Seniors Site

Summers are indeed fun, not only for the young ones but for young-at-hearts too! Not only the season gives plenty of reasons to go out and have some fun but also opportunities to earn some bucks while doing so. The part I love most is the perks that come with it! Who doesn’t want freebies anyway?

Below are some of the awesome jobs seniors can take during the summer. Remember, summers are meant to get you moving so go out and have some fun!

* Seasonal hirings. Amusement parks, trail camps, and even national parks are hiring seasonal workers every year and they are more partial to hiring seniors since seniors are wiser and dependable.
* Tour guide. Expect tourists to flock your area during summer. There’s no place on earth left unnoticed during summer, I tell you, even if you are living in some far, unknown land, tourists are bound to find you and they will be looking for someone to take them around so be the best tour guide that can ever be.
* Stadium personnel. Think free access to games (okay, maybe not major ones), free uniforms and discounted merchandise, best of all, getting paid to do it! The rate may not be as high as the players themselves but the perks are cool enough to compensate for it.
* Amusement park crew. There are a lot of jobs waiting in an amusement park, you could be a ride technician or perhaps a storyteller–absolutely fun never-ending. Just be forewarned as this job is usually for the younger ones so it will take a lot of your energy.
* Local community parks. The most convenient job for an old bird like you! If you’re one of those people who were born and would die on the exact same place then you have sackful of local stories to tell and share to younger generations who are most likely to visit your community parks.
* Pet sitter. Feel like Doctor Doolittle? Then you can be around your favorite companions and earn a little extra while doing so by applying as pet sitter. Local zoos accept part time and seasonal pet sitters to accommodate summer rush. Not really a “people-person”? Check around your neighborhood for families who are planning to spend summer away from home but have a pet or two needing a pet sitter.
* Summer tutor. Parents are always looking for something to keep their kids occupied and at the same time do something productive out of their time. This is the perfect time to offer tutorial services to them. Some of the popular ones are piano lessons, baking lessons and even academic lessons if the kid needed some catching up.

Of all the topics I could write about, tax would be my least favorite. You must understand, tax filing is the time of the year I would rather be swallowed up by the ground and be spewed out when it’s over and done. If it were not for my accountant then I would have been in jail for being so ignorant when in comes to tax filing!
However, overtime I have learned some few tricks that will surely benefit seniors like me when filing. My best advice is to keep a diary of your daily activities and expenses—not the one which you pour your heart and soul into but more of a list of your daily movements to remind you come filing day. Take note that it is not your expenses alone that can save you bucks on filing day, even your activities can do that.
·         Keep a diary. Like I mentioned earlier, this should be a list which you can share with your accountant so he or she will be able to tell you what can be included and not. As for me, I like keeping one online which is shared with my accountant. This way I won’t have to share it with their team everytime we need to file as they can access my online diary anytime and ask questions if they have one.
·         To itemize or not to itemize, that is the question. You might want to think it over if your itemized deductions are maximizing your savings. It is because there is a standard deduction given by IRS depending on your age and marital status. If you do itemized deductions, you will not be qualified for the standard assigned deduction so you might want to check what’s more beneficial to you between the two.
·         Count your losses. Contrary to living a happy life by counting your blessings, count your losses to save some more on your tax filing. Some of your losses are qualified for a deduction such as your stock losses. While it may not be enough to cover your losses, it is better than none at all.
·         Your donations count too. If you support a cause enough to give a percent of your money, whether it is a one-time affair or a regular stint, your accountant will tell you that it can be declared for deductions. Now you know why big companies are also heavy on charity work.
·         Don’t forget your effort in getting that cause to happen! Even your car mileage will count as a deduction so make sure you take note of it too.

I have never been a good example of cheap spending nor do I spend impulsively. I would like to think of myself as a responsible spender. Whenever I need to buy something, I make sure that I absolutely need them and I get value out of my money. I wouldn’t recommend seniors to be cheap as well, as there are things you really have to spend your money on and not think of how to get around it—if you do, notice how spending on cheaper alternative usually gets you to spend more than you would if you bought the expensive one. I did this, more than once and I must say, I have already learned my lesson.
However, I do know that it is really important for seniors to have some kind of spending restraints as most of us only have monthly allowances to stretch forever. If we are not too careful, we might end up with holes in our pockets and begging for food which are never a good sight anyway. So here are my tips on how to spend wisely without leaving you feeling deprived:
·         Cut back on your credit card expenses. Better yet, maintain just one credit card and terminate the others especially if you don’t need them. Maintaining several credit cards will only generate annual fees even if you don’t really use them. Also, it is a temptation begging to be noticed so to be on the safer side, eliminate or lessen temptation as early as possible.
·         Use cash whenever possible. This applies for your small purchases, especially. Why? It is because small purchases have a way of accumulating without you ever noticing it. On the contrary, if you charge a big amount against your credit card, you are most likely to remember it.
·         Take advantage of senior discounts. Check with your local services as they usually offer discounts to benefit seniors. Instead of cringing away from your real age, why not use it to your
advantage.
·         Be in the know! Join forums and organizations which cater to seniors. This way you’ll be able to pick up valuable tips from your fellow members. What’s more, you’ll get to know other seniors in your area which is good for your social life too.
·         Compare prices. Funny how you would think you are getting the best deals from a supermarket only to discover that your local store is selling a certain product in much lower price. It is not uncommon to find yourself in a situation like this as prices really differ from one store to another. Your best defense is to monitor prices regularly so you would know where to buy your needs best.

You mourn the day they move out of the house, you stopped yourself from begging them to come back plenty o’ times, you struggled to get used to being on your own, next thing you know your kids are knocking at your door—your grandkids or suitcases in tow-asking for you to take them back! Now what?

Ever since the global economic crisis’ hit, more and more seniors are finding their litters back in their homes and into their lives. This may sound fun for some however, that is not usually the case especially if the senior has already started moving forward with their lives—without the kids. But what exactly is a “boomerang kid” and how to deal with them if and when your time comes?

“Boomerang kids” are termed as such since their behavior signifies such action. Take note that not all adult kids intentionally do this, some are only victims of their own high hopes and equally high expectations of life. On the other hand, there are those kids who just can’t get it: that you also have your life to live and it is not normal for parents to still wait on their kids even in their adult lives.

Why now? Obviously, your kids have hit the end of the road and they needed to start anew. Basic human instinct will tell them that in order for them to start again, they should go back to where they came from, in this case, your house. Naturally, they expect you to be warm and accommodating even if you don’t feel having them around that much. Nowadays, the three main reasons why your kids are forced to come back are: debt, unemployment and the housing crunch which left almost half of your kid’s generation homeless.

Which of course, left you with no choice but to take them back. But, having your kids back should not be too painful for both of you. You only have to handle it properly and consider these things when you find yourself living—again—with your adult kids:

•    They are not kids anymore. They are adults and they should be treated as such.
•    You’re their parent but that doesn’t mean they have to treat you like they own you and you are their slave waiting on them hand and foot.
•    Both of you are two grown, mature adults living two, separate adult lives and should be respected as such.

With that in consideration, you, as the rightful owner of the house should lay the ground rules. This is done to avoid painful separations and traumatic “nesting” experiences. Always share your concerns and keep communication lines open. Lastly, never intrude with your kid’s affairs unless invited. Encouraging your kid to get up and pickup the pieces of his life is the best approach for this kind of situation, never take pity on them nor express feeling of doubt about their future. Nonetheless, always put your future ahead of his even in such situation.

To kick-start the New Year, we are off to discussing one of my favorite subjects:  online store. Online stores are really simple in principle and it works both ways for sellers and consumers however, it can get really confusing setting up one since there are about thousands of “e-commerce gurus” out there claiming to have the “secret formula” to your online store success. We, seniors, should not be fooled by this. In truth, you really have to personally get down and dirty there, create your own methods and marketing tactics, study your market response, be known—all by yourself. No shortcuts, no tricks.

The advantage we, seniors, have over our younger contemporaries is that we have all the time in the world especially those who have already retired from work and of course, the kind of network we already have which we can use to work to our advantage. While this may sound “all-you” work, below is a simple step by step procedure on how to setup an online store:

RESEARCH

A background check—and a double check—just to make sure you got everything covered. The best way to enter the e-commerce arena and compete in it is to have a product which you sell in a wholesale price. That means, you should either be manufacturing the products yourself or you have a reliable supplier who marks his products down in half. You might want to check out few good domain names while you’re at it. Domain names are your website’s personal identification name. Good if you’ll be able to get your store’s name or you will have to settle with something really close to it.

SET UP

You’ll need a domain name, web host and a good CMS or content management system. Your domain name will help identify you apart from other websites while a web host is the backbone of your website since it allows other people to view your website. The CMS, on the other hand will make it easier for you to manage your website without getting too technical. All of which you have to pay either one time or monthly.

CONTENT

Put your content together. There should be pictures, product description and prices. To get an idea on how it should be, Google-search a couple of competitor sites and learn from their success. BE really observant of the way their clients interact with the seller as it might also be your key to success.

PAYMENT METHOD

This is the most important of them all. Ecommerce sites today are made more interactive and automated. Bear in mind that you are fighting for customers and you must give them the convenience they truly deserve. Your website should be able to accept payments without your customers having to wait for your email or response. Check with your CMS as most of them offers tie-ups with third party payment processors.

SHIPPING OPTIONS

Ecommerce sites run on shipping since orders can come from different parts of the world. It is important to have a reliable shipping company for your store’s needs. Get quotes from several local shippers and decide from there. You may have to get an account from shipping companies to qualify for discounts.

It’s really easy to plan a money-saving scheme; the hard part though is actually doing it especially if it’s your spending habits you’re up against. If saving is never your personality, it’ll be hard to pinpoint where the money drains away since you are most likely to see your “excesses” as a necessity. So, if you are trying to avoid bankruptcy or merely attempting to make ends meet, here are some habits you might want to kick for good:

•    Acquiring several credit cards—and maxing them all out. Owning a credit card does something good for your credit standing but having several, maxed out ones can never be good not only for your credit standing but also to your financial health. Credit cards can give you an illusion of having a fund when in reality there’s none so to avoid this trap, it is best to just manage one to two credit cards and never make purchases you know you cannot pay.
•    Depending too much on your medical insurance. Even if you got yourself adequately covered, you must never assume that they will pay everything down to the last cent because that rarely happens. As you age, there will be more and more medical assistance your body will require, some of it won’t even be stipulated on your insurance. If you are to save for an emergency fund, try allotting 50% to medical emergencies.
•    Borrowing against your next paycheck. Okay, it may not be a paycheck but allowance—whatever it is that keeps you nourished month after month! Advances are good if done occasionally, however, if you find yourself always borrowing from your next paycheck, month after month after month, then you’re in trouble.
•    Keeping up with the green-eyed monster. So what if the elderly couple next door bought a brand-spanking-new car? Or your best pal is currently undergoing the knife to make her look younger? If knowing these things make your palms all sweaty and your skin all tingly with envy that there’s nothing you could do but reach out for your pocket and buy yourself something better than what they have, then expect to go bankrupt within 5 years!
•    Going for a second—and expensive—degree. I can understand seniors wanting a second degree for a career shift or just for “fulfilling the void” but going for an expensive degree in hopes of landing a high paying job is not good, not to mention unnecessary. If you have the money to spare then by all means go, but if your life depended on it, capitalize on your work experience instead.

The global financial crisis has indeed left many Americans struggling to regain financial footing—seniors included. And while most of us are still trying to find our way out, glad to say that with creativity and will power, some of us manage to have a little more than what is needed to make the ends meet. It may not be big enough to cover all of our retirement days but surely enough to tide us over for the mean time.

Nonetheless, it is important for seniors to be financially healthy. Why? One, being penniless is stressful. Two, you need money to make sure you’ll be taken care of as your health declines. Three, your physical health causes money too and four, having enough money allows you to live conveniently. Let face it, nothing is free nowadays.

Improving your financial health need not be a pain. Here are some helpful tips to achieve better financial health and do without financial stress today:

•    Always think of the brighter side. Granted, those bills won’t just magically disappear but dealing with them negatively will only worsen your situation. Instead of allowing yourself to get tired of paying bills, think of how “better” your situation is than half of your population who can’t even afford to pay their meals.
•    Never go for a quick-fix. A loan may answer your doubts and debts quickly but it can also hurt you in the long run. Just think about this, a loan still needs to be paid and the only thing a loan can do for you is buy you some more time. Instead, think of something you can do which can bring in some money without having to tie you up into something in the future, like a part time job or perhaps a small, homegrown business.
•    Tackle financial problems by priority. Like I said, your bills won’t just go away. They need to be paid. However, paying need not be all-at-once. If there’s a shortage, pay first those that may bring trouble, like credit card bills and loans. Then tackle those you need in order to live like a human such as electricity bills, etc..
•    Set reasonable goals. Goals can make you focus on those you need to deal with immediately but, having too many goals will only leave you distracted as ever. If you love your sanity and would like to keep it, set reasonable goals you can meet without exerting too much effort.
•    Keep an eye on those rates. In all honesty, it’s the rates that make it hard for a normal person like us to pay all our debts easily. If you are not careful and a number-dizzy like me, you’ll end up paying double or even triple the principal amount you borrowed.

Of course, it is absolutely necessary to plan for your long term care, just as important as your planning for your retirement or even your own funeral. Don’t get me wrong, planning for your long term care is not inviting bad luck into your life nor it implies pessimism, I would like to think of it as being practical and yes, prepared for what lies ahead.

Just think of it this way, would you rather be stuck in a long term care program which someone have chosen for you but you would only remotely consider if you had a say on things? Not only that, not planning for it can catch you off guard, which unfortunately can also get you prematurely moved out of your house and into some horrible care facility! Planning for your longterm care ahead of time—and while you can—will ensure the quality of your future—the way you want it!

Planning for your long term care involves financial and legal aspects of it, as well as considering your family’s opinion over things. Also, seniors should take into consideration the fact that long term care is basically your everyday life during your later years, so it is extremely important to make it as comfortable as can be. Take note that your decision is not limited to care facilities as you can also make your home your place of choice and have it adequately set up to cater you and your health needs as well as your capabilities as an aging person. Good news is, the market today is more accommodating than ever, designing fixtures to help seniors live independently. There are bath tubs in the market nowadays that are designed specifically for seniors who can no longer bend too low or raise their feet too high; telephones with numbers as big as your thumb and a personal favorite: a talking bedside clock which can also come in handy if you are lonesome for company!

Aside from the peace of mind that you are sure to get if you plan your long term care ahead of time,  you have just made sure you will not become a burden to your family and friends when that fateful day comes. There are ways to cover your longterm care, you just have to ask around—it is most likely that a local organization will help you find a solution. While you’re at it, it is best if you start with your estate planning as well since it goes hand-in-hand with these things.

No matter how big or small your estate is, it is extremely important for seniors to do some estate planning as it will eliminate complications from happening after they pass on. Post deaths are always stressful for your loved ones; unless you hold a grudge and you would like to make them suffer, putting your estate in order will be very helpful in dealing and coping with your death.

If you think your estate is small enough to be divided amongst heirs without stirring trouble, then think again! Even the simplest of assets can cause arguments which can lead to court hearings and broken families. Then let’s not forget those people who find happiness in causing more heartache to the bereaved family by raising disputes that can hold up your estate for two years or so—these can be your long-forgotten creditors or a distant relative. Having a well planned estate will prevent all these from happening and will ensure you that your loved-ones will get what they deserve.

Your first step in putting your assets in order is finding a good lawyer to guide you with your estate planning. Basically, you will be dealing with wills and trusts, depending on the type of estate you are leaving behind. Your chosen lawyer will help you determine what’s suitable for your asset. Wills are the most common in estate planning. In a will, senior’s wishes are drafted, finalized then signed. Your lawyer will preside over your will and carry out your wishes in the event of your death. However, wills can be contested anytime if heirs will not cooperate.

Trusts are usually used when children are involved—that is, if you are planning to leave a little something for your grandchildren to remember you by. Although setting a trust is more complicated than signing your will, it provides added protection and security to the heir since it can be implemented even if you are still alive. Also, if you are worried about your assets lasting a little longer–long enough to do your heir some good, trusts are the way to go since it can be dispersed over time, leaving the principal asset intact. However, a trust will involve an executor to oversee the asset, usually the lawyer himself.

Some seniors would want their assets to be dispersed while still alive—and it is not at all impossible. One good thing about having your estate dispersed while you are still alive is that you can be sure that it goes as planned and at the same time, you lower your tax burden.

Looking for a quick sale or perhaps hoping to sell your home at a higher price? These are not impossible, if you know exactly what to do with your home especially BEFORE potential buyers drop in to see your place!

Seeking help from a real estate expert with your best interest in mind, he or she will tell you that there is more to just selling your home. You need to make it real pretty to your buyer’s eyes; they should be able to see the beauty of the house you’ve been holding on to for years and be able to downplay its “not-so-pretty” side. In an agent’s lingo, it is called as “staging”.

Home staging is a common practice in real estate. Basically, it aims to put emphasis on your home’s best features making it easier to sell it to interested buyers. Here are some home staging tips you can do in preparation to selling your home:

•    Go for an overall appearance instead of highlighting technical improvements of your home. It is important for your buyers to see the house as a whole, not the improvements that may or may not come with the sale. In other words, keep your personal belongings.. well, personal.
•    Never assume that your favorite spot would be the same spot your buyer will fall in love with too. While it feels you’re selling memories, bear in mind that the buyer is merely buying a house.
•    Move unnecessary clutter out of the house. As much as possible, keep your things to minimum. Remove personal objects such as family pictures and albums so your buyer won’t get distracted when viewing the house. This will also help you detach yourself from the house even before the sale.
•    Clean every nook and cranny of your home. That includes crawlspaces, cupboards and sheds. Your potential buyer will surely be interested on how much space is available for his belongings so these things should be kept clean.
•    Do some home repairs. Nothing grand, just your simple house troubleshooting such as fixing a leaky faucet or replacing a broken window.
•    Get your home as squeaky clean as possible! Wax the floors if you need to, dust your tabletops, bring out the nice china..anything that will enhance the look and feel of your home!
•    Inspect your house lighting. It should be in neutral tones and never in dark ones. As much as possible, use natural light as it makes a room look bigger and spacious.
•    Look at your home through your buyer’s eyes. They may see what your eyes couldn’t see. If this is a little bit difficult for you, then ask someone you trust to point out bad points of your home.