period, according to Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, M.D., a practicing physician in New York City and an expert in women's health.

"There is no time like the present for women to commit to better heart health and overall health," says Dr. Okeke. "Women who suffer from pre- and post-menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and hormonal imbalance now have a way to help ease their discomfort and the debilitating effects of their symptoms with over-the-counter supplementation."

The HerHeart supplement from BergaMet North America, a manufacturer of exclusive natural supplements, represents a new frontier in managing menopause symptoms. The oral supplement product is designed exclusively for women, and contains Citrus Bergamot SuperFruit™, a unique high-quality citrus bergamot with a 47% BPF (bergamot polyphenol fraction) concentration (the highest available in North America and exclusive to BergametNA), along with other ingredients that have been shown to help balance hormones and ease the discomfort of menopause. HerHeart also helps promote heart health; the product is engineered to help reduce arterial age and to improve cholesterol levels.

Data from clinical trials of HerHeart show a 42% improvement in comfort level and a 75% reduction in hot flashes; other benefits include increased sexual desire and arousal.

"I am getting heart and mind healthy," says Kimberly L., a consumer who uses the HerHeart supplement.

"I am using this for pretty much every reason," she says. "Menopause, anti-inflammatory, thyroid issues, and blood sugar, too." After two weeks of taking HerHeart, "I am no longer having night sweats. I am sleeping better. I have a very noticeable amount of energy now," she adds. The HerHeart product "is doing everything the company said it would," Kimberly says. "I would like to continue on for the 90 days, to see how my cholesterol and liver function does. I am super-excited over the help with menopause. My husband appreciates the change in my attitude!"

Visit tryherheart.com for more information about the supplement, and visit Bergametna.com or call 1-855-556-2131 for more details about other Citrus Bergamot Superfruit™ products for better health. The BergametNA stock symbol is HYEX.

Whether you are spending more time at home or have returned part-time to in-person work or school, smart, effective cleaning strategies can help keep your home and family safe and healthy.

Safe and simple are key criteria for choosing from among the wide variety of today's home cleaning products. However, consumers also want cleaners that are tough and effective, that don't just eliminate stains and spots, but also kill germs, viruses, and bacteria.

To that point, many people want to make cleaning easier, and that includes one-stop shopping.

One such product, all-n-all, tackles cleaning, stain removal and deodorizing in one single step.

The multipurpose cleanser contains ingredients derived from renewable resources, natural products including hydrogen peroxide and plant derived essential oils. It is designed to deliver a tough cleaning punch throughout the home, and the formula kills 99 percent of germs, bacteria, and viruses on hard, porous/non-porous surfaces when used correctly.

"Added surfactants help to break down those stubborn stains, giving you a one-step cleaning solution for your whole home," says Jason Bailey, president of all-n-all.

To that end, all-n-all is engineered to clean the entire house:

• Kitchen: all-n-all can help keep countertops and floors germ-free while tackling kitchen appliance cleaning from the sink, refrigerator, to tough stove top grease and grime.
• Living room: Stain-removal properties can take on challenges such as wine, coffee and pet stains from carpet, clean light switches, remotes, and tables.
• Bathroom: Remove iron deposits, hard water and calcium deposits from faucets and shower fixtures, clean sinks, bathtubs and countertops in one simple step.
• Nursery: It's safe and gentle enough to use on children's highchairs, furniture, toys, and game controllers.

All-n-all contains no dyes, phosphates, bleach, chlorine, or sodium lauryl sulfate, and is manufactured in the USA, with no harsh or abrasive chemicals.

Visit Lowes.com for more information and to purchase all-n-all natural cleaner.

T. I. Lowe's gritty yet tender and uplifting tale reminds us that a great story can break your heart . . . then heal it in the best possible way.

Austin Foster is barely a teenager when her mama dies giving birth to twins, leaving her to pick up the pieces while holding her six siblings together and doing her best to stop her daddy from retreating into his personal darkness.

Scratching out a living on the family's tobacco farm is as tough as it gets. Just when it seems she might have something more waiting for her -- with the son of a wealthy local family who she's crushed on for years -- her father makes a choice that will crack wide-open the family's secrets and lead to a public reckoning. Purchase at https://amzn.to/30eay45.

"A Road Trip to Remember"
by Judith Keim

A fun and memorable road trip between grandmother and granddaughter brings about surprises and love as they discover new possibilities for everything they've ever wanted.

Aggie and her granddaughter Blythe drive to Florida, stopping to see old college friends along the way -- particularly Donovan Bailey, the man she'd thought she'd marry. Aggie's son and his wife, Blythe's difficult stepmother, can't find out.

All goes well until Aggie falls while dancing with Donovan. Then Blythe's father is seriously injured in an automobile accident. Blythe and Logan Pierce, Donovan's young assistant, do their best to step in for them at work, fighting their mutual attraction. A fun novel from a prolific author. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3kBE4dB.

"EVE-o"
by Danielle Gomes

Would you sacrifice a few lives to potentially save millions?

When a team of scientists discovers the deadly consequences of a human gene they dub "the evolution gene," they quickly realize that the human race is on the brink of extinction.

As pandemic after pandemic ravages the world, symptomatic of the looming eradication of all humankind, this team heads to the Amazon for one last chance to save humanity. While the modern world is on the verge of total collapse, salvation lies in a forgotten time. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3goseTY.

"Adam Names the Insects"
by Janice Dixon

A great read for the young and the young at heart, "Adam Names the Insects" (with a little help from Eve) is a whimsical telling of an old story. The author takes the reader through a child-like excursion in the Garden of Eden in which Adam inspects the various insects and pronounces each name. He uses the sense of smell to name the stink bug and the sense of sound to name the Bzzz. Readers delight in the clever back and forth between Adam and Eve.

The book has been described as "a clever, refreshing, glimpse into the lives of two delightfully dissimilar individuals tasked with naming the insects." Come along and enjoy the journey. Purchase at http://bit.ly/3kd9OFK.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

"Lost in Paris"
by Elizabeth Thompson

When a deed to an apartment in Paris turns up in an old attic trunk, an estranged mother and daughter must reunite to uncover the secret life of a family matriarch -- perfect for fans of "The Little Paris Bookshop" and "The Beekeeper's Daughter."

A heartwarming and charming saga set in the City of Lights, "Lost in Paris" is an unforgettable celebration of family and the love between a mother and a daughter. New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins calls it "a luscious, layered story of inheritance, heartbreak, reinvention, and family. I adored this book." Purchase at https://amzn.to/3pQXOuH.

"The Lockhart Women"
by Mary Camarillo

Brenda Lockhart's family has been living well beyond their means for too long when Brenda's husband leaves them and the family's economic situation declines. Daughter Peggy thinks she's heading to college, until her father offers her a job sorting mail while she attends community college instead. Daughter Allison can't believe her luck that California golden boy Kevin has fallen in love with her.

Meanwhile, the chatter about the O.J. Simpson murder case is always on, a media frenzy that underscores domestic violence against women and race and class divisions. Brenda thinks O.J. has been framed. Both daughters are more interested in their own lives -- until Peggy notices bruises Allison can't explain. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2MA3DPd.

"A House with Holes"
by Denise Mast Broadwater

With their marriage on the line, this risky rehab could cost more than savings. Can a devoted pair rebuild their dream out of a nightmare?

Denise Broadwater thought she lived on strong foundations. But when she and her husband took on an ambitious remodeling of a Charleston, S.C., classic in a crime-ridden neighborhood, the cracks in her resolve started to show. And after a brick shattered their front window, she feared they'd bitten off more than they could chew.

In this powerful warts-and-all memoir, Broadwater lays bare the tests and triumphs of restoration and close living. With insightful marital wisdom, she'll lead you through an unforgettable tale of reinvention. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3chbR7X.

"Pace's Post: Ramblings of Wisdom from a Middle-Aged Doc"
by Victor M. Pace, MD

Written by a family medicine physician with 29 years of medical experiences and 55 years of life experiences, this book is a compilation of values, ideas, and journeys.

The chapters are independent of each other and are intended to be enjoyed by all adolescent and adult readers. Topics include: traveling, hobbies, activities, family time, philosophical ideals, and much more. Some of the chapter titles are: "Risk Taking," "Technology Then & Now," "Why Everyone Should Visit My Hometown," "The Love Of Pets," "My Journey Through Racism," and "The Value Of Journaling." It's all here wrapped up in one book. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3rOa3ZN.

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.