One Minute to Midnight Retirement Planning

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

A mixture of personal circumstances, economic uncertainty and bad luck can leave people approaching retirement with insufficient savings. If you find yourself in this position you have a few options to maximize your savings.

Increase Savings

If at all possible, increase the amount you’re saving. Standard financial lore says to save at least 15 percent of your income for retirement. Try to increase this even more.

Once you’re past 50 the Internal Revenue Service allows you to contribute more to IRAs and 401(k)s. Take full advantages of this opportunity.

Cut Back

Increasing savings, by necessity, usually means cutting back on living expenses. You may need to cancel expensive vacations or purchases in the last years before retirement. Moving to a smaller, less expensive home can free up equity which you can roll into IRAs, 401(k)s or investments.

Add Some Risk (Or Play it Safe)

Depending on which financial advisor you ask, someone playing catch-up on retirement savings should either play it extremely safe or learn to take some risks. The right decision depends on your saving habits and personal preferences.

Highly conservative savers may not see the returns they require to retire comfortably. This is especially true for people whose savings focus on CDs and money market accounts. Adding some risk to a conservative portfolio, such as increasing corporate bonds and stock portfolios, could increase your returns.

On the other hand, we’re talking about a situation where you already lack the funds you need, and increased risk carries with it the possibility of increases loss as well as profit. If you’re not comfortable risking the savings you have, risky last-minute investments are not for you. 

Use Benefits While You Have Them

If you have medical conditions that require attention, take full advantage of any benefits your employee offers. Whether you need surgery, dental work or even access to addiction rehab centers, use your health coverage before you retire.

Using your health benefits before retiring can have a significant impact on how long retirement savings last. The healthier you are, the less money you’ll spend on medical expenses. In other words, taking the time to lose a few pounds now could save you dollars in the years to come. 

Delaying Retirement

If your retirement savings are particularly low, you have another option: delay your retirement. By working an extra five years or so you increase your eventual Social Security income and may be able to take greater advantage of the IRS over-50 programs. Talk to a financial advisor to see how this option would impact your personal finance.

Many retirees now chose a “working retirement,” either out of necessity or the desire to explore a new career they truly enjoy. Some see part-time employment as vital to their retirement income, while others see the job as more of a hobby that gets them out of the house and provides social interaction.

A part-time job won’t bring in the income you’re used to, but it’s not supposed to replace your old employment. Instead, part-time employment helps you stretch your retirement income further. For many retirees whom need supplemental income, a part-time job makes a significant difference.

5 Steps to Take your Business Global

Taking your business globally is a huge venture to undertake but there is a process that works. Here is how you can take your business global in five steps. 

1. Research and plan

Location is just as important online because websites are an extension of the country where they were created. Just like in the physical world, figure out and research which country will suit your goods and products the best. If your business is into exports then chose a market that is open to selling new products and have willingness to create it. However, be aware of laws, language, fees, and cost of shipping. Also be mindful of the strength of your currency on the market. Countries such as, Great Britain, Canada, Slovakia, New Zealand and Turkey are good choices for the dollar.

To get your research started check out these websites;

• BuyUSA.gov
• Export.gov 
• Trade.gov 

2. Take on partnerships

Your start-up plan for your business might have worked perfectly in your home area but it won't on a global scale. Scout out the best in crucial areas around the world and propose a partnership deal that will benefit both parties. Those local teams will already know the dos and don'ts for their market. Setup a license or distribution agreement if funds are low. On the enterprise side, contact business development partners. 

3. Setup a virtual office

Enough though you will have partnerships all over the world, you still do not have an office. It would look unprofessional if you sold a very popular product only to call a meeting at a local cafe. Virtual office suppliers have administration staff on hand and spaces all around the world for you to use. This could be conference rooms or simply an office already furnished. For more information on virtual offices check out Servcorp Virtual Office for ideas.

4. Invest in a foreign branch and employ your own staff

Think of it as having a franchise except you own it but it is overseas. Though travel is a must until you employ a business partner, the virtual office would still come in handy. Just be mindful of laws. Domestic management works better than foreign management because the country might lack managerial sources and other resources.

Market, market and then e-market

Advertising your business is a huge must because in other countries you are brand new. Nobody knows you and what you provide, so start by getting locals to market for you. This will outline the foundation for marketing and then you can expand on the client base they get. Market some more in a new creative way once you have learned the trends and then invest in e-marketing. It is better to do marketing on the ground first because you need to gain credibility first before tackling the online world.

Once all of these steps are completed, reassess the entire plan and evaluate the areas that need improvements. Business is a place that changes and there is always something new to learn. 

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.