LiveWell Vermont

  Variable expenses vs fixed expenses: What’s the difference? Source:  Variable expenses vs fixed expenses: What’s the difference? | Empower Key takeaways Variable expenses can make monthly budgeting challenging. You can convert variable expenses to "fixed"  sinking fund  expenses to simplify budgeting. Following a simple budget can help you manage expenses and set money aside for your long-term goals.   If you're managing a household budget, it can be challenging to keep pace with mounting expenses. One way to help with your budget is to track both your fixed and variable expenses. We'll cover the distinctions between the two, as well as how to save money and budget for both. Variable expenses definition Variable expenses are those that vary from month to month. They can be expenses that only come up a few times a year or regular monthly expenses with differing amounts each month.  These varying expenses can make monthly budgeting more difficult. Beca...

  Run or walk with us on May 16th, 2024!  (Or complete the virtual option 5/16 - 5/31) Sign up at  https://www.vcccsar.org/  today! Race Fee Reimbursement LiveWell Vermont will reimburse the registration fee for employees/retirees who have insurance with Blue Cross Vermont through the State.  When you sign up, please select  "State of Vermont"  or  "State of Vermont Employee"  as your employer (not your specific agency or department). Your reimbursement will be automatically added to your paycheck  (minus a few dollars of tax). If you've selected the State as your employer, there are no additional steps necessary to receive the reimbursement.  Volunteer Volunteers needed before and on the race day.  Learn more . If interested,  register on their website.

  Did you know that the Treasury Office has financial resources to promote financial literacy in Vermont and help you navigate the world of money?  Financial Education Resources For You :  Learn about retirement savings, taxes, scams, credit, insurance, and teaching kids about money. Community Resource Map : There are many community service providers across Vermont that offer financial education. You can search for service providers by using the map for help with adult education, career resources, consumer protection, homeownership, tax assistance, and more.  Request a Free Credit Report: Experts recommend checking your credit report from the three main credit reporting agencies at least once a year, check it now at  annualcreditreport.com . What is a FICO Score? Credit scores influence the credit that's available to you. Learn as  Fair Isaac Corporation explains how credit scores are calculated . Fine Tune Your Skills to Spot Investment...

  Embarking on a fitness journey is exhilarating, but it’s essential to tailor your workouts to your current abilities. Enter progressions and regressions! Progressions aren’t “better” and regressions aren’t “worse”. They’re both valuable tools that ensures your workouts remain challenging yet attainable, adapting to your level of strength, flexibility, and skill. Let’s dive into the world of workout progressions and regressions to understand how they can elevate your fitness game. Understanding Progressions and Regressions Progressions involve advancing or intensifying an exercise as your strength and skill improve. They’re the steps that take you from mastering the basics to conquering more challenging variations. Conversely, regressions modify exercises to make them easier, either by reducing intensity or altering the movement pattern. They're crucial for beginners or anyone recovering from an injury, ensuring that workouts remain safe and effective. How do you know what to ...

  Coping with Stress tips from CDC Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful and overwhelming.  Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way will help you, the people you care about, and those around you become more resilient. Stress can cause the following: Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration. Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests. Trouble concentrating and making decisions. Nightmares or problems sleeping. Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, or skin rashes. Worsening of chronic health problems and mental health conditions. Increased use of  alcohol , illegal drugs (like  heroin ,  cocaine , or  methamphetamine ), and misuse of prescription drugs (like opioids). Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress Here are some ways you can manage stress, anxiety, grief, or worry: Take breaks from news stories,  including those on social media. It’s good to be informed, but constan...

  Did you know that the Treasury Office has financial resources to promote financial literacy in Vermont and help you navigate the world of money? You can use these resources to support yourself during the On Budget Challenge, held as part of the Wellness Incentive program . Financial Education Resources For You : Learn about retirement savings, taxes, scams, credit, insurance, and teaching kids about money. Request a Free Credit Report: Experts recommend checking your credit report from the three main credit reporting agencies at least once a year, check it now at  annualcreditreport.com . What is a FICO Score? Credit scores influence the credit that's available to you. Learn as  Fair Isaac Corporation explains how credit scores are calculated . Fine Tune Your Skills to Spot Investment Fraud: The  Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)  has launched a new educational game to designed to help investors outsmart investment fraud criminals. The g...

April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month , bringing attention to the negative impact of stress. Stress management is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Having the skills to manage your stress can improve mental and physical well-being. Knowing how to recognize what stress and anxiety look like, can be an effective step in building resilience and knowing where to go for help. Use Mental Health America’s (MHA) Stress Screener to learn tips on how to recognize and reduce stress. What can supervisors do to help reduce workplace stress ? Approve flexible hours Support telecommuting Encourage the use of paid time off Empower employees to take care of their health Provide resources and support Ask employees what they need Join the BeWell@Work Wellness Webinar: Tuning in to You: Enhancing Mental Wellness Literacy When: May 2 nd , 2024 Time: 11:00 a.m. Register In partnership with Sunshine Silver Lining, join Blue Cross VT fo...

  As mud season challenges Vermonters' outdoor activities, this article provides alternative suggestions for staying active. Mud season can be a challenging time for Vermonters who want to stay active. With daytime temperatures warming and snow disappearing from the mountains, most of us have already put away our winter sports gear. We’d like to resume warm-weather activities like hiking and mountain biking, yet many of those trails are a sloppy mess. We’re often stuck waiting for drier conditions.  Fortunately, there are several ways you can get exercise outdoors during mud season without having to slog through the goo. In this article, we’ll give you some ideas for mud season outings. We’ll also provide tips for how to use mud season to get a jump on preparing for summer fun. Hiking Trail Alternatives Hiking is a popular activity year-round in Vermont, but using high-elevation trails during mud season is discouraged to prevent them from being damaged. Hikers are asked to pla...