5 Reasons Trucks Make Great Vehicles for Seniors

Just because you’re considered a senior citizen doesn’t mean you have to fit yourself in the stereotypical mold when it comes to the vehicle you drive. While comfort is a key factor in your purchasing decision, it’s not the only one. 

While providing comfort, trucks also offer other amenities that make them grate for seniors. Consider the five reasons below as reasons why trucks are great vehicles for seniors.

Wintertime Assistance

With winter on its way, snow is likely to become a usual part of your daily routine. Having a truck allows you the capacity for four-wheel drive to get through some of the most rugged winter storms. 

This beats out purchasing a two-wheel drive car that may not travel safely when winter conditions get harsh.

Help Moving

As you reach your senior years, it’s likely your family has grown. With many children and even grandchildren wandering around, they’re likely going to need help moving items. 

Whether it’s moving your granddaughter to her college dorm or helping your son transport his newly purchased big-screen television, having a truck can allow you to help when your family or friends need it most.

They’re Luxury

If you go to any Chevy truck dealer, you’ll notice that trucks are built with more luxury than ever before. When it comes to luxury options like heated seats, navigation systems, electric mirrors, and so forth, trucks have these options now. 

You don’t have to look to the traditional luxury car brands to get the features that you desire.

Better View

Trucks will give you a height advantage while you drive, granting you a better view of the road. This will keep you and your passengers safer than you would be in a car. You don’t need to worry about the difficulty of getting into a truck either. 

Many trucks these days come with retractable steps or nerf bars to help you get into your truck easily and painlessly.

Storage for Traveling

One very nice feature about purchasing a truck is that you have the whole bed to use on a whim. Since you’re likely retired at your age, you’ll have more free time to explore the country. 

With a truck, you can simply throw in your items and go on a whim. With a car, you have to worry about properly packing items and you may run into an issue of things not fitting.

Trucks are made for people of all ages. If you’re a senior citizen, you should really consider purchasing a truck as your go-to vehicle. The above five are just some of the many reasons that you should consider upgrading to a truck over a car.

From a Building to a Home—Staying Financially on Track While Buying a House

Becoming a homeowner is an exciting yet daunting undertaking. However, great rewards invariably accompany great risks. If you’re gearing up to purchase a home and are looking for insight on how to remain financially stable, consider these expert tips.

Monitor Your Credit Score

Nothing will prove more stressful than watching your credit score decline while affairs are underway. What’s more, you’re likely to get hit with a higher interest rate if your finances aren’t in good standing. With that said, make it a point to track your credit score. 

Obtaining this information is exceedingly simple, and in this instance, ignorance certainly isn’t bliss. Most importantly, it’s crucial to go over your credit report with a fine-tooth comb; that way, you’ll be able to pinpoint any inaccuracies.

Consult with a Lender

You’ll want to forge an intimate relationship with your lender. In addition to offering sound financial advice, they also oversee your monthly payments. Should you have questions or concerns, they’ll be able to address them. 



Mortgage programs are inherently complex, but with assistance from a professional, all information will be rendered into layman’s terms.

Save

While this pointer may seem obvious, the importance of saving can’t be stressed enough. If you fail to save, you’ll inevitably wind up in a sticky situation. Unexpected fees are a part of the process, and in order to be financially prepared, saving is vital. 

Moreover, if you’re looking to lower your monthly payments, a larger down payment is required. In short, having a fair amount of money to lean on bodes well for a stress-free experience.

Pay Your Bills on Time

Nothing will compound your anxiety quicker than having charges pile up. You’ll also sully your reputation with your lender if you fall behind on payments. In essence, you need to account for any recurring charges. 

Lenders can be rather unforgiving, so if you drop the ball even once, it can be difficult to get back on track. If you don’t consider yourself a financial expert, enlist the help of a trusted advisor. There’s no shame in seeking guidance, and you’ll gain both knowledge and peace of mind by doing so.

It’s not uncommon for budding homeowners to wonder if their finances will soon hang in the balance. If you resonate with this notion, avail yourself of the above advice. As a result, you’ll maintain financial security while buying a home.

3 Ways to Put Money Away for Your Retirement

Image via Flickr by KMR Photography 

It's wise to plan on your retirement. Planning will ensure that your golden years are free of hardships, stress, and worry. You should also consider looking for financial planning services and professional investment assistance.

With small investments, you can enjoy great rewards when you are old and possibly ready to take a break from work-related stress. You do not need lots of money to plan for retirement. Then again, it is never too late or too early to get started.

Here are the top three proven ways of setting aside money for your retirement.

1. Invest In Penny Stocks

Any stock that trades for $5 a share or less can be a worthy penny stock. Even though penny stocks are high-risk investments, they also have the potential of bringing forth high rewards. 

Understanding the market history and diligently doing your research is the surest way to ensure your investment is profitable.

To mitigate risks, you must not make blind investments. Consider enlisting a broker to educate you on the market trends and equip you with the tips and tricks to thrive. 

When traded right, penny stock investments only require small capital, and the returns can be glorious.

2. Venture into Real Estate

Did you know that you don't need to be financially endowed to invest in real estate? You have the crowdfunding option, and although it may sound intimidating, it is something worth a look. 

This option works by allowing many people to invest small amounts into a specific project. Credible companies will enable you to choose the kinds of properties that are in line with your investment objectives. 




Again, the surest way to gain financial security through real estate investments is by making educated decisions. Keep in mind that even with crowdfunding, you face the same investment risk as any other real estate investor. On the bright side, the lower capital requirements can leave you enjoying consistent income with each passing month.

3. Make a Small Business Investment

Another proven way to ensure financial security upon retirement is to invest in small businesses. You have the option of venturing into entrepreneurship or investing in an established enterprise as a silent partner. 

What makes this option enticing is that the anticipated return on investment is potentially higher.

Just like other forms of significant investments, this one too poses some level of risk. Doing your research ahead of time will help you find opportunities with higher chances of generating substantial returns. 

Some ventures can provide unlimited income that the generations after you will enjoy.

There are many ways of investing for a comfortable retirement. With more professionals getting familiar with what works and what doesn't, it is easier than ever to find a venture that matches your needs and goals. 

With proper guidance, you'll easily have nothing but blissful moments as you flip through the chapters of life after retirement. If you get stuck, you can also inquire from professionals to help you invest in the right venture.

3 Personal Investment Ideas to Fund a Comfortable Retirement

A secure retirement is never something that should be left to chance. Trying to get by with just a pension or a 401K could prove to be a far greater challenge than you might have expected. 

Finding the best personal investment ideas and devising a long-term investment strategy is of paramount importance when it comes to ensuring a more comfortable, emotionally fulfilling and financially secure retirement.

Bond Markets and Mutual Funds

Few individuals possess the time, resources and level of financial experience needed to navigate all the different financial markets. Fortunately, there are plenty of firms and services that can assist in the process. 

Bonds and mutual funds are among the most popular investment opportunities and for good reason. Bonds provide passive-income as well as the chance for a larger pay off once they have matured while mutual funds allow you to benefit from long-term economic growth. Speaking with a financial professional regarding these options can often be the best way to get started.

Gold and Precious Metals

Starting a precious metal IRA can provide your portfolio with some much-needed security. A downturn in the market can be devastating, especially for investors who fail to diversify their holdings. Gold, silver and other precious metals are renowned for their stability and may continue to hold their value or even increase in situations when your other assets may be struggling.

Real Estate

Investment properties can provide the opportunity to make huge gains very easily, given the right market conditions. Leasing properties in the meantime can also provide you with more passive income, income that can be used to increase your spending and buying power when pursuing other investments. 





Versatile and lucrative, real-estate holdings often prove to be the cornerstone of a successful investment strategy.

Saving for the Future

The earlier you begin your retirement savings the longer your assets will have to mature. While a late start may cap your efforts, the right savings and investment efforts can still provide you with the chance to enjoy a worry-free retirement. 

Relying too heavily on any one investment opportunity can be troublesome as a less diverse portfolio may not be able to perform as well in certain markets. Casting a wider net and building a strategy that will be based on finding a greater range of personal investment ideas may hold the key to generating superior returns and a greater degree of long-term success.

How to Make Money by Visiting Estate Sales

If you want to start making extra money, then you should visit the estate sales in your area. Estate sales offer higher quality merchandise than garage sales do, but you must spend some time learning about the process of shopping at these events. Here are some of the ways to make money with estate sales.

Update or Repair Furniture

Estate sales typically have furniture for sale, but the items may need repair or updating. If you know how to fix furniture, then you can offer a lower price for a distressed item before selling it to a new buyer at a higher price. 

When you are creative, you can see ways to update old-fashioned furniture to make it usable by someone who is willing to pay more than you paid for the item.

Finding Vintage Garments

If you love fashion, then learning more about vintage garments can help you to make money. There are online and local clothing stores that accept vintage clothing, so you can offer a low price for a designer dress before selling it to someone else at a website, such as Poshmark. Look for garments that are clean and in good condition so that you can sell the clothing faster.

Learn About the Toys that Have the Most Value

When you decide to specialize in buying toys, you should learn about the types that have the most value. Get into contact with Transformers collection appraisers or a beanie baby collector who understand the value of each type of toy. 


You can use a smartphone camera to send a photograph of a toy to the expert to learn if you can earn a profit by buying the item at an estate sale before selling it again to a collector. The tip is to know you have a treasure when someone sells it for a junk price. Do the research and start your own hunt.

Understanding the Collectible Market

The collectible market is changing daily, so you must learn what buyers are demanding today. If you can remain aware of the value of the collectible items along with learning how to check for damage, then you can find buyers who are willing to pay you more than you did for the thing that you bought at an estate sale.

Think About How You Will Transport Goods to Your Home

When you are visiting an estate sale, you are responsible for transporting the goods to your home. If you are buying a table or a bookcase, then you will need to have a truck, or you might need to hire furniture movers. To avoid the extra cost of hiring delivery drivers, you may want to concentrate on buying smaller things.

How to Avoid Low Credit Problems in Small Business

Having low credit scores is a problem for many small businesses when they’re getting started. This is because it takes time to establish your credit. Here are some of the solutions that you can use in order to avoid falling into these common pitfalls of low credit in small businesses.

Track Your Progress

Keeping track and creating a budget when it comes to your expenses is going to help you stay out of trouble. Falling behind on paying bills negatively impacts your credit score. It can be difficult to dig yourself out once you start to fall behind. 

Set reminders of when things are due and track your progress to stay on top of your expenses. There are all sorts of software packages available that are designed to help you navigate the financial aspects of your business.

Analyze Risks

The risk that you present to banks and other types of lenders could be holding you back. Make sure to analyze and research your credit risk. This can be difficult for small and large businesses to do accurately and effectively. 



Look into a highly accurate credit risk analysis provider to help you determine your credit risk and how to fix it. They’ll be able to tell you where you need to focus your efforts in order to overcome certain problems.

Prepay Bills

For some contracts, you may be able to prepay for a year. This can help you to have one less thing to handle on a month-to-month basis. It also looks good on your credit report because everything is being paid on time. 

This is important for the long-term health of your credit score. Not having more credit than you can handle, keeping up with your debt load, and having enough assets to keep your business operating are what combine to create your credit rating.

Incorporate Your Business

Many small business owners make the mistake of not going about creating a separate entity for their company. What this essentially does is remove your finances from the equation in terms of your business. 

It also makes you look better if you’re trying to apply for a small business loan. Using personal finances as a crux to help your business along is going to hurt you in the future, so try to incorporate as soon as possible.

Establishing credit and recovering from a low score can be hard to overcome. Use these tips to help you avoid the difficulty of a low credit score for your small business.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan