Current Events in June 2012

Olmesartan is a commonly prescribed medication that helps patients control their blood pressure. But Mayo Clinic researchers say it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and electrolyte abnormalities -- symptoms common among those who have celiac disease.

The findings are published online in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Their discovery took shape over a three year period, from 2008 to 2011. Doctors at Mayo Clinic treated 22 patients with symptoms similar to celiac disease who suffered symptoms like chronic diarrhea and weight loss. The median weight loss was 39 pounds, and one patient lost 125 pounds. Fourteen of the 22 were hospitalized because of the severity of their symptoms.

But the patients didn't have celiac disease, it turned out. After examining their medications, Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Joseph Murray, M.D., pulled several of the patients off Olmesartan.

Their symptoms dramatically improved. Eventually, all 22 were taken off the drug, and all showed improvement. Eighteen of the 22 patients had intestinal biopsies after stopping the medication and showed improvement.

“We thought these cases were celiac disease initially because their biopsies showed features very like celiac disease, such as inflammation,” said Murray, the lead author. “What made them different was they didn’t have the antibodies in their blood that are typical for celiac disease.”

Olmesartan -- prescribed for the treatment of hypertension, or high blood pressure -- works by blocking substances that tighten blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently, according to the U.S. National Library on Medicine. Olmesartan is marked under the trade name Benicar in the U.S.

Many people say the sign of a good friend is that they're willing to help you move. Tongue in cheek it may be, but there's a dollop of truth in that saying, because nobody really likes to move, and the more help you can get the better.

Sure, we may like the new possibilities associated with picking up and starting anew, but the physical task of packing, loading and unpacking can be enough to make anyone consider a moving company.

The mere idea of using a moving company generates a sigh of relief, because one figures using professionals will greatly diminish the possibilities of having a stressful move. This is true in some cases, but  many times moving companies contribute to stress levels instead of lowering  them.

In our ConsumerAffairs  Moving Section, United Van Lines is one of the major complaint magnets, receiving only a one-star (out of five) rating.

"I truly believe United Van Lines did everything in their power to make my move as difficult and stressful as it possibly could have been," wrote Dorothy of Norfolk, Va., in our complaints section.

When Dorothy used United Van Lines in her recent move from Memphis, Tenn. to Norfolk, the company said her belongings would be delivered no later than June 4. After her items failed to arrive on the promised date, she was then told her goods wouldn't be received until June 15.

ConsumerAffairs contacted Dorothy, and spoke with her in detail about her stressful experience.

No warning

"What upset me the most is that I was never made aware of the delay," she said. "And that's what frustrated me. They kept me in the dark the whole time. I was never sure where my belongings were at any given time."

What was the reason for Dorothy receiving her belongings nearly two weeks after the promised date? Get this one: United Van Lines said they didn't have the right crate to ship her goods in.

"My items were sitting in a warehouse until they were able to get a crate", said Dorothy.

You would figure a huge national moving company at the very least would have the proper receptacles to move your stuff.

So, how does one avoid moving company mishaps?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, says that each moving company is legally responsible for any loss or damage during the move, and consumers can use the Surface Transportation Board's Released Rates Order, to measure how much money you should be compensated for damaged belongings.

To order a copy of the most current released item rates, consumers should write to: Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20423-0001.

The FMCSA says consumers need to be sure to fulfill all their obligations as well. You must notify the mover in writing of any items worth over $100 per pound ($220 per kilogram), and if you include any perishable, or hazardous materials without telling your mover, you could be short changed if the moving company breaks or losses something.

No damage

In Dorothy's case, her items weren't damaged, she just received poor service from United Van Lines. When calling customer service, she was either given vague answers or was told incorrect information.

"I think because I'm a 26-year-old, single women, I was never taken seriously," she said.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Candice from the FMCSA, and she advised that consumers should access the government website, as it lists a bevy of useful tips to help protect people from shady and negligent moving companies.

For instance, the site states that movers are legally responsible to provide you with a document that informs you about your rights under federal law. The moving company should also give you a written estimate and a copy of the U.S. Department of Transportation publication called "Ready to Move."

It's much easier to determine a reimbursement amount if items are damaged or lost, but if a company simply provides bad service, you'll have to demand compensation. In Dorothy's case, if it hadn't been for Dorothy's father she probably wouldn't have received anything.

United initially offered her $150 for the delayed move, but her Dad managed to negotiate a flat payment of $300. Dorothy said if she hadn't complained vigorously, the company would have been fine with delivering her items 11 days late with no effort to appease her.

Obviously Dorothy is happy her ordeal with the van company is over, and she'll make sure everyone she knows stays clear of the moving company.

"I will never recommend them to any friends, or family members. If they're are telling me they're doing business with them [United Van Lines], I will dissuade them," she said.

It's the age old question. At the car rental counter, you are asked if you want the company's insurance coverage on the vehicle.

It's not cheap. The insurance carries a fee for each day of the rental, so it can easily add $100 or more to the cost.

In the past the smartest course of action seemed to be to decline the coverage if you already had insurance coverage on your own vehicle. It usually covered you for liability for another car you happened to drive.

Reconsidering the damage waiver

But now, with car rental companies aggressively seeking to recoup from their customers even minor wear and tear on the vehicle, some are taking another look at rental car insurance.

Ironically, Amir, of Toronto, Ont., rented from Enterprise at the direction of his insurance company when his car was damaged in an accident. His insurance company told him he didn't need to take the insurance.

“When I rented the car the agent said it is a new car, there is no damage,” Amir wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post. “I showed him a couple of scratches and he said these are small we never claim them.”

But when Amir returned the car, another agent checked him in. This agent wasn't quite as laid back about minor scratches.

Found a dent

“The agent inspected the car and showed me a small dent maybe one to 1.5 inches in length and one millimeter deep on the door of back passenger that was not event visible and you had to touch it,” Amir wrote. “I had to compare it to the other side of the car to make sure it was a dent since the paint was intact. Now, they probably want to charge me a few hundred dollars for something that I didn't cause, probably existed before I rented the car and probably has no cost for them to repair. The sad part for me is that I always buy the damage waiver but this time I listened to the insurance adjuster who said if they offer you any insurance just decline. My lesson is the damage waiver is what you have to pay to be protected against the enterprise.”

Amir may be right. While your own insurance policy will protect you in the event of an accident where the police arrive and make a report, it isn't much good if the rental car check-in agent finds a dent or a scrape that they contend wasn't there when they rented the car.

The charges for this kind of minor damage can be several hundred dollars. In addition, some companies have been known to charge for the days the car is in the repair shop.

Technically, a damage waiver

The rental car company's insurance is more accurately described as a damage waiver policy. That means that the rental car company assumes the liability if the customer gets into an accident. It also assumes responsibility if the car returns with a few dings.

That may be why, amazingly, so much of the minor damage to rental cars seems to occur when they are rented by customers who decline the damage waiver. By accepting the waiver coverage, you may be insuring yourself against an unexpected extra expense.

Home sales have been improving in recent months, but fell back in May, according to the monthly report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

But NAR is quick to point out the 1.5 percent decline in existing home sales last month was mostly due to a lack of homes for sale. There were fewer buyers, the group said, because there were fewer homes for sale.

"The slight pullback in monthly home sales is more likely due to supply constraints rather than softening demand,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. “The normal seasonal upturn in inventory did not occur this spring. Even with the monthly decline, home sales have moved markedly higher with 11 consecutive months of gains over the same month a year earlier."

Yun also points out that even though sales declined 1.5 percent from April they were up 9.6 percent from May 2011.

Shortage of houses for sale

Yun says there are broad-based shortages of inventory in the lower price ranges in much of the country except the Northeast, and in the West supply is extremely tight in all price ranges except for the upper end. It's due in part to the inability of underwater homeowners to sell and belief by others that right now might not be a good time to sell.

With supplies tightening, you would think that prices would being to rise and Yun says that's exactly what's happening. The median existing single-family home price was $182,900 in May, up 7.7 percent from a year ago.

All cash sales continue to decline – down to 28 percent of the buyers in May. That suggests more owner occupants are entering the market since all cash sales tend to involve investors. Investors purchased 17 percent of homes in May, down from 20 percent in April and 19 percent in May 2011.

"These figures reflect a modest increase in traditional repeat home buyers in May," Yun said.

The week brought more good news for motorists filling their vehicles with fuel. The national average price of gasoline fell another seven cents a gallon in the last seven days.

The national average price of self-serve regular today is $3.454 per gallon, down from $3.524 last Friday, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Survey. Fuel prices are 18 cents a gallon lower than they were a month ago.

The average price of diesel fuel today is $3.738 per gallon, down from $3.795 a week ago.

Relief in the west

This week, it was the states with the highest gas prices – mostly in the western states – that saw the most relief at the gas pump. There are now only two states – Hawaii and Alaska – with average gas prices over $4 a gallon.

Washington State saw its average price plunge 19 cents in one week. In Oregon, the average price fell nearly 18 cents a gallon.

Indiana and Illinois saw significant relief at the pump after regional refinery problems caused prices to spike a weak earlier. In the Hoosier State, prices plunged 23 cents a gallon in the last week.

Overall, the outlook for gasoline prices appears to be promising for motorists as world oil prices continue to lose ground. Traders bid down the price of both Brent and WTI crude over fears of a global economic slowdown brought on by Europe's continuing problems.

The states with the highest gas prices this week are:

• Hawaii ($4.352
• Alaska ($4.222)
• Washington State ($3.862)
• Oregon ($3.833)
• California ($3.899)
• Idaho ($3.733)
• Michigan ($3.626)
• Nevada ($3.671)
• Colorado ($3.696)
• Connecticut ($3.694)

 The states with the lowest gas prices this week are: 

• South Carolina ($3.042)
• Mississippi ($3.108)
• Alabama ($3.131)
• Tennessee ($3.136)
• Louisiana ($3.211)
• Arkansas ($3.219)
• Georgia ($3.240)
• Virginia ($3.243)
• Texas ($3.264)
• Missouri ($3.310)

Here's a study that could well trigger some debate in medical circles. Researchers in the Netherlands says pregnant women consuming one to six alcoholic drinks per week -- note that's per week, not per day -- cause no harm to their offspring.

Current thinking is that women should completely avoid alcohol during pregnancy. But the researchers say they found children born to mothers who consumed fewer than six alcohol units per week were just as intelligent and well-developed as children of abstaining mothers.

Mothers who had been drinking five or more drinks on a single occasion a limited number of times before realizing that they were pregnant may also breathe a sigh of relief; their children have likely not been harmed, the researchers said.

The finding are published in the International Medical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BJOG.

Not so fast

Women should not take the study as a green light for drinking while pregnant. The researchers say it's still a good idea for mothers to be avoid alcohol.

"The Danish Health and Medicines Authority recommends pregnant women to abstain completely from alcohol consumption, but we know from other studies that about half of the pregnant women do not entirely stay away from alcohol during pregnancy, said Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel, associate professor at Aarhus University who led the research. “Many of these mothers report binge episodes during the period before they even knew that they were pregnant. Now we have scientific evidence which may set their minds at ease.”

The study

The study focused on 1,628 Danish children registered in the Danish National Birth Cohort 'Better Health for Mother and Child', which includes information on mothers' alcohol habits during pregnancy.

The researchers analyzed five-year-old children, testing their IQ, attention span and executive functions in order to assess their abilities in planning, organizing and sustaining attention. They compared those abilities to children of mothers who completely abstained from alcohol and found virtually no differences between the groups.

While the research may prove controversial, Kesmodel says the findings are an important new contribution to the health information provided for pregnant women. He says the new findings may also send a message to the midwives and general practitioners who provide the women with health advice during pregnancy.

U.S. workers still take vacations but they take fewer and of less duration since the Great Recession. A survey by the jobs site Careerbuilder.com also shows employees take fewer vacations than their bosses.

Eighty-one percent of managers have taken or plan to take vacation this year, compared to 65 percent of full-time employees.

Before the recession, which began in late 2007 and officially ended in 2009, about 80 percent of employees took a vacation each year. But the survey, conducted earlier this year, now finds that vacations are just financially out of reach for many Americans.

Can't afford it

One in five workers said they can't afford to go on vacation, which is down from 24 percent in 2011. Another 12 percent of workers say they can afford vacations, but have no plans to take one, consistent with past years. People in supervisory positions are more likely, however, to take a vacation.

"Managers may be more likely to afford vacations, but they should still be encouraging their employees to use paid time off, even if they are staying close to home," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "Workers who maximize vacation time are less likely to burn out and more likely to maintain productivity levels. Heavy workloads and financial constraints can make it difficult to get away from work, but even if you're not traveling far from home, a few days away can have have a very postive impact on your health and happiness."

Even when workers do take vacations, they tend to be shorter than they once were. For example, in the post-recession era 17 percent of workers plan vacations of 10 days or more. That's down from 24 percent from 2007.

Hard to escape

Many find it's hard to escape the office even when they are on vacation. Three out of 10 workers said they usually stay in contact with their workplace during their time off. More than a third of managers (37 percent) say they expect their employees to check with work while on vacation, although most say only if the employee is involved in a big project or major issue going on with the company.

In the last couple of years, rising gasoline prices have added to the financial pressures of taking a vacation, popularizing the concept of “stay-cations.” Thirty-eight percent of workers say they vacationed at home last year or plan to do so this year.

Finally, 23 percent said they continued to stay on while the family went on vacation.  

With school out and the swimming pool season in full swing, it’s a good time to remember that summer fun can turn to tragedy in the blink of an eye.

Children younger than 5 years old represent nearly 75 percent of child drowning fatalities and African American and Hispanic children between the ages of 5 and 14 drown at higher rates than white children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Data from USA Swimming indicate that 70 percent of African American children and 62 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim, making them especially vulnerable populations. 

"CPSC's Pool Safely campaign has worked to prevent countless drownings, and we will continue to work to save even more lives this year," said Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Drowning is still the leading cause of unintentional deaths with children younger than 5. That's why the Pool Safely campaign is encouraging all parents and caregivers of children, especially African American and Hispanic children, to help them learn to swim and to take water safety seriously."

Sobering statistics

New statistics released by CPSC include:

An annual average of 390 pool or spa-related drownings for children younger than 15 occurred from 2007 to 2009; about 75 percent (293) of the reported fatalities involved children younger than five.

An estimated annual average of 5,200 pool or spa-related emergency department-treated submersion injuries for children younger than 15, from 2009 to 2011; children younger than 5 represented 79 percent, or 4,108, of these injuries.

Children between the ages of 1 and 3 (12 months through 47 months) represented 66 percent of estimated injuries for 2009 through 2011 and 67 percent of the reported fatalities for 2007 through 2009 involving children younger than 15 years.

The majority of the estimated emergency department-treated submersion injuries for 2009 through 2011 and the reported fatalities for 2007 through 2009 were associated with pools.

Approximately 51 percent of the estimated injuries for 2009 through 2011 and 73 percent of the fatalities for 2007 through 2009 involving children younger than 15 years old occurred at a residence.

Residential locations dominated incidents involving victims younger than 5 years of age (54 percent for injuries and 85 percent for fatalities).

Approximately 58 percent of fatalities (annual average of 226) occurred in in-ground pools. Portable pools accounted for 10 percent of the reported fatalities (annual average of 40) to children younger than 15 years of age.

There were no reported entrapment fatalities for 2011. CPSC received seven reports of entrapment injury incidents during 2011.

Making a difference

"After losing my son, I wanted to do something to help others, so other moms wouldn't have to suffer from the loss of a child drowning," said Wanda Butts, a mother who lost her son to drowning in 2006 and formed The Josh Project to help other children learn how to swim. "Together, we can make a difference this summer and ensure that our kids pool safely."

"The USA Swimming Foundation is proud to lend its research and resources to further the life-saving learn-to-swim message," according to USA Swimming's "Make a Splash" official Kim O'Shea. "We are incredibly proud to have enrolled more than 1.2 million children in swimming lessons through our Make a Splash initiative, to educate parents and communities across the nation about the importance of learning to swim."

Pool Safely, a national public education campaign, works with partners around the country to reduce child drownings, near-drownings submersions and entrapment incidents in swimming pools and spas.

Parents, caregivers, and the media are encouraged to visit PoolSafely.gov or @PoolSafely on Twitter for vital safety information regarding the prevention of child submersions in and around pools and spas.

You have a right to know if you have to pay extra for airline baggage and the carrier is required to tell you when you buy a ticket. Because it didn’t, the Mexican airline Volaris has been hit with a $130,000 civil penalty by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

This is the first penalty assessed for a violation of the provisions of the new aviation consumer rule that took effect this past January. 

“We adopted our rule on baggage fees to make sure that consumers have complete and accurate information about how much they will have to pay when they book a flight,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “We will continue to take enforcement action when carriers fail to comply with our rules.” 

Full disclosure required

Under DOT’s new rule, carriers must clearly and prominently disclose on the first screen that offers a fare for a customer’s specific itinerary that additional fees for baggage may apply, as well as show consumers where they can view the baggage fees. The rule applies to all airlines selling air transportation in the United States -- including foreign carriers.

For a period of time beginning Jan. 24, 2012, the date the new requirement took effect, a search of flights on Volaris’ Website displayed itineraries that listed the fares for outbound and inbound flights, but failed to inform consumers that additional baggage fees might apply.

With the eastern half of the country in the grip of a summer heat wave, staying cool and keeping energy bills under control become twin, if not conflicting, priorities.

But there are some simple things you can do. For example, close air conditioning registers in unused rooms and keep the doors to those rooms closed. This will reduce the amount of energy your air conditioner will use to maintain your home's temperature.

Make sure heat-producing appliances are not near wall-mounted thermostats. Doing so will make your air conditioner run longer than necessary to maintain your preferred temperature.

Turn up the thermostat a bit

When it gets really hot outside, try to stand a little more warmth inside. When the temperature rises, set your air conditioners a few degrees warmer. Every degree you add to your interior temperature in the summer can reduce your energy usage by up to three percent.

Lighting adds to interior heat, and here's where phasing out incandescent light bulbs can help save money. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), since CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and they produce less heat.

If you have already had a seasonal HVAC tune-up your air conditioner will run more efficiently. And if you haven't done so lately, replace the filter on the air handler.

Blot out the sun

This is not the time of year you want the sun to shine in. Close drapes or blinds on windows that receive direct sunlight. Blocking the sun's rays reduces the temperature in your home, which means your air conditioner has less work to do.

If your home has an attached garage, keep your garage door closed during the hottest hours of the day.  This can reduce the amount of cool air that might escape, resulting in less work for your air conditioner.

Locate window air conditioning units where they will be in the shade during the hottest hours of the day. Keeping the sun off your window air conditioner will reduce its workload and increase your energy efficiency.

In the kitchen, cook with the microwave instead of the oven. Eating salads and other food that doesn't need to be cooked will make you feel cooler while producing less heat in the house.

Run kitchen and bath exhaust fans only as long as necessary to remove odors or steam from the room. Leaving a fan running will pull cool air from your home, increasing its temperature.

Many kids who had the arduous task of mowing their parents lawn, clipping hedges, or pulling weeds probably said to themselves, "I'm going to use a lawn care company when I'm older and get my own house."

For many, that proclamation turned into reality, as a lot of homeowners choose to hire companies like TruGreen, and National Grass Cut Inc., because their lives are just too busy for yard-work, or they simple hate doing it.

One would imagine the business exchange between consumer and lawn care company would be quite simple. The consumer obtains a reputable company, an estimate is provided, and the workers come and give your lawn that tidy golf course look. But many times it's not that simple.

Plenty of consumers across the U.S. have reported cases of lawn care companies doing poor yard work, having questionable billing practices, and using harmful lawn chemicals.

A perfect example is the Kansas-based Ryan Lawn and Tree. The company is swimming in a sea of lawsuits claiming it used a harmful herbicide that killed trees, bushes and plants on the yards of several residents.

One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit is suing the nationwide company for the sum of $50,000, alleging that Ryan Lawn killed over 75 trees and bushes on his estate.

The landscapers used the controversial herbicide Imprelis, created by the chemical company Dupont. In 2011, the product was pulled by the Environmental Protection Agency, but many companies already used it before it was taken off shelves.

Pay attention 

A report conducted by Ohio State University about selecting proper lawn care service showed that consumers should become well acquainted with the various types of lawn care options and company programs.

The authors of the report say it's imperative for homeowners to select the right company and service for their specific landscape needs. Many companies have a standard or basic package, but what that service actually entails will differ from company to company -- and may not be appropriate for your specific situation.

While some plans may be inadequate, others may have more service than what's actually needed.

The report states that consumers should call at least two to three companies before choosing one.

What kind

The authors of the report also tell consumers to find out how much and what type of fertilizer a company uses, as it must comply with state laws for the amount of nitrogen the fertilizer contains.

For example, Maryland's Nutrient Management Law not only regulates fertilizer use, it makes lawn companies test the soil, and keep records of when and what type of chemicals it uses. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) also makes sure commercial lawn companies properly apply chemicals to yards. Similiar laws are established across the U.S.

Lawn care experts say consumers should ask neighbors or friends for recommendations of yard service companies instead of choosing one blindly. In addition, cost shouldn't be the sole factor in selecting a lawn care company, as better fertilizers and higher-quality service will obviously cost more, but will pay off over time.

Homeowners should know exactly what they want done to their yards before the company arrives, while also staying away from general flat rates. A free inspection should be done to determine the size of your yard, as not one rate should be applied to every yard.

The size of your yard will also determine the proper amount of fertilizer the company should use.

Get it in writing

Additionally, it's important for homeowners to lock down guarantees in writing for things like response times, pricing and materials used.

One should also know the names and faces of who will be working on your yard, as people have reported seeing phony uniformed workers showing up early, saying they're part of the work team.

"A man with a TruGreen logo shirt rang my door bell," said Cheryl in a complaint posted on ConsumerAffairs. "Not knowing him and having seen a 'beware of scammer alert' from the local news, I wouldn't open the door. As he left, he made an inappropriate comment about my talking through the door."

Kudos to Cheryl for listening to her gut instinct.

Consumers should also make sure a company is certified according to state laws, especially if the company is using pesticides.

Technology sites have displayed photographs in the last 24 hours of a Samsung Galaxy SIII handset that appears to be damaged by fire. The reports said the phone burst into flames, melting part of the chassis.

Samsung was quick to respond.

“There have been recent online posts displaying pictures of a Samsung GALAXY SIII that appears to have heat-related damage at the bottom of the device,” the company wrote in its product blog. “Samsung is aware of this issue and will begin investigating as soon as we receive the specific product in question. Once the investigation is complete, we will be able to provide further details on the situation. We are committed to providing our customers with the safest products possible and are looking at this seriously.”

According to published report, the handset began to overheat while it was in a car mount. The phone in question is owed by an Irish consumer who was in Dublin at the time.

White flame

The consumer reportedly told officials he was driving in traffic when a white flame and sparks began coming out of the device. The consumer said he isn't even sure the problem was with the phone, saying it could have been a combination of issues.

A few years ago there were numerous reports of laptop computers overheating and catching fire. In 2006 Sony Corp. recalled about 340,000 rechargeable lithium ion batteries used in Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation, Gateway Inc., Sony Electronics Inc., and Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. notebook computers. The lithium ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Prior to the recall there had been 16 reports of notebook computer batteries overheating, causing minor property damage and two minor burns.

The Galaxy SIII is Samsung's newest Android handset featuring Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, 4G LTE/HSPA+ 42 capability, a dual-core processor, and an 8-megapixel camera.  

People have healthcare plans and, with the rising cost of veterinary care, so do pets.

For a monthly fee, many vet visits are covered for little or no additional cost. A growing number of consumers are opting for them, though others – like Terry, of Cornelius, Ore., advise against it.

“Think twice before being sucked into getting these so-called wellness plans for your pet,” Terry wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post. “They are not worth the money. Put aside that money into a separate savings plan for your pet. Then find a private local vet to take your pet to. Check them out first with the Better Business Bureau. Ask for references.”

If you do decide to shop around for a pet wellness plan, you'll find it's a lot like shopping for a healthcare plan for humans. Prices and coverages vary, depending on what's covered.

Coverages

These plans can be offered by chains or by an independent local vet. A good plan might cover office visits and physical exams. It may also cover vaccines and regular screenings. Some plans include dental care.

Before signing up for a wellness plan, however, try to price all these individual services and come up with a total price, if purchased separately. Next compare that total to a year of wellness plan premiums.

The total cost of the wellness plan should be well below the cost of the a la carte services. Otherwise, you might want to take Terry's advice and set up your own wellness plan for your pet, putting that “monthly payment” in a savings account each month to pay for excellent care for your pet.

The goal of a pet wellness plan should be to:

• Prevent disease
• Detect irregularities before they lead to expensive treatment
• Schedule checkups and procedures at the proper times - all while eliminating unnecessary veterinary expenses.

 In general, plans fall into the following categories:

• Traditional - Standard pet insurance plans with predetermined plan design options that cover illness, accidents and preventive care. Based on the plan design, the insurance company will pay all or part of vet bills up to a certain amount.
• Customizable - Offers more freedom in terms of "mixing and matching" plan design provisions such as deductibles, copays, coinsurance percentages and annual maximum coverage amounts.
• Accident Only - Only cover accidents. There is no coverage for illnesses or preventive care.
• Discount - When you take your pet to a veterinarian or hospital that is in the insurance company's network, you will receive a discount on the services provided.

Keep in mind that not all plans are alike and the more flexible it is, the more it is to your – and your pet's – advantage.  

More about Pet Care and Insurance

Have you ever received a continuous flow of pre-recorded phone calls? They usually come at the most inconvenient time during your day, and typically have to do with some sort of sales pitch, survey, or debt collection.

Well, a gentleman from Michigan took his annoyance to court, after receiving a slew of harassing phone calls from World Financial Network National Bank (WFNNB).

Dan Harris claimed he received 56 robo-calls to his cell phone about an outstanding debt, but Harris was the wrong person, and although he told the bank it was phoning the wrong person, the harassing phone calls didn't stop.

Harris opened a lawsuit and claimed the bank violated guidelines established by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Michigan's Collection Practices Act (MCPA).

The TCPA passed by the Congress in 1991, and signed into law by President George H. W. Bush, disallows automated or prerecorded calls to be used when calling someone's cell phone, unless their prior consent is given.

Harris received a sum of 56 automated calls on his cell phone from Alliance Data Systems, that phoned on behalf of WFNNB. The bank claims one of its customers gave Harris's cell phone as a contact number, but admitted that Harris did in fact call to remedy the error.

Wrong person

Not only did Harris not have an outstanding debt with the bank, but he never was one of its customers and had no prior dealings with WFNNB. Between August 18 and October 26, 2010, Harris was autodialed 56 times before he decided to take both the bank and Alliance Data Systems to court.

The Michigan courts ruled in Harris's favor granting him $65,000 for harassing and incorrect phone calls, with the help of Michigan attorney Ian Lyngklip.

"It's a big win for consumers and puts banks and others in the collection business on notice once again that harassing phone calls will not be tolerated," said Lyngklip.

The complete amount granted was made up of $62,000 under the TCPA, and another $2,500 in legal fees, court costs, and damages under the MCPA guidelines.

The TCPA allows recovery damages that total $500 per wrongful call, and that amount is tripled in those cases of willful action. U.S. District Judge Sean F. Cox in Michigan, found that WFNNB violated the TCPA and "acted willfully" when it continued to call Harris's cell phone, even after he called and tried to correct the bank's mistake.

Moral of this story: Don't take harassing phone calls lying down, and familiarize yourself with your states calling laws. It could win you a bit of money, or at the very least stop you from being bothered by annoying phone calls.

Bluestem Brands, Inc., of Eden Prairie, Minn., is recalling about 400 recliners. The surface paint on the legs of the recliner contains excessive levels of lead which is prohibited under federal law.

The recalled adult-sized recliner chairs have wooden legs. The chairs include a reclining function and foot rest extension. The fabric is jacquard in a paisley design. The phrases: "Manufactured By Xiamen Xinzhjheng Foam Products Co., LTD Xiang-Bei Industrial Area, Xiang' An District, Xiamen" and "Made in China" are printed on a label located on the underside of the recliner chair.

The chairs were sold through Fingerhut catalogs, Fingerhut.com and Gettington.com from July 2011 through January 2012. They were made in China.

Consumers should contact Tone World International Inc. to receive free replacement legs along with instructions on removing the old legs and attaching the new ones.

For more information, contact Tone World International Inc. at jeffg@twmpls.com or call collect at (763) 513-9596 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

If you are a parent, you don’t need the government to tell you it’s expensive to raise a child. What you may not know is HOW expensive.

According to the U.S. Agriculture Department, a middle-income family with a child born in 2011 can expect to spend about $234,900 ($295,560 if projected inflation costs are factored in) for food, shelter, and other necessities to raise that child over the next 17 years.

This represents a 3.5 percent increase from 2010. Expenses for transportation, childcare, education and food saw the largest percentage increases. There were smaller increases in housing, clothing, health care and miscellaneous expenses on a child during the same period.

For 2011, annual child-rearing expenses per child for a middle-income, two-parent family ranged from $12,290 to $14,320, depending on the age of the child.

The USDA report, issued annually since 1960, is used by courts and state governments to help determine child support guidelines and foster care payments. The report is based on data from the Federal government's Consumer Expenditure Survey -- the most comprehensive source of information available on household expenditures.

Numerous factors

The report notes geographic variations in the cost of raising a child, with expenses the highest for families living in the urban Northeast, followed by the urban West and urban Midwest. Families living in the urban South and rural areas have the lowest child-rearing expenses.

The report, developed by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, notes that family income affects child-rearing costs. A family earning less than $59,410 per year can expect to spend a total of $169,080 (in 2011 dollars) on a child from birth through high school. Similarly, middle-income parents with an income between $59,410 and $102,870 can expect to spend $234,900; and a family earning more than $102,870 can expect to spend $389,670.

For middle-income families, housing costs are the single largest expenditure on a child, averaging $70,560 or 30 percent of the total cost over 17 years. Childcare and education (for those incurring these expenses) and food were the next two largest expenses, accounting for 18 and 16 percent of the total cost over 17 years. These estimates do not include costs associated with pregnancy or the cost of a college education or education beyond high school.

Economies of scale 

But, parents, don't let the report scare you away from having more children. The USDA says that, as you might expect, expenses per child decrease as a family has more children. Families with three or more children spend 22 percent less per child than families with two children.

As families have more children, the children can share bedrooms, clothing and toys can be handed down to younger children, food can be purchased in larger and more economical quantities, and private schools or child care centers may offer sibling discounts.

The full report, Expenditures on Children by Families (2011), is available on the Web at www.cnpp.usda.gov. In addition, an interactive Web version of the report is available where families can enter the number and ages of their children to obtain an estimate of costs.

Two federal agencies are trying to get moving to help veterans find jobs in the transportation industry.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki today unveiled a new job-finding portal for military veterans on their departments’ Websites.

“Our transportation industry needs pilots, controllers, mechanics and drivers -- the very kinds of skills that our military is known for developing,” said LaHood. “This new Web link will help repay the debt we owe our veterans for their service to our country.” 

“Veterans have the skills, knowledge and attributes that American businesses need to help rebuild an economy that will last," said Secretary Shinseki. "These men and women bring exceptional leadership to any position. They are uniquely qualified for jobs as pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, commercial drivers and emergency medical technicians because many of them have performed these roles in combat."

The portal on the DOT and VA Websites will link to the Veterans Transportation Career Center, where former members of the armed forces can enter their specific military work experience and see how it translates to jobs in the civilian working world.

The site will guide vet to jobs in five categories: aviation pilot, aviation maintenance technician, air traffic controller, commercial motor vehicle driver and emergency medical services. Job seekers can find what training and certification is needed for civilian jobs, determine what career fits best with their background, and search for available jobs in their field. 

Having a salad is almost always a healthy choice, but it turns out that the kind of salad dressing you choose can make a difference in how healthy it is.

The vegetables in salads are full of important vitamins and nutrients, but their benefits are controlled by using the right type and amount of salad dressing.

Purdue University researchers fed subjects salads topped off with a variety of dressings. Some were saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat-based dressings. The subjects were then tested for absorption of fat-soluble carotenoids – compounds such as lutein, lycopene, beta-carotene and zeaxanthin in their blood.

Those carotenoids are considered very healthy since they are associated with reduced risk of several chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and macular degeneration.

The study found that monounsaturated fat-rich dressings required the least amount of fat to get the most carotenoid absorption. What does this mean, exactly? It means that a fat-free salad dressing is not necessarily the best choice.

"If you want to utilize more from your fruits and vegetables, you have to pair them correctly with fat-based dressings," said Mario Ferruzzi, the study's lead author and a Purdue associate professor of food science. "If you have a salad with a fat-free dressing, there is a reduction in calories, but you lose some of the benefits of the vegetables."

Overall, pairing with fat matters, the researchers found. You can absorb significant amounts of carotenoids with saturated or polyunsaturated fats at low levels, but you would see more carotenoid absorption as you increase the amounts of those fats on a salad.

The findings coincide with a 2004 Iowa State University study that determined carotenoids were more easily absorbed by the intestines when paired with full-fat dressing as opposed to low-fat or fat-free versions.

With the 2012 Summer Olympics just weeks, people around the world are preparing. 

Athletes are putting in their final weeks of training, officials in London are getting the city ready for visitors and spectators are making travel plans. In the U.S., the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to make sure everyone’s healthy for the big event.

One area of concern is measles -- in particular -- unvaccinated travelers contracting the disease while abroad and bringing it back home. Last year, 222 people in the U.S. were reported to have measles -- due mostly to overseas travel.

While traveling, you may be exposed to people from countries where measles is still common, including countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. In 2011, over 30,000 people in Europe had measles. So, as you prepare for your trip abroad, make sure you’re protected against measles before you leave.

Measles threat

Why are people still getting sick?

Measles vaccination coverage in many countries around the world is not as high as in the United States and the Americas. Thanks to the vaccine, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. However, it is still common worldwide -- about 20 million people get measles each year. So, there’s a risk of being exposed while you’re overseas.  

Measles is highly contagious and very good at finding unvaccinated people. This includes babies too young to be vaccinated and people who have health conditions like cancer.

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. So, you can catch it just by being in a room where an infected person has been, even after they’re gone. You can be exposed in airports, airplanes, buses, hotels, or any place where there are infected people. You can even get measles from an infected person who doesn’t have measles rash yet.

Get vaccinated

If you’re not vaccinated, you put yourself and others at risk for measles and its complications, like pneumonia, encephalitis -- or even death.

Luckily, the measles vaccine is highly effective. So, if you’re planning to travel overseas this summer, make sure you and your family are up to date on all vaccinations, including the measles vaccine. You can get more information about measles and the vaccine at  www.cdc.gov/measles.