The oft-asked question is that at which age on the full age retirement chart should one begin collecting his/her Social Security benefits? The answer lies in what one's "full" or "normal" retirement age is. Earlier, one could begin collecting benefits, although reduced, at age 62 or one could wait until they were 65. Now, full retirement is according to the year one is born in and that makes the age anywhere between 65 and 67 years. If you wait it out, you end up getting a higher monthly check. If you take reduced benefits now, then you could offset reductions in many ways. How does one decide? Here's the aspects that one needs to consider: Putting it off Taking on benefits early can cost individuals. For instance, if one's full retirement age (FRA) is 67, then their reduced benefits are: - 6.7% if begun at 66, - 13.3% if begun at 65, - 20% if begun at 64, - 25% if begun at 63, and - 30% if begun at 62. Generally, the better thing is to postpone taking the benefits for as long as it is possible for one. One advantage is that delaying benefits keeps the monthly sums as large as possible and helps boost future income. For instance, if one's FRA is 66 and he delays taking benefits until he's 67, he'll get 108% of his monthly benefit. The same will jump to 132% if he waits until 70! A second advantage of delaying benefits is applying for Medicare at 65 years of age. Early benefits Early benefits could pay off too. Since no one can predict how long one will live, and if one is facing a problem where there is shortage of income and reduction in life expectancy, then taking Social Security benefits earlier can benefit. Only, one should budget for it. Another point to note is that it makes sense for married women to take early benefits, because they will outlive their husbands in all likelihood, but only if husbands don't take their benefits early. Calculating your break-even The break-even age is when the total value of the postponed higher benefits exceeds the total value of early lower benefits. However, one should understand that there is no one right age that suits everyone. One should consider their post-retirement plans and health and financial needs when it comes to calculating a start date for Social Security benefits.

Those who suffer from frequent joint pain and stiffness, regular joint exercises can give relief and also prevent joint pain from occurring again. Doing joint exercises can also prevent symptoms of arthritis, gout, and other illnesses associated with joints and muscles. Joint exercises ensure that there is sufficient movement of the joints; this improves the range of motion of the joints and lowers the risk of pain and stiffness. Such joint exercises also increase the muscle strength and improve the overall health of the person. Mood levels are elevated, and the quality of life also improves. Here are a few exercises that help to strengthen joints and prevent joint pain.

• Walking Walking is the best form of joint exercise. It is the simplest way of exercising all the joints of the body. There is no special training required, and it can be done anywhere. However, ensure that proper shoes are worn that give the necessary support to the feet. Wear clothes that let the skin breathe and sweat to evaporate. Walking also helps in weight loss, which alleviates strain on the joints, especially in the knees and lowers back. Walking is a low-intensity cardio exercise, which helps to improve the heart health as well.
• Swimming Swimming is an effective aerobic exercise that soothes joints and strengthens them. Muscle strength also increases with regular swimming. When done for at least 16 weeks, swimming or water-based aerobics exercises reduces the instances of joint pain. Regular swimming also helps in weight loss, improves sleep cycle, and balances mood.
• Cycling Cycling has smoother motions that make it an ideal joint exercise for people with joint pain and stiffness. Cycling for at least three times a week is recommended to improve joint movement, specifically in the legs. Cycling also helps to strengthen muscles of the calves and thighs. However, cycling is not advisable for people who have low strength in their hands since they will not have proper grip while pedaling and steering the cycle.
• Tai chi and yoga Yoga and tai chi exercises improve balance and coordination through a better body awareness. A person becomes conscious of the position of the joints and their movements during various activities. This awareness helps to prevent joint injury and reduce joint pain. The various exercises of yoga and tai chi also help to improve flexibility and range-of-motion of the joints. There is an improvement in the body posture while walking, standing, and sitting.

If you want to enjoy an excellent blend of supreme functionality and best attractiveness, you have to choose an electric fireplace heater. These types of heaters enhance the decorative touch of your room, and they warm the temperature to add the much needed much-needed coziness to a room. You cannot associate these benefits with other types of space heaters. Electric versions enhance the appearance of a fireplace and you do not have to worry about burning wood or gas. The bottom line is that electric versions do not bring any added costs or inconveniences like conventional fireplace heaters. Efficient and clean heating You need to ask yourself a good number of questions about fireplace heaters. It is necessary to know how they work. As the name suggests, the heat source is electricity and you do not need a chimney to vent smoke or fumes. The heat radiating from an electric heater is fully clean and fit does not contain any unhealthy materials like creosote, soot, carbon monoxide and soot. The efficiency of this heater is really supreme and the heat is released into the room directly in place of escaping through a chimney. Central heating systems often wastefully heat the entire home but the electric fireplace warms only immediate room where heat is required. Electric heaters go well with any space Conventional fireplaces are basically confined to large homes that have extra space and the chimney for installation. When it comes to an electric fireplace heater, you do not need a large space. You cannot install conventional heaters in an RV, boat, apartment or a high rise building, but an electric version can easily be installed in all these places. The look of these types of fireplace heaters is amazingly realistic and there are light bulbs for stimulating the smoldering of a fire really down to the glowing embers. Easy to install If you are worried about installation, electric fireplace heaters are the best option. The installation process is pretty simple. Most models comfortably go well with standard 120-volt home electrical circuits and you do not have to bother about any special wiring. Simple positioning of the unit serves the purpose. Electric fireplace heaters are highly portable and you can transport them one part of the room to another with absolute ease and comfort. When you use a conventional fireplace, you do not have proper control over the quantity of the heat generating from the fireplace. These heaters allow you to adjust the setting in an easy manner and you can control the heat based on your preference. Another feature is that you can turn off the heating function when needed and there is no need to worry about the wood to settle.

Do you find yourself rushing to work or class every morning? Hurrying to catch that bus that you always seem to miss? Stuffing your over-sized notebook into your bag as you run out the door only to have it stick out awkwardly? While we can’t possibly help you with the first two problems, we can definitely help you with the third.  Here’s a list of some of the most compact notebooks that will slip into your backpack or briefcase with no trouble.

• HP Elitebook Folio G1

As of January 4, 2016, HP’s 0.47-inch Elitebook Folio G1 is the world's slimmest and lightest business-class laptop computer. This ultra-thin notebook doesn’t compromise on its keyboard to gain this status. This includes the 12.5-inch UHD display, a couple of USB-C ports with Thunderbolt, Bang & Olufsen audio, and IR camera along with Windows Hello biometric authentication.

• Razer Blade Stealth

The 0.52-inch-thick Blade Stealth is all mobility and all power. While it doesn’t fall under the gaming notebooks category that Razer typically makes, it’s powerful for its size. Ultralight and ultra-thin, the 12.5-inch Blade Stealth sports dimensions of merely 13.1 x 321 x 206 mm and weighs just 1.29 kg, so you won’t feel like you’re lugging rocks around.

• Acer Aspire S7

The 0.5-inch thick Ultrabook looks absolutely stunning. This premium award-winning laptop computer runs your choice of 5^th Generation Core processor and offers a robust performance while not draining your battery. With a feather-light weight of 1.3kg, the Aspire S7 will slip into your bag without a whisper.

• Asus Zenbook UX305CA

The 0.5-inch thick and 1.17-kg light Asus Zenbook UX305CA is one of the best laptop computers when it comes to convenient portability. Its 13.3-inch display is great and supports resolutions of 1920 x 1080 pixels resolutions. What’s more; the battery is like gold, and when combined with the Core M processor, it gives you an unbelievable performance.

• LG Gram

If you want to buy laptops online and are very confused with the options available, the 0.5-inch LG Gram is a clear choice. It has a neat carbon magnesium and lithium magnesium body that offers durability and style and weighs only 0.97kg. The notebook has a 128GB SSD and an 8GB DDR3L SDRAM that packs a mighty performance.

Hearing aids are an investment that can go a long way in improving the quality of your life. Any person would obviously want to go for the best that they can afford. With Starkey hearing aids, you can be sure that you get the best value for money. Apart from the cost of raw materials involved in Starkey hearing aids, the Starkey hearing aid prices also include the service and maintenance cost that are incidental to selection and fitting of the hearing aid. The company ensures that you avail the services of well-qualified and trained professionals for selection and fitting of your equipment. The price also covers long-term maintenance and adjustments that your hearing aid may require. Starkey hearing aids prices are commensurate with the best in the industry when you take into account the benefits that accrue by opting for Starkey. Another thing to keep in mind is that Starkey hearing aids’ prices would also depend on the styles and features that you choose. In case you want to spend a substantial amount on picking the best equipment, get to know about the financing plans from your hearing professional. In addition, check with your insurance providers as most of them have discounts to make your purchase easier on the pocket. How to take care of your Starkey hearing aids Any medical equipment requires a certain degree of care and maintenance, which helps you save on repairs and replacements in the long-term. While routine maintenance is best left to professionals, there is a lot you can do to keep your equipment in top shape. Here are some tips for cleaning and maintaining your Starkey hearing aid.

• Most repairs involving hearing aids are caused by logging of wax or foreign material into the internal components of the hearing device. Therefore, it is essential to wipe clean your hearing aid every day. Use a clean, dry and soft cloth to wipe off your hearing aid each morning, when the dry wax is easier to remove. Also clean the hearing aid tubing regularly with the standard tools that come along with the equipment.
• Do not use wet wipes or any kind of tissues that have lotions for cleaning.
• Do not wipe the microphone ports.
• Water, humidity, condensation, or perspiration can damage your hearing aid. However, if you accidentally spill water over your hearing aid, it is best to take it to a professional as soon as possible.
• With regular use, the earmold tubing collects moisture by condensation of warm moist air from the ear canal. Regularly check the earmold canal for any sign of moisture. Remove the tubing from the ear hook and use a tube blower to dry out the tubing at home.
• Your hearing professional would advise you to store your hearing aid in a dehumidifying container at night. This keeps them safe and moisture-free. Ideally, leave the battery doors of your hearing aid open to increase battery life and to allow air to flow through the device. If you are using a dehumidifying container, remember to go through the safety and service manual that comes with it.
• In case of accidental physical damages to the equipment, it is best to seek professional services for any repairs or replacements.
• Avoid using damaged equipment, as there may be sharp edges, which can hurt your ear or affect the quality of sound.

If you are in search of some excellent and durable hearing aids, check out the range of Starkey hearing aids, the prices of which may be on the higher end, but will be worth every penny. And remember to take care of your equipment through regular cleaning and maintenance.

Fixed income investments pay high returns after a period of time even if payment amounts vary. Individual fixed income investments are widely favored for their security. You can consider this investment regardless of whether your aim is to do some savings for future, receive dependable income, or diversify your investment portfolio. Fixed income investments can help you preserve the principal amount and minimize taxes to reach individual financial goals. What Is Fixed Income Investment? Fixed income investments get their name from their working principle. They're devised in such a manner so they earn you a fixed amount of money after a period of time. Common variants of fixed income investments include agency bonds, government and treasury bonds, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities. They also include certificates of deposit, securities, and preferred stocks. What Are The Different Types Of Fixed Income Investments? There are various types of fixed income schemes available in the United States. Weigh all your options before investing in them. Here are some of the most sought after investment plans. Individual Bonds: Bonds pay a set schedule of fixed interest payments along with an assurance to pay off the whole money at maturity. Bonds are issued by a number of companies, including government agencies, the U.S. treasury, municipalities, and corporations. Exchange Traded Funds And Bond Funds: Mutual funds and exchange traded funds are some professionally managed investment schemes in the country. They're made of a diversified mix of underlying securities. You can find some investment plans with low minimum amounts. Certificates Of Deposit: Certificates of deposits, commonly known as CDs, are a type of bank deposit that pay a specified amount of interest for a period of time. Rest assured that the total sum invested would be returned to you at the time of maturity. CDs are generally insured by the FDIC, which adds another layer of security to it. Preferred Securities And Stock Funds: These are a particular class of stock which pays off fixed dividends or interest amount to shareholders. You can get the benefit before the dividends are paid to the general shareholders. You can access these fixed amount investments through the corporations. The prime advantage of stock bonds and preferred securities is that they have the properties of both bonds and stocks. Managed Accounts: A managed account is a type of portfolio of all the personal securities you own. The securities are selected for management on the basis of some discretion by an asset management form. Each of these fixed income investments has their own set of benefits and terms and conditions. You can choose one according to your individual financial goals and start investing.