Items You Can Invest In For a More Senior-Friendly Home

Oh the excitement of being retired, forgetting work-related stress and just travelling or relaxing at home! Staying at home and enjoying some personal space is a good way for seniors to unwind. But spending more time at home means having to transform it into a place that won’t be at all stressful to move around. 

There are two things to think about when improving your home to be more senior-friendly and comfortable: security and safety. These are also the two things that you should not hesitate investing in. Security means enough equipment to fend off intruders or trespassers and adequate devices to call for help in times of emergency. To achieve a safe environment, one must make sure that all the rooms in the house are not hazardous. Here are some add-ons that will certainly add more safety and security to your home. 

Grab Bars

With slippery tiles and often-wet floor, the bathroom could be the most dangerous room for a senior. Prevent unwanted accidents by adding as many grab bars as needed in the bathroom. The best spots to install them are on the walls by the bathtub and the toilet. This makes getting up and down a whole lot easier and it serves as a good support to keep seniors from slipping while maneuvering around. You can find basic easy mount grab bars starting at $30 or you can go for more sophisticated bars at $100 and above.

Handrails

As grab bars are for the bathroom, handrails are also quite useful in the stairs and hallways. These are excellent add-ons to help you balance your walk if you are already having a problem with it. Select areas in the house which you deem necessary to install these. Aside from the stairs and hallways, it is important to remember that anywhere where steps are present is a good location for handrails, like the swimming pool for instance.

Ramp

This is a significant home improvement that you can do to create not only a senior-friendly home, but also a favorable place for the disabled. Make things a whole lot easier for those who are in wheels by adding wheelchair access ramps in the main entrance and in the driveway or walkway. Opt for something that has a non-slip paint finish or ones that are easily adjustable and expandable. A ramp is an add-on that is very convenient to set up but will surely serve its purpose very well. They can be a little costly, with wheelchair ramps generally starting at $500, but they are good add-ons you will eventually feel the need to have.

Lights

Yes, more lights. That might mean an increase in your electricity bill, right? Well, it’s one way to keep your home safe after all. A quick yet helpful add-on to your house is good lighting. Make walking and doing things easier with adequate lights. Crucial areas that need good lighting include the bathroom, kitchen, and entryways. Lights in the hallway makes it easier to move around or go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, so make sure this area is also covered. To save on the expense, choose long lasting bulbs to avoid spending on replacement, or go for fluorescent or LED lighting as they are more efficient than incandescent bulbs.

Home Alarms

Regardless of the age of the household members, a security alarm is a good defense against trespassers. Once it is set off, it can either connect to the service provider who can send help over or it can simply create enough noise to call the attention of the neighbors and to create panic on the intruder. Another alarm that is also useful is the smoke detection alarm. These two should therefore be present if you want to keep your home safe. Make sure however that the control panel of the alarm is installed at a level that you can easily access and operate.

Phone

Medical emergency is something that you should always be prepared of even when at home. A phone therefore should be considered a necessity in order to respond to undesirable incidents. Keep the landline unit in a strategic place, like near the bathroom, as this could be the most accident-prone room. Likewise, make sure to have a mobile phone as backup. Opt for senior friendly phones like the Samsung Jitterbug has a tie-up with Great Call, a carrier that serves as personal operator for its users. Simple communication devices can go a long way for your safety.


Author Bio

A blogger based in San Diego, California, Amanda Smith has a penchant for writing about technology and gadgets, travel and arts, health and wellness, and just about anything that tickles her fancy. When she’s not writing, she’s busy catching up on her favorite sitcoms with her yellow Labrador, Chandler Tribbiani. More of her works can be found at wordbaristas.com.

Sunday is National Coffee Day Get Some Free Coffee

English: A photo of a cup of coffee. Esperanto: Taso de kafo. Français : Photo d'une tasse de caffé Español: Taza de café (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sunday is National Coffee Day. I wonder who designates these kind of holidays. Anyway, I think this is an appropriate way to use a Sunday. I will be visiting my local coffee establishment and having a taste of their fine brew. The folks over at "Best Coffee For You.com" have put up a list of the festivities going on at some of the national coffee shops.

Here are a few places you should visit tomorrow. You definitely will find free coffee and maybe a couple of deals on beans and supplies.

10 Ways to Enjoy National Coffee Day

Caribou Coffee

Get a free small coffee with printable or digital coupon at Caribou Coffee on Sept. 29. You can also buy an Amy’s Tumbler refillable cup for unlimited coffee-of-the-day refills through Oct. 31. The tumbler promotion is in honor of Amy Erickson, a former “roastmaster” for Caribou Coffee who lost her battle with breast cancer at just 33 years old.

Dunkin’ Donuts

In order to get a free 10 oz. hot coffee or 16 oz. iced coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts on Sept. 29, you’ll need to download their mobile app. Navigate to the “offers” tab to find the coupon. You can also score a 16-ounce package of coffee for $5.99 or a 14-pack of K-Cups for $7.99 on Sept. 28 and 29.

Krispy Kreme

Receive a 12 oz. cup of coffee from Krispy Kreme on Sept. 29, or pay $1 for a specialty drink including their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte. You can also enter to win a free coffee every day for a year when you sign up before Sept. 29.

Starbucks

Try a taste of Ethiopia, Starbucks’ latest blend, for free on Sunday, Sept. 29. You can also get a free, commemorative ceramic mug when you purchase a pound of Ethiopian coffee (while supplies last).

Einstein Bros.

Starting on Sept. 27, buy one coffee beverage and get the second one free. The offer applies to both hot and iced specialty lattes and drip coffee orders.

Tim Hortons

Get a free coffee when you purchase another coffee from Tim Hortons on Sept. 29. Just tell the cashier “Happy National Coffee Day” to get the deal.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea

Get a free 12-oz Maple Latte when you buy oatmeal or baked item between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sept. 29. The offer is only available at retail locations (not supermarket or airport locations) and can be presented on your mobile device.

Kangaroo Express

With over 1,500 locations in the southeastern U.S., the National Coffee Day offer from Kangaroo Express convenience stores will have you jumping for joy. Get a 12 oz. coffee for just one penny between 8 a.m. and noon on Sunday, Sept. 29.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Head to Anaheim Angels Stadium to get a free Americano machine during Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Trade Up Your Cup event on Sunday, Sept. 29. The first 2,500 customers who trade in their old, electrical coffee maker between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. will receive an Americano machine — valued at $149 — in exchange.

Wawa

Get a free 16-oz. cup of coffee from Wawa on Sept. 29 when you fill out a form on their Facebook page. You’ll receive a coupon upon completion to present to the cashier for redemption.

Enjoy!

No Credit Check: Loans for Everybody Irrespective of Credit Scores

Loans (Photo credit: zingbot)

You should know that people go and apply for loan when they get into any financial problem. People need money at every moment. But nowadays borrowers are not getting the loans very easily. Moreover, very often they are not getting the approval from the banks as there is recession in the market. The recession is still on in the market. You will get to know that there are several financial companies that provide loans very easily. But you need to get ready to carry the higher rates of interest. There are several lending policies available in the market. They are payday loans, fast loans, car loans, personal loans etc. You just need to choose the particular type of loan at the very beginning. You need to choose the proper plan. After doing this you will have to choose the perfect financial company. 

You can choose the company by going online by using the internet. The fact cannot be denied that after the introduction of internet the procedure of doing research has become easier. You will come to know the names of several financial companies that provide payday loans. Now you need to compare the rates interest. Once you choose the financial company, then you will get a page sharing form. You just need to fill up the form online.

There are some advantages of this lending policy. We will also try to make you familiar with the benefits of these lending policies. You can get the approval for the loans even with bad credit past. Moreover you are getting a chance to apply right from your house. You won’t have to go into the crowd for the application. You can read out the terms and conditions of the financial companies by setting in your bedroom.

You just need to meet the criteria of the financial company. There are some rules and regulations. You need to be over 18 years of age. You need to prove that you are the citizen of this country. You might have to keep some documents to the financial company. You won’t have to get worried regarding the details that you have given to them. They will be kept in the best way so that nobody gets any information regarding you. At the same time you don’t have to keep anything as such to the financial company as mortgage. You can even the authentic papers of your car to the financial company. But, you will be able to use the car in your business.

You just need to keep the entire discussion in your mind. This will help you a lot if you are going to apply for a payday loan.

Retirement Community: Is it an Ideal Place for Retirees?

 One big decision to make when you reach the retirement age is to decide whether or not to find a new home. Surely by this age, your children have grown up and moved out from your house. Thus, living in a huge home is already impractical. Many seniors opt to buy a brand new house that will serve as retirement home. Oftentimes, they choose to retire in rural areas.

Are you looking for a retirement home? As of today, there are several retirement communities emerging like mushrooms in different places. In a retirement community, the residents are obviously retired people (if not all - majority of the denizens). The development of community has offered seniors varied choices to settle on. So, will you go for a retirement community? Is it really the perfect place for you?
There are some aspects that can help you decide with regards to pursuing a community housing.

Cost

In terms of cost, retirees will not have to fret since there are affordable homes available. If you have enough budget after retirement, it is highly advisable to buy a home in full payment. As much as possible, retirees should avoid home mortgage considering that they are no longer working - no more regular job to rely on. But if you prefer to have it in installment basis, you will just have to allot certain amount of money for the down payment and other fees to pay. Some retirement community developers offer various modes of payment.

So, is retirement community ideal for retired people? Practically speaking, it is indeed suitable. With so many options to choose and flexible payment methods, acquiring a retirement home is very feasible.

Neighborhood

Primarily, a retirement community is meant for retirees - aged 55 and older. These communities are intended to cater to retired people who wish to own a new home after retiring. Hence, it follows that majority of the residents in these communities are senior citizens. And now the big question is: Would you like to live in a community where most dwellers are elderly? There are pros and cons in this scenario.

Pros:

• People might be easier to mingle since you are in the same age group
• Several activities are offered to keep retirees busy and active
• A chance to meet new people (friend or new companion)
• Retirees can feel a sense of belonging and feel less lonely

Cons:

• Access to medical or fitness establishments might be a challenge if there is no younger companion
• Some retirees might find it hard to form a new relationship

There are other advantages and disadvantages of living in a neighborhood where seniors are living. That is why it is essential to ponder all possible pros and cons to help you decide if living in a retirement community is ideal for you.

Amenities and Facilities

Most retirement communities have amenities suitable for seniors. Depending on the developers, some communities have golf course, medical facility, park, tennis court, convenient store and activity center. All these amenities are designed to help keep the seniors active while living in the community. In fact, some communities host simple livelihood programs to guide the retirees in managing their finance.

By simply checking out the available facilities, you can easily determine if it is the best place for your or for your senior. There are community developers offering more amenities in an effort to provide the most comfortable living experience to seniors. However, the more amenities being offered the more expensive these community houses become. That is why, it is important to scrutinize if the featured offerings can be of great help to you.

Generally, a retirement community can be a good choice for retirees out there. But there are advantages and disadvantages to weigh before making a decision. At the end of the day, it is not about living in a retirement community or in another housing community. Whether you buy a house in a certain community or rent a unit in one of those apartments in Dallas, the place may not be the main priority. The most important thing is that seniors can dwell with less hassle and much comfort. 

Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® Review for 2013

The best-selling credit card is the Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard®, which provides a 0% opening APR on balance transfers and purchases. 

It also provides speedy collection of points with bonus points after the cardholder’s 1st purchase or balance transfer, and double points while utilising the card for the grocery store*, gas, and utilities.

The Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® offers 3 other variations, depending on your credit rating:

• average credit (no intro. APR or balance transfer benefits)
• good credit (this review is focussed on this version)
• excellent credit (with 0% APR for 12 mo. & up to 10,000 bonus points!)

Note: all the "Apply Now" buttons and other BarclayCard® links on this page take you to the good credit version.

APR for Purchases

The Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® comes with a 0% introductory APR that's in effect for the 1st six months (12 months for excellent credit version) the account is open. After that period, the rate adjusts to a variable APR that is presently tiered at 14.99%, 17.99%, or 24.99% depending on creditworthiness & reward benefits. When the introductory APR expires, the minimum interest payment on cards carrying a balance is $2.00.

The opening APR can be eliminated early in the event from a late payment, in which case a penalty APR of up to 30.24% may be applied. Even during the introductory period, it’s important to make all payments promptly.

Balance Transfers

For balance transfers, it's 0% APR for the first 6 months. Likewise, after six months, the interest on balance transfers moves to the same three levels as for purchases: 14.99%, 17.99%, or 24.99%. 

Fees

This card has no yearly fee. It does charge a fee for balance transfers: the greater of $10 or 3% for the first 15 months, and the greater of $10 or 4% after that. Cash advances come with a fee equivalent to the greater of $10 or 5%, along with an APR of 25.24% on that portion of the balance.

Either a late payment or a returned payment brings a fee of “up to” $35.

Reward Points

Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® offers two Rewards points for every dollar spent on “day-to-day purchases,” such as gas, groceries, and utilities*. It also offers one point per dollar on everything else, and 5,000 bonus points awarded after the first purchase or balance transfer. Points can be saved for statement credits; they're applied to any purchase on the previous statement of $25 or more, at a rate of 100 points per dollar redemption. The bonus 5,000 points are worth a statement credit of $50. Rewards points don't expire, so long as the account remains active and in good standing.

My Take

The Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® provides a fantastic 0% APR opening period of a full year on purchases and 15 months on balance transfers. The reward redemption choice is limited to purchase reimbursement, and the interest after the opening period is rather high, but the card remains a good option for consumers who want to use the introductory period to pay down balances and can pay off the balance in full every month after the first year.

Apply for Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard

How to Plan Best Final Expense Insurance?

No one wants to give trouble to loved ones at the end of the life’s journey. You can plan now for funeral cost with final expense insurance so that all your possible expenses are met. Thus, your family members will be able to celebrate your life in a most dignified manner. In order to make the most of the final expense insurance, you should go through the available insurance options. It is also required to get an estimate of probable costs that will be involved at the end of life’s journey. The insurance plan should not exceed your needs in which case, you will pay higher premiums. At the same, the final insurance plan should not under cover your expenses in which case, it will extend financial burden to your family members. 

Assess your requirements 

You can plan now for funeral cost with final expense insurance by getting a decent estimate on your needs. There will be need to spend money on various heads which include funeral service, casket, burial and cemetery plot. Other expenses include the arrangement of flowers, vehicles, procession, viewing and headstone. In order to reach a decent estimate, you should consult the elders present in your community. If you discuss with local community leaders and organizers, it is possible to get a realistic figure. 

Final expense insurance policies 

There are various kinds of insurance policies. It is true that a traditional senior life insurance policy can cover burial and funeral expenses. However, you will get these benefits at higher face value. The premium that you will pay for a final expense insurance policy is very less. Thus, you will get maximum benefit through final insurance policy. You can plan now for funeral cost with final expense insurance by choosing various important riders as per your needs. 

If you go through the final expense insurance policies that are offered by various insurance companies, you will be able to select the best policy for your needs. By going for quotation from more than two service providers, it is possible to select the best final insurance plan. If you go through reviews offered by experts and customers, you can plan now for funeral cost with final expense insurance. 

Plan selection 

Final expense insurance plan will work on the same lines as that of life insurance. It can be taken on term basis or whole life basis. If you go for term insurance, it will provide cover to a certain age (generally up to 80 years). When you go for a whole life policy, it will cover your entire life. The age limit that is set for obtaining final expense insurance will be dependent on the insurance company that you have chosen. Most of the insurance providers set the age limit of 75 years. 

You should go through the eligibility criteria. The past and present health condition should be shared with the insurance provider. You can plan now for funeral cost with final expense insurance so that your family members are relieved from financial burden and they will organize the proceedings as per your desires.