Love them. I've had my accts open for at least 2 years, & have had no problems. Be sure you look into a bonus for opening your acct. (just search the web, I'm sure you'll find something) I rec'd $25 when I opened my acct. I then "invited" each of my young children to join. Even though I linked their accts to my checking, they each recieved $25 for opening an acct, & I rec'd $10 for each also, as the person who invited them. I then asked a couple of friends, and rec'd $10 for each of them! That's $150 free money - yippee!!! (you do need to wait a month to transfer this money out of your acct, if you so wish) It is a breeze to open new accts & you can give them nicknames, so you can easily see what you're saving for. It does take a few days to transfer money back & forth between the ING account & your checking acct.

Do your thyroid meds need adjusting? I tend to retain more fluid when my Synthroid needs adjusting. I agree with trailrunner--I am an exercise physiologist, if your BP is that high, you need to not be doing high-intensity exercise because your systolic will go up in order to deliver blood to working muscles, and it might be reaching dangerous levels, especially if you are doing weight training. Yes, a WO does lower your BP post-exercise and it is a chronic adaptation, too. You may want to invest in a BP monitor for home use (they are less than $100 but get the arm vs. wrist cuff) and check it twice a day day after sitting quietly for 5 min. If you have a flex account, you can probably use it for that, but you may need an Rx from your doctor. Do you have a family history of high BP? That is also a factor. Both my parents and at least 3 out of 4 siblings have or high BP so I watch mine frequently. Luckily, I'm good for now, but I realize some day I may need medication though trying to delay it as long as possible. Although like trailrunner said, most high BP is idiopathic, in that it is something that just happens. Do you have access to a pool? When I am feeling bloated, especially after travel where I've been eating restaurant food, I make sure I hit the pool. The osmotic pressure makes me urinate out extra fluid.

Bestyears, I commend you for doing what you can to open your mind to the possibilities, going along with your daughter to the initial meetings and for seeking more information. You are trying to do what's best for your daughter and clearly you are struggling with *how much* support is appropriate. I am not a parent but I do know that the transitional years between teen/child and adulthood are tricky for all-- and there's no single right answer or approach. What I do know is that your love, support and guidance are more valuable than anything else you can provide-- including money-- your daughter is blessed to have you with her as she moves towards her adult life. I don't have any experience with modeling-- though I have a few friends who have done "light" modeling in regional catalogs, etc and one friend who did runway modeling in NYC and in Europe long before I knew her. FWIW, she also has a stunning education with a PhD from an ivy league school (which I believe she pursued after modeling but I am not sure). From your description of your daughter, she appears to be mindful and committed to her health and diet-- this is a great foundation. We're all aware of the issues with eating disorders and unhealthy weights in the modeling industry but at least it's no longer a "dirty little secret". I would continue to praise her healthy eating and support her in continuing to develop the confidence and resolve to know who she is and what is health for her. This is the best way to combat the challenges she may face regarding weight and diet. This same self awareness will guide her too to know what type of modeling will best suit her. There are many kinds of modeling and each comes with a different lifestyle. Which best suits her personality? Is she a careful planner or is she excited by spontaneous opportunity? Would she be excited by the prospect of packing up and flying out to a shoot across the country with little notice or would she be more comfortable with a shoot schedule a month in advance? Is she fiercely independent and self-motivated or does she most thrive with the support of friends and family near her? Once she knows (and perhaps she already does) which type of modeling she wants to pursue, she can make good decisions about how to proceed. it will help her to choose an agency and determine where and how college fits in. I would view each agency very critically. Is it realistic to consider modeling and college at the same time? I can't really say but I'd sure ask hard, driving questions of the agency that suggests she can. Are they looking to (and able to) offer her big time runway modeling opportunities, national agency shoots or are they looking to fill their stables with pretty faces for regional catalogs. What's their track record? How these agencies respond to the questions will give you and your daughter a better idea of her potential and which agency can give her the best opportunity to make it happen. No matter what career we choose, there are risks and opportunities. The best thing you can do is to help your daughter look at her options clearly, realistically and from all perspectives... and to be flexible enough to move on to a plan B or C (or D!) as time and opportunities evolve. Best wishes for all of you at this exciting time!

The best advice I can give is to listen to absolutely no financial adviser at any time. Ask them one question: How much of your income last year was derived from your practicing the advice you just provided me versus your fees for your advice to me and others.? 1) Avoid front end loads!!! 2) Avoid mutual funds as they will do ok when the market also does. You won't get rich buying these funds. 3) Learn to trade yourself using Optionsexpress or other like websites with a small fee per trade. Learn how to research the stocks you purchase. 4) You don't need a diversified portfolio to make money. I'm not interested in a few losers and a few winners. I prefer winners. 5) If you want long term ownership of stocks, choose those with high dividends that will provide long term returns. 6) If you want to avoid taxes, buy AA or AAA municipal bonds (utility, etc.) Avoid corporate bonds as they may prove risky. 6) By all means read, read and read some more. However, Set uo an account with Optionsexpress at no cost to you. You can virtual trade for free with no risk. Once you have learned the market to a comfortable level, TRADE !!!!! Learn to deal with the fear of trading and avoid greed. In other words be happy making $500 versus holding a stock to make $1000. Don't worry about what you could have made: be happy with the $500 you did make. You will make little by relying on advisers that thrive on their clients versus the opportunity in trading yourself. Yes, I practice daily the advice I offer you. I only wish I knew as much abut the stock market at age 25 as I know now. Of course, I learn more each day too. The adviser knows one thing which is to take your money, charge a fee and put the money in some security or bond fund. When you call him, he may even give you some more advice as to how he can charge you more. Keep in mind that he will make money when you do not!!! Advisers will either charge a front load, price per trade, an annual 1 to 2.5 % of the principal or various other methods to put money in their pocket, not your pocket. Learn to manage your own money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!