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A lot of people are turning to dating apps these days, especially since dating has become really challenging because of COVID-19 restrictions. But even though a dating app can be a great tool that you can use to meet new people you might be compatible with, there are also some serious drawbacks and risks to consider. To learn more, check out our list of tips on how to protect yourself in 2021 when you are using a dating app to find love. Don’t Give Out Personal Information About YourselfOne smart way to protect yourself when using a dating app is by only sharing basic, general information about yourself. In other words, don’t give away too much about yourself, and never give out sensitive details that are personal and private. For example, don’t post your specific location, and if the app has any features that automatically pick up on your location and share it, it’s a good idea to turn those features off. Until you know exactly who you are talking to, and until you can rest assured that they are safe and trustworthy, proceed with caution. As you will see below, there are scammers on dating apps, so it isn’t wise to put personal details about yourself on the app or in private messages. Watch Out for ScammersIt’s sad, but true: there is the potential that you will run into a scammer when you are using a dating app. The key is to try to protect yourself as much as possible so you won’t become a victim. How do people scam others on dating apps? Well, they can pretend to be someone they aren’t, and they can collect personal information from people after gaining their trust. Again, to protect yourself, don’t give away any of your personal information, whether you are setting up your dating profile or you are interacting with people via private messages. Also, in order to figure out if you are talking to someone who is being honest about who they are, you can use Nuwber to look up information about them, such as their contact details, police records, property info, lawsuits, and more. If you determine that someone isn’t being honest, see if the app has a feature that allows you to block that person so they can no longer contact you. Also, reporting them to the app is a great idea to help keep others safe. Use the App to Send and Receive Messages from MatchesAlthough you might be tempted to give your matches your phone number so you can send text messages to one another throughout the day, it is actually best to stick with the app’s built-in system for messaging. By doing so, you can avoid giving out your phone number to someone you don’t really know too well.
Again, until you get to know someone and until you have run a background check to verify that they are who they claim to be, it is wise to keep your private information secure. So, while it might be convenient to use your phone’s text messaging app, keep things on the dating app until you’re totally sure you can trust someone. Ultimately, with the right strategies in place, you can make the most of a dating app without needing to worry so much about your safety and security!
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Parents spend much of their life looking out for yours. Making sure that you have food to eat on the table and the coolest clothes to wear out. It seems only right that when they have reached a ripe old age, you look after them as much as you possibly can. This doesn’t mean becoming their career but perhaps just ensuring they are cared for. However, retirement and moving to a retirement home can be intimidating prospects. This article will look to answer your burning questions. Retirement: what does it all meanRetirement does not have to mean that you finish work and stop doing anything at all. Retirement can often be the beginning of your biggest adventure yet. Hopefully, after a long and hardworking career, retirement is the time to sit down and relax away from all the hustle and bustle of a career. This could mean going traveling or just spending time visiting family or even just doing activities that you had always meant to start but never found the time for. Retirement should be an exciting prospect! Retirement HomesNot everyone wants to move into a retirement home straight away, and they can be intimidating places if you have no experience of them or want to maintain your independence. Some people love to spread horror stories about retirement homes where those who stay there are trapped but this is very rarely the case. Abuse in nursing homes does happen, but there are solutions to this and should be the furthest thing from your mind when considering them as accommodation. Always remember that there are specialist lawyers and solicitors out there if you need them. Many nursing homes or retirement homes are luxury faculties that can cater to your every whim. They merely take the stress out of your day-to-day life. No more will it be required of you or your family to prepare meals, do the laundry or deal with that pesky garden. The entire point of these facilities is to ensure that you have time to relax and spend time doing the activities you enjoy. Working from retirement homesAn important aspect to remember about retirement is that whilst you have likely retired from your main income career, you do not have to completely stop work. In fact, in some homes, working is encouraged by offering you the opportunity to continue employment through an online business, selling goods, writing, or becoming a tutor. All these options allow you to still earn money and hopefully spend your time enjoying what you do. As well as this, some retirement homes even offer the opportunity to commit to seasonal or part-time work, often in more practical employment. This can be in gardening, local shops or even getting involved in local heritage. All of these opportunities will ensure that you stay active in mind and body and can socialize with others if that is something you enjoy doing. Entering a care home doesn’t mean you will be stuck inside. Retirement homesFor both those entering a retirement home and for those admitting their relatives, these can be daunting places. However, this is not always the case and there are plenty of options out there to ensure that your family is well looked after.
 It’s not uncommon to find different businesses that offer giveaways or freebies when you try their products or services. Online brokerage firms also do the same, and the trend among them is to give free stocks to newbie users of their platforms. These new brokerage firms seek to disrupt the traditional model, and they are quite successful in doing so. Enticed by the promise of free stocks and no signup and commission fees, millions of users are flocking to these platforms to invest and trade. So, if you want to avail yourself of free stocks, here are five online brokers that you should try right now. WebullBased out of New York City, Webull Financial LLC is one of the popular online brokers that don’t charge commission fees and have no minimum account requirement. It has an app that facilitates your investing and trading activities. And what’s great about this platform is that it offers free stocks worth up to $1,850! You might be asking right now: how people are getting up to $1,850 In free stocks? Well, first, you have to open a Webull account. Enter your real name, address, Social Security Number, and email. The free stock you can get by opening an account will be worth between $2.50 and $250. But, wait, there’s more! When you fund an initial deposit of $100 or more into your account, you can get a second free stock valued between $8 and $1,600. Make sure to make an initial deposit 30 days after opening your Webull account. FirstradeFirstrade is another stock brokerage firm headquartered in New York. Like Webull, there’s zero commission fee when you trade with Firstrade. But unlike the previous broker mentioned on our list, Firstrade offers three free stocks instead of two. When you sign up with Firstrade, you can get 1 free stock. Then, you can get 2 free stocks after depositing $100 or more within 30 days of opening your account. Besides free stocks, there are also rebates if you transfer an account from another broker to Firstrade. RobinhoodConsidered the pioneer in $0 commission trading, Robinhood arguably has the most users on our list (at around 13 million). It was established in 2013 by two prominent figures in the world of high-frequency stock trading, Baiju Bhatt and Vladimir Tenev. You can purchase and sell stocks and ETFs using Robinhood without shelling out commission fees. There’s also no maintenance charge that you have to pay. The millions of users of Robinhood surely get attracted by these offerings. Plus, there’s a free stock given to you upon signing up with this brokerage. A free stock worth between $5 and $150 is to be given to anyone who opens an account and fulfills the conditions of the promotion. The free stock will be randomly selected from Robinhood’s inventory of settled shares. Since it’s a random selection, you may not get the same stock as other new users. But the average stock value that you can receive is around $10. NVSTRNVSTR (pronounced as “investor”) isn’t a zero-commission trading platform like Robinhood and Webull. You have to pay $4.50 per trade, which is nevertheless affordable than most brokerages that charge commission fees. The good thing is that there are no signup fees, no monthly fees, no fund transfer fees, and no closing fees. There’s also no minimum deposit, which is advantageous for traders across all wealth spectrum. When you open an account with NVSTR, you can avail of free stocks valued between $20 and $500. PublicPublic is a $0 commission trading platform that allows investors to purchase fractional shares of stocks for as low as $5. There’s also a social feature about its app, which lets you see the stocks people are investing in and their investment strategies when they make their positions public. You also have the option to follow investment strategies, such as investments in American Made, Tech Giants, and other big companies. You can also purchase exchange-traded funds. Another advantage is that funds are Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) insured up to $500,000 and your uninvested money can gain 2.53% interest per year. Upon signing up with Public, you can receive a free stock worth $10 from one of these 9 giant companies: Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Chase, Visa, Facebook, J&J, Alphabet, or Alibaba. Make sure to provide your phone number so that you can get instructions regarding the signup process. TakeawayOnline brokerage platforms are on the rise right now, and they’re vying for the top position. With this competition, various offerings and giveaways significantly benefit investors.
No commission fees, no minimum deposits, and free stocks are a few of the advantages that you can get from these brokers. If you want free stocks, you should try the brokerage firms mentioned on this list.  Homework is a chore no student looks forward to. In recent times, there has been an uptick in the number of people who are being vocal against the amount of homework out schools prescribe for their students. The mountains of homework always translate to students being unable to meet friends or have time for extra-curricular activities. Homework can feel tedious and can feel never-ending. This is probably because you are making some common homework mistakes that you can easily avoid. Homework mistakes are mistakes you make when approaching your homework. This includes the setup of your room, what you do while doing homework, and when you choose to do your home. Let’s find out what these mistakes are now! Mistake #1: Skipping Homework for the DayWhen you come back home from school, you can feel exhausted. Even now, when the pandemic is raging, and classes are taking place digitally, students still feel tired at the end of the day. It can be easy to slip into the habit of deferring your homework. However, when you skip homework for one day, you’re just setting yourself up to do double the amount of homework tomorrow. Instead, do your homework the day it is assigned wherever possible. If you have some time to submit your assignment, then make sure you make a plan to finish by the deadline and stick to it. Mistake #2: Having a Messy RoomClutter in your room can translate to having a distracted and cluttered mind. Research has shown that having a messy room can be a huge distraction when you’re trying to work. Thus, if you do your homework in your room, it’s time to get out your cleaning supplies and get busy! Clear out the trash from your room and organize everything else. If you’re unsure about how to do that, always keep in mind the following adage - “a place for everything and everything in its place!” Use this and make your own system or organization, so you know where things are when you need them. Mistake #3: Not Keeping Snacks HandyBe honest with yourself - when you sit down to do homework, how many times do you get up for snacks or even water? Most students get up multiple times an hour to grab something to eat or drink while they are struggling with homework. This disrupts the flow of your thoughts and gets you out of the zone to study. It can take time to get back in the zone and get back your flow. Instead, keep a container of snacks in your room. You can even dedicate a drawer to keeping healthy, low-calorie snacks to keep you from getting up multiple times. Before you sit down to study, bring water or your preferred beverage into your room and keep it close by. Make sure these containers are airtight to avoid ants or other insects. Mistake 4#: Not Getting Help When You Need ItThe point of your homework is to revise your memory of what you learned in class. Homework often is an excellent measure of whether you understood the study material the way it was supposed to be understood. If you find yourself struggling with your homework, it’s usually an indication that you need a little extra help or tutoring in that subject or topic. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can ask anyone to be your homework helper - it can be friends, family, or even teachers you think are approachable. You can even look for homework help online in case these avenues are busy or if you are shy. The internet is an excellent resource you can utilize to keep ahead of your homework schedule. Mistake #5: Being DistractedBeing distracted is one of the most significant factors that’s making you feel that homework is lasting forever. When you are not focused on the task at hand, you only make incremental advancements in finishing it. Thus, you might write a few lines in half an hour when you’re distracted. On the other hand, you might finish your 1000 word assignment in 45 mins if you give the assignment dedicated time and focus.
It can be challenging to focus at home nowadays. Everyone is working or studying from home, and homes are pretty crowded. People can talk, or me in loud meetings, or play video games, or be noisy in general. To prevent these from affecting you, you can play music or invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. You can also choose to work in a quiet area in the house. Often the thought of retiring comes like a flash in mind and sometimes can keep you up all night long. The idea of staying put in the current home all your life can be frightening for some folks. Moving out after retirement is a long-term life goal for most people and can help them live in better conditions and close to the things they love. If you’re nearing retirement, thinking hard about your forever house should be paramount. This house should provide you the peace and warmth that you require to live happily. Now that you’ve done all that you could for other people and your family, it’s time to think about your own happiness. Even if this house is the current one you’re living in, ensure to find things to do to live in it satisfyingly by answering the following questions: Can You Live Far From KidsIf you’re thinking of moving out of your house and going to another region of the country to call home, think about your children. Not that your adult kids will need any help or assistance from you, but your attachment to them may not make you feel entirely happy in the new place. For this reason, be true to yourself and know you’re if you need your children near you or not. If not in the neighborhood, at least have a house where you can easily reach your kids, and they can access you. How Can You Access HealthcareMost options for retirement living are often based far beyond the cities. They may be peaceful and serene but don’t provide the basic necessities of a medical center for miles away. Hence, before choosing a retirement home or apartment to move into, ensure that you know your needs and that you have easy access to them. Prepare a list of facilities you will need to support you as you age and are alone with your spouse. Look for top options to spend your golden years after retirement and live auspiciously. Does It Allow You Activities and HobbiesAfter you move out of your family house and to a great destination across the state, think about what you will do in the free time. This should be a prevalent thought at the top of your mind to help you stretch out your days usefully and happily as you become a free person after retirement. You have the world to explore, try new hobbies that you had wished to, become active, join a cause, etc. Hence don’t just select a location with nice beaches or scenic views, but where there is something for you to pass time efficiently as well. What’s Your Budget?After retirement, you may find things to get a little challenging financially, or you may have a limited amount to spend without a continual job. When searching for your future home for spending retirement years, create an expenses budget for the living expenses and rent. Make sure to downsize on the house, buy only what you need and save the rest of the cash on your recreational and valuable activities. Search Your SurroundingsFor a future home to become your happy abode, you need to have great surroundings and a brimming neighborhood you can grow in. However, if you want your surroundings to be rather peaceful and quiet, validate to get that and not waste your time in the wrong one. Hence if you’re relocating to be near your kin, you must check out the place first for its vibe and if it fits your forever home expectations.
Ask a successful person about the secret of their achievements, and they will point towards the practice of establishing goals. No one can deny the fact that goals play a vital role in the lives of those who strive for success. To reach where you aspire to be, you have to be determined and mindful of how you want your dreams to unfold and of the path that has to be followed in the process. The Importance of Setting Academic GoalsYoung minds are driven by passion and energetic compassion. When this energy isn't coordinated with desired accomplishments, youngsters may fall into the trap of a "comfort zone." You must know that this zone is an enemy of opportunities. Setting goals is the stepping stone in the journey of success. From an academic perspective, you become truly responsible for your actions. When you divide your objectives into smaller break-downs and achieve them one by one, you feel inspired to continue. Since it is the ultimate recipe of success, it instills confidence in you, which translates into more productivity. By establishing clear targets, you also improve your management skills and self-reliance. You should prioritize your tasks based on their significance in the pursuit of your goals. You can save time by hiring a professional for writing a term paper on WritePaper.com if you feel distracted by your college assignments. It will allow you to spend this extra time on more important activities from your action plan. But again, if you don't identify what you need to achieve, you will fail to fulfill your endeavors. In the long run, it will impart a sense of demotivation and unproductivity. Eventually, you will start feeling worthless when you see your peers' attainments. Hence, it is the right time for you to determine your academic objectives and start working towards them. Your triumphs or failures will remind you of your vision and fuel up your ambitions. The smaller milestones will keep you focused and lead you to one accomplishment after another. Are you propelled to set your goals yet? Here's How You Can Go About ItVarious research suggests that students who set goals and abide by them perform well in different areas of their academics, contrary to those who do not determine them. On that note, when you feel pumped up to attain success, you may overburden yourself with excessive tasks. This is undoubtedly the wrong approach. 1. Understand Your AbilitiesInstead of establishing overwhelming and unrealistic goals, you should first understand what corresponds to your capacities. We are not saying that if you rank 20th in your class and desire to jump up to the top, it is unachievable. But if you will directly target the huge leap, you may feel burned out in the process and compelled to give up halfway through. As they say, "there is no shortcut to success." Target a few ranks up in each term or class test. Achieve one milestone at a time and move upwards through hard work and determination. No matter what your eventual aim is, break it down into small achievable objectives based on your current capability. 2. Write Down Your GoalsWhen you are deciding on your academic targets, make a journal and write down what you want to achieve. There are proven psychological effects of such practice. If you are clear about your primary career aspirations, try to connect your goals of the current academic year with that ultimate aim. Once you have jotted down all of it, divide each goal into a set of small aims with dedicating timelines to them. This will give you a clear picture of your progress and will boost your motivation. 3. Create an Action Plan for Each GoalWhen you are certain about your goals, the next step is devising the plan for them. This action plan will help you stick to your aim and assert its attainability. If you like to get a little creative, we recommend that you go the extra mile and create your vision board to keep your goals and action plan in sight whenever you feel that you are drifting away from the set process. 4. Journal Your Success and FailuresJournaling is an important step. While you monitor your progress, you feel accountable for your endeavor. You should also develop a habit of journaling the outcome of your efforts towards each goal, be it an accomplishment or a misfortune. It allows you to review your strengths and weaknesses. You can then work on your weak points to turn them into opportunity magnets. 5. Celebrate Your AccomplishmentsYour triumphs may look trivial but be assured that they are worth celebrating. Acknowledging even small achievements will encourage you to do more. This motivation is the best key to success as no one can bring you down when you are aware of your hard work and its results. ConclusionEvery venture requires proper organization, and the academic sphere is not an exception. Dealing with numerous subjects and assignments at a time may be hard. Thus, you need something to prompt you to continue your education. Established academic goals will not only help you improve your performance; they will also predetermine your chances to build a successful career. Go for it!
The COVID 19 pandemic managed to shake up global economies on a large scale. As a result, low-cost, mostly online business ideas have become the trend. While the entire world is running around trying to fight the effects of the virus, there are several exciting business opportunities one can take advantage of, even from a dorm room. As the pandemic continues, it is less likely that business is going to return to what it was before. For those who are stuck in their dorm rooms, these business ideas will bring some excitement and inspiration, and hopefully some money as well.  Offer Online ServicesServices are generally easier to sell from home as compared to physical goods and commodities. The only challenge that comes with providing services is time. When trying to do as much as you can with limited time, it becomes apparent that the phrase “Time is money” is entirely accurate. One needs to carefully allocate their time when running such a business for it to be profitable. To cope with business and academics, most college students employ essay writing services. It’s not hard to find, a simple google search, “rewrite my essay on EssayPro” will reveal dozens of such services. This helps entrepreneur students maintain high grades as well as focus on their businesses to turn handsome profits. For those who are creatives, i.e. designers and marketers, it’s easy to freelance or consult with various companies. There is also the opportunity to juggle several clients at once since one will be working from home and mostly unsupervised. If services are being offered to individuals directly, it is best to work on an appointment basis and have an organized booking system. Some of the services that one can offer from within a dorm room include the following:
Depending on what service is being offered, just a few high-paying clients can be sufficient to keep the business afloat and support the owner full time. That means not many customers are needed to make a reasonable income, as is the case with most product-based businesses Grow an Audience That Can be MonetizedCreating a business that aims to monetize an audience is an excellent business idea for those who can create engaging content. This idea works even if there’s already a sizable audience. Content can range from videos, pictures, and even blog articles and stories. It’s easy to establish a blog, YouTube channel, podcast, or Twitter account from a dorm. These can then be grown over time and monetized. When the audience is hooked, one can either create their digital product or get into affiliate marketing. With affiliate marketing, revenue is gained when one’s audience purchases a particular product through a dedicated link. There is no confinement when it comes to the number and kind of products that an affiliate marketer can sell. An essential ingredient in this instance would be the audience’s trust. Once an audience trusts the business owner, they can comfortably buy whatever is being advertised on the channel, blog, or social media account without doubts and fears. Besides affiliate marketing, it is also possible to charge brands a fee and run sponsored posts on platforms with a large enough audience. This will give other brands a chance to connect with an audience that has already been established and, therefore, make sales. However, it is essential to note that getting a loyal audience is a time-consuming process, and it requires a lot of focus, strategy, and patience. While it isn’t the easiest or quickest way to make money from the dorm room, it can bring about exciting rewards when done correctly. Once established, there are multiple streams of revenue that can be explored. Teaching Online ClassesIn the case that one has the teaching skill, they can teach an unlimited number of students online. Starting online classes is a good idea for creating revenue whilst in confinement. There are a lot of people online willing to pay to learn a skill. Once one manages to establish trust, which can be done through consistently delivering high-quality services, it becomes easier to grow a following and monetize the audience. Today, there is an audience for almost any subject. Whether it’s a language that one knows or marketing, there will be people willing to pay to learn from a good teacher. When one is teaching online classes, they have the freedom to do it from the comfort of their dorm. They can also decide whether or not they want to do it live, or use pre-recorded lessons that will be sold online. Those who are willing to learn will buy access to these pre-recorded sessions and learn independently, with the option to get in touch with the tutor.  Bottom LineWhile starting a business during the COVID period might not seem like a good idea, turning a handsome profit is pretty easy with the advent of the internet. The most important quality needed for anyone willing to go that route would be an ability to adapt to change and deal with challenges head-on.
By Chelsi Walker Keeping up with regular dental care is much more than just keeping those pearly whites, well, pearly and white. Maintaining your oral health is an important part of keeping yourself in good health overall. Not only can poor oral health lead to further dental issues in the future, it's been linked with serious illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and even dementia. This is why it’s vital for people of all ages, but especially seniors and high risk populations, to have access to adequate, regular dental care. That being said, even preventative care like cleanings can be REALLY expensive, especially if you don’t have dental insurance. A poll conducted by the University of Michigan found that roughly half of seniors lack dental insurance, with cost being the number one variable reported that prevented adults over 65 from seeking the dental care they needed over the prior year. How To Choose Dental Insurance for SeniorsStep 1: Assess What’s Available to You Seniors are left between a rock and a hard place when it comes to dental insurance. While many seniors are eligible for government-sponsored insurance like Medicare, this typically does not include dental care. And while some seniors are still working, many are retired, meaning they don’t have the option for employer-sponsored plans. So what’s left? Some Medicare plans, like Medicare Part A, cover emergency dental care while you’re in the hospital, but waiting until things are that bad isn’t ideal. If you have a plan through a state or federal Marketplace exchange, you may have the option to add dental coverage to your existing plan. If none of the above is available to you, explore other options like private dental insurance for seniors. Step 2: Consider the Level of Care You Need Yes, it's best to cover all your dental care bases with your insurance if possible. But, it's not worth wasting your money on coverage you’ll never use. When choosing a dental plan, look for one that pays for the things you need the most, whether its regular cleanings or more specialized care. If you don’t see a plan within your price range that offers the kind of coverage you’re looking for, it may be time to explore other routes, like a dental discount plan (we’ll touch more on this shortly). Step 3: Compare Your Options to Find Your Perfect Fit Once you have all your possible options laid out in front of you, it's time to do some digging to figure out which one makes the most sense. Ideally, you want to land in the sweet spot between cost and coverage. You’ll want to study the following to get an idea of what works best:
Step 4: Choose Your Plan or Consider Alternatives Now that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision, it's time to pick your plan. And, using this guide, be sure you shop around each year when the time comes to make sure you’re still getting the best deal.
Can’t find a plan that works, or don’t think it's worth the expense? There are some viable alternatives to dental insurance, like a dental discount plan. There are typically monthly or yearly subscription plans that reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Your dental care provider may also offer financing options or payment plans, so make sure you discuss these things with your dentist one-on-one.  Are you having trouble paying all your debts as they exceed your financial capacity? Are you having difficulty with organizing your payments, and you often lose track of them and end up missing the payment schedule? This scenario is common among individuals who have multiple debts. If you are among the people experiencing this issue, then it is time for you to consider a debt consolidation. Debt consolidation is basically taking up a new loan to pay off all your existing loans. Although it sounds like a risk rather than a solution, debt consolidation can have a positive impact. To know what debt consolidation can do for you, below are some of the benefits for individuals considering this solution. Turn Multiple Debts Into OneDo you have multiple debts that are still active? Turning your multiple debts into one loan means you will only have to pay a single, usually monthly, payment for all of your debts. It can make repaying all your debts easy and result in a lower monthly payment than paying each of your debts separately. This monthly payment savings is due to the longer payment period of the loan you take to consolidate your debt. When you consolidate all your debts, you will no longer have to worry about several monthly payments being on time, varying interest rates, etc. All of your loans are consolidated into one payment, which hopefully, also has the benefit of a low interest rate. Lower Interest RateWhat is best about a debt consolidation loan is that you will have to pay a lesser interest rate than the combined interest rates you are paying for all of your existing debts. Plus, debt consolidation loans offer a lower interest rate compared to other loan options. Reduce The Stress You Are ExperiencingHaving too many debts will keep your mind overwhelmed thinking about the repayments of each debt. Opting to consolidate your loan into one loan will reduce this overthinking, and you will start to feel less stressed knowing you are working on eliminating your debt. You will feel more in control over your debts, and you can now easily track and manage your debt. You will also notice a positive impact on your finances once you regain control over your debts, and you will be able to repay in no time. Improve Your Credit ScoreConsolidating your debts by taking up a personal loan will help you boost your credit score in the long run. It will only take a few months before you start to see an improvement in your credit score when you take a debt consolidation loan. This improvement is a result of a reduction in your credit utilization rate. Be reminded that you will notice a sudden drop in your credit score when you apply for the loan, but this is just temporary. Normally, your credit score will drop after you acquire a new loan. Focus on the long-term benefit of this action though, as it will greatly help you pay off all your debts. Pay Off Your Debts FasterCredit cards usually take a long time to be fully paid as credit cards earn interest depending on how much you owe. Credit card companies usually don’t care if you pay it off for less than five years or even 20 years. And the longer you take in paying it fully, the higher the accumulated interest rate becomes. When you pay it off one-time using the money you acquire from a debt consolidation loan, you will put an end to your accumulating interest rate, and you still save more money over time. Before you apply for a debt consolidation loan, you should make a debt management plan first. Consider all factors such as the total amount of your debts plus respective interest rates, what kind of loan to take, and where to take the loan. If you recently closed your bank account, it would be a bit complicated for you as you will have a limited option due to the given circumstances. In this case, you can look up lenders where you can get a cash advance with no bank account. However, you still have multiple options like pawn shop loans, title loans, or acquiring the cash from a family or friend. The choice is yours so choose wisely and make sure that the option you select will help you solve your problem and not add to it. Start Making Your Finances BetterHaving multiple debts is a hindrance to obtaining financial freedom. It can also lead to bankruptcy, which is a situation no one wants to end up in. Now that you are presented with a solution to your problem, it is time to start acting to manage your debt. Shop around for the best personal loan offer that you can acquire to consolidate all your monthly debt payments into one loan.
For now, it’s known as the “new normal” and it affects everything from how we connect with others to how we do our shopping. It’s affecting healthcare too - particularly when you’re tasked with caring for an ailing or elderly loved one. Just as many of us are struggling with lack of contact with friends and family, a lot of the support systems we previously relied on are more hands-off than they were in the past. If this is you, here are some tips to help you provide the best care you can safely, diligently, and without much of the help you may previously have relied on. 1. If at all Possible, Keep Your Patient at HomeMany hospitals have been overwhelmed with a flood of Covid-19 cases, pushing healthcare workers to the limits. And, though hospices aren’t usually associated with the care of patients with infectious illness, there are things to know about hospice care during the pandemic. Of the greatest concern to you as a family member will be the lack of access to a loved one who may be nearing the end of his or her life. But with vulnerable patients to protect, hospices need to limit the number of potential carriers through their doors - and this means you. Clearly, there are times when you must resort to hospitals or hospices, but it’s best to limit this to emergencies you can’t handle at home or instances in which you are unable to provide the care your loved one needs. 2. Postpone Minor ProceduresAsk your doctors whether it’s possible to postpone procedures without aggravating conditions to the point where treatment is complicated. You should also weigh the amount of inconvenience, discomfort, and loss of quality of life that a postponement will cause. For example, if a person can’t see because of cataracts, it might be worth going ahead with treatment. 3. Adhere to Best PracticeBy now we all know the safety protocols. Avoid crowds, try to limit shopping expeditions as far as possible, sanitize, wash hands, wear a mask. When caring for an infirm person, your primary concerns are staying healthy so that you’re in a position to be there for them, and avoiding a situation in which you carry the disease to your patient. You may have to make some tough calls. A person nearing the end of their life will want to see other family members, and it’s up to you to decide what the rules of engagement would be. As a matter of opinion, it would be wise to check whether prospective visitors have been adhering to safe behaviors themselves. And, as a minimum, visitors should be required to wear their masks and sanitize their hands on arrival. Remember to take Care of Yourself TooIn closing, remember that your physical and mental health are important to both you and the person you care for. Eat healthy food, use stress-relieving techniques, and stay in remote contact with people who will be supportive. Caring for a loved one who is ill is a difficult task at the best of times - and this is certainly not among the most favorable times to do so. However, this too, shall pass. Hang in there!
Getting old can be quite scary for many people. There are so many unknown aspects to it, as well as the higher risks when it comes to . . . well, everything, really. Everything seems to be more complicated as you enter your golden age. As we age, we tend to face more struggles in terms of our health, our safety, and even our finances. That’s why it’s so important to take the precautions necessary in order to ensure you live your life to the fullest, while still being safe and happy. Get help with financesAs we get older, we need to rely on people more and more. It’s a sad truth, but it’s a truth, nonetheless. This may be hard if you’re a very independent or private person, but that doesn’t change the fact that you need to get help, especially when it comes to finances. Unfortunately, many people take advantage of older people, especially financially. Elder financial abuse is growing more prevalent as finances and technology become intertwined. You can either get professional help, such as a personal banker, or you can ask someone you know and trust to help you out. Go for more frequent check-upsWe all know that everyone is supposed to go for check-ups on a regular basis, but we also know that most people tend to wait until something is actually wrong before going to the doctor. Sadly, this isn’t an option when you grow older. As we age, our risk for certain health problems will increase, which means that the frequency of our check-ups also needs to increase. Frequent check-ups will hopefully mean that any health issues will be caught in time for them to be treated. You might find this wellness check-up schedule for seniors helpful. DownscaleThis is the part about growing old that a lot of people have trouble coming to terms with. Of course, if you already live in a small place that is safe and easy to manage, this may not be applicable to you. However, it is unrealistic for older people to live in houses filled with stairs, or houses that require a lot of maintenance. You can do this in steps – move into a smaller house, then a townhouse, then an apartment . . . you get the idea. Downscaling does not always mean moving into a retirement home, it just means making life easier for you as you get older. Set up a willNo one likes thinking about a time where we will be separated from our loved ones, but this tends to be a thought that’s on the forefront of our minds more and more as we age. Of course, death can happen to anyone, no matter their age, but it feels like much more of a reality once you hit a certain age. That’s why it’s a good idea to set up a will. This will help you feel more at ease about what will happen to your loved ones if anything should happen to you.
When you enter your 30s, ideally, your life is starting to get more settled than it was in the previous decade. You might have stumbled around a little before finding the right career track, but by now, you are probably moving along in your chosen line of work. Over the course of your 30s, you may marry, buy a home and start a family. This is a decade of great change, in which you may find yourself in a very different place at the end of it than you did at the beginning. The financial decisions you make at this time will have repercussions in the decades that follow. Not Saving for RetirementAt 30, retirement can seem an impossibly long time away. At 39, it might seem a little closer, but at that point you've lost more than a decade of potential investments. Even if you plan to work into your 70s, you should start maxing out your retirement account. It's even better if your employer matches your contributions, but even if that isn't the case, the contributions you make now have many years to compound in value and will be worth a great deal in the years ahead. Missing Out on Refinancing Student LoansYou can save on your monthly expenses if you refinance student loans. Even better, you may be able to pay off those loans entirely by the end of the decade. With just a few minutes of research, you can find out whether you are eligible for a lower rate. This can cut years off of the payments you make, and you'll be well ahead of your peers, some of whom will still be making loan payments into their 40s, 50s and beyond. Running Up Credit Card DebtIn your 30s, you can really start to feel the crunch of your financial responsibilities, especially if you become a homeowner and start a family. Unfortunately, alongside that, you may also wish that you had more money for both the necessities and little luxuries of life, and it can be tough to watch your peers spending without being able to do the same. However, you should really resist the temptation to put changes on your credit card. Interest rates with credit card companies are very high, and you will be surprised at how quickly the balance grows even if you just use it a few times per month. It can be easy to suddenly find yourself struggling to keep up with minimum payments and watching a ballooning balance. It's better to keep credit cards for emergencies or have a plan to pay them off monthly. Being Financially DisorganizedAt this point in your life, you should know how to make a budget and stick to it. You should be filing your taxes on time and have an emergency fund that you keep replenished when you have to dip into it. You should also be paying down debt instead of accumulating it. The exception to this is a home mortgage. This is also a good time to start a relationship with a financial professional who can help you with creating an investment strategy based on your long-term goals.
By Kathryn Flynn Despite what you read in the headlines, student loan debt isn’t just a Millennial problem. According to a study from Fidelity, Baby Boomers saw the biggest increase in student loan debt balances from 2019-2020 (33%), outpacing all other generations. Student loan debt is a financial burden at any age, but it can be particularly harmful later in life. Excessive debt can hinder plans for a comfortable retirement and could force Boomers to stay in the workforce longer. Older borrowers also risk losing their social security benefits if they default on a student loan. Fortunately, there are ways to tackle student loan debt so that you don’t tarnish your golden years. Here are some tips on how to pay off your balance faster. RefinanceDepending on which type student loans you have, it might make sense to refinance. When you refinance, you borrow a new loan with a lower interest rate to pay for your existing loans. This will reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of your loan, which can help you pay off the balance faster. If you took out a student loan to pay for your child’s education, you may be able to refinance the loan in their name. That way you are relieved of the debt and your child can start paying for their own degree. Keep in mind, however, that federal loans can only be refinanced into new private loans. This means you’ll no longer be eligible for repayment plans and forgiveness options that are only available for federal student loans. Make Extra PaymentsA large loan balance can be intimidating, so sometimes it’s best to start small. Consider making a few extra payments throughout the year that can be applied to the principal balance. This will lower the amount of interest you’ll pay and can shorten the length of your loan. Making just one extra payment a year can make a big difference over time. In March 2020 the Department of Education started a COVID emergency relief program where all federal student loans were temporarily placed into administrative forbearance with a temporary interest rate of 0%. You can take advantage of this by making principal-only payments, which reduce the amount of interest you pay. The payment pause and interest waiver is in effect until at least September 30, 2021. Automate Your PaymentsAutomating payments is a proven way to pay off debt. Some student lenders even offer a discounted interest rate for borrowers who set up auto payments (typically 0.25%). This strategy is often referred to as “set it and forget it”, because that’s exactly what you do. Simply link your bank account to your student loan account, and your payments are automatically sent each month. Stop Being a CosignerBeing a cosigner is one of the ways parents help their children pay for college. Private student loans typically require a cosigner when borrowers don’t have steady income and good credit. But what parents might not realize is that if the borrower stops paying the loan the cosigner becomes responsible for the balance. Parents should consider applying for a cosigner release once their child enters the workforce. Claim a Tax DeductionEligible student loan borrowers may claim a federal tax deduction for up to $2,500 of student loan interest paid during a given tax year. The deduction applies to interest paid on federal and private student loans, with a maximum tax savings of $550 per borrower. For tax year 2020, the student loan interest deduction is available to borrowers with modified adjusted gross incomes below $85,000 ($170,000 if filing jointly). Get Help from Your EmployerEmployer student loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) are growing in popularity. A 2019 survey from the Society for Human Resource Management found that 8% of companies offer this type of employee benefit, up from 4% in 2018 and 3% in 2015. Typically, employers who offer an LRAP make monthly student loan payments directly to the lenders, up to a cumulative limit or until the entire balance is paid off. Payments from LRAPs used to be treated as taxable income to the employee, but in 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) made the benefit tax-free. Use Your Home EquityOlder borrowers may be able to borrow a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) to pay off student loans. A HELOC is a second mortgage that works like a line of credit. And since your home is used as collateral, you typically pay lower interest rates compared to other types of loans. To qualify for a HELOC, borrowers must have at least 15% to 20% equity in their home, a good credit score, a debt-to-income ratio of 43% or lower and stable income. Use Leftover 529 Plan MoneyParents and grandparents with leftover 529 plan funds may take a tax-free distribution to pay student loans. This benefit is available to 529 plan beneficiaries and their siblings, so you may have to make yourself the beneficiary before you withdraw. Tax-free withdrawals for student loan repayments have a lifetime limit of $10,000 per borrower.
There are a lot of nutritional supplements on the market, so choosing which ones to get is a bit challenging. There are supplements designed for different purposes, but all of them are made to improve your functioning in one way or another. An important thing to remember is that supplements should not be taken as a replacement for eating healthy foods. They should be consumed as an addition to your healthy diet. That way they will provide their best effects to the body. When searching for supplements, keep in mind that choosing poor quality supplements may harm your health. Therefore, make good research and get properly informed about the positive and negative sides of each supplement. Choosing The Best Supplements For Your NeedsEach person has their own need when it comes to supplements. Just because the vitamin E worked well for someone you know, does not mean it will provide the same effects for you. Also, not every person needs the same amount or same type of supplements. Supplementation will work ideally if it is tailored to your specific needs, your lifestyle, eating habits, genetics, and other important factors. For example, if you are experiencing pain, you have airway infections, neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or something similar, you cannot treat yourself with regular supplements. In such a case you may use a supplement called Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). Produced by Cofttek and in accordance with FDA, this chemical is a fatty acid, naturally found in foods like peanuts and egg yolks, but it is also used as a medicine for various health issues like the ones mentioned above. It is also helpful against COVID-19. The main characteristic of COVID-19 is that it has a strong inflammatory response which often leads to a cytokine storm. Cofttek believe that PEA can help a lot because it has many positive characteristics. This chemical can bind to the cells in your body and can significantly reduce swelling and pain. Cofttek is the large manufacturer of this chemical, so if you are having issues with pain, swelling, or something similar then you should certainly consider the products offered by this quality manufacturer. Cofftek are a Chinese company, highly regarded by investors for their professionalism and good work. They are the biggest producer of China when it comes to micro PEA raw materials. PEA is a fatty acid that has many similar characteristics to the endocannabinoid. So how PEA can help? it can help by boosting the immune system and the body`s response to different viruses. Quality Supplements Are A MustIt is very important to remember that not all supplement ingredients have the same quality. Be careful because many manufacturers make supplements with ingredients that your body cannot process. Also, some manufacturers sell supplements with a very little amount of active compounds that your body needs. Multivitamins are very much different from one place to another, depending on where you are getting them. Every local pharmacy has multivitamins, but there is no guarantee that the nutrients found in them are the same from one pharmacy to another. Some offer very limited benefits to the body, so you might not be getting the best out of them. That is why it is important to look around and to explore thoroughly before buying. One example of this is the component called calcium carbonate. This chemical is found in most multivitamins and other supplements, but this component is not easily processed in the body in comparison to calcium nitrate, which is absorbed more quickly. How To Find The Best Supplements That Will WorkThe first thing you can do is make a research. Do not read only the headlines and big letters on the supplements, but go deeper. Check all ingredients and ask some important questions. Get information about how each supplement works, check the background of the company that makes the supplements and get in touch with them asking specific questions. If you have doubts or you do not know what exactly to search for, a good idea is to consult a doctor or a medical expert. They will certainly know what to recommend to you and will give you the best possible advice. They have a good experience and know ways in which nutritional supplements work so they can guide you in the process of choosing. Besides that, they are the ones that can safely point to which supplements are quality ones and which ones should be avoided. Finally, consider getting nutritional supplements that have been through rigorous testing. Some companies, like the one mentioned above in the article, set very high-quality standards which they follow. That way you can make your choice easily and get something that can help your health improve. Buying from them will give you peace of mind that the supplements you are getting are well-vetted, properly researched, and free of any negative side effects. Things To Pay Attention ToYou need to know your body well to use nutritional supplements most effectively. Listen to your body, how it functions, and know your weaknesses. Take note of how different supplements work for you so you can make a better choice next time. Also, know that studies and medical research are very important. The more researched and tested a product is, the better the results for the people that use them. Consult professionals and read materials relating to supplements, and then make your decision. The market is saturated with supplements of all kinds and for all purposes, so you should be careful when picking. Choosing from reputable and reliable manufacturers is always a better option than getting supplements from unknown companies. Finally, always consider your needs when looking for specific supplements. Your body is unique and has different requirements than someone else. What is good for someone else does not necessarily mean it will be good for you. ConclusionHopefully, you will find this information useful when thinking about getting nutritional supplements to add to your diet. Consider the information provided here, but also do not neglect their healthy lifestyle. For supplements to work, you need to live healthily and avoid consuming or doing things that can harm you in any way.
Numerous health problems can arise because of nutritional deficiencies. For many people, the road to good health lies in improving dietary habits. That is where the nutritional supplements come into the picture, as effective tools for improving and maintaining good health. Many nutrition experts advise supplements to be taken together with a properly balanced diet. In addition to that, regular exercising can also benefit your overall health. Discuss these things with your doctor and get supplements that will meet your individual needs. Retirement isn’t all about resting and relaxing (although that may be a big part of it). The end of structured work can mean that you have a lot of extra time to now focus on yourself, whether that means taking more of an interest in your health, pursuing your hobbies, or fostering a deeper connection with your local community. Below are 7 tips for taking care of yourself really well into retirement, both physically and mentally. 1. Learn how to cook healthy mealsSure, maybe you had to rely on convenience foods and take out pretty often while you were working due to lack of free time. But, in retirement, you likely have a few extra hours which you can devote to learning how to prepare simple, healthy, delicious meals for you and your family. Learning how to cook well isn’t just a way to make sure you always have delicious food around, it can save money, impress your friends, be a fun hobby, and help keep you healthy by relying on processed fast foods less. 2. See a doctor about all health issues that bother youOf course, you always went to a doctor when you were hurt or feeling ill, but everyone has a few of those nagging personal or cosmetic health issues that they seem to just deal with. Whether you have some leftover acne scars from your teenage years, you have some dark spots popping up, your hair isn’t what it used to be, or you are having sexual health issues, there are prescription medications that can help you feel better about yourself and regain your confidence over these common concerns. If you feel uncomfortable bringing these concerns up to your usual doctor, you can have telemedicine visits online to help address potentially delicate issues like hair loss, dermatology concerns, or sexual issues. 3. Develop an active hobbyRegular exercise is extremely important to your overall health, wellbeing, and your mental health. But, you don’t want exercise to feel like a chore (or you will probably do it less). So, look into developing a hobby that includes moderate activity that you know you will want to keep doing. Take up gardening, get a dog that requires daily walks, or get into swimming if you have a pool or live close to the beach. 4.Get involved in a local club or meet-upNow that the working portion of your adult life is in the past, you may start realizing just how many of your interactions and friendships came from your job. Hanging out with friends and acquaintances regularly is good for your mental health and overall wellbeing, and can help you live a long and fulfilling life. Your retirement can be a chance to start getting in with a whole new group of people, whether you meet them by joining a bowling league, book club, or neighborhood committee, fostering new friendships can help keep your retirement years fresh and exciting. 5. Stay on a sleep scheduleSure, you can stay up all night now if you want to, or sleep until noon, but throwing your schedule out of whack can put a damper on your day and make it hard to get things done. Even though you don’t have a day job to get to in the morning, keep yourself on a regular sleep schedule and still go through your favorite morning routine each day. 6. Always be learning something newJust because you are done with work, and your boss isn’t on your back to learn the new skills needed for your position, it doesn’t mean you need to stop learning. In fact, making sure you are always learning something new can be a great way to inject some excitement into your life, while being great for your overall morale and mental health. Think about the things that you were always interested in but never had the time to delve into. Pick up sewing or knitting, painting, learning a new language, or just how to keep that tricky sourdough-starter alive. Make goals for yourselfNot all goals are work-related, in fact, you can easily have the biggest achievements of your life in your retired years.
Volunteer with a charity working towards helping a group or cause you are passionate about, try to win an award in your town for the best flowers, or aim to be on the board of the homeowners association for your neighborhood. Setting goals for yourself will help structure your retired life and make it a whole lot more enjoyable.  A common concern for seniors is running out of money to fund a comfortable retirement. Depending on the economy and health issues that could result in unexpected medical bills, as a senior, you are wise to want to reduce your expenses wherever you can during retirement. Unless you have been diligently saved throughout your working years, you may not be able to afford to live in the same style as you once did after retirement. If changes aren’t made to reduce your spending, you may find that you start to run out of money in your golden years. For unexpected expenses like home repairs or medical bills, you can visit iCash for a quick loan. However, for everyday savings, you can try some of these tips to help you reduce your spending after retirement. DownsizeIf you are spending a large chunk of your income on your home, you may want to consider downsizing. What is the sense in keeping a larger family home after retirement when it is costly and often more room than you need? Downsizing to a smaller home or condo can reduce your household bills, reduce your mortgage payments and significantly lower your essential living costs. Free EntertainmentKeeping busy is a wonderful way to get the most out of your retirement years. Finding things to keep you entertained starts with exploring your interests. If you enjoy the outdoors, there are likely free parks, recreation areas, or community garden projects that cost nothing to enjoy. If arts and culture are more your taste, you can take advantage of the low senior rates at most galleries and exhibits or free admission days. Senior DiscountsOne of the most significant advantages of being over 65 is that you can get a price discount on almost every service. Most companies are happy to extend a discount to their senior patrons from restaurants to cell phone rates. Don’t be afraid to ask about where you can save money if you are a senior. Talk to your insurance broker, cable provider, and utility company to determine what type of senior discount they provide. You could save up to 25% on some of your essential services. Signing up with senior based organizations like AARP can give you access to thousands of dollars of savings and coupons. One Car FamilyOnce you have retired and aren’t commuting to work daily, you may find that you don’t need two vehicles. Selling one of your cars can save you a bundle on payments and insurance rates. You may save enough to upgrade your one car to a more luxury brand name. Review SubscriptionsOver the years, you may have accumulated several subscription services that you just don’t need anymore. Make a list of all of your subscription services, including entertainment, magazines, and monthly clubs, and determine where you could trim the fat. Multiple subscriptions may not seem like much on a single price tag, but together they can account for a large slice of your monthly budget.
It’s essential that you enjoy your retirement years in confidence without worrying about running out of money. Making some changes to your spending can help you save money and give you peace of mind while enjoying your golden years. Many people find that they’re lost with what to do with themselves once they reach retirement. If anything, people at this age should be asking themselves, what can’t I do? The world is your oyster. After years and years of hard work, it is time for you to truly relax and do the things that you have always dreamed of. It is a mistake to think that being retired means that you have to let go of the things that you love. If you have spent your entire life taking care of your kids, or working tirelessly for a larger company, now is your chance to shine. People are now living longer than ever before, so it only makes sense for you to grab the bull by the horns and live life to the fullest. You can choose to be completely pro-active or adversely, do nothing at all with your days - the choice is yours. Retirement is the perfect time to do all the things you wish you had done earlier, but you never had the time to do. Don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people during this exciting new chapter of life. Find Your Forever HomeNow that you are no longer tied to a specific location because of your job, you have the ability to move anywhere in the world. There are many retirees who decide that they want to pack up their things and move abroad for the first time in their lives. However, you may encounter difficulties whilst getting to grips with a foreign language or find it hard to be far away from your family and loved ones. Other retirees are less inclined to make such a drastic change and opt for easier resort-style communities. There are over 55+ communities in Arizona that offer this type of convenient lifestyle. This kind of community offers modern amenities, like tennis courts, golf courses, spas, and plenty of social hangout spots. Further Your EducationYou may find that you are still eager to soak up as much knowledge as you can. It’s never too late to indulge in learning a new skill. You could try to learn a new language, join conversation classes, or even find a pen pal to write to. You could choose to take lessons in a subject that you’ve always found interesting. Thanks to the wonders of the internet there are a ton of free courses available online. There are even some extra wacky courses, such as ‘Hypnosis 101’ or ‘How to Communicate with Your Animal Telepathically’. If you are feeling extra brave and determined, why not consider enrolling in a college and getting a degree? VolunteerA lot of people who enter retirement feel a need to give back to their community. When we are working, we often find that we barely have any time to ourselves. Once you retire, you can spend your free time volunteering for causes that you truly believe in. You could pick a local charity or even decide to volunteer abroad. If you were a successful business entrepreneur or career-orientated individual before retiring, another viable option is to join a mentorship program. Your skills are valuable and can be passed on to the younger generation through mentoring. Pick Up a New HobbyHaving a hobby is a great way to relax and meet new people with similar interests. There is practically a hobby for everyone and keeping your mind and body active is an essential part of retirement. You could choose to join a dance class, take up tennis lessons, or even learn an instrument. Yoga, tai chi, pottery, and chess are extremely popular hobbies amongst retirees. You could even try to write a novel or a memoir of your life’s adventures. Who knows? You may become the next Millard Kaufman, who didn’t start his famous writing career until he was 86 years old. Start a BusinessMany people are often mistaken in thinking that you can no longer be proactive during your retirement years. Some people choose to unwind and relax; however, others may find this difficult to do, especially after living such a fast-paced life. You may have a knack for baking and decide to set up a small home-baked goods store. You could choose to become a consultant and use your knowledge or skills to help businesses achieve their goals. If you are into photography or art, you could set up your own website and sell these pieces online. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, why not teach some lessons at your local center? Get in Touch with Old Friends… and Make New Ones TooNow that you have plenty of time on your hands, why not try to reconnect with all the people who have impacted your life in one way or another. Facebook is a great place to get started and countless friends have been reunited through this social media network. You can also call up old high schools, colleges, or workplaces to see if they have any contact information. Staying in touch with the people you love does not take much effort and can make all the difference when it comes to building a support network. However, don’t forget to make plenty of new friends along the way.
No matter how you decide to spend the rest of your retirement, make sure you always look after your own health. Being healthy is the most important thing in life, above wealth, knowledge, and experience. Try to eat a balanced diet and keep up with regular exercise. Make sure to also schedule regular appointments with a doctor and make sure you are good to go. Don’t be afraid to take a leap into the unknown and try new things now that you are retired. It is never too late to pick up a new hobby, meet new people, move to a completely new country, or start the business you have always dreamed about. Thinking of Retiring to Warmer Weather? Why You Should Also Think About Adding LTC Insurance1/15/2021 With Delaware, Florida, South Carolina and West Virginia all appearing as the top US states most densely populated by residents aged 65 years and over, there’s no denying that elder care is a vital matter in the south. If you or any of your loved ones are approaching retirement age, you’ve probably started to think about the possible eventuality of long-term care. If you haven’t, it’s certainly something that is worth considering. A popular solution is long-term care insurance. This coverage can help individuals to pay for the expenses involved in moving to a retirement home or arranging care in one’s own home, where health insurance is not applicable. But is this type of coverage right for you? In this article, we discuss the pros and cons of LTC insurance to help you decide on the best approach. Why Opt for Long Term Care Insurance?Long-term care insurance is particularly well-suited to individuals who have savings that they would like to prevent from being depleted by the costs involved in care. The main pros of this type of coverage include the fact that purchasing this insurance can save family members from the stress of providing care themselves. Instead, the payout can cover the fees involved so that loved ones don’t have to. This type of insurance can be easily tailored to the policy holder’s needs, with various options available to help protect against inflation and to cover an almost endless range of care options. You can select only the elements you require, which means you’re not paying for add-ons you don’t need. With tax-free benefits and tax-deductible premiums widely available, LTC coverage often makes great financial sense. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the cumulative cost of your premiums is guaranteed to be significantly less than the expenses involved in paying for care over the same period, which is nice for those living on a fixed income. The latter amount is already exceptionally costly and continues to rise year on year, making LTC insurance the smart option. Why LTC Insurance May Not Be for YouOf course, this type of coverage may not be right for everyone. When considering this coverage, it’s important to understand that you may never require a payout. The intended subject of the policy may live out the rest of their days independently. This means that you’ll have paid into a scheme that will never benefit you. It’s important to be confident that the company providing your policy is capable of standing the test of time. If your insurers are forced to cease trading, you’ll have paid a significant amount of money that you’re highly unlikely to get back.
Additionally, as with many types of insurance, your premiums may rise without warning. You can arrange for your policy to be protected against inflation, but there is very little you can do if the provider decides to raise the amount they want you to pay. You can use a handy guide to research further details of the available types of long-term care insurance, and to find out whether this kind of coverage might work for you. “Learning is a constant process of discovery – a process without end.” – Bruce Lee Psychologists believe that learning is a constant process and does not stop at any point in the lifespan of a person. This suggests that it is only natural to desire to learn more even post retirement. If you have reached the milestone of retirement, or are headed towards it, then here are a few reasons why you should continue learning to make the post-retirement phase of your life vibrant and joyful. 1. Gain self-confidenceLife post-retirement is usually restricted to the domestic forefront. This can greatly limit your knowledge about the outside world. However, undertaking a course, such as environment and wildlife, after retirement will require you to study, practice, and periodically interact with others. This will help you to be up-to-date about the current affairs. With updated knowledge, you will be able to significantly boost your self-confidence and be more secure in your approach towards others. 2. Stimulate your mindThe brain, much like any other muscle, becomes weak with disuse. In this light, halting learning could have a crippling effect on your mind. Since, the human mind is designed to keep learning, it will be beneficial for you to continue to exercise your brain by studying further. In fact, you will be surprised at the mental marvels that you can discover through a comprehensive course in human psychology. 3. Build a new social circleAn interactive course will facilitate you to meet new people and socialise with them at regular intervals. This will give you an opportunity to make new friends who share common interests with you. It will also rule out the feeling of lonesomeness. For an instance, classes on pet and animal care could make you come across other animal lovers who share the same interest with you. This will help you to develop new friendships even without trying. 4. Develop new hobbiesYou may have spent your entire youth at your 9-5 desk job and did not get time to do things that make you happy. Fortunately, by continuing learning even post retirement you will get a chance to employ your free time to do things that give you happiness. For example, a short course on gardening, writing, or even photography, can provide you with sufficient satisfaction and even develop new hobbies. 5. Fulfil incomplete goalsThroughout adulthood we become continually busier while education takes a back seat. Often, we give up our dreams of learning to respond to the call of the duty. Retirement is the perfect opportunity for you to resume unfinished courses or enroll for the ones that you always dreamed of. You can even visit Learning Cloud Australia to browse through the rich assortment of courses and locate the one that suits you the best.
With online courses and e-learning on the rise, it’s easier than ever to enroll yourself in a nationally accredited course of your choice. By choosing a reputed and industry-recognised e-learning platform, you can make your post-retirement days productive and immerse yourself in the world of endless learning, all within the comforts of your home. Essentially, arthritis can be described as a variety of issues that involve inflammation and pain in the joints. The condition is degenerative and will worsen with the passing of time. It can also be a type of autoimmune disease that can be characterized by things like being chronic and having flares of inflammation. Before trying any sort of remedy you find here or anywhere else, remember to talk to your doctor. Losing WeightWeight can have a massive impact on symptoms of arthritis. This is due to the fact that extra weight can put more pressure on joints like feet, knees, and hips. Guidelines from health and wellness resources like the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation have strongly recommended weight loss for arthritis patients who happen to be overweight. Your physician can help you set a goal weight and design a diet to help you reach it. ExerciseAnyone who suffers from arthritis might find relief in exercise. This can help with lowering and managing weight, maintaining flexibility in the joints, and strengthening the muscles offering support to those joints. Exercise that’s performed either with a personal trainer, or even just a friend or loved one can be even more beneficial because it can increase your amount of motivation. Low impact exercises are good ones to try. These include things like walking, tai chi, swimming, cycling, and even water activities such as aerobics. Heat and ColdAnother thing that can be beneficial when it comes to relieving the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis is hot and cold therapy. Hot treatments might include things like using a heating pad or electric blanket on the affected area in an effort to reduce the pain at night or taking long, hot baths or showers to relieve it during the day. Cold treatments can assist with relieving inflammation, swelling, and joint pain and can be as simple as placing an ice pack or a bag of frozen food that you’ve wrapped in a towel and holding it to the area. CBDCBD is a non-psychoactive, potent anti-inflammatory that can assist with the reduction of pain. The CBD hemp flower is akin to the other cannabinoid called THC but will not get you high like THC will. CBD acts on the neurotransmitters in the brain that are associated with pain and this can mean a reduction in the pain felt with arthritis. AcupunctureThis is an ancient Asian medical treatment that has to do with inserting a number of needles into specific areas of your body. People who do this say that it works by restoring balance and rerouting the energy in the body. Even though the evidence isn’t enough to confirm any true benefits of this method, the risk of it causing any sort of harm is quite low, and as such, it’s been cautiously recommended by the ACR/AF. MeditationRelaxation techniques and meditation can assist with the reduction of pain associated with arthritis because it lowers your stress levels and allows you to cope with the pain better. Things like yoga and tai chi are also recommended. These practices combine breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation with a bit of low impact exercise.
The 2 different types of arthritis – rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can be very debilitating when not treated. Osteoarthritis, or OA, can result from the wear and tear of the cartilage causing bones to rub against each other, which causes inflammation, damage, and friction. RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) is more of a systemic condition that can trigger symptoms throughout the body. This is an autoimmune issue and can occur when the immune system erroneously attacks joint tissue that’s healthy. Both should be treated by a doctor or licensed health professional. We generally aren’t able to keep the unexpected from occurring, but we can prepare for it at times. The purpose of insurance is to keep us financially safe in the event that certain things actually happen. However, there are quite a few different types of insurance and a lot of financial experts will tell you that you need to have all of them. That can make it difficult to tell which ones you need. For that reason, we’re here to tell you about a few of them. Life InsuranceWhen it comes to life insurance, there are two types to choose from – term vs whole life insurance. In a nutshell, whole life insurance might be used as a tool for income as well as being an instrument of insurance. If you continue paying the premium, it will cover you until the end of your life. Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that only covers you for a certain amount of time. Both will provide a financial cushion for your family in the event you die while covered. Homeowners' InsuranceEveryone who owns a home needs to have homeowners' insurance. This can cover not only your home but everything in your home or any outbuildings. Additionally, it can cover you in the event that anyone is injured while in your home or on your property. If you happen to be later in life and plan to remain in your home while receiving elderly home care in Orange County or nearby, you need to make sure your home is protected. Repairs or damages to those out of the workforce without modern day income can’t afford to pay out of pocket in the event of an earthquake, flood, fire, or worse. Health InsuranceIt only takes a single serious injury or illness to put families in jeopardy of bankruptcy. Because of this, health insurance is paramount. If you already have this type of insurance, you might want to have a look at your policy to make sure that you have enough coverage. That said, things like rising copays, dropped coverage, and increased deductibles mean that this type of insurance is quickly becoming one that a lot of people just can’t afford. The question, though, is whether you can afford to do without it. Long Term DisabilityDisability insurance is something that a lot of people might not think they’ll ever be in need of. However, about a quarter of those entering the workforce might end up becoming disabled for one reason or another and won’t be able to work until retirement age. If they don’t have fantastic health insurance, a great whole life insurance policy, and a nest egg, they might be okay for a while, but even then, they’ll still need disability coverage to pick up the slack and pay for things like the daily expenses that a regular paycheck tends to pay for. Car InsuranceThere are millions of car accidents each year in the US. If you own a car, most states require you by law to have car insurance. This will protect you financially in the event that you’re in an accident. Depending on the type of coverage you have, it can even protect you in the event your vehicle is stolen. To ensure you get the coverage you need at prices you can afford, you should get quotes from a number of providers and compare them carefully.
In the end, insurance is a necessity. Check with your employer to see which types they offer, and if they don’t offer what you’re in search of, get quotes from several different providers. The ones that offer coverage in numerous areas might provide a discount or two if you purchase policies in more than one of them. Essentially, arthritis can be described as a variety of issues that involve inflammation and pain in the joints. The condition is degenerative and will worsen with the passing of time. It can also be a type of autoimmune disease that can be characterized by things like being chronic and having flares of inflammation. Before trying any sort of remedy you find here or anywhere else, remember to talk to your doctor. Losing WeightWeight can have a massive impact on symptoms of arthritis. This is due to the fact that extra weight can put more pressure on joints like feet, knees, and hips. Guidelines from health and wellness resources like the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation have strongly recommended weight loss for arthritis patients who happen to be overweight. Your physician can help you set a goal weight and design a diet to help you reach it. ExerciseAnyone who suffers from arthritis might find relief in exercise. This can help with lowering and managing weight, maintaining flexibility in the joints, and strengthening the muscles offering support to those joints. Exercise that’s performed either with a personal trainer, or even just a friend or loved one can be even more beneficial because it can increase your amount of motivation. Low impact exercises are good ones to try. These include things like walking, tai chi, swimming, cycling, and even water activities such as aerobics. Heat and ColdAnother thing that can be beneficial when it comes to relieving the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis is hot and cold therapy. Hot treatments might include things like using a heating pad or electric blanket on the affected area in an effort to reduce the pain at night or taking long, hot baths or showers to relieve it during the day. Cold treatments can assist with relieving inflammation, swelling, and joint pain and can be as simple as placing an ice pack or a bag of frozen food that you’ve wrapped in a towel and holding it to the area. CBDCBD is a non-psychoactive, potent anti-inflammatory that can assist with the reduction of pain. The CBD hemp flower is akin to the other cannabinoid called THC but will not get you high like THC will. CBD acts on the neurotransmitters in the brain that are associated with pain and this can mean a reduction in the pain felt with arthritis. AcupunctureThis is an ancient Asian medical treatment that has to do with inserting a number of needles into specific areas of your body. People who do this say that it works by restoring balance and rerouting the energy in the body. Even though the evidence isn’t enough to confirm any true benefits of this method, the risk of it causing any sort of harm is quite low, and as such, it’s been cautiously recommended by the ACR/AF. MeditationRelaxation techniques and meditation can assist with the reduction of pain associated with arthritis because it lowers your stress levels and allows you to cope with the pain better. Things like yoga and tai chi are also recommended. These practices combine breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation with a bit of low impact exercise.
The 2 different types of arthritis – rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can be very debilitating when not treated. Osteoarthritis, or OA, can result from the wear and tear of the cartilage causing bones to rub against each other, which causes inflammation, damage, and friction. RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) is more of a systemic condition that can trigger symptoms throughout the body. This is an autoimmune issue and can occur when the immune system erroneously attacks joint tissue that’s healthy. Both should be treated by a doctor or licensed health professional. If you've been looking into investing in real estate, among the top ways to do so is with wholesale real estate investing. The purpose of performing wholesale real estate investing is to find a deal before passing this deal to an investor. By utilizing this type of strategy, you should be able to avoid the risk that the end investor will have when purchasing the property in question. While success isn't guaranteed with wholesale real estate investing, it's a great option for beginners in real estate investment. What Is Wholesale Real Estate?Wholesale real estate is a form of real estate investing that gives you the opportunity to find a deal on a property before passing this deal to an individual who will invest their own money into purchasing the property. When you opt for this form of real estate investing, your own capital won't be tied up. It's also important to note that the risk of the investment falls to the end investor. The purpose of wholesaling houses is to locate properties that are discounted, place these properties under contract, and sell to a buyer who's interested. However, it's important that you're able to sell the property for a profit. Because of how quickly a home can be placed under contract, it's possible to wholesale a property in just a few hours. It's also highly recommended that you use some kind of real estate wholesaling software to assist you with making wise investments. According to DealMachine, this kind of software helps you "build a custom list of distressed properties that only you have". What a Beginner Should KnowThe first thing you should know about wholesale real estate is that you'll need to find properties that are listed below market value. Once you find a property with a good price, you can control it via a purchase and sale agreement, which is a simple contract that finalizes the sale price of the property. When this home is under contract, you will then have a short period of time to find another interested investor who is willing to purchase the contract from you at a higher price. This form of real estate investing is relatively straightforward because you aren't actually selling the property. Instead, you're selling the right to purchase the property to another investor. Keep in mind that a license isn't necessary for wholesale real estate. Goals and Strategies for Wholesale Real EstateIf you want to start performing wholesale real estate investing, the basic steps for starting this process include:
A double closing means that you will take control of the property. The downside of a double closing is that you will be required to pay all closing costs. Wholesale real estate investing is a simple and easy method of investing money into real estate. This investment technique should help you get acclimated to the real estate market, which will make you more knowledgeable about other types of real estate investments that could diversify your portfolio.  You may view your life insurance policy as a necessary evil. For years, you have been making your payments relying on your policy’s value to pay for your final bills and support your loved ones after you are gone, but have you considered the value that your life policy holds while you are still alive? Most policy owners look at their coverage as an asset. A permanent life policy has an investment aspect that allows policy owners to increase the value of their payout over time. The advantage comes when you accumulate enough value that you can borrow against your policy before you die. With over 70 million Baby Boomers moving through their retirement years, many people are looking for ways to pay for their golden years and special care that may become essential. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the ways you can use your life insurance before you die, like selling your policy to Windsor Life Settlements. Use Your Cash ValueYour permanent life policy has been accumulating cash value for years thanks to its investment component. Permanent policies can be borrowed from as a source of income for any reason. Although term policies tend to have lower premiums, your benefits will only be paid out after your death. There are several ways that you can tap into the cash value of your permanent life insurance policy. Loan
Sell Your PolicyIf you need to access your policy coverage before death to pay for medical bills or senior care, you can sell your policy to a secondary investor. You will be able to receive a lump sum or annuity payments from your policy. Your payout amount is generally a more considerable amount than your policy’s cash value but smaller than your final payout amount. The purchaser will take over the payments for the policy and become the final settlement beneficiary. Living BenefitsIf you meet specific requirements, you may qualify to receive up to 50% of your policy payout prior to your death. This benefit will allow you to get the money you need without draining your policy of any final death settlements. You can apply for several different kinds of benefits.
Chronic Illness
 Choosing the right Medicare plan can be an overwhelming task. Missing the enrolment period or committing to the wrong plan for your needs can be a costly mistake. Time, patience, and some comparison shopping will help you choose the right Medicare package for your needs. Here are five steps to prepare for Medicare. Know Your Enrolment PeriodThe first thing to research when preparing for Medicare is your enrolment period. You are eligible for Medicare when you turn 65. However, the enrolment period spans from three months before your 65th birthday, to three months after. The importance of signing up within the initial enrolment period is that you won't be required to provide additional medical information to enroll. You also avoid late enrolment fees or coverage gaps by signing up within the six-month span surrounding your 65th birthday. If you miss the enrolment period, there is an open enrolment from January 1st to March 31st each year. You can review your plan and change it during the annual enrolment period from October 15th to December 7th. Evaluate Current and Future NeedsOnce you have clarity surrounding the enrolment period, take some time to evaluate your current and future needs. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers medical visits and hospital stays. Other common costs, such as prescription drugs, dental, and hearing services, fall under Part C and Part D. You'll also need to look at the out-of-pocket costs and evaluate how your health is changing. While you may not need as much coverage now, it's worth looking into if any concerns could develop over the next year. Check Your Network CoverageOne of the challenges with choosing a healthcare plan, particularly when enrolling in Medicare, is understanding the network coverage. If you have a preferred family doctor or specialist, confirm that they accept Medicare before enrolling. Many people find out later that their usual care provider isn't covered, costing them thousands of dollars in unexpected medical costs. If your current medical providers don't accept Medicare, you'll need to set aside time to find new healthcare providers, pharmacies, etc. This isn't generally a concern for Part A and Part B coverage, but can be when looking at supplemental insurance. Choose the Best ProviderWhen choosing supplemental Medicare coverage, it's essential to choose the right provider to fit your needs. There are many supplementary providers to choose from, which can be overwhelming. Health has a comprehensive comparison of the top medicare supplement plans to simplify the process. Some key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a supplementary insurance provider include:
Consider the CostsFinally, evaluate the costs that will and won't be covered by your insurance provider. Determine whether a high deductible, low premium or low deductible, high premium plan is better for your situation. Generally speaking, a low deductible is better for people with ongoing health issues who require regular treatments. High deductibles are often better for those in good health, with few annual trips to the doctor.
You can also look into a health savings account (HSA) to set aside money for the out-of-pocket costs. The HSA program is for eligible high-deductible plans and can be used toward Medicare premiums. These funds can be used to pay Medicare directly or as a form of reimbursement if your Medicare premiums are deducted from your social security payments. Give yourself plenty of time to evaluate your options and determine which coverage strategy is right for your needs. If you make the wrong decision or your needs change, you can alter your plan during the annual enrolment period. |
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