Gone are the days when the working class in the country could get the Social Security or an employee pension plan to cover the costs incurred in their later years. Today, planning for retirement has become imperative. There are numerous options out there for individuals to save better to live comfortably later in life. The thumb rule is not sticking to a single plan or putting all your eggs in one basket: Pensions All you need to do is stay in the job long enough to qualify for pension, retire and collect the money which the employer contributes and which are professionally managed. However, pension plans are most common for government/municipal workers, rather than those in private ones, and mostly aren't adjusted for cost-of-living. So, you may need to supplement this plan with another one. Defined Contribution Plans According to most financial advisors, these are some of the best retirement plans because they are offered by employers who match a certain portion of the employees' contributions. It requires very little effort since employee contributions are deducted from their paycheck. Since contributions are almost an equal match, it's close to 100% return on your money, and with plans such as the 401k or the 403b, people are in control of their future. Roth IRAs Roth IRAs are retirement accounts funded with taxed dollars where individuals enjoy the advantages of tax-free withdrawal and growth. One can even combine Roth IRAs with other plans such as a 401k to churn out a well-balanced plan that allows them to make both before-tax and after-tax contributions. However, Roth IRA has contribution and eligibility limits that depend on an individual's tax filing status and modified adjusted gross income. Traditional IRAs Traditional IRAs have the same contribution limits as Roth IRAs, but without the eligibility and income restrictions. These plans work best for people who have less time left to retire, since one can enjoy the benefits of tax-deferred growth and tax-deductible contributions. SEP IRAs This is one of the best retirement plan choices for the self-employed such as sole proprietors or freelancers. The contribution is huge, cost is lower and the plan is easy to administer and manage. Good income combined with very less tax deductions amounts to a large amount off your tax bill, and a lesser income means no contribution. Social Security Social Security is said to benefit 39% of the older American populace's income, with 9 out of 10 people over 65 years of age receiving Social Security. Despite the hype and hoopla surrounding it, Social Security is still relevant and important, with timing being everything. Real Estate If you haven't saved enough or at all, real estate is a great option. However, one must be warned that with higher returns comes a greater risk.

Buying furniture is a huge investment and at the same time, it is time-consuming. On occasions, purchasing furniture can take a huge hit on your finances. Moreover, you might have to incur miscellaneous expenses related to delivery charges or installment. If you are facing a financial crunch, then you can try rent-to-own furniture. Rent-to-own is nothing but leasing furniture for a stipulated period. It can be ideal for both short-term and long-term use. Here are some benefits of choosing rent-to-own furniture.

• Inexpensive Good-quality furniture often comes with hefty price tags. The biggest advantage of rent-to-own furniture is getting quality furniture within your budget. Moreover, leasing furniture can save you from making hasty decisions. For instance, if you have recently moved to a new city and have limited resources, you might settle for low-quality furniture. This might be quite inconvenient in the long run. As an alternative, renting furniture will give you enough time to collect some money to buy your own.
• Minimal accountability Owning furniture means that you have to be responsible for its maintenance too, which at times can be an expensive affair. Thankfully, most rent-to-own furniture businesses take care of the maintenance. So, if something goes wrong, you can immediately call them, and they will repair or replace it. However, it is important to remember that every rent-to-own company will have their terms and conditions regarding damage caused due to irresponsibility.
• Short-term convenience If you are moving to a place for a few months or just a year, then it makes more sense to lease furniture than to buy it. For example, if you have moved for work, you might just require a bed, a desk and a few chairs in your apartment. Purchasing furniture will be a waste of your resources. Furthermore, when you are moving back, managing the sale or hauling of this furniture can get unnecessarily cumbersome. Instead, opting for rent-to-own furniture will be more affordable and reliable.
• Flexibility Some consumers might frequently like to experiment with their interior style. Purchasing new furniture every year might not be monetarily feasible, however, you can avail this option when you are using rent-to-own furniture. Some businesses allow you to upgrade your furniture in every few months. However, this option might be only accessible to clients who are a part of the one-year renting contract.

The following are some of the popular rent-to-own furniture stores.

• Aaron's
• Atlantic Bedding and Furniture
• ColorTyme Rent-to-Own
• Sears Lease It
• Conn's Home Plus
• Kmart's Lease-and-Go
• FlexShopper
• Buddy's Home Furnishings

Skin itchiness is one of the worst irritating diseases. It causes discomfort and often, it can be painful as well. It is best to treat it as soon as possible. The first way to tackle this is by knowing which itchy skin symptoms you have. Your itchy skin symptoms may include blisters, redness, white flaky skin or simply dry skin. There are some other reasons why your skin is being itchy; the best way to treat it is by consulting a doctor. Along with prescribed medications, you can also follow certain home treatments to alleviate itchy skin symptoms.

• High-quality or medicinal moisturizers: Moisturizers are the best solution for itchy skin symptoms. As the most common cause for itchy skin is dryness, moisturizers help to trap the moisture and keep your skin soft and hydrated. Be sure to use good quality moisturizers over the itchy skin or use medicinal grade moisturizers available at a drug store.
• Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera is the best plant-based product for your skin. Even though turmeric is good as well, but nothing comes close to aloe vera. You can use the fresh gel extracted from aloe vera or buy organic aloe vera gel from a store. Apply it over the itchy areas, and you will get relief quickly.
• Oatmeal: These aren’t just good for your health, but are great itching remedy as well. Colloidal oatmeal is made from oats that have been ground into a very fine powder. This is often used in itch-guard soaps and lotions. Or you can prepare a cool bath by dissolving the powder in your bathtub.
• Antihistamines: Chemicals in the body like histamines are responsible for allergy-like symptoms, including itching. Antihistamines are drugs that treat this condition. These are easily available at any drug store. But have them under medical supervision.

Buying a new computer can be incredibly expensive, given the significant investment it requires. Also, the amount of choice available in terms of prices and configuration can make the whole process of buying a new device very overwhelming. Shoppers often make mistakes when buying a new computer, especially those who are less tech-savvy. In this article, we’ve listed a few common mistakes you can avoid when buying a new computer. Purchasing a computer that does not meet your needs Before buying a computer, it is important to determine your needs, whether you want to use it for home, work, or gaming. There is no reason to buy a computer with tons of RAM if you are not going to use it for heavy workloads or gaming. Shoppers often spend more money on features that they do not need. Before buying, you must list all the features you need and purchase the best one that meets your needs. Not thinking about other costs If you buy a gaming computer, be aware of what is included in your purchase. Most computer software is accessible on a trial basis, and you would need to pay after the trial period ends. It is best to look for deals where software is included in the price to help save money. For example – many computers come standard with Windows 10. Again, shoppers often forget to buy antivirus software, a must-have when buying a computer. Some computers may come with a 90-day free virus scanner; if you want to use it, it is best to purchase the updated software. Paying for an extended warranty Most computers come with a 1-year warranty, and it is better to skip the extended warranty when buying a new computer. Extended warranties are available for a fee, and companies profit significantly from them. It is not worth buying an extended warranty because the chances of needing a repair in a new computer are very low. Also, even if something happens, the cost of repairs will be less than the cost of an extended warranty. Spending too little or too much Many shoppers tend to underspend and later regret it as it is likely to have fewer features than they need. There are many computers on the market, giving you many options to select from. With some research, you can easily find a computer that offers the best value for your money. You can probably opt for something inexpensive if you need a computer for basic tasks. But hardcore gamers may need a pricier computer with the latest processor and large storage. Instead of buying immediately and paying a lot, browse through dozens of websites and find promotional offers from time to time. Not buying the right OS for your needs There are several operating systems to choose from when buying a computer, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Chrome OS. Each has its advantages, and you must decide which one you want depending on your needs. Many shoppers often end up with macOS despite being a power user resulting in headaches later. macOS is usually best for those who want a computer for basic tasks, while Windows is a better choice for any other work. Focusing on only the processor Though choosing a suitable processor is very important, other factors should also be considered while buying a computer. This includes clock speed, thermal design power, cache size, and the brand- Intel or AMD. For example, an Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 will work well for a casual user as each has 6 cores and 65-watt TDP. For a gamer, an Intel Core i7 or i9 or AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 would be a go-to choice. They have eight cores and offer great single-thread and multi-thread performance for ultimate gaming performance. When buying a new computer, thoroughly research the available options, and choose the one with enough memory and processing speed ideal for your needs.

If you have a serious medical condition, you would know how important it is to be alert and cautious about what you eat and what you indulge in. But have you ever thought what would happen if you become unconscious and your friends who know about your condition aren't around you? That is a risk you should never agree to. So, the smart thing to do is always wear a medical alert bracelet. Medical alert bracelets are for medical emergencies, where the patient can convey his condition and correct treatment to the bystander who finds him or the paramedic through his wrist bracelet. Imagine the time that gets saved if the paramedics know exactly how to treat you, by just a quick glimpse at your medical alert bracelet. Read more to know what to keep in mind while you make a medical alert bracelet for yourself. The message engraved on the medical alert bracelets need to be short, concise and at the same time informative.Here are some tips for those who want to know what to engrave on their medical alert bracelets: The most important thing to mention is your illness or condition. Make sure to use a big font so that the first responders can read it easily. Add one emergency contact for them to notify. Mention your food or drug allergies so that the doctor keeps them in mind while he or she treats you. It is advisable to mention if you take any medication regularly to avoid a case of drug interaction. Since the traditional medical alert bracelets have limited space, use abbreviations to save space. You can simply write COPD instead of writing Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. You can also include your doctor's name in the bracelet. You can also add a short message like 'Check wallet' to direct the person to your purse or wallet where you carry your medical card with all your medical reports. The best thing to do is to ask your doctor what you should get engraved on your bracelet. You can usually engrave about 40 characters in medical alert bracelets, so think before you engrave. Today, you have so many options when it comes to choosing a bracelet. There are different shapes, sizes, and colors of bracelets to choose from for both men and women. So, pick a bracelet that suits your personal style and remember to wear it every day.

There’s nothing like the time when the holiday season finally comes around. You get to spend time with your family after months of waiting and working hard with the decoration and planning. You get the festive feeling only when you start decorating your home. A large part of the shopping is done to buy holiday home decor or wall decor items. Or better yet, you can creatively reuse what you already have at home. Bring out the lights Holidays are a time of joy, and light all around your house will definitely bring out the festive feeling. Holiday home decor is incomplete without Christmas lights and candles. Find those candles that you have been stashing away for years and place them all around the house for a warm and cozy feeling. Wall decor You use the holiday season as an excuse to get new wall decor items. Find those precious pictures that you think about often and put them up in frames on the wall. You can make the frames yourself or even ask your children to help you with them. You can frame your family's pictures if you haven't done that already or make a collage to decorate the walls. Nothing spells home like personalized holiday home decor. The table Make use of all the china pieces that have been at the back of your cupboards all year long. Nothing says holidays more than the fancy clink of glasses. You can serve all your delicious dishes in these bowls to celebrate with your family and friends. If you think that you don’t have enough, you can always shop online for more. Most stores offer attractive discounts during the holiday season. Other items to reuse Find all the precious drawings and art around the house and use the holidays as an excuse to showcase them. Something even as small as a ribbon can be tied to chairs to bring out the festive feeling. You can use your old wine crates and prop your tree on it to elevate its height. Use all the cushions you can find and cover them up in festive-themed colors. Use all the small ornaments you have lying around to decorate your home for the holidays. Be it on the tree, the mantle, or as wall decor. Creatively repurposing the items you have is the most recent and personalized way to go about your holiday home decor. These are just a few ideas about decorating your house for the holidays. If you look around closely, your creative side is bound to surprise you and your family with more holiday home decor ideas.