admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

8 Rules to Decreasing Health Care Cost in Retirement

September 20, 2017 by admin

As we age, our health care needs change, often becoming more prominent than our younger years. Aches and pains become constant, prescriptions pile up and doctor visits become more frequent. Just as we start to really need health insurance the options get slimmer and more expensive. In a real catch 22, new data shows that retirement benefits are decreasing due to rising health care costs.

Getting health care coverage in retirement can be costly, but it’s not impossible. There are also things you can do to decrease the overall cost of health care coverage once you reach retirement.

Rule #1 – See If You’re Eligible for Medicare

Medicare is a federal government insurance program for older Americans that covers 80% of allowable expenses. Those who are eligible for Medicare will have most of their health care needs covered for free or a low monthly premium. The main criteria for eligibility is age. You must be 65 or older to get Medicare.

Rule #2 – Take Out a Medicare Supplemental Plan

Retirees will still have to cover some expenses while using Medicare. You can reduce the out-of-pocket expenses with a Medicare Supplemental Plan, also known as a MediGap plan. If you’re already eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B you should be able to get a MediGap plan. There is a monthly premium, but for most people, the cost is lower than going without one.

Rule #3 – Start Planning for the Future Now

It’s never too late to start planning and saving for retirement – even if you’re already old enough to qualify for Medicare. In fact, younger people are encouraged to plan for retirement medical expenses without the help of Medicare, which is projected to run out of funds for Part A coverage in 2028.

If you’re still working and haven’t signed up for Medicare yet it’s a good idea to start a Health Savings Account (HSA). They come with major tax-saving advantages. Medicare recipients can’t add to an HSA, but they can use the tax-free money in the account to pay for medical expenses after the age of 65.

Rule #4 – Don’t Forget to Anticipate Cost Increases

One of the most common mistakes that people make when they plan for retirement is to not account for increases in medical expenses. On average, health care costs increase by 5% annually. However, in retirement years it’s better to plan for a 7% increase each year.

Rule #5 – Stop Smoking

One of the quickest ways to increase health insurance cost and life insurance premiums is smoking cigarettes. Smoking can lead to a number of chronic illnesses that cost a fortune over the long run. That’s why insurers increase premiums if you smoke.

Rule #6 – Take Advantage of TeleHealth Services

If you haven’t heard of telehealth services yet you soon will. In an effort to halt the increasing cost of health care, a number of new approaches and services are being offered. Instead of meeting with a medical professional in person you can communicate in real time using an interactive audio/visual telecommunication system on your phone or computer.

Next year, telehealth services will be made available in some states. Telehealth services will also be available to Medicare recipients.

Rule #7 – Stay Healthy

Last but not least, stay as healthy as possible. A new report from Fidelity estimates that the average couple will need $275,000 for medical expenses in retirement.

Good nutrition and lifestyle habits minimize the need for medical intervention now and in the future. Getting at least seven hours of sleep a night, hitting the recommended number of minutes of weekly cardio and eating a diet of whole foods is the easiest way to avoid chronic illness and reduce the cost of healthcare in retirement. Bonus – healthy habits also increase quality of life!

Rule #8 – Sign Up for a Wellness Program

If you’re still working see if your employer offers a wellness program. Sometimes employers will offer reduced health insurance to employees that join the program and work on maintaining good health. The money you save on health care costs can be put to retirement savings for added benefit. Another advantage of wellness programs is you can learn how to create healthy habits for the future.

How You Can Easily Stay on Top of Kitchen Maintenance

September 18, 2017 by admin

Your kitchen is often the hub of activity in your home. It’s where people gather, where food is prepared and enjoyed, and it tends to be a source of warmth and comfort. With that said, keeping your kitchen in tip-top shape can help to ensure that meals go smoothly and everyone can enjoy themselves. This is exactly why you want to be sure you’re staying on top of your kitchen maintenance.

So, what exactly is kitchen maintenance? What should you be doing, how should you do it, and how often should you go about this maintenance? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Kitchen Maintenance?

When you think about the room in your house that takes the most beating and has to work the hardest, the kitchen is the answer. It is used many times a day by everyone that lives in the house. That means all those small and big appliances are constantly working without getting much of a break.

Kitchen maintenance is kind of like a doctor’s check-up. It’s a chance for you to examine the appliances, make sure they are running properly, and have them fixed if there are issues.

Kitchen Maintenance Tips

Kitchen maintenance doesn’t have to be a monthly, bi-monthly, or yearly thing; it can happen on a daily basis. Kitchen maintenance starts with the smallest of things and then goes from there. The main goal is to keep things clean, working properly, and identify problems before they become a big issue. Here’s a look at some simple kitchen maintenance tips you can start to use.

Clean up on a daily basis. What this means is that you’re cleaning off the counter, cleaning out the dishwasher, cleaning out the sink, etc. This prevents food from building up on surfaces, which can start to stink and even get mouldy. A good example is a dishwasher. If you don’t have enough dirty dishes to justify running it daily or every-other day then it’s probably better to hand-wash them so the food doesn’t stick to things and start to decay.
Be mindful of how your appliances are performing. If your fridge is starting to make some funny sounds or your oven doesn’t seem to be cooking properly, then it’s probably time to call in a maintenance and repair person. It could be a very simple fix or something a bit more involved. Appliance repair specialists will have the tools and knowledge to assess and then fix the problem. It’s much better to call them in as soon as the problem starts so it doesn’t get worse and more expensive to fix.
Make sure you are using the proper cleaning products and tools. If you aren’t using the right cleaning products to clean your oven, for example, then grease and grime will just continue to build and eventually cause your oven to stop working properly.
Speaking of cleaning it’s also wise to perform regular deep-cleans of your appliance. This doesn’t need to be done weekly unless there is a spill, but once a month, give your appliances a really good clean. This means emptying them out and making sure you’re getting in all the cracks and corners.
The final tip is that you ask everyone in the house to be following the same habits so that the kitchen is being treated well by all.

It’s important you don’t pick just one of these tips to follow. Rather, you need to follow them all. Remember, your kitchen takes a lot of abuse so if you want it to stay in tip-top shape, you need to put a little work into it.

Things to Do to Get Your Home Prepared for the Cold Weather

September 16, 2017 by admin

School is back and session and that means one thing…the cooler weather is just around the corner. As beautiful as the fall can be and as magical as the winter weather might look, getting your home ready is imperative to surviving the harsh elements throughout the cold season. If you haven’t started preparing, now is the perfect time to get your home ready for the cool weather ahead. Here are some suggestions for getting ready:

Weatherize the House

During the fall and winter, the heating bills tend to surge due to the cost of gas and oil. You can reduce the amount of energy you’re using in your home during the cooler months by improving its efficiency. Over time, every home loses efficiency (some even start off inefficient). Cracks in the walls, around the windows and doors, and issues in the property’s foundation can quickly become ways for cool air to get in the home and your warm heat to get out.

Weatherizing your home essentially means finding and plugging those airways so that you can keep the cold air out and your heat in. Here are some suggestions on how to weatherize your home:

Place weather stripping around the doors and windows
Put plastic around windows that have cracks or let in a lot of cold air
Reinsulate the basement and attic
Fill in cracks with calk
Fix any foundation issues

Service Your Heating System

You’re going to rely on your heating system a lot during the fall and winter. A heating system that isn’t properly maintained will eventually lose efficiency. This isn’t good for a few reasons. First, it will cause the heating system to work harder to generate heat through the house. Second, it will cause your heating bills to increase. Lastly, it could lead to serious damage. Contact a company that specializes in heating repair and maintenance. They can check for any underlying issues and complete routine maintenance like cleaning the ventilation system and changing air filters.

Get the Gutters Cleaned

Having the gutters cleaned at least once or twice a year is necessary for the structure and integrity of your home. When gutters aren’t cleaned, they fill up with debris like twigs and leaves from nearby trees. This debris then clogs the gutter system preventing it from properly navigating rain waters away from your house. When the water isn’t properly routed away from the house, it can saturate the ground around it resulting in serious foundation issues.

If you’re not afraid to grab a ladder and clean them yourself, then by all means, get up there and do it. However, if you’re afraid of heights or have never cleaned the gutters before, it’s best to contact a roofing company for assistance. Not only will they clean your gutters, they can assess your roof to ensure that it will withstand the rain in the fall and the heavy snow and winds in the winter.

Tend to the Garden

Another home improvement task you’ll need to do before the winter comes is tending to the garden. Most of the garden chores you can do yourself unless you happen to have a black thumb. Towards the end of fall you’ll need to start cleaning up and covering up your garden for the winter. Start by getting rid of the dead stems and foliage from your flowers and/or veggies. This prevents them from harboring diseases and insect nests during the winter. Then, get rid of any weeds and debris before the ground gets too cold to deal with. Till the soil and then add compost to the soil. The fall is also a good time to dig and box any raised beds, create a cold frame, and complete any other general gardening repairs.

Home Décor

Some might consider making changes to the home’s décor to bring sort of a warm feeling to the cooler seasons ahead. Some home décor ideas can actually help to make the house feel warmer and save you money. For instance, putting up thicker window treatments can help to keep the cool air out. Switching to heavier bedding minimizes the need for the heat to be turned up too high when it’s cold at night. There are a ton of home décor ideas you could try for the fall and winter.

Well, you’ve got a laundry list of things to complete before the cold weather arrives. It’s a good idea to get started on these things sooner rather than later. As unpredictable as the weather can be at times, you don’t want the cold season to come upon you and you’re not prepared.

Experience Enchantment and Ecstasy at Disney World

September 13, 2017 by admin

It’s magical, moving, and a must see. Disney World holds so many wonders for people of all ages, it’s a great experience, and has left all its visitors wanting to return again and again. It’s a place where boys and girls see their most loved movie characters come to life, and where adults relive fond childhood memories. See a phenomenal picture of this multinational mass media company at this resplendent resort: take the kids to Disney World, and have the time of your lives. Here’s some things to see while you’re there.

Magic Kingdom Park

This is the first of the 4 theme parks opened at Walt Disney, and is suitably named, because it is truly a magical experience. Children, and adults, have been able to behold some of the most cherished, and memorable Disney characters, from Mickey Mouse to Cinderella. Electrifying and exhilarating entertainment is on offer each day at the theme park, and they surely won’t leave you disappointed.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a popular ride in the park. It’s both a haunting and hilarious experience all in one. It depicts a haunted goldmine, wrapped up in legend stories of supernatural forces within the caverns. Grab all the family, and jump on board for a evocative journey.

One of the most identifiable buildings, as you enter the theme park, is Cinderella’s fairy tale palace. A glowing, and intricate, brick structure with blue tips, not only lights up its structure, but the emotions of all who come across it. The wonderful love story of Cinderella has stayed in the hearts of many throughout all generations, and now you can step into this storybook adventure yourself.

Epcot

Twice the size of Magic Kingdom Park, this 300 acre theme park is a place where you can let your imagination run wild. Get the feel for what it would be like to travel around the world on land or sea, in a place where countries are united. Its truly a sight to behold, and to celebrate by being amazed and entertained by all its wonders.

In Epcot, you can be enthralled and enlightened at the same time, one of the attractions you can do this in is The Circle Of Life. Be captivated by these classic film characters from Lion King, as they share important lessons about the environment. Let Simba set you straight on your surroundings, as he teaches some important facts to Timon and Pumbaa.

Let your emotions come to life with a visit to Headquarters where you can meet the highly entertaining characters, Joy and Sadness, from the recent Disney Pixar film Inside Out. Capture a moment with them and gain a feel of what it’s like inside Riley’s head. The options of what to do at Epcot are inexhaustible.

Dine With Disney

Make sure you don’t missed out on the host of places to eat while you’re at the resort. You could enjoy a storybook dining experience at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, where you meet the Disney Princesses, in a building with the ambiance of a castle and cathedral combined. Or enjoy eating the old fashioned way at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe, American comfort food at its best. There’s plenty of other places you could enjoy a good meal at Disney, so fill your tummy as well as your imagination.

Balancing fatherhood with having a healthy lifestyle

September 11, 2017 by admin

You don’t need to be told that becoming a father is a life-changing experience. The fact is telegraphed from a thousand different directions. Your time will never be your own again, your sleep patterns will be messed up beyond recognition, you’ll have scant time to see your buddies, you’ll know more about children’s TV shows than what’s happening in the NBA or the NFL. But you already knew all that, right?

Of course, you did. But you probably didn’t know the 100 other ways in which parenthood changes your life. The good news is that most of these are incredibly positive, which is why most new dads reel off lists like the one above with a smile on their face – who cares who’s making the playoffs this year, you’ve got more important things on your mind now, and you wouldn’t change it for the world.

However, there are some things that can creep up on you that are not so life-affirming – for example, the dreaded phenomenon that the Brits have dubbed the dad bod. Let’s find out how you can keep in trim, particularly when there is a rapidly growing ankle biter to keep up with.

Eat properly

The problem stems from a combination of the fuel that you are putting in and the exercise that you are doing to keep in shape, but the single largest issue with new dads putting on some extra inches concerns diet. Many are quite certain that they eat less as they find themselves rushing off to work without having had breakfast due to lack of time, and then bolting something quickly in the evening.

Therein lies the problem. Skipped meals do not help – they just mess with your metabolism and increase the temptation to grab something fast and unhealthy to keep hunger at bay. The body likes routine, and by eating regular meals at regular times, you will metabolize food faster and more effectively.

The truth is that babies and kids thrive on routine, so there should really be more reason to eat properly and regularly than there was before.

Get out there

You have more in common with your kids than you might realize. Not only do you both need regular healthy meals, but you also need fresh air and exercise. The archetypal image of the dad out there kicking a soccer ball or throwing some catches with his youngster are great to put into practice, but the important thing to remember is that it is never too early to start.

Your three-month-old baby is not going to be throwing a ball like Joe Montana, but get out there every day with the stroller, take a walk, and get into the routine of venturing out together. The time will disappear faster than you know, and the transition from those first tentative steps to you struggling to keep up will happen in the blink of an eye.

Get checked out

A healthy diet and regular exercise will put you on the right course, but if you are still feeling less than 100 percent, it is always worth getting checked out medically. As we enter our 30s and beyond, there are a number of potential ailments that can crop up, and almost all can be alleviated quickly, just as long as you get them diagnosed.

Even the healthiest dads can find their cholesterol level creeping up as middle age approaches, while a testosterone blood test can be booked online and can identify issues such as calcium deficiency.

Don’t forget your social life

Despite all the tongue-in-cheek comments earlier, it is important for dads to have a little time out and remember that they are still one of the guys, just as much as moms need their girl time.

Schedule something, even if it is just a couple of times a month, and take the opportunity to do more than sink a few beers. This is an ideal moment to relive those youthful days and throw a ball around in the park for half an hour. Chances are, your friends are in a similar position to you, and they will love the idea – and you can always have a beer or two afterwards!

A schedule that works

Most things in life are about achieving a balance, and keeping fit in fatherhood is no difference. The most important thing to try to achieve is routine so that the good habits are convenient and become second nature. If they are a chore, they will end up being dropped, and that’s a guarantee. Good luck!