While choosing an engagement ring can be exciting, the variety of settings, precious metals, and diamonds can be overwhelming. However, the following tips will help you in finding the ideal diamond engagement ring. 

Set your price limit.

Before you start shopping, know how much you want to spend. There is no right or wrong amount to put toward a ring, and many beautiful stones and styles are available to suit any budget. It's important to note that lab-grown diamonds can be up to 40 percent less expensive than mined stones. 

Learn the "4 C's" of diamonds.

These are: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Here's the translation: 

Cut: The cut of a diamond is the most important factor in determining its fire, brilliance, and sparkle.

Color: Not all diamonds are clear; some have varying tints of yellow.

Clarity: A measure of the number of flaws or inclusions in the stone.

Carat: A measure of the weight of the diamond. However, more weight also indicates a bigger size. 

Consider shape.

The common diamond shapes used in engagement rings are round, cushion, pear, oval, princess, radiant, and emerald.

Each of these shapes has its fans and distinctive features. For example, a round diamond is the classic engagement ring style, but the larger facets of a cushion style can enhance brilliance, and the elongated emerald cut presents a bold look that can make a diamond appear larger than its carat weight. 

Choose a setting.

Deciding the right setting or diamond shape for your stone is a personal decision. Some people have specific ideas for a setting, and take more time on the stone, or vice versa.

However, not all settings accommodate all shapes so it's important to prioritize one or the other if you are set on a particular shape or setting.

Typical engagement ring styles include the solitaire, a simple band that showcases any diamond shape; halo, in which a central stone is surrounded by smaller diamonds; classic, which features a row of accent diamonds along the ring band; and vintage, which replicates design styles from different time periods. 

Contemplate your center stone.

When it comes to your center stone, there are a few different options to choose from. Although diamonds are the most popular, birthstones, moissanite, and cubic zirconia are also great budget-friendly options.

In regards to diamonds, there are two types to choose from: mined diamonds and lab-created diamonds.

While mined diamonds are extracted from the earth, lab-grown stones are guaranteed to be ethically sourced and, as mentioned above, up to 40 percent less expensive.

Both types are identical in terms of chemistry and physical appearance. However, interest in lab-created diamonds has surged in recent years as more couples are concerned with sustainability, as well as beauty and romance.

January 2020 marks the EPA mandate to end production of Freon (also known as HCFC-22 and R-22), the primary refrigerant chemical used in residential air conditioning units that has been found to have a significant contributing effect on ozone depletion and global warming.

While this is good news for environmentally conscious consumers, what does this mean to homeowners?

In short, you can still opt to keep your older system that requires Freon. However, this can pose a problem should your unit need even minor service, such as a small leak. Technicians will have limited access to R-22 or use recycled versions until supplies dwindle. Further, a shortage means increased prices. Alternatively, homeowners would need to hire a technician to replace the outdoor unit and indoor coil to accommodate the newer R410A, which is an expensive proposition.

Ultimately, now might be a perfect time to upgrade since the average lifespan of an HVAC system is approximately 15 years - allowing homeowners to enjoy greater long-term savings on utility bills and live greener. 

Live Green, Save Green, Stay Cool 

With home heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use and air conditioner energy expenses costing homeowners more than $11 billion a year, small steps can go a long way.

Following are some useful tips to help you contribute to the cleaner energy movement and reduce bills:

* Get Electric: According to Columbia University's Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control. Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25 percent on your energy bill. Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space.

* Be "Smart" About Home Climate Control: When it comes to smart home temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create "smart" systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected device or voice-operated home automation system.

* Voice Your Preferences: Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature more closely allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.

* Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned, ducted, or ductless system. That will allow you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you and your family don't spend a lot of time. This will multiply savings as you're not only needing less cooling, but you also gain from a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use.

* Go Low-tech: Simple changes can have a big impact. Try to use heat-producing appliances - stoves, irons and dryers - at night or early morning. Switch to LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs - which consume 90 percent more power. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and places where pipes and wires come through walls. Check existing caulking and weather-stripping for gaps or cracks.

There's no need to sweat the ban on Freon this summer. If a new system is right for you, many Fujitsu systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government.

To learn more or find a contractor near you, call 888-888-3424 or visit www.constantcomfort.com.

To keep themselves and their patients safe, these workers, who may have potentially been exposed to this deadly virus, may have to stay home until they are tested, losing valuable time on a now critical job.

Here's where organizations such as xymbio are stepping up to the challenge. xymbio, an infectious disease testing company, has offered the use of its high-speed testing program to help run tests on health care personnel and first responders to keep them healthy and return them to their demanding roles as soon as possible.

The Las Vegas based company, uses industry leading technologies from ThermoFisher and operates under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) guidance issued by the Federal Drug Administration and highest diagnostic standards.

xymbio is readying to process COVID-19 tests for hospitals and health care systems, and the company can provide both on-site testing and at-home testing kits for employees who believe they may have been exposed to the virus. In addition, individual physicians can request test kits and testing for patients using forms available online on the xymbio website.

The company has been waiting on a response from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Health (NIH), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for necessary funding to accelerate its capabilities to acquire test kits so that it can rapidly scale testing capacity.

"xymbio has developed state of the art qPCR technology using ThermoFisher reagents to detect coronavirus protein n,s,e antigens. Their test is highly specific, accurate and scalable. They are now only limited by government funding to expand capacity from 500 tests per day to thousands of tests per day. Time is of the essence. They have the fix. They need the support to expand their operations now!" Dr. Larry Emdur, Chief Medical Officer of Alvarado Hospital in California.

"We are in a war against a dangerous virus, and with federal assistance we are prepared to ramp up our testing capacity over the next 35 days to 20,000 tests a day, or 120,000 tests a week, with immediate plans to expand operations to Las Vegas and Atlanta, which would more than quadruple our testing capacity," according to Dr. Heath Wills, CEO and Chief Medical Officers of xymbio.

"We are ready to undertake the rapid action on behalf of many more citizens, and await prompt action on our proposal to the NIH, HHS, CDC, FEMA or the White House Task Force on Coronavirus testing during this national crisis," Wills emphasizes.

xymbio has also been working with the Swab for Life campaign of the Give Life Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raise awareness of blood donation.

"We chose to partner with xymbio because of its extremely accurate COVID-19 testing capabilities that we believe will accelerate help to Americans during this national healthcare crisis," says Bart S. Fisher, chairman of the Foundation.

For more information about xymbio and their efforts to work with individual health care providers, hospitals, and the government, visit xymbio.com.

Fortunately, the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a trusted nonprofit that has been helping older adults age with dignity and economic security for the last 70 years, is providing valuable information about coronavirus on its website, www.ncoa.org.

NCOA experts are regularly curating and updating resources that are of vital importance to older adults and their caregivers. You will find blogs, links, and videos that address a wide range of issues, including: 

Food 

If you or someone you care for needs meals delivered, NCOA offers links to Meals on Wheels and Feeding America with options to search in your zip code for local services. Feeding America and other food banks are adapting to the situation by setting up social distancing guidelines and smaller community drop-off points. For those who qualify, there is a link to apply for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, which helps individuals pay for nutritious food. 

Finances 

Many older Americans, especially those living on a fixed income, are concerned that COVID-19 will impact their financial situation now and in the future. In fact, many federal, state, and local benefits programs are available to older adults for help with financial challenges, including utility payments, medication costs, rent, and other expenses.

NCOA's companion website, www.BenefitsCheckUp.org, offers information about eligibility and how to apply for billions of dollars in benefits.

In addition, although older Americans are advised to avoid non-essential travel, older adults can find options for critical transportation for essential medical visits or to pick up food and medication. NCOA provides a link to Eldercare Locator to help find local transportation services, and also offers information about navigating telemedicine visits, which are becoming easier and more commonplace.

Those concerned about Medicare benefits in the COVID-19 health care environment can use NCOA's links to state and government sites for the latest information. 

Feelings 

The stress and isolation of the coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on everyone's emotions. While NCOA urges older adults to follow physical isolation guidelines to remain physically healthy, it also offers tips for older adults, their caregivers, and families to use technology to stay in touch with loved ones and friends, and remain emotionally healthy as well.

Visit www.ncoa.org for what older adults should know about COVID-19, as well as other information about healthy aging. It's a treasure trove of valuable resources for older adults and their caregivers.

Whether you want to brighten up your closet now from the dreary winter blacks and grays (or later), or get ready for that spring-break vacation in between, you can find everything you need at maurices store or at maurices.com.

For more inspiration, follow these tips to spruce up your wardrobe:

* Mix in pretty utility: Give your outfit a pretty utility twist with the must-have trend of the season. Pair feminine tops featuring eyelet and ruffles with utility weekender pants for now, or an effortless utility romper for later. Want to dress up your look in a dash? Try a pretty top with a button-up skirt that's anything but expected. Tie it all together with jewelry, wedge sandals, and dinner plans.

* Layer on the compliments: Get into the swing of spring with kimonos, dusters and oversized denim jackets you can count on from brrr to brighter days ahead. Try a lightweight floral kimono over a tee (and under a jacket if you still need one) or make a statement with a longer-length duster cardi or denim trench jacket you'll wear again. Finish the look with flyaway pants or jeans for an outfit that's oh-so good.

* Say hello to 24/7 tees and tanks: Tee up spring in 24/7 tees and tanks with endless versatility and irresistible softness that feel as good as they look. You'll love how easy they are to style. Dress it up with an animal print tee paired back with bengaline pants and a blazer or keep it laid back with a drop-shoulder tee in floral or stripes with maurices' Everflex jeans, so good you'll want to live in them - now with new details, washes and crop lengths just in time for spring.

* Spring forward in throwback denim: Authentic vintage jeggings that feel as good as your favorite pair of broken-in jeans, with more washes, destruction, rises, sizes and fits than ever before. For effortless comfy style, pair with a floral tank and denim jacket or try a baseball tee with white or gray sneakers … perfect for all of those last-minute plans that keep popping up.

* Jumpsuits, dresses, all yeses: Say hello to instant spring outfits with new pretty dresses or flattering jumpsuits you can effortlessly pull off. To dress up your look for date night, add heels and jewelry or keep it casual for brunch or a coffee run with sneakers and a denim jacket.

* Pair skirts with graphic tees:?Make a fun statement by pairing graphic tees with skirts this season. Just pick the tee (and skirt) that speaks to you, style it with a front tuck and you're out the door in five. Another instant outfit? Done and done!

* Work in confidence: Long story short ... from work tops that wow to popular bengaline pants, you'll find yourself making more plans to go from nine to whenever. Whether you've got an interview lined up or want to make a good first impression, our bengaline pants are extra flattering, know how to work around the clock, and now come in a spring-ready crop.

Want more ways to feel good?

Follow @maurices on Instagram for outfit inspiration that's sure to make your day or visit your nearest maurices store to book a free styling session.

Potentially severe vaginal infections with symptoms similar to those of a yeast infection include bacterial vaginosis, a condition caused by abnormal bacterial growth in the vagina; and trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection. Both of these conditions require antibiotics from a doctor. Self-treating these conditions with a yeast medication may delay getting the right diagnosis and an effective treatment.

Fortunately, at-home tests can help women learn what to look for and determine whether their discomfort is indeed caused by a yeast infection or by something else that requires a doctor visit and prescription medication to resolve.

A vaginal health test kit is available over the counter at most pharmacies. The test measures the acidity of vaginal discharge using a hand-held detector with a tip resembling a cotton swab. The tip is designed to detect acidity, or pH, to help distinguish the type of infection that is present, and shows results in 10 seconds.

In the case of a typical yeast infection, the test kit swab will not change from its original yellow color, and you can likely treat yourself with an over-the-counter yeast infection medication.

However, if bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis is the source of the symptoms, the swab will change color to a blue or green, and the kit instructions strongly advise a visit to your doctor. Even in cases where there is a mixed infection caused by a combination of candida and bacterial vaginosis / trichomoniasis, the test will give a positive result and send the user to the doctor.

Other features that distinguish a yeast infection from a bacterial infection include:

- Smell. Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis are usually accompanied by fishy, musty, or otherwise unpleasant odors, while yeast infections are usually odorless.

- Texture. The discharge associated with yeast infections is usually thick and white, while discharge from bacterial vaginosis is often thin and milky white or gray in color. By contrast, discharge in cases of trichomoniasis may be frothy and yellowish-green.

- Sting. Yeast infections usually involve an itching, burning, or stinging feeling, but these symptoms are not always present or as severe in cases of bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.

The over-the-counter vaginal health tests available today are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are the same as those used by doctors in their offices.

For more information about vaginal health and vaginal health tests, visit checkbeforeyoutreat.com

(NewsUSA) - During times of change, many of us find comfort in simple pleasures. Like a great burger.

Yet, some of those simple pleasures have been compromised by the dramatic changes caused by COVID-19, including the disruption of the animal meat industry. Meat plants are closing, causing meat to be harder to find and its prices to rise. Some grocers are limiting the amount of meat shoppers can buy to curb pantry loading.

I know these issues will be resolved as the pandemic subsides. The animal meat industry will recover, and supply chains will be restored. But right now, you may be asking: What do I do without meat?

Now is the time to try plant-based protein. Made from simple ingredients you know, Lightlife plant-based meat is as nutritious as it is delicious. And you can find the products in your grocer's meat case.

To be clear, I'm not against the animal meat industry. I believe we're all trying to solve the same complex challenge: how to feed Americans during this pandemic. But I do believe no diet should be entirely dependent on animal meat. That's why Lightlife is committed to delivering plant-based protein throughout the country to ensure as many people as possible have access to the food they need.

At Lightlife, we're not asking you to give up animal meat. If you want to eat meat, eat meat. But we believe you should also eat plants: whole plants and plant-based protein. That's why we strive to bring more high-protein options to your table. Fortunately, the trend toward eating more plant-based protein began well before COVID-19, driven by a desire for more balance and variety in our diets, as evidenced by the fact that 44 percent?of Americans now describe themselves as flexitarian.

In fact, Lightlife sales were up significantly in the first quarter of 2020. And longer term, the plant-based meat category is expected to grow exponentially, with the Good Food Institute predicting a threefold increase in the number of American households regularly purchasing plant-based protein1.

The reality is it takes a little more work these days to make a good burger, even the ones we make with simple ingredients. I want you to know that we're committed to your dinner table. And your lunch table. And if you want a burger for breakfast, your breakfast table, too.

I am so proud of our production teams working around the clock to ensure our products are available at your local grocer. To ensure their health and safety, we have taken additional steps including social distancing wherever possible, daily temperature checks and health screenings, face coverings, increased sanitation efforts, and staggered breaks and start times to reduce the potential for congestion. This is in addition to the sanitation procedures our team is already accustomed to, and the variety of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) we routinely wear.

This is all part of our dedication to getting high-quality, plant-based protein to your tables. Because whether your burger is made from ground beef or plant-based ingredients, a good burger is something we can all agree on. And I believe that together, we will celebrate that simple pleasure once again.

1 The Food Industry Association and IRI. (2020) Understanding the plant-based food consumer.

Practically overnight, businesses have been forced out of the comfort zone of face-to-face contact, now having to heavily rely on digital platforms. Businesses, especially, are struggling with figuring out how to survive by using digital communication techniques.

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and government officials emphasizing "social distancing and mandatory nonessential business closures," technology such as live video conferencing, chat boxes, and email will be the basis for millions of Americans for their jobs, schooling, and everyday communication. So, with so many players in the game, how can businesses continue to function successfully?

Higher Images, a 20-year-old full-service digital marketing agency located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is helping organizations, businesses, and the community re-imagine what their lives and work-life will look like through web-based technology and mobile devices.

President and CEO of Higher Images, Bryan Thornberg, says, "Rather than going into crisis mode, businesses should take this as an opportunity to expand their knowledge and reach. With many more people relying on digital communication, this is an ideal opportunity for businesses to break boundaries and try new techniques when connecting with clients."

Thornberg and his team want to help people not just survive this crisis but to thrive during it and come out with an organization and business model stronger than ever.

Thornberg has already been able to impact his clients by thinking outside the box and recommending the usage of technology such as live feeds and Facetime.

For example, a hot tub distributor - a business that relies on their retail location for sales - took the recommendation of Thornberg and is now offering live video conferencing for customers to do live demonstrations of products and make purchases.

Higher Images also urges businesses to utilize their existing websites to drive business: for example, adding a chat-box function to their website for customer communication, allowing organizations to respond to clients in real-time from the convenience of a cell phone or office computer from any location in the world.

With higher internet traffic, this is also a key time for organizations to utilize search engine marketing, Google ads, and mobile in-app advertising technology such as Webtracker, which geo-fences homes to enhance brand visibility. Strategizing with a digital marketing company like Higher Images will provide businesses with the tools they need to succeed.

Visit www.howcanmybusinesssurvivethecoronavirus.com for more information.

Even if you have not yet been financially impacted by the current state of events, it is vital to either reassess your household budget or create one if you have not already. Involve your family in this as much as you can. Just letting your family know you are thinking about the crisis and how you will respond can be enough to help ease some of the anxiety around the unknown. When you are looking at your crisis budget, identify which expenses are absolutely necessary and which are not. It is best to make the hard decisions now, even if you have a savings account built up, rather than wait until you are forced to make those decisions.

Focus on your rent or mortgage first. You need to keep a roof over your head if at all possible. With a situation as fluid as this, it is important to realize that there are resources available to help if needed and that those resources could change. If you are ever in a situation in which you are unable to pay your rent or mortgage, contact your landlord or mortgage provider right away. Once you have the rent and mortgage covered, then move on to food, utilities, and down on to the more non-essential items.

In the event you are unable to make a debt payment, make sure you contact the creditor as soon as you know you will miss the payment. During this difficult time, many creditors are expanding the options available to those unable to make their monthly payments.

If you feel lost when it comes to making a budget, as many do, please reach out to a Certified Credit Counselor at Family Credit Management. Family Credit Management is a nonprofit credit counseling agency that has been helping consumers in difficult financial situations for more than 23 years. Reach out for a no-strings attached budget review from an objective professional by calling 1-800-994-3328 and selecting option 1.

For more in-depth tips and resources, please visit www.familycredit.org/covid19.

Money concerns can lead to many issues, including, but not limited to, relationship strain, health problems, and even depression. Some of the most common debts are credit cards, student loans, auto loans, mortgages, and medical debt. Assessing your financial situation is important, and while it may not always be pleasant, it can give you a good starting point for paying off your debt and improving your quality of life.

While it is ideal to be completely debt-free, it is important to be aware that there are good debts and bad debts.

Good debts are debts that can potentially increase your net worth and benefit you in the long run.

Mortgages are a great example. As you pay down your mortgage, there comes a time when your home is worth more than you owe. This allows you to sell your home for a profit or even refinance your home at a lower interest rate, which could potentially save you a great deal of money in the long run.

"Bad debt" is money owed that will not improve your net worth. Credit card debt, new car loans, debt for jewelry, or installment-based payment plans for goods are all examples of bad debt.

Many people struggle with bad debt. So what do you do if you are one of them?

The first step is to take a step back and breathe. There are legitimate solutions to your money problems. It may be difficult, but it will be worth it once your bad debt is gone forever.

Now that you know there are solutions out there, the next step is to assess your situation.

Family Credit Management is a non-profit credit counseling agency that has great, free, tools that you can use to help assess your situation.

The "How Serious is my Debt" quiz, at www.familycredit.org/how-serious-is-my-debt, can help you assess your situation from an objective point of view.

The certified credit counselors at Family Credit Management will be able to analyze the results of the quiz and help you come up with a plan of attack, even if the debt management program would not be the right fit for your situation.

You can find additional resources, such as a personal finance course, savings tips, a personal spending plan outline, and even a children's book created to help talk to your children about finances, at www.familycredit.org/resources.