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Six Ways to Reduce Fuel Costs

guest — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:52:48 +0000

by Andrea Woroch

Crude oil prices are surging again as commodities traders respond to the continued tension between Iran, Israel and the United States. According to NBC Nightly News, the fear of any kind of military action in the Middle East drives up the price of fuel despite no real shortage of supply. Just recently, the price of gasoline rose three-and-a-half percent and is up 42 cents from one year ago.

As winter subsides into spring, consumers should gear up for another pricey summer with gas prices expected to peak just in time for weekend getaways. But before you cancel your vacation plans, consider these tips for saving on fuel.

1. Use your smartphone.
Look up gas prices in your area and pinpoint the least expensive options on your route by using GasBuddy.com. The site also offers a mobile app that uses GPS to provide current gasoline prices per gallon based on your location. Another option is the CheapGas app which guides you to the least expensive gas station in your proximity, an invaluable resource when driving in unfamiliar areas.

2. Travel with cash.
Many gas stations advertise the price per gallon to cash-paying customers and those who use credit cards are charged an additional 10-cents per gallon. Pay with cash when you can to save.

3. Stock up on discount gift cards.
You can purchase gift cards at less than face value from sites like GiftCardGranny.com including gas gift cards for popular brands like Chevron, Shell and Exxon. For example, the site is currently selling a Hess gift card for 8-percent off. These cards go fast, so set up an alert to receive an e-mail when new gas cards become available.

4. Fuel up at the warehouse.
Membership-based stores like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club have discounted gas. In some cases, you can use affiliated credit cards to get a double-dip discount: Pay less at the pump and get a cash back bonus. For instance, the Costco-branded TrueEarnings American Express card lets customers earn three percent cash back on up to $3,000 in gas per year.

5. Find a gas reward credit card.
If you are going to swipe your credit card at the pump, look for one that offers a high reward like Chase Freedom Visa, which offers 5 percent back on gasoline purchases. For other options, check out PTMoney’s “The Best Gas Rewards Credit Cards of 2012.”

6. Go for grocery and gas discount programs.
Many supermarket chains have partnered with name-brand gas stations to offer reward programs. Ralph customers can get 10-cent per gallon savings at Shell stations in Southern California after redeeming 100 grocery points at the pump. Other grocery chains like PriceChopper, Kroger and ShopandStop offer similar programs. Speak with a store manager to find out which local gas stations will honor the reward program, as some franchise-operated stations may not participate in the programs.

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. Andrea has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. To view recent interviews or for more savings tips visit AndreaWoroch.com.

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Free Chocolate Event for Moms at the Lodge of Des Peres

lipsticktocrayons — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:02:12 +0000

Dr. Diane Sanford, Ph.D. , is hosting a free event at the Lodge of Des Peres that involves eating chocolate and talking about the strategies to cope with the mental, emotional and physical challenges of motherhood. I personally owe Diane an enormous debt of gratitude because I heard her speak when I was four months pregnant with my second child. I had suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of my first child and was very worried about it happening again. Thanks to Diane, I prepared during my 2nd pregnancy and was able to ENJOY the weeks and months following the birth of my second.

Postpartum depression affects one in eight new mothers and the stress of parenting a toddler, depression and anxiety are common occurrences. They are very real, but very treatable. Start by treating yourself to an evening of chocolate-tasting indulgence.

This event (and the yummy chocolate) is free, although reservations are required. Space is limited to 100 attendees, so call today to RSVP.

Details:

Tuesday, February 21, 7-9 p.m.

The Lodge Des Peres

1050 Des Peres Road (south of Manchester Rd.) St. Louis, MO 63131

RSVP to 314-812-9366

Invite your friends, but please leave your baby/toddler behind. This is for Moms only.

About Diane:

Psychologist Dr. Diane Sanford has been passionate about helping women improve their health and lead happier lives since counseling her first postpartum mom 25 years ago. She is among the most called-upon women’s health experts and has been interviewed for TV (Good Morning America), newspapers (New York Times, Washington Post), and all major women’s magazines.

In her new book, Life Will Never Be the Same: The Real Mom’s Postpartum Survival Guide, she offers practical advice on how to thrive during pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood. To preview the book, visit her website. To schedule a consultation, please call Women’s Healthcare Partnership at 314-961-5666.

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Indianapolis Nestle Inn Bed and Breakfast is Five Stars

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:46:17 +0000

The Nestle Inn Bed and Breakfast near downtown Indianapolis is one of the most charming, comfortable, character-infused, locationally-gifted B&B’s I have ever visited.

I recently had the pleasure of spending two nights at this urban B&B when my teenage daughter and I were in Indianapolis for a swim meet. Here are some of the things we loved about the Nestle Inn:

The home has the historic look and feel of an old dwelling, dating back to the mid-1800’s, but it has all the modern amenities tucked within its walls. Our room was furnished with a large, comfortable bed and an awesome mattress, a nice desk for working/surfing, fast, wireless Internet, modern bathroom fixtures and toiletries, and a beautiful antique wardrobe that housed a nice television and DVD player. Plus, despite the frigid temperatures outside, the house was WARM — unusual for an older structure.

The Inn is “nestled” into Mass Avenue in Indy, making it a great place to visit anytime of year because of its proximity to the theatre, arts, shopping, pubs, breweries and fabulous restaurants. It literally is in the heart of the theatre district, and although we didn’t get to enjoy any of the theatre venues because of our swim meet schedule, we loved the environment of the surrounding blocks. The area is busy with foot traffic and abuzz with people having fun, making it a fun place to be, even if you are going to be spending most of your time at IUPUI’s Natatorium. And speaking of IUPUI, it only took us minutes to drive from the B&B to the campus and the Natatorium, as well as all the other downtown hotspots. The Nestle Inn also sits on the Cultural Trail in Indy, which is a bike and pedestrian path that is nine miles long and connects all the “neighborhoods” of the city.

Innkeepers Leesa and Bob Smith strive to deliver individualized service to their guests. They helped us navigate the city (and even “talked me back” to the Inn one night when I managed to get hopelessly lost after leaving the pool); left movies in our room after I had inquired where to rent them because we just wanted to relax after a long day; and prepared a “breakfast care package to go” for my teen and left it hanging on our doorknob after learning that she had to be in the pool for warm-ups by 6 a.m. and would, therefore, miss breakfast at the Inn.

The library at the Inn is amazing. My first morning there, I woke before my daughter and carried my laptop into the library to answer emails and do some Internet research. The furniture was comfortable; the walls were lined with interesting books and periodicals; and the coffee, creamers and snacks set out on the table were a wonderful surprise, considering I was up before the sun the house sounded as though everyone was still sleeping.

Parking was easy, which was unexpected considering the urban setting. Most times, we were able to find a spot on the street right in front of the Inn. But, Leesa gave us a pass to a parking lot one block away in case we couldn’t find street parking or were unsuccessful achieving a solid parallel parking job.

The food was delicious and FUN. That’s because during the week, you are treated to breakfast next door at Henry’s Coffee Bistro, an eclectic coffee shop with lattes, hot breakfast sandwiches, sweets and waffles for breakfast and a host other tasty food for brunch and lunch. On Saturday and Sunday, breakfast is at the Inn and the one I enjoyed included delights such as “just right potato bites,” an Eggs Benedict-like entree, fresh fruit and homemade banana-bread muffins, among other treats.

Now that I’ve shared what I loved about the Nestle Inn, let me share some additional trivia about this wonderful B&B:

Bob and Leesa purchased the Inn in September 2011 from the previous innkeepers who wanted to retire. (They had operated the Inn since 2000). Bob is a psychotherapist and a 29-year career firefighter/paramedic. Leesa is an Innkeeper with more than 29 years experience in the hospitality industry and in business and marketing.

In the mid-1800s, Jonathon and Alice Stewart lived in a small, one-story dwelling on the site of the current Nestle Inn. In 1896, John built their residence as a two-family home, adjoining two structures together so that their families could live close to each other. They lived in the home until 1920 and then the entire house was rented to a long series of short-term tenants including Carl F. Mellian, a machinist and Grant Kelner, a cigarmaker. The house also served as a boarding house for young women who came to Indianapolis during the turn of the century to work at the Real Silk glove factory located nearby on Park Street.

In 2000, Steve and Barb Tegaren bought the home and restored it to a five-room Inn. They operated it for 10 years, welcoming visitors and friends and establishing the Inn as the No. 1 B&B in Indianapolis, according to Trip Advisor. (I’ll second that!)

The Nestle Inn has proven to be a great destination for a girls weekend getaway or a family gathering. In fact, Leesa recently rented the whole house to a family who was celebrating their mother’s birthday. Leesa was delighted to watch the kids hanging out in their jammies while parents relaxed drinking wine and the grandparents enjoyed having the whole clan gathered together under one cozy roof. She also hosted a women’s book club that found the Inn to be the perfect spot for their needs.

I honestly cannot wait to return to the Nestle Inn and am already trying to figure out what “occasion” I’m going to use as my excuse. So, the next time you want or need to visit Indy, whether for business, pleasure or kids’ sports, skip the chain hotels and give Leesa and Bob a call. You won’t regret it.

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Angry Bird Dog Toys ROCK!!

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:20:05 +0000

Our 4-month-old Golden Retriever bores with her toys easily. That is, until she received a few of the new Angry Birds^® toys by Hartz.

The Angry Birds^®craze continues to sweep the nation and now pets can play too.The Hartz Mountain Corporation recently launched an exclusive line of Angry Birds pet toys featuring many of the wildly popular Angry Birds characters just in time for the holidays.

For more than 80 years, Hartz has offered affordable, high-quality toys that pets love, according to Adam Coacher, Hartz Senior Director of Marketing. “This year, we were thrilled to work with Rovio, the makers of the popular Angry Birds game, to create an exciting line of toys that will bring holiday cheer to pets and pet owners alike.

Ellie’s favorite of the Angry Bird toys is the Angry Birds^® Flyer™. But she’s also a big fan of the plush ball that squeaks when she bites it. It makes her crazy — in a good way!

The new line of products features six dog toys and four cat toys, with additional collections coming in the near future. Available items include:

Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Plush Ball™ – This 4” plush ball dog toy comes to life with real Angry Birds game sounds! Choose from the Red Bird, the Yellow Bird or the Green Pig. These products are also available in a 2.5” version for small dogs.
Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Tuff Stuff Flyer™ – This dog toy is double-sided, featuring a red bird on one side and a green pig on the other. Constructed of super-durable ballistic nylon and double stitched seams, this toy can stand up to even the toughest chewers.
Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Hard Heads™ – Dogs will appreciate the long-lasting, fun chew experience with these three Angry Birds characters. Each latex toy is equipped with a squeaker and will entertain your pup for hours.
Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Birds Gone Crazy™ – Our most popular Hartz Angry Birds cat toy, Birds Gone Crazy will give your feline companion the opportunity to swat, chase, and hunt little angry birds and green pigs, while the bell inside will make your furry friend keep coming back for more.
Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Wand™ – An interactive toy that provides hours of fun for you and your cat. The wand features the Red Bird and a Green Pig along with feathers and a bell.

Now, with Hartz^® Angry Birds^® toys, pet owners and pets can propel and fetch angry birds and green pigs together. Pet owners can visit Facebook to check out the Angry Birds Toy Preview tab, access fun videos and applications, and enter to win great prizes at Facebook.com/HartzPets.

Hartz^® Angry Birds^® products are currently available nationwide at mass merchandisers like Walmart, grocery stores and online retailers such as Walmart.com and Amazon.com. The suggested retail prices range from $3.99 to $10.99. For more information about Hartz^® Angry Birds^® pet toys or to find additional Hartz products, visit www.hartz.com.

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Elevated Dog Bowl Feeder

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:36:26 +0000

One of the things our vet told us we would eventually need for our Golden Retriever is an elevated feeder. He said that it’s better for our dog’s health to not be bent over while eating because it eliminates bloating and health issues that can arise from eating in that position. I didn’t want to purchase multiple dog bowls to accommodate our growing puppy, and I wanted a feeder that is stylish because Ellie eats in our kitchen, which is also where company tends to gather. This Adjustable Raised Double Bowl Feeder from the OfficialsDogHouse.com fit the bill.

This feeder, that has adjustable legs to “grow” with our puppy, is perfect. It’s pretty with a nice wood top and two removable stainless steel bowls. It will raise up to 18 inches at its highest point, but as you can see in this photo, it’s also perfect for our puppy with its legs folded under it.

Ellie is nearly 4 months old now, and we’re about ready to move the legs out from under the bowl and into their lowest position. In time, we’ll probably expand the legs to their full height. I’ve been very happy with how sturdy this feeder is and how easy it is to clean. The legs on the feeder are made of sturdy metal and they adjust without the use of any tools.

This feeder ranges in price from $42.99 to $65 depending on what size you purchase. I had several questions about what feeder was right for our puppy and the Officialdoghouse.com customer service responded to my questions promptly. In fact, I was impressed with the customer service from start to finish. So, if this feeder isn’t right for your pet, check out all their other options here.

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Need Pet Boarding/Sitting? Check out FETCH!

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:53:38 +0000

If you are in need of pet sitting or boarding for the holidays or otherwise, you should check out FETCH! Petcare of West St. Louis County (or other FETCH locations). I’ve used FETCH! for my Golden Retriever puppy, Ellie, and it’s really one of the best boarding options I’ve ever seen.

FETCH! Petcare of West St. Louis County has been in existence since 2007. It is part of FETCH! Petcare which is the largest National Professional Petsitting franchise in the United States. FETCH! Petcare of West St. Louis County offers a safe, caring and professional alternative to kennels with services such as daily dog walking, potty breaks, multiple small animal visits, in home overnight service, cage free boarding, medicine administration, yard pickup, pet taxi service not to mention lots of free belly scratching and ear rubs! FETCH! Petcare is insured and bonded with a team of background checked experienced pet sitters. The West St. Louis County franchise is owned by my neighbor, Jane Peacock, and she offers all clients a complimentary consultation and provide back- up sitters to ensure their beloved pets are always taken care of no matter what. She keeps clients well informed during our care and enjoy text messages, emails, photos and videos of their beloved pets. Client satisfaction is guaranteed.

If you travel, work long hours or just need to get away for a weekend, then FETCH! Petcare “has your tail covered.” They offer regular clients a VIP rate and customize all of our services to tailor fit your pet’s needs, but the average short “potty” break is $15. It’s worth it to know that your animals have been exercised, loved and relieved just the way you like during your absence.

What I loved about FETCH! was the cage-free boarding. When we had to travel out of town when our puppy was just 12 weeks old, FETCH provided a loving home for her to stay and she was cared for the same way we would have cared for her (in the kennel at night to continue her kennel training, but played with and taken out regularly during the day, walked, loved on, etc.)

About the Owner

Jane grew up in Australia but has lived in the United States for the last 14 yeas. Her love of animals has continued to grow over the years from having a rabbit called Snuggles as a child to an Orange tabby cat called Henry and eventually to her Goldens, Chelsea and Chantz. In recent years, she’s taken up riding horses. This love for animals has brought her to her current passion, owing her own professional petsitting company, FETCH! Petcare of West St. Louis County.Once a customer of FETCH! Petcare , she was relieved by the kennel free option, the professionalism and peace of mind FETCH! Petcare provided in taking care of her ‘hairy kids’. Now Jane provides the same piece of mind for other pet owners.

Contact:

You can reach Jane at 636-549-8610 or at stlwest@fetchpetcare.com. Or you can visit her Website.

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Pet Food Drive to Benefit Homeless Pets

lipsticktocrayons — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:20:10 +0000

Fetch! Petcare of West St. Louis County is my latest awesome find. We have a new Golden Retriever puppy and Fetch! offers in-home (yours or theirs) cage-free boarding. I plan to share more details about Fetch at a later date, but today I want to tell you about a different kind of food drive — one to benefit animals.

Fetch! Petcare of West St. Louis County is hosting a Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive to benefit homeless pets of Open Door Animal Sanctuary. As part of an international effort spearheaded by Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest association for professional pet sitters, the Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive collects much-needed pet food donations for local shelters across the country. Open Door Animal Sanctuary is in great need of pet food donations as it enters 2012.

Donations will be accepted December 1-12, 2011 and can be dropped off at the following locations:

One Lucky Mutt!, Wildwood
Manchester West Veterinary Hospital, Ellisville
Pet Supplies Plus, Ballwin
Sulphur Springs Veterinary Clinic, Ballwin
St. Albans Post Office, St. Albans
Dickey Bub, Eureka
Eureka Feed Station, Eureka

For more information, contact Jane Peacock of Fetch! Petcare of West St. Louis County at 636-549-8610

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Win a KRUPS Espresso Machine

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:51:13 +0000

Did you know that November 23^rd is National Espresso Day? In light of this lesser known food holiday, KRUPS is hosting a Facebook and Twitter giveaway for a KRUPS XP5220 Precise Tamp Espresso Machine for their fans.

Celebrate your love for coffee by entering to win this new coffee machine. The contest began on Monday, 11/21 and ends this Fridaym, Nov. 25. Go to http://www.facebook.com/KrupsUSA or to http://twitter.com/Krupsusa and tell KRUPS why you’re thankful for coffee for a chance to win.

This KRUPS machine is valued at $240. It features:

Tamping Consistency: Patented KRUPS Precise Tamp System compresses the coffee grounds perfectly providing an optimal ground coffee tamp that produces uniform results every time.

· Fast Heat-up: Lightweight powerful thermoblockfor faster preheating and reduced limescalebuildup.

· Easy to Clean: No mess cake ejection. Simply press the button and out pops the espresso grounds „cake?.

· 15 Bar Pump.

· Universal filter holder with no mess cake ejection system. Compatible with ground coffee (1 or 2 cups) and all types of pods.

· Multi directional frothing nozzle creates delicious cappuccinos and lattes.

· Redesigned frothing nozzle locks in place and is easier to maintain.

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Online Shopping Return Policy Roundup

lipsticktocrayons — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:27:44 +0000

Holiday e-shopping has begun, and with it the potential for gift returns. Because online merchants have different policies, it pays to read the fine print before you buy.

Some stores only give 30-days leeway, which means recipients can’t return purchases after Christmas. Happily, some merchants are changing these deadlines for the holidays but, because there are websites who truly believe “fineprint” means “itsy bitsy print in a very pale pastel,” FreeShipping.org compiled a list of major e-retailers and their return policies for 2011.

Ann Taylor
You’ve got 60 days to return Ann Taylor purchases but, if you don’t have the receipt, only a store credit is issued. Gifts returned online will result in an e-gift certificate, so be sure to include your e-mail address on the return receipt. An in-store gift return yields a hardcopy gift certificate in the amount paid by the sender.

Bath & Body Works
Because Bath and Body Works believes “no sale is ever final,” they don’t need to extend their holiday deadline. You don’t need a sales receipt or shipping invoice for gifts, but they can only be returned to brick-and-mortar Bath and Body Works stores.

Cabela’s
You’ve got 90 days to return a Cabela’s purchase, which makes everything nice and easy, until you learn you only receive a store credit or gift card when you don’t have a receipt. If you need to return a gift, print a return form and send it to Cabela’s customer service address or bring it in to any of their retail stores.

Coldwater Creek
There’s no deadline for Coldwater Creek returns by mail or to a retail outlet. If you’re sending it back and don’t have a receipt or packing slip, make sure you include your name and address on a note enclosed with the package.

Best Buy
Enjoy Best Buy free shipping now through Dec. 27, and return gift purchases — with no exclusions — from Nov. 13 through Jan. 4. The electronics behemoth is spreading the holiday cheer even further by removing restocking fees for all products, including special orders, within this timeframe.

Costco
Costco’s standard return policy is a liberal 365 days, so there’s no need to extend their deadline for the holidays. In addition, Costco refunds membership fees if a customer isn’t satisfied. Refunds for Internet purchases include shipping and handling charges.

endless.com
The online-only shoe merchant provides a generous 365 days for returns with guaranteed free shipping. Use the Endlessonline returns center for proper processing.

JCPenney
The best part of JCPenney’s online returns is they pay for shipping and handling, no matter what your reason for returning the product. You have up to 90 days and, with a gift receipt, will receive a JCPenney gift card in the amount of purchase.

Kmart
You’ll need an original receipt or email confirmation dated within 90 days of the original date of purchase. No exceptions, apparently.

Kohl’s
Return any item, anytime, for any reason. Have your receipt? You’ll get a full refund or even exchange. No receipt? No problem. Kohl’s will give you a refund, an exchange or store credit.

Lands’ End
Now through Nov. 15, enjoy Lands’ End free shipping plus take 25% off your purchase. For returns without an exchange, use the return label for a flat shipping fee of $6.95. You also can return your order to any Sears or Lands’ End store and entirely avoid shipping costs.

L.L.Bean
The sky’s the limit with L.L. Bean, which has no return deadline and doesn’t require authorization before you ship your gift back to them. Just download and fill out an online form or use the form printed on the packing slip.

Macy’s
The return deadline for Macy’s is a generous 180 days and you don’t need a receipt because they have a program that identifies products in their system. Too cool! Gifts will receive a store credit or exchange. Please note the deadline for jewelry purchases is only 30 days.

Mainline Menswear
Basically, you can return any Christmas gifts ordered from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 up to 14 days after Christmas, which only gives you until Jan. 7.

Sears
Return the gift in its original packaging, with the original receipt or email confirmation, within 90 days of purchase for a refund or exchange. Alternately, you can return a purchase from Sears.com to one of their stores.

Shoebacca.com
As with Endless, Shoebacca provides totally free shipping both ways and a 365-day window in which to return or exchange unwanted gifts.

Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post makes it easy. You have up to six months and will receive instant credit plus $2.95 shipping on your next order. If you prefer, STP will give you a refund.

Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us
Online purchases returned by mail within 90 days to their online Returns Center by mail are refunded to the original form of payment, which means the gift giver will know your dirty little secret and you’ll come up empty handed. Instead, make returns to a Toys ‘R’ Us or Babies ‘R’ Us store for a merchandise credit.

Victoria’s Secret
Now through Nov. 16, you can enjoy Victoria’s Secret free shipping, but you’ve got 90 days to return that lacy tidbit for cash. Ater that deadline, Victoria’s Secret will only provide store credit. To return gifts, check the box on the Return/Exchange Form attached to the original invoice indicating you’re returning a gift and provide your shipping information. If you don’t have the original invoice, use their printable return and exchange form.

Walmart
You can return or exchange most store items with a receipt within 90 days of purchase. Visit walmartstores.com to see exceptions for electronic and regulated items. You can return online purchases to any Walmart store.

Zappos
Another great shoe deal: Zappos free shipping is good both for purchases and returns. Whether you’re unhappy with a purchase or simply change your mind, Zappos will provide a full refund or exchange within 365 days of purchase. You’ll need the original packaging, however, to make the return.
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FreeShipping.org is the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by nearly 4,000 online merchants.

This Roundup of Holiday e-Return Polices is provided by Freeshipping.org.

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Not Too Late to Get a Flu Shot

lipsticktocrayons — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:15:45 +0000

With the holiday season right around the corner, the American Lung Association has an important message: It’s not too late to get your flu shot!

Vaccination is recommended and beneficial into the winter months – a time of the year when spreading holiday cheer with family and friends can also make it easier for disease, like influenza, to spread when we’re in close contact. Everyone six months of age and older is recommended for annual flu vaccination, and immunization is the best way to be protected and enjoy the celebration all the way into the New Year.

Learn more about influenza and the importance of annual vaccination by visiting www.facesofinfluenza.org.

About Influenza

Influenza is a serious respiratory illness. Each year in the U.S., on average, influenza and its related complications result in approximately 226,000 hospitalizations. Depending on virus severity during the influenza season, deaths can range from 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Combined with pneumonia, influenza is the eighth leading cause of death in the nation.