How To Give The Gift Of Fine Jewelry
Fine jewelry is one of the most luxurious and exquisite gifts that you can give for a holiday or a special occasion. However, picking out the perfect piece for a loved one isn’t always easy. Everyone has their own unique tastes when it comes to fine jewelry, so choosing a piece that the recipient will wear often requires full knowledge of that person’s style and preferences. The temptation is often to spend the most possible money, with the idea that the larger the precious stones the more beautiful the jewelry will be. However, more often than not, a smart choice is not always the most expensive item, but is the item that best suits the wardrobe and the eye of the person who you are shopping for.
If you are planning to purchase a piece of fine jewelry, it is a good idea to make time for several trips to more than one store so that you can have the time you need to compare prices and styles across several different vendors. Before you set off on your shopping trip, try to make a thorough examination of the kinds of jewelry your intended recipient already owns. This will keep you from making a redundant purchase, but more importantly it can give you a guide that will help you choose the perfect piece or set of fine jewelry. Make notes about what kind of stones are most prevalent in the existing set of jewelry. Although many women and men enjoy having a wide variety of stones, it is often a good idea to choose a piece that will match well with earrings, necklaces, and rings that person already owns. If you discover a jewelry box that is already filled with rubies, for example, you would probably do well to choose an item that includes rubies so the recipient can wear the item with matching pieces that are already a part of his or her regular jewelry repertoire. Also notice whether the person you are shopping for tends to prefer single large stones that make a bold statement, or whether his or her collection includes mostly items that combine many small stones for a more delicate and refined look.
If you are not terribly knowledgeable about jewelry styles in terms of modern versus classical settings, avant garde versus conservative pieces, or any of the other spectrums along which fine jewelry falls; pictures can provide a valuable tool in helping you make your purchase. Take simple snapshots or Polaroid photos of some of the recipient’s favorite items, and bring them with you when you shop. A salesclerk with a trained eye will probably be able to glean important information from these pictures, and will then be able to steer you towards pieces of fine jewelry that are similar in terms of style. This can help you make sure that the money you spend on fine jewelry as a gift is money well spent, because the more specifically a piece suits the taste of the recipient, the more often he or she will be likely to wear it.
Kerri Stalton is a featured writer for FineJewelryRUs. To learn more about custom jewelry and high end jewelry, visit us today.
Long-Term Care Insurance: Eldercare Solution
When I suddenly had to become a fulltime caregiver to my elderly parents, both with health problems and starting to develop dementia (namely Alzheimer’s), I had never even heard of Long-Term Care Insurance. After we burned through their life savings, and then started chipping away at mine, I was advised to apply for financial assistance for them through the government’s Medicaid system–a program for those at the poverty level. It was quite a long process with mounds of paperwork and numerous investigations, but finally my parents were approved.
I was so happy that monetary help would finally be on the way, until I discovered that the financial assistance would only pay to put my parents in a nursing home, not even in Assisted Living, and with very little help to keep them in their own home.
Since their levels of care were so different (my mother needed most things done for her), there weren’t any facilities that would allow them to be together. They’d be across the street from each other in different wings of the home. After fifty-five years of marriage, my parents were adamant about wanting to be together in their own home, in their own bed, where they could continue to cuddle and kiss–as they so frequently did. And, since my father was so “difficult” with a terrible temper and quite a long record of manipulative disruptive behaviors, the homes didn’t want to deal with him anyway.
It was challenging, but I committed to keeping my parents in their own home and attending Adult Day Health Care five days a week. Then, with the help of two marvelous caregivers, after four more years of loving each other–they passed, just a few months apart. Even though caring for every aspect of my parents’ last years was the hardest thing I have ever done–I am proud to say I gave them the best end-of-life I possibly could.
Had I only known to insist that we buy Long-Term Care Insurance for them prior to their illnesses–their years of in-home care could have been paid for, and I could have saved myself so much heartache, not to mention a small fortune. I encourage you to learn from my mistake and look into LTC insurance long before you need itfor your loved ones as well as yourself. Like fire insurance, hopefully, you’ll never have to use it.
Also, call your local Area Agency on Aging, or Department of Aging, and ask if there are any financial programs, waivers or grants available in your area that you can apply for.
STARTLING STATISTICS
An estimated 4.5 to 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. In a Gallup poll, 1 in 10 Americans said that they had a family member with Alzheimer’s, and 1 in 3 knew someone with the disease.
Increasing age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s. One in 10 individuals over 65 and nearly half over 85 are affected. Rare, inherited forms of Alzheimer’s can even strike individuals in their 30’s and 40’s.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease will live an average of eight years and as many as 20 years or more from the first onset of symptoms.
More than 7 out of 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease live at home, where family and friends provide 80 percent of their care. The estimated value of this informal care is $257 billion annually.
One half of the U.S. population has a chronic condition. More than one quarter (26.6%) of the adult population provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend, which translates to more than 50 million people.
37% of caregivers are living in the same household as the person they care for. 54% are between 35 and 64 years of age. 59% of the adult population either is or expects to be a family caregiver, and 2 million more caregivers will be needed in the next twenty years.
An estimated 43% of Americans age 65 or older will spend time in a nursing home. By 2012, 75% of Americans over age 65 will require long-term care. Long-term care costs are rising at 6% annually.
The annual cost of Alzheimer’s care in the U.S. is at least $100 billion, and will soar to at least $375 billion by mid-century, overwhelming our health care system and bankrupting Medicare and Medicaid.
Alzheimer’s disease costs American business $61 billion a year, which is equivalent to the net profits of the top 10 Fortune 500 companies. $24.6 billion covers Alzheimer health care, and $36.5 billion covers costs related to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s, including lost productivity, absenteeism and worker replacement.
THREE WAYS TO PAY FOR LONG-TERM CARE
1. Pay for in-home caregivers and assisted living/nursing homes out of pocket. This is expensive and can often deplete a family’s life savings.
2. Meet a very specific poverty level and qualify for government assistance through the Medicaid program. Unfortunately, options are limited, only paying for nursing homes that accept Medicaid.
3. Buy a Comprehensive Long-Term Care Insurance policy. This protects your family’s assets from the rising costs of caring for someone who needs full time care. An employer might pay the tax-deductible premiums. Consider buying it at a younger age, when more affordable and accessible. It must be bought before a major illness strikes. Medicare and regular health insurance does not pay for long-term care. The average cost for a person who needs long-term care is $40-$70,000 annually, depending on where you live, plus the cost to the family caregiver who may have to leave their job.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR INSURANCE AGENT
–Is the coverage comprehensive, meaning it includes all levels of care: in the home, assisted living, board & care, and nursing/dementia facilities?
–What is the daily benefit?
–Is there 5% annually compounded inflation protection?
–What is the elimination period?
–Is it a lifetime benefit period or a limited time benefit policy?
–Is there a spousal discount?
–Can you hire caregivers privately as well as from an agency?
–Is the home care benefit based on a daily, weekly or monthly maximum, and if the benefit is not used, can it be used in the future?
–Does it cover home care coordination of services?
–How many ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living) does it take to trigger a claim?
–Is there a time limit for filing a claim?
–Does it cover the cost of Adult Day Care & Adult Day Health Care, hospice and respite programs?
–Is it a tax-qualified plan?
–Is the company highly rated and have they ever raised premiums?
–Can you see the company’s published annual audit to check their track record for paying claims?
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Jacqueline Marcell is a national speaker on eldercare and the author of, “Elder Rage”, a Book-of-the-Month Club selection being considered for a feature film. Over fifty endorsements include: Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin and Dr. Dean Edell. Jacqueline also hosts a radio program heard worldwide on: http://www.wsradio.com/copingwithcaregiving . For more information: http://www.ElderRage.com
Permission is granted to publish all/part of this article free of charge as long as: the author’s byline is included, the links are live, and the author is notified: J.Marcell@cox.net or 949-975-1012.
Top 10 ways to save money on car insurance
Purchasing car insurance can be somewhat complex. The more
information you’re armed with will help you save money. Below
are 10 ways to save money on anyone’s car insurance.
- Clean Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) - Try your best to
have a clean license. This means no speeding tickets or
violations for at least 39 months. Car insurance rates favor
drivers with clean licenses. - No accidents - I
know people don’t try to have accidents, but being accident free
for at least 39 months usually places you in any insurance
company’s most preferred rating tier. - Prior
Insurance - Insurance companies look favorably upon those
who have had insurance for at least 6 months. If you currently
have insurance, try not to let it lapse and then look for new
insurance. Keep it in force continually. - Good
Credit - More and more insurance companies are looking at an
individual’s credit rating to determine insurance rates. The
better your credit, the better rate you’ll receive on your car
insurance. - Defensive Driver Certification -
Anyone can sign up to take a Defensive Driver course. The course
is usually 6 hours in length and upon completion; you’re
entitled to receive an 8-10% discount off your car
insurance. - Select Modest Vehicle - Insurance for
cars is related to the actual vehicle itself. Obviously the more
expensive the car the more expensive the insurance. Try to
purchase a modest vehicle thus making the cost of the insurance
less expensive. - Deductibles - The deductible you
choose on your auto policy is the amount deducted from a claim,
which you’re responsible to pay out of pocket. A higher
deductible relates to a lower insurance rate. - Multi
Vehicle Discount - Car insurance policies offer a discount
once you have more than one vehicle insured. Normally the
discount is 25%. If you have more than one auto policy in your
household, you should combine the two and take advantage of the
savings. - Package Policy - Companies offer a
discount to policyholder’s if you insure a home (condo, or
renters policy) with them as well as your car insurance. The
savings on the car insurance may pay for the complete cost of a
renter’s policy or will provide a large discount on a
homeowner’s policy. - Address - Try to live
outside of a major metropolitan proper area. The suburbs can be
40% cheaper to insure a car vs. a city address.
Choosing Buy-To-Let Property Insurance
Risk is an area often overlooked by landlords, but failing to protect the main assets of your business, which often have borrowings secured against them could lead to ruin.
Landlords often fail to understand the types of insurance risks that they are exposed to and are unaware that insurance coverage for buy-to-let investments is very different to the standard household insurance policies that cover owner-occupied dwellings.
Therefore, landlords are advised to seek the services of specialist insurance companies catering for the buy-to-let market.
Essentially there are five broad categories of landlords insurance:
– Landlords buildings insurance
– Landlords contents insurance
– Emergency assistance
– Legal expenses insurance
– Rent guarantee insurance
Landlords buildings insurance
These are the core policies and will generally provide coverage for a number of perils including fire, flooding, burst pipes, malicious damage and owner’s liability.
It is worth checking the policies of each insurer as the perils covered may vary. Other issues to be aware of are the amount of money the insurance company will pay out in the event of damage occurring, types of tenants (student tenants are perceived to be higher risk) and consent to let from your mortgage lender, as failure to gain consent will render your insurance void in the event of a claim.
Landlords contents insurance
Many landlords insurance specialists will offer the option of limited or full contents insurance.
Limited contents policies are designed for properties that are let unfurnished or part furnished. A typical policy would provide cover of up to £5,000 for items such as curtains, carpets, white goods and light fixtures. Most policies will also provide employers and landlords liability cover in relation to these products.
Liability cover is important, as the number of personal injury claims relating to contents has risen at an astonishing rate since the 1990s, with awards in excess of £100,000 not uncommon.
Full contents policies are for fully furnished properties or for limited contents that would cost more than £5,000 to replace. When applying for full contents insurance, ensure you value the contents for the cost to replace them, opposed to the actual value that you think they are worth.
Emergency assistance
Cover is provided for general property emergencies, such as failing electricity supplies and cooking facilities, plumbing problems, leaking roofs and guttering, and damage to doors and windows.
Typical policies will provide parts and labour up to a specified cost, along with a 24-hour call out helpline number.
This sort of insurance is most suited to landlords who do not live near their property and have not contracted their managing agent to provide such a service.
It should also be noted that these policies only cover emergency call-outs and are not a general repair service required through lack of routine maintenance.
Legal expenses insurance
Problems can always occur with tenants and in many cases it is a change of personal circumstances such as job loss, accident or illness that will affect the tenants ability to pay rent or look after the property correctly.
Resolving such situations will usually involve expensive legal costs, sometimes running into thousands of pounds and legal expenses insurance is generally recommended.
Rent guarantee insurance
These policies guarantee that rent is received regardless of the tenants personal circumstances or ability to pay. These policies are most useful for landlords who have a mortgage on the property and are relying on the rental yield to service the loan. Policies will often guarantee rental payment for periods of six or twelve months.
Regulation
It is always advisable to shop around for insurance and understand what each policy provides. Always ensure that the insurance provider is a member of the General Insurance Standards Council (GISC) and is fully regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Please note that this article is for information and guidance purposes only. With all financial matters you should seek professional advice with respect to your own specific circumstances.
Don Suter is Managing Editor of the UK Property Portal (http://www.ukpropertyportal.co.uk), an online directory and magazine for UK property sales, rental, surveyors, mortgages, conveyancing, property insurance, removals, news, investment and development
Enemy Harbor Mouth Ship Sinker Weapon
Ever since the theory came out that underwater gas releases in the Devil’s Triangle was sinking all those missing vessels, scientists, engineers and conspiracy UFO Alien abduction theorists have surmised there is something fishy in those waters. Research has shown that a rather large compressed gas release underneath a ship could result in a capsizing or sinking event. Could this be an idea for a weapon of war to add to the US Navy’s already massively superior force?
Some say it could. One thought by a recent think tanker (me) was to make a giant tube submarine made out of a strong material (not steel) with compressed gas inside. The submarine would be controlled by one or two-man team to an enemy harbor, river mouth or major military shipping lane. The tube would have to vibrate into the silt to somewhat sink itself and hide. When a bad guy ship came by then it would open it all at once. The gas would displace the water, but be less dense and the buoyancy of the ship would change and it would sink in the gas, while the displaced water came back and filled in on top of the enemy’s military ship. Since the ship would sink in seconds there would be absolutely no way to save it. Think on this in 2006.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Bryan Ellis on Virtual Real Estate Investing
A newcomer to the world of investments in the notion of “Virtual Real Estate Investing“. There are many variations on what this term means, encompassing everything from using the internet to aid in real estate investing efforts to participating in online games such as SecondLife.
To separate fact from fiction, I asked Bryan Ellis for comments. He’s the man many consider to be the father of this new form of investing.
“I began using the term ‘virtual real estate investing’ in the late 1990’s when I realized the clear similiarities in profit strategies, regardless of whether the “real estate” is “virtual” or “physical” said Ellis.
One example of the parallels between virtual and physical real estate Bryan Ellis cites is the similarity between the monetization of domain names versus physical property. He points out that control of a domain name or even a specific web page is much like controlling a real estate property ” those assets can be monetized in similar ways: By selling them for a profit, by leasing them, by offering advertising, etc.
The similarities really are obvious. Consider: A valuable piece of real estate is valuable largely due to the interest that other people have in that specific location. Similarly, ownership of a desirable domain name is valuable for the same reasons. So it doesn’t matter if you own physical real estate or virtual real estate - you’ll likely use similar strategies to turn them into money in your pocket.
In our next installment of this series on virtual real estate investing, Bryan Ellis will share the internet analogies to the physical concept of real estate development.
You Too Can Live On A Cruise Ship
Have you ever dreamt about living on a Cruise Ship forever?
Traveling the world, seeing all kinds of exotic places, cruising forever with not a care in the world.
It is now a reality, and several possibilities exist.
1. The World of ResidenSea was launched in 2002 as a condominium-style residential community contained on a 644-foot cruise ship, complete with restaurants, a spa and fitness center and other amenities similar to what you’d find on a typical mid-size cruise liner.
As with land-based condo resorts, short-term rentals of a week or more may be arranged without committing to ownership, and a wide range of ports is included on The World’s ongoing circumnavigation of the globe.
Residensea has problems.
-disputes between owners of Condos on the ship and tourists.
Owners want to stay in exciting ports for several days, tourists that the ship needs to get full occupancy to cover the cost of unsold suites want to move from port to port every day.
Sales of actual condos on the ship have stalled due to fears of terrorism, uncertainty in financial markets and uncertainty about the future of the ship.
Annual maintenance costs run at $100,000 per suite while an actual suite now costs 1.9 to 4 million dollars. This ad recently appeared on the Internet:
“Rent an outside luxury cabin from $600 a day”
From somebody who owns 2 cabins on the ResidenSea. That runs to $18,000 per month.
2. Join an organization that will buy a used Cruise Ship and convert it to Condos.
This concept has been tried and failed.
The practical problems were just too great.
-Trying to get enough people interested
-Trying to get commitments from people
-Trying to find a ship that was not going to fall apart immediately upon leaving the harbor.
-Trying to get cash from people before a ship was bought.
And these were just problems BEFORE a ship was even bought.
Think about the problems there would be after the ship was bought.
3. Buy regular cruises on an on-going basis.
This seems the only practical way in which you can live permanently on a Cruise Ship.
Here are the estimated costs based on double occupancy starting on the cheap:
Basic Cruise Costs; $100 per day x 2 people = $6000 per month
This includes gratuities, all you can eat and port costs.
Independent costs of living for Seniors seems to be about $2000 per month per person = $4000.
This includes food.
So for $2000 per month extra a couple can live on a Cruise Ship (or ships) forever.
The advantages of this type of living if you have that extra $24,000 per year to spend are these:
-Quality of the meals on a Cruise Ship is probably a lot better than what you would get in an independent living type of situation.
-You can vary cruise lines, use a Caribbean Cruise Line this month, an Alaska Line next month and a European Line for the next 6 months.
-Shows every night.
-Built-in new friends every week or so. Most cruises end within 7 days and a new crop of potential friends arrives for you to interact with.
-An entire Cruise Staff to help you with ANYTHING if you have a problem.
So, if you want to live on a Cruise Ship: $24,000 a year extra is all it takes for 2 people.
Celebrity Cruise History Living on a cruise ship Condo cruise ship living
reflections
Look at me, look into the reflection, For I molded you with a soft hand of perfection. We look alike, I made everyone in my image So, look into the reflection Tell me what you see. Talk to me, I know your mind before you speak You don’t have much faith. Did I not give glory to the rose? I created the earth, I made the sun to warm your face, The luminous glitter of the stars, The monn to give light in the dark, It’s a showplace, the lilies of the valley, The splendor of the streams, rivers, lakes, The Oceans, Seas, Mountains, plains, I was content when finished. All this beauty I made for you When complete I was in Awe! I gave myself that you may live I gave more to you than my other creations. But, when you look into the reflection, I hear you say, “I am not like the rose.” You must believe, look at me, look closely Maybe your not like the rose, But, your eyes have the radiant color of the sky They sparkle like the stars in the darkness of night I gave your cheeks a touch of the rose. Like a rainbow Your smile emits a dazzling array of beauty Like the warm rays of the sunshine Giving warmth to those around you. I gave you wisdom to keep on learning, A conscience to know right from wrong, A heart to love and forgive. Life is my most treasured gift, Unlike the rose that sways in the wind, I gave you a soul, an identity. I love you and will never abandon you Look into the reflection, If you love me as I love you YOU WILL SEE ME IN YOUR REFLECTION!
www.originalpoetry.com
Mobile Internet Is Vital for Freelancers
Trust me; I didn’t think I would be saying that a week ago. A week ago, I had barely even heard of mobile internet, never mind think that it would change the way that I did my work.
But that was before a freelance friend of mine managed to get their hands on a wireless dongle from broadbandgenie.co.uk (the piece of equipment needed to get mobile broadband). After using it for a few days he started raving about it, saying it was the greatest thing he had ever bought.
Eventually I gave his a try for a day, and loved it. Since then I have gone and bought my own (and got a free laptop with it) and consider it one of the best investments I have made for my freelance career to date.
Now I can take my work everywhere I go. I can work from anywhere in the
I know that my Blackberry is easier for quickly checking emails and the like. But for getting work done whilst away on trips, or wanting a change of scenery, a wireless dongle is a wonderful bit of kit.
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Diamonds - These Rocks Will Knock Your Socks Off
Every diamond is unique. It can be white or colored, flawless or flawed, big or small and it takes skill to cut and set each one to show it off at its best and bring out the sparkle that can only be seen in a real diamond. “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” reflect our lasting affection for these stones, traditionally given as a token of undying love.
There are a few diamonds in the world that are so huge and rare that they are almost priceless. Some are even rumored to be cursed. Here are a few of these famous rocks to knock your socks off.
Among the best known is the Hope Diamond. Before being cut, it was a rather flat, blocky 110-carat rough diamond. It is now 45.52 carats, steel blue in color and you can see it on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. There are many legends of bad luck and curses falling on those who own the Hope Diamond. Maybe that’s why it was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958.
The Koh-I-Noor (Mountain of Light) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah Jehan’s famous peacock throne as one of the peacock’s eyes.
The Agra is graded as a naturally colored fancy light pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was last sold for about $6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.
The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored diamonds. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These aspects make it virtually priceless.
The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal , South Africa.
The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange.
The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII.
The Tiffany Yellow diamond is a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 carats in the rough. It was discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa . After cutting, this gem weighs an extraordinary 128.54 carats and, until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.
The Taylor-Burton diamond is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it “Cartier.” The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the “Taylor-Burton”. In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale. Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million.
The author lives in Australia, home of the Argyle mine where rare pink diamonds are found. If you’re looking for a special piece of diamond jewelry, you’ll find a beautiful selection at http://www.diamonddiscountcenter.com.