Understanding Reverse Mortgage Talk

Retirement is supposed to be a fun and relaxing time for people. If you don’t pay attention to the financial side of things in the years leading up to it, you could find yourself in a rough spot when that time arrives. A reverse mortgage is one of the most sound ways of getting around the financial strains that come with retirement. When you first start investigating, there may be some terms and concepts you are not familiar with. Do not panic! We want to help you by breaking down the basics. 

Finding the value of your home

During the duration of your home ownership years, you most likely will make improvements to your property. This is one of several factors that could influence the overall value of the home. Others might include how old the home is, whether or not the area the home is located in is considered desirable, and if you still have an active mortgage on the house. 

Understanding a Reverse Mortgage Calculator 

The reverse mortgage calculator is a central component of the reverse mortgage application process. It is a subjective way for the bank (or any other lender) to determine how much money you can borrow in the form of a reverse mortgage. Because government has implemented laws that prevent you from borrowing the full value amount of your house, the reverse mortgage calculator will help to determine what percentage of that you will be able to borrow. It calculates the value and the applicable percentage.

But what is an HECM, then?

The concept of reverse home loan comes down to the fact that the surety of the bond is linked to your house, and that the loan can provide you with a source of money each month for as long as you choose to live in the house, as opposed to a traditional loan, where you would have been liable for paying the loan back in monthly payments during the course of its validity. 

HECM is very similar. It stands for home equity conversion mortgage, and it is also a reverse loan, but what makes it different is that it is issued by a federal agency and not by banks. The chief difference is that an HECM is insured by government, whereas a privately-issued reverse mortgage is not. 

Receiving your reverse home loan money

One of the most popular ways of doing this is to take it out as a line of credit. Another is to opt for being paid out all in one go, as a lump sum payment. There is also the option of taking receipt of your money in the form of monthly payments of equal value. Many people like this option, as the prospect of a predictable amount coming in monthly gives them a way to budget these funds. Of course, the same applies as if you were drawing a regular salary: you’ll have to keep your spending in check to prevent running out of money!

6 Tips to Help You Start Your Owning Catering Business

Starting your own catering business can be a great choice that can help you be on your way to becoming a successful entrepreneur. On top of this, you get the opportunity to work from home and establish an outstanding work-life balance.

In this article, we are going to talk about six tips to help you get started! Sound interesting? Then keep on reading!

Choose a catering style

The very first step in starting a catering company is to choose a particular style. For example, you might think about focusing on business events, weddings, or funeral wakes. You also can decide what style of food you will be making. While some caterers offer both sweet and savory options, others offer grazing platters or desserts only.

Design a menu

Once you’ve got an idea of what type of catering services you will be offering, you can then move on to designing a menu. This is the tricky part, as you want to be able to serve great food, easily and quickly. You have to remember that you will be serving multiple guests, so you need to be able to do most of the preparation in advance. Check out these tips for planning a menu for more inspiration and advice.

Sort out the paperwork 

Just like any other business, there is always going to be paperwork to sort out before you can operate. Permits, licenses, and tax forms all need to be completed before you can start serving your clients. It may be irritating, but it’s better to get it sorted out first to avoid issues further on down the track.

Source your ingredients

Once you’ve got a menu established, you can also start sourcing your ingredients. In order to save money, try shopping at local markets. You might even look at finding a distributor. You can get chicken meat by poultryeu.eu and even find fresh fruit and veg wholesalers to make your overall ingredient costs much more affordable.

Purchase the necessary equipment 

Just like the ingredients, there is also going to be equipment that you need before starting your catering business. You will need to invest in catering delivery bags to transport food. From platters, cooking gadgets, and cutlery, there is certainly a lot to think about. Try searching for items that you can buy in bulk, and don’t forget to check out garage sales and thrift stores. You never know what you might find!

Advertise

Lastly, once all that is in order, you can now move on to advertising your business! Get creative with different methods, such as social media, print, and radio advertising. There are many different options, but make sure you stick to a budget so that you don’t go overboard. Check out these inexpensive ways to advertise your small business if you are a bit strapped for cash!

And that’s it! These were six different tips to start your own catering business. You’ll have everything ready in no time and be on your way to establishing a successful company out of your own home. Good luck!

Keep Your Electronics Charged While On-The-Go With The Eggtronic Laptop Power Bank

Do you ever think about what your life would be like without any electronic devices? I am quite certain most if us would be lost! There is a not a day that I'm not using my phone, laptop or tablet. They have become a such a big part of daily life whether it's for work, keeping up with friends on social media or simply listening to music or playing a game to relax. I recall recently being at our local precinct to vote in the primary election. We had no idea that we were going to be standing in line for 4.5 hours. Guess who had their phones on only a half charge? It's a horrible feeling when you watch the phone battery bar go in the red, and slowly deplete. 

With all of us being super dependent on our electronics, especially with more people working from home and kids doing virtual school, we have to stay charged at all times. We were so happy to receive a laptop power bank from Eggtronic to try out. I don't even want to discuss how many devices we have in our home. There are times when we work outside on the back porch, and having a portable charger comes in handy. The package included: Laptop Power Bank, USB-C to USB-C cable (3ft), USB-C to USB-A adapter tip, user manual. It offers Universal compatibility with all USB-C and USB devices. 

It lets you recharge up to three devices simultaneously through its three ports: 45W USB-C Power Delivery, USB Quick Charge and standard USB 2.1A. The generous 20,000mAh battery capacity equals 4-8 charges for your smartphone, 3-5 charges for your tablet or 1.5 charges for your laptop. 

The two high-power fast charge ports (USB-C PD and USB Quick Charge) save you valuable time. Looking to top up your Macbook or other USB-C laptop? The 45W USB-C Power Delivery output fast charges it. Stylish and practically designed with soft water-repellent canvas and an easy-to-read LCD display. 

The Eggtronic laptop power bank would make the perfect gift this upcoming holiday season for practically anyone on your list. It retails for under $90 and definitely delivers a powerful and fast charge for your devices. It is perfect to have during the storm season when the power is likely to go out. Since this power bank holds a charge for an extended time, you will have more peace of mind that you are able to keep your devices charged in the event of an emergency. Also, since you can charge multiple devices at once, this will make those long road trips with the family a bit easier. No more fighting for the charger. 

Our family definitely recommends this power bank. Thank you so much Eggtronic for the product sample. All opinions are our own. Thank you for stopping by today! 

How RedDrop is Helping Parents Prepare for Their Daughter's First Period

If you are a woman, you probably would never want to revisit those years when your body and emotions took on huge changes. I remember growing up in a strict home where talking about the changes a girl's body goes through during puberty was a bit taboo. I don't understand why that was the case when every girls' body will change and they will get their period. I unfortunately had to learn from school and friends. Thankfully I knew I had to do a better job as a mom to my own daughters when the time came. 

It's definitely not a fun talk to have with your daughters, but a very necessary one. After all, you don't want them to feel bad about something that is natural. If you have young daughter, it's a good idea to have a plan to discuss what to expect when she gets her period for the first time. 

RedDrop is the first feminine hygiene brand designed specifically to empower school age girls. They offer a subscription service just for girls. The Red Drop period kit is a must-have for every girl. It is filled with everything she will need to feel confident for when her period starts. Check out the kit: 

The RedDrop Period Kit contains everything a girl needs for the moment her cycle begins. They will ship the following pieces directly to your door, packaged to remind her that she's special:

• 30 Everyday Pads for daily use 
• 14 FlowDay Pads for heavy flow days
• 14 FlowNight Pads for a comfortable night's sleep
• 12 Feminine Wipes individually wrapped for easy carry
• 1 Hand Bag to discreetly carry it all
• 1 Special Gift just for her

No need to select a size or level of absorbency. They pack each option she'll need, so she's ready for whatever life throws at you both. The retail price for the period kit is $29.99. The packaging is super nice, and I love the little pouch that can be refilled with feminine products for your daughter to toss in her purse, book bag or gym bag. 

The plus side of this kit is that the products are made just for a smaller size body. Many of the pads available in stores are definitely too big for most girls' bodies. This period kit would be well-received as a gift, and a great way to discuss this time of her life. I can see sending this to your daughter, niece, or any friend or family member getting ready to go through this milestone. Be sure to check out RedDrop at their website and social channels ( Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter). 

Many thanks to RedDrop for sending us a kit so we can share the news about the brand. 

The Best Tips To Remember After a Car Accident

Driving can offer a person a lot of freedom in life. The ability to get wherever you need to go by hopping behind the wheel of a vehicle is wildly helpful. Of course, driving is also a massive responsibility. Anything can go wrong on the road and true safety requires all motorists to be mindful at all times. Still, accidents can and will happen. Should you experience a crash in the near future, you need to know what steps to take. Remember these points and you will have an easier time managing the situation. 

Assess the Scene

An accident can easily be overwhelming and confusing. Depending on the severity of the crash, you may not know exactly what has happened when the dust has settled. As long as you and the other passengers in your vehicle are safe and there’s no pressing danger, get out of the vehicle and see how the other motorist or motorists are faring. Take a moment to assess the scene and see how bad everything actually is. Contact emergency services and have officers come to the scene in order to create a report for insurance purposes.

Document Everything

Your auto insurance is going to determine whether or not you receive any compensation after the accident. More often than not, the insurance agency you have a policy with will need proof of every detail related to the crash. Insurance agencies don’t like to pay out unless they have to, so try to document everything you can at the scene of the accident. The police report definitely helps, but use your phone to also take photos of your vehicle, the other involved cars, and anything else that may prove useful later.

Contact a Professional

Once the emergency responders have left and you are able to leave the scene of the accident yourself, you need to think about what your next steps are. If the crash was minor and there was no damage to any person or vehicle involved, there may not be a need for further action. However, there also can be some seriously complicated scenarios that arise from this. Reaching out and speaking with a car accident lawyer is an excellent way for you to get a feel for what you should do to prepare for possible legal action.

Get Your Vehicle Fixed

Whether or not you are receiving an insurance payout for the crash, you absolutely will need to have your car fixed if damage was done. If your vehicle took on some dings or requires some immersive repairs, then start shopping around for an appropriate mechanic. In some cases, the insurance agency may require you go to a certain garage for your repairs. Be certain of these details in advance so you don’t accidentally shoot yourself in the foot. This is rarely the case, however, so simply ask your agent what you should do before making any moves.

While a car crash might be a jarring situation, it is important to think about how you should react after the dust has settled. Take a breath, assess the scene, and follow the most sensible steps to help yourself see the best results.