How to Calculate How Much Money You Need for Retirement  

How to Calculate How Much Money You Need for Retirement
By Beverly Bird
How to Calculate How Much Money You Need for Retirementthumbnail Start saving for retirement young.

Many adult Americans have inadequate savings to meet the needs of their retirement years, and their savings plans are not always on track to catch up. Many may have their hands full just meeting regular monthly expenses. However, you might actually need less than you think you’ll need for your later years.
Topic To Calculate How Much Money You Need for Retirement:

  • Planner Retirement
  • Retire Income

To Calculate How Much Money You Need for Retirement Difficulty:

  • Moderate

To Calculate How Much Money You Need for Retirement You’ll Need:

  • None

To Calculate How Much Money You Need for Retirement Instructions:

  • Decide when you plan to retire. Some adults work into their 70s. Others stop when they turn 65 or earlier. If you love your job and prefer to keep active, you may want to continue working a little longer. If you have health problems that make it difficult for you to go to your workplace every day, you might desire to retire as soon as possible.
  • Anticipate your likely income from all retirement sources when they begin paying out, such as Social Security, pensions, retirement plans and interest on investments. This will depend on how much longer you plan to work and how much you anticipate contributing to these funds by the time you retire. You can access a benefits calculator on the Social Security Administration’s website. Find a link in the References section.
  • Examine your current monthly budget, then deduct the expenses that are likely to drop off by the time you retire. The expenses you can expect to lose by retirement age might add up to 40 to 60 percent of your current budget. For example, you might pay off your mortgage before you retire, so you would no longer have that payment, or you might decide to downsize to a less expensive home. Maybe you’ll pay your automobile off by then, too, and you don’t plan to replace it with a brand new model.
  • Add to your estimated budget any new expenses you can expect to take on as you age. For example, if you don’t upgrade to a new car with a monthly payment, figure on spending more for repairs and maintenance. Keep in mind that Medicare is not likely to cover all your medical expenses either. If you’re already paying your own health insurance premiums, this won’t make much of a difference, as long as you don’t deduct that cost from your monthly budget because you think Medicare will take over this expense for you. But if you’re currently covered by a policy provided by your employer, you may lose that when you retire. You’d then need to pay for your own policy, which can be a significant monthly expense. Basic Medicare covers only the costs of hospitalization and some nursing home time, so most people buy supplemental Medicare insurance to cover such things as doctor visits and drugs.
  • Calculate the difference between what you’re likely to spend per month when you retire and how much of that your retirement plans and Social Security will probably cover. Ideally, your anticipated income will be equal to or slightly more than your anticipated budget. If there’s a shortfall, you’ll need to save up the difference before you retire.
  • Estimate what you’ll need to cover the shortfall, if one exists. If it looks like you’ll be short by $500 per month, this adds up to $6,000 per year. Multiply the yearly deficit by the number of years you expect to live off your retirement plans and savings. According to Bank of America, the average man has a life expectancy of 82 years. If you retire at age 65, and if you live until age 82, you can expect to cover 17 years of retirement. Seventeen years times $6,000 per year comes out to $102,000. You’ll need to save this to make up the difference between your estimated budget and your projected expenses.

How to Save for Retirement in Your Thirties  

How to Save for Retirement in Your Thirties
By Nicole Schmoll
How to Save for Retirement in Your Thirtiesthumbnail How to Save for Retirement in Your Thirties

Retirement seems far off for people in their 30s; it’s easy for individuals in this age group to think that they don’t need to start saving. The daily pressure of providing for a growing family can also place the financial focus on the here and now. However, money will multiply, if invested wisely over a long period of time. By setting aside a small amount of money in your 30s, you can build a suitable retirement savings by the time you reach your 60s.
Topic To Save for Retirement in Your Thirties:

  • Retirement Fund
  • Early Retirement

To Save for Retirement in Your Thirties Difficulty:

  • Moderately Challenging

To Save for Retirement in Your Thirties You’ll Need:

  • Budget
  • Money to invest
  • Retirement plan

To Save for Retirement in Your Thirties Instructions:

  • Create a budget and control your spending. Use a spreadsheet to list your expenses and bills. Things such as your mortgage payment, phone, cable, electricity, utilities, and grocery expenses go on this list. Include your debt (credit card, auto payments and student loans). Determine your net income, or how much you have left over each paycheck after taxes. Subtract your expenses from your gross income to see how much money you have left over. This is where your retirement savings will come from.
  • Determine your risk preference. Decide how comfortable you are with the higher risk associated with higher returns. Historically, the stock market, and specifically the S&P 500 Index returns about a 9 percent rate of growth over time. This growth rate is high enough to outpace inflation. Consider investing in a mix of stocks, mutual funds and bonds. Bonds are more conservative than stocks. Mutual funds are collections of stocks that help expose you to more of the stock market, which may decrease your risk of loss. If you are uncomfortable with the stock market, there are other, more conservative options available to you in annuities and money market funds. Be aware that, in general, the less risky or aggressive a product is, the less growth it offers.
  • Contribute towards your employer’s 401(k) or retirement plan. If your employer matches employee contributions, contribute the required amount to receive the maximum match. Think of this as free money and take advantage of it. Consider investing your retirement funds in a tax advantaged vehicle such as a Roth or Traditional IRA account.
  • Practice diversification and reallocation, two investment strategies that will help your retirement savings grow over time. Invest in a variety of financial products rather than just one or two stocks to reduce your risk. Every six months, review the performance of your retirement saving accounts and transfer money from over-performing funds into under-performing ones to reset your investments to their original allocation.
  • Increase your savings over time. As you pay down debt and receive income promotions or increases, allocate all extra money towards retirement savings rather than spending it on frivolous items today. This will help you maintain your current standard of living during your retirement years.
To Save for Retirement in Your Thirties Tips:
  • If you are unfamiliar with the stock market and investing, hire a financial adviser to help you make informed decisions about financial investments that fit your needs, goals and risk preferences.
To Save for Retirement in Your Thirties Warnings:
  • If you are just starting to save for retirement and you live on a budget, set up an emergency fund. In the beginning, split what you are saving for retirement with a savings account until you build up at least three months of living expenses (mortgage payments, groceries, gas, utilities).
  • Remember that no investment is guaranteed to provide growth. Consider your objectives and the risks associated with each financial product carefully before you invest.

How to Live on 80% of Your Income  

How to Live on 80% of Your Income
By Nola Moore
How to Live on 80% of Your Incomethumbnail It’s never too early to begin planning for retirement.

When you begin to research retirement planning, the number 80 percent pops up frequently. Nearly every website and retirement expert suggests that you need about 80 percent of your current income to maintain your standard of living in retirement. For many people, this figure is also very close to what they should be living on now to save enough for retirement. Whether you’re close to retirement or just beginning to think about what happens when you stop working, follow these simple steps to live comfortably with less.
Topic To Live on 80% of Your Income:

  • Retirement Estimate
  • Investment Planner

To Live on 80% of Your Income Difficulty:

  • Moderately Easy

To Live on 80% of Your Income You’ll Need:

  • None

To Live on 80% of Your Income Instructions:

  • Track your cash flows. You’ll have a hard time spending less if you don’t know what you’re spending in the first place. Pick a method for recording your incoming and outgoing cash and make a habit of using it. Your tracking method doesn’t have to be fancy – just make sure the method you choose is something you’ll use consistently, whether it’s pen and paper or a smartphone app.
  • Make a budget. After you’ve tracked your cash flows for a month and before you transition into retirement, decide how much money you have to spend, and how you’d like to spend it. It’s very helpful to write down your goals – traveling, a retirement home on the beach or even just a worry-free retirement – so you remember why you’re being careful with your money.
  • Don’t bring the money home. If you’re still working, arrange to have your savings automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited into your 401(k), IRA and bank savings accounts. If you’re retired, keep most of your money in your investments and savings accounts and set up monthly automated cash transfers into your main spending account. Make it as difficult as possible to spend your savings, so you think twice before going over your budget.
  • Analyze your purchases. Make sure you understand the difference between what you need to live and what you want to have to be comfortable. You can certainly have things you want, but consider any cost to your goals and make sure you make purchases that fit into your long term plans and truly enhance your quality of life.
  • Invest your savings. Your savings should be working on your behalf, both before and after retirement, even if it’s just earning interest in a savings account. Develop an investment plan – websites like Morningstar.com, SmartMoney.com, and the Motley Fool offer good investment strategy tools for do-it-yourselfers, or you can schedule a session with a financial planner. Whatever your method, make sure you review it regularly, on at least an annual basis.

How to Clean a Bowflex  

How to Clean a Bowflex
By Casandra Maier
How to Clean a Bowflexthumbnail Use towels or rags in lieu of paper towels to reduce waste when cleaning your Bowflex.

The Bowflex is a home exercise machine that provides a full body workout through strength training. The Bowflex operates without the need for electricity and it is the only single piece of home exercise equipment that works the entire body through resistance training. It is important to maintain and clean your Bowflex following your workouts to keep the machine in proper working order. Cleaning also keeps the Bowflex sanitary and looking new by preventing the build-up of sweat, dust and grime.
Topic To Clean a Bowflex:

  • House Clean
  • Clean Laundry

To Clean a Bowflex Difficulty:

  • Easy

To Clean a Bowflex You’ll Need:

  • Small plastic spray bottle
  • Non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner
  • Soft cloth or hand towel

To Clean a Bowflex Instructions:
Cleaning the Bench

  • Fill a small plastic spray bottle half-way with a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner. Store this bottle in the same room, within reach of your Bowflex. Having a bottle of cleaner on hand at all times ensures that you can easily clean your Bowflex workout bench after each use.
  • Spray a small amount of cleaner onto the Bowflex workout bench after each use. Use a soft cloth or hand towel to gently wipe the entire surface of the bench. Allow the surface to fully air dry before sitting on the bench again.
  • Launder the hand towels and cloths regularly to ensure that they are fresh and clean for your Bowflex. How often you need to wash the towels depends on how often you work out. If you work out every day, wash your cleaning cloths once a week.

Removing Dust and Build-up

  • Remove dust and build-up once a month to keep the Bowflex looking new. This is a part of regular maintenance for your machine. Use a clean hand towel or cloth to clean the machine.
  • Disconnect the cables from the power rods. Spritz a small amount of all-purpose cleaner onto a soft cloth or towel. Carefully wipe down each power rod before binding them together with the rod binding strap.
  • Wipe down all surfaces on the home workout machine. Continually shift your cloth or towel, and spritz on fresh cleaner, to ensure that you are working with a clean section of the fabric. Grab a clean cloth or towel if the one you are working with gets too dirty.
To Clean a Bowflex Tips:
  • Use a green, or environmentally friendly, non-abrasive cleaner. Non-abrasive soaps diluted with water can also work to clean your Bowflex.
To Clean a Bowflex Warnings:
  • Never use cleaners that are designed to clean automotive interiors to clean your Bowflex. These cleaners have properties that make the bench of the machine slippery, which can be dangerous while you are trying to work out.

How to Split Succulents  

How to Split Succulents
By M.H. Dyer
How to Split Succulentsthumbnail Succulents require plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil.

Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that store water, allowing the plants to thrive in rugged conditions where most plants have little chance of survival. Versatile, low-maintenance plants, succulents are available in a range of shapes and colors. Succulents benefit from division when the plants become crowded or outgrow their boundaries, and the divisions are used to propagate a new plant. For best results, divide succulents in spring or early summer.
Topic To Split Succulents:

  • Planting Vegetables
  • Planting Seed

To Split Succulents Difficulty:

  • Moderate

To Split Succulents You’ll Need:

  • Clean, sharp knife (optional)
  • Potting mix
  • Container with drainage hole

To Split Succulents Instructions:

  • Lay the container on its side and slide the succulent carefully from the container. If the plant is stubborn, loosen the roots by thumping the side of the pot firmly but lightly with the heel of your hand.
  • Pull the plant apart at its natural divisions — where the plant has grown offshoots, or “pups.” Be sure the offshoots have at least three or four healthy roots. If the plant is difficult to divide, use a clean, sharp knife to cut the offshoots from the main plant.
  • Fill a container with a well-draining potting mix of approximately 20 percent commercial potting soil or compost and 80 percent pumice, perlite or coarse sand. You can also use a commercial mix for cactus and succulents. Set the container aside.
  • Replant the parent plant in the original container. Place the offshoots in a well-ventilated spot for for two to three days, or until the cut area creates a callus.
  • Plant the divided succulents in the container of prepared potting mix. Plant the succulent only deep enough to keep it upright, as planting too deep causes rot.
  • Place the newly divided succulents in bright, indirect light.
  • Water the succulents two days after planting. Water lightly so the potting mix is slightly moist. Water again when the soil is dry, which may be once a week or once a month, depending on the time of year, room temperature and the amount of sunlight available.
To Split Succulents Tips:
  • In-ground succulents are divided according to the same principle — carefully dig up the plant, and then remove the offshoots. Replant the parent plant and set the offshoots aside to calllus. Plant them in a sunny, well-drained location. Alternatively, plant the divisions in a pot, and then move them to a permanent location after a few weeks, when the succulents show healthy new growth.
To Split Succulents Warnings:
  • Always use containers with drainage holes, as succulents rot quickly in soggy soil.

How to Estimate the Age of a Mink Coat  

How to Estimate the Age of a Mink Coat
By Sara Ipatenco
How to Estimate the Age of a Mink Coatthumbnail Mink coats come in many styles.

Mink are small animals prized for their pelts that are used to make coats. If you have a coat that is made from mink, it can be quite valuable. Mink coats are often prized possessions and often are passed down from generation to generation. While the condition of your coat can affect its value, appearance alone will usually not help you determine the age of your coat. There are many ways to find out the age of your mink coat, however, and with the proper care and treatment, your coat might last your lifetime no matter how old it is.
Topic To Estimate the Age of a Mink Coat:

  • Fur Accessories
  • Coat Mink

To Estimate the Age of a Mink Coat Difficulty:

  • Easy

To Estimate the Age of a Mink Coat You’ll Need:

  • None

To Estimate the Age of a Mink Coat Instructions:

  • Examine the Label – The label on a mink coat reveals the manufacturer and the country of origin, and can provide you information about the age of the coat and the type of mink used to make the coat. You can start your search by looking for the date the coat was made. Certain mink coat manufacturers print or sew the year the coat was made on the label, but not all manufacturers include the detail. Some manufacturers include a serial number on their labels, which is another piece of information that can help you find out the year your mink coat was made. If the year or serial number is not included on the label and the manufacturer still exists, call the company and see if it can provide more detail about your coat. Otherwise, a fur expert or fur dealer might be able to help you place the age of your coat.
  • Visit a Fur Dealer – A fur dealer or fur specialist might reveal clues that help narrow down the age of a coat. Because United States law requires these experts to examine the fur in person rather than by photograph, you need to bring your coat to the dealer. He will examine the coat to find out if anything can be determined about the age based on the manufacturer. Fur experts might also use information, such as the inclusion of leather in the construction of the coat, type of buttons, embroidery or stitching details, to estimate how old the coat is. The phone book, an online search or a store that sells mink coats, can help you find a fur dealer in your area.
  • Use the Internet – Many online retail stores that sell used items might be able to help you estimate the age of your mink coat. Look for coats from the same manufacturer or that look similar to your coat, then examine the details to see if you can find any additional information about your coat. An online website dedicated to mink coats and their manufacture might also have additional information about your coat. The Fur Information Council of America and the International Fur Trade Federation each have several resources that you might check for additional information about your mink coat. Fur Commission USA is a website dedicated to mink farmers, and might provide additional information about the type of mink coat you have.
  • Research the Market – The color, style or make of your mink coat can be useful information about the age of your coat. For example, the shape of the collar on a mink coat can change from year to year, as can the stitching detail or style of buttons and other types of closures. The color might also provide details to help you estimate the age. Certain colors are often trendy for two or three years before another color becomes more popular. The International Fur Trade Federation provides information about mink coat trends by year, and includes pictures. Browse through the pictures to see if you can find a coat similar to the mink coat you have. You might be able to estimate the age of your mink coat from there.

How to Get Rid of Ice Without Shoveling  

How to Get Rid of Ice Without Shoveling
By Diane Perez
How to Get Rid of Ice Without Shovelingthumbnail Enjoy more free time by getting rid of ice without your shovel.

Slipping and sliding down the driveway is a fun activity for kids on a sled, but not for people trying to go to work or the store. Ice is difficult to shovel, as you first need to stab it with an ice pick several times to break it into manageable pieces. You can avoid this strenuous work and get rid of ice without shoveling.
Topic To Get Rid of Ice Without Shoveling:

  • Ice Dams
  • Roof Ice Damage

To Get Rid of Ice Without Shoveling Difficulty:

  • Easy

To Get Rid of Ice Without Shoveling You’ll Need:

  • None

To Get Rid of Ice Without Shoveling Instructions:

  • Fireplace Ashes – Fireplace ashes absorb sunlight to melt ice faster than sunlight alone. Once the ice has melted, sweep the soot into your garden to repel slugs in the spring. You can also add it to the compost pile or directly into the tomato patch. The ashes do not damage concrete driveways or sidewalks.
  • Calcium Magnesium Acetate – Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is another environmentally friendly choice to melt ice. It does not contain the salt that damages plants and soil. Mix CMA with an equal amount of sand to increase traction while walking on the ice.
  • Magnesium Chloride – Magnesium chloride melts ice quickly and does not damage older concrete surfaces. Do not use it on driveways less than 1 year old as it might damage new concrete that has not fully cured. It can cause moderate damage to grassy areas, such as yellow patches where the mixture runs off the driveway. Magnesium chloride is not safe for brick or stone walkways.
  • Radiant Heat System – Radiant heat is an expensive, but completely labor-free, solution to get rid of ice without shoveling. You can use rolls of cable for sculpted or rounded areas and existing driveways, or radiant heat mats for newly constructed driveways and sidewalks. Some radiant heat systems have a snow sensor for automatic activation. You do not have to worry about chemical runoff into expensive or sensitive garden plants.
  • Heavy Plastic – Avoid slipping and falling as you leave the house by covering the step with heavy black plastic. If you cannot find a large enough plastic sheet, then buy the large, thick bags used in the construction industry. Cut it large enough that you can anchor the ends with a flowerpot on each side of the step. This will give you a good grip on one side to lift and flip the plastic to the other side of the step. This method only works in small areas due to the weight of ice.

How to Make a Sterile Irrigation Solution  

How to Make a Sterile Irrigation Solution
By Meg Butler
How to Make a Sterile Irrigation Solutionthumbnail Flush out a wound before wrapping it.

Sterile irrigation solutions are used to flush out wounds and prevent infection. These simple solutions use the natural desiccating power of salt and a flush of sterile water to clean without irritation. Basic first aid knowledge should include knowing how to make your own sterile irrigation solution at home. The process is straightforward. But to make a usable solution, you must take care to keep the solution sterile until it is ready for use.
Topic To Make a Sterile Irrigation Solution:

  • Cleaning Solution
  • Heat Solution

To Make a Sterile Irrigation Solution Difficulty:

  • Easy

To Make a Sterile Irrigation Solution You’ll Need:

  • Filtered water
  • Pot with lid
  • Non-iodized salt
  • Sterilized teaspoon
  • Sterilized spoon
  • Sterilized container and lid

To Make a Sterile Irrigation Solution Instructions:

  • Fill a pan with enough filtered water to flush the wound.
  • Turn up the heat to bring the water to a steady, slow, rolling boil.
  • Put a lid on the pan and leave it to boil for five minutes.
  • Turn the heat off.
  • Remove the pot’s lid. Add 1 level teaspoon of non-iodized salt for every 2 cups of sterile water. Stir until the salt dissolves. Replace the lid.
  • Leave the water in the pot to cool down to room temperature. Leave it on the stove or place the lidded pot in the refrigerator or freezer to accelerate cool-down time. Do not place ice in the water to cool it down. The ice is unlikely to be sterile.
  • Use the sterile irrigation solution immediately or store it in a sterile container. Write the date on the container. Store the unopened container in the refrigerator for no more than three days. After three days you must make a new solution and re-sterilize the container.
To Make a Sterile Irrigation Solution Tips:
  • Put an item through a full dish-washing cycle or boil it for 10 minutes to sterilize it.
  • Throw out any sterile irrigation solution that has been open for longer than 24 hours.
  • Acceptable filtered water is filtered through a carbon filter or reverse osmosis machine with a 0.2 micron filter. Bottled water labeled “filtered” is also acceptable.
To Make a Sterile Irrigation Solution Warnings:
  • Keep germs out of the sterile water and sterile saline.
  • Do not dip anything, even a syringe, into the container.
  • Instead, pour some into a clean paper cup and put the syringe into the saline in the cup.

How to Do a Corn or Maize Bracelet  

How to Do a Corn or Maize Bracelet
By Jeffrey Norman
How to Do a Corn or Maize Braceletthumbnail Indian corn kernels are excellent for bracelets.

Fashioning bracelets from corn or maize is relatively simple. They can make unique jewelry gifts when assembled with care. Begin with the selection of ideal kernels; Indian corn sports an attractive mottled color and lends an organic feel to the craft. Those with basic sewing skill will find corn bracelets a breeze to make on their own, or as a project with kids. The half-day wait for the kernels to be usable may put off impatient youngsters, however.
Topic To Do a Corn or Maize Bracelet:

  • Whole Corn
  • Necklace Cord

To Do a Corn or Maize Bracelet Difficulty:

  • Easy

To Do a Corn or Maize Bracelet You’ll Need:

  • Ear of dried Indian corn
  • Bowl
  • Water
  • Clear elastic beading cord
  • Embroidery needle
  • Scissors

To Do a Corn or Maize Bracelet Instructions:

  • Remove the kernels from a cob of dried Indian corn. Place in a medium bowl.
  • Pour cool water over the kernels. Allow them to soak for twelve hours.
  • Measure and cut a length of clear elastic beading cord to fit your wrist comfortably, adding 1 to 2 inches for give. Thread an embroidery needle with this length.
  • Pierce the white portion of a corn kernel with the needle, and push it onto the beading cord.
  • Repeat Step 4 until the cord is completely beaded with kernels. Leave 2 inches of the cord empty.
  • Fit the bracelet onto your wrist. Tie the strings into a loose knot. Remove the bracelet. Cut away the excess cord.
  • Let the bracelet dry for a few hours, so that you may wear it without fear of breakage.

How to Change the Clinker in a Corn Burner  

How to Change the Clinker in a Corn Burner
By John Gregory
How to Change the Clinker in a Corn Burnerthumbnail Burning corn for heat requires personal attention.

A corn burner is an alternative heat source for stoves and furnaces. Although designs vary, all burners function in a similar manner. A firepot component generates the heat. Usually started with wood pellets as kindling, the firepot then feeds on corn kernels, which are disbursed either automatically or manually from a storage chamber. In the process of consumption, the kernels leave a residue of sugar. This sugar congeals and hardens into a brick-like formation known as a “clinker.” To keep the appliance performing optimally, check for and remove clinkers daily.
Topic To Change the Clinker in a Corn Burner:

  • Corn Planting
  • Corn Price

To Change the Clinker in a Corn Burner Difficulty:

  • Moderately Easy

To Change the Clinker in a Corn Burner You’ll Need:

  • Fireplace tongs
  • Fireplace poker
  • Fireplace shovel

To Change the Clinker in a Corn Burner Instructions:

  • Approach the burner with caution, as though stoking a fire in a fireplace. Use flame-retardant gloves. Select a tool that is easy to manipulate; fireplace tongs or grill tongs work most often for this procedure.
  • Open the firepot chamber door. Clamp the clinker and stand it on end in its tallest position. Lift it from the flame and scrape off any glowing embers adhering to the surface with a fireplace poker or shovel.
  • Push the clinker to the edge of the firepot bucket and flip it over the side, removing it from the flame.
  • Let the clinker cool, the time for which may vary. Use a poker to see how easily it crumbles prior to removal.
To Change the Clinker in a Corn Burner Tips:
  • Use the discarded clinker for compost in your garden or for your lawn.
To Change the Clinker in a Corn Burner Warnings:
  • You are working with what is basically a small fireplace. Use long implements and great caution.