IN THIS ISSUE JANUARY // FEBRUARY // MARCH 2012 3 the word, with will 4 children’s healthcare of atlanta learn about our newest i[give] partner 6 having street cred with credit cards i[x] explains the right way to use your cards 8 the alternate route to a memorable valentine’s day we’ll show you how to do v-day on a budget 9 student loans from georgia’s own learn about our private student loans 10 coy wire i[x] interviews former atlanta falcon 12 connect with i[x] we’d love it if you’d like us pg 8 Waffles, a treasure hunt and one memorable Valentine’s Day... [FROM THE EDITOR] The Word, with Will We did it! We In this issue of Ne[x]t Magazine, we are excited to spotlight made it through former NFL player and current Atlantan, Coy Wire. Coy the year that was played college football at Stanford University before being 2011. 2011 was drafted in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Coy a great year for last played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2010 before retiring. i[x]! We got to You’ll want to check out this interview to find out about this know Jeff Dauler, self-proclaimed “Ninja Prankster.” Jason Derulo, Brian Jordan and Continuing our Money 101 series, we focus on credit cards the 2011 Junior with “Having Street Cred with Credit Cards” on page 6. Achievement Youth In this short article, you will find a few do’s and don’ts of Entrepreneurs of using a credit card and also see what contributes to good the Year, Morgan, credit and bad credit. We also give you options for cheap Megan, and Valentine’s dates in “The Alternative Route to a Memorable Madison McCall. Valentine’s” on page 8. We were able to support several Finally, as part of our i[give] campaign, we are highlighting great foundations Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Children’s is a not-for- and organizations profit organization that is committed to enhancing the lives such as the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, of children through excellence in patient care, research and Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta and the National education. It is one of the largest clinical care providers Black MBA Atlanta Chapter Leaders of Tomorrow. We also for children in the country and Georgia’s Own is proud to had awesome times at Georgia State this past year as the partner with such a great organization. Be sure to check Official Credit Union of Georgia State University Athletics. out their story on page 4. So with everything that happened in 2011, 2012 promises to be an even bigger year! Happy New Year, i[x]ers! FEEDBACK. Thanks to those of you who have sent in your Feature Article comments and questions. We always want to hear back NAME: Coy Wire from our readers! Let us know what you think. Send your comments and questions to [email protected] HOMETOWN: Camp Hill, PA and we’ll try to post it online or in our next issue. NFL TEAMS: Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons CONNECT. NICKNAME: Ninja Prankster Have you connected with i[x]? Be sure to check us out on Twitter (@doyouix) and Facebook (facebook.com/ ixgeorgia). We are constantly posting tips and letting our community know about contests and giveaways. We also want you to be a part of the conversation, so let us know what you are thinking. DOYOUIX.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 3 [GIVE BACK] combined history of more than 185 years of caring for Georgia’s children, Children’s now strives more than ever to ensure all children have access to the specialized care they need. i[x] What are the values that CHOA stands for? CHOA We have a vision to transform pediatric Since 1998, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta healthcare and be the leading voice for the health of Georgia’s children. Our key values include: has been taking care of Georgia’s children and their families. They continue to grow and • Integrity – Being honest, ethical and excel so that you and yours can too. Here are committed to all we do some important facts about CHOA we would • Respect – Appreciating all people, like to highlight: work and ideas i[x] Tell us a little about Children’s Healthcare of • Nurturing – Fostering the care, growth Atlanta and its mission: and development of the individual • Excellence – Delivering the highest level CHOA Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for- of care and service profit organization, is committed to its mission of • Teamwork – Working together to achieve enhancing the lives of children through excellence our goals in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at i[x] What is Strong4Life and what are the three hospitals and 17 neighborhood locations, different types of programs Children’s offers? Children’s is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. CHOA Children’s Children’s offers access to more than 30 developed the Strong4Life pediatric specialties and is ranked among brand straight from the top children’s hospitals by Parents research to meet the Magazine and U.S. News & World needs of the people of Report. Georgia. Strong4Life is a statewide movement i[x] When and how was Children’s that helps families bring founded? together four essential building blocks every child CHOA In 1998, Egleston Children’s needs to be healthy—Eat Health Care System (established 1928) Right, Be Active, Get and Scottish Rite Medical Center Support and Have Fun— (established 1915) came together to form and we break those down Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — one into small, simple steps of the largest pediatric systems in the families can choose to country. The new system had a single priority: take in each of these focus areas. children and families. In 2006, Children’s assumed responsibility for the management of services at The Strong4Life effort includes the largest public Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital (established awareness campaign on childhood obesity and 1952) — growing the system to three hospitals wellness to ever hit Georgia, along with programs, and 17 neighborhood locations — all designed to partnerships and clinical intervention to help and better meet the needs of the community. With a 4 DOYOUIX.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 [GIVE BACK] Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Key Values Include: Integrity, Respect, Nurturing, Excellence, & Teamwork support children when and where they need it. Various programs are offered for families in need of specialized care, such as Camp Strong4Life and the Health4Life Clinic that provide families with the tools to make crucial lifestyle changes. Programs have also been designed for early childcare centers and schools to join the fight against childhood obesity by helping give youth a foundation for CHOA Over the past year, Children’s has lifelong healthy habits. Finally, a toolkit and developed and implemented a multi-year strategy training program has been designed to help to get Georgia out of the top 10 list of worst states healthcare providers initiate conversations with for childhood obesity by reducing BMI. We set a patients and families about BMI (body mass index) list of short-term, mid-term and long-term goals, measurement, nutrition and physical activity. with our ultimate goal being to change the lives of all 2.7 million children in Georgia and be known as “Nearly 40% of Georgia’s kids are overweight a national model for improving childhood health. or obese, which means nearly 1 million kids We’re tackling this issue through Strong4Life, in our state are facing a medical crisis.” our statewide movement consisting of public awareness, scalable programs, partnerships and clinical intervention. i[x] What is the biggest health issue concerning teens in Georgia? i[x] Are there events around the Atlanta community benefiting CHOA? CHOA Nearly 40% of Georgia’s children are overweight or obese, which means nearly 1 CHOA Fundraising events are held throughout million youth in our state are facing a medical the year to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. crisis. Children’s sees it in our hospitals every day: Opportunities to support Children’s in December children who are overweight are now suffering include the Macy’s Pink Pig at Lenox Square, the from diseases once seen only in adults such as Children’s Christmas Parade, Children’s Holiday heart disease, hypertension, liver and kidney Cards and the HBCU All-Star Bowl. You can also disease and type 2 diabetes. Due to this increase help by hosting your own event, volunteering, in negative health consequences, it is estimated corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations. that the current generation may be on track to have Visit www.choa.org/events for a complete list. a shorter lifespan than their parents – we cannot allow this to happen. i[x] How can our members donate or get involved with i[x] What factors contribute to this problem? CHOA? CHOA This crisis did not happen overnight; it CHOA More information is a result of years of poor diet and decreasing regarding volunteer and physical activity among Georgia’s youth. The giving opportunities is deck is stacked against our children today. They available on our web site, are bombarded with fast food, computers, TV, www.choa.org/give. video games, junk food and splashy advertising for unhealthy behaviors. Not to mention, there are fewer sidewalks and safe, clean places in our communities for youth to play. i[x] What steps is CHOA taking to solve this growing epidemic? DOYOUIX.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 5 [MONEY MANAGEMENT] Having Street Cred with Credit Ca rds Are Credit Cards Good Or Bad? Well, that all depends on how or why you use them.