Billions in Costs Thanks to Pests

The FBI has the most wanted list, the homemaker has the 10 most unwanted list! The National Pest Control Association, a non-profit group made up of pest control companies specializing in rodent and insect control, says that the total amount of damage done by household pests each year may exceed $4.5 billion dollars. There are lots of pests that can have adverse effects on your family's long term health as well.

There does not seem to be a rhyme or reason to which homes are attacked by pests, whether they are clean or dirty. There is also the fact that many pests are no longer restrained by regional or seasonal conditions. Thanks to technology pests can find a comfortable home in your house all year round. Some pests, such as rodents, are affected by seasonal change and you will find an increase during the cold months as they seek warmth inside your home. There are many different ways that roaches may get into your home initially, like in bags.

While plenty of other pests will hitchhike on your clothes or shoes. Pest control is something you need to think about all year round, it does not matter the time of year of where you live. To really control pests in your home you need more than reactionary methods such as mouse traps or pesticide spray found at the local store. The unhelpful fact is pests live off exactly those things you yourself require to survive, warmth, food and water.

You are not going to be able to get rid of these appealing pest features entirely, so you will need to take some preventive actions. Take care to clean the areas where pests like to hide and reproduce, such as floor cracks, vents, baseboards, and beneath the stairs. Keep your house tidy and throw things you no longer need away, take the garbage out each day and do not let it build up.

A good preventative measure is to install screens over your windows and doors, make sure there are no cracks outside that can allow access to your home for small pests. #4 - Don't purchase large volume boxes of food and be sure to store any food that insects would invade in tight containers or plastic zip bags. Any time you have a spill, either food or drink, clean it up thoroughly. You should look particularly at produce packages.

When you use pesticides treat them with care, they are all dangerous chemicals that can cause harm if used incorrectly. Make sure that any pesticide you buy is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and that it is registered and approved for the intended use. If used according to the package instructions, you should be able to use these products without harming yourself or the environment. Closely read the labels before you buy the pesticide and follow the instructions to the letter. For instance, you do not want to put a cockroach pesticide on your garden to get rid of garden bugs.

Make sure to store unused pesticides and chemicals out of the reach of children. Be careful when you dispose of unused chemicals. If you think that you need a professional for your pest control solution, be sure to look up a quality provider in your area. Those who work for pest control services are made to learn the newest means of pest control and everything that needs to be done with pesticides, so they can tell you exactly what you need to do. A recently published booklet titled, "The Ten Most Unwanted Common Household Pests and What to Do About Them" is a great resource. This booklet is available for free with a minimal fee for shipping and handling.

As a person looking for homeimprovementpages.com.au/trade_professionals/Pest_Control pest control you should visit that site. Here is further info on homeimprovementpages.com.au/trade_professionals/Pest_Control pest controllers service.

Debt Consolidation - Pros and Cons of Paying of Debt with a Mortgage

With the new, tougher bankruptcy laws in effect, people are looking for alternate bill consolidation, loan consolidation and credit card consolidation solutions. Debt consolidation loans are one of the most popular ways for homeowners to consolidate their debts by means of mortgage refinancing (replacing an existing first mortgage with a new one), taking out a home greeneasylife.com equity loan (second mortgage) or taking out a home equity line of credit (HELOC). But, be careful to consider these pros and cons before signing on the dotted line.

Pros

· Interest paid to a mortgage may be used as a tax write-off, but, according to Bankrate.com, it could be limited in some situations.

· You have one payment to make versus many payments. This makes managing your finances easier because you'll know just how much you need to pay each month, and there's only one creditor to deal with versus many.

· The interest rates for home greeneasylife.com equity loan (second mortgage) and refinanced first mortgages are lower than most credit card interest rates.

Cons

· It generally takes longer to pay off a debt consolidation loan and it's more expensive long-term. Even though interest rates on a debt consolidation loan are lower, you're paying it for 10 to 30 years.

· You could end up in more debt than you already are. Chris Viale, general manager of Cambridge Credit Corp., a nonprofit credit counseling agency based in Agawam, Mass, says, "70 percent of Americans who take out a home greeneasylife.com equity loan or other type of loan to pay off credit cards end up with the same (if not higher) debt load within two years."

· If you can't keep up with the payments, the lender can foreclose and take your home because your home secures the loan.

Maria Ny is an experienced free-lance writer. She writes articles covering a broad range of subjects ranging from Bankruptcy Reform, Credit Repair to mortgage refinancing. Check out her informative articles online at bdnationwidemortgage.com Nationwide Home Equity Loans.

To learn more and get accurate rates quotes 2nd mortgages and home equity loans from loan professionals online please visit the loan resource center at bdnationwidemortgage.com/second_mortgage.html Second Mortgages or check out bdnationwidemortgage.com/debt-consolidation-mortgage.html Debt Consolidation Loans.

Helping an Elderly Parent Stay Safe - Adapting to New Responsibilities and Opportunities

"Recently I have noticed that Mom is slipping a little -- forgetting things that she used to remember easily, wearing clothes that are not clean or do not match, and needing help with her checkbook and bill payments. I want to help but the thought of parenting my parent feels uncomfortable and even a little scary to me. I don't want to aggravate Mom, but I know I have to start supervising her activities more so that she will stay safe and protected."

Although the process of children assuming parental roles with their parents has been occurring for most of human history, this fact is not very soothing to people who have to face the issue now. Acknowledging that our parents are declining and becoming more dependent on us for health and safety can be very difficult and stressful. After all, Mom and Dad were always there to care for us and support us through hard times and difficult decisions. How can it be that our "foundation" is disappearing and a role reversal is occurring before our very eyes?

Unfortunately, the transition from being a child to assuming a parental role with parents can be rocky. There are several reasons for this.

o Parents are not often willing to acknowledge that they need help, especially from children they have raised. It can be just as difficult for parents to move into child-like or dependent roles as it is for their children to become more parental with them.

o Unresolved issues and negative emotions from decades ago can often emerge due to the change in relationship from more distant or diffused where parents are more independent and children are managing their own lives to much more intimate where children must supervise the day-to-day activities of their parents.

o Knowing when and how to intervene in the lives of parents can be challenging and frustrating to their children. If children move too slowly to take more responsibility for their parents, harm may occur to their health or safety while moving too quickly can damage the confidence of their parents and encourage dependency when it may not be necessary.

o Children who live long distances from their parents may be unable to provide direct supervision. This creates feelings of guilt in children who do not believe they can do enough and also parents who think their children already have to do too much for them.

There are useful steps that children of aging parents can take to make their transition to parental responsibility more manageable and less stressful. Most senior care experts agree that doing nothing to address emerging care issues will only delay the inevitable for children and may put their parents at risk. Conversely, taking definite and measurable steps to properly identify the needs of parents and instigating appropriate actions or interventions will often help children gain more confidence in their abilities to help their parents. It will also ease anxiety in parents because they will understand what is going to be done to help them and why and reassure them that they will not lose all independence in their lives.

Steps that the children of aging parents can do to help them cope with declining physical and mental abilities and general quality of life are:

o Don't accept the notion that you are going to parent your parent. Parents have decades of experiences and knowledge and the pride of lifetime accomplishments behind them. It may be helpful to use techniques that you may have used with your children or that you know your parents used with you to redirect behavior. However, treat your parents with respect and as adults who happen to need some help.

o Help your parent focus on the things they can still do well while acknowledging the things they can no longer do without assistance. Find activities or responsibilities that your parent can do safely to maximize her independence and sense of control.

o Try to face any unresolved issues or negative emotions that may be interfering with your ability to help your parent. Talk with your parent about these issues and emotions if you can, or seek the assistance of counseling or a support group to help you manage the emotional discomfort and pain.

o Accurately assess the needs of your parent and identify interventions that address those needs with the least amount of disruption. If you are not sure how to do this, seek the help of professionals such as geriatric care managers or social workers who can diagnose problem areas and recommend appropriate actions.

o If you are unable to assist your parent due to living out of town or having other responsibilities, use the services of an appropriate happinesslifetime.com home care agency that can provide help for your parent while reducing your stress level and concern. Home happinesslifetime.com care agencies come in various forms, ranging from homemaker and companion care services to home health agencies that provide nursing and rehabilitation care. You can choose the service based on the level of care needed by your parent.

A good rule of thumb is to act on your intuition. If you believe your parent has declined to the point of needing extra assistance and supervision, you are probably correct. Also, remember that you are not alone in caring for your aging and declining parent and that there are resources available to help you.

Steve Watson has provided assistance to seniors and their families for over 8 years. He owns a home health agency in Tallahassee, Florida called Comfort Keepers that provides home health and companion care for seniors who want to remain in their own homes and be as independent as possible.

Steve has his PhD from the University of Georgia in Public Administration and Master's in Counseling from the University of Delaware. He received his certification as a Care Manager with specialization in geriatric issues this year.

If you are interested in learning more about how to help an elderly parent or other loved one remain active and healthy, check out this blog at qualityoflifefortheelderly-steve.blogspot.com qualityoflifefortheelderly-steve.blogspot.com or this web site at keepseniorsactive.com keepseniorsactive.com where you can, among other things, subscribe to an informative newsletter.

Radon - An Important Consideration Prior to Purchasing a Home

Homes may contain cracks in walls and floors, though these may not be a serious problem to the home's stability, other problems may be present. Something that can't be easily noticed and observed, especially by the naked eye could be working its way through the cracks and crevices. Actually, what people do not realize is that this invisible threat is possibly already present at their home. This threat is so harmful that it can cause lung cancer and is even ranked as the second leading cause in the United States.

The culprit is called Radon Gas. Just the fact it is a gas, gives cause for concern. In general, Radon Gas is formed from the decomposition of Uranium in the soil. This gas enters the home through the cracks or holes in the walls and floor of the home. Once the gas has entered the house, it will continue to accumulate and hang around. Usually, the gas hangs out in places like basements and other areas that are low and enclosed. Radon continues to accumulate until the gas reaches high levels that can cause toxicity. A safe level of 4 pico curies per liter is determined by the Environmental Protection Agency of the US Government. This is actually the average reading for a 48 hour period. When people are exposed to this gas for a long time, harmful effects are likely to happen.

How widespread is the problem of Radon? The Radon gas has been detected in all homes at 50 states. However, there are certain areas wherein Radon is more prevalent than others although no area is free of traces of Radon. The Radon found in these areas is either man-made or naturally occurring in the environment.  Homes that are built close to old mines are more susceptible to Radon; however, the best way to determine Radon contamination is to have your home tested.

There are two ways to test Radon - passive and active testing. For active testing, there are devices that measure the levels of Radon constantly in a specific area in the house and results are then displayed. However, for passive testing, samples are gathered over a long time and then mailed to a lab for further analysis. Any of these methods would alert you to the risks for Radon toxicity. There are also do-it-your-self kits for passive testing. This is done by leaving the test kit in the most susceptible area of the house to be able to gather Radon samples. The samples would then be carefully examined by an expert. Another option would be to hire an expert to conduct the testing and analysis. More information and resources can be found at the EPA website. ( epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html )

Once Radon concentrations are found at your home, it would be best to minimize it and prevent further contamination by sealing cracks and holes at your home. Ensure that the access points are effectively sealed through seeking the help of an expert. According to EPA, a homeowner would spend roughly $800 to $2500 for a radon mitigation system.

Radon is becoming a more important consideration if you're planning to buy a home. Here in Iowa, for example, Radon is very common.  Many relocation companies are now requiring homes to be tested for Radon. Having said that, many Iowans will accept the risk of Radon over Scorpions, Rattlesnakes, Tropical Storms.

Nigel Chapman, Certified Distressed Property Expert

515 321-8094

What Are the Issues Regarding Long Term Care and Long Term Care Insurance?

Q: Having lived and worked in NJ for over 30 years, my husband and I have built a healthy retirement nest egg. Our concern is one or both of us will ultimately need long-term care that will wipe out our savings. What are the issues regarding long-term care in New Jersey?  

The Problem - Cost of long-term health care. About half the population who will reach the age of 65 are expected to enter a nursing home at least once in their lifetime. A 55 year-old New Jersey resident is expected to pay over $300,000 for one year of nursing home care when they are likely to need it at the age of 80. Based on the average nursing home stay, total costs are expected to reach $1.3 million per person - easily wiping out a lifetime of savings for many families. New Jersey's long-term care costs are among the highest in the country.  

The Solution - Long Term happinesslifetime.com Care Insurance. Just a quick background on long-term care (LTC) and long term happinesslifetime.com care insurance. Let's start with what conditions would fall into the category of LTC: a prolonged physical illness, a disability, or a cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer's disease). The need for LTC is generally driven by the inability to perform one or more of the six activities of daily living (ADLs): 

bathing
continence
dressing
eating
toileting
transferring (getting out of bed)

LTC insurance is designed to cover the expenses of long-term care.  Before we dig into LTC insurance policies, let's dispel two common myths about publicly provided LTC.  

Myth 1 - Medicare Covers these Costs. Unfortunately, Medicare covers very limited circumstances in locations of Medicare's choice for a mere 100 days and may require the patient to pay a significant amount of coinsurance.   

Myth 2 - Medicaid Covers these Costs. Unfortunately, Medicaid covers long-term care in locations of Medicaid's choice for those who meet Medicaid's stringent financial requirements. 

Eligibility for Medicaid in New Jersey requires proof that the patient receives a very modest income and has insignificant assets beyond a limited amount of equity in their home. To avoid abuse, Medicaid eligibility includes a detailed review of a couple's combined assets and a five-year "lookback period" for spending down assets. Medicaid is designed to cover impoverished people.  

LTC insurance provides financial protection from the exorbitant cost of long-term care. Most policies cover the cost of care in a nursing home, adult day care center, assisted living facility or your own home. Most policies will cover the cost of care from a licensed agency, independent licensed professional or an unlicensed caregiver. 

While many people would choose to receive care in their home, they shiver at the thought of receiving assistance in bathing or toileting from a son, daughter or even a spouse. During this a challenging period in someone's life, LTC insurance gives the patient control of where they will receive care and by whom.  

Long-term happinesslifetime.com care insurance policies should be examined based on four key criteria:  

1. Elimination Period. This defines how long you will pay for your own care before the policy begins paying. The longer the elimination period, the lower the cost of the policy. A 90-day elimination period, which is common, could cut the policy price by 20%.  

2. Daily Benefits. This defines how large a benefit will be paid. For example, a $300 daily benefit policy will pay approximately $110,000 per year.  

3. Inflation Protection. This is a critical part of any policy. In order to keep up with the rising costs of LTC, most policies provide for 5% compounding of benefits. Without this compounding, your $300 daily benefit would not provide a great deal of coverage when you need it.  

4. Length of Coverage. Coverage lengths range from one year to an entire lifetime. A four-year length of coverage, which is common, could cut the policy price by 40% versus the cost of lifetime coverage.  

There are advantages provided to couples that purchase LTC insurance from the same company. Many insurers provide shared-care policies, providing a shared pool of benefits. Instead of having two policies that cover a five-year period, you wind up with ten years of coverage that can be utilized by one or both of you. Lastly, many adult children have purchased LTC insurance for their parents and loved ones once they realize all the benefits it provides.    

Action Step - Establish Long-Term happinesslifetime.com Care Insurance. Establishing LTC insurance immediately reduces the financial and psychological burdens that will ultimately plague most families when the need for long-term care arrives. Like most insurance, the earlier you start your policy the lower your cost of the policy.

Aaron Skloff, Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) is CEO of Skloff Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisory firm based in Berkeley Heights, NJ. He can be contacted at skloff.com skloff.com or 908-464-3060.

Revealed - Finding the Best Child Care Jobs

Although every mother yearns to personally take care of her children's needs, circumstances and conditions prevent her from doing so. As such, these mothers rely on baby sitters, nannies, and children's care centers for taking care of their babies' needs. Unlike the good old days, where mothers can afford to stay home and look after the kids; the economic difficulty that most families are experiencing today drives both the parents to work for a living. With this set-up, a number of child care jobs have emerged in the society.

Such jobs are not at all easy. Aside from the fact that these jobs require more than skills and expertise, finding the right people for these jobs is tedious. It is quite understandable that parents want credible and dependable nannies, baby sitters, and centers for their children. Perhaps the most important thing that parents look for in finding people, whom they can entrust their children with, is credibility.

Credibility is an important factor that parents should consider in finding nannies and baby sitters for their children. Determining the right person for the job is certainly not an easy thing to do. Some parents might be lucky enough if they could find friends or relatives to do the job for them, but not for some. Thus, these parents depend on agencies in finding the best people to take care after their children.

Child happinesslifetime.com care agencies are recruitment companies that focus on supplying staff and manpower for nurseries, children's centers, nurseries, and households. These agencies provide qualified, efficient, and reliable people for various needs. Moreover, these agencies guarantee quality services. However, because there are many agencies already, it is sometimes difficult choosing the best child care service provider. Here are some tips on finding the best child care jobs:

Credibility. Again, credibility is very important. The track record of the child care agency speaks for itself. If a lot of people have employed their services already, then the service must be guaranteed, and of quality.

Experience. Along with track record, is experience. Excellent child happinesslifetime.com care agencies would not have thrived over the years if these agencies were not patronized. Therefore, the number of years of experience of child happinesslifetime.com care agencies is one of the determining factors that you should consider.

Staff. The qualifications of the staff are just but the initial requirements in finding the best child care jobs. Attitude and virtues are also very important considerations in finding the best care for your children. More than anything else, seeing to it that the people who look after your children have more than just the knowledge and skills of taking care of children, but the heart and the right attitude as well.

Finding caringservicesagency.com childcare jobs is not hard with the internet around.