The SWAN Lifestyle Resource Center
Shared Wisdom ~ As Needed  

Our vision at The Swan Network is to provide you with a trusted resource center that will arm you with the awareness you need to make wise choices. 

This Directory includes our favorite resources and lifestyle links to financial information, calculators and inspiration. Receive inspiration to nurture the soul, practical information to stop costly mistakes, and products for day-to-day life challenges so that you might feel secure both spiritually and financially as you enter life's next chapter. 

We've also added some FUN resources for keeping in touch with loved ones. 

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Women's Issues

Social Security website provides a wealth of information in a section specifically set aside for women's issues.

Marriage, Divorce, and Name Changes. This section found on the Social Security site provides specific information about retirement and survivorship benefits when there is a divorce or remarriage.

Widow's Benefits. This section found on the Social Security site provides information about retirement and survivorship benefits when there is a death.

Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), is a national consumer engagement initiative to improve care at the end of life, supported by a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. And so much more. If you are a caretaker, this is a great resource.

Small Business Association is a very strong advocate for women entrepreneurs and offers many programs and services to help them succeed.

Financial Concerns

Open a savings account in under five minutes with no fees, no minimums and FDIC insurance

Tips for Safe Banking Over the Internet: This video provides the public with basic information about on-line banking and internet safety practices.

Federal Trade Commission provides consumer education via publications for avoiding scams and rip-offs, including a great section on Identity Theft.

Six Steps to Financial Planning is provided by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. 

Search for a Certified Financial Planner:  The Financial Planning Association will help in your search for a CFP® professional.  Not every CFP® certificant belongs to this wonderful organization, but it does provide a great place to begin your search. 

USA Today provides access to a number of financial calculators. Please keep in mind, information is NOT knowledge. Please... use these calculators only as a tool. Consult with a tax or financial professional about your individual situation.

ING DIRECT Orange Mortgage Great Rates. Easy Online Application. Get a quote 7 days a week.   

Department of Education's website:   Are college plans in your future? Perhaps for a child or grandchild? Visit the Department of Education for a unique FAFSA forecaster tool. An updated version of FAFSA4caster is planned for release in the fall of 2007, including a feature that tells students how much state and college aid they might expect to receive.

Plan for Your Health, a public education campaign from Aetna and the Financial Planning Association, gives consumers the information they need to make health benefits and financial choices that meet their needs now and in the future. The site offers consumer friendly tools, tips and content that support well-informed decision-making.  Remember, information is not knowledge. This link creates an awareness of the issues involved. Consult with a professional.

Choosing a Medigap Policy at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Elder Care Locator through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Memory and Communications

Communication Connection is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of older adults and supporting their families, friends, and caregiver. The resources on this website include articles, newsletters and tips to enhance communication and activity participation when faced with trying to help those older adults dealing with hearing and vision, speech and memory limitations.

Memory Fitness Matters   provides information and resources for those faced with memory lapses while balancing the demands of a busy schedules and multitasking.

Entrepreneur Resources

Legal and Financial Resources for the Entrepreneur  can be found here. Protect yourself personally and professionally by understanding risks.

Entrepreneur Online Resources for the Savvy Woman include recommendations for blogging platforms, website builders, client communication tools, search engine optimization and marketing ideas.

CREDIT CARDS: Customized to Your Needs

Use this customized Search Wizard to enter the specific features and benefits of the credit card you are looking for; or find out which card you would most likely qualify for based on your answers to this confidential, personalized questionnaire.

If you already know what type of card you are looking for (or qualify for), click directly on one of the links below for comparisons and reviews.

Order Out of Chaos

Stephen Covey's  The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People was published in 1989 as self-help book, five years after the first Franklin Day Planner was produced. Seven Habits has sold over 15 million copies in thirty-eight languages.  The habits taught in this book embody the principles of character that are universal and timeless and are incorporated into the planning system. You can purchase Stephen R. Covey's 7 Habits at FranklinCovey.   

The FranklinCoveyPlanning System is now used by more than 15 million people worldwide. Yes, you can buy their products in local stores, but FranklinCovey itself advertises that you can save up to 60% by the shopping the online store. You can Save 15% on New Day Planner Packages at FranklinCovey.  Be sure to check out their weekly specials.

FUN! Keep in Touch with Special People

American Greetings and Blue Mountain Arts are also great places for finding e-cards to help you keep in touch with family and friends.

• Visit AmericanGreetings.com for a wide selection of eCards and printable greeting cards for every occasion. Try it free for 30 days!
• Blue Mountain has thousands of personalized eCards for birthdays, holidays and every occasion. Visit now for a free 30-day trial.

Dayspring provides faith-based e-cards, journals, and products as well as inspirational short movies.

Travel

Elderhostel is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing extraordinary learning adventures for people 55 and over. From New Hampshire to New Zealand, South Africa to South Dakota, Elderhostel offers you a world of educational opportunities - at exceptional values.

Encouragement and Inspiration

The Academy of Achievement is an amazing site which shares the stories and lives of"extraordinary leaders, thinkers, and pioneers who have shaped out world." You will be uplifted encouraged and inspired by their stories. Don't miss visiting the Achiever Gallery.

The Keys to Success Learn how extraordinary individuals applied these six core elements of success to design their own personal Roadmaps for living life by design.

This I Believe is a National Public Radio show based on a 1950's radio show of the same name. Americans share inspirational life stories of core values and beliefs that have shaped their lives.

Experience the power of these universal truths within the Journey to Swan^(TM) classes. These classes include The Circle of Wisdom, Dream Gallery, Roadmap, and True Wealth.

Interesting Sites

The official US time zone map. Check here to make sure of class times, regardless of your time zones. Want to call a friend in Arizona and you live in Florida? Eliminate the guesswork. A really cool, but practical, tool.

FlowerStore.com