Finance Archives - Page 19 of 23

Jack Elway – Surnames That Have Stamped Themselves on the Sporting World

September 28, 2017 by admin

Throughout the world of sports, there are some families that have dominated so much that their names, or at least their surnames, have become permanently imprinted into the minds of anyone who loves the game. These names have become synonymous with their respective sports because of the levels of success and domination which they have found within their sporting disciplines.

It is somewhat surprising that the sons of many sports stars go on to become legends in their own right, given the amount of pressure which they no doubt carry on their shoulders. Despite the shadow looming behind them however, the following sports stars have taking the surname to the next level in their sport and emulated their father’s success.

Elways

Both father Jack Elway and his son John have left a huge mark on the sport of football and whilst Jack lied his trade in the coaching department at college level, son John would go on to become one of the best QBs to have ever played the sport. John won back to back Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos as a player and then once more as general manager before being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Nortons

Whilst they may have crossed sports, the Norton name will live on in many minds for a very long time. Father Ken Norton was a monster in the boxing ring boasting a career filled with 33 knockouts and one which saw him become the Heavyweight Champion of the world after beating Muhammed Ali. Son Ken Norton junior chose football instead and it turned out be a wise choice after he became the first NFL player to win 3 Super Bowls back to back and a fourth Super Bowl as a coach in 2014.

Bryants

Many people consider Kobe Bryant to be the greatest basketball player of all time thanks to his career with the LA Lakers where he became the leader and talisman that lead them through a golden generation which saw the franchise lift 5 NBA Championships. Kobe’s inspiration came from his father Joe ;Jellybean’ Bryant who played for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 70s with great success.

Mannings

The Mannings are like royalty in NFL circles thanks to a trio of family members leaving their mark on the game. Father Archie Manning was an exciting quarterback who would draw large crowds to come and see him play. His sons Eli and Peyton however, would take the entire football world to new heights. Between the brothers they won 4 Super Bowl Championships and hold a huge amount of franchise and league records. Peyton Manning is considered to be the greatest QB of all time and brother Eli is not far behind him. When one thinks of great footballing families, it is the Mannings who everyone thinks of.

Notable Mentions :

Barry and Bobby Bonds

Yanick and Joakim Noah

Bobby and Brett Hull

Dale Eanardt Snr and Jnr

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.

Strategic Options for Emergency Expenses

July 7, 2017 by admin

It’s easy to say you should save money for emergencies. It’s even a really great plan, but it isn’t always possible. However, when you have the emergency situation under control saving as little as $10 a month can go a long way to preparing you for the next emergency. But what if you need the money right away?

Savings in Hidden Places

You may already have savings that you haven’t even thought about. There are several financial products you may have which you can tap into. If you have a life insurance policy, you may be able to withdraw a portion of the accumulated cash value of the policy. The amount which is available will depend on the policy size and the length of time you have been making payments towards the policy.

Other options include retirement accounts, private IRAs, and even college savings plans like the 529. If you have ever put money into any of these types of accounts you can probably withdraw at least a portion of the money. This should really only be considered as a last result, however, because it will almost certainly result in a tax penalty.

Installment Loans and Credit Cards

If you don’t have access to any type of savings but you do have a job, you may want to consider an installment loan. These are smaller loans that are available more quickly than a traditional loan and they are available to people who don’t have perfect credit. In the past, many people only had the option of a payday loan but these have a bad reputation for making financial difficulties worse.

Financial lending companies realized this and created small installment loans to give consumers a better option. If this is something you’d like to consider, get more info about the types of products and eligibility requirements in order to make a truly informed decision.

Another option may be to secure a credit card. This is a solution that requires a bit more forethought. You will need to obtain a credit card and then keep it set aside only for emergency use. The only problem is, most credit cards take several weeks to arrive in the mail which may be longer than you have in a true financial emergency. If you need money immediately the installment loan may be a better option.

Leverage the Gig Economy

The gig economy presents a fantastic opportunity for those who find themselves in need of emergency funds. If you have a special skill or reliable transportation you are well on your way to having the ability to make money quickly if the need arises.

There is always a high demand for people who are able to tutor students. If you have experience in a subject field and access to a computer, it is likely you can make some extra cash tutoring in your area of expertise. There are a large number of websites which are devoted entirely to helping students find tutors. Some of these offer direct employment and will take more time to begin earning money. Other sites offer the ability to complete the exchange between two individuals. Using free video conferencing and electronic payment methods such as Stripe or PayPal will allow you to begin tutoring foreign students in English almost immediately.

Writing is another career which allows people the freedom to take only the work they want and be paid upon completion. There are many companies who keep a pool of writers on hand to complete work as it comes in, signing up for one of these is an excellent way to establish yourself and have access to emergency funds. Alternatively, there are bidding sites that allow people who have a writing project to find freelance writers for single assignments.

If you don’t feel comfortable teaching or writing or even working online, there are plenty of gig opportunities that can be completed in person. Uber and other ride services allows almost anyone to turn their reliable mode of transportation into a money-making taxi. Other services allow individuals to deliver food, groceries, and complete other tasks for immediate payment.

When you need money quickly for an emergency it is always reassuring to have some hiding in savings. When that isn’t an option securing and installment loan or relying on a credit card are good options. Alternatively, having a fallback gig that brings money in quickly may also work. Ideally, you will cultivate a combination of methods so you have multiple options in an emergency.

The Long Haul: 5 Tips for Honoring Loyal, Long-Time Employees

June 22, 2017 by admin

Source

You can’t put a price tag on the value that long-time employees provide to your business. They’ve been with you through it all: the good, the bad and the ugly. You’ve celebrated birthdays together, hit countless deadlines and maybe even relied on each other to make it through networking events.

How can you honor these loyal team members and show them that you truly appreciate the years of work they’ve put in helping you sustain and grow your business? Handing them a card on their “jobiversary” seems a little understated. After all, as Glassdoor points out, these employees have proven their loyalty, flexibility and understanding of your company over time.

Here are five tips for expressing your appreciation for your valued veteran employees.

Give Earnest Thanks

There’s no substitute for looking someone in the eye and sincerely telling them that you appreciate them. However, you can make your point even more powerful if you bring up specific examples.

Before you pull an employee into your office to thank them (perhaps on a work anniversary or another milestone), collect positive feedback from their colleagues. Think about situations where they’ve proven to be an irreplaceable part of the team. This way, when you deliver your high praise, you’ll be demonstrating to them that you notice their strengths and contributions.

Don’t forget to mention a few traits or actions outside of daily job requirements, too. Does this employee take the time to bake treats and bring them in for the team? Does he or she step up to mentor new employees and interns without anyone asking? Have they organized an important event (like a luncheon, gala or party) on top of their everyday duties? Point it out.

Make Your Appreciation Heard

In addition to taking the time to say thanks one-on-one, you can get the whole office involved. While you would never want to embarrass or patronize any employees, you still want to let them know that you’re not alone in appreciating them—the whole team does, too.

Thoughtful group activities like a collaborative card, desk decorating or a special blog post on your company website can help long-term employees feel outwardly proud about their contributions.

Let’s Do Lunch

Everybody loves lunch. Let your employee of honor pick the place occasionally. It’s the perfect setting for a mix of friendly chit chat and discussing the company in earnest. Not only will you get to know the person better as an individual, but you may even pick up some valuable pointers on how you can keep improving your company’s culture and workflow, according to Spark Hire. And of course, pick up the tab at the end of the meal.

A Well-Deserved Bonus

Feeling valued is about a combination of words and actions. While you can never buy your way to having a supportive company culture, you can put your money where your mouth is and offer bonuses to stellar, long-term employees.

This monetary reward can be in the form of an incremental raise, a one-time bonus or a non-cash gift, and should be separate from their typical yearly raise. In fact, one of the greatest ways to appreciate your employees is to make sure their benefits package is competitive to start with. There’s no one-time gift that can replace benefits like health insurance, workers compensation, paid time off and more.

Offer Privileges

If your company isn’t quite in the position to offer financial rewards, there are still many ways you can thank your steadfast employees. After all, they’ve stood by you for years!

Here are a few employee perks that won’t bust your budget:

– Flexible hours

– Extra days off

– Longer lunches

– Health and wellness enrichment

– Healthy food and snacks

– Team volunteer outings

As important as it is to honor loyal employees with special displays, one of the best things you can do for them is foster a positive company culture year-round complete with benefits, privileges and honest feedback.

Two Things You Should Only Buy Online

May 6, 2017 by admin

Source

Shopping online has now become the preferred way to shop for many parts of the world. Some products however, lend themselves better to shopping online. Here are two that take ideal advantage of the online benefits.

Hampers / Gift Baskets

In the world of corporate gift giving, the more thoughtful the gift, the better your chances of getting your contract renewed. This may be an exaggeration but what is true is that corporate gift-gifting is expected and beloved. So businesses have to fit it into their schedules and budgets around holidays and special occasions. Many have learned that shopping for their hampers online provides some amazing benefits. Here are a few.

Saves Time – Everyone’s busy these days so having an ability to order something so great as an amazing hamper from the comfort of your desk without having to go through the hassle of driving somewhere, having to park, get there before closing time, and then potentially having to wrestle with other shoppers for whatever is left (especially during the holiday season), is more than welcome. And the ordering time to select and order a hamper online is usually less than ten minutes.

Choice – Wherever you retail shop will be limited by the selection they have on the floor or some limited custom ordering. When you shop online however there are endless combination you can put together. These can include hard to locate or unique items. You can find the style or theme you want or create it when shopping online.

Saves Money – Shopping for Hampers online allows you to comparison shop and decide exactly where you will buy. No need to run around town when you can do this form the privacy of your home or office. Also when shopping at an online hamper company like the Hamper Emporium reviews about the company’s products allows you to not make a bad purchase.

Meat

Meat is becoming a very popular online product and with good reason. As people begin to discover they can get the types, cut and quality delivered right to their homes and sometimes for prices lower than their neighborhood butcher many find it hard to show any other way. Here and some of the benefits of shopping for meat online.

The Widest Range of Meats – When you buy meat online you will have a much wider range of produce compared to the typical supermarket. Online retailers in addition to always having the type of meat you want in stock also have game meats, such as pheasant, rabbit, turkey, duck, and goose. And many of their meats come already seasoned so you only have toss them into the oven.

Only High Quality Meat – Online butchers stock only the best quality meat and seafood. These shops carefully source their products from the best suppliers and the best part is, they always have what you want in stock.

The Meat is Fresher – When you buy meat from a supermarket it goes from the butcher’s warehouse to the supermarket’s warehouse to the supermarket where it sits for days before you buy it. When you buy meat online, it goes from the butcher to your home. So the meat will always be fresher when you purchase it online.