5 Tips For Making Smart Investments After Retirement

Once you have retired, the key to investment is protecting your nest egg. There will not be any time to make enough money to build a second nest egg. 

Therefore, it is not how you invest your money so much as what you invest your money in. With that in mind, the following are five tips to invest your retirement funds while protecting your money at the same time.

Park Your Money in an FDIC Insured Account

Any money that is not invested should be kept in a bank account that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. There are other places to keep your money while not in use, a brokerage account is one example, but you want to have the security of a government backed account. 

Most commercial banks have accounts such as these. The State Bank of Cross Plains is one example. 

Buy Short-Term CDs

A certificate of deposit offers security and pays you interest on your deposit. You don't invest your money for too long a time, so your retirement funds are not tied up. 

You can determine what length of time is best for you, but a few months to a year is often a good choice for someone who is retired.

Invest In Stocks That Pay Dividends

The stock market can be risky, and for people with limited funds to invest, it may not make sense. However, if you decide to buy stocks, focus on those companies that are have a long track record of paying dividends. 

You are not looking to buy and sell stocks for a profit in your retirement years, but instead, are looking for a consistent return. 

Corporate Bonds

These types of bonds are a way for a company to raise cash. Some of them can be risky, but like stocks, you want to buy from large, established companies. 

You also want to buy short-term bonds since you are in retirement. You can also buy into a mutual fund that has a portfolio of corporate bonds. This takes much of the risk out of purchasing any single bond.

Delay Collecting Your Social Security

You become eligible for Social Security at age 62, but if you wait until age 65, you can collect your full amount. 

However, if you delay collecting your benefits until age 70, you will get an additional eight percent more in your check for each year after 65 that you delay filing for benefits. This is a large return on your investment.

The tips listed above should be helpful to you. In general, you need to focus on investments that offer security for your retirement funds.

Hillary Clinton & Financial Market Trading: Drawing Parallels to Help Us Trade Successfully

Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 US presidential poll. To many it was a shock loss, with the global financial markets reacting in horror to the news that Donald Trump had won the USA presidential elections. 

As far as the majority in the USA are concerned, Donald Trump deserved to win because only he can make America great again. Nonetheless, his policies on foreign nationals, immigrants, and people of other religions continue to worry the world, ergo, the financial markets. 

On the other hand, Trump's desire to spend millions of US dollars fixing the ageing infrastructure in the USA is good for the financial markets in the short-term.

The current levels of volatility in the financial markets

Where does this leave the global financial markets in the short-, medium-, and long-term? One thing is for certain, the current levels of volatility in the markets will continue and might even increase. 

In layman’s terms, there will be days when the markets are up and other days when the markets are down. The current levels of volatility in the markets are what is making online trading challenging.

Whether we like Hillary Clinton or not, I believe we have to admit that she put up a good fight. In fact, the expert opinion polls had pegged her to win by a reasonable margin. 

Unfortunately, the opinion polls were wrong, and the statisticians are still trying to work out where they went wrong. Consequently, the markets seem to be a bit wary of trusting the results of opinion polls at the moment.

Clinton and the financial markets

What does Clinton’s loss have to do with utilizing the binary options trading vehicle to save for your retirement? 

Well, she has made some powerful statements during, before, and after her campaign. 

For instance: I believe that we can draw strength from her words as we navigate our way through these stormy seas.

Try try and try again

According to Mrs. Clinton, there is no point in giving up. We need to keep on going and trying until you get it right. As a “newbie” trader or an experienced trader, there will be times when we make the wrong choices. 

Instead of throwing our hands up in horror, we need to go back and look at what we did wrong, learn from our mistakes, move forward, and try again.

Making the impossible possible

If we follow Clinton’s example, we will learn that it is important to keep on working on our business models until we succeed. It is important to keep revising it until it works. 

This point is particularly relevant to online trading in today’s volatile times. On the other hand, the good news is that if we partner with a reliable binary options trading broker, we will be able to reduce the risk of losing money because we made a wrong call. 

A world-class binary options broker will not only have state of the art binary options software, but they will also employ a highly skilled customer support team in order to help us trade successfully.

Fight fear

We all know that fear is a paralysing emotion that can prevent us from achieving our goals and dreams. Unfortunately, the older we get, the greater this fear can be. 

If we are nearing retirement and do not have enough invested to retire comfortably on, we will more than likely fall into this category of people. Because no one is really sure what the future holds for anyone, it’s easy to get stuck in a pattern of fear-driven behaviour. 

This fear will impact on every area of our lives, including our ability to place successful trades.

The good news is that a reputable, world-class online trading broker will have a comprehensive education centre consisting of a trading academy, advanced trading materials, and FAQs. They will also have expert financial analysts to help us analyse and make sense of the markets.

Final words

Hillary Clinton has drawn these quotes from the basic tenets of life. They are mentioned in all major philosophies pertaining to how we should live our lives. 

This is not to say that taking these tenets to heart and applying them in our lives is easy. All we can do is try, try and try again. Things will come right! I believe that we can draw strength from her words as we navigate our way through these stormy seas. 

But, we must not let sentiment cloud our judgment and should rather seek to adapt ourselves to these volatile ideological times by taking extra care in our attention to who we partner with in the business of binary options.

4 Key Tactics for Reducing your Health Insurance Premiums

No one wants to think about getting sick, but we are all aware of the unfortunate fact that unforeseeable accidents and diseases can creep up on even the most healthy individual. Healthcare costs continue to rise worldwide, and most people simply can’t afford paying such expensive out-of-pocket hospital fees, which is why they secure health insurance in order to offset these costs with their policy. 

With health insurance premiums increasing year-on-year, plans can be quite costly, but there are ways to reduce these costs. This article by insurance advisor Pacific Prime Global Health Insurance Brokers guides you through some of the key tactics for reducing your health insurance premiums. 

First, take a look at your existing plan

If your current plan is too expensive or has increased in price drastically over the years, you may want to get rid of coverage elements that you definitely won’t need. By removing some of these benefits, this will help lower your premiums.

You may also want to review any changing circumstances when looking at cutting down on coverage benefits. For example, say your spouse has found a new job with an excellent medical benefits package. If that’s the case, you may want to consider dropping your spouse as a dependant in your current policy, as this will likely see a significant decrease in the rate of your plan.

Looking at the types of health insurance coverage

Plans tend to differ in the elements of coverage they offer, and these are often divided into the following three types:

Inpatient: This covers care that requires hospital stays only, and won’t cover for outpatient care such as check-ups. As this comes with the least amount of coverage, inpatient-only plans tend to be the cheapest.

Inpatient and outpatient: This covers both inpatient care and outpatient care. If you rarely ever need to visit a doctor, you may want to strip out the outpatient benefit to save some money on your health insurance.

Full coverage: This includes inpatient and outpatient coverage, as well as extra add-on benefits such as maternity or vision insurance. For example, if you’re sure you won’t be having a baby anytime soon and are currently covered by maternity insurance, you may want to take out this benefit. However, please bear in mind that if you do need maternity insurance, this will need to be secured at least 10-12 months before the baby is conceived as these plans have waiting periods.

Adjusting your co-payment or deductible

Another viable option for reducing your premiums is to introduce or adjust a co-payment or deductible to your plan. The general rule is that the higher your co-payment or deductible is, the lower your premiums will be.

Co-payments are an agreed fixed amount that you will need to pay every time you submit a claim, for example agreeing to pay $50 towards every medical procedure. You can also consider paying a deductible, which is an amount you have to pay each year or for each claim before it can be submitted. 

Get your No Claims Discount

If you’re shopping around for a plan, have a look at whether they have what’s called a ‘No Claims Discount’ (NCD). Insurance plans with a NCD policy will apply a discount if you go a certain period of time, usually a year, without filing any claims. 

Many policies will increase the discount (up to a maximum amount) for every year that you don’t file a claim. However, if you do file a claim, you will see your NCD drop. Each policy will have different NCD rules, so it is important to know what exactly they entail. 

Consult an insurance broker

Some people still believe the myth that insurance intermediaries charge higher rates for plans, but this could not be further from the truth. Licensed insurance advisors like Pacific Prime Singapore leverage their close relationships with insurance companies to provide rates that are often more competitive than going to an insurance company directly.

By consulting a broker, not only will you enjoy competitive rates, but you will also benefit from:

A wealth of expertise: These people work with insurance daily, and are trained to provide you with unbiased advice based on their wealth of experience.

Time saved: Shopping for plans can be daunting, and doing research is simply time consuming. Insurance brokers do the work and research for you, so that you can just sit back, relax, and let them handle the rest.

Plans tailored to your needs: There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to insurance policies, so brokers are dedicated to finding the best plan for you based on your specific needs and budget requirements.

Additional services: For even more added-value, you can also enjoy the additional services (e.g. in-house renewals teams) typically provided by insurance brokers.

About Pacific Prime Singapore:
If you are looking for the best value health insurance plans on the market, why not visit Pacific Prime Singapore’s Insurance Plans page to purchase your plan today? Their team of experienced insurance advisors offer a wealth of experience that you can rely on.

Life Insurance for Seniors

A lot of people dread shopping for life insurance. After all, it can be confusing to choose between the various types of coverage that are out there, and most people don't really like the idea of thinking about their own death. 

However, this can cause a lot of people to put off buying the coverage that they need, which leads to seniors getting older without life insurance. 

If you have found yourself in this situation, or if you are an adult child who is concerned about your senior parent's lack of coverage, you might be wondering what to do next. 

Luckily, though, there are plenty of options for life insurance for senior citizens.

It's Never Too Late to Buy Life Insurance

Since some insurance companies do not offer coverage for seniors over a certain age, some senior citizens fear that it's too late to buy life insurance. 

Even though there might be fewer options for seniors, especially older ones, it is definitely still possible to secure coverage. 

In fact, you might be surprised by how many options are out there for senior citizens.

Life Insurance Options for seniors

There are multiple types of life insurance to choose from, and each option has its benefits. Looking at your different options can help you choose the right coverage for yourself or your senior parent.

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance is a very popular choice for younger adults, and it is an option for some seniors. 

However, it generally is not the most popular choice for older adults. This is because term life policies often come with higher levels of coverage, which means that insurance companies can be a whole lot stricter about approving applications.

For younger seniors who do not have any health issues, a term life policy might be a good option. 

However, it is important to remember that if you outlive your policy, it can be tough to secure another policy at a reasonable rate. For older seniors or those who have health issues, however, it can be tough to get accepted for one of these policies. 

Plus, many seniors do not need that much coverage anyway, so it might be a more expensive coverage option than what is required.

Whole Life Insurance

Just as for younger adults, whole life insurance can be a good option because the policy can build up a cash value over time. 

However, again, like for younger adults, whole life policies can be quite expensive. Seniors may also be required to undergo a health exam and may have to provide answers to health-related questions, and those who have health issues might not get accepted or might have to pay a higher premium. 

For seniors who are looking for more coverage, such as those who want to ensure that they leave behind a nice cash sum for their beneficiary, this can be a good option. 

However, it is important for seniors who are thinking about buying a whole life insurance policy to be prepared to pay higher premium amounts.

Burial Insurance

Many senior citizens find that burial insurance is the best option. This is true for a few reasons. First of all, there are various types of burial policies. 

Some will pay out the full coverage amount as soon as the insured passes away, without any waiting periods. These policies often require seniors to answer health-related questions. 

The insurance companies often aren't as strict on these policies and are not too concerned about minor health conditions.

For those with more serious health issues, there are guaranteed acceptance policies. This means that anyone can be approved. However, these policies often come with a waiting period. 

For example, if the insured passes away within the first year of the policy, only the amount that was paid in will be paid to the beneficiary. Then, the next year, a percentage of the coverage amount might be paid. 

After a certain time period, such as three years, the full coverage amount will be paid.

Burial policies generally only come with smaller coverage amounts, but they can be a more affordable option that is easier to qualify for than many other life insurance policies. 

Because of this, burial insurance -- which is also known as funeral insurance -- is a very popular choice for senior citizens.

To learn more, visit seniorlifeinsuranceplans.com.

The Hidden Negative Effects of Debt

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Personal debt can be attributed to any number of causes, be it a medical emergency, divorce, addiction, or simply unwise spending habits.

Many people know that they should steer clear of debt in order to enjoy strong financial health, but did you know that avoiding debt can promote stronger physical and mental health as well?

Here is a look at some negative effects of debt you may not have known about.

Impaired relationships

Rarely is debt an individual matter, as debt has a tendency to encroach on relationships, marriages, and family relationships. A spouse or partner, for example, may begin to resent their significant other as a means of coping with debt.

They may blame their significant other for irresponsible spending habits, bringing more debt into the relationship, not making enough money, losing a job, etc.

Or, they may choose to hide their debt from their significant other completely, ultimately leading to impaired communication and trust.




One study conducted at Kansas State University found that arguments about money are a top predictor of divorce, while another survey by Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) reports that an estimated 37 percent of people with debt problems had those problems adversely affect their relationship with their partner.

Romantic relationships are not the only ones harmed, either. A person with debt might, for example, begin to resent their employer for not giving them enough money or for not giving them a raise.

Or, someone with debt might resent friends and family members who are financially dependent on them or who tempt them to spend money they really shouldn’t be spending.

Trouble at work 

Because personal debt is so strongly correlated with increased levels of stress, debt can be a major hindrance in your life at work.

When you are constantly preoccupied with how you are going to pay your bills, your ability to focus on your work is likely going to suffer. If things get serious enough, your career may even be in jeopardy.

And even if you are able to keep your stresses about money from affecting you at work, financial trouble could potentially put you in trouble as you navigate the market.

Some companies actually require their job candidates to undergo a background check for employment, which may include a look into your credit history and other financial information.

If you have personal debt clouding your finances, it could tell an employer that you are not organized enough to complete work on time—or not responsible enough to make decisions that will affect the company’s finances.

Increased risk of mental health problems 

It really should come as no surprise that debt is so strongly correlated with mental health issues, as debt is one of the leading causes of stress today.

According to one study conducted at the University of Nottingham, people who struggle to pay off their debts and loans are more than twice as likely to experience mental health problems such as depression and severe anxiety. 

Moreover, 29 percent of people with high debt stress report having severe anxiety. Another study published in Social Science & Medicine had similar findings, reporting that high amounts of debt are associated with higher rates of stress and depression.

The Royal College of Psychologists even reports that one in two adults with debts has a mental health problem. In short, high levels of debt can contribute to the development of depression, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, addiction, and more.

And as this article points out, mental health problems such as addiction can lead to even more financial stress.

Impaired physical health 

The effects that debt can have on your physical health are surprising. First, of course, there are the health conditions that are commonly associated with stress.

Stress may cause you to eat unhealthy foods or overeat, for example, ultimately resulting in weight gain. Alternatively, it might contribute to insomnia or restlessness, or over time, weaken your immune system.

Chronic stress can also increase your blood pressure, which in turn puts you at higher risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.

And finally, many people who are battling debt choose to forego the healthcare they need in order to save money. Ultimately, this decision can be highly detrimental to your physical health.

5 Ways to Prepare Financially for Retirement

Everyone dreams of the day they’ll get retired, but romantic projection we have of retirement is often completely different from the harsh reality that often involves financial difficulties, loneliness and decrease in overall health.

The pension is usually much lower than our pay, which often makes new pensioners rethink about their spending habits and lifestyle. 

Still, retirement doesn’t have to be burdened by financial difficulties if the right financial strategy is applied even before the golden age takes place.

1. Don’t Rely Only on Savings

The fact is that nowadays people live longer than they did 50 years ago and often savings aren’t enough to live the lifestyle we are used to. 

So, before retiring make a financial plan that will make you money, even when the paycheck is gone. It can be investing in binary options, stocks, forex markets, or unsheltered savings.

It is always good to ask your accountant what are the possibilities or rely on a financial advisor who will make you a proper investing plan for the retirement.

2. Know Your Expenses

It is important to understand where all that money you make is going and to adjust your expenses to your possibilities while taking your future into consideration. 

Some researchers say that most people need 70-90% of their previous income to keep up with the lifestyle they had before the retirement, so it is important to rethink your priorities and needs before the first pension comes. 

Always have a real picture of your cost/income ratio.

3. Think Smaller

In our 30’s and 40’s we like to dream big, and we need big things, but once the children are on their own, all big things become a burden as they cost a significant amount of money. 

Try to cut costs before retirement by downsizing your home and getting rid of all unnecessary services. 

Find a cheaper mobile plan, get rid of expensive TV programs or TV on demand, and don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal or take your business elsewhere.

4. Reduce Your Debt

It is much easier to reduce your debt while still working than in retirement. People who efficiently handle their debts can enjoy their retirement care free. 

Besides getting rid of a credit card, student loans, and other types of debt, it is always good to check interest rates and fees charged by your bank. 

They may seem small, but they accumulate over time and can truly make a difference.

5. Review Your Will

Many things change over time and having an updated will gives you insurance that your estate will be distributed as you intended it. 

Periodical reviews of your will, will provide you the much more peaceful state of mind and will help your family in case of emergency. 

Also, sometimes thinking about future in that specific way, puts all things, including finances in a whole new way.