{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}

Prevent A Home Electrical Fire

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, home electrical problems cause more than 26,000 fires a year, half of which involve electrical wiring.

Call an electrician if you have any of the following:

¨      Problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers.

¨      Discolored, cracked, or warm wall outlets or switches (if you see sparks, make the call as soon as possible).

¨      A burning smell or rubbery odor from an appliance.

¨      Flickering lights.

Take these precautions:

¨      Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly.

¨      Replace old or damaged appliance cords immediately.

¨      If buying a used appliance, ask if it has been tested for safety.

/Realtor Humor/

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}

Useful Health Websites

§  www.spinehealth.com – Thousands of articles and videos from doctors about back pain, neck pain, and related disorders.  A forum for discussion and doctor profiles too.

§  www.kidshealth.org – Most visited site about kid’s health.  It’s divided into info for parents, kids and teens.

§  www.agingcare.com – Learn about all aspects of getting older from caregiver information to specific challenges older people experience.

[Real Estate Corner] Mistakes to avoid when investing

Q.  What are some mistakes I should avoid when I invest in real estate?

A.  Even smart investors make mistakes.   Here are three common mistakes and what you should do instead:

·    Not Doing Your Homework.  Evaluate your financial situation and understand the right numbers to calculate.  Learn the basics about cash flow, appreciation, and loan amortization. 

·    Not finding the right property.  Do a thorough search, including “off MLS” deals and best buys, to find the right property for you.  Work with a REALTOR^® who is an Investor Specialist.  He or she can help find a  good investment property.  

·    Failing to get a professional inspection.  You need to know if there have been problems with the property and that they’ve been properly addressed.

To learn more about owning investment property, call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called “How To Avoid 8 Dumb Mistakes Even Smart Investors Make.”  I’ll be glad to send a copy right to you.

Do you have a real estate question you want answered?  Feel free to call/text me at (402) 881-0758 or email me at dan.nord58@gmail.com.  

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}

Relieve Computer Pain
In 3 Easy Steps

If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer, you may be experiencing fatigue, as well as aches and pains in your neck, back, shoulders, eyes, wrists, and legs.  Relieve the discomfort by following these tips:

STEP #1:  Give your body support to avoid aches and pains:

·      Invest in a good lumbar chair and adjust it so your feet rest comfortably on the floor.  Press your bottom against the back of the chair and use a lumbar cushion that causes your lower back to arch slightly.  Keep your knees in line with your hips or raised slightly above them.   Never slump or slouch forward.

·      Sit close to the desk so your upper arms are parallel to your spine and your elbows are at a 90-degree angle to the keyboard.  Put the mouse close to the keyboard to keep your arm from being fully extended.  Give your wrists proper support so they rest in a neutral position.

·      Place the monitor so your gaze is aimed at the center of the screen, which should be 15 to 25 inches away from your eyes. 

STEP #2:  Move regularly to avoid stiffness and eye strain:

·      Stand, stretch, and walk at least a minute or two every half hour.  To stretch, reach both arms above your head.  Grasp each elbow and lean gently to each side and feel the side of your body release tension.

·      Avoid “computer vision syndrome” (headaches and eye strain are symptoms) by using the 20-20-20 rule:  Every 20 minutes, look away 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. 

STEP #3:  Stay hydrated and nourished to avoid fatigue:

·      Drink water (or other fluids) to flush out some of the mineral build-up that occurs in inactive muscles.

·      Eat healthy snacks like fruit and nuts at your desk to maintain your energy and productivity. 

/Realtor Humor/

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}

How To Invest As You Age

Financial investments should change as you move through the stages of your life.  Consider these strategies to make better use of your hard-earned money.

During your 30s and 40s:  These are years of increasing income and increasing demands for your money, particularly providing for your children.

·         Life insurance is relatively inexpensive at this stage of your life.  Buying a policy also is a way of providing for your family’s future.

·         529 plans offer tax-advantaged savings for your children’s education.  For details, which vary by state, go to www.savingforcollege.com. 

·         Annuities can be a good addition to an IRA or 401k retirement account, and usually have tax-deferred options and guaranteed life income.

During your 50s:  Prepare for a well-funded retirement during these years.

·         Remove all risks from your retirement plan. Think about a retirement date and your ability to meet that date.  Reduce investments in such things as your employer’s company.

·         Take advantage of slowing expenses.  You are at the top of your earning power, and big expenses, like children living at home, are likely reduced.  Consider paying off your mortgage or increasing your investments.

During your 60s and beyond:  This is a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

·         Test living on projected income before stopping work.  If your expected retirement income will be 70 percent of your current paycheck, set aside 30 percent now and see what it’s like to live on the rest.

·         Apply for Social Security and Medicare.  Visit these sites to help you make important decisions about these programs: www.socialsecurity.gov and www.medicare.gov.