One of the quotes seeming to live forever is, “Never give a sucker an even break.” Coming from the movie of the same name, starring and written by W.C. Fields, it’s supposed to be a comic line but, first used as an ad-lib by Fields in 1923, it accurately represents the ruthless streak in US business. So, over the last eighteen months or so, banks and finance companies have been playing to packed houses, always trying to portray themselves as caring and sympathetic but, more often than not, coming over as the heartless mortgage-holders in potboiling melodramas who throw the heroine... 

One of the most commonly suggested causes of hair loss in both men and women is a genetic defect. The fact it may be inherited means it is not your fault when your hair thins and falls out and, perhaps more importantly, the condition is not necessarily something that can be cured. Of course, there is some evidence that hair loss does run in families, but there is more evidence that our lifestyles and medical decisions can be even more important factors in deciding who loses hair and how quickly. We will ignore the cultural effect of changing hairstyles where too much traction in pulling the hair... 

There is a terrible sexism about acne. Let’s start with a little biology. Every human being on the planet has sebaceous glands in their skin. It’s a part of the natural process which helps keep skin supple, flexible and waterproof. For reason not entirely clear, but probably connected with genetics and hormone levels, these glands can be triggered into producing too much oil. If this happens, the oil pools in the pores and traps the dead cells that would otherwise fall from the skin. Unfortunately, this is the perfect breeding ground for many of the different bacteria growing naturally... 

Sixty percents of men over 40 are familiar with erectile dysfunction. That means more than half of them are not satisfied in bed. It may be shameful and embarrassing but really, it is not that bad. There is a medication for almost anything you can possible think of. Erectile dysfunction problem is not an exception. The worst thing men can do is try to avoid the subject making it a taboo topic. This, in its turn, distances them from the solution and salvation of the issue. Some say it is better to leave it as it is than confess having sexual malfunctioning being young. It is not true. Doctors are... 

One of the most difficult problems to solve when it comes to one’s body is the problem of weight loss. Why does it have to be an issue? First of all, we want to say that it is not a problem unless you know when to stop. Just like with everything else, with food you have to be extremely careful. What do we mean by that? Food requires 100% of awareness and control of what you are doing. It is very easy to let yourself go and it is very difficult to bring yourself back in shape. With the amount of yummy food and fast-food that tastes absolutely delicious it is hard to stay indifferent. Calorie... 

The market for insurance in the US is somewhat very different from the other world. In most every other line of business, companies are allowed to compete with each other across state lines. This helps to keep pricing to lower levels and the quality of the product to higher levels and protect the consumer. But unfortunetaly the insurance industry is licensed and regulated state-by-state. There’s no such thing as a federal insurance policy. You have to buy a policy written by a company licensed in the state where you live. This is slightly frustrating because, if you live near the border,... 

There are so many different versions of the idiom. Try, “Expect the worst. Hope for the best.” or “Expect the worst and you’ll never be disappointed.” or “Prepare for the worst. Plan for the best.” You get the idea, particularly when it comes to dealing with your insurance company. It’s a strange reality but, no matter where you go, insurance companies always seem to have a reputation that, as a policy holder making a claim, you will end up like something the cat dragged in. The problem we all face is the profit motive. Although it would be great... 

Looking around the news, there is a story that the insurance regulators from five US states have just agreed a $2 million settlement with two Nationwide Life companies for failing to properly supervise the sale of annuities through one of their agents. This raises two questions. What exactly are annuities? and What can go wrong with them? An annuity is a variation on the traditional life insurance policy. As with any permanent policy, you pay a premium which is invested to build up a cash value. But, depending on the terms of the contract, you can receive payment of a lump sum or, more usually,... 

More or less every site offers advice on saving money when buying insurance. One of the standard tips is bundling auto and homeowners policies with the same insurance company. If you check around the companies, the discount varies between 10 and 15% and, if you agree an increase in the deductible from $500 to $1,000 this increases the discount to 25%. At this point, many people are sold on the idea. A saving of up to 25% looks like a good deal and frees up cash in the family budgets for a whole range of other basic necessities. So is it worth it? The first question is whether you are getting the... 

The lawmakers in Colorado are debating a change in the law to correct the gender discrimination currently requiring women to pay more than men to insure their health. The facts are uncompromising. In some 90% of all private health plans, women have premium rates 60% higher than men. This is so even though the statistics show women enjoy better health than men and make fewer claims. This is so even though the men used for comparative purposes are significantly older. And, if you feel you need any more confirmation of the basic unfairness, even men who smoke pay less than female non-smokers. As one...