Pink Hearts… red roses… the perfect day to show that special someone how much you really care. How did they come up with a day dedicated to love and romance anyway?

The beginnings of St. Valentine's Day go back to the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a companion for the year. The rest is, shall we say, history. 

Here are some other fun facts about Valentine’s Day:

• In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine's Day card.
• While 75% of chocolate purchases all year long are made by women, during the days and minutes before Valentine's Day, 75% of chocolate purchases are made by men.
• An average person spends two whole weeks of his or her life kissing.
• About 3% of pet owners give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.
• Chocolate has been used as a gift since the days of the Aztecs, who believed it to be a source of spiritual wisdom and energy. It was used as a nuptial aid and served at wedding ceremonies.
• Amnat Puttigo from Pattaya, Thailand, won a "Ripley's Believe It or Not" by holding his wife in his arms for 10 hours, 49 minutes, and 15 seconds in a Valentine's Day Contest!

So, there you have it. Have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day.

Often the motivation we need to keep our New Year's Resolutions is to see where they fit in the grand scheme of our long-term life goals. But the first step is to examine precisely what our long-term goals are. Whether you want to travel the world, or become a multi-millionaire by the age of 50, it's important to choose goals that you really want to achieve and are both realistic and specific.

Baby steps

Let's say you want to lose 20 pounds before your high school reunion next summer. The first step is to focus on short-term goals that will make the larger goal more attainable, like eating 100 fewer calories per day. Once you find you've achieved one goal, gradually add another, like walking an extra half mile each week. Keep these short-term goals small and manageable, and that will make them easier to accomplish. If you find yourself losing patience or not being able to reach these short-term goals, make them smaller and smaller until they seem more possible for you to do.

Write it down

Writing things down helps make things happen. Using the above weight loss goal example, you could keep track of your progress by writing in a food and activity journal or app, remembering to focus on your motivation. Be sure to note improvements in your breathing, energy, stress levels, mood, etc., and celebrate these victories.

Most importantly, when working on any long-term life changes, always approach life one day at a time. What can you do today that could help you reach your long-term goal?

The 2015 filing season started last week and the Internal Revenue Service is open for business.

So, what's new for your 2014 return? Keep reading for highlights on some of the changes.

Health Care Coverage: Beginning in 2014, you are required to have health care coverage. When you file your return, you must either:

- indicate that you, your spouse and dependents had coverage all year,

- claim an exemption from coverage, or

- make a shared responsibility payment for any month that you did not have full coverage or qualify for an exemption.

Premium Tax Credit:You may be eligible to claim the premium tax credit if you, your spouse, or a dependent enrolled in health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Personal exemption amount increased for certain taxpayers. Your personal exemption is now $3,950. This amount could be reduced if your adjusted gross income is over certain limits based on your filing status.

Increased Standard Deductionamounts are as follows:

Single or Married filing Separately, $6,200

Head of Household, $9,100

Married filing Jointly or Qualifying widow(er), $12,400

Standard mileage rates. The 2014 rate for business use of your car is 56 cents a mile. The 2014 rate for use of your car to move or to get medical care is 23.5 cents a mile.

Be sure to contact your tax professional for more information. Don't wait till the last minute!

With the start of every New Year, we all hope there's a healthy new us just around the corner. Instead of finding the same old us two weeks from now, here are some things we can do differently this year:

• Document everything.  Start a journal. Make a chart. Take pictures of yourself. If you can see evidence of the progress you're making, you'll be more encouraged.
• Start small.  If a task is too big, it can overwhelm us. Make small specific goals, like “I will substitute water for two sodas.” 
• Be prepared.  Don't give yourself any reasons why you can't keep on track. Keep the gym shoes and clothes ready to go. Have healthy snacks in the fridge. Keep a list of alternatives to smoking on hand. 
• Get plenty of sleep.  Sleep loss can cause increased weight gain, along with other health problems. If you're giving up nicotine, extra sleep may help with the withdrawal. 
• Exercise!  Exercise helps control appetite! Exercise helps with stress! It keeps you warm when it's cold outside! Your body will release endorphins and you will be happy! Just keep repeating these things to yourself!
• Get help if you need it.  Professional personal trainers can help set up a meal plan and exercise regimen specific for you and your daily schedule. Smokers can get free advice and counseling by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Don't give up. Most people give up on their New Year resolutions within 4 weeks. Try to stick with your plan for at least 6-12 weeks. If you aren't getting the results you wanted, re-evaluate your program and start again!

Does it feel like you are missing something in your life? Do you find yourself feeling listless or bored? It's important for each of us to feel like our lives mean something, that we were put on this planet for some sort of purpose.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" 

In 1994, Congress designated the third Monday in January each year as Martin Luther King Jr Day, a national day of service. The MLK Day of Service is an excellent time to seek out a volunteer opportunity that could add purpose to your life.

How to get started? Visit mlkday.gov. On their “Serve” page, you can enter your zip code and find many volunteer projects in your area. There are such a wide variety of services needed, and you are bound to find something that will appeal to you. If you've ever had a desire to try a second career, like teaching or baking, volunteering is a good way to get that experience. 

Helping others can help you find your purpose, and you'll find a reason to get up each day, to be happy and fulfilled.

With the approach of the New Year, are you making some resolutions about your finances? Here are a few tips that might help you reach some goals for 2015:

Plan ahead for the coming year.  

Is your car going to need some major repairs, or will you need to purchase a new one? Don't put off thinking about large expenses till the last minute. Make some decisions now, and look for alternatives too. Perhaps the gym membership isn't affordable this year, but a thrift store bicycle might well be the answer. 

Change the way you think. 

Before you make a purchase, figure out how many hours of work are required to pay for it. Are you still willing to splurge? 

There are studies that show that people are willing to pay 30% more for an item when we're paying with a credit card. Having to fork over that hard-earned cash might deter you from spending so much of it!

Splurge sensibly. 

There's nothing wrong with having a few financial vices, because they can keep the others in check. Food, clothing and entertainment are often our weaknesses. So pick the one you can't live without—will it be the exotic coffees, or the designer shoes? 

A few changes can make a big difference in your financial state, so spend wisely in the New Year.