10 Year Retirement Plan

Are you worried you'll be short of money when you retire? The good news is that ypucan still do something about it - even if you're in your 50s

BY ROB GRIFFIN

IF YOU ARE financially unprepared for retirement and you're in your 50s, the good news is you're not alone. The bad news, however, is that you're fast running out of time if you want a comfortable retirement. Despite the vast majority of people in this age bracket accepting a plan is essential, one in five still hasn't put one in place, according to a depressing study published by Barclays Stockbrokers.

Such findings make grim reading, warns Catherine Penney, vice president at Barclays Stockbrokers, who is worried about the number of people who are approaching retirement without enough money to look after themselves.

"With so many people facing much more immediate demands on their money, such as mortgage repayments or paying for university, it is only natural that these later life concerns can often fall by the wayside," she says.

Around a third of our lives can be spent in retirement - and those years should, in theory, be among our most enjoyable and relaxing.

But the gradual demise of the final salary scheme, where workers knew they could rely on a steady income for the rest of their lives after giving up work, along with the meagre state pension, means you're unlikely to live a life of carefree abandon.

In fact, without adequate resources you won't be able to sustain basic living standards, let alone have enough for luxury foreign holidays, enjoying new hobbies or giving your children a helping hand.

The new state pension pays up to £155.65 a week, but that's only £8,093.80 a year. Patrick Connolly, a certified financial planner at Chase de Vere, says: “If you've done little retirement planning, then you may struggle to achieve the standard of living you want in later life. You'll need to make some compromises in terms of having less income in retirement or working for longer and retiring later."

Even those with company and private pensions may need to find ways to give their retirement pot a much-needed boost when they are in the countdown to giving up work and taking things a bit easier.

So what should you do? Have you left it too late to start a pension? Do the new regulatory changes make it easier or harder to make up for lost time? Are there other savings products that have a better chance of delivering the results?

1. ASSESS YOUR SITUATION
First take stock of what you have in place, including savings, investments and any company or private pensions. Bill Marshall, a chartered financial planner at Lamb & Associates, says: “If you run a business, then look to see if it's something you can either sell or turn into a franchise operation. Also consider your properties - you might be better off selling up and renting."

Next, you need to forecast your income needs in retirement. Independent financial advisers use lifestyle questionnaires that take into account everything you are likely to spend your money on in the future. They use these to estimate how much people need to have saved by retirement.

"You need to go as far as what car you have and how often it's replaced," says Mr Marshall. “Drilling down this far will show how your spending will change when you've got more free time and enable you to project it forward."

Have a look at the pension calculator on the Money Advice Service website (Moneyadviceservice.org. uk/en/tools/pension-calculator) and request a State Pension Forecast to see how much you will get from the government.

2. CONSIDER YOUR INVESTMENT VEHICLES
Once you know how much you'll need in later life, it's time to consider what investment vehicles will be most suitable to build a fund that will provide this income. Moneywise recommends the CF Woodford Equity Income and Jupiter High Income funds. For more fund ideas. Jason Witcombe, director of Evolve Financial Planning, says: “People automatically think of pensions, but a successful retirement just means having enough money to pay the bills. “They may have spent time paying down the mortgage which is just as admirable as paying into a pension or individual savings account (Isa)."

One crucial element is keeping your outgoings to a workable minimum. For example, you'll have essentials such as council tax, while other bills, including eating out and TV subscriptions, will be discretionary.

"Unless you can create a surplus of income over expenditure and put that to use by saving and investing, you'll struggle to build up enough money to retire,” he adds. “For those on the housing ladder, properties will probably solve the problem, however unappealing it may be to downsize from a home you've lived in for a long time.”

3. THINK ABOUT PENSIONS
If you haven't started retirement planning by your mid-50s, there's no quick fix - but there are some practical steps you can take to improve your position, according to Tom McPhail, head of pensions research at Hargreaves Lansdown.

"You can join a workplace pension and get the benefit of your employer's contribution," he explains. “It's free money, so it makes a lot of sense - and under the new pensions freedoms you can also take it out when you reach the age of 55 anyway."

As far as private pensions are concerned, you'll need to decide how much involvement you want in the day-to-day running of your investments. If you're fairly disengaged and prefer a ready-made investment portfolio, then maybe consider the 'default option' in a stakeholder pension. These low-cost (typically with no more than 1% annual charge), no-'frills pensions have been around since 2001 and are aimed at those on low and middle incomes, for whom standard pensions were too expensive or unsuitable. Aviva's stakeholder pension was a clear winner' in the Moneywise Pension Awards 2015, thanks to a good range of funds and low costs. You can start it with just £20.

If you're in your 50s, then you're probably still looking at an investment horizon of at least a decade before you retire. It's still worth investing in the stock market and trying to make your money grow than parking it in cash where you're lucky to get one or 2% interest.

You can then make the most of the new pensions freedoms that allow you to take the money out as you wish. HMRC figures reveal that more than 230,000 have accessed £4.3 billion flexibly from their pension pots since April 2015.

However, Richard Parkin, head of pensions at Fidelity International, warns: “Choices made at retirement cannot be easily undone and people will benefit from seeking expert help even if only looking to take part of their savings as cash."

4. BOOST YOUR RETIREMENT POT
As well as savings, investments and pensions, there are other ways to bolster your provision for later life. The first is to consider equity release options, which enable you to access the cash tied up in your own home.

However, Mr McPhail warns against rushing into such a plan too early in life. “It can work well if you're in vour 70s, but doing it in your 50s isn't such a good idea because you won't be offered a very attractive deal from providers,” he says.

Of course, you can always consider working longer - or even setting up your own part-time business to earn extra money. It all depends on your individual circumstances and how much you will need for a comfortable retirement.

DON'T DELAY
So where does that leave the over-50s? Even though it won't be easy to make up for lost time, the fact is that putting something away now is better than nothing at all.

“There's no sugar for this pill and it won't get easier if you ignore it,” says Mr McPhail. “There's a lot to be said about grasping the nettle and exploring your options. Once you've overcome that hurdle, you'll know where you stand and what can be done about it.”

Source Moneywise

5 Tips to Prepare for Your Property Settlement
1. Insurance

Haven't organised insurance yet? Get it now! It can be a risky practice to rely on the vendor's  insurance cover (or lack thereof) if something happens to the property during the period from exchange to settlement. Having adequate insurance in place will give you peace of mind.

2. Keys, codes and passes

Make sure you organise who has the keys and when you can collect them from the agent or your legal representative. Also, make sure you have the alarm codes (if any) and instruction manuals. Some purchasers want to collect the keys that day from the agent; others have the keys delivered to their solicitor after settlement. By sorting out the logistics beforehand, you can enjoy your property sooner (without setting off any house alarms!).

3. Final inspection

This is probably the most important inspection you will undertake, so you should organise it during daylight hours as close as possible to settlement and really take your time with it. Has any debris been left behind? Do the fittings and fixtures remain? Are the contractual inclusions actually in place? Have the exclusions been disposed of?

4. Final Title Search

Just like a final inspection, a final title search will inform you if there have been any dealings with or new interests in the legal ownership of the property. After all, you can't buy something from someone if they don't own it. You'll also need to remove any caveat you've placed on the title to enable the change of ownership to take place.

5. Cheque directions

Your legal advisor and lender will organise the cheques on your behalf, but it's up to you to make sure the settlement amounts and payees are correct before property settlement. Also, make sure the cheques have correct spellings - incorrectly issued non-negotiable bank cheques can hold up and delay a settlement, and that's the last thing you want!

7 Tips Every Homeowner Need to Know About Insurance
1. WHAT IT COVERS
Most home insurance policies will pay for damage to your home & possessions in the events of storms, fire, theft, or vandalism. Home insurance also provides liability insureance if someone gets hurt on your property and decides to file a lawsuit. Home insurance can also cover the costs of a hotel if you are temporarity displaced from your house.

2. WHAT IT DOESN'T COVER
Standard policcies have exclusion, including; earthquakes, power failure, war, nuclear hazard, government action, faulty zoning, bad repair or workmanship, and defective maintenance. Flooding and water damage are usually only covered in certain conditions

3. YOU SHOULD SHOP AROUND
Take the time to research your prospective insurance agencies before you commit to a policy. Read reviews and consider recommendations from friends and family. Finding a cheap rate is great - but remember that in the case of an emergency you will need to be dealing with the insurance company directly. Having an insurance company with great customer service can really help alleviate some of the stress in an already stressful situation with your home.

4. HOW TO LOWER YOUR RATES
Did you know that having things like a working smoke detector and burglar alarms can lower your rates Preventative actions can reduce premiums. Insurance agents typically price your premium based on how much risk they foresee. So, by reducing your liability risks, you can qualify for lower rates.
You may also save some money by bundling your other insurance policies, like car or life insurance, with your home owners.

5. DON'T WAIT TO FILE A CLAIM
Make sure you report any possible claims as soon as possible. Many insurance companies have a time limit for reporting claims. If you wait too long, you may not be eligible for benefits, especially if waiting has caused the problem to worsen. This is especially true in instances of water damage - where mold can set it quickly and raise the costs of repair.

6. KEEP A RECORD
It is important to document everything that occurs during a loss. Write down the damages, and what you have done to help mitigate the damages.
In addition to saving receipts, contracts, and appraisals, document phone calls by writing down who you spoke to and when. Insurance claims can be cumbersome and confusing. Don't depend on your memory alone to remember all the details.

7. HOW JEWELRY IS COVERED
Jewelry is usually covered in a homeowner's policy - but beware - it is typically only covered to a certain amount. When you sign up for homeowner's insurance, be sure to ask your agent about the limits. If you own jewelry which has a value that exceeds the standard policy, you may want to consider buying supplemental insurance so that incase it is lost or stolen- you are covered 100%.

8 Tip on Homeownner Insurance
1. You're a statistic
To an insurer, you're not a person; you're a set of risks. An insurer bases its premium (or its decision to insure you at all) on your "risk factors," including your occupation, who you are, what you own, and how you live.
2. Know your home's value
Before you choose a policy, it is essential to establish your home's replacement cost. A local builder can provide the best estimate.
3. Insurers differ
As with anything else you buy, what seems to be the same product can be priced differently by different companies. You can save money by comparison shopping.
4. Don't just look at price
A low price is no bargain if an insurer takes forever to service your claim. Research the insurer's record for claims service, as well as its financial stability.
5. Go beyond the basics
A basic homeowners policy may not promise to entirely replace your home.
6. Demand discounts
Americans waste money every year because they forget to ask for them!
7. Insurer isn't necessarily your friend
Your idea of fair compensation may not match that of your insurer. Your insurer's job is to restore your financially. Your job is to prove your  losses so you get what you need.
8. Prepare before you have to file a claim
Keep your policy updated, and reread it before you file a claim so there are no surprise.

10 Legit Ways to Make Money and Passive Income Online
Did you know you can actually make money online? yeah that’s right, and all you need is a computer or phone with internet access. So in this video, I’m going to show you 10 websites where you can actual start making some side cash or if you are really serious, some good Money! isn’t that amazing! On some of these websites you can actually make as much as a 100 dollars a day or even  more, and the best part is, you don’t have to quit your 9 - 5 job, you can make this money, working in your free time. On the internet, there are two distinct ways of making money. The first way is active income. With active income, its like your normal 9 -5 job. You only get paid for the work you do. If you do not work, you don’t make money, as simple as that. The second way is through passive income. This is my favorite method because, with active income, all you do is put in the work once, and the money in theory should keep rolling in, without you having to do any more work other then maybe promoting what you have made, or in some cases what other people have made. So let’s get to the video.

1. upworks.com
Upworks is a website for freelancers. With upworks you are making acvtive income. businesses and individuals post services on upworks that they would like to outsource such as article writing, video editing, app development, coding, there tons of jobs and services being outsourced on upworks… The beauty of all this is its low barrier of entry, you just have to be good at something.  If there is something that you are good at maybe graphic design or coding or just about  any skill, head over to upworks and start making some Money. Here's a tip if you are considering working on upworks, have a robust profile that looks good. This will drastically increase your likelihood of ever receiving job offers, from potential clients. Displaying your best work or highlighting specific experience can and will help you stand out.

2. YouTube
Not a lot of people know this but, you can actually make money with YouTube. If you are considering getting into YouTube to make money, make sure you understand one thing clearly. Thanks to the new rules, if you are planning on starting a brand new channel from scratch, you first have to reach the YouTube minimum threshold to get monetized. Which is you will need 4000 watch hours, and 1000 subscribers in the last 12 months. Once you have reached that, you can get monetized, how much can you make on YouTube? Honestly as much as you want! As long as you keep uploading good content that people are willing to watch your golden, and the longer the video the more money you can expect to make… you can make anywhere from 1$ to thousands even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The more views you are getting, the more money you can expect to make, and also you get more subscribers! With YouTube, what you are earning is passive income, make a few videos and they should keep making you money consistently. You can also make money with YouTube through paid sponsorships, but with paid sponsorships you will need a large audience, usually a minimum of 10k subs to do that. You can also make money through affiliates, but we will get to that later.

3. Amazon
Although Jeff Bazos, did start off the company selling books, amazon now sells almost anything you can think of. It’s not just a site for buying your favorite toys though, you can actually make money with amazon. And here’s three ways you how… The first way is Amazon Mturk – Mtruk is kind of like upworks, it’s a place where businesses outsource work that is too difficult for a computer program to do. Such as audio editing and transcribing, translating audio and video from different languages, testing webpages, writing reviews, and a whole lot of other services. You can make as much as $20, $30 an hour, by working on a few different tasks. This is a legit may of making money, and they do pay. This is active income though.

The second way is Amazon kindle publishing. Turn your ideas into an eBook and make money today. Every time you buy an ebook from amazon, amazon and the publisher make money, and you can too. The thing with kindle publishing is… you first need a book to sell. You can either write this book yourself or you can hire someone to write it for you. You don't have to be an established author, or find a publishing company to do this. You can actually do this from the comfort of your home and start earning some passive income. Sounds awesome right? and the best part is, it’s absolutely free, so sign up and start making some money.

Amazon takes care of the money handling shenanigans… and you can sit back relax on your couch, while making some good old… passive income. If you are really interested in kindle publishing, I highly recommend you do more research on this topic. You can find free videos and tutorials right here on YouTube that will teach you the basics. If you want expert advice, you might have to first pay for a course. I will link a really good one in the description, if you are interested. Some people make over $100,000 publishing Kindle e-books on Amazon. It’s definitely a market to look into. The third way is Amazon associates program.

This is a very popular and easy way of earning passive income. All you do is sign up to the amazon associates program which is free, than you can pick from thousands of stuff amazon sells on their website and start promoting. Amazon will give you a special link, and every time someone buys through your link, amazon will give you a commission anywhere from 5 – 10% of the sale. Amazon will pay you 60 days after a purchase and you can chose to be paid either through amazon gift cards, wire transfer to a bank account – although this is currently only available in the US but if you live outside America you can be paid via cheques, or you can have the money transferred to your amazon account and start buying stuff with it.

4. clickbank
Clickbank is a marketplace for product creators and affiliates to make money online buy selling their courses or services to the world. Clickbank only sells digital products, but the beauty about clickbank is that the, commission payout is so much higher than that of Amazon. Some affiliates pay you as much as 75%, for selling their services, while others pays as low as 5%, so keep that in mind. But with that said, you can make some really good money on clickbank, hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Simply head over to clickbank, pick something to sale and start making money.

5. flippa.com
Flippa is the number one marketplace for buying and selling online businesses. It attracts a huge audience, and it offers great tools to increase visibility, it’s an auction site really much like eBay, for those selling and buying digital assets, such as websites, apps, domains, shopify stores and amazon FBA accounts. If you are good at making apps or even websites… you can actually sell it online and make some money. Or better yet, if you have some money lying around and you are interested in buying either websites, apps, or ecommerce stores… that are already making money, you can do so with flippa. What happens is, you place a bid, much like eBay and if your bid is the highest, then congratulations because you just bought yourself an online business. You can also make money by selling online businesses. So that’s flippa for you.

6. Shutter stock
Basically shutter stock is a platform where you can buy or sell digital media. Such as pictures, music and video clips. Mainly created by freelancers and third parties, so if you might be particularly good at photography taking amazing pictures and videos. Or really good at making sick beats, you can monetize your talent on shutter stock. The way you make money with shutter stock is every time some purchases one of your pictures, you get paid a commission, usually a couple cents to a few dollars, if you are lucky. The trick to making a lot of money with shutter stock is to consistently keep uploading high quality images.

7. Rover
Do you like pets? Dog in particular? If so, then you should probably check out rover. Rover is a dog sitting service, but this is currently only available in the US and Canada. So if you live in any of those two countries then you can register as a dog sitter, and get paid for babysitting dogs. You can make anywhere between 80 - $100 a night, just by watching someone’s dog! You can literally make hundreds of dollars a week by just babysitting someone’s pet. Now how about that for a deal?!

8. Takelessons.com
Take lessons is a website where you can teach any skill. Everyone has a skill, that they can teach, whether that might be, teaching someone a language, how to cook, how to play a musical instrument, how to solve complex math equations…any so much more. Anything that you think someone else might not know, you can teach people on takelessons, and start making money.

9. Fiverr
You have probably heard of fivver mentioned a lot of times, because it’s a simple and easy site to start making money. But if you haven’t, basically it’s a freelance website where you can literally outsource anything and I mean anything… as long as its legal, for as little as $5 There are so many different ways to make money on fiverr, just to name a few. You can do animations, Logo Design, Packaging Design, Web & Mobile Design, Social Media Design, Photoshop Editing, Architecture & Floor Planning, 3D Models & Product Design, T-Shirts & Merchandising, SEO and so much more. If there is anything that can be outsourced, you can most likely find it on fiver. Head over and check out fiverr guys, it a legit of making money.

10. Drop shipping
With drop shipping, what you are basically doing is selling someone else stuff for a small or large profit without having to deal with the shipping. So basically you are acting like a broker or a middle man. You can do this by opening up a shopify store and then linking it up with oberlo. Oberlo is basically an app that integrates with shopify, and it is what a lot of people use to source for stuff that they would like to sell on their stores. The basic principle of drop shipping is, you create a store or any channel where people can buy stuff from you. Then once they buy something from you, you pay the manufacturer, usually for a lot less then what you got it for, and then have the manufacturer ship it to the customer. All without you ever seeing or touching the product.

The best part of drop shipping is that you set your own price of the product you want to sell, then take the profits and pay the manufacturer the rest. So yeah that’s drop shipping in a nutshell. If you are interested in drop shipping, there are a ton of tutorial here on YouTube, that will show you the step by step guide of creating your store, finding products, advertising, finding influencers, and finally shipping and getting paid. It’s a bit complicated to start, especially in the beginning, but you can make a ton of money… with drop shipping. With that said, thank you for watching guys, please subscribe, enable notification and I will see you on the next one.

Top 10 Ways to Make Money Online

Are you tired of the 9-to-5 routine? Did our Worst Jobs video do nothing to make you feel better about your current employment? We may be able to help you, as always, with another great installment! This time, we’re tackling the top ten real ways you can make money online! These may not replace your full-time job immediately, but with a little time, patience and imagination, you could go create a career out of the comfort of your own home!

10. Online Psychic and Tarot Readings
Regardless of what you believe, there are those out there that swear by astrological readings, tarot cards, and psychics. That also means there are people out there that would pay others to provide said services, turning what some would consider ludicrous into a viable business. Via websites like Kasamba.com, alleged psychics can sign themselves up for paid live chat sessions and charge a specific amount per minute. Tarot readings are a bit more complicated to get started in, mostly because there are so many free services offered, but Craigslist has proved a viable starting point before moving onto your own online tarot reading service.

9. Online Surveys
Ever wonder how some companies make the decisions they do? Sometimes it’s an internal decision based off of figures and estimations, but consumer opinion can be a big part of change; but where would those opinions come from and how do  hey coax people to take the time to do a survey? Well, with online surveys and cash money, of course! There are plenty of websites that offer compensation for surveys, so much that the market is getting pretty saturated, but some sites are a bit more generous than others. If you aim to make some extra cash through online surveys, recommended sites include SwagBucks.com, OpinionOutpost.com, and Toluna.com, or for Android users, the app Google Opinion Rewards is a great way to earn a few bucks towards your Google Credit account.

8. Online Focus Groups
Like online surveys, online focus groups allow for convenient consumer and political research, but they require a bit more from the participants than clicking a few radio buttons. Rather than gathering a group of people in one location, though, everything is done in an online forum. As there isn’t much of an inconvenience to participants, not every online focus group pays, but if you’re looking for a quick buck, FocusGroup.com is a valuable resource. A moderator will steer the discussion, which is held over a web-based technology like WebEx and GoToMeeting, and you won’t have to deal with the awkwardness of face-to-face  iscussion.

7. Etsy
Feeling crafty and don’t know what to do with those 25 scarves you crocheted? You can try your luck at an arts and crafts show, spend the money to secure a table, and enjoy the blistering heat, or you can simply open an Etsy shop and sell your handmade product from the comfort of your own home. Members of the eCommerce site specialize in handcrafting unique items, leading to a community of over 1.6 million sellers and $2.39 billion in annual sales in 2015 alone. Additional to arts and crafts, Etsy also allows shops to carry vintage and antique items that are at least 20 years old.

6. eBay
Have a lot of junk that you think may be worth something? Since 1995, the online auction house has proved to be a fine means of unloading your unwanted stuff. While you’re free to sell just about anything you can find, those that have the potential to make the most money tend to either focus on limited collectibles, antiques or open their own eBay Store and specialize in stocking and selling anything from clothing to electronics to niche items like, uh, erotic postcards. One of the best ways to find stuff to sell on eBay is by visiting local thrift stores, garage sales and estate sales. Be sure to bring a device with an internet connection so you can price-check your lucky finds before you buy them!

5. Owning or Building a Website
Have a service you think you can offer? Is your mind filled with things that you’d love to throw out for the world to read? Think you have the know-how to turn an online space into an advertising mecca? You may want to shell out the minimal start-up cash to build yourself a website. Making money from a website is a long-term endeavor that takes a lot of patience and time, but if the formula can be perfected, your bank account can grow from ad revenue. If you are the creative type and know your way around Wordpress, or even better, can code, there are plenty of small brick-and-mortar and service companies looking to have a website built, and will often pay in the $1,000's.

4. Virtual Assistant
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, some jobs are able to leave the office setting and be done from the convenience of your home. One position, which offers the perks of a home setting and independence, is a virtual assistant. Much like an in-office assistant, virtual assistants act as a sort of liaison for a higher-up employee, scheduling meetings, fielding phone calls, performing research and record keeping, and partaking in conference calls and online meetings. Via e-mail, telephone calls, and online meeting software, virtual assistants communicate with fellow employees and not once do they need to slip into high heels or throw on a tie to get the job done.

3. Online Tutoring
Maybe you’ve pursued a career in teaching but find that it’s not at all what “younger you” thought it was cracked up to be. Maybe you’re in between teaching jobs or are just waiting for summer break to end. Whether the situation, your schooling doesn’t have to go to waste, especially not with online tutoring as a feasible alternative. Cutting out the need to deal with children in a face-to-face setting, online tutoring allows you to use your educational background to help people of all ages with homework, basic and advanced test prep, and general coursework. Even if you’re still pursuing a degree, so long as you’re a Sophomore in a 4-year degree program, sites like Tutor.com will consider you for an online tutor position.

2. Freelancing
If you have an ability to create something others may struggle with, such as an informative piece of writing, beautiful graphic logo, or piece of music, you could have a future as an online freelancer. Typically, freelancers are responsible solely for content, whether it be a company logo, website design or podcast theme song. Just knowing how to create something is one part of the battle as marketing yourself and finding clients can be far more frustrating and time-consuming. Websites like PeoplePerHour, Upwork.com, Fiverr.com and FlexJobs.com are vital resources for starting freelancers looking to remain and succeed in an online setting.

1. Own a YouTube Channel
It’s true, you can make quite a bit of money by owning and operating your own YouTube channel. What isn’t true is any inkling you may have that it’s easy to do. Many different factors go into what makes a YouTube channel successful, first and foremost being whether or not the idea is original and appealing. Though that doesn't mean you need any talent or expensive equipment, there are plenty of channels that have started or continue to use sub-par equipment, yet have a huge following. YouTube GradeAUnderA is a prime example - a channel that went from 50,000 to 2.8 million subscribers in just one year, utilizing only Microsoft Paint and Movie Maker to make his videos. YouTube is all about creativity and finding an audience that enjoys your content. Chances are if you find something funny, entertaining or educational, then someone else will too - so don't be afraid to start creating content and starting your career path on YouTube!