General

How to Get Serious About Planning For Retirement

When is the best time to start planning for retirement? Ideally, the day you start working, but let’s be realistic here; most of us aren’t even going to think about retirement until at least our late 20s/early 30s, and not even then for some folks. If you’re forty or older, it’s time to seriously start considering how you’re going to retire. How do you get serious about it? Ask yourself this: how much longer do you want to work?

How Much Longer Do You Want to Work?

Imagine being 75 years old and still working at your current job. Does that sound like something you’re interested in doing? Most people can’t imagine working well into their seventies and eighties, but the unfortunate fact is that it does happen. There are plenty of “retirees” who didn’t quite save enough and were forced to find part-time or even full-time positions to supplement their income.

Let’s say you turned forty this year. Ideally, you’ll want to work another twenty or twenty-five years, and retire right around 60/65. This is the average retirement age for most folks, but without the right savings and financial planning, you’ll be lucky to meet this deadline. You don’t want to spend your wonder years working all the time!

Once you’ve decided how much longer you really want to work, you can begin to crunch the numbers. If you’ve got twenty years left before retirement, you can begin saving immediately and still be able to reach your savings goals. The earlier you begin saving, the better off you’ll be once you retire.

Are You Receiving Professional Advice?

Financial planning such as this rarely goes off without a hitch, which is why it can be incredibly helpful to have some professional advice in your arsenal. If you’re struggling to get your finances together and come up with a retirement plan, you might want to enlist the services of a financial advisor or planner to get you on track.

If you’re in the New Jersey/New York area, you can find the best financial advisor in New Jersey on Carefulcents.com. The site is loaded with excellent finance advice as well, so you’ll be able to find more information on planning for retirement and other areas as well.

How Much do you Have Saved Already?

If you’re forty-five and you’ve got $5,000 saved for retirement, you might find yourself in a bit of a sticky situation as the years go by. According to this article at CNBC, by age 40, if you’re bringing in $50,000/year, you should have at least saved up $150,000. That’s the minimum, of course, going off of an average household income of $50k.

The more you save the better, and if you’re well under that $150,000 mark at age 40, it’s time to seriously evaluate your financial decision making and put saving for retirement at the top of your list. Even if you’ll receive a pension when you retire, you’ll need to account for additional expenses and the possibility you could lose your job just before you retire. Don’t think it could happen? This HuffPost article details just how companies sneakily rid themselves of older employees to avoid pensions and retirement payments.

What About Inflation?

If you’re forty or older, or even as young as thirty, you’ll know that your dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to. Inflation is a very real occurrence, and one that can have a serious effect on planning for retirement. Inflation causes costs to rise and the value of the dollar to go down; so that $450,000 you have saved for retirement could be worth even less twenty years from now.

In accounting for inflation, you’ll always want to save more than you think you need. As stated already several times, the more you save, the better. Even if you only save an extra $20,000, it’s still better than nothing. Don’t let inflation make your retirement plans outdated; plan for extra expenses and inflation by saving as much as you can every year. Eliminate costly, unnecessary expenses and instead invest in your retirement.

Social Security Will Help, Right?

Social security payments are valued resources for millions of retirees all over the country, but the unfortunate fact is that Social Security is set to run out of money in the future. In fact, by 2035, benefits are set to be significantly reduced if Congress doesn’t come up with a plan to save this much-needed system.

The bottom line is, you don’t want to depend on the government to fund your retirement; especially with the state the Social Security Administration is in today. Indecisive politics and irresponsible spending don’t have to affect your golden years as long as you’re saving the right amount every year.

It’s best to trust in your own money when saving for retirement. While you can still include potential social security benefits in your retirement plan, it’s better to depend on your own savings to get you through those post-working years. Save as much as you can!

Conclusion

Essentially, the sooner you get serious about your retirement, the better. Retirement should be fun and relaxing, not stressful and rife with financial woes. Save early, save often, and always recruit professional advice, so you know where to invest your money for optimal growth.

0 Shares

Benefits of Home School for Military Families

Karen · Leave a Comment

Do you ever feel like your parenting plight is like a script from a Hollywood movie as far as your child’s educational options? As a military spouse of seventeen years, my friend often felt like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. While trying to physically, academically, emotionally, socially, financially, and psychologically navigate the nuances of raising her children she navigated the twisters of deployments, erratic schedules, and other unique challenges facing military families. In sum, online home school programs for students k-12 can serve as the “Emerald City” for educational needs facing this important population.

benefits of home school for military families — Benefits of Home School For Military Families

Ease on the Down the Educational Road: Flexibility

First, the main rationale for an online homeschool program involves the flexibility that it offers all learners, a trait that military families especially appreciate. As my husband prepares to deploy to Qatar this upcoming Saturday, I sadly realize how he will miss my daughters’ first official days of school during his service. It’s time to channel my inner Dorothy and remain resilient!

Speaking of resilience and flexibility, online homeschool programs enable families to accommodate their personal needs, allow you to work at your own pace, and freedom that traditional education programs never could. A recent article by Classen, Horn, & Palmer (2019) found that military students are often a highly neglected demographic in mainstream, traditional school approaches. Thus, the use of online programs could ensure more individualized attention, a family-centered approach that military members cherish, and even more reliable data and recordkeeping as far as transportable documentation. Make the Tin Man shine and “ease on the down educational road” with online homeschooling as your new GPS!

Lion Heart: Cultivating Courage and Character Education

Next, online homeschooling can better cultivate moral, ethical, civic, and character education due to the personalized nature of the lessons. Students can yield more affective learning because there’s more time to target lifelong lessons, without the over emphasis on test preparation that’s often prevalent in traditional school approaches.

To add an additional caveat, those who are interested in embedding more religious perspectives have greater opportunities to find curricular connections and crossovers within an online home school program because of the increased flexibility and more ample time advantages associated with the online paradigm.

A Rainbow of Responsibility and Creativity

online home school — Benefits of Home School for Military Families

Just as the vibrant colors of the movie illuminate, allow your kids to accrue more responsibility and creativity through a home school program. Contrary to the myths that home school parents coddle and helicopter, research contends how the opposite is true: “Kids in conventional educational [settings] have very little responsibility, because ultimately the school, the teacher, or the curriculum designer is given credit for kids’ success or failure. In self-directed education, the learner is making all the decisions, so they get all the credit for their own success or failure. That is responsibility” (McDonald, 2018, p. 7).

While I’m certainly not encouraging you to have your kiddos hang out with weird, eccentric characters like flying monkeys and scarecrows, it’s evident that students can gain more autonomy over their own learning when they participate in online home school programs from a young age-onward.

Creativity, real world relevance, and motivation are also major “rainbows” associated with online home school options. Research also depicts how online programs hone “around what the kids wanted to learn about” (McDonald, 2018, p. 6). Kids have more time to participate in music, art, dance, and other imaginative extensions and applications in online home

school programs. Marital arts, STEM, yoga, or ceramics, anyone?

Likewise, an interesting study by Jackson (2013) adamantly praised online home school programs for helping not only struggling students, those who are ESL/ELL, but also gifted, introverted, and possess special needs like OCD, ADD/ADHD, etc. One parent commented how it specifically allowed her child “to soar, not get bored, and to develop his talents and interests” (Jackson 2013, p 9). Let your kids’ true colors shine with online home schooling!

Ruby Slippers: Stress Management and Mental Health Merits

Lastly, like the dazzling ruby slippers that empowered and protected Dorothy, think of an online homeschool program as your child’s, tween’s, or teen’s pair of ruby red slippers, boots, flip flops, or sneakers against stress and mental health woes and “witches.”

Studies consistently confirm how military families often experience greater stress levels related to their unique circumstances, so home-based psychoeducational materials helped in one study to promote more positive, proactive attachment-based parenting and child education curricula, more peer support among parents, and increased connectedness among families to additional services (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-26919-001). Remember, “There’s no place like home!”

0 Shares

Why Medical Malpractice Is Usually A Civil Offense

Karen · Leave a Comment

Medicine is not always an exact science, and neither are most medical malpractice cases. Mistakes can be made, but unfortunately, these mistakes can impact our lives. When an error is made by your healthcare provider – whether it be your nurse, doctor, therapist, or whoever within the field – you likely have grounds to request compensation.

It is the job of malpractice lawyers to help those who have been injured move forward with their lives and to keep hospitals and staff accountable for the services they provide. Though criminal medical malpractice cases can exist, the majority fall under a civil offense.

State confidentiality laws make it difficult to research a doctor’s background information, including if they have been convicted of medical malpractice at any point during their career. Fortunately, most doctors are good doctors, and there is only a small percentage of those responsible for medical negligence.

Civil Cases for Medical Malpractice

When a healthcare provider does not follow the standard of care designated for the situation and that is followed by other practitioners, the patient has an argument for a medical malpractice case. These cases are defined by the negligence of the care provider. Whether a surgical tool is left inside of a patient or an incorrect diagnosis is made, they are responsible for any injuries that result from the mistake.

Medical malpractice cases are usually considered a civil offense. This means that the victim is fighting for compensation with no intention of punishing the defendant with jail time. The goal of the case is to gain financial help for medical bills, lost income, disability, and pain and suffering.

Though they do happen, a criminal medical malpractice case is incredibly rare. For a case to be considered criminal, the negligence of care would need to be life-threatening. Rather than a medical mistake, a case would become criminal because of a blatant disregard of information or treatment that results in loss of life, being intoxicated at work, or the abuse of a patient.

When a Case Becomes Criminal

If a medical malpractice case falls under extreme circumstances, it can be considered criminal. The doctor in question will need to be accused of gross negligence, deemed incompetent, or indifferent towards the patient’s care.

These cases are handled by government prosecutors who work on behalf of the victim and the state. Unlike civil cases, where the goal is to gain compensation for the victim, the goal of a criminal case is the punishment of the defendant. These cases can be tricky, as prosecutors will need to prove that the medical professional is guilty. While even the best doctor can make an honest mistake, it is incredibly hard to prove that poor or lack of care was done intentionally or maliciously.

If you are unsure if your case would be considered civil or criminal, a medical malpractice lawyer can help you navigate through the details during this stressful time. An expert opinion is the best way to determine how to move forward with your medical negligence claims.

How Often Does Medical Malpractice Occur?

Over 13,000 doctors have been disciplined for medical negligence. Negligence in the healthcare industry is also the third leading cause of death in the United States. Due to the nature of civil cases, many of these practitioners are able to retain their licenses and return to work once the case is resolved.

One thing to note about cases for medical malpractice is that they can earn huge punitive damages. In reality, a large damages payout is awarded to less than one percent of cases. Another misconception is that hospitals and doctors are being sued left and right. The reality is that only one in eight medical errors ends up resulting in a lawsuit. Regardless of these misconceptions, medical negligence comes in a variety of forms and it is important to bring these issues to light when you think you may have been the victim of an error.

Patients rarely expect medical negligence to occur when they visit a hospital or physician for care. Your health and well-being are essential, and working with an experienced lawyer will help you receive the compensation you deserve. I just wish I had known the right kind of lawyer to call back in 2012 when I had surgery that went awry.

0 Shares

How To Shop Smart For Used Cars

Karen · Leave a Comment

Financial planners often recommend purchasing used cars rather than going out and buying a new car. The reason behind that is that when you purchase that sparkling new vehicle from the dealership lot, the value decreases almost immediately – and significantly too. By purchasing a used car, you can avoid that instant deflation, and put your hard-earned money to better use.

shop for used cars — How to shop smart for used cars

The average price of a used car in 2018 was $20,390 compared to the average price of a new car which was a whopping $35,250. Of course, you don’t want to get a lemon either – by shopping smart, you can get a great used car and enjoy the savings too.

Shop Online First

Avoid spending hours and hours of your time driving around to a bunch of dealerships and haggling with car salesmen by narrowing down your search online first. If you already have an idea of what make and model you want to purchase, search online first to see which dealerships have the vehicle available. Since you are buying used, not every dealership will have the car you want, in the color you want, with low miles, and in your budget.

Purchase from a Reputable Dealer

One of the most important things you can do is to do some research to be sure that you purchase your used car from an established, reputable dealership. The small corner lot dealer may have the lowest price, but more than likely that haven’t done a full review and quality check of the cars they’re selling. Well-known dealerships like Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet, can be found in every state and provide a guarantee as to the condition of their used cars. You should also know that these dealerships have used cars in many different makes and models, not just their own.

Another benefit of purchasing from some large dealerships is no-haggle pricing. Search for options in your area like DGDG that don’t pay commission to salesmen and negotiating the cost of the car is generally off the table, since they tend to price vehicles at the lowest market rates. It makes the entire process much less stressful and dramatically reduces the chances of getting “taken.” If you own a house among Scottsdale real estate in Arizona, for example, you’re likely to find many of these reputable dealerships in the area, although they can be found in most major cities these days.

Get a Warranty

It’s essential to ensure that the used car you purchase comes with a good warranty. Most manufacturers offer coverage for three years or 36,000 miles but ask your dealer about an extended warranty for five years or 50,000 miles, or the longest warranty available which may cover the vehicle for as long as 10 years or 100,000 miles.

A bumper-to-bumper warranty will cover the cost of damage to all parts of your car, except for normal wear items, such as tires, brakes, and windshield wipers. Powertrain warranties cover all moving parts, including the engine, transmission, and suspension.

0 Shares

My First Road Trip

Karen · 3 Comments

When I was fourteen years old, I took my first road trip without my family. I did a lot of babysitting for young couples in my neighborhood. One of the ladies I babysat for often was going to visit her family in Wilmington, North Carolina. Her husband had to work, and because she had a young baby, she wanted someone to go with her to help with the baby during the trip. So, I not only got to go on what was for me an exciting road trip, I also got paid to go! Once we got to her mother’s home, I was free to explore the area with Judy’s sister, who was close in age to me.

It was on that trip that I saw the ocean for the first time. Wilmington is on the coast of North Carolina. The hugeness of the Atlantic Ocean was awe inspiring for me. Even though it was winter, I went down to the beach and walked along the edge of the ocean for several hours. It was also on that trip that I had my first date. While the boy is forgettable, it was a very new experience for me so I will always remember it.

One of the other firsts I did on that trip, was to order a meal for myself from a restaurant menu. My family was large, and my parents never took us out to eat. We did get treats from fast food restaurants, but when we did, my mother stopped on her way home from work and brought whatever it was home with her. For me to look at a menu and decide for myself made me feel very grown-up. I remember that I ordered fried shrimp and a baked potato.

When was your first road trip without your family? How old were you, and where did you go? What do you remember of it?

Share12

12 Shares

Can You Keep Pace With Technology Change And Enhance Your Life?

Karen · Leave a Comment

Technology is no longer an optional extra – from paying bills, to accessing healthcare, ordering shopping and staying in touch with family and friends across the world, it’s now an integral part of everyday life. The pace and scale of change can be quite overwhelming and it’s hard to keep a clear mind. Whether you’ve only dipped your toe into the shallower waters of what technology can do you for, or you’re a confident veteran of smartphones and computers, there is always more to learn. In fact, it’s very easy to feel that as soon as you’ve hit your stride with one thing, everything changes again.

Gaining Confidence

For those aged 50 plus, you have likely witnessed a few technology trends come go. But even if you feel comfortable with specific applications and programs used at work or even around the home, pushing yourself to learn new things can undoubtedly be daunting. We are now staying in the workforce longer, and meanwhile the page of change is consistently speeding up. It means you are likely to encounter increasingly rapid change, and that you’ll have to constantly learn new digital skills in order to keep up.The good news is that these new skills can not only make you better at your job, but also enhance your home life.

Getting To Grips With New Tech

Smartphones may have started out as a nice-to-have, but they are now officially a necessity for carrying out daily tasks with ease – even the government is increasingly pushing us to use them to access services and support. Studies from The Pew Research Centre have found that 58% of individuals over the age of 65 are now regularly accessing the internet via their phones. As technology becomes more mainstream, so does the desire to make it accessible to a wider audience. So, it’s now easier to find a smartphone which suits your needs. Many tech companies are dedicated to developing products with seniors in mind, and there are many more training tools available for those who don’t consider themselves digital natives – from specific apps to monitor concerns related largely to this age group, to support with the practical aspects of device management and security – from keeping safe while banking online to maintaining device memory or learning what to do with Mac overheating.

Focus On Functionality

Just because something exists, doesn’t mean that you have to be using it. Work out what you need to achieve in your personal or working life, and then focus on the technology which is going to allow you to achieve that. Go from the basis of your needs, and build for there. For example, say that you want to send out a newsletter as part of a club you’re in, or as a way of keeping in touch with friends and family. Start by getting familiar with an email platform such as MailChimp, which will allow you to quickly build professional looking emails for a mass audience. Or learn how to set up a family group on Facebook where people can post pictures of what they are up to. Perhaps you have a lot of personal admin in sorting out the household finances – in that case, focus on learning how to use the internet for banking, setting up direct debits and automatic payments for bills. Or perhaps start by using a price comparison site to make sure you’re getting the best deals on energy bills or insurance coverage. If you begin with the end in mind, it’s easier not to get distracted by the sheer volume of websites, programs and apps out there – just keep it simple. Once you have learned a few tricks, you will feel more confident and can move on to other things in your own time.

0 Shares

Auto Accessories And Apps That Make A Roadtrip More Fun

Karen · Leave a Comment

This post contains afilliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I will make a small commission. This will not affect the price you pay for the item.

Planning a roadtrip? Here are some accessories and apps that will work for you to make the trip more fun. From a holder for your phone, to an app that tells you if there is a speedtrap ahead, these things will help you have a better trip.

RAM Mounts (RAM-B-166-UN10U) Twist Lock Suction Cup Mount

My son gave me one of these phone mounts for Christmas 2 years ago. I use it all the time. It lets me mount my phone on the windshield of my car, at eye level, so that I can see the GPS directions without taking my eyes off the road. I love that I can adjust the position of the phone so that I can take pictures or a video if traffic is backed up. This device is a must for a road trip!

Contigo Purity Glass Water Bottle

I like to stay hydrated and drink water all day long. This 20 ounce glass water bottle has a silicone sleeve so it is easy to grip and won’t slip away off the seat. It fits in the cup holder snugly. The wide opening allows you to put ice in the bottle to keep the water cold. I have had mine for about four years and it is still like new. No more plastic bottles for me!

WAZE App

The WAZE app is incredible! It has GPS navigation with a choice of voices. But the thing I like about it is that it will notify you if there is a speed trap ahead. I try my best to stay within the speed limit, but sometimes my foot gets a little heavy on the gas pedal. Now I don’t have to worry about that. The notifications that I got gave me plenty of time to slow down before I saw the police car parked in the median.

Live updates from other users let you know if there is a delay ahead, and will automatically give you a different route so you can skip the delay.

Google Maps App

Google Maps is another app with GPS navigation, but what I like most about it is that I can explore the area I am in without going anywhere. I can find a store, a restaurant, a hospital if needed, just by searching in the app.

accessories and apps — Google Maps screen shot

Uber

I love Uber. Although I live out in the middle of nowhere, when I travel to a city, I can use Uber and never get lost! I don’t have to look for a place to park or walk a fourth of a mile if from a parking garage to the front door of a business. Uber picks me up from wherever I am, and delivers me to the door of the restaurant or store or to the activity where I am going. When I am ready to go home, Uber picks me up from where ever I am and takes me to my hotel. The app is very easy to use, and lets you link to your Paypal account so payment is automatic. You can leave a tip for the driver on the app as well, so you don’t have to handle money for the transaction at all.

What are your favorite accessories and apps to use during a roadtrip?

0 Shares

Healthy Treats for Dogs and Cats

Karen · Leave a Comment

Treats for dogs and cats can often contain useless fillers and potentially dangerous additives that can cause all kinds of health problems for your pet. This is why it’s important to check the labels when buying pet treats to make sure the ingredients included are all safe for your pet. Additionally, you should make sure you are buying treats that can help with any specific issues your pet may have such as unhealthy coats, allergies, or tummies that are sensitive to grains or other ingredients. Below is a curated list of treats for dogs and cats that have healthy ingredients and will promote the overall health of your furry friend:

Dog Treats

1. Health Bars with Pumpkin and Cinnamon

These treats are an excellent option for dogs who may have digestion issues. Pumpkin is great for regulating digestion and helping correct either loose stools or constipation. Also, pumpkin-based treats are usually the safest bet if your dog has a sensitive stomach and you’re not sure what may bother it.

2. Natural Salmon-Flavored Treats

Salmon-flavored dog treats are a great source of protein while being low in fat. The oils contained in salmon dog treats promote healthy skin while also boosting your dog’s immune system. These treats also support brain function and aids in keeping joints strong and healthy.

3. Organic Snack Bites Chicken Recipe

Organic treats are always a good way to ensure the quality of ingredients in your pet’s treats are the highest they can be. Chicken-based recipes are often appealing for dogs who may be picky about the flavor of their treats. These chicken treats have not only organic chicken but are also made of all-organic products (besides the preservative, sea salt, and coconut glycerin).

Cat Treats

1. Fancy Feast Purely Natural Variety Pack

The biggest advantage to these treats is that they are made with a single ingredient: chicken, salmon, or tuna, depending on the treat you pull from the bag. These are made by baking selections of real fish or chicken into crunchy bits for your cat to enjoy that are completely free of any fillers or additives. The variety included in one pack is also convenient for cats who won’t eat the same flavor multiple times in a row, or for owners who are still trying to figure out which flavors their cat is partial to.

2. Crunchy Grain-Free Cat Treats

These treats are a good grain-free option for cats with sensitivities or whose digestive systems might just need a break from trying to process grains which aren’t naturally found in a cat’s diet. These treats are made with real chicken and are free of by-products and artificial fillers, colors, or preservatives.

3. Tuna Puree Cat Treats

These treats come in tubes of pureed paste that are perfect for cats who may be older or have sensitive or weak gums or teeth. There are only 5 ingredients in these treats, and they are all-natural and free of fillers and additives. These treats are a good grain-free choice as well.

It’s easy for pet owners to grab the cheapest box of treats off the shelf and feed them to their dogs and cats, but these options are typically far from ideal in terms of nutritional balance. While pet owners mean well, they’re inadvertently affecting the health of their furry friends in a negative way. Rather than going for the quick and easy treat solution, opt instead for healthy treats for dogs and cats.

0 Shares