If you really want to see a silver lining, then retirement is one that comes with getting older. While other things in your life may slow down, one very big advantage that comes when you retire is the tax breaks. After all, the taxes that you have paid your whole life were dependent on your income when you were still working. Now, you can enjoy the tax breaks of a much lower income bracket when you’re retired. Here are some senior tax breaks for retirees that can help you look forward to retirement: 1. Standard deduction can be used to your advantage Once you get older, the most significant senior tax breaks for retirees is that you would not need to pay as many taxes on the income you generate. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) gives you a provision to opt for an additional standard deduction after you turn 65 years. For single filers, adding $1,600 is the way to go. For couples, the amount is $1300 per person. The only major criterion is that the claimant should be aged 65 years. Though, if you turn 65 years on January 1, December 31 too counts so you do not need to worry about waiting for one more year to claim these standard deductions.

The Whole30 diet is a 30-day diet that eliminates the intake of sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, and dairy products from your diet and emphasizes the consumption of whole foods. Although very similar to the Paleo diet, the Whole30 diet is more restrictive as natural sugars like honey and maple syrup are also left out of the diet plan. In spite of all these restrictions, there are delicious meal and snack recipes for the diet. Let’s take a look at some delectable snack options to ensure that you don’t really miss out on the food that you can’t eat while following this diet: Apple and almond butter sandwiches These sandwiches are made out of apple slices slathered with almond butter, making for a healthy yet delicious snack that you can enjoy when on the Whole30 diet. Raw caramel apple pie bar These bars are for those of you obsessed with caramel apples, and they are a healthier option as compared to the caramel apples that they are modeled after. One minute chocolate cake This is a simple snack recipe for the Whole30 diet that requires only three ingredients and can be made in just 1 minute. No bean hummus Since legumes are not allowed in the Whole30 diet, beans are substituted with carrots in this recipe to make the perfect veggie dip.

Solo female traveling is a trend that has been gaining traction over the last few years, and it is here to stay. Many women choose to take a break from the daily grind and simply escape to the country-side or even to another continent. However, while it sounds like a perfect idea, the safety of women solo travelers is always an issue. So, irrespective of the place to be visited, these top solo travel tips for first-timers will help all you women out there to travel without worry! Dress appropriately for certain locations It is always best to keep in mind the dressing restrictions of a certain country or a particular city. For example, when visiting the Middle East, it is always advisable to dress modestly to adhere to the sensibilities of such countries. Moreover, for a comfortable journey, you should also dress according to the weather. If you are visiting a humid or hot area, try to wear light, breathable cotton material. Be careful of what you consume If you are backpacking through Europe or any other happening destination that is known for its delicacy, you would probably visit famous dining spots. While trying out new things is fun, you must always keep a watch on what you consume.

Spices in all colors and sizes, in all shapes and textures, in different flavors and fragrances not only brought in new trade alliances among countries, but it also influenced cuisines wherever it reached. Here are some easy-to-make, healthy, and tasty recipes that use spices in different forms. Tropical turmeric smoothie Blend one cup of coconut milk, ½ cup diced mango, teaspoon coconut oil, ½-teaspoon ground turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and serve. You can add soaked chia seeds, add ginger, pineapple or avocado instead of pineapple. Turmeric is a great superfood spice for cooking. Spiced turmeric latte The vegan alternative to coffee that has taken our nation by storm is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Blend three cm fresh turmeric or three teaspoon turmeric powder, two cm fresh ginger, a pinch of black pepper, one teaspoon honey, one teaspoon of any nut butter and water ½ cups (if you are not a vegan you can use milk), ground cinnamon and vanilla extract to your taste. Warm and pour it into mugs and enjoy. This could become a habit if you begin to like the taste of fresh turmeric. Spicy ground beef Combine four teaspoon chili powder, one teaspoon ground cumin, one teaspoon paprika, one teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon onion powder, one teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon red and ¼ black pepper in a bowl.

For most Americans, a 401(k) is more than just an employer-sponsored plan. It is an ideal way of saving and keeping a contingency option open when required. So, while retirement savings is the primary function, there are some basics of 401(k) loans that you should know about in case you face an emergency, like personal bankruptcy. Here’s what you should know: Your loan is repaid through deductions in your payroll Depending on the amount you borrow from your 401(k) and the interest rate applicable, you would need to repay the loan in equal installments through your monthly payrolls. So, ensure that you are aware of the repayment schedule and how much you earn monthly so that you do not default on repayments. You end up paying interest to yourself The interest rate levied on your 401(k) is based on the plan you are invested in, and it is calculated with a simple formula of “prime rate+1%” to derive the amount. However, this interest is paid into your account itself, so you end up paying yourself. An old 401(k) plan is off-limits for a loan One of the most forgotten 401(k) loan basics is that if you had an old 401(k), borrowing from it is not possible.

Most of us try to follow a healthy diet regularly. Not only does this make us fit, but it also helps us feel better about ourselves. Eating right and healthy becomes all the more essential when one is suffering from the risks of developing any disease. For example, individuals with a higher chance of developing cardiovascular diseases or cancer must be careful about their diet and lifestyle at all times. Consuming proper food may make all the difference. Superfoods are nutrient-dense and a must-have in diets geared towards preventing the risk of diseases. Apart from fruits, vegetables, there are a few staple superfoods that you must have in your pantry. Read on about a few of them given below: 1. Turmeric This spice has of late found acceptance among the modern medical community. It is being used in cooking as well as in external applications. Research has shown that curcuminoids, a compound found in turmeric has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. This compound has also proved to be effective in destroying molecules and free radicals that can cause damage to our DNA. Ongoing research has shown that turmeric may be able to stop the growth of tumors. However, doctors caution against taking curcumin supplements without consulting a doctor.

Reverse mortgages are slowly coming under the limelight, but for many years people were in the dark when it came to understanding what they offered. Reverse mortgages are a great means of getting finance so do read on to understand the basics of a reverse mortgage. What exactly are reverse mortgages? A reverse mortgage involves the homeowner getting an amount for their house’s equity. Instead of paying a monthly installment, the mortgage lender would give the owner of the house a monthly installment, or a big lump sum. The owner of the house has to then pay back the balance, which increases as time passes by. This payment is done once they sell the house, move out, or pass away. The property is held as collateral in both traditional mortgages as well as reverse mortgages. A reverse mortgage can only be availed by senior citizens of the age of 62 years or more. What are the different types of reverse mortgages? There are three types of reverse mortgages, namely single-purpose reverse mortgages, proprietary reverse mortgages, and home equity conversion mortgages. Single-purpose reverse mortgage This type of mortgage is considered to be the most economical choice among all the types of reverse mortgages.

Classic cocktails like cars have a long history and many stories spun around them. Well, drinkers like to hear and tell stories during their indulgence, so here are some clues that can entertain your guests to keep the mood high during your cocktail party. Daiquiri This rum-based cocktail is named after the beach near Santiago de Cuba and was invented by a miner during the early 1900s. Originally, this cocktail was made by filling a glass with crushed ice, a teaspoon of sugar sprinkled, and lemon juice. Finally, two or three ounces of white rum was poured over this mixture. The mixture was then stirred well with a long-handled spoon. The earlier versions of the cocktail were served in a tall glass filled with chiseled ice. However, today, the mixture is mixed with a shaker and then poured into a chilled coupe glass. It is to be noted that this cocktail was one of the favorites of John F Kennedy and Ernest Hemingway. Jack Rose A brandy-based cocktail containing gin, lime juice, grenadine, and apple juice was first popularized by Ernest Hemingway in his classic, The Sun Also Rises, which was written in 1926. This is one of the six basic cocktails featured in David Embury’s “The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks” and references date this cocktail to the early 1900s.

The pros and cons of savings accounts for students Most people think of saving money only when they start working a full-time job, but it is never too early to start saving. If you are a student looking to start your first savings account, here’s a list of the pros and cons of this type of account. Pros of a savings account for students When banks or financial institutions offer savings accounts for students, they take the extra step to offer as many advantages as they can. They do this knowing that students are not yet earning, so they need incentives to open an account. Listed here are some benefits of savings accounts for students: No fees The best students’ savings accounts charge no fees for transactions and for keeping the account open. In fact, this is one of the most important features a student should look for when searching for a bank to open an account with. Easy withdrawals Students can see their money online and make withdrawals and transfers easily, and they can get instant access to their funds whenever needed. This definitely works in the case of an emergency when students need access to money immediately and do not want to rely on a credit card.

Buying a new house for the first time is a bit overwhelming. With all the documentation and processes to follow, it can get somewhat intimidating as well. However, avoiding some common mistakes made when getting a mortgage can streamline the way ahead and ease things for you. If you are a first-time homebuyer, applying for a mortgage can seem to be relatively more cumbersome than it may seem to others, but that is no excuse for a lender to not reject your mortgage application. Let’s take a look at some common mistakes made when getting a mortgage so that you can steer clear of these. Not having a pre-approval If you are not getting a pre-approval, it can prove to be a big roadblock in the process of getting a mortgage for your home. For first-time buyers, it is helpful to know the budget beforehand as it can help adjust the expectations and other expenses before taking a mortgage loan. Also, in most cases, first-time buyers are not fully aware of their credit score. Getting the amount pre-approved helps buyers become aware of their credit score and also learn about the terms and conditions that will be offered while getting a mortgage loan.