Though you may be hesitant to commit to a new pet during your retirement years due to physical limitations, adopting can be a significant boost in your everyday life. Though it may take a few weeks to settle into your new life as a pet parent, adopting a furry friend can enrich your life so profoundly that it’s worth addressing potential issues down the road. 

If you’re looking for companionship in your latter years, consider the benefits of adopting a new pet as you head into retirement.

Whether you opt for a cat or kitten, an adult dog, or an energetic puppy like these, a new pet is a great way to get your body moving. Dogs need walks, of course, but all pets need playtime throughout the day to stay happy and healthy. Ultimately, you can stay active while giving your furry friend the mental and physical stimulation it needs to thrive.

Unfortunately, retirement can be a lonely time for many elders— this is especially true if you tend to stay home most of the time or are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Thankfully, pets are excellent companions through good times and bad. Their love is unconditional, making them the perfect antidote for loneliness.

​Pet owners are less socially isolated even beyond their animal’s companionship. Owning a pet provides you with common ground to share with others, creating a built-in conversation topic with any neighbors you see out and about while walking your furry friend.

Additionally, don’t underestimate the social connections your dog or cat could help you forge online. Between joining internet forums about pet parenthood and sharing pictures on social media, there’s always something new to talk about with a pet.

Retirees benefit physically from owning a pet, too. A 2017 study found that regularly walking your dog can stretch joints and keep muscles strong well into your retirement years, leaving you with fewer visits to the doctor for daily pains.

Retirement can bring many positive changes, but losing an everyday routine may come as a challenge to fresh-faced retirees. Fortunately, a new pet can help tremendously with reestablishing a sense of rhythm in your day-to-day activities. Pets need consistent care and attention to thrive, so creating a routine around your new furry friend can keep you both on a regular schedule.

Plenty of dogs and cats require adoption, and senior pets are even less likely to be adopted, and opting to make the last few years of a pet’s life as pleasant as possible can be enriching. 

Who knows—the perfect dog breed for you might end up being the mutt at a nearby animal shelter. You could spare yourself the extensive puppy training period and gain a fulfilling purpose at the same time by choosing to adopt an adult dog.

​Though a new pet is a commitment, you shouldn’t rush into, adopting a little friend can significantly improve your everyday life.

For many homeowners, the idea of downsizing can be frightening — and for a good reason. With the rising costs of real estate and mortgages that require a larger down payment, buying a home is getting more expensive every year. 

Once you accept that you’re not going to upgrade your home in the near future, the next question is how to go about downsizing. Depending on your lifestyle and budget, there are several different ways to downsize your home. Here is how you can go about it.

Downsizing Is Not the Same Thing as Moving

Many people think of moving when they hear “downsizing,” but in truth, several types of moving involve downsizing — including buying a condo. “Moving” is one of the most common forms of downsizing, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to change your address or zip code.

In fact, many homeowners simply decide to move to a new area within their existing home state. This can allow them to maintain the same lifestyle and save on mortgage cost and home maintenance.

Many people dread downsizing because they imagine having to completely throw out all their stuff and start from scratch, which can be a very expensive ordeal at times (especially if you need professional help). However, if you don’t want to do that, there are other ways to downsize without destroying your home.

Most homeowners choose not only to sell some items on their own but also use services to buy items by consignment or make offers based on purchases made by others to keep some things around while selling others off. There are several ways you can downsize in your life.

One of the best ways to get started downshifting is by looking at your possessions and seeing if you need something. If you don’t, then look for other options. If you need something, look for ways to adapt and use it the next time.

For example, instead of going out and buying a new coffee maker every year or so, try brewing coffee in your French press instead of your coffee maker. Instead of ordering food from your favorite restaurant once a week, consider making it in recipes so you can control what goes into it. 

When downsizing, you will need to clean the home, the surfaces, as well as using the correct cushion cleaning and storage methods. This will help you to reduce the clutter in the home.

If you’re planning to move but don’t want to pay for a move-out cleaning service, you could make the most of your time and money by storing your things while you are gone.

If you have a family, it can make sense to even have someone else take care of this process. This saves money on actual moving costs and helps eliminate the hassle of trash removal, storage, or packing in general.

​When you imagine a new home, it can be tempting to picture yourself living there. But your home is more than just an architectural backdrop for your life. Your home is also an investment: a place where you will live, grow old, and pass down traditions to future generations. 

If you’re looking to affordably break even, downsizing your home might be your answer.

Obtaining your driver's license is a huge achievement and one that you should be proud of. However, with all of the excitement comes a lot of responsibility.

Now that you are on the road, you must know how to maintain and care for your vehicle. Even if you don't consider yourself an expert, some items are essential.

Below we are going to take a look at just five things every car owner needs.

Are you interested in learning more? Then let's get started!

One critical item that every car owner needs is insurance. In fact, it's so important that most states require some type of coverage by law.

When choosing your options, remember to consider the overall price and the services you will receive. It can also be worth looking at something like one of these GMC extended warranty plans.

Not sure of the difference? Insurance will provide coverage for accidents such as collisions, while a warranty assists with costs associated with breakdowns and repairs.

You may have already thought about investing in car seat covers and new floor mats. However, one of the simplest and handiest things to have at all times is a sunshade for your windshield.

Alongside protecting yourself from painful burns in the heat of summer, it will keep the interior of your car in excellent condition. This means you'll be able to sell it for more in the future.

​You don't have to be a mechanic to own a car, but it's still wise to have some basic tools in your trunk. Even if you don't know how to use them, someone else may be able to give you a helping hand.

Jumper cables, a tire jack, a lug wrench, and a quality multi-tool are just a few things to have. You can look into other items if you want to take on more responsibility.

Even if you plan on taking your car to the wash every week, there will always be a time when you need to clean it yourself. You would be surprised at how dirty they can get, especially if you've been driving for more than a few hours.

You don't need to go overboard either. Car wash liquid, glass cleaner, a bucket, sponge, and a set of microfibre towels will do the job just fine.

Lastly, while an emergency kit can seem like a rather extensive thing to include, it is important. Items such as a torch, first aid kit, water, and thermal blanket won't just help you out of a sticky situation but may even save your life.

If you're not sure where to get started, check out this list here. Just remember to keep the size of your vehicle in mind, as you don't want to take up too much of your trunk space.

​And that's it! These are just five things that every car owner needs. 

What do you think? Do you have any other essentials that you would recommend?

Nursing homes provide safety, assisted living, and round-the-clock care to senior citizens. This allows them to enjoy quality health care without putting a strain on their families. But even with these benefits, senior citizens in nursing homes can suffer depression and live unhappy lives.

Happiness is critical for senior citizens; its absence can significantly affect their physical and mental health. Happy seniors who maintain a positive attitude towards aging are less likely to develop dementia and have a lower mortality rate. They’re also more likely to recover from illnesses.
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Meanwhile, you can do several things to keep your senior loved one happy in a nursing home. Here are four of them:

You can keep your seniors happy by meeting their health care needs in a nursing home. Most seniors in nursing homes have an illness or condition that needs long-term medical care. As such, they’d only be happy if these needs are met by their relatives and staff in the nursing home.

If you have a senior loved one living in a nursing home, checking on them regularly and staying involved in their lives are some of the most effective ways to keep them happy. On the other hand, senior citizens may suffer neglect and nursing home abuse under the care of angry or frustrated staff.

Therefore, you can make your loved ones happy by monitoring them closely and observing their behavior or changes in appearance. Consequently, you can raise any concerns you have about their well-being with nursing home staff, and if nothing improves, take action. 
If you suspect abuse, file a report with a state or local investigator. If your senior loved one relies on you to meet their health care needs, it’s important to ensure they receive the best care. To be sure, you can keep an eye on them on a regular basis.

Moving to a nursing home is a stressful step for any senior citizen. The transition can make them feel like they need to care for themselves. As a result, they’re reluctant to leave the comforts of their own homes. You can ease the transition of your senior loved one into a nursing home by explaining how the move will benefit them.

Consider bringing objects like furniture and photos that can add a homely feeling to their room. If your senior citizen has a spouse, check whether the spouse can move to the nursing home with them. Moving into a nursing home with someone close to them, like a spouse, can boost their mood and protect them from mental decline.
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Significantly, to deal with this anxiety and make the transition smooth, seniors need help. In addition, seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s may have challenges understanding why they need to move into a nursing home.

Another way to keep senior loved ones happy in a nursing home is to encourage them to nurture relationships. When you visit them, encourage them to build connections. Nursing homes offer senior citizens great opportunities to strengthen existing relationships and tend to new ones.
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Meaningful relationships can boost their happiness and improve their health as they prevent physical and mental decline over time. In a nursing home, your senior loved one can interact and build friendships with people in the same age bracket and the staff who care for them.
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On the other hand, you can help your senior citizens to stay happy by visiting them often and encouraging them to interact with other seniors during your visit. Also, you can encourage their old friends or neighbors to see them in the nursing home and share any concerns or questions they have with the nursing home staff.

The other thing that can keep seniors happy in nursing homes is living an active lifestyle. They can do this by engaging in activities that keep them in shape, both physically and mentally. Often, nursing homes have activities that all senior citizens, including those with dementia and disability, can engage in throughout the day.

These activities include reading, listening to music, walking, arts and crafts, bingo games, and cat or dog petting. As you help your loved one settle into a nursing home, find out which activities interest them and work with the staff to customize them in order to meet their needs.

As people age, they become vulnerable and in need of care. Nursing homes provide safe spaces for senior citizens to receive care. However, being away from the home environment and family members can take a toll on seniors, costing them their happiness. If you’re taking your senior loved one to a nursing home, doing the above four things can keep them happy.

Developing good habits is a perfect way to ensure that you live a great and successful life. You want to be fulfilled at the end of each day and ingraining health habits into your mind is the one size fits all solution to what ails you. But what exactly could qualify as being a good habit? Sure there is great importance in always being on time and having good manners but could you go deeper?

Is there something that can be changed about the way that you view the world or your work? And could this change reap you the benefits that would merit the time spent learning this new mindset? The answer is an absolute yes and time has everything to do with it.

Read dozens of books and autobiographies based on the most successful people of our world today and you will find quite a few constants among them all. A willingness to learn, a hunger to always keep moving upwards, and the ability to learn from one's own failures but there is a greater trait that is always looked past.

Time management. How you manage your time says everything about you and your future fortunes or lack thereof. Picture this, you are given a surprise assignment by your professor or teacher. The professor expects his students to write an essay in only a couple of days. Essay writing is no easy task, especially for young students that are barely getting a grasp on writing and essay writing as a whole.

At this point, you have got only two choices. Spend the next two days researching, writing, editing, and stressing, maybe getting a few hours of low-quality sleep here and there. Which doesn't sound like a pleasant experience at all or you could find a time-effective solution to your problem. A solution that allows you to hang out with your friends, an activity that studies have shown to be of great benefit to your health.
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This is where the EssayExpert comes in.

For the busy student, essay service is the perfect, full counter to the dreaded essay and essay writing as a whole. They are an online service that provides premium and custom essays at an affordable price. They have years of collective experience writing and researching for their more than 50,000 satisfied university students.

No business in the world can amass 50,000 plus customers, much less students, without at least having a clear and concise system that prints out quality work. It doesn't stop there, the Essay Experts even have an entire squadron of workers dedicated to tackling thesis and dissertation projects. In this category, they have helped more than 15,000 graduate students meet deadlines and impress their superiors.
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It has been the world's top-ranked essay writing service for more than 20 years now and they don't show any signs of slowing down. Within just LA county, they have more than 10,000 students on their customer list. Proving that their quality work is unrivaled and unmatched by anyone else in the industry.

​With easy order forms that save you time on project submissions to an essay editing service that is designed to help students that have written their own essays but merely want a second opinion. Surely, there must be something else to this service.
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The tens of thousands of students that rely on their work and dedication would like to say otherwise. The best part about great sites like this one is that the laundry list of customers speaks for itself. What greater proof can there be of your talents than tens of thousands of comments heaping praise upon this company.

​As a student in the modern world, essays and the very act of essay writing can make you tear out your hair. Sure, essay writing can be done but what about the time lost? Hours of potential great experiences were thrown away because you had to write an essay on a subject that is neither interesting nor important.

It’s midnight when everyone’s fast asleep.

The pitter-patter of feet can be heard from someone rushing to the kitchen.
It’s you from the past.

When you were young, you would hoard all the chocolate from the cupboard and not worry about any potential consequences.

Those sweets would quickly melt away after you played with your friends after school. Or would go away because of your solid teeth and professional brushing skills.

But times change, and people age, unfortunately.

Now you feel worried when someone offers you a bunch of hard dark chocolate.

“My teeth might fall out!”- you think to yourself.

And you have every right to be concerned since several eating problems affect the majority of the elderly population.

Everyday activities of chewing food can become difficult because of various issues.

Loose teeth, jaw pain, reduced saliva secretion are significant contributors to affecting your chewing abilities. Hence, it’s recommended for the elderly to be careful when it comes to what they eat.

For example, if you’re going to choose what type of grains you can eat, it’s best to go for oatmeal and noodles. For fruits, choose banana and ripe apricot. While for vegetables and meat, opt for tomato, spinach, minced meat, boiled eggs, and salmon.

Also, remember to chop, puree or blend your food for easier consumption. And don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly.

​Part of the eating experience that makes it pleasurable is to smell and taste what delicious platter you have in front of you.

If your taste buds are not working correctly, you won’t enjoy eating. Many elders skip meals because they lose the ability to taste a wide variety of food.

While some cases might be due to aging, others can be directly attributed to smoking. Nicotine in cigarettes can cause functional changes in your taste buds that would alter their functionality altogether.

If you’re a chronic smoker, it would be better if you stopped smoking for the sake of your poor taste buds.

On a final note, to bring more flavor to your cooking, add herbs and spices like oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, ginger, and garlic. You can also toss some spring onions and squeeze some lemon juice to enrich your salad.

​Many elders suffer from dehydration because of reduced abilities to seek water. Past 70, the elderly brain receives fewer signals that indicate the need for hydration, thus causing dry mouth.

Dryness of the mouth can also occur because of decreased saliva production. For this reason, it’s advised to eat more soups, mix pureed food with gravy, and always have a cup of water next to you as a daily reminder.

A lot of elders get anxious when they think about transitioning to a care home also because of eating issues. But don’t fret since there’s assisted living in Eugene OR, that will help you with your nutritional needs. They offer customized meal plans that will cater to your taste buds!

Ultimately, when it comes to dealing with dry mouth spells, you can try to suck on lozenges, candies or sour pickles, or fresh lemon slices to stimulate your saliva.

Whether you're in a financial predicament or not, a high mortgage loan repayment amount can consume a massive portion of your income. And it might become tricky to cover other bills and financial obligations with what's left. 

It's typically recommended that your mortgage repayments should not consume more than 30% of your total monthly income after taxes. If your mortgage costs are any higher, these mortgage repayment reduction tips might help you make ends meet each month more easily.

The most straightforward way to minimize mortgage costs is to extend the repayment term. By extending the term, you'll be paying a smaller amount of money over a longer period of time. 

Extending the repayment term may even allow you to purchase a second home. Moreover, having a second home offers a few financial benefits, so you might find yourself browsing Florida real estate listings shortly after freeing up more of your income with this simple approach.

You also have the option of refinancing your mortgage loan. Refinancing might promise you a lower interest rate, which can reduce your repayment amount significantly. 

You will need to have good credit to refinance your mortgage loan and save. Current refinancing rates are down about 20%, so you'll stand to save substantially on lower interest by refinancing now. Refinancing is a money-savvy way to avoid high-interest rates.

​This solution is only plausible for those who have not yet purchased a home with a mortgage. While saving for your down payment, be a bit more patient and save more than the minimal 20% of the property's total value. In doing this, you'll need a smaller mortgage loan in the long run, which means more affordable repayments.

​While a lender might insist that you opt for private mortgage insurance when securing your loan, you can later opt-out of this policy. Avoiding this policy can save you a small fortune in the long run.

Alternatively, you can pay for the private mortgage insurance policy upfront, which might entitle you to discounts.

There are a few federal loan modification programs available if you're a homeowner battling to make mortgage repayments due to financial distress. These programs can help reduce your repayments through your chosen lender. However, you'll need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for these programs. 

In addition to the above, it's worthwhile to consider ways of reducing property insurance premiums. By lowering these premiums, you will also save each month substantially. Shopping around and comparing insurance deals is the best way to reduce your premiums while you can also increase your deductible and be sure to keep your claim number low. Moreover, maintaining a good credit score and keeping up with home maintenance are also effective ways to lower your property insurance premiums. 

That said, if you're a senior, you can also consider the option of a reverse mortgage, which is a type of loan that pays you a lump sum or a monthly amount to the value of your home. 

With the rise of travel rewards programs, it can be hard to decide which is right for you. Cash back programs offer a simple way to earn money back on the things you buy every day, while travel rewards programs offer more opportunities to save money on your trips. But which is the best for your spending situation? Here are a few things to consider.

A travel rewards program is a type of loyalty program that allows customers to earn points for every purchase they make. These points can be redeemed for rewards, such as free flights and hotel stays. Some programs also offer exclusive discounts on travel-related products and services.

Cash back programs are a great way to earn rewards for your spending. They work by giving you cash back in a statement credit, which you can use to reduce your monthly debt payments.

Pros of cash back programs:

1. Easy to use: Cash back programs are easy to use. You can earn rewards simply by spending your money at the stores and websites you use every day.
2. Rewards are often higher than travel rewards: Cash back rewards tend to be higher than travel rewards because cash back programs generally offer larger rewards for a greater percentage of spending.
3. No redemption fees: Unlike travel rewards programs, which often charge redemption fees, cash back programs don't charge fees.

Cons of cash back programs:

1. Rewards are sporadic and may not always be worth the effort: Although cash back programs offer high rewards for a significant percentage of spending, they may not always be worth the effort to earn them. For example, if you're earning rewards for every $1,000 you spend, but the reward you're earning is only worth $50, it may not be worth your time to participate in the program, especially if you're accruing massive amounts of debt just to hit your spending goals. If you end up in a situation like this you should immediately stop making unnecessary purchases and consider using a consolidation loan calculator to get back on track.
2. You may lose your rewards if you stop spending: Unlike travel rewards, which often stay with you even if you stop spending, most cash back programs generally don't have any built-in protection against losing your rewards and can expire.

​There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. However, if you're looking for a more flexible rewards program that can be used to save or spend as you please, cash back may be a better option.

Which program is right for you depends on your goals and preferences. If you're looking for a straightforward way to earn money, a cash back program may be best. If you're interested in more opportunities to save money on your trips, a travel rewards program may be better suited.

​So you're ready for a new car, but you're having a hard deciding between buying a used car or doing a full restoration. Do you notice the shiny new cars packed with the latest technology, features, and comfort, but your mind draws you to the classic silhouettes and gleaming chrome of a fully restored vintage car? Trying to decide between buying a used car and doing a full restoration can be difficult. Here are some things to consider when making this tough decision. 

New cars come with increased reliability and improved technology. This can be a big plus, depending on your specific needs. A new car can help you get to where you need to go quickly and efficiently without worrying about whether it will startup.

Statistically, newer cars are safer to drive. They can also decrease the chance that you'll be in an accident — thanks to collision avoidance systems, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, and adaptive cruise control.
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Is the latest and greatest technology your style? Want a large touch screen and air-conditioned seats? How about a car that parks itself? Interested in a massage while you drive? These are all real features that are available in the newest cars. Stay up-to-date with the latest automobile news for the best new car models and their features.

Maybe memories are more important to you than memory foam seats. Classic automobiles can help you recapture better days of bygone eras or connect you to a simpler or happier time. Just you and the road.
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Not to mention the pride and satisfaction of finally scoring that car you've wanted since you were a kid but couldn't previously afford it.

Most passion projects take more time and attention than we allow for in our schedules. Take a moment and think about your other commitments. Do you have the time to invest in this project?
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Additionally, restorations usually end up costing more than expected, as you start poking around. 
But if cars are your passion, then you probably can't think of anything more enjoyable than getting under the hood every weekend.

When it comes to car insurance, there are a lot of choices to make. You want to ensure you get the best coverage for your needs and budget. There are a variety of policies available, and each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Here are a few ways to get the best auto insurance for your needs.
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Shop around. Compare rates from different car insurance companies. You can usually do this online or by calling around. Be sure to get quotes for the same amount of coverage for each vehicle type so you can compare apples to apples.

Classic car insurance is usually less expensive than a new model's, as the car is driven less frequently. Note that a vehicle has to meet several requirements to qualify, including age and annual mileage.

For most, purchasing a new car is the simplest and most cost-effective option. You know exactly what you're getting and the history of the vehicle. With a restoration, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing exactly what went into your one-of-a-kind model. Only you can decide which is more important!

It's a pretty common issue — entrepreneurs and innovators want to start some new business, but don't have a lot of money to do so.

The good news is that these intrepid pioneers now have a lot of options in today's lending economy.

Here are some of the key ways that business leaders can get started, without spending a lot of upfront capital on their dreams.

The grant process can be cumbersome, but it can be instrumental in giving business leaders upfront money to put into a business plan.

In general, your business documentation is going to be a big aspect of grant success. It's also important to know the landscape of these grant programs, and understand what they're asking for, up to and including the format for applications.
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Grants can be a way to get started thinking outside the box for funding a company that's new and doesn't have a big war chest.

Here's where these new business leaders have a lot of choices.

In the old days, traditional business loans involved going to a bank and getting a specific financing plan in place through an individual application. The borrower had to work hard, in many cases, to prove themselves to an individual lender who then decided whether or not to get involved.

Today, through the power of the Internet and cloud, as well as cryptocurrency and fintech, borrowers have many different options involving peer-to-peer and crowdsourcing lending. They may, for example, get microloans from many small donors, instead of venture capital funding from one big firm. They have new ways to reach angel investors, and new ways to prove their collateral or secure a loan.
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With that in mind, it pays to think about lending in a whole new way and spend more time figuring out the particular types of lending that will best serve your new small business. You may want to go the traditional route with seed rounds of funding, or you may want to go to a new peer-to-peer or crowdsourcing platform.

Here's another way to bootstrap business finances.

Invoice factoring involves selling outstanding invoices for money. The buyer takes on the payment process in exchange for upfront funds.

How does this work for a new small business? Let's say that the business needs capital, and has completed some initial projects or services, or sent products to clients. The invoices are outstanding, but they haven't been paid yet.

Invoice factoring unlocks that money for the company. The buyer gets a premium in terms of the eventual payout, but in return for a reduced revenue, the startup gets the money immediately, and that can make the difference in creating the financial runway that business leaders need.

Another major tip is to start small, and only take on what the business can handle financially.

It can be tempting to want to tackle the world in one great leap, but that's the way that a lot of businesses get in trouble financially. Specifically, for a business without a big budget at the startup, it makes sense to build small, and steadily grow the coffers in order to branch out and expand more confidently (and on better financial terms) later.
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This also helps you to blaze a trail in the precise way that benefits the business the most, not just ‘buy it and hope it works later.’

In some cases, changing the business structure is also a way to grow funding.

For example, there is the S Corp. or C Corp., but there's also the LLC that often connotes a partnership. If the business can include more partners at its beginning, that is its own kind of crowdsourcing that can also lower the capital requirements for each partner.

Here’s an additional tip: as you look at your various options and types of loans, you'll find that some are better suited to your own financial strategy. Where are the lowest interest rates and most favorable repayment terms? Who are the lenders who seem most amenable to or excited about your project?

Many lenders would say that there is a human element in the relationship between the lender and the borrower. Shopping around for options gives you more of an idea of what loan will serve you best in the long run.

As you go, think about options for using a more scaled-down startup process. What do you absolutely need at the beginning of your business cycle, and what can wait?

All of this can help in preparing for small business success at the outset of your venture. What do you think? Leave your comments below and get involved in planning your business well.

​A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that 10% of deaths recorded in the United States are due to medical errors. This makes it the third leading cause of death countrywide. Even if you receive the best medical care possible, there is always a chance that something could go wrong. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, there are a few things you can do.

Medical malpractice is a term used to describe a negligent act or omission by a healthcare professional that leads to injury or harm to a patient. Although the exact definition of medical malpractice varies from state to state, the general principles are the same.

In order to prove that medical malpractice has occurred, it must be shown that the healthcare professional owed a duty of care to the patient, that this duty was breached, and that the breach resulted in injury or harm. While medical malpractice can take many different forms, some of the most common include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• Surgical errors
• Birth injuries
• Prescription errors

​In each of these cases, the healthcare professional involved failed to meet the acceptable standards of care, and as a result, the patient suffered some form of harm. If all of these elements are present or a medical error impacts your quality of life, then a patient may be entitled to compensation for their losses.

There are a few key indicators that may suggest you have been the victim of malpractice. If you experience an unexpected or unexplained injury following a medical procedure, this could be a sign that something went wrong.

If you receive a diagnosis that does not match your symptoms, this could be another red flag. Similarly, receiving improper medication or surgical procedures are also causes for concern.
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If information about potential risks associated with a procedure were withheld from you, you may have a case for medical malpractice. Not all injuries or negative outcomes are the results of malpractice. In some cases, the risks and complications of a procedure are simply unavoidable.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, there are a number of resources available to help you. It’s important to seek legal counsel to determine if you have a case. Reach out to legal malpractice attorneys in Seattle, WA, or whichever city you reside, for more information.

Once you have decided to pursue legal action, there are a number of organizations that can provide support, including the American Association for Justice and the National Center for Victims of Crime.
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In addition, many state and local bar associations offer resources for victims of medical malpractice. These organizations can provide information about filing a claim, finding an attorney, and understanding the legal process.

There are also plenty of websites that offer information and support for victims of medical malpractice. These sites can be a valuable resource for information and support as you navigate the legal process.

​No one should have to worry about being the victim of medical malpractice. However, if you or a loved one has been harmed by a healthcare professional, it is important to know that you have options and resources available to you. With the right support, you can get through this difficult time and seek the compensation you deserve.

Large corporations have entire marketing departments that promote goods and increase brand awareness. And whatever such companies produce, they all pay attention to one critical aspect – psychology. People purchase products for various reasons; some fall for visuals and slogans. Others, in turn, succumb to the price and overall convenience.

Using psychological methods allows you to improve your product or service and tailor it to people’s expectations. Marketing psychology relies on using a wide array of gimmicks, from the software with free graphic design templates to proficient analytics tools. Below, we’ve put together the most crucial information about marketing psychology and how to use it to achieve your goals.

​In a nutshell, marketing psychology delves into the human mind and conduct to learn customers’ buying behavior, interests, and preferences. The primary purpose of such a technique is to determine how people behave on social media and what makes them more inclined to purchase a particular product. 

It’s a truism that we are surrounded by marketing psychology these days. Whatever ad or Instagram story promoting a good you see is based on marketing psychology.

Above all else, marketing psychology is beneficial in that it lets you identify people’s buying patterns and predict how they’d behave once they stumble upon your product on the web. The technique also lets you alter people’s behavior and influence them to choose your brand. 

Besides, marketing psychology helps you enhance clients’ shopping experience and portray your company as customer-oriented.

​Marketing psychology encompasses various techniques. Which one to opt for hinges on your brand and its area of operation. Notwithstanding, let’s look at the most practical methods more in-depth.

Priming strategy
Priming is a widely known stimulus in psychology and related branches. In psycholinguistics, for example, priming is used to measure children’s response time and thus check syntactic prowess. In marketing, experts use priming to pair various elements and make the person think these items are inseparable, so they need to be bought together.

Fitts’s Law
As mentioned earlier, visuals always contain a powerful message that can make people complete the necessary action. Fitts’s Law states that the more appealing and friendly the visuals (social media profile, web page, etc.), the more they affect the buyer. 

Reciprocity Concept
People mirror your attitude toward them. Simple as that, be nice to people if you aspire to succeed and convert them into regular clients. Incentivize them, provide them with discounts, coupons, vouchers. It will all have a powerful effect.

Social Proof
By spreading clients’ comments and testimonials on your product, you verify your expertise and prove that people trust you. The great thing about this method is that it’s flexible, meaning you can use it however and wherever you want.
​
Option Reduction
Scattering dozens of purchasing options isn’t always a good idea in that it can overwhelm people and leave them uncertain about what option to choose. If you want to double conversions and leads, restrict a list of choices.

Nudge Approach
This approach dramatically influences clients’ decision-making process. Here, you can use various linguistic structures and visual elements to encourage people to buy your product. Remember to use this concept in moderation to make it fruitful.

​With that being said, you may wonder which strategy to employ to influence and persuade. And that’s the thing: it’s nearly impossible to select the technique without analyzing your business. 

First, you need to set clear goals and expectations before adopting marketing psychology methods. Once you are clear on what you want to achieve, define what psychology marketing strategies you want to implement. You are encouraged to acquire several approaches, for using them interchangeably will bring better results.

And there you have it. As you now know, marketing psychology is a modern way of being compelling on the market. Regardless of your company’s size and focus, embracing marketing psychology can multiply your returns and make your brand way more successful and recognizable in the long run.

​Under UK law, pensions are considered to be a joint marital asset. This means that when a couple is divorcing, pensions are liable to be viewed as collateral and divided accordingly. The way that they are divided differs between cases depending on a number of important factors. Current guidelines aim to divide combined assets evenly, however, the way this is achieved is not always straightforward, which is where specialist firms such as Major Family Law can help navigate the various pitfalls.

​UK divorce legislation uses the equal division of matrimonial assets as a starting point from which to generate a financial resolution that is fair to both parties. The primary consideration for the Courts is the provision made for any dependent children. For example, if the main caregiver retains the marital property in order to provide a stable home for the children, the other partner may be allocated other financial assets instead, such as a lump sum payment or a larger stake in any pensions.

• Occupational pensions
• Private or personal pensions
• Additional State Pensions

Note that State pensions are not applicable and will not be taken into consideration.

There are three ways in which pensions can be divided up during the divorce process. These are:

• Pension offsetting - where the value of the pension is offset against the value of other assets.
• Pension sharing - this requires a Court order and represents one party being allocated a percentage of the pension scheme of their estranged spouse.
• Pension attachment - these are where one spouse is allocated a share of their ex-partner’s pension but can’t benefit from it until they start to draw on the pension. It is rarely used any more. 

Research has suggested that around 70% of married couples fail to talk about their pensions before getting divorced. This means that many people either don’t even know that a spousal pension exists or that it counts as marital collateral. Factors which can influence the percentage of your husband’s pension that you may be entitled to include:

• Yours and your spouse's age
• Length of marriage
• Proximity to retirement
• Potential earning capacity

Factors taken into account are highly dependent on individual circumstances. For example, if you haven’t been married for very long, you are significantly younger than your husband and have greater future earning capacity, or if the majority of their pension had been contributed prior to the marriage.

• Family responsibilities
  All divorces are different and there is definitely no ‘one size fits all’ solution. This is mainly due to circumstantial factors that the Courts place considerable weight on, such as the financial requirements of meeting the needs of any children and the ongoing financial needs of either yourself or your husband.
• Earnings
  Both the current and future potential earnings of the parties involved are given credence as well as both the financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage, for example, if one spouse has spent more time raising the children then this is considered as viable a contribution as bringing in a salary.
• Health and wellbeing
  Health considerations, including any long-term illness or disability will be recognised and accounted for along with the standard of living with which you have been accustomed to during the marriage.
  
  ​There are many issues to consider when it comes to pension entitlement. If you are getting a divorce, then speak to a legal professional about your individual circumstances to become more informed about what steps to take next.

Time is a valuable resource, so it’s a shame when we squander any of it. When you’re a student and studying it might feel like your time is constantly being wasted, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways you can use time management to boost your grades and get more done in less time. Sounds pretty sweet right? Well, there are lots of tactics to learn but here are the top 10 that any student can start using today!

​Time management is a key component to your success in college. Learning to balance your time can help you tackle projects, assignments, and other activities that will come your way. If you are having trouble managing your time, here are 10 tactics that can help boost your grades and make you a more efficient student.

1. Create a calendar:
A calendar will help you organize the things that you have to do for the week, month or whole semester. You should put due dates for assignments, exams and other activities as well as include any obligations that you have such as family events and organizations that you are involved in. Having a calendar is the first step to becoming organized and will allow you to better manage your time.

2. Make a schedule:
Your schedule should include the amount of time that you need to spend on certain tasks and activities during the day or week. It should also include when you should start studying for an exam or doing homework so that it gets done on time. Having a schedule gives you an idea of how much time you have available to complete all of the tasks that need to be done.

3. Be realistic about how much time you have to accomplish tasks:
If you’re a student, you probably don’t want to spend all of your free time studying or doing school work. You need some free time to hang out with friends, pursue a hobby or sport, or just relax. When you are given an assignment, look at the due date and make a schedule for how much time you can afford to spend on it each day so that you will finish on time and still have enough free time for other things.

4. Do some of the most difficult works first:
Rather than starting with simpler assignments that you find more interesting or easier to complete, begin with the most difficult ones. This is because you will be working with a fresh mind when your energy level is highest. Once your mind is drained, the quality of your work will decrease.

5. Start working on assignments early:
As a student, one of the best ways to boost your academic performance and to write a perfect essay is to start working on your assignments early enough. If there is an assignment due in two weeks, do not wait until the night before it is due to start working on it. Get started early so that you have more time to complete it, and avoid rushing through it. Starting early will also give you enough time to seek assistance if needed.

6. Reward yourself for completing tasks:
You can also be an effective time manager by rewarding yourself for completing your assignments. If you’ve got a reward waiting for you when you finish, it will motivate you to get started and keep going until you complete the assignment. 

If you have a favorite snack or treat that you enjoy, use it as a reward for yourself when you have finished your assignment or study session.

7. Ask for assistance when needed:
Asking for help doesn’t show a lack of intelligence; it shows strength. If you don’t understand the material, you can ask your professor for more explanation or ask a fellow student for study tips. Don’t let not knowing something stop you from asking. A tutor can also be your ally in time management and prioritizing tasks.

8. Find a quiet place to study without distractions:
Finding a quiet place to study is important when trying to figure out how to manage your time as a student. Go to the library, or find a room or area in your house where you can focus on getting things done. Turn off social media notifications on your phone, and only use your laptop when necessary. 

It may be tempting to check Facebook right before you start studying, but this will only distract you. Make sure that homework is the first thing you do when coming home from school and you have completed your facebook post template so that it’s finished and out of the way before anything else happens during the day.

9. Take active learning techniques into consideration:
Active learning is an effective method of teaching that applies to a variety of academic needs. Some of the most common active learning techniques include observing experiments, collaborating with peers and doing presentations. 

Study groups are also an excellent way to boost study performance and encourage students to talk about their academics. The best part about these tactics is that they can be used in any academic environment, including online classes.

10. Review what you've learned at the end of each day:
This one is obvious. A little bit of repetition will help keep your mind focused on the tasks at hand. For example, if you're studying for a math exam, then reviewing some past problems can help refresh your memory and remind you what you need to work on before test day. Studying should also be done in short intervals, as research shows that students' brains react best to studying over a period of time rather than in a single sitting.

​Eating a healthy balanced diet can help you reach and maintain your fitness goals. What you eat before and after a workout affects your mood, motivation, performance, energy level, and recovery. 
 
Pre-workout nutrition gives you the strength and energy you need during exercise. And just as important, post-workout nutrition provides your body with the nutrients it needs to recover and replenish. 
 
When used appropriately, dietary supplements can be used before and after exercise to enhance performance and recovery.

​Fueling your body before a workout provides you with the energy and strength to perform. 
 
Pre-workout meals should consist of an easy-to-digest balance of macronutrients. To avoid an upset stomach, try to eat 2-4 hours before activity.

Pre-workout supplements, taken 15 to 30 minutes before exercise, boost energy levels. 
 
Proponents claim that pre-workout nutrients increase focus, energy, strength, and endurance during exercise and promote faster recovery after exercise. 
 
Unfortunately, pre-workout products are largely unregulated. Many products do not undergo proper testing to ensure the quality and safety of ingredients. In other words, buyer beware.
 
If you take a pre-workout supplement, choose a product from a reputable company. One that performs independent third-party testing for quality and safety. Like Naked Energy, a clean pre workout from Naked Nutrition. 
 
Naked Energy contains B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, caffeine, creatinine, beta-alanine, and L-arginine. 
 
Be sure not to exceed the recommended serving size and always consult with a physician before taking any new supplement.
​

What you eat after a workout helps maximize recovery and replenish energy stores. 
 
Consuming high-quality protein post-workout can help repair, remodel, and build muscle. It is generally recommended to consume protein in combination with carbohydrates within 1 hour of working out. You can get the protein you need from whole foods or a protein supplement. 
 
Whole food sources of protein include chicken, turkey, eggs, fish, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, nuts, beans, and tofu.

It’s not always possible to get adequate protein through food alone. In this case, using a supplement is a convenient way to incorporate protein. There are various types of protein supplements available. Animal-derived proteins include whey, casein, egg, and collagen. Plant-derived proteins include pea, rice, hemp, and soy. 
 
Your fitness goals can help you to match a supplement to fit your needs. For example, if you have joint pain, collagen may help. Collagen is a major component of skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, and ligaments. 
 
There is evidence that collagen can reduce activity-related joint pain, and strengthen tendons and ligaments. 
 
Making a post-workout smoothie is easy to incorporate collagen into your diet. Like this green apple ginger smoothie.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 date, pitted (if you don’t have dates, use a whole frozen banana)
• 1 green apple (cored & chopped)
• 1 tbsp. hemp seeds or chia seeds
• 1 scoop of collagen peptides powder
• 1 tbsp. freshly grated ginger
• 5 drops liquid stevia
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• Ice as needed (~4-5 ice cubes)

Instructions
 Simply combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

​If you’re looking for a plant-based post-workout smoothie option, try this peanut butter hemp smoothie.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 date, pitted (if you don’t have dates, use a whole frozen banana)
• 1 scoop of Naked PB protein powder
• 1 tbsp. hemp seeds 
• 5 drops liquid stevia
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• Ice as needed (~4-5 ice cubes)

 Instructions
 Simply combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

​Before and after exercise, proper nutrition and hydration can help you reach and maintain your fitness goals. 
 
Pre and post-workout supplements can enhance performance and recovery, when used appropriately. Use caution before taking any pre or post-workout supplements. 
 
Be sure to choose products made with high-quality ingredients and third-party tested to ensure quality and safety. Always check with a healthcare professional before starting a new supplement.

We all know how cute French Bulldogs are. So, it should be no surprise to learn that, in 2020, they were the second-most popular pet in the U.K. and the fourth-most popular dog breed registered with the American Kennel Club in the U.S.
 
Frenchies first appeared in Paris during the nineteenth century, as a result of crossbreeding English toy bulldogs with French ratter dogs.
 
The mild-mannered and friendly French Bulldog makes an excellent pet for all kinds of people who want to be dog parents. But can a French Bulldog be a service dog? Let’s find out.

Service dogs are trained to help people who have disabilities. They can assist people with physical disabilities or mental impairments.
 
Over 80 million people in the U.S. alone have service dogs to help them in a variety of ways. For example, they can assist physically disabled people who are visually impaired, deaf or have mobility issues.
 
Blind and visually impaired people can navigate their environments much more easily and safely with the assistance of a service dog, and people with hearing problems can hear important sounds, such as oncoming traffic. Meanwhile, mobility dogs can help individuals who have balance issues or use wheelchairs or walking devices.
 
Service dogs also include medical alert dogs that can signal the onset of medical problems like allergies, low blood sugar, and seizures.
 
Service dogs can be very beneficial to people who have mental disabilities. For instance, psychiatric service dogs are able to help people who suffer from conditions like PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia.
 
The dogs are trained to help such individuals by performing specific tasks. The tasks are uniquely linked to the individual person’s mental disability and precise needs.
 
For example, someone suffering from PTSD could experience panic attacks or social anxiety. When such an individual has a psychiatric service dog, he or she can reduce symptoms of panic and anxiety, and the dog will know what to do to help. Find out more by checking out psychiatric service dog guide from Certapet.

A reputable trainer will train your service dog.

​​The international standard is: service dogs should be trained for an average of 120 hours over a period of 6 months. 30 of those hours should be spent in public places so that the dog can become accustomed to certain sounds, experiences, and environments. They are best trained as puppies.
 
Once a dog has been trained, a further period is required to see how it fairs in certain situations. For instance, trainers must be sure that any service dog can remain calm, doesn’t display signs of aggressive behavior, doesn’t beg for food or attention, and doesn’t show any hyperactive behavior in public places.

The most common breeds that are trained as service dogs for people with physical disabilities are Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.
 
But actually, any breed of dog can be a service dog. Only, some breeds of dogs are more suited to helping some forms of disabilities than others.
 
For example, service dogs can be used to pull wheelchairs, so large and strong dogs like Great Danes or Bernese Mountain Dogs would be ideal, whereas a Papillon would not. However, a Papillon would make an excellent hearing dog.
 
And some dog breeds, like Toy Poodles, can perform tasks like alerting people about blood sugar variations and activating light switches.
 
So, it’s about finding the right breed of dog to fit the needs of the individual disability and the needs of the person.
 
In addition to those already mentioned, common breeds that are used as service dogs include Beagles, Boston Terriers, Saint Bernards, Pomeranians, and Pugs.

Any breed of dog can be a service dog. So, yes! French Bulldogs can indeed be service dogs.
 
However, like other breeds, Frenchies are best suited to people with certain disabilities. A French Bulldog would not make the best guide dog for a blind person. Nor would it have the strength to help people with mobility issues.
 
But French Bulldogs can make ideal partners for people who have emotional needs. The dogs are even-tempered, intelligent, and have calm natures. They’re pretty tough too. Furthermore, French Bulldogs rarely bark.
 
Perhaps most importantly, the dogs crave companionship, are very affectionate with their owners, and are well known to be very loyal. Those kinds of qualities are exactly what people with mental disabilities need.
 
Also, Frenchies are great with both adults and children; and they get along well with other pets.
 
French Bulldogs are easier to train than many other breeds, too. However, they can be stubborn from time to time.

Both male and female French Bulldogs are suitable as service dogs. But the two sexes do have differences.
 
Male French Bulldogs tend to be more playful, energetic, and assertive than females, while females tend to be more docile but dominating. And females are generally easier to train than males.
 
Spaying and neutering can also make a difference in a French Bulldog’s personality. And spaying and neutering make Frenchies calmer and easier to train.
 
As for their physical differences, male French Bulldogs have larger heads and physical frames than females.

​Service dogs are able to transform people’s lives. Individuals with physical disabilities like deafness, hearing impairments, blindness, vision impairments, or mobility issues can greatly benefit from having a service dog. So can people who have mental disabilities like PTSD or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
 
French Bulldogs are not suitable for assisting people with physical disabilities, but due to their warm personalities and ability to be trained well, they can make the perfect partner for individuals with mental disabilities and mental health issues.
 
Frenchies will provide a lot of love and affection. That alone goes a long way to helping people who have mental health problems like anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.

As your body ages, you notice a series of changes that impact your way of living and general well-being. Basically, even if you still feel like you are 20 years old in your mind, your achy joints and lack of stamina manage to bring you back to reality. 

But old age doesn’t have to be a sad period of your life. While things will change and you won’t be as fit as you used to be, you can still improve your current condition. And where you can’t, it helps to understand and accept the situation. 

Let’s take sleep as an example. Nowadays, sleep disorders caused by low-quality sleep​ are quite common among adults and even young people. The constant exposure to news, social media, and various devices equipped with a screen that emits blue light is disruptive to sleep patterns, which leads to a wave of health issues.

However, even if you had a healthy sleep pattern during your early and middle adulthood, the situation may be different in your golden years. Moving forward, we’ll have a look at some of the most common changes in sleep patterns that occur with age so you can recognize and understand them.

Our sleep patterns are regulated by our body’s circadian rhythm, which is unique for every individual. That’s why some people are early risers while others are night owls, for instance. Now, the circadian rhythm is directed by various hormones designed to tell you when to sleep and when to wake up.

As you get older, the production of hormones decreases or changes due to cellular deterioration. As a result, your sleep patterns change, and you may find yourself sleeping less or needing to take longer naps during the day. 

Plus, if you don’t take enough walks in nature and don’t expose yourself to natural daylight (research shows many older people don’t), your circadian rhythm will suffer. Therefore, both a drop in hormone production and less exposure to daylight can lead to a reduction in sleep quantity and quality.

Waking up tired and no energy throughout the day can also be a symptom of old age. However, it’s important to make sure there aren’t other causes such as:

• Lack of physical exercise
• Too many stimuli in your bedroom - light early in the morning, sound from outside, irritating smells, and so on.
• A mattress that’s too hard/soft or too hot
• A snoring/kicking bed partner (be it a spouse or a pet)
• Sleep apnea
• Anxiety

Any of the scenarios above (and others) can be fixed or diminished with a few changes or medical devices. So before you settle for an old age during which you feel chronically tired, make sure there aren’t any hindrances that can be removed.

​Let’s be honest - everyone can sleep well when they are healthy! However, as you get older, chances are you’ll get diagnosed with at least two or more health conditions that will block the possibility of peaceful sleep. 

Plus, you may also experience side effects from the medication your doctor prescribes for your health conditions. In many cases, medications such as corticosteroids and antidepressants are known to cause insomnia while opiates tend to cause daytime drowsiness. 

Also, if you are on multiple medications, the interactions can also impact your sleep patterns.

​Medications, changes in hormonal production, and an overall lack of physical activity are some of the most common causes of low-quality sleep in older adults. Still, there are a few things you can do to overcome some of these scenarios.

For instance, you can practice meditation sessions right before going to bed to help the body relax and invite sleep into your world. Also, light physical activity is crucial for aging gracefully, and don’t be afraid to take walks in the sunlight when possible.

Student loans have gradually become a menace to society. It seems like everyone has student loans, which can be a burden for a significant portion of their lives. Student loans are different from other loans because you absolutely must pay them. 

They can also have a multigenerational effect as parents can be forced to pay a student loan by taking money from their retirement fund. Age is a significant factor affecting student loan debt in the country.

The price of higher education is higher than it has ever been, but other factors will influence it, including interest rates and repayments.

We will consider the student loans based on various age categories, including: 

• 24 and Younger
• 25 to 34
• 35 to 49
• 50 to 61
• 62 and Older

The data that follows will be based on Federal Student Aid data. The data captures the debt amount up to Q4 2021.

When comparing total student loan size for the above generations, you get a picture of how much each generation owes. 

The 24 and younger group had a collective debt of about $110 billion. The 25 to 34 group has a debt of about $500 billion. The people aged 35 to 49 have an obligation of $622 billion. The 50 to 61 generation had a collective debt of $282 billion, while those 62 and older had a total loan of $98 billion. 

It is crucial to say that the student loan of older generations has grown due to interest accumulations over the years. 

Higher interest payments significantly increase the total amount, which can happen during things like refinancing. You can use a student loan refinance calculator to see how it affects loan balance. 

Therefore, those younger age categories can expect their loan balances to increase with time gradually. 

The average student loan size based on the above age groups also paints a fascinating picture. The age group 50 to 61 years, as of Q4 2021, had the highest average debt per person at $44,312. 

The 35 to 49 year group had the second-highest level of debt per person at $43,210. The 24-and-younger category had the least student loan debt average, at $14,430. The 25 to 34 year age group had an average student loan debt of $33,570. 

Individuals can take various steps to reduce their total debt, such as debt consolidation. Each person’s case is different, so the average loan size does tell an intriguing story but not the full one.

As you can tell from the information above, Americans experience student loans differently depending on age. It also describes how much debt they take on by age, depending on the cost of higher education. 

It is vital to state that anyone can reduce their student loans by varying degrees, including older generations like baby boomers.

Based on the above statistics, it is clear that various age groups are more affected by student loan debt than others. 

The 50 to 61 age group is the most highly afflicted, closely followed by the 35 to 49 age group. However, as stated above, the numbers will change as time progresses and age groups change. 

Other factors will affect the total loan size per group, such as the total number of borrowers. According to the Federal Student Aid data, as of 2021, the group with the highest number of borrowers is 25-to-34-year-olds, at 14.9 million. 35-to-49-year-olds had about 14.4 million borrowers.

The 50-to-61-year-olds had 6.4 million borrowers. The 24 and younger group had 7.8 million borrowers, and the 62-and-older group had the least borrowers at 2.4 million. 

The student loan data by age paints a fascinating albeit grim picture of debt. The 50 to 61 age group was the most affected by student loans, followed by 35-to-49-year-olds. 

Many factors affect the total loan debt amount by age, including the number of borrowers, of which the 25-to 34-year-olds had the most.

Parents and guardians have to think carefully about how they will fund a child's college experience.

Massive tuition increases have set the stage for this kind of financial pressure. It's simply a lot more expensive to go to college than it used to be.

Here are some of the top tips for household planners who are wanting to send a kid to college, without ending up with empty pockets. (Some of these can be combined with other strategies later, like medical school student loan refinancing.

If you are trying to support a child's education in the most affordable way possible, the first place to start is with the federal FAFSA program.

This government program was set up to provide financial assistance to families who have promising young learners, but not as much capital to send their children to school.

Here it makes sense to really drill down into the nuts and bolts of how FAFSA calculates financial assistance. Know your household income and other key numbers, to support a claim for help from the government in order to get your child enrolled without spending an arm and a leg.
​
There are also grants that your young learner can apply for, in order to offset some of their college costs. Then later they can also pursue subject-specific solutions, for example, medical school student loan refinancing or otherwise micromanage any personal loans they have taken out.

​Good extracurriculars, volunteer history and other extras are good for a college application, but they can also be good for your student’s college experience in another way – by lowering costs.

This comes in the form of a scholarship, which may be awarded according to aptitude. So if your student has a better GPA, better testing scores, better extracurriculars and more, he or she could qualify for a range of scholarship options. Many of these scholarships are for specific aptitude in a particular type of academics or sports.

Some scholarships also work based on need or eligibility, so be sure to look for all of your options to save money on a college education, in addition to a plan for student loan refinancing or optimizing college-related personal loans.

Your next stop on the college funding line can be the range of federal and private student loan programs that will help your child to fund education without siphoning all of that money from your household budget.
College loans are now standard for many students. They allow the students to learn first, get the degree and get appropriate jobs, in order to start to pay off the loan after graduation.

Take a look at programs like the Federal Perkins student loan program that may have a lower interest rate and better repayment terms than a range of private loans.

If you do end up taking out private loans or similar personal loans for college, make sure you get the best APY and lowest interest rates possible. With relatively low interest rates these days, it should be possible to get loans that don't require as much interest repayment over time. That will come in handy with medical school student loan refinancing or other proactive ways to manage the college bill later.

As you're getting these loans, think about what the financial picture will look like after graduation.

Many of these loans have deferment options in case your student gets behind in payments.

You can also look at things like medical school student loan refinancing, where a plan to refinance can decrease the monthly amount that your graduated student must spend as he or she works off the student loans in question.

​Where do you find affordable tuition?

It's a good question, and it's one that a lot of families are asking.
One of the first avenues of inquiry is a community college, where students can learn at a fraction of the cost of most private universities.
Some even pursue a deliberate strategy to earn most of their credits at the community college, then transfer to a more expensive school later and bring their existing credits with them.

This is often a workable strategy. Households can also look at their status as in-state residents in order to get specialized lower in-state tuition rates at state schools.

All of this will help you to get a handle on how to fund your child's education in a time when it's one of the biggest costs you'll ever take on. Having a college fund handy is a big help, but these aforementioned tips (and efficient personal loans) will also lower the amount of financial pressure you feel as your child heads off for their journey in higher education.

You're a decade or two into your employment and may be thinking about retirement. But, before you do retire, you'll want to leverage your experience to stay productive in retirement. It may be easy to get things done in your twenties or thirties, but retirement can be a different story at forty or fifty. If you're finding it challenging to remain productive in retirement, here are some helpful tips to help you get back on track.

Retirement can be a tricky transition for many people as they're leaving behind the structure that was their workday. It's one thing to be excited about the things you'll be able to do in retirement, but it's another to keep yourself busy and motivated when there isn't someone assigning tasks or deadlines.

1. Plan ahead
   The earlier you start thinking about what you'll do in retirement, the better off you'll be. Set goals for yourself, so you have something to work toward during your later years. These can be individual goals like learning to play an instrument or mastering a new language.
   
   They can also be travel-related goals, such as visiting all 50 states or travelling worldwide. Planning gives you something to look forward to once your career ends.
   
   Maybe you've always wanted to learn how to play the piano or speak Mandarin. Well, now's the time to give it a shot! Studies have shown that having concrete goals can help us stay motivated in our golden years and take advantage of our brain's plasticity (its ability to adapt and change). Be sure to include financial goals in your plans so that money won't be an issue when it comes time to retire.
   
   The best way to boost your retirement productivity is to plan. The earlier you start thinking about what you'll do in retirement, the better off you'll be. Set goals for yourself, so you have something to work toward during your later years.
2. Learn new things
   
   Retirement opens up a world of possibilities for taking classes or learning new hobbies and skills. You may find an interest that becomes a passion or even a side business. Take an inventory of your skills, interests, and hobbies. Your interests may have changed over time. Retirement is an excellent time to explore them. The best way to get the most out of retirement is to take advantage of the opportunities it creates.
   
   If you don't know what you want to do, start by finding a question that is driving your life. Identify your skills and hobbies, and then find a way to put them to use. You may want to start small with a side business or volunteer activity. It's also a good idea to explore topics that interest you outside your job, such as history, philosophy or religion.
3. Get fit
   If you've been putting off exercise because of your busy schedule, now's the time to make physical activity a priority in your life. Regular exercise can help prevent illness, keep your weight down and improve your moods, making it easier to tackle other goals on this list.
   
   Stay active by exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. Regular physical activity helps reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes while lowering blood pressure, boosting mood, improving cognitive function and increasing energy levels.
   
   Physical activity is also a great way to keep your mind sharp as you age. It improves memory and mental acuity, making it easier to tackle new goals in life and make plans for the future. As you get older, regular exercise can also reduce the risk of falls or accidents.
   
   Although you might not be able to go running every day at 70, there's no need to stop exercising altogether once you reach 65. Even small amounts of physical activity can benefit your health and lower stress levels while improving brain function.
   
   
4. Keep Working
   It may sound counterintuitive, but one of the best things you can do for your health and longevity is to keep working after retirement.
   
   Studies show that continuing to work even just a few more years can add up to seven years to your life expectancy — and those are good quality years. Plus, the longer you wait until retirement, the better your chances are of having enough money saved up to last through your retirement years.
   
   Another benefit of keeping up with work is that it keeps you active and engaged in society, which helps fight off depression. Plus, who wants to sit around all day doing nothing? If you love what you do or enjoy the people you work with, there's no reason not to continue working as long as possible.
   
   
5. Start a part-time job
   One way to stay more productive in retirement is by finding a part-time job if you have time. You don't have to spend 40 hours a week at work, but having something small to fill up your mornings, afternoons or evenings can help keep you from getting bored and losing productivity. Plus, you'll need the extra income if you want to retire early.
   
   Volunteering is a great way to get out of the house and keep yourself busy while doing something good for others. There are thousands of volunteer opportunities available throughout the country. Consider volunteering with a non-profit organisation whose mission resonates with you. If you want to continue making a difference in the world, volunteering is one way to do so after retiring.
   
   You could volunteer at your local hospital or nursing home, or perhaps you would prefer to work at an animal shelter or soup kitchen. The best part about volunteering is that there is a suitable job for everyone – you have to find it!
   
   If you want to contribute, volunteering is one way to give back and make a difference in the lives of others. It's estimated that about one in four adults between ages 45 and 74 volunteer for non-profit organisations and that 55% of these volunteers are retired workers.www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02647/full
   
   
6. Be realistic about your skills and abilities
   Your life has changed since your working days — as has your physical condition — so look for opportunities that fit your strengths and interests.
   
   If you're looking for ways to stay more productive in retirement, remember that your skillset is a product of your life experience, so be realistic about what you can and can't do.
   
   For example:
   Many people assume that if they've been out of work, they'll be able to pick up their old job efficiently, but it's often a different story once you move into the new workplace.
   
   You might be able to use all or part of your old skills and knowledge, but that doesn't mean it will translate easily into the new environment. Maybe you never developed those skills in the first place. Perhaps they were buried beneath years of other responsibilities.
   
   
7. Define Success in Retirement on Your Terms
   The first step in being productive in retirement is to develop a vision for how you'd like to spend your days. Some people enjoy focusing on spending more time with family or embarking upon new adventures, while others like staying involved with their careers or volunteering for causes they care about.
   
   Whatever your plans may be, it's essential to have a vision and make sure it aligns with your goals. If you're unsure about what you want to accomplish in retirement, it can be helpful to try out different activities and see what brings you joy.
   
   Taking the time now to assess your values and preferences will help you take advantage of the opportunities that align with your goals and avoid those that don't. For example, if you're an introvert who's always dreamed of travelling, joining a tour group might not be a good idea because you'll feel overwhelmed by forced social interactions.
   
   
8. Establish a Routine
   Just because you aren't going into the office every day doesn't mean you need to relinquish structure from your life. Having some routine can help maximise productivity in retirement. Doing so creates healthy habits and gives you something to look forward to each day.
   
   Creating a daily schedule with some structure can help you keep on track and stay productive. You can leave room for spontaneity, but building in an hour or two of quiet time for reflection — and maybe even meditation — can help you feel more grounded and less stressed.
   
   A crucial part of this is to have some "end" to your day, which might be as simple as shutting down the computer, turning off the television and picking up a book before bedtime. Develop a healthy routine — get enough sleep and eat right.
   
   
9. Maintain Positive Relationships
   Maintaining strong relationships with loved ones will help you stay happy and healthy in retirement. Just because you're not working anymore doesn't mean you have less time to spend with them or share special moments.
   Maintaining good relationships is also a great way to fill your days and keep yourself occupied when you're not working. Research shows that an excellent social life after retirement is an important factor in staying independent and healthy, both mentally and physically.
   
   
10. Create a Budget and Stick to It
    The first thing you need to do after retiring is create a budget. Pay careful attention to the sources and amounts of your income and your spending. Consider both fixed expenses and discretionary spending. Your nest egg isn't last forever, so make sure you're not spending irresponsibly.
    
    It can be tempting to splurge when you retire, but maintaining a budget is essential, so you don't deplete your savings too quickly.
    
    If you've been working in the traditional sense for most of your life, then retirement can be a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the ordinary world. But that doesn't mean you should let go of all that hard-earned discipline. Good money habits are critical in retirement.

Wrapping Up
Many people look forward to retirement, particularly as the years grow longer for them. However, some retirees may find that they begin to feel unsatisfied with their new lives. One of the best things you can do after retiring is to make sure that you stay productive. If you want a detailed analysis of your productivity during this sensitive time in your life, you can try out Timedoctor's productivity benchmarking tool. That said, use the tips we've outlined here to help you stay on top of your game during retirement and ensure a fulfilling life. 

​Relocating to a new home always comes with a lot of stress and emotions, especially for seniors. Sorting things and packing is draining, but letting go of so many memories is the most stressful for them.

They will be leaving behind friends and routines that they have already established. It is harder for the elderly to uproot themselves and welcome change in a new place. Emotional stress is often a bigger factor than everything else. Here are some tips to help relieve some of their stress during the move.

When moving seniors to a new home, there is no such thing as planning too early. There are many things to take care of, like preparing the new house, transferring medical records, figuring out travel options, and more. You also need to consider health problems that could occur during the move and seasonal complications.

Planning ahead of time reduces stress a lot, both for you and the seniors. It also gives you enough time to assist the elderly in transitioning to their new home. Help them sort out which things to take, donate, and leave behind.

It also gives you enough time to consider whether you need to rent storage and look for professional movers.

​Saying goodbye to the house filled with memories and their already established routines is a major cause of stress for elders. Having friends and family around while packing could bring them comfort.

Even if you plan to hire movers, taking it slow and giving them a chance to reminisce with loved ones will help ease the transition. It will also cheer up your seniors to let them hand over the items they wish to leave behind.

Let the experts deal with the hassle and do the heavy lifting for you. Professional movers are equipped and experienced in dealing with moving seniors. Find insured and licensed movers to 

• Sort and pack your items professionally and with care 
• Help you with unpacking, electronics installation, and furniture setup 
• Take care of the disposal of items you’ll be leaving behind.

If your family owns a car, you might want to consider looking at car shipping companies. It is impractical to ask seniors to endure a long drive. Shipping your car will be safer and more convenient than having to drive it to your new home yourself. Plus, this could save you time and money.

​It is best to pack essentials, such as prescription medications and important documents, in a bag that is convenient to bring with you when you move. It wouldn’t hurt to have some comfort items for seniors, too, such as a travel blanket or a small pillow.

You can pack an “open me first” box containing items you will need immediately after moving. These should include toiletries, utensils, and a change of clothes. This way, essential items are easy to find among the mess of unpacked items when you move in.

​Take care of this in advance. Meet with the new medical providers in the area ahead of time. Request the transfer of medical records, and sort out the details of your insurance coverage in the new home state to avoid unnecessary delays in the delivery of medical care.

Elders need their routines for comfort, especially seniors with dementia. But most importantly, they need to feel involved. Set aside time to let them familiarize themselves with the area before moving in. Look at the local activities for the elderly in the neighborhood so they can form new social circles. Give them plenty of time and support to adjust to the new environment.

Try arranging and decorating their new living space similar to the old house. It will give them some sense of familiarity that could ease their emotions.

​Moving might be a hassle, but remember to be patient. Give your senior family members enough time to say goodbye to their old house and routines. Take lots of pictures as souvenirs to help them look back on fond memories. You could even consider throwing them a moving away party to help them move out on a positive note.

It used to be hard to find ways to make some extra money in your spare time. Getting a second job severely limits your flexibility, for example. However, with the rise of the gig economy in this digital age, there are more options than ever to find extra work. One of the more popular options is ride-sharing. 

Lyft is one of the top ride-sharing services, and they are always accepting drivers to transport riders around their cities. The drivers and riders use an app to connect and find routes to various pickups and destinations. On the surface, it seems pretty simple to become a Lyft driver. You sign up to the app, get in your car, and away you go, right? Well, not exactly. Specific requirements must be met, and you must do certain things to sign up. Here are the steps you need to take to become a Lyft driver.

Not just anyone with a vehicle can start driving for Lyft. Before you can even think about applying, you need to meet specific standards that they have set. These are to ensure that all of the drivers representing their company are legally able to drive safely. For starters, you must be at least 21 years of age. In addition, your driving abstract should be clear of any violations for the prior three years. For at least the last seven years, they can be driving felonies, such as a hit-and-run, drunk driving, or DUI. 

Along with a driving background check, you will also be subject to a criminal check. This is to make sure that you are trustworthy and safe. If you've had any felonies in recent years, such as thefts, property damage, violent crimes, and sexual assault, you will not be eligible to drive

Lyft will not provide education or training to help you get a driver's license. You must already have one before you apply. Not only that but your license must be issued by the state in which you want to drive. If you have recently moved to your state, you will have to get a new license before you can drive. On top of having a valid license, you will also need to have one year of experience under your belt before Lyft will take you as a driver. If you are new to the state, you may have to get your records from your old state to prove that you have that year of experience.

Your plan may be to use your personal vehicle for your ride-sharing work. That's fine, however, you need to know that you may not have insurance coverage for when you are acting as a Lyft driver. Your personal policy does not cover work-related activities. Being a Lyft driver carries more risk than regular use since you are on the road more often, carrying passengers for whom you are responsible. Make sure that you get essential business car insurance coverage so that you are fully protected under a commercial plan. Your policy must be for the specific vehicle you are using to drive with Lyft, and it must at least cover your state's minimum.

Being a Lyft driver means putting a lot of extra miles on your vehicle. Not only that, but you will have paying clients in your car every day. This means that your car has to be in good condition, and it must be clean at all times. Lyft also has specific standards that a vehicle must meet before it can be driven for them. 

The vehicle must be less than 15 years old and in good condition. There should be no visible damage, and the tires must be in good condition. All Lyft vehicles must have four doors with handles on the interior and exterior. All safety features, such as lights, horns, and seatbelts must be in good working order. Your car would be examined regularly by a licensed mechanic to ensure no issues with the engine, transmission, or brakes. 

If you don't have a car, you may still be able to drive. You will just have to rent from an approved provider. The issue with this is that rental costs can take a big chunk of your revenue, so you will probably want to start working towards buying a car if you're going to be a Lyft driver.

Once you have everything ready to go, you can apply online. This will involve filling out a survey and entering in your personal information. Next, Lyft will look over your application and determine if you qualify to move on to the next step. At this point, they will run your background check and check your driving abstract. This process can take up to a week, and if you are approved, you can move on to the next stage.

​This step might remind you of your teen years when you were just starting as a driver. First, you will meet with a Lyft representative to show them how you drive. Then, they will ride along with you as you follow instructions and routes. If you pass this part, they will send your information to Lyft, and you can then be qualified as a Lyft driver. It never hurts to ask some questions at this point to get any information that you think you might be missing.

​Once you've passed the driving requirement, you are ready to go. The first thing you need to do is download the Lyft app onto your phone. Through this portal, you will connect with riders and answer pickup requests. Riders will also use this app to order rides, make payments, and provide reviews. At this point, all you need to do is decide when you want to work and for long, and you are good to go. 

Unfortunately, you can't simply hop in your car and start being a Lyft driver. They want to ensure that only good drivers are connected to their brand. It's an excellent option for making some extra money on the side, but make sure to follow these steps, and you will be on your way to a fun and exciting new venture.

Global life expectancy has increased by around 30 years in the past few decades. This indicates that the standard of healthcare has improved significantly over the years. However, is the quality of care equivalent to the quality of life for senior citizens? 
Senior citizens are often seen to be spending their last years alone as their loved ones get preoccupied juggling their own lives. They may start to think they have lost meaning in their lives, which majorly impacts their health and lifestyle. Studies show that various problems related to aging occur because of a lack of purpose and appreciation for life. If such is the case for you, let’s discuss a few ways you can take care of your health and improve your lifestyle.

As you age, you are more likely to spiral into loneliness, leading to depression and other illnesses. What follows is isolation from everything and everyone you care about. Call and visit your family often. Reach out to your friends and invite them over to engage in simple activities like playing bridge or cooking a hearty meal together. Interact with neighbors by greeting them in passing and striking up a conversation. Push yourself to make contact with the world around you, and join programs that indulge your hobbies. Time spent with good company is precious and can help uplift your spirits.

For adults aged 65 and above, it is recommended to carry out 150 minutes of exercise every week to strengthen muscles and improve balance. Good health is key to maintaining your physical abilities, and it instills a sense of pride, confidence, and independence that elevates mental health. If you feel limited due to a disability, you should consider investing in mobility aid upgrades that encourage and empower you to keep moving.

Frequent doctor checkups are advised for all age groups, but they become especially important when age starts to wear you down. Empty nesting syndrome, retirement, moving into retirement homes, and cognitive or hearing impairment are a few reasons why senior citizens are more prone to mental illnesses like depression. A doctor can help you recognize mental illness symptoms or provide solutions for pre-existing diseases, such as recommending hearing aids to prevent your health from deteriorating.

​Not only does organizing your home keep you occupied, but it can also help you reduce anxiety. Get the help of your loved ones to label different sections in your house so that you can navigate your home more safely if you face memory problems. You can also hire a home safety company to perform a thorough safety check to eliminate any risks in the house. This helps make it easier to perform tasks such as doing laundry, cooking, or babysitting, and keeps you active while ensuring your peace of mind.

​After years of hard work, you want your retirement years to be free of stress and allow you to spend more time performing activities you enjoy. Your life doesn’t need to be mundane and frustrating; there are various lifestyle changes you can adopt to live a more fulfilling life with a strong sense of belonging and connection. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your community in times of need, and don’t let old age prevent you from participating in all the activities that bring you joy.

When it comes to moving to a new home, even if you're moving to a retirement community, you could try and arrange it all among your friends or hire professional movers to avoid causing yourself tremendous stress. We think some services don't need a professional, but as is the dining table in an amateur carpenter's kitchen, that thinking is skewed.  

A professional moving company can help with a number of the most challenging aspects of your move. Moreover, because they know what they are doing, there is far less risk of your stuff getting damaged or lost in the move. So how do you choose a reliable moving company? What should you look out for?

​This one is a bit trickier than you may think. Depending on your career, you may deal directly with clients occasionally. You will know that the customer is, indeed, not always right if you do. 

There are cases where people are impossible to please and looking for a reason to find fault with a service.

We mention this because when you search online for a moving company, you will not find one that has no negative user reviews, not unless they are relatively new. 

The best way to judge whether a company is good is to look at the average ratings on various consumer service websites and social media.

​Some moving companies specialize in large, long-distance hauls. Such companies generally use large trucks and several movers to help the client in the move. 

If you are moving out of your first apartment after college with nothing but a couch, many heavy boxes, and a microwave to your name, large-scale moving companies will be overkill. So instead, you would rather use a smaller, local moving company. 

When you first speak to a moving company about the quote, ask them about the type of vehicles they use to haul moves and how many movers they assign, which brings us neatly to our next point:

​Before you consider a particular moving company over another, you need to have as many quotes in hand as possible to determine the costs of a moving service. There are a couple of logical reasons that this is critically important. First, to compare pricing in detail.

One company might charge slightly less per mile but make up for it with a higher charge for multiple moving vehicles. In addition, different moving companies have different rates for labor. Some charge for time spent unpacking. Others factor all these expenses into a single cost.

It can become very confusing very fast. Take your time to ensure that you have sussed out any hidden costs and exactly how each company came up with its quote. 

Once you are sure you have the quote that offers the best value (not the same thing as the cheapest service out there), you should speak to a company representative to confirm that your understanding of the cost breakdown is accurate.

Weighing in these critical factors will lead you to the most suitable moving company.

​Although retirement might feel a long way off for some of us, it’s something you should begin investing in as quickly as possible. The earlier you start building your nest egg for retirement, the more cash you’ll have to tap into when you decide you want to stop working and enjoy your golden years. Of course, even if you do start saving early, there’s still a chance that countless factors in your life might leave you wanting to add a little more to your pension pot. If you’ve checked your retirement savings recently, and you’ve decided you’re not entirely happy with where you are, don’t worry. Here are some quick tips you can use to improve your chances of getting to where you need to be.

​Contributing to your retirement fund, emergency cash, or any form of savings can be difficult if you’re struggling to make ends meet. Re-working your budget and considering where you might be able to save back some extra money could be the best way to achieve your goals. Look at the current expenses you have to deal with each month? Is a significant portion of your budget going towards interest for some high-interest student loans? If so, you could potentially look into refinancing those loans with a lender online, and cut down on your monthly repayments. This frees up more money for your savings, without asking you to change too much about your lifestyle in the short-term.

It’s easy to forget about your pension and retirement savings when there are a million other things vying for your attention. Automating your savings means you’re less likely to use the money you would dedicate to retirement for something else, like fixing your car or replacing something in your home. You can also automate saving some extra cash for an emergency saving pot at the same time, so you always have some extra money when you need it. Think about how much you can reasonably afford to put aside each month, and put your savings on auto-pilot. Every so often, check your budget again and ask yourself whether you can afford to upgrade the amount you’re saving. This will help when you want to entertain yourself during retirement because you will have some easily accessible funds to do so as opposed to other savings options where there are terms and/or penalties for withdraws.

​Even if you already have a 401(k) with your employer, that doesn’t mean you have to limit all of your retirement savings to one basket. You can also establish an individual retirement account too. A traditional IRA could be ideal for you if you’re participating in a workplace retirement plan, and some contributions are even tax deductible. A Roth IRA is more likely to be the ideal choice for you if you meet with the phased-out modified income limits, based on your tax filing status. If you’re not sure what kind of IRA might be suitable for your needs, it’s worth talking to a financial advisor about your options. There are plenty of financial experts out there who are often willing to offer initial consultations for free, and they can often give you extra advice on how to save.