States that are tax friendly to retirees

Retirement often brings about a significant decrease in income and that income may be fixed. That makes it important to be in a state that is tax-friendly to retirees. Federal taxes will be the same no matter what state you live in. The things that need to be considered, are the rate of state income tax accessed, local taxes, any exemptions for retiree pensions and Social Security and the rate of sales tax in the state. All of these combine to make a state either friendly or unfriendly for retirees. Some stats are just friendlier than others.

Alabama 

Alabama is one of the friendliest states for retirees. In addition to a wonderful climate, its state sales taxes of 4 percent is among the lowest in the country. One thing that isn’t friendly in Alabama is the fact that food is also taxed but the good news is, prescriptions aren’t and that is an important consideration for retirees. Homeowners are exempt from state property tax if they are disabled or make less than $12,000 and most pensions and social security are not taxed. The state income tax ranges from 2-5 percent. Local municipalities may have their own property taxes so it is important to research before moving there but the fact that Alabama has no inheritance taxes is another feature that makes it a popular retirement choice. 

Alaska 

If you don’t mind long dark winters and short summers, Alaska can be a paradise for retirees. The state has no income tax and no state sale tax. Municipal sales tax averages out to about 1.7 percent. Real estate property taxes are about 1 percent but home prices can be a bit high. Perhaps that permanent resident dividend payment from Alaska’s vast oil wealth account which for 2014 was more than $1800 per person will help offset that.

Delaware

Delaware has no sales tax which is a major bonus. State income tax is on the higher side, however, ranging between 2.2 and 6.95 percent. Exemptions are offered, however, and Social Security is one of them. A $12,500 exemption for residents over 60 for pensions and investment income is also available. Additional tax credits that the retiree may qualify for are offered. Real estate qualifies for a variety of taxes. In Delaware, renting may be the best option for a retiree.

Pennsylvania

The north is not known as a retiree-friendly area for the most part. Pennsylvania is an exception. It has a 6 percent sales tax which is higher than Alabama but it also does not tax food, clothing, prescription and non-prescription drugs and fuel for heating. Social Security and pensions are also exempt from state income tax which is a flat rate of 3.07 percent. Property tax is determined on the local level and can be quite steep depending on the area, large urban areas being on average higher. All in all, when living on a pension, Pennsylvania is quite a friendly place for retirees to choose. 

Wyoming

If you are looking for a quiet place where your money will go a long way in retirement, look no further than Wyoming. Wyoming has no state income tax and the sales tax is a low 4 percent. Right off the bat, you will have more money in your pocket. Retirement income is not taxed at all on the state or municipal level. What there will be is personal property tax and of course, this can be avoided by renting but there are exemptions if you choose to own making this arguably the best state for retirees in the United States.

Many things can make a place good for retirement, taxes is certainly one of them. These five states are places that every senior should consider when it is time to retire especially if money is a serious consideration.

Helping kids make healthy food choices

When children are born, they are a blank canvas. Much of what they learn comes from their parents, siblings and the people around them. Getting your kids to make healthier food choices starts very early in their lives.

They will take many cues from you. If you scrunch up your face when you are feeding them their peas and spinach, you can be sure that they will be registering that information. You also need to be vigilant if you have a caregiver that they are on the same nutrition page as you are.

Some children refuse to try new foods and are adamant in their tastes even as small children. Getting them to make healthier food choices is going to be challenging but with the proper attitude on your part, it can be achieved.

First, keep junk food out of your house. If it isn’t a choice between a cookie and a piece of fruit it will be much easier to make healthy food choices a way of life. Potato chips have little nutritional value and way too much salt to be a healthy choice unless you make your own.

Potatoes are nutrition powerhouses. You can start your children choosing yogurt, fresh vegetables and air-popped popcorn over fatty, artificial and salty snacks as soon as they understand what snacking is all about. For older children, having nuts to snack on is an excellent healthy choice.

How you eat yourself, will determine the type of eater you child/children will be. Do you understand the food pyramid? Do you think it is where the pharaohs were buried? If you don’t make healthy good choices your children won’t either.

You can still enjoy fast food. There are plenty of ways to make fast food meals healthy. At Panera Bread for instance, with your sandwich, you have a choice of sliced apple or potato chips.

At home, you can make it a rule that every food that is placed on your child’s plate needs to at least be tasted. Carrots especially make a very healthy snack. If you place a variety of food before your child they will try a variety of foods. If they hate zucchini they may love tomatoes and cucumbers.

Try to offer whole grains over white. Using whole wheat pasta, brown rice and stone ground wheat flour will add lots of extra nutrition to your child’s diet without denying them some of their favorite foods. Little children need fat in their diet so whole milk is the correct choice but as they get older you can switch easily to low-fat milk. Lots of healthy alternatives to the things that kids love to eat are available.

Your child’s diet is in your hands. When it comes to getting kids to make healthy food choices, your job is to offer them healthy choices and help them understand the lifelong benefits of making healthy food choices.

If you concentrate on providing them with healthy food from which to choose, you may find that your own diet will improve as well as your health.

What to consider when choosing a family doctor

When it comes to choosing a family doctor, there are many things that you need to consider. You are entrusting the health of yourself and your entire family to someone who is a complete stranger. How do you make sure that you are making the correct choice? Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Ask for advice

Talk to your family, co-workers, and friends. Find out who their doctor is and what they like about them. Also, ask them things they don't like. Are phone calls returned? Does the office overbook? Does the doctor encourage you to ask questions? Will you feel comfortable giving control of your medical treatment to this person?

Does this doctor have a good bedside manner? While being a good doctor is more important than having a good bedside manner, it is also important for your peace of mind to feel that your doctor knows and cares about you.

Do your research

Go to the AMA  website and make sure that the physician you are considering is a member. The American Medical Association can provide basic information on the doctor you are considering. Go to your state's medical board online. You will be able to see if they have been sued for malpractice or censured for any type of questionable conduct. This can be very important especially if you see a pattern of patient complaints.

See for yourself

Make a visit to the doctor’s office. Just seeing the office can tell you a lot about not only the doctor but the office staff. Is the office clean, does the staff welcome you when you come into the waiting room? Is the waiting room filled to overflowing?

These are all things you will want to consider. Keep in mind that the staff is equally as important as the doctor. Often you have much more contact with the nurse and the receptionist than you do with the actual doctor.

Taking on a whole group

Is the doctor you are considering in a single practice or part of a larger group practice? Both of them have their positives and their negatives. If you only see one doctor on every visit there is more chance they will get to know you, however, what happens when they go on vacation? You will be seeing someone who has never seen you before.

Convenience

Where is the office located? Is it easy for you to get to and easy to find parking? These are two very important things to consider. Is it close to the lab where the doctor may send you for tests? Can you get there using public transportation? All these are considerations you have to take into account. What are the office hours, do they offer Saturday or evening hours for "well" visits? Who covers the late night and early morning hours?

Insurance issues

These days, one of the most important considerations is, does this doctor accept your insurance and on the flip side does your insurance allow you to choose this doctor. You may want to get a list of local physicians who are accepted by your insurance company before you even begin to think about who you would like to use.

At the end of the day, you may just have to make the best choice possible and hope it is a good fit. If it isn't, don't be afraid to go out and try to find a doctor who does meet your needs. Shopping for a doctor is really just like shopping for anything else. You don't have to settle, you can change your mind and you can move on to a new doctor. You have choices and it is your right to make them.

Logical reasons to buy a home

You walk in the front door and fall in love at first sight. You don't notice the outdated electrical and plumbing but the wonderful fireplace has your full attention. You are having a love affair with this new home and logic has flown out the window. Hold on there, it's time to rein in those emotions and take a more logical approach. Here are a few logical reasons to buy a house.

Investment

Buying a home is usually a solid investment strategy. I say usually because we have all seen the results of the home buying fiasco that was created when people overbought. When buying a home you should keep your budget and financial means in mind. That involves not assuming that next year you will be getting a big promotion or a raise and that you will be able to afford the massive mortgage that would the life out of you right now. In today's world, we can't even be sure we will have a job next year.

Take a close look at what you are paying for rent. If you can purchase a home for the amount you are paying for rent then it is a good investment because you will be able to claim your taxes and interest on your income tax. You also should have a six-month safety net of saving to cover expenses in the worst-case scenario.

Downsizing

Another good and logical reason to buy a home is that your current home is just too large and you would like to get into one that more perfectly fits your needs. Americans have gone through a phase of bigger is better and for many of them, it was too much of a good thing. More space cost more to heat and cool and other than impressing your neighbors serves no real useful purpose. Whether you sleep in a room that is 10 by 15 or 25 by 30 is quite irrelevant to the actual sleep process.

You need space

Is your current abode bursting at the seams? If you have to sleep three or four children in a bedroom, it might be time to consider buying a home or if you only have one bathroom for a family of six. When children become teens, it is often hard to survive with only one bathroom. Owning your share of the American dream

For many Americans owning their own home is a sign of success, of having made it. While this is a good and logical reason given the tax benefits of home ownership it has to be done with a lot of thought and careful planning.

Not having to answer to a landlord, being able to have outdoor space, having a party and not having the neighbors banging on the ceiling or floor are all good reason to own a home. Owning a home gives you a real sense of freedom, with a few strings attached.

Just remember that home ownership comes with its own set of rules and you will need to maintain your new home. You won't be able to call the landlord to fix any problems and you will have to make that monthly mortgage payment. On the upside thirty years from now, you will be truly able to call it your home.

If you are really lucky, you will find many logical reasons to make that home you fell in love with the home you grow old in.