#Is term life insurance worth buying?

[femmefatalevibe]

Any tips on saving money?

Track your income/expenses. Knowing your monthly cash flow + essential and discretionary spending is the only sound starting point toward setting your financial goals.

Evaluate your non-essential spending habits. Consider where this money is going, and whether these expenses add value/are necessary to your life (pleasure or peace of mind is an acceptable "necessity" if you're living within your means to be clear!).

Determine the money you have left over after you cover your essential expenses and most fulfill discretionary expenses. This amount is your "saving/investment" money.

Divide your leftover amount into 3 categories: Emergency fund, goal-oriented savings (like buying a desired luxury item/furniture, a down payment on a house, a vacation, etc.), and investments.

Put your savings in a high-yield savings account. If possible, have different accounts for each purpose, especially your emergency fund and savings for future purposes. You can also get a CD for a long-term savings goal.

Put your investments (in the USA at least) in the following buckets: Roth IRA (max it out), ALWAYS take your employer's full 401k match, HSA (if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan), and S&P 500 index funds/other evergreen mutual funds + blue-chip stocks.

Purchase fewer, higher-quality items. Know the sales seasons for each product category and shop around this calendar (down to the produce items in season). If possible, rent items when it makes sense.

Only say "yes" to plans/financial obligations that add value/pleasure to your life. Don't let yourself feel shortchanged financially or emotionally. It's never worth it, honestly.

Invest in your physical, mental, and financial health first. This can mean something different for everyone but it's important!

**I'm not a professional, just another young woman on the internet, so please take this advice accordingly. Please meet with a financial advisor/CPA for formal advice and personal financial planning.

Hope this helps xx

[chadfallout76podcast]

Major Update: Life...is a changing for me/us (and a sneak peek of Vault-Tec Rises!

Good afternoon!

I wanted to give you all an update on Vault-Tec Rises as well as an update on myself and some major life changes happening this year that may impact our season while the dust settles. Firstly, I'm more than halfway done with our next major feature length episode, "Vault-Tec Rises"...which is technically episode 16, set BEFORE Little Sanctuary of Horrors. It essentially is the story of how everyone came to be there in the first place, what Vault-Tec and the Enclave are really up to, and is the start of our last 4 episodes of the season as the Battle for Appalachia begins.

Secondly, I've shared quite a bit about the journey of these past 10 years with my husband Travis and his struggle with mental health. Many of you were kind of enough to support or share our GoFundMe to help take the pressure off the crushing debt we were under with mounting medical bills and his bills, none of which was covered by insurance fully. Trying to keep us afloat financially has been a long-term struggle of mine and here's in New Hampshire we just haven't been able to get ahead. After having to cancel some of his services last week as we couldn't afford them, we made some major decisions.

The next few months I'll be doing a lot of painting, landscaping, plastering and prepping to list our home on the market. Financially we can't afford to buy again for a while, so we're stuck renting. Based on what things are selling for in the area, I'm not too worried about getting out of it fairly quickly. We'll be moving to Texas, in between Dallas and Fort Worth in a really beautiful, new planned community where leasing and the overall lower cost of living will save us $20k a year which will allow us to not only fix our debt issue permanently, but also they have one of the leading centers in the country for C-PTSD. Once settled, I'd be able to get him more direct help he's needed that we just don't have access to out here.

Texas is going to be a big, big change for us...a huge move, but one I'm eager to make. Our backup editor is continuing to plug away at stories as well as I've had my hands full with work trying to keep the lights on (literally). I wanted to explain all of this with clear honesty so you know what I've been doing, what I'll be doing this year and why it often takes us so long to ship episodes to you. Your patient and support of me really, really means the world to me. The other benefit of this move is that once I'm not strangled hustling for work 7 days a week, I'll have more free time to actually create. Something I really want to do...as there are still two more seasons of Chad and some other projects I really want to share with you all.

I hope to have our 3-hour feature length Vault-Tec Rises completed in the next few weeks, so stay tuned. :) And if you can please excuse how hectic this year will be between selling and moving halfway across the country I'd appreciate it.

Much love to you all,

Ken

[dollsonmain]

I did not sleep at all last night. I even went and laid down in the guest room after That Guy got up where I usually pass right out but I didn't sleep in there, either.

I feel like All the Shit.

Long morning ramble.

Sleeping in a night cap is annoying but it's keeping my ends from being fried for longer. My hair's texture was already chef's kiss, now it's double chef's kiss.

-

That Guy said that he has to run the car tax payment to town on his way home from work today but DO NOT try to walk home if he's not there when I get off work because it's going to be nearly 100F and wait for him to pick me up.

He also said he'll have to start looking for another car, which should have been done a very, very long time ago because I could have been working as soon as Son expressed and demonstrated that I wasn't needed by him anymore. Don't take that the wrong way, I don't mean he said "I don't need you." he said things like he'd like to go to the bus stop by himself and has shown that he can be trusted on his own, etc.

I did intend to get my own car (or a truck), but if he buys one and doesn't expect me to pay for it (though he may expect me to pay for it) that lets me put more into savings for later.

I think That Guy is suddenly aware of how difficult he's made it for me to work all this time, which is interesting because I really did think he did it on purpose and then was blaming me.

He was saying that to drop me off and pick me up at the mail room job he'd only be able to work 4 hours a day. Granted he'd earn more in that four hours than I will in 12 hours even with this moderately big pay rate. And I was like yes, that's why I'd been limiting my job search to positions on your normal route (as he'd demanded), but this job pays much more per hour than any of the others I can do locally and I have experience which makes it more likely I'd get in, so it's worth the extra time and effort in my opinion.

$19.23/hr is THE highest income I've seen locally for almost ANY job, actually... There was one federal job that requires a TS clearance that pays like $65/hr, most are paying around $15 with some management positions offering $17 - $24. The gas station I'm at is actually one of the lowest at $10 though there are some places offering $8.50. Because they can.

He did say he'd thought it was a federal mail position and I'd get the Big Bennies and retirement but I'd just be an employee of Goodwill so not get the USPS packet. I'm not the only one that's been confused by how the job was listed.

The actually bennies:

50% Company-paid Health Insurance After 30 days of employment and begins the first day of the first month after employees’ first 30 days.

Company-paid Life Insurance

Company-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance

Dental Insurance – Guardian Dental

Vision Insurance – Davis Vision

Supplemental Insurances – Colonial Life and Legal Shield

401(k) – The company matches up to 4% of salary and is available for enrollment after six months of employment.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Resource Assistance Program (RAP)

Direct Deposit

Vacation Leave – Twelve days of vacation available after 3 months of employment.

Sick Leave – 6 days that can be used after 30 days of employment.

Personal Days – 3 days that can be used starting on your first day.

Holiday Pay – 8 paid holidays after 30 days of employment.

That's not as good as federal, but is pretty good.

-

It's like he's only just now understanding what telling me to get insurance, which meant getting a job because he won't let the insurance companies look at his finances to prove that I can afford insurance and won't sell a policy to someone with less than $1k in the bank and no income, MEANS.

It means me being even more physically exhausted, in more pain, chores not getting done, falling asleep at the dinner table while eating....

He really did not expect me to throw myself out into the world like i have, and does not seem to have understood just how much of an inconvenience me working would be for him.

Like, he was crunching the numbers because he doesn't want to be thrown into a higher tax bracket even if it means more money coming in overall, but I think I'd be filing separately anyway so I can get back as much as possible without it being on a check in his name.

I wonder if the mail room folks get any sort of tax preparation deals since we're working IN an IRS office... Wouldn't that be nice to be able to say "It's my turn" and go sit down with an IRS prepper and do your taxes in person to be sure they're very correct?

So, I think I mentioned already the hours are 6:30-3 which is kind of nice as I do like getting my day over with early and I'd still be getting up at 3:30 with That Guy anyway so it's not like I'd have to change my sleep schedule at all.

The lady on the phone also cleared up some confusion for me about why the job listing said Goodwill, then IRS, and talking about custodial jobs????

So, I'd be an employee of Goodwill, and Goodwill contracts out those employees to other places, specifically the local Goodwill contracts out to federal and military establishments (the IRS building is on a small National Guard base so I do have to go through a checkpoint and get the car searched which is annoying and I hope I don't have to do that EVERY day, like I hope I get an ID card I just scan and can get in or something...) and their contract has been running so long with this IRS branch that Goodwill's sign is on the building.

The custodial job mention was them pointing anyone that IS severely disabled toward that job instead of the mail room position because the custodial job is slow paced which makes it suitable for people with developmental delays who may need more time to complete a task. But the whole job listing was a mess.

I do need to ask when the next bid is, because I could get hired on, the contract be rebid, and Goodwill lose which would leave me with no work until another contract was picked up, or could also mean a pay cut if they have to undercut another contractor to get the lowest bid and it's good to know what to expect.

She also said that some of the small mail crew, which is about 5 people (to me that is a lot because I'm used to being alone in the mail room) bring in knitting or crochet projects because it's slow now and then. That's generally when I would pick up a broom or a bottle of cleanser but I wouldn't mind crocheting at work :P

Also need to ask about lunch because the work day is exactly 8 hours so unless lunch is paid, I'd not be getting paid for 8 hours of work every day.

-

Anyway I've been feeling the guilt about maybe jumping jobs so soon (my start date would likely be mid August if not a little later), but I also helped find a vendor for something the gas station needed and that helps two people [who aren't me make more money... hm....] so I guess I don't feel too bad.

Manager asked me if I bake because people have been asking for fresh baked goods and I said no, I hate cooking and you can't make me do it, BUT I know that one of Son's classmates' moms bakes and is selling things through the local 7-11 so I'll ask if they'd be interested and they are. They should get in contact with the gas station any day now.

My suggestion is that the baker take some samples to the gas station and go talk to Manager in person, but I'm not the one running the business.

[windalchemist001]

So time to mention the npc (I know it's not the right term to use, but it works so well) for my story #a leap in time

Also note given how picrew is, for the adults just try to imagen them aged up since the picture would be in their younger years

Warda Begum (Al-asim)

Warda is the youngest in the begum family. And spent most of her life competing against someone be it strangers or her own family she worked hard to maintain her image and to earn money for the begum name.

As such her heard work has earn her the Nickname "flower of the scalding sands" due to her beauty and graceful dances

It also helps that she does a lot of charity work in order to befit the family name, which also helps with her reputation. And in between studying and practice she also runs a branch of her families business

But with this all combined she had been hoping not to lose to her siblings who also were doing the same thing, after all the loser would have an arranged marriage and she had refused to lose

Unfortunately a bit of bad luck or good luck happened while at a party and trying to get the wealthy people to donate to one of the charities she was doing. it was mention by someone about her preforms and the al-asim(s) had to see it so she ended up doing her routine.

Her dance was so capaciting that the al-asim wanted warda as their son's bride, and talking to her parents they decided that what's they were going to do, so pouring money into her older siblings branches as well the charities they support they made sure warda would lose the comption and thus would allow them to insurers they could have her as kailim's bride.

((The dance i was thinking of but she does others this the one she put on with no prep time))

And while her and her family were unamused since doing so ruin the whole thing of them working to prove their worth, instead their worth was being unnecessary inflated just to basically buy warda. They had to all admit it was impressive. Thus the youngest wrote up a contract which everyone in her family looked over to help make sure she didn't miss anything and went to the al-asims and thus was kailim bride to be after the contract was signed.

So adding more to her plate she begin training to be kailim's bride and she didn't see kailim till he return home from nrc where they were announced to be married, she also bought out the contracts for kailim to sign, so that way she can be sure she's safe.

Once she does marry kailim and becomes an al-asim she begins doing her tasks as his wife while also running some of the al-asim business (though they are here own she is using funding from the family to start it up) she is also in charge of the house hold and does well to get along with her in laws and keeps an eye on her husband to make sure he isn't doing anything stupid.

As for the help she doesn't trust anyone since they don't have her best interest in mind and while it takes a bit she does end up making and getting g those loyal to her, especially so when she manged to get the married in viper and newly born viper into being loyal to her more so that he blood al-asims.

And when she has her children she loves and adore them, but she raises them to strong especially in the al-asim house hold. But even have the death of her daughter (something even she couldn't keep her emotions in check for) she's been more careful and watchful of her son, to the point she knows a lot more so than her son realizes. But so long as he's safe thats all that maters to her.

Though she does continue to scold kailim for neglecting his duties as a father to his legitimate heir whcih annoys her because she handles the harem (the other woman kailim slept with just because they reminded him of who he actually liked but he only slept with them all once) and other such things but she needs him to love her true son, not for her sake but for his so that's always something of tension, not even going into the mater that kailim doesn't actually love her and is in love with someone who isn't fully around anymore but that's whst ever she's got her children and that's all that maters to her.

---------------------------

Now jumping away from the mistress of the house we jump to married in viper.

Julian (viper)

Julian spent his years being raised at an orphanage in fleur city, and while he never new his real family he saw the caretaker (the nicer ones) as his family. While there he spent his time trying to help the caretaker by doing odd jobs and what not. And when he aged out of the orphanage he went in to continue his dreams of being a wildlife/nature photographer something he started when he was rather little.

In fact this hobby lead him to meeting the love of his life Najma viper. And due to not really having a last name he took najma's last name and was over all happy with being with her. (Though he did not fully like her parents) he was happy even when they started their family he didn't think anything could ever go wrong.

At least till the incident where she almost died or rather she did die but was bought back to life, and while she did live Julian than had to deal with his in laws trying to not only pin the blame on her but also attempted to cover up the incident.

So Julian begin working for warda someone who is trying to help him when she can to help keep his family safe.

---------------------------

Pavlina Floros (Shroud)

Pavlina is a weeb. Whose family runs a flower/garden business. Her family has run the business for several generations and she's rather happy. On her free time Pavlina spends making cosplay outfits to wear at cons. even if her family doesn't understand her hobbies and think she's wried for it, she still does it because she love it so.

One day she meets a guy (idia) at a con who not only noticed the smallest detail of her outfit but actually knew what she was cosplaying as. And while they did talk about it for a bit the guy being shy seemed to want to flee at a few points but Pavlina decided that she was going to claim this man as hers and thus begin to pursue him. And kept following him and being subtle and bold with her moves. And it got to the point by the end of the convention Pavlina was able to interwine the arms and fingers while nuzzling close to him.

And while her mom didn't seem to approve her dad was fine with Pavlina going to be with the guy after dating for a few years (mostly long distance) not that it matter because she was going to marry the man she loves no mater what her parents say. But anyway if she could have she would have carried idia into the sunset but she can't at least not for to long away.

-------------------------------

And finally were get away from the adults and jumping to npc who is actually not to much older than the main cast but were jumping back to scalding sands for this one and one that is somewhat losely based on a Disney character

Sakhr Qadir

Sakhr life is shit and all he know is a life of crime. He's actually not to against taking lives but the guy does have a code he runs by even if the code is not very good one to most of society. None the less so long as he can get what he wants he's doesn't care what happens to others.

Though despite that he was able to get underlings and run a gang that he had running about or rather he use to run it but when he was challenged by "King"(chaim) he lost and ended up having to listen to him. But Sakhr isn't one to be let down and he will challenge "king" for his spot back but he has yet to win a fight. But even he has to admit at least to himself the perks for following king are nice.

[lol-jackles]

I love your insights and agree that Jensen’s deal with Amazon seems to fit more like a actor’s holding deal. If I understand how those work, it’s where the studio pays the actor a salary for a year to hold them to try and find a role for him/her in a tv show or movie. Is that correct?

You’ve said Amazon doesn’t pay actors very well, so what is your guess to Jensen’s salary that Amazon is paying him? (Is that how he was able to afford a $10million mansion in Connecticut?)

Do those work like typical salaries (weekly/monthly) or because it was also tied to his production company, was that annual salary paid to him in an upfront sum with hopes the ackles would use the money to develop a project?

given the strike, the ackles cannot develop anything, do they have to refund any money back to amazon?

Thank you and yes, in typical holding deals the actor will receive a salary for at least one year while the studio finds a suitable project for them. Similarly, Jensen would get paid X amount of dollars for the term no matter what. He would get a check every month that comes out of the millions in his deal, this will go to pay for overhead of running Chaos Machine, including employee salaries., office space, etc. So any advanced money the Ackles received is their's to keep even if there are no project(s) for Amazon's original programming.

With that said, I highly doubt that the CMP received the typical starter $10 million for production overheads as the deal was to hire Jensen for his acting (and his fandom). Jensen may have received $1 million in retainer fee instead.

As for the Ackles' ~ investment in Connecticut, he's going to sell that house in a year or two to an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, then use the “sale” and the equity in the CT house to buy another house, just like he did with the Colorado house that was brought when he sold the Austin lake house (at half the market value) to the same trust. For example, if the Ackles put down at least 20% for the lake house, when the property’s value goes up by 20% (and it will), the Ackles have now made a 100% ROI and that’s before considering rents and tax write offs. Then when the houses like the lake house is sold for real in 10, 15, or 20 years, it will be sold at it's actual market price. It's a classic use of these types of trusts to make money by reaping the actual profit from the real sale and on top of the previous profit when the house was first sold into the trust. 

Jensen can easily never work again in his life just by living off his net worth, which I’ve speculated to be 20-25 million dollars and if he invest conservatively his net worth will double in ten years. While he's ~investing in real estates, I suspect his main source of passive income comes from investing in target-date funds, they’re a mix of stocks, bonds, and alternative assets and probably in a collection of mutual funds. If Jensen keeps to the common rule of withdrawal limit of 4%, he’ll have at least $1 million fuck-you money every year, more than enough to cover property tax and he and his family will be comfortably wealthy for the rest of their lives without working. But men need to work, hence why he pitched to WB the ideal of continuing SPN after Jared leaves.

@supernaturalconvert techically the trusts own the houses, and the people currently living at the lake house are paying rent to the "beneficiaries", which are the Ackles.

[anthonybialy]

Trainee Presidents

Learn by the next shift that the pan is hot.  This is a popular time for scorched fingers.  America’s endured first-day idiocy for an entire term from a branch that should’ve had some idea how to run things when they started.  It’s tough for liberals to claim they’re openminded when they make the same mistakes constantly.  If you think smoking’s a tough bad habit to break, you should try no longer thinking executive orders lower prices.

There’s always some catch.  Why can’t money be worth the same no matter how many checks the Treasury sends for idling?  Similarly, Joe Biden fans claiming he’s experienced neglect how all that time has been spend doing nothing.  Someone born when World War II’s result remained in doubt has accumulated as much useful information as a rotten head of lettuce.  It costs 37 dollars.

There’s no practical application even if you risibly make the case that he’s accumulated a great deal of wisdom in what’s a ninth decade.  A clueless head of state has spent his life inflicting his unwillingness to heed useful lessons on everyone else.  Professional airhead Kamala Harris would keep making the same daily mistakes as the confetti-brained geezer, so continuity can be overrated. 

You’d figure mean corporate titans would want potential customers to have all the free funds they’d like.  Giving away money only makes us poorer if drinking martinis makes boozehounds thirsty.  We simply can’t print it fast enough.  Government is incapable of not meeting all our desires, so corporate greed must be to blame for how nobody can afford to drive to spend what used to be a rent payment on paper towels.  Their disdain for value is based in useful people gaining a couple bucks.

You selfishly refuse to have more taken from you.  It’s like you don’t ever want to be rich.  Getting someone else to offer payment sounds like a scam, so stay home and wait for your share.

More debt is always the answer regardless of the question.  Anyone who thinks governmental spending spurs good value can’t be enjoying a term where they’re getting every last thing they want.  At least they know how everyone else feels.  It’s cruel to not seize fortunes to be squandered by doltish vote-buying grifters.  America is on the dole.

Doing anything possible to not punish criminals reflects a steadfast commitment to injustice.  Principles are not automatically laudable.  An ideology committed to ducking personal responsibility naturally embraces felons.  Disappearing wallets can’t really surprise them.

It’s the item’s fault.  Villainizing implements offers a nice break from demonizing success.  Gun control will be effective once they’re able to break enchantment.  Biden White House witches serving as Voldemort’s proxies would ask J.K. Rowling for advice on how to destroy horcruxes, but they despise her guts for noting men cannot change into women with a magic spell.

Legalistic twits know why things are prohibited, namely because they’re written down.  One particular party enjoys pretending they can warp reality to their will by wording foolish bills in just the right way.  Their baffling excursions into control are not just defying the Constitution but more importantly what’s sensible about it.  Pondering just why these rules are in place is incomprehensible for those who think something is right because it’s enacted.

Smirking liberals mock religion to overcompensate for how their faith is never rewarded.  That’s what you get for believing daft dreck.  Federal zealots think a command to grant everyone insurance just took a law.  Nice health is simply a matter of politicians being brave enough to stand up to greed.  The same ones who break every constitutional aspect they can find believe adding restrictions will save us.

Democrats bizarrely want everyone coming to a country they think oppresses indigent minorities.  Come to this country illegally to show contempt for it while contributing less than nothing to respect it.

Math creates endless struggles for a faction that can’t add prices.  Every crime committed by an illegal immigrant as at minimum the second.  It’s apparently difficult to grasp how country crashers aren’t invited in the first place.  There’s deliberate confusion when evaders are classified as undocumented as if there were just some honest paperwork mishap in winning a game of border tag.

The world can only dole out so many examples.  Debt prevents endless entitlements, eventually.  A pending deadbeat meltdown still might not be enough for a president who’s been in politics for longer than most humans have been alive to grasp that mooching doesn’t make most people wealthy even though it worked for him.  Harris’s best case for Biden’s second term is that she’s just as dim.

The fill-in incumbent can’t stop setting bad examples.  Harris is continuing the tradition of spending and entire life in government only to never realize it sucks.  A little time in an industry that doesn’t involve swindling a percentage would’ve exposed Democratic contenders to productivity.  But any marginally cognizant human shouldn’t need outside experience to unearth how everyone else functions.

Harris is trying to catch up, sadly.  Biden lacks in empathy and every other worthwhile sense.  The disturbing lack of humanity began long before the traditional aging slide.  The president’s not allowed on the swings.

Reviewing what the oldest president ever needs to be taught would be insulting to a kindergartener of average intelligence.  There’s no real way to get stuff for free?  Well, that’s sad but good to know before first grade.

A 59-year-old substitute just needs more time.  Harris is continuing the legacy of maintaining ignorance.  Fretting about Biden’s rather high quantity of birthdays as he still wanders around his government-provided housing disregards how he knew precisely nothing half a century ago.  The biggest concern about his advanced age is never learning that his toxic notions poison.  Harris only trails by accident of birth year.  The technical president and the de facto replacement have always been steaming morons who’ve never improved, which is why the country isn’t, either.  

[alfredpennyworththecat]

It's genuinely terrifying sometimes. The fact that if anything medically happens to me, there's really nothing I can do. The fact that my hospital visit months ago racked up to $20,000, with only an EKG and blood test done and nothing more.

Genuinely, if I end up diagnosed with any long-term conditions that needs active care (that I don't have the luxury to ignore like I do now for my several other conditions), I actually may leave my country, whether I want to or not. I cannot afford insurance. And I cannot afford $20k hospital bills to save my life.

I'm in pain daily. I worry about waking up and not being able to go to work, because I can't miss my job. I'm limping while I work. I've been grabbing my left chest in pain. I'm scared of my whole body in pain again for reasons I have no idea why. The OTC pain meds don't work for this pain. I lose my breath for no reason. This has been going on for over two weeks now.

But it doesn't matter, because I cannot afford to see a doctor. You're only worth saving in the US if they can make a buck off you. Your health is a product you buy in the US. Not a necessity.

[lets-donate-a-kidney]

Reasons Why You Might NOT donate a kidney

Your medication requirements aren't compatible

After donating a kidney, you may have to change the medication you take to minimize stress on the remaining kidney. For instance, all kidney donors are supposed to avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen, Aleve and aspirin, and to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) instead. You may also have other medications (including psychiatric meds) that would need to be changed.

If you aren't able to take Tylenol or find substitutes for other medications, it may be worth thinking long and hard about whether donation is right for you. Your physician and psychiatrist will be able to give you more information if needed.

You're scared of needles or blood

You will get your blood drawn a lot in the process of donating an organ, and may also get an IV drip after surgery.

You're nervous about surgery

That's valid! All surgeries and anesthesia do carry risks. The risk of long-term complications from donating a kidney is very low, but it's your body and your choice, period.

Your family has a history of kidney disease, or you already have just one kidney.

Some people are born with only one! Or if you think there's a good chance you'll need two, it's totally rational not to donate one.

You've had issues with painkiller addiction in the past

After surgery, you may have a morphine or fentanyl drip in the hospital, and you're likely to be prescribed an opioid painkiller. The amount of painkillers is normally not enough to create a physical dependency. But for some people in addiction recovery, this may still be concerning.

If this worries you, I highly recommend discussing this topic with your physician and the surgeon, and following their advice. Medical professionals in the USA cannot report you to law enforcement for using illegal substances.

Any other medical conditions that make you a bad candidate

Your own health is important, and it might also affect whether your kidney would be viable in someone else's body.

You'll get scanned to hell and back during the screening process, so if there's any medical issues that would get in the way, the transplant team will tell you. They will NOT remove your kidney if they believe the surgery or loss of the kidney could harm your health later.

You want to make a connection with someone

Yeah...don't go into this process expecting it to change your life, or win you lots of praise, or hoping to meet the recipient (if you donate to a stranger like I did). What if your recipient turns out to be someone you don't like? What if you stay in touch but the kidney fails after a few years? What if you were hoping to feel better about yourself, but a month after surgery you realize you're still the same old you?

(Personally, I do feel like it changed my life for the better, and some people do form strong relationships with their recipient after the transplant. But people can have a lot of different reactions. Nothing is guaranteed.)

I chose not to contact or receive contact from my recipient, or to hear follow-up reports of how they were doing. I didn't want them to feel indebted to me, or for me to unwittingly place expectations on them. You might choose differently, which is valid - but make sure you'd be okay with not ever hearing from the recipient, too.

You can't afford it

This isn't always a hurdle. If you donate through the National Kidney Registry, for instance, they'll try to compensate you for any lost wages during your surgery and recovery period. You won't bear the cost of surgery or follow-up appointments, either. At least, that's how it is in the USA.

However, I did have to take time off work to go to the pre-surgery appointments. I did have to buy extra groceries for before and after the surgery, an abdominal binder and robe, and a few other costs. If I get medical complications later in life, I will have to pay for those either out of pocket or with health insurance. These may still be serious considerations for you.

You can't take enough time off to recover

My surgery team recommended two weeks off work - even though I work from home. They also wanted me to have someone present to drive me to and from the hospital, and to stay with me for the first few days after surgery. Your own job, childcare needs, or transportation/living assistance needs may impact your ability to do this.

You just plain don't want to

As I said, it's your body, your choice. You never, ever have to undergo surgery and give away part of your body for someone else. Even if you love that person and they're in pain. A donated organ should be a gift given freely, and gladly, not a source of fear or worry for you.

If you aren't able or willing to donate yourself, there are still many ways you can help people in need:

You could donate blood or plasma, which regenerate over time and don't require surgery.

You could help a prospective kidney donor by offering childcare while they're in the hospital, transportation assistance, or helping them recover after surgery.

You could register as an organ donor on death, so that your body isn't affected at all while you're alive. In the USA, only 60% of adults are registered as organ donors even though 90% support postmortem organ donation.

You can spread awareness of how organ donation works! Many people don't realize that they can donate a kidney, even without an intended recipient. Or they might believe it's more dangerous or debilitating than it actually is. By sharing educational resources about it, you can still increase the likelihood of more patients getting kidneys.

[nyrator]

Got the Rotten Nyan tumblr queued up with art I've neglected to post on there.. keeping a few more sketchy doodley art still on Twitter/the website, but should be all up a little after midnight my time~

... still feel really self conscious with the kind of content I've been making vent art of lately, please don't be afraid to message me with any concerns or criticisms... I tried tagging it all with a custom warning tag (that way it won't nuke the post, I think...) hopefully that's enough... if not hopefully people let me that as well

In other life news, I'm seeing a therapist, got a job, etc~ More in the cut

So, yeah. Life.

Still a vtuber, but feels like I've stalled lately... Not in terms of growth (if anything I keep growing), but in terms of motivation. I have a list of games to play, but I just can't focus on playing games anymore, it's rough.. mostly do zatsus, but even those are pretty hit or miss and sometimes I spiral into really dumb personal unprofessional rambles...

My art commissions are picking up- more than I can handle, honestly... My clients have gotten pretty big and it's getting me recognition, I have a few big offers in store once I can get around to them and I'm excited about it... but commissions are hard. I'm going to raise prices in January, and I try to accept five a month... but I can't keep up. I can't even do one a month it feels like... And yet I keep getting dozens of requests..

So in spite of this, because of my own doing and lack of doing, I've been bleeding a lot of money. I'm at a dangerous point of money... so I finally got a seasonal job at a local chocolate shop.

Haaaaaaaa.....

It's rough... I was in a huge depression over it, and I still don't want to work... The people are nice, the hours are light, and the pay is better than expected, but it's still so stressful... My social anxiety is terrible lately, it makes me want to curl into a ball and cry. I can't stand it, I can't stand being seen, I can't focus or memorize anything on the register, I can't handle dealing with customers or fast-paced environments...

They say the season lasts until Easter because of the nature of the store, but maybe I'll leave after Christmas time if it doesn't work out.. It's really a pain, and also could affect things like my food stamps and subsidized rent. Plus, the gas I have to spend, the clothes I had to buy, etc etc.. I wonder if it'll be worth it (probably, but nyeh)

I'm in need of money, though... one, my phone is on its last legs. The battery barely lasts an hour, it's very slow and unresponsive, and the 32 GB of storage is becoming more and more unwieldy.. Going to maybe buy one tonight...

My throat is also been a mess lately- I've had trouble swallowing, to the point I was unable to eat anything without a 50-50 chance of just choking on it. Drinking water was like waterboarding, it was like I was drowning. After raising my mattress, it's helped a lot, but not entirely, so I think it's something to do with scarring thanks to acid reflux- been trying to get an endoscopy for a year and finally have one scheduled in mid December. I'm worried how much it might cost.. hoping insurance covers it, but I still had to pay almost a thousand for my colonoscopy a few years back, which terrifies me...

Other small things- items I'd like to own, taking care of Bootsie (she's fine but overdue for a checkup and she's like 13 years old), etc.

But yeah, therapy. Also started taking that- we're trying to avoid me taking any medication, but I'm afraid I might need it.. I see her every week and I've been going since early October, and she seems like a decent therapist- she's the same age as me and understands a lot of internet culture, which.. is weird to talk to someone like that who "gets it" (she's a cosplayer, for example, and knows of vtubers), but it's nice.

Been reliving a lot of past stuffs... Been trying to improve, had some good phases, but fell back apart recently and not sure how far I can really get... keeping my apartment clean is hard, feeding myself is hard, drawing and doing anything is hard. I don't watch any media these days besides some indie vtubers I know, I don't really do much of anything but be depressed.

My biggest issue, as always, is my complex/trauma/whatever you want to call it... I've started trying to embrace it the past year. I've openly admitted to it, I made an alternate Twitter account for vent art of it, etc. But it makes me hate myself so much... It's become an addiction it feels like. Do I let it consume me and fully embrace it, even though it will push people away and make people think worse of me? Even though it will attract strange people who want creepy things from me? Even though it's expensive and gross and exhausting and uncomfortable to manage?

Or do I try to quit cold turkey? Get it all out of my system, and then never talk about it again. Delete the vent account, stop drawing it, stop being paranoid without things to take care of it, and just move on. I don't know. It's a part of me. But I hate it. And I really hate myself for it, it's my biggest tool to hate myself with.

But I've tried to embraced it, and that's what the RN update will have, and I apologize for it. I don't know how to move forward now. Therapy reopened a lot of thoughts about it- it really is a weird trauma, and a lot of it stems from my childhood... I want it gone. I want to be okay and not hurt myself mentally...

But such is life I supposeee. Again, I apologize that most of my art lately has been venting about it.. even if I embrace it, I don't want to be exclusively that kind of artist, you know? It's just one of many aspects. But it's invasive. And I don't want it to be invasive, but I don't know how to handle it.

The main goal of therapy is to get me drawing again. To give me what I've lost- a drive and motivation to continue. It feels like I just go through the motions when I draw. It's awful. I can't picture anything, no ideas. Rotten Nyan is completely stagnant lately. I don't know what to do about it. Life is just empty and depressing, it feels like. I gave up on myself, and now I don't know how to un-give up. But that's what therapy's for. Hopefully it helps... She brought up medication again, and I wonder if I should try it at this rate...

My anxiety is very bad. I end up relying on my complex trauma coping methods a lot when anxious. It's embarrassing and gross. And it just fuels my anxiety more using those things. I can't stand driving, or being around people, or crowded situations. I can't handle stress, or excitement, or being praised, or anything. My nerves are shot and I just have to curl into a ball. I don't know how I'm going to improve, but I have to try...

And then my focus, which I just can't focus at all anymore.. I don't know if it's depression/anxiety, ADHD, or what, but I just can't focus at all. It's awful. Very forgetful, very not-able-to-draw.

Otherwise, not much different. Got the new Nagata Kabi manga (I still worry about her a lot... she's so relatable though, she speaks to me, but she flares my anxiety like crazy too...) Still obsessed with my Disney anime boy gacha game, it's great, Vil's great. Vil, Cater, Lilia, Jade... so many good characters....

I guess that's all for now. Hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving- will keep doing what I can to try to improve.

And again, I'm really sorry about my art output and that most of it is just gross vent art about a gross personal trauma... I'm sorry...

[realestateusvirginislands]

A Buyer's Guide to Houses for Sale in the Virgin Islands

Nestled in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands beckon with their blend of tropical allure, rich history, and modern luxuries. If you've ever entertained the dream of owning a home here, you're not alone. The prospect of sun-soaked mornings, balmy evenings, and a serene island life can be irresistible. However, navigating the property market in such a unique locale requires insight. In this guide, we'll offer key points every prospective buyer should consider when looking at houses for sale in the Virgin Islands.

1. Understand the Different Islands:

The Virgin Islands archipelago comprises both U.S. and British territories. From bustling St. Thomas and lush St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands to the charming Tortola and pristine Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, each island offers a distinct experience. Decide which aligns best with your lifestyle and preferences.

2. Engage a Local Realtor:

A seasoned local real estate agent can be invaluable. They can provide insights into market trends, property values, and even nuances between neighborhoods. Additionally, they'll be abreast of listings that may not be widely advertised.

3. Factor in Total Costs:

Apart from the house price, there are additional costs like property taxes, homeowners' insurance, and possibly homeowners' association fees. In some areas, particularly in the BVI, non-residents may also encounter "alien landholding licenses" which come with their own fees.

4. Explore Financing Options:

While some international buyers opt to pay cash, financing options are available. However, mortgage processes and requirements might differ from those in the U.S. or other countries. It's advisable to consult with local banks or lending institutions early in your search.

5. Consider Resale Value:

Though you might be buying a home in the Virgin Islands for personal use, it's wise to consider its potential resale value. Properties with beach access, views, or in popular tourist areas tend to have higher appreciation.

6. Research Property Rights and Restrictions:

Both the USVI and BVI have specific regulations regarding property ownership, especially concerning beachfront properties. It's vital to be aware of any easements or public access rights associated with a potential home.

7. Be Patient with the Process:

Buying property in the Virgin Islands might take longer than you're accustomed to, given the thorough title searches and potential bureaucratic hurdles. Be prepared for a process that might extend several months.

8. Conduct a Thorough Inspection:

Given the region's susceptibility to tropical storms, ensure any house you're considering has been well-maintained and is structurally sound. It's worth hiring a professional to inspect the property, checking for any storm damage or issues that might not be immediately visible.

9. Reflect on Lifestyle Needs:

Think about your long-term plans. If you're considering making the Virgin Islands your permanent residence, consider proximity to amenities, healthcare, and other essential services. However, if it's a vacation home, focus on factors that maximize relaxation and recreation.

10. Legal Consultation is Key:

Before finalizing any purchase, consult with a local attorney familiar with Virgin Islands real estate law. They can ensure all legalities are addressed, from confirming the legitimacy of property titles to ensuring you're aware of all rights and responsibilities associated with the property.

In Conclusion:

Purchasing a house in the Virgin Islands can be the realization of a dream. While the process might seem daunting, armed with the right information and a team of local experts, it becomes more manageable. With diligence and patience, you can find your slice of paradise in this Caribbean haven.

[athinveil]

saw you in the notes of some post saying you work in finance. like, no pressure, and i'm not expecting any depth from a tumblr ask, but... do you have any advice for people living paycheck to paycheck other than the classic "make a budget"? (i have already discovered that getting a credit card does not help.)

just wondering if there's anything you've learned from your profession that you wish was better known to the public

https://undebt.it/ is a big help to help pay off debt efficiently undebt it - google search if you don’t like hitting links - I don’t hitting links. I have a super hard time with budgets myself. And credit cards are rough - I get manic and then my budget friendly self can’t keep up with manic me.

Apologies in advance if some of this is like bro - I don’t live a place w these stores - just mentally replace store names with what’s around you.

If your debt has an interest rate under 7%, pay the minimums because a lot of investments will grow at 7% or better (common examples - car loans, most student loans, mortgages, etc.). Typically it’s better to focus on the higher interest loans/debt first. If it’s above 7%, prioritize that. A lot of minimum payments will also never pay off your debt - designed to keep you in it.

If you have a Roth option in your work retirement account, do that. It’s taxed now instead of in retirement - taxes only go up over time. However if you need to reduce your taxable income, then pretax dollars will do that. Only contribute up to the match if it’s not Roth. If it’s pretax, then you usually only want do up to the match. Maximize the free money you can get from your employer.

Always opt into long term disability insurance at work. When you can afford some extra coverage check out supplemental (most employers offer 60% in the US - if you only were paid 60% of your income it would be rough), life insurance is cheap - 200k is a small policy. The company you go with matters. A company like mass mutual or northwestern mutual (I’m at northwestern) gives higher dividends- basically a good chunk of profit goes back to policy holders instead of stockholders. Most companies can run company comparisons. Insurance pays for financial security. It’s not a scam - which is genuinely what I thought of it before I got into the field and understood it better.

Whole life insurance costs more - but it’s worth it. It’s like buying your insurance instead of renting. Again company matters - example: northwestern mutual cash value grows historically at 5% on average, give or take, usually give. It’s money you can use to collateralize a loan or take a loan out against your own policy and “be your own bank” - downside, if finances are unstable, it’s a policy with regular premiums. Unlike a Roth you can stop contributing to any time, you’re paying for coverage and it’s monthly or whatever interval without much for exceptions. Probably not a good fit for you right now with being paycheck to paycheck - but something to keep in mind for the future.

Some of my hacks for my own life and my tight budget - I get most of my stuff off of Facebook marketplace for free or cheap - if you search something for a week or two and save the cheap items eventually they’ll appear for free or less and less. You just gotta be quick to ask and pick up. I picked up a stand alone pantry cabinet yesterday for free so now I have more storage space for non-perishables. Also if you just always keep free and “curb alert” as a regular search item you’ll find good stuff. I’ve picked up some things that I know have value near me - like fish tanks with stands only to resell them later at market value which is higher because I’m in a city/suburban outskirts - I only deal in cash on Facebook because they wanna start tracking and people can’t rescind a $20 electronically.

There are food shelves that don’t require minimums. There’s also no shame in seeing if you can get assistance from the government. If you can boost yourself to live better, do it.

The dollar tree (and some other dollar stores) - while most food at the dollar tree isn’t a good deal - I’ve also found shelf stable tofu, pesto, mustard (1.25 vs $5 for pesto). I also have pets - my cats get their toys on a stick with the dangly strings from the dollar tree. I get all of my cleaning products at the dollar tree. You can also make your own - one super simple one is lemon juice (from bottle), white vinegar, and water.

I shop at specific places for specific items. I get carbon litter box filters at my hardware store because they’re a dollar there instead of $5-7 elsewhere.

I order my groceries online - it’s convenient but it also eliminates a lot of impulse shopping. I pay $10/month for it, but I save more than $10 in not impulse buying.

I mostly avoid target - target has done research on how to get you to buy more - it works. So I avoid it. Not that other stores don’t do similarly, but I know that I will fail myself at target - sort of a figure out your vices.

I shop at discount grocery stores. I got to Asian grocery stores for tea because I get way more tea for way less. I go to Aldi for most of my vegetarian foods and also their chicken. Most of their stuff is a fair bit cheaper and I’ve figured out which off brand or Aldi brand stuff I like.

I work in a super fancy office - think of a building with literal halls with marble tile. I get 99% of my clothes from thrift stores. I’m picky - I try to buy only things that I feel good in (not I feel okay, but I feel good) and I have a hard time pushing myself over $10 for almost anything. I dress with a classic style because then I don’t have to chase trends. I mostly just wear black pants and a shirt that looks business casual.

Garage sale - I spent a Saturday driving around the town I grew up in going to garage sales. Saturdays are usually the last day sales are open - they want stuff gone as the reality sets in that whatever isn’t sold is being donated. I filled a paper grocery bag full of clothing for my spouse and paid $1. I’ve hit sales where the person just wanted to be done and said just take everything you want, free. I haggle. I ask if they’d do a deal for a bunch of stuff if it’s a good sale. If there’s something I’m looking for or need - I know the value of the item before I go shopping and I know the value of it to me. I wanted a giant bean bag chair. I valued that at a maximum of $20. The going Facebook marketplace was $50-150. I held out and got one for $7 at a thrift store.

Sign up for VIP stuff at thrift stores and reward programs (assuming it’s free). Don’t buy most holiday decor new - thrift stores can barely sell a christmas tree.

Home Depot and many hardware stores offer free how-to classes - you want to learn how to lay tile? Sign up for a class. Learn to diy what you’re comfortable doing. Some labor and know how is worth paying for. Example: I will not lay tile because I can live with a crooked tile if someone else did it. I can’t if I did it. For my sanity, I would pay for that. Minding - I need that done currently and can’t afford it so it’s just not on the reality list.

Grow some of your own food if you can. Grow lights can be cheap and seeds are cheap. Sometimes you can split a pack with a friend. You can also get free pots and gardening materials online easily. Maybe not the seeds tho. If you hate gardening then don’t bother. What you want matters too.

When you buy stuff - make sure you love it when you can. Stuff you love, you will keep and use. Stuff you feel so-so about might end up being donated next year.

Utilize libraries! They have e-books also and there are so many free apps you can download to read them on. If I’m only gonna read a book once, then I shouldn’t own it. Reality is - I don’t reread that many books. Too many more books to read.

If you’re into cold brew coffee - dark roast Walmart makes just as good as a fancy brand that costs more. Try off brand stuff - it’s often way better or exactly the same. Walmart chips ahoy offbrand is better than chips ahoy. ALDIs version of coconut caramel Girl Scout chocolate cookies taste the same as Girl Scout ones but cost under $2.

Find hobbies that don’t cost you money or cost you very little money. Aquarium fish are not that hobby as I’ve learned the hard way. But I have a beautiful dr who tank so at least there’s that. I volunteered for a while with shelter cats - the ones that are in pet stores. I got kitty snuggles and got to put it on my resume. Can’t afford a pet but want one? Foster - the shelter pays for everything. One of my new hobbies is literally finding free things on Facebook marketplace. It’s great.

If you’re on meds and insurance isn’t covering everything - check out goodrx. Also - check different pharmacies and keep checking. CVS wanted $300 for 1 month of my depression meds. I walked away w/o meds. I went to Costco a week later (no membership needed for specifically their pharmacy) and got those same meds for maybe $10 without insurance.

YouTube can also teach you neat skills. Tumblr can too - I got really into tiny homes - still love them but I can’t ethically keep a Great Dane mix and all my cats in a tiny space - a big part of tiny homes is making sure you have what you need but you have it smart. I gleaned a lot from that obsession. How to have a full wardrobe w 30 pieces of clothing but still variety? It showed it. Most tiny home people are about financial freedom - a lot of them perhaps don’t have a financial background, but it’s about gathering info that works for you.

If you have kids - I do not - but I have a niece. So much free stuff from other people. I think I gave my sister in law about the first years worth of clothing for her kid and it mostly cost me some laundry soap and time with marketplace and stopping for bags of free kids clothes on the side of the road (that I then picked through, washed, and donated the iffy ones). I even got a bouncer thingy that I took apart and cleaned and gave her. Plus a stroller for my mother in law - one of those $300 ones that someone just wanted gone at no cost.

I’ve got home owner savings tricks too if you need them - but let’s be honest, few of us can afford homes. I have one in a super sketchy area that has shot spotter tech to help police respond faster to gunfire. But honestly just lucked out and fell into the job I have now.

Buy quality when you can - I got clearance Clark’s brand shoes for my job - I think they cost me $40? They’ve lasted years. I got thrift store shoes and they are falling apart in less than a year. Those same thrift store shoes during the 5 years that I’ve had my clearance Clark’s would have cost more to replace that 5x over.

Make sure you’re taking care of yourself - eat enough, sleep enough. Your health will affect how you work and live - you matter. I do premier protein shakes in the morning so I get enough protein and also account for my inability to wake up with enough time to make food. I try to bring my lunch to work. Peanut butter sandwiches are a big go-to for me. I’m rather sick of them, but for now, it helps me to save a bit and prioritize things that are more important to me.

I’m trying to think of other stuff. I mean maybe you’re already doing a big load of this or have even cut some of these expenses out. I’ve got more pet saving tricks - pets are something in life that bring me so much joy and happiness so I have them and I try to be responsible and smart with spending on them - but maybe you don’t have pets or don’t want them. I love video games so I have a few systems - mainly PC. I wait for sales for games. I still buy things that are discretionary. I buy “what I want” when I can but I try to make sure it really is something that I want. I wait for game reviews to come out.

I try to find easy recipes online with a focus on budget friendly and quick to make. Preferably with leftovers to avoid a peanut butter sandwich for a day or two. I’m in a Facebook group called “what broke vegans eat.” I go to a butcher to get ground beef because it costs the same but has less gristle and they can give me tips on making different things. Plus I can occasionally splurge on something simple - they have the best in house take home and bake lasagna which last me at least 4-5 days between my spouse and I.

What field are you job-wise? What field or kind of work would you want to be in if you could choose? What kind of hours would you prefer to work? Education level? Are you in the US? Might have some tips around that too. Is there an area you want advice on - like X costs so much, what tips do you have for cost savings with that, etc.

So happy to help. Sorry for the novel.

[janhavi-21]

Benefits Of Investing in Real Estate

Are you on the hunt for a savvy investment that will yield advantageous long-term benefits? Look no further because the current king on the throne of investments is real estate! Investing in real estate is guaranteed to yield far superior results in comparison to any other investment opportunity out there.

Capital Appreciation

Let's be candid, when investing in any asset, we all have hopes that the value will increase. However, many depreciate with time, such as automobiles, bikes, and technological gadgets like mobile phones or laptops. But, with real estate, the opposite is true! The value of a property purchased today is projected to increase over the coming years due to rental incomes and the appreciation of residential real estate. The icing on the cake is that if you decide to sell your property in the future, chances are you'll make a profit!

2. Easily Build Equity 

Have you ever reflected on how buying a home could pave the way to building equity? Let's break it down for you. Once you complete your final mortgage payment, your assets begin to accumulate, and your property transforms into a firm foundation for expanding your monetary worth. As your equity increases, you gain the freedom to purchase additional properties and receive a higher cash flow. This situation is beneficial for all parties, resulting in a symbiotic outcome.

3. Long Term Security 

In our fast-paced world, we often crave the instant gratification of easy money without any entanglements. But we mustn't forget that such money can be flimsy and fleeting. On the other hand, putting down roots in residential real estate at a young age can provide you with lifelong stability. Renting out these properties as co-living spaces offers a profitable opportunity to dip your toes into the world of commercial or residential real estate.

4. Tax Benefits

Worried about the harsh taxes that plague real estate investments? Fear not, as co-living spaces can act as your knight in shining armor. You don't have to fret about property taxes, mortgage rates, property management interest, repairs, or insurance policies when your property is a soaring success story. Say goodbye to tax worries and welcome extra income with open arms!

5. Diversification

Investment opportunities come in all shapes and sizes - from trading stocks to buying luxury cars. However, we must remember that life is an unpredictable rollercoaster, and stocks may plummet in value overnight. During such episodes of market turmoil, real estate remains our reliable companion, steadily appreciating in value and serving as a steady and dependable fallback option. Placing all our eggs in one basket is unwise and risky. Therefore, diversification is key - and investing in REAL ESTATE is certainly one of those doors worth knocking on! 

6. Multiple Income Source

Transforming your dwelling into a co-living utopia is a masterful strategy to cultivate myriad money making channels. Infusing your residence with communal vibes taps into the burgeoning trend of shared living, satisfying the needs of renters seeking flexible and budget-friendly accommodations. Converting your personal space into a co-living hub is a stellar opportunity to optimize your investment and broaden your fiscal horizons.

7. Leverage

Investing in real estate during your youth is a stroke of brilliance. You see, your CIBIL score tends to be at its prime during this time, and if you've got a hefty chunk of change for the down payment, you can take out a loan to cover the rest. The cherry on top? You don't have to wait until the debt is paid off to call yourself a property owner. It's a wise decision, indeed. But hold on, what if you're no spring chicken? Fret not, because it's never too late to hop on the real estate bandwagon!

8. Tangible Asset

Real estate investing is akin to holding a tangible treasure. You can physically touch it, see it's worth firsthand, and enjoy the feeling of absolute ownership. It's not some abstract, intangible investment like stocks or bonds. Nay, it's a concrete, solid asset that can provide stability and financial security. Owning property not only means you have a roof over your head, but it's also an investment that always has the potential to grow. Whether you opt to rent it out or sell it later, your investment continues to be a beacon of peace and security. All in all, if you're on the hunt for a reliable, smart long-term investment plan, real estate is a savvy bet. 

Are you seeking to make your mark in the real estate game? Well, listen up because your 20s is prime time to make that happen! Investing in property can be a seriously shrewd financial decision, and converting your real estate into a co-living hub is the savvy choice to make. Luckily, companies like 'Xtra Income Homes' have streamlined the process, making it simple for you to get started on your investment journey. Simply head to their website via the link below, and discover all the tools and knowledge you need to make your mark on the property ladder: 

Remember, with so many options out there, it's all about taking your time and finding the property that truly speaks to you. The perfect investment home is waiting just for you!

[natromanxoff]

Evening Standard - April 22, 1992

Credits to Roberto Macchi.

Freddie fever at Wembley this week: but gay people face financial discrimination

The pink economy

For single men, gay or not, getting life assurance can at worst be almost impossible and at best very expensive. But, as LORNA BOURKE reports, the situation is improving

ORGANISERS of the Wembley rock tribute to Freddie Mercury are currently deciding which Aids charitles will benefit from the estimated £20 million raised.

As they do so, young, single men — whether homosexual or not — and gays of all ages, continue to face problems which could have serious repercussions on their finances.

The most obvious concerns life assurance. Because of the Aids threat, single men have difficulty getting cover. If they share a house with another man, they may find it all but impossible.

Life assurance is now part of most mortgage schemes, particularly the special offers, fixed-rate packages and discounts. So being refused cover could mean not qualifying for a loan. Even when cover is granted, it usually costs more.

“Two guys wanting to buy a property together have been a problem for a long time," said Ian Darby of mortgage broker John Charcol. “All life assurance companies now require single men to complete a 'lifestyle' questionnaire and all proposal forms have questions about Aids tests and whether you have ever had one.

“Where people come in and admit that they are gay we will offer them a loan without life assurance. We haven't had many single men turned down for life assurance but, inevitably in some cases, people lie about lifestyle."

The Association of British Insurers warns against this. "It isn't worth it,” said spokeswoman. "If you make false declarations on the proposal form you may find your claim being turned down.”

The Terrence Higgins Trust, an Aids charity, has strong views on Aids testing. "Insurers are perfectly entitled to know if a person has tested positive for HIV. Bu they should not discriminate against people merely because they have sought counselling or testing," said a spokesman.

The ABI denies that people of either sex are turned down simply because they have had an Aids test, or that insurers invent an excuse to refuse cover if a person admits to having been tested.

"The life assurance company will ask for dates of any test and the result. But your doctor can find out why you have been turned down if life assurance is refused." The ABI keeps a "blacklist" of everyone who has been refused life cover, but maintains that it does not carry details of why applicants were turned down and therefore cannot isolate those who admitted to having an Aids test.

ROGER Smith, of Radford Smith, an independent financial adviser who has specialised in life assurance for high-risk groups, believes the situation is improving slowly. "As a result of publicity, people are a little less concerned about coming forward for insurance on the basis that they know they will have to pay an extra premium but won't necessarily be turned down now.

"A single male may have to pay 100 per cent more than a married man on term assurance, or 25 to 40 per cent more endowment mortgages, but they can get cover. Some companies like Standard Life just don't want to do high risk business, but not all."

He points out that anyone not wanting to answer lifestyle questions can always opt for a pension or Personal Equity Plan-linked home loan where life assurance is not an ingredient.

The money matters of gay couples are not always so troubled. In a stable but childless relationship, finances are often easier than for a married couple. There are usually two incomes and, with only one person to inherit, wealth tends to become concentrated rather than dissipated.

Statistics are elusive. "Gay News did some research on this years ago but they closed down,” said Michael Mason, editor of Capital Gay, a giveaway publication distributed among pubs and gay bars in London and Brighton.

But Roger Smith added: "Most gays are concerned to provide for their partner and you find a higher incidence of will-making than among married couples.

“They are often concerned that other members of the family do not come along and challenge the provisions made for the partner. But there is no problem with insurance companies on nominating a male partner as the beneficiary of a pension policy nor, as far as I know, with occupational pension schemes."

Simmy Viinikka, legal adviser at the Terrence Higgins Trust, advises gay couples to buy a property in joint names. "There is then no problem with the will, which could be contested by the family of the deceased person, as the property automatically passes to the surviving partner."

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How laser eye surgery can help you to save money in the long run

LASIK eye surgery can save you money even if it's quite pricey. The money saved over buying corrective lenses, such glasses or contacts, may outweigh the initial cost of LASIK surgery, even for those who feel it to be unaffordable.

Take into account these potential financial benefits of LASIK surgery if you're concerned about the procedure cost.

Glasses and contacts are expensive

Over time, the cost of contacts and glasses adds up. Every two years when someone requires new glasses, the cost of the frames, lenses, and specialty coatings can run into the hundreds of dollars. Prescription sunglasses, progressive lenses, or high-end eyewear may increase these costs. Regular changes in your prescription may necessitate more frequent replacements, which would increase prices.

Contact lenses can be costly despite their convenience. Daily disposable lenses can range in price from $500 to $700 per year, based on prescription and brand. Monthly or biweekly lenses require regular cleaning and maintenance, although being less expensive. When prescription and lens care time and effort are not taken into account, these costs could add up to several thousand dollars over the course of a lifetime.

The Cost of LASIK Is One-Time Only

Long-term results are achieved using laser eye surgery, which only needs one procedure. The cost of US LASIK is $2,000–$4,000 per eye, usually only needed once. For many, the procedure results in permanent vision correction without the need for contacts or glasses.

LASIK surgery is a significant step toward improving your vision and quality of life. Understanding the process can help ease any concerns and prepare you for what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the LASIK journey, along with insights into other corrective eye procedures, such as eye lens change operations.

Cost Savings on Medical and Vision Care

Moreover, laser eye surgery may lower the cost of eye care. Users with glasses and contact lenses need to see an optometrist on a regular basis for eye exams and prescription updates. Routine eye exams are still necessary after LASIK, but they might not call for changing prescriptions.

Insurance may occasionally partially cover the cost of contacts and glasses, although many plans have a high copayment. LASIK reduces the cost of vision care but is not usually covered by insurance. It is a long-term health investment.

Increased Productivity and Quality of Life

Lens replacement surgery for eye surgery can save costs while also enhancing productivity and quality of life. Many find that not having contacts or glasses makes their everyday tasks, physical exercise, and work more efficient. You may save money if you can get non-prescription sunglasses or engage in sports without the need for corrective lenses.

LASIK can be advantageous for jobs requiring sharp vision and help save time and money on treating vision-related issues. Beyond just spectacles, there are financial benefits from increased productivity and decreased vision care costs.

Last Remarks

Although LASIK surgery is costly up front, many people feel that it is worth it because they will ultimately save money. If expensive eyeglasses are eliminated, refractive lens surgery might even pay for itself. Better vision enhances lifestyle and productivity, increasing income and standard of living. Therefore, don't forget to check out Harley Vision as they can assist you in determining the best eye surgery treatment at a reasonable cost.

Source URL : https://fyberly.com/how-laser-eye-surgery-can-help-you-to-save-money-in-the-long-run/

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Tips For Combating Higher Jumbo Mortgage Interest Rates

With the recent hike in interest rates, borrowers of jumbo mortgages need to be very strategic in their planning and final decision-making. By large, jumbo loans are normally used for borrowing a loan for buying a luxury home or property in high-value localities. In general, the interest rate on a jumbo lend is higher than on a conventional lend, but swimming through these financial waters wisely might prove helpful in getting a more favourable rate.

1. Better Your Credit Score

The most effective way to bring down your jumbo mortgage interest rate is by improving your credit score. High credit scores mean low levels of risk for the lenders from the consumers; hence, the better your loan terms. Before you apply, clean up your credit report by searching for errors and pay down any outstanding debts. You can aim for a score over 740 to maximize your chances of getting a good rate.

2. Increase Your Down Payment

This can be the key to making lenders agree to lower interest rates on jumbo loans. When you put 20% or more as a down payment, it will possibly make you less risky for the lender and will demonstrate your financial credibility. You may also dodge private mortgage insurance, which is typically required when paying less than 20% down.

3. Shop Around for Lenders

Not all lenders charge the same jumbo-mortgage rates. Shopping around is key, as some might have more experience with jumbos than others-or have a better handle on the luxury market-letting them price more competitively. Use several quotes to help you drive down terms from any one lender. If you find another lender to beat a quote, don't be afraid to ask for a rate match.

4. Consider a Shorter Loan Term

For example, a 30-year jumbo mortgage may appear affordable because of the monthly repayment plan, but such mortgages tend to bear very high-interest rates. It does pay off to have a shorter mortgage period, say 15 or 20 years, as the interest rate is smaller. Your monthly payments will of course be higher, but over the total life of the loan, the contribution will be much less.

5. Lock in Your Rate

Rates will fluctuate and an offer may not last for the next day. If you do happen upon a jumbo mortgage that is just right for you, it would be best to lock the current rate to avoid a future increase in the cost. A lock rate is expected to last for generally between 30 and 60 days to help buffer as you finalize the details of your loan. Talk to your lender about their rate lock procedures and any costs related to it.

6. Speak to a Mortgage Advisor

If jumbo loans are a nerve-wracking maze to traverse, an astute mortgage advisor will go a long way in securing you the best rate and terms available. With their worth of experience, they can negotiate with lenders and give you the low-down on when to put in your loan application.

Final Thoughts

While jumbo mortgages can be more expensive as they come with higher interest rates, a good credit score, large down payment, and shopping for the best rates can help reduce those costs. Visit Munshi for more expert advice and learn how they can help you secure the best jumbo loan that is right for you.

[bankingpk]

United Bank Limited Loans Information

In the financial world, a loan is an obligation provided by one party (such as an association or individual) to another, usually at an interest rate. This is documented through a note that specifies key details including the principal amount, interest rate, and repayment date. Essentially, a loan involves the temporary transfer of funds from a lender, like Banking Pk, to a borrower.

How Loans Work

When a borrower takes out a loan, they receive a certain amount of money, known as the principal, from the lender. The borrower is then obligated to repay this amount, plus interest, at a future date.

Interest on a loan is the cost charged by the lender for providing the funds, which serves as compensation and motivation for the lender. Loan terms and conditions are typically outlined in a contract, which may also impose additional requirements, such as a credit limit. While this article focuses on financial loans, it is worth noting that other types of items may also be loaned.

Financial institutions play a crucial role in issuing loans. For various organizations, issuing debt securities, like bonds, is a common method of financing.

UBL Personal Loan

Whether you're planning for a significant life event or need funds for personal needs, UBL Personal Loans offer a straightforward solution. With UBL Personal Loans, you can access funds quickly and easily.

Features and Benefits:

Processing fee is only charged upon approval

Flexible repayment terms ranging from 12 to 60 months

Loan amounts available from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2,000,000

24/7 access to UBL Phone Banking

Top-up facility available after 12 months

Complimentary life insurance coverage

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must have their salaries credited to UBL

Minimum age of 21 at the time of application and maximum age of 61 at loan maturity

Required Documentation:

Completed application form

Legal agreement

Verified copy of CNIC

Verified copy of salary slip

Employer letter

Additional documents as per segment

For more details, call UBL Phone Banking at 111-825-888 or visit your nearest UBL branch.

UBL Salary Loan

UBL Salary Loans are designed to help you meet various financial goals, such as funding a vacation or planning your child’s education.

Benefits & Features:

Competitive and flexible interest rates

Substantial financing facility

Fixed loan amount over a specified term

Interest rate linked to Banking Pk's prime lending rate

Flexible repayment period up to 4 years, but before retirement

Eligibility:

Available to professionals

Minimum age of 25 and maximum age of 55

Monthly installments should not exceed 40% of salary

Salaries must be disbursed through direct deposit or regular standing order for loan repayments

Required Documentation:

Completed loan application form

Proof of identity (CNIC or passport)

Income evidence from employer, if applicable

Salary slips for the past 3 months

Recent utility bills (CEB/CWA/MT)

Bank statement for the last six months

For more information, please call 111-825-888.

UBL Home Loan

UBL Home Loans offer financial solutions for purchasing or renovating a home.

Types of Home Loans:

Outright Purchase: Financing to buy a new house.

Home Improvement: Financing for home renovations.

Required Documentation:

Completed application form

Legal agreement

Verified copy of CNIC

Verified copy of salary slip

Employer letter