One in twenty seniors live in retirement communities, and this number is expected to grow as more elderly Americans retire. Why aren’t they more pervasive in American culture? Mostly because it’s a mixed bag of expenses and accommodations.

But if you know what you’re looking for, you’ll have an easier time auditing a retirement community for yourself or a retiree. The best senior living communities all share many of the same qualities. Locating one is worth the hassle, seeing as your living situation is a major contributor to personal satisfaction.

Are you or a loved one retirement ready? Then it’s time to find the right retirement community. Here are seven factors to consider when it’s time to choose.

1. Community Living

One of the most important components of any senior living facility is the people who inhabit it. From employees to retirees, you should fit right in with the facility culture. A retirement community is a home, and it should feel like one, too.

But a community is not composed of people alone. The nearby businesses and accommodations are worth a mention. How well does the surrounding community treat the retirees?

Does the local community offer services you or your retiree enjoys? If they are fond of city life, it’d make sense to choose a retirement community located within a municipal area. Or, better yet, find one located next to a robust metro station that facilitates travel and independence.

2. Recreational Activities

With so much free time available, retirees of all kinds enjoy a litany of community events. Due to preferences and physical ability, make sure you examine the recreational calendar to see if your retiree will enjoy the scheduled activities.

Recreation also plays an important secondary role. Seek a well-rounded calendar stuffed with exercise programs. From low-impact swimming pools to yoga, a regular exercise routine is a key component to physical and mental well-being.

3. Food Quality

On the topic of health and wellness, it’d be impossible to avoid the subject of food. Nutrition is just as important as flavor. While it may seem superficial to worry about meals, your retiree would likely disagree!

Many retirement communities know that meal quality is a prime concern. For that reason, some tours include a small meal to showcase their offerings.

When a personal test isn’t available, there are still some effective ways to see what they’re serving up. The best retirement communities have their own kitchens and private chefs. Cheaper facilities mass-produce low-quality food in the same way a primary school might.

Since food is oftentimes subjective, be sure to bring your retiree along to the complimentary meal to see what they think about it.

4. Medical Assistance

Of all the services available in a retirement community, medical help is the most essential. While the most luxurious facilities have on-site primary care doctors, the vast majority don’t. This means it’s important that high-quality physicians are nearby, or that transportation services can make for convenient trips to the doctor whenever possible.

You’ll want to opt for a facility that has a 24-hour staff as part of a swift response system. This could be the difference between life or death in the case of a medical emergency.

For retirees with high needs and medication requirements, be sure to select a community with qualified on-site nurses. This would be known as an assisted living facility, rather than an independent retirement community.

5. Cost

While we would all love to put our parents in the most luxurious accommodations around, there’s no avoiding the fact that the cost of retirement communities is a serious concern. Unfortunately, retirement communities differ wildly in fees and expenses.

Some may require an entry fee or the purchase of a condo. You may discover later on that the condo won’t sell for the value you personally paid for it. These complicated finance matters can make it difficult to choose a retirement facility of any type.

If you’re worried about your long-term finances or general affordability, take a look at high-quality affordable retirement communities. You’ll save your wallet and sanity in the process.

6. Environment

Florida is a common location for retirement. Why? Because its tropical climate makes life easier for retirees — especially those who are subject to chronic pain.

Consider the local environment and weather factors before making a decision. They’ll have a massive impact on your retiree’s quality of life when winter rolls around. While some may not mind the seasons, others would be happy to enjoy a comfortable 70 degrees all year round.

If you want to stay local, there are still minor differences to consider. Some areas in the same state may experience more snowfall or colder temperatures than others.

7. Amenities

On-site entertainment is always a mixed bag. In general, you’ll want to locate a facility that offers more than your standard rental complex. This may mean an on-site library, swimming pool, or even mini-golf!

Convenience is key. Having essential facilities nearby lessens the need for expensive or complicated transportation methods. In general, you’ll want a salon, restaurant, and laundry service located within walking distance.

Younger retirees without health requirements may also enjoy an on-site gymnasium or bar.

Are You Retirement Ready?

With money and personal satisfaction on the line, don’t take a gamble on a retirement community. Instead, schedule a facility tour. If it doesn’t feel like home, then guess what?

It isn’t.

There’s more to senior living communities when you’re retirement ready. Search our blog for more advice.

When everything is going fine, the last thing on your mind is putting away money for an emergency. When you have a steady paycheck, good health, and a roof over your heads, you don’t have a worry on your mind.

However, life can throw a curveball when you least expect it. You never know when something can go wrong that throws your life for a loop. When you have kids to look after, the stress can be even more devastating. Here are some of the most important reasons why you should always have an emergency fund put aside for your family.

House Repairs

When you own your own home, you no longer have a landlord to call when something goes wrong. It’s up to you if you need your roof repaired or a pipe bursts.

Failing to have money set aside for emergency home repairs can put you at risk for catastrophe. Knowing that you can repair the home that your family lives in if something goes wrong is critical.

Job Loss

Although no one wants to believe that they could lose their cozy paycheck, you’d be surprised how often it happens. The last thing anyone expects is to go from steady earnings to nothing. Yet, many people find themselves suddenly unable to pay their bills or even cover their basic needs.

Financial experts recommend putting away at least three months’ worth of pay in case you suddenly lose your job. That way, you don’t have to rely on credit cards or borrow money from family if you’re in a pinch.

Car Problems

Although you might not want to imagine, your beloved car is capable of breaking down at any moment. The problem with car repairs is that they’re never cheap. Usually, if something goes wrong, you’ll find yourself having to foot a bill of at least several hundred.

There’s nothing that puts a halt to your life more than losing your form of transportation. Unless you have special insurance, you’ll have to find another way to get to work or drive your kids to school. Emergency savings makes it possible to make repairs to your car as quickly as possible so that you don’t have to worry about how you’ll get around.

Medical Emergencies

Even though you may have insurance, that doesn’t mean that everything is covered. Most of the time, you’ll still have to pay a portion out of pocket. Therefore knowing you don’t have to stress about how you’ll pay for your health is important.

Hopefully, by looking at these reasons, you may need to dip into your emergency fund, you can prepare yourself ahead of time before it’s too late. Even though chances aren’t always high that something bad could strike, it’s better to be prepared than unprepared.

 

Cars are expensive, it’s as simple as that. From financing your car, to repairs, it can feel like you are always putting money into your vehicle. But the convenience of being able to jump into your car whenever you want and drive wherever you need to be cannot be beaten.

There are ways to curb the financial drain of owning a car. It does take a little planning and investing in the right tools and technology, but it can help ease the stress of yet another car repair.

Financing Your Vehicle

Your largest cost will be from the vehicle itself. With the proper planning and research you can find your best option for financing. Finding the right financial advisor will not only make purchasing your vehicle a breeze, but will save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

“Whether you’re looking for an auto loan for a new or used vehicle, finding a low-interest rate is not something that you’ll want to overlook. The lower the interest rate, the lower your monthly payment, so be sure to take the time to find what will be best for you,” advises Jade Beckman, Vice President of Consumer Loans at Mountain America Credit Union.

Find the Right Insurance

The second-largest cost when owning a vehicle will be your insurance. Always check for discounts on car insurance and check often.

Look into new insurance plans yearly because the insurance market is extremely competitive. You might find a deal this year that wasn’t available before. Be careful to make sure you’re comparing all the options. It’s even a good idea to print out the details of each insurance option and compare them side-by-side. While one insurance may come in cheaper, you might also be sacrificing some benefits.

Save for the Inevitable

You will need to repair your car at some point. Whether it’s regular maintenance or something more serious, the longer you have your car, the more likely you will have to take it into the shop. With some planning you can lessen the pain of having to pay for a car repair. Setting aside a little every month can help you not go into debt or be financially strained when your car is in need of some work.

According to AAA, the average monthly cost for car maintenance is $99. This includes things like tire rotations and oil changes. Setting aside a little more every month, even if you don’t use it, will keep you from going into debt for your vehicle.

Another way to save money is by doing the regularly scheduled maintenance recommended for your vehicle. This will keep your car running at its best, which will also save you money in gas and save you from unexpected trips to the mechanic. A little planning can go a long way in avoiding major issues with your car.

Install Helpful Add-ons

Your car may be equipped with the things you prefer, like a great sound system, but consider some additional add-ons, especially if your car is an older model.

No one wants to pay for cosmetic damage to a car — even worse someone else’s car. So many of us have been there, backing into another car with that sickening crunch that follows will make your heart sink. Even the slightest ding comes with a hefty price tag. The best way to avoid these types of accidents is by investing in a wireless backup camera.

You should also think about dash cams, Bluetooth audio adapters, or parking aids that allow you to park in your garage without having to guess the distance. All of these add-ons can help you keep your car in top shape for longer.

With a little planning, regular maintenance, and some extra tools you can stay safe on the road and keep more money in your wallet.

If you are looking to sell your home and you want to move things along and maximize its value then there are some simple tricks which you can do to speed things up and to get more value out of the property. Having sold 4 homes here in California in the last decade we consider ourselves as the experts in making sure that your property sells and these simple changes will certainly help you to do just that. Let’s get that house sold.

Home Warranty

Home warranty plans offered by the likes of First American Home Warranty are just there to offer you protection of the systems in your home, they can also help you to sell the property. Studies show that you are 16% more likely to sell the home for an average of $2,500 more if you have a home warranty in place. Home warranties can be transferred to the buyer to give them the proaction that they need. When you compare home warranties be sure to focus on the level of protection, the price, customer service and reviews and whether or not it can be transferred easily.

Curb Appeal

The power of a first impression when it comes to selling your home is huge and that is why you have to pay particularly close attention to what is known as the curb appeal, the view of your home when you pull up. Simple changes here make a big difference and investment in a new front door and garage door will pay for themselves when you sell the property. Getting the front garden redone, repainting the home at the front and even replacing the roofing has all been shown to increase the chances of buyers and adding value to the property .

Kitchen Update

You may think that putting a new kitchen in the home will cost you big money but for an investment of $1,500 you can expect to get at least $2,000-$3000 added on to the value of your home, not to mention making your home that bit more appealing to the buyer. Millennials in particular are heavily focused on getting a home which has a kitchen which is ready to use, so this could really boost your chances of nailing that sale.

Plumbing and Electrics

Updating your plumbing and electrical systems may set you back somewhere in the region of $1,000, but doing both could add up to $3,000 on the property of the home. Increasingly buyers are looking to purchase homes which are ready to live in and even if they like a property, the prospect of having to carry out work like this can often put people off. This is a perfect example of how you can make a small investment and see your home sell quicker and for more as a result.

Don’t just put your home on the market as is, invest a little and reap the rewards.

Being in debt is not always a bad thing but if you are in debt and you aren’t able to manage it then the consequences which this can have can be very severe. When we talk consequences there are two main concerns which you should have, the first is on your health as living under a mountain of debt which you cannot afford will affect your stress and your anxiety. The second risk which you will run is that ultimately debts must be paid and you may lose your home, your car or whatever possessions you obtained with the credit that you took out. When debt collection agencies like Brennan & Clark LLC get involved, it is time that you face up and work with them, and here is why.

How Debt Collection Agencies Operate

Debt collection agencies will buy debts from the original lender, they purchase your debt for a reduced rate and this is generally accepted because for the lender, it means that they are at least getting some of the money back, and they can cancel the debt out without putting effort in to changing the person who borrowed from them. Debt collection agencies will then try their best to make a deal with the debtor and failing that they will be forced to take out a court order to get the value of the debt back, something which they very rarely want to do.

Working With Debt Collection Agencies

Unfortunately for many people who are in debt, they think that the best option when they receive communication from a debt collection agency is to simply bury their head in the sand and ignore it, this in fact is the worst thing that you can do. They are not going to disappear and forget about your debt, and the more that you ignore them the worse that things will become. If you have been contacted by a debt collection agency then you should always respond to their communication.

Benefits of Working With a Debt Collection Agency

Something that many people don’t realize is that debt collection agencies actually have more scope and flexibility than the original lender when it comes to negotiating how you are going to repay the debt. Because they have bought the debt at a far lower cost than its value, they are able to freeze interest payments, accept a low one time payment or offer a structured payment plan that fits around you and your situation. Not only should you make contact with the agency when they reach out to you, it is important that you are also honest with them about your current situation and what you can afford to pay. As long as you keep them in the loop about our financial situation and any changes in your finances, they will be able to offer you a payment plan which ensures that you chip away at your debt, without it putting too much pressure on your finances.

Don’t ignore these companies as things will only get worse for you.

 

Given that the average person spends 3 hours and 15 minutes on their smartphone everyday, putting that time to good use has the potential to entail financial returns. It could be as simple as downloading an app, filling out a survey or learning some new skills – there’s a way to make money from your phone to suit everyone’s interests.

That’s why in today’s article, we’re discussing some savvy ways to make money from your phone LearntoTrade, helping you can put your screen time to efficient use. From app recommendations to completing in-store evaluations and taking up forex trading, these mobile side-hustles will slot into your day-to-day routine to provide some helpful financial assistance.

Download cash-earning apps

Downloading smartphone apps is an efficient way to make money without taking up too much of your time. So, for those who want to make money quickly, or tend to spend less time than average on their smartphone, this savvy hack could be a great option for you to consider.

Apps such as Job Spotter (created by Indeed) facilitate you to make money on the move – whether you’re using the app on your morning commute or your evening dog walk. This app pays users to take photos of job advertisements in windows and submit them using the app. The algorithm then decides how ‘valuable’ the advert is, and rewards the user with points accordingly. So, to make the most cash while you’re on the hunt, keep your eyes peeled for unique adverts for small businesses over large company posts across many locations.

Alternatively, if you want to make money with minimal effort, consider downloading Fronto – which places adverts on your phone’s lock screen and pays points for unlocking your phone. With these points, you can redeem gift vouchers from Amazon, Debenhams and Marks & Spencer to name just a few. Whether you have a few spare minutes on an evening or are in search of some entertainment on a train journey, this app is a savvy way to make money without requiring a substantial investment of your time.

Complete in-store evaluations

If you’d like to earn money while doing your weekly grocery shop or during a shopping day at the weekend, in-store evaluations are a great option to consider. Field Agent can help you earn money by simply checking store displays, taking photos of grocery shelves or finding specific products. Payouts are made directly, meaning this is a great way to make money quickly with, quite literally, a click of a button.

If you fancy yourself as a part-time mystery shopper, consider downloading BeMyEye. Typical tasks include checking the availability of certain products and simply snapping a few photos. This tasking app is easy to complete while also offering a fun element to making money from a simple 15 minute job. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to relax on the sofa, consider survey apps such as Streetbees – which asks you questions in a chat format, making them extremely quick and easy to complete.

Take up forex trading

If you have some free time on your hands, instead of opting for money-earning apps which offer quick fixes, investing your time in learning to trade could offer greater long-term benefits – while also offering the opportunity to acquire useful skills. The forex market is the largest investment market in the world, and is continuing to grow – so, there’s no time like the present to start trading.

The forex market allows for 24/5 trading in currency pairs and is the most liquid market across the globe. So, as an active forex trader, you’ll need to have access to market news, quotes, charts and trading accounts at all times. Therefore, forex trading from a smartphone is very popular with forex traders on a range of apps, from Bloomberg Business Mobile App to Trade Interceptor, as information can be gained as and when it’s required to make successful trading decisions. Whether you require access to live price feeds, streaming charts or news, trading from your phone means data can be acquired at your fingertips, wherever you may be.

So, spending three hours on your smartphone doesn’t always have to be an embarrassing fact to admit to. When utilising your smartphone efficiently, you could make some extra cash to supplement your existing income – it’s all about deciding on what’s right for you based on your available time and skillset.

Stock trading is a great way to reach financial gains in today’s society. What’s even better is there are several methods one can use in order to become a successful investor. Even with limited capital, you can begin investing in stocks by watching the markets and attempting to hit something big. In this article, you’ll learn about different approaches you can utilize in the stock trading markets.

There are two main different strategies to stock trading

 

The two strategies you’ll come across in the stock trading profession is automated trading and manual trading. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and different investors will choose one over the other. It’s important to learn the difference between these two methods so that you can figure out which one is best for you. Whether you are using the swing trading or day trading methods, it’s imperative to know how to get around the markets to make your gains.

Automated trading has been growing in popularity in recent years

Automated traders are exactly what it sounds like: software robots that keep track of the markets for investors and traders. These automated trading systems make it so traders can create specific rules for trade entries and exits. Unless the bots are malfunctioning,  they will always execute programmed commands correctly. These systems make the life of trading a lot easier and roughly 75% of U.S. stock exchanges are done using them.

There are some disadvantages to these systems, however. Because it is technology, there is always the chance that it can malfunction in one way or another. You need to be careful about buying cheap software, otherwise, you get what you paid for: a cheap automated system. A cheap and poorly made system will not work as well as one that was made properly. Other disadvantages include having to constantly monitor the computers for any technical errors and avoiding over-optimization.

Old school manual trading is still an option many prefer

Manual trading is what it’s called when an actual person is behind the markets and doing all the hard work. Unlike the automated trading system, the human manual traders actually have a brain and can use their sense of emotions to help with a stock trade. Whereas a bot has to execute all of its decisions based on what’s been programmed into it, a human trader looks at the whole picture in order to process everything and piece it together.

As fantastic as the manual trader sounds, there are some disadvantages to using human rather than a robot. It’s much slower as a bot can just automatically do what it’s programmed to and a human has to process before taking action. Furthermore, a human will eventually get tired and need to take a rest, whereas a robot will be able to keep going without any breaks.

In conclusion, personal preference is the deciding factor

You can choose to have an automated trading system with the bot that does all your trades for you, or you can choose the human manual trader. It’s all dependent on if you care to have all details in the near and far future monitored, or if you are fine with just the immediate scenarios, as the robot can only study so many details.

 

It will soon be time for you to file your tax return online. While we were told that we’d have to use the Making Tax Digital scheme from April 2019, HMRC has delayed it until after Brexit.

For now, this means that none of us has to file our accounts using this method just yet. However, if you want to file your taxes accurately you’ll appreciate a few tips. These tips could prove to be beneficial now and when Making Tax Digital comes into fruition.

Get all your Paperwork Together

When you’re about to file your taxes the last thing you’ll want to do is hunt for your P45 or P60. The best way for you to get organised is to make sure you have everything to hand before you start. In addition to having your P45 or P60, you’ll also need to have a copy of your receipts with you so you can record your business expenses.

Make sure you also have details of any interest that you have earned from your bank or building society accounts.

Consider Hiring an Accountant

If you’re not good with numbers or you’re struggling for time then you should consider hiring an accountant. Please note that you will have to pay to use the services of an accountant. If you can get away without hiring an accountant you could save yourself a lot of money.

Use the Internet to your Advantage

The internet is here to be used. It can offer you a wealth of information about all kinds of business-related topics but it can also help you do your tax returns. In the UK you will even find online tax tools that can be used to your advantage. (Note: if you’re filing taxes in the US there are also some specific online tax tools to check out.) You don’t have to struggle to do your taxes, there is so much helpful information out there. Even those who have always filed a paper tax return can learn how to fill their taxes online and without much trouble.

Make a Note of your Income and Expenditures

Remember how hard it was to do your tax return last year because you couldn’t work out how much you earned? Now’s the time to do things properly. Make a note each time you are paid and each time you pay out for something. Note who the money is from or who it’s going to and why. Doing this will help you to have a clear account of how well your business is doing and how much you’ve earned in the financial year.

Save Money so you can Pay your Taxes

Lastly, you should consider opening an account so you can save money. This money will go towards the payment of any taxes. Save as much money as you can so that you’re not left to pay a huge bill at the end of the tax year. Any money you have left over can go towards next year’s tax bill.

When it comes to filing your taxes you can make things easier. Simply get all your paperwork together, consider hiring an accountant and use the internet. After a while, you will soon find that doing your taxes are a lot less arduous.

 

It could be hard to believe, but the holidays are quickly approaching. Everyone tends to wait until the official Christmas shopping season before hitting the stores. But there are many reasons to do early Christmas shopping rather than waiting for another month.

Plus, the sooner you start, the more money you can save and the less stress you’ll endure. Here are some other reasons why it’s so smart for you and your family to get your holiday shopping done now.

1. The Best Deals May Take Longer to Ship

Once you start Christmas shopping early, time is on your side. You should take advantage of the hundreds of websites offering great deals on gifts around the world. And if they’re expensive to ship, you may want to get around to budgeting for that sooner rather than later.

You may have to wait anywhere from six to eight weeks to deliver those gifts, but if you do your early Christmas shopping, then you’re ahead of the game. You can start your online shopping now and save yourself the expedited shipping costs. Plus you can ensure getting those gifts from across the globe right on time.

2. The Shopping Season Isn’t Crazy..Yet

Shopping malls are notorious for getting crazy once Thanksgiving is over and on Black Friday, it’s an all-out war. You’ll have difficulty finding parking, getting through lines quickly, or even shopping in peace. Everyone is in a rushed or bad mood and chaos is everywhere.

Skip the madness by buying Christmas gifts early while everyone else is focused on their Thanksgiving menu. Most doorbuster deals on Black Friday go in minutes, anyway. Become a smart, frugal shopper and use discount codes or coupons to find those good deals instead.

3. The Prices Are Still Low

Those “seasonal markups” can add up and it’s up to you to beat everyone else to the punch. Going early Christmas shopping ensures that you can shop while there are regular specials versus those “holiday sales”. Make sure you go shopping before that “late shopping tax” is applied to everything from toys to perfume to jewelry.

4. You’ll Never Miss Out On Things You Really Want

As the holidays approach us, popular merchants start getting depleted, especially toy suppliers. Each year, there is a certain toy that is on every child’s Christmas list. Waiting too long can cause you to risk disappointing someone who’s been waiting on that item all year.

You can avoid all of this by getting your Christmas shopping done early.

5. You Have Enough Time for Hand-Made Gifts

Sometimes the best gift you can give is one you make yourself. When someone knows that you’ve spent your own time and creativity to make them something, they feel great. If you have skills cooking, painting, sculpting, etc. you should make use of them for the holiday season.

Rather than doing early Christmas shopping, you can make awesome gifts in the comfort of your home. Plus you’ll have plenty of time to work on them before the holidays roll around. But leaving a task like this until the last minute may add extra stress to your life so heat started early!

Or if you’re looking for a Christmas gift with a handmade touch, check out Appletotes & Co.

Start Early Christmas Shopping Today!

It’s finally time to enjoy holiday shopping stress-free! Get to early Christmas shopping so you can have your wrapping done, your holiday treats baked, and have time to watch Christmas movies with your family. Check out some of our best suggestions for having the best holiday season with your family this year!

Your 20s easily make up for the most crucial decade that you will experience in your entire financial life. It is a decade that can help make or break your ability to pay off your home on time, ensure that your hypothetical kids get to attend a good college, and enable you to retire when the time comes.
The following are reasons why you should consider investing during your 20s:

Time

While cash flow may be tight, adults in their 20s have a time advantage. Albert Einstein had a good reason for referring to compounding as the 8th wonder of the world. Compounding makes it possible for you to generate riches over time. The good thing about it is that it only needs two things: time and earnings reinvestment.
For instance, investing $10,000 in a private pension on your 20th birthday will translate to more than $70,000 by your 60th birthday. This means that the longer you are willing to wait for the money to work, the more money it will generate for you in the coming years.

Take on More Risk

The amount of risk that an investor can withstand is normally influenced by their current age. A young investor who has many years ahead of him will be able to afford to take on additional risks. This is because the investor knows that they can easily earn back any money lost in an investment deal gone bad.
Investors approaching their senior years or retirement age will often be more opposed to taking unnecessary risks. Many will choose to gravitate towards options that do not have too many risks or unknowns. Common options for people in this group will include certificates of deposit, bonds, and investing in a retirement fund.
A pension guide will come in handy in helping you make a decision on which investments to make based on their volatility and ability to make good returns.

Learn by Doing

A person in his 20s will have enough time and flexibility to study the art of investing. They also get an opportunity to learn from their failures and successes. Considering that investments have a long learning curve, the younger investors have an advantage as they will have enough time to study different markets and refine the strategies to use when financing new ventures.
Apart from their ability to absorb increased risk, investors in this age group will also be able to overcome past investment mistakes as they attempt to recover from recent failures.

Tech Savviness

Young venture capitalists tend to be tech-savvy. They are able to research, study, and adequately apply different investing techniques and tools. Educational websites, online trading platforms, financial websites, and chat rooms provide numerous opportunities for investors to learn technical and fundamental analysis skills.
The technology available today, including financial apps, social media networks, and online opportunities can make immense contributions to the expertise, confidence levels, knowledge base, and experience of a young investor.
All that is required is a willingness to learn and be open to taking risks.

To read more on topics like this, check out the budget & finance category