Downsizing to Keep Your Adult Kids Out

At present, having your 21- to 35-year-olds living back at home is becoming normal. As of July 2020, 52 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds were living with their parents based on a September 2020 analysis of data from Pew Research Center.

The majority of parents have good intentions and openly take their adult children back home represents helping them handle a temporary situation to save money, reduce their debt or get a stable well paying job.

But if the returning adult child continues to remain beyond the time limit, the new situation can be much more than just a small inconvenience, health specialists claim. 

Young adults who neglect to establish progress at their job, brush aside multiple opportunities they are presented with can negatively affect Mom and Dad's finances, postponing any arrangements to scale down and decrease retirement savings.

This puts further burdens on parents from the ages of 50s and up. So, you should understand the odds are very high that you're going to have less money when your adult child returns home.

If you're expecting your 20- to 30-something child to return home or you've had enough of them repeatedly returning every few months and want them to become more self-sufficient, here's what you should do.

• Establish expectations early.
• Make it somewhat uncomfortable by not having a spare bedroom.
• Don't allow it to repeat.

Consider downsizing your home

Downsizing is the term for moving from a larger home into a smaller-sized home typically with less maintenance. For some people, this means a home with less land (grass, bushes, trees) to maintain or a home with less square footage and fewer unused rooms.




Downsizing occurs frequently for parents whose children are grown and left home. There is no longer a need for one or two spare bedrooms, being near to schools, or having a large yard. This group of homeowners commonly switches to a home that best suits their new lifestyle and for the rest of their lives.

The process is quite simple, you'll sell your home and move into a smaller home that costs less than your existing home. The proceeds from the sale of your current home can be used for living expenses, or a portion can be put into a money market account and instantly available for any investment opportunities that may arise.

This strategy may give you some flexibility if you buy the new home with all cash. You can also simply refinance your home, get a line of credit or apply for a reverse mortgage to help you. Each of these options sounds like a win-win.

The best thing to do is to figure out how much will be put down on the next home you're buying or the maximum amount you'll pay for rent, and how this will affect your monthly cost. Consult with an expert such as a financial advisor or estate planning specialist.

How Your Finances and Expenses Might Change as You Get Older

If there’s one constant during a modern adult life, it’s the need to stay on top of your finances. Paying bills, filing taxes, and setting a budget is as important at eighty-five as they were in your early twenties. 

But while the importance of personal finance is always the same, the exact way to handle your money changes as you age. There are certain things a retiree has to think about that would never cross a younger person’s mind. Here are four ways that your finances and expenses will evolve as you grow older.

Planning for a Limited Income

When you’re in the prime of your career, you might always sense that there’s more money out there to be made. Whatever happens in the long run, you can always pick up extra shifts or get involved with a side gig in order to make ends meet. 

When you’re older, you no longer have these possibilities. A person’s retirement income is relatively fixed, and you’ll have to make sure you are living within your means. That’s why budgeting is absolutely essential.

Increase in Medical Expenses

Older bodies aren’t as resilient as their younger counterparts, meaning you’ll likely spend a decent portion of your later years at a doctor’s office. You need to take this into account as you think about your finances. 

Eschewing insurance is risky when you’re young, but it’s downright foolish when you’re getting on in years. Make sure you’re properly insured, then set aside some extra funds for copays and medications.

Medicare Comes Into Play

Once you’ve turned sixty-five, you’ll have access to health insurance through Medicare. The system can be frustratingly complex, but you need to navigate it if you want to receive the health care you deserve. You can make the process more manageable by investing in Medicare advantage solution software.

Receiving Benefits From the Government

As you get older, it becomes more likely that you’ll be eligible for a number of government benefits. In addition to Social Security, you could also qualify for disability or survival benefits. 

Familiarize yourself with the law so you know exactly what you’re entitled to. After a life of hard work, you owe it to yourself to claim the payments you deserve.

Getting older changes the personal finance playbook. Keep these tips in mind as you steer your finances through your retirement years.

Socially Distanced Work And Commute in 2021

The year 2021 is going to be about the same as 2020. At least for a while, that is. Offices will continue to maintain a hybrid schedule and social distancing. Meanwhile, the commute to the office should be similar to the one that started in the summer of 2020.

By the end of 2021, it's estimated that approximately 25% of the workforce will move to remote occupations. What does this mean for you? Probably a bit of confusion while you and your company figure out the best way to maintain efficiency.

For more information, here's what you might expect from socially distanced work and commutes in 2021.

Shifting Insurance Costs

Many auto insurance companies froze rates during 2020 as fewer drivers were on the road. On top of this, they halted the cancelation of policies for many due to lack of payment. All of this could mean an increase in premiums for car insurance in Montreal and other Canadian cities.

If you're one of the people who encountered financial loss due to the pandemic, you may need to look at another insurer with lower premiums. Be proactive and reach out to companies like KBD Insurance for a sample of quotes you can examine.

Office Configurations

There's a good chance the reconfigurations made to your office will stay the same for the future. Therefore, you could feel more isolated at your desk, especially when a portion of your team is permanently placed on a remote status.




Don't let this get you down. There are still ways to maintain a positive work experience with social distancing. As long as you wear a mask and maintain a safe distance, don't be afraid to talk to others in the office. If that can't be done, then schedule video chats with one or multiple people to keep engaged with other workers’ goings-on.

Moving to a Digital Workspace

Even when vaccines begin to lessen the danger of coronavirus, your company might consider closing down its physical office. You'll need to work in an all-digital format. Here, it's even more critical to stay in touch with everyone.

If not established yet, ask your management to invest in a chat application. Seeing others on your team might not be an option. However, you can chat with them for advice or to see how they're doing. Additionally, ask your management to establish a regular meeting to fill everyone in about the latest issues and achievements.

A Commute for a Digital Office

Though you were based at an office desk for eight hours a day, you had the opportunity to move around. This included commuting to and from work via your car or public transportation. Should your office go digital, you want to avoid sitting at the kitchen table or your home office all day.

Once restrictions loosen, consider working at a coffee shop. This is exceedingly feasible if your position doesn't require continuous customer service. If you want to take public transportation, make sure you follow their protocols as well. Maintain space between you and the other riders if you possibly can. Before and after the trip, wash and sanitize your hands.

Remain Calm

Granted, 2020 was a stressful year that put you on edge. If it wasn't coronavirus, it turned out to be something else that disrupted the normal flow of your days. Until a large portion of the population is vaccinated, you could still feel on the fringes of panic.

If this is how you feel, then try to find a way to relax. Feeling anxiety each day is not healthy. It makes you jittery without caffeine, and that's not good for socially distanced work or your commute. Because you're constantly distracted, you can't concentrate on the tasks at hand.

Find a way to relax. Meditation and deep breathing are known ways to reduce anxiety and lower your blood pressure. If that doesn't help, then step away from your work environment. Take a walk to clear your head. Or simply sit on a bench, close your eyes, and listen to the environment around you.

In the end, know that 2021 will not be a repeat of 2020. Things will get better for your, your friends, and the city.

5 Tips for Savings Money on a Big Vacation

Everyone deserves at last one big vacation. Unfortunately, these vacations can be pricier than many think. If you're looking to save a little on your big trip, you'll want to look at the advice below.

Look for Deals

One of the best ways to save money on a big vacation is to look for great deals. Major theme parks run specials during certain times of the year, for example, while some hotels might have greatly reduced prices if you visit during the off-season. 

Changing up the dates on your trip can save you more money than you might expect.

Plan Ahead

The better you plan, the more that you'll save. Know your route ahead of time, make reservations before you get on the road, and have a good idea of what's going to be available to do and to eat any time you stop. 

If you can have a plan for what you're going to spend, you'll be less surprised by your final totals.

Prioritize

A big vacation can be an amazing experience, but that doesn't mean you should expect to do everything. Think about the things you want to do most on your vacation and prioritize those when you're budgeting your money. 

If you can set your priorities, you can stop yourself from spending money on unnecessary additions before you get to the things about which you care.

Think Outside the Box

Don't follow the same paths as other tourists when you're on vacation. If everyone else is staying at an expensive hotel, you might want to look for a cheaper - but still amazing - vacation rental in the same area. 

Choosing activities and lodging that are off the beaten path can give you time to enjoy your vacation without breaking the bank.

Budget for Emergencies

Finally, make sure you put away money for emergencies. If you have a set amount put aside, you'll be able to avoid the kind of panic spending that comes when things go wrong. The best part about setting aside this money is that you'll still have it in your pocket if things go smoothly.

Big vacations are much less expensive when you put a little thought into how you'll spend your money. If you have the right plan and the right budget, you can go on vacation without worrying about what it will do to your bank account. 

Even better, your plans will let you enjoy the time you spend on vacation rather than requiring you to think of how you'll have to pay when you get home.

2 Steps to Increase Customer Interaction through Marketing

Your clients have a variety of sources to purchase products from. Your customers' expectations are high, and as such, you have to reach out to them to understand their specific needs. 

Hubspot notes that failure to meet your clients' high expectations will result in their shift to your rivals. Markedly, you should go the extra mile to surpass your customers' standards and to stand out among your competitors.

Customer experience exists past the sale point as you will need these clients to enhance your company's growth, nowadays driving even more traffic from all of the online shopping that is taking place due to lockdowns and restrictions. 

You should promote customer interaction through marketing to keep in contact with your clients. Such actions will improve loyalty and trust among your clients.

Customer interaction refers to the consumers' willingness to reach out to your company in case of an issue or complement regarding your product. Increased customer interaction means increased customer value that improves customer experience.

Here are two steps to increase customer interaction through marketing.

1. Asking For and Acting on Customer Feedbacks during Surveys

As you market your products, ensure you give your clients a listening ear. Your customers love being heard, and their feedback is acted on promptly. Rather than promoting your brand blindly, you should create marketing surveys to gather information from your customers. Here, customers will freely offer positive and negative feedback on your product to give you room for improvement.




Additionally, you should create a conducive and transparent environment for your clients to open up about your products. Such an action will help you show your customers that you value their opinion and care about their satisfaction. Ultimately, this will foster honesty among your customers, enhancing customer retention.

For instance, if you have car insurance in Montreal, you can create relevant surveys to get information from your clients. After getting your customers' feedback, you should be prompt in responding and handling the issues raised. 

Your promptness will encourage the customers to connect with your company and fearlessly reach out when they need help. However, if you collect feedback and keep it, your customers will be discouraged from interacting with you as you give them a negative impression. 

Therefore, it is prudent to organize and promptly handle customer feedback to enhance customer contact and interactions.

2. Interact with Your Customers Humanely as You Prioritize to Reach Out to Them

Communication with your clients can either start with them or you. Ensure that you regularly reach out to your clients and check out if they are experiencing any difficulties with your products. Equally, in situations where your clients reach out first, you should calm them down and assure them that you will immediately handle their issues.

Additionally, rather than sending a formal response with a number to the customer to contact you, you should contact them through the platforms that they connect with you at first. Your promptness will create a positive impression, encouraging your clients to always connect with your company.




You should also create a personal touch with your customers as you interact. For instance, you can incorporate GIFs and emojis that your clients can relate with as they offer their feedback. These symbols will reduce tension in your interactions as your customers connect with your company.

Ensure to embrace good judgment as you interact with your clients with a personal voice. Depending on the impression you give your clients during your interactions, they will either maintain future contacts or keep quiet about any product issues. 

You should embrace a humane, exciting, and engaging tone as you interact with your clients to avoid losing them. Once your clients' get assurance that you will handle their issues, they will rest easy and increase confidence in your company. In the end, they will improve their connection through regular interactions with your company.

Customer interaction is the key to the success of any company in the modern business environment. Your customers want you to surpass their expectations as you serve them. 

Through customer interaction, you learn about these expectations and align them with your company goals. Customer satisfaction enhances your connection with your clients. 

Without the right steps and priorities, you may end up losing your loyal clients to competitors who stand out in the industry. Therefore, you should outsmart your competitors by keeping your clients close.

For instance, you can enhance your customers' interaction by asking for and acting on customer feedback during surveys.  Interacting with your customers humanely as you prioritize to reach out to them. Making sure you apply it to any and every other aspect of your business deals. Even when you are looking into factors for buying a condo or similar. Ultimately, these steps will increase customer interaction through marketing, leading to customer satisfaction and retention.

Best Swing Trade Alert Services

If done correctly, trading on the side while working a full-time job is the perfect way to boost your income and it can be a highly effective way to enhance your financial security. However, when it comes to trading, it can be hard to determine which stock trade alert service is the best for you and your most prized possession, money. 

To create the best path for you, we have strictly analyzed several different services and narrowed down the top four best swing trade alert services that are around right now, pros and cons included.

What is a swing trade alert?

Whether you are new to investing or an experienced investor that is interested in checking out swing trading, you will be happy to know that swing trading is a great way to enhance your wealth and achieve your dreams much faster. 

When you become a swing trader, you will find a whole new world. As opposed to other types of investing, swing trade alerts provide a helpful, simple, and fuss-free way of investing.

Hours of time will be given back to you because you won’t have to be constantly scanning, selecting stocks, filtering, analyzing the markets, and chartering. 

Receiving swing trade alerts and using them is an effective way to diversify your risk because it is common knowledge that no single strategy works in every single market condition. That is why it makes so much sense to consider multiple strategies to play the market.

Fast 5 Trades

The operation of Fast 5 Trades, Kyle Dennis, made 10 million in the past few years from trading profits. Because of this recent success, he was also interviewed by Forbes. Fast 5 Trades is based around a single swing trade per week via mobile app and email.

Kyle thrives on teaching how to swing trade stocks and those alerts are expected to teach people how to find entry and exit points. People wanting to copy Kyles's trade idea must get in quickly as Kyle chooses to only trade small-cap stock in this alert service. The mobile app is your best bet so that you can receive these alerts as quickly as possible.

Pros

• Low price
• Alerts available via a mobile app

Mindful Trader

Mindful Trader is a service that provides data-driven trade alerts that can benefit you greatly. Every bit of information is provided to you in an easy to understand way and Eric Fergusons approach to investing is unique. 

Eric Ferguson from Mindful Trader believes that a mindful approach to investing can change the investing journey for you drastically and he can also teach you the art of mindfulness mixed with investing.




He spent years perfecting his alerts with data-driven information and believes that being mindful can be the key to achieving trading success. You don’t need to practice mindfulness or meditate to be able to use Mindful Trader services, however, it can be a great thing to have on your side while trading. Though it is newer to the scene, it is making a tremendous impact and the reaction to it is incredible.

The fact that Mindful Trader practices mindfulness is one of the most interesting and unique things about this service. People rarely associate mindfulness with any form of investing, however, mindfulness is a steady, common, and highly beneficial thing to adhere to when you are investing. Some people believe investing to be a stressful practice, but it really doesn’t have to be!

With this in mind, Mindful Trader is just what the world needs. Business, investing, and professionalism mixed with mindfulness. It is rare to see that concoction, however, it is exactly what is needed.

Pros

• Long-term wealth potential
• Data-driven alerts
• Easy to follow
• Plenty of time to respond to alerts

Motley Fool

Perhaps one of the more popular and well-known services, Motley Fool Stock Advisor and Rule Breakers are more long-term swing trade alerts. With an amazing low subscription price and great long-term return rates, it is hard to bypass Motley Fool. Both of these services provide access to trade alerts, the entire in-depth history of all stock picks, and plenty of helpful educational material.




Motley Fool stands out yet again due to the fact that even short-term traders can make a return with those stock picks. The trade alerts are sent and received via email, however, if you want to be faster, try logging in to the members’ dashboard. You will then be able to view the trade alert faster.

Pros

• Tom and David Gardner's stock picks outperformed the S&P 500
• Every single stock pick since inception is available via the members’ dashboard
• Email notifications provide active trade management
• Discounts available

Jason Bond Picks

Let’s end this with one of the biggest swing trade alert services right now. Since it started 10 years ago, Jason Bond Picks offered students education and a stock market alert service. Usually, Jason will hold his positions overnight for a good few days. 

Up until 2019, Jason’s swing trade alerts were strictly focused on swing trading stocks, however, in 2020, he added some long call and long put trade which allowed him to diversify his investments.

Jason has a great commitment to his services and that shows in the great swing trade alert service he has built. He is always working to improve Jason Bond Picks and is always adding new things to benefit investors. 

Pros

• Pre-market newsletter highlights the trade ideas for the day
• Large video lesson library available
• Buy or sell trade alerts are quickly submitted via the mobile app
• Before the trade alert, the advanced notice informs about the concrete planned action

In essence, the best swing trade alert services are the ones that can be readily adopted and are user-friendly. Each service mentioned above is very unique, so you are never out of options. With every single one, you will find different pros and cons. 

We can choose the best out of the lot, but afterward, it all comes down to your choice and which option you think will be the best one for you.