(NAPSI)—Each day, 10,000 Americans turn 62, according to U.S. Census reports. Many retire with the expectation that a solid retirement account will make it possible to travel or enjoy their home with friends and family.
Unfortunately, too often, retirees find that their savings account or investments don’t look as promising as they once did or that other expenses have emerged and need to be paid.
The good news is that a growing number of seniors are coming to the conclusion that they can put the equity in their home to work by getting a reverse mortgage.
With a reverse mortgage, seniors 62 and older can access the equity in their home to get tax-free funds that can be used for whatever they want. While this kind of mortgage may not be for everyone, it can benefit seniors who want to improve their financial situations after retirement. Plus, the seniors can continue to live in their home without monthly mortgage payments.
Putting Your Home To Work
Here are five examples of how seniors are putting reverse mortgages to work for them:
Payment of hospital or medical bills—More and more Americans are going into debt because of medical bills. Never before has the cost of medical coverage been so high. Many seniors rely on Medicare, but that only covers a percentage of the total cost of medical expenses.
Home improvements—Seniors are hesitant to make home improvements while living on a fixed income. A reverse mortgage can allow seniors to make home improvements or repairs.
Pay off debt—Reverse mortgages provide the funds needed for seniors to pay down debt or eliminate debt completely. This gives many seniors the feeling of financial relief and flexibility.
Improvement of quality of life—One of the benefits of a reverse mortgage is financial freedom. With a reverse mortgage, the current mortgage is eliminated and monthly mortgage payments are not required for as long as the senior lives in the home. Seniors receive relief by not having to make a monthly mortgage payment, as well as gain financial flexibility to be able to do more in their retirement years, like dining out, traveling to see family, or simply providing the financial cushion that some seniors seek.
Travel—Funds from a reverse mortgage give seniors a chance to take the dream vacation they have always wanted but may have not had the funds to do.
An Attractive Option
Reverse mortgages are increasingly becoming an attractive option for seniors who want a comfortable retirement. The consumer no longer makes a monthly mortgage payment but remains responsible for all applicable property taxes and homeowners insurance.
When the home is sold, the proceeds go toward paying off the reverse mortgage and any remaining money is kept by the former homeowner. The money received from a reverse mortgage is tax free and it doesn’t affect Social Security benefits.
“Reverse mortgages give senior homeowners financial flexibility so they can comfortably retire and remain in their own homes,” said Richard Mandell, CEO of One Reverse Mortgage. “There is no greater satisfaction than helping seniors do what they thought was impossible with a loan program that is insured by the federal government and has helped thousands of seniors live a better retirement.”
To learn more, visit www.onereversemortgage.com.

By Nicole Fallon, BusinessNewsDaily Contributor

For individuals who want to take the next step in their career, January is a great time to double down on their efforts and jump-start their job search. By this time, the holidays will be over, and both job hunters and employers will be ready to start the new year by seizing new opportunities.
“Oftentimes, companies have just re-evaluated their budget and departmental needs, and are prepared to bring in new employees at the beginning of the year,” said Thomas Moran, CEO of staffing firm Addison Group. “There are easy ways for applicants to stand out and show that they’re a great fit for the job.” Moran offered these five tips for landing your dream job in 2014:
Focus. Determine what your career goals are before beginning the application process. While many people may think they can do everything, flexibility is not the right answer when determining job-search goals. Having targeted, focused and specific job goals will help ensure a successful search process.
Identify key professional groups and events. Networking is key in today’s competitive environment. Take the time to locate events that are attended by individuals in your ideal profession. Once there, present yourself in a professional manner, have talking points ready and know how to pitch yourself in a way that highlights your skills and accomplishments.
Revamp your résumé. Tailor résumés to specific positions, and include keywords from the actual job posting. Your accomplishments and skills should match the requirements set in the job description.
Clean up your online presence. Understand the differences among the various social media sites, and use them appropriately. Refrain from posting questionable content, remove any inappropriate or explicit content, and avoid posting content that is too personal. For a professional site like LinkedIn, be active and post engaging, thought-provoking content that is relevant to your desired position or industry.
Recruit help. A staffing firm is a great place to start your job search. Many companies utilize staffing firms as a way to funnel job postings and weed through the mass of applicants. In addition, a recruiter will help locate positions that align with applicants’ goals and skills, thus doing a lot of the legwork for job seekers.
Originally published on BusinessNewsDaily.

Ladarius Owens (War Eagle) spent the Christmas Holiday with his family

(NAPSI)—Generously stuffing everyone’s holiday stockings needn’t leave you with empty pockets. Fortunately, you can keep track of your finances. By law, consumers are entitled to one free annual report from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. So now could be a good time to get a free copy of your credit report.
“Knowing how much outstanding debt you have before you head out to the mall makes sense and a credit report is the best place to get the financial facts,” said Stuart K. Pratt, president and CEO of the Consumer Data Industry Association. “We encourage consumers to give themselves a gift this holiday season by getting their free credit reports now,” he added.
Many do just that. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that 16 million consumers access their free credit reports annually, through www.annualcreditreport.com.

 Finding a job in the present economic climate is not simply about looking at what your present salary will be, but at what the growth in that sector will be. Here is a look at some of the best jobs that will pay you well in 2014, but are also growing over the next four to five years.
1. Network Systems and Data Analyst
It is projected that there will be a 50 percent increase in the demand for network systems analysts by 2016, which means that it is a field you will want to get into. The education requirement for the job stands at a Bachelor’s Degree, although for future improvement in position/salary you will want to consider getting a Master’s as well.
Technology is playing a huge part in businesses, which means that more data analysts are going to be required in the coming years. Instead of choosing an IT career that is declining, invest in the necessary education to be a data analyst.
2. Personal/Home Care Aides
The increase in such employees will be 50.6 percent by 2016, with a median pay of around $20,000. This salary will increase over the next few years, which is why this is a field worth considering. The education requirements for the job are low, with some states only wishing for employees to be trained on site. However, other states may prefer employees who have attended a two year university, at minimum.
With the baby boomer generation getting older, it is expected to fuel the need for care givers throughout the country. If you are interested in a medical or nursing career, this could be a great first step towards achieving that goal.
3. Home Health Aides
This job is slightly different from a home care aide, with the services involved including housekeeping, cooking, and/or babysitting. Home health aides do not need to complete a higher education, with a high school diploma said to be enough in almost all states. There will be a 49 percent increase in the availability of these jobs by 2016, in addition to a solid median pay of $20,000 to $25,000.
4. Software Engineers
With a median pay of $100,000 and an expected rise in employment of 44 percent by 2016, being a software engineer could be a very lucrative career. Most workers have a bachelor’s degree, while at least half go on to obtain their Master’s or PhD.
The world is becoming more connected with each passing day, and businesses recognize this. They will need to improve their computer networking, which is where software engineers come in. It can be expensive to maintain these computer networks, and businesses want to be as efficient as possible, which is why innovative software engineers will always do well.
Another great aspect to being a software engineer is the flexibility in work hours. As long as you get your work done by a certain deadline, there is no need for you to work the typical 9-5 hour days.
5. Veterinary Technologists/Technicians
The median pay for a veterinary technician is not that high at $35,000, but this is a fast growing field. There will be 41 percent new jobs by 2016 and the salaries are set to improve as well.
The educational background for becoming a veterinary technician is two-fold. Either you can go to two year vet school and get your associate’s degree, or you can get a four year bachelor’s degree from one of the specific schools listed by the state.
With people becoming more concerned about the well-being of their pets, the veterinary business is booming.
6. Personal Financial Adviser
With a median pay of $80,000 and a projected growth of 40 percent by 2016, this is a job that you want to get in on. A bachelor’s degree is required to be a financial adviser, but it is preferred that you have other qualifications related to the finance field. There are various courses, training sessions, and exams that ensure you are up to terms with the latest financial rules, terms, and strategies.
The reason for the growth in personal financial advisory is again related to the baby boomers. As this generation of Americans approaches the retirement age, they are more concerned with how their money will see them through the rest of their lives. As long as you are someone who is well educated, well spoken, intelligent, and reliable then you will make an excellent personal financial adviser. Just remember that the competition in this job will be fiercer than any of the others, with people looking to rake in as many clients as possible.
7. Theater and Performance Arts Make up Artists
With a surprisingly high median salary of $40,000 and a 39 percent increase in jobs by 2016, this is a field that is underrated and undervalued by most people. The educational requirements are little more than a GED or high school diploma, with people looking for creativity not intelligence. It is important to take make up training courses, unless you feel as though you are a natural at the role.
Just keep in mind that while this is a rapidly growing profession, there are still a limited number of lucrative make up artist slots to fill. You may have to endure a few years of a mediocre job before you land the make up artist role you want.
8. Medical Assistants
A medical assistant does not need much education apart from completing high school and going to a two year associate college. Most of the colleges recommended are ones that have special medical assistant programs, which ensures a specialized and streamlined education. The rest of the training is completed on the job.
Medical assistants can earn a median salary of $30,000, with a projected 35 percent increase in employment for the industry. Technological advances have helped the medical industry a great deal, in addition to the large numbers of elderly that are expected in the next 10-15 years. If you are someone who has a propensity for being a healthcare profession, this is a job to strongly consider.
9. Veterinarians
Vets are very well paid, with a median salary of $90,000. This job market will grow by at least 25 percent by 2016 and the salaries could also rise to as high as $100,000. The only difficulty in becoming a vet is the strenuous education requirements. All vets must have completed a four year post-college program that allows them to receive the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine certificate. They must also pass a state exam which gives them their vet license.
It may be a struggle to get through vet school, but it is a very rewarding profession after that point. Not only will you be helping animals get well, you will be receiving a great salary to do so. The treatments that pet owners are willing to pay for have substantially increased, giving vets more business than they could have ever imagined.
10. Counselors for Substance Abuse
This job has a median pay of $40,000 and can be a very rewarding profession. Knowing that you are making a difference to someone’s life is an unmatched feeling. You will be dealing with individuals who are alcoholics, drug addicts, or struggling with eating disorders. It is important for you to have a degree of empathy in your personality, in addition to a lot of patience.
The education requirements for being a counselor range from state to state, but it is generally expected for you to have a Master’s Degree.
The above 10 jobs may not be the most popular names you will hear, but these jobs are growing fast and will give you great job security over the next decade. Ultimately, the goal is not just to find a job for the next few months but for the next few years and beyond.
Taken from whatcomingin2014.com