MT Supporting Soldiers

Home, Heart & Health

Should You Invest In A Precious Metals IRA?

The IRA, or individual retirement account, is tax-deferred savings and investment vehicle that allows people to save for their future in a supportive environment. When it comes to IRAs, the options are almost limitless. Investing in an IRA may sound tempting, but does precious metal IRA have merit? The answer is yes.

Precious metal IRA is an individual retirement account that helps you invest in precious metals at an economical pace. The advantages include buying more than one kind of precious metal, a low-cost investment, and tax benefits.

The main ingredients of this type of IRA are gold and silver. The actual value of your investment is determined by the price of gold or levels of silver on the market.

In a way, precious metal IRA is similar to traditional IRAs but has unique features. The idea is to make buying precious metals as easy as possible for everyone, so it does not matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced investor.

Especially if you have a retirement account, there is no better time than the present to plan for a financially secure future. You can personally take care of your IRA if you understand what it is and how it works.

Some people may hesitate to invest in an IRA because they are not sure about what it is. This article will explain the benefits of investing in a precious metals IRA and why you should consider this type of investment for your retirement account.

If you just want a gold IRA company to help you with this, we think that Patriot Gold Group is a good option. You will see that pretty much any Patriot Gold Group review that you see will say the same thing.

Different Types of IRAs

 

IRAs have several options, depending on the type you choose. The two most common types are Traditional IRA and Roth IRA. The traditional one offers tax benefits, while Roth gives more benefits but no tax deductions upfront.

Traditional IRA:
The first kind of IRA is the traditional one, which gives tax benefits. However, it has limitations on the amount you can contribute. The great thing about this type of IRA is that you can deduct your contribution from your taxable income for that year.

Investing in this type of retirement account means you are not required to make any withdrawals until reaching 70 ½. If you withdraw any money before this time, penalties and taxes will be applied.

Roth IRA:
This type of IRA is configured a bit differently from the traditional one. Unlike traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs are funded with money you have already paid taxes. This means that your contribution increases your overall taxable income for the year instead of decreasing it. One advantage of this type is that you do not have to pay any taxes on your investment returns in the future.

The main disadvantage of this type of IRA is that you can only invest a limited amount of funds. As with any investment, ensuring you have enough money for yourself and your family is essential.

If you already have an IRA or 401k, there are gold IRA rollover companies that can help you with the process.

A company like Augusta Precious Metals can be good for this, learn more here.

Are You Eligible for a Precious Metal IRA?

 

There are some eligibility requirements when you want to open an IRA. Before investing in one of these accounts, you must ensure that you and your spouse have no other IRAs in your name. If this is not the case, the IRS will not allow you to claim it as an IRA.

You also have to ensure that you have the minimum amount of contributions on time for at least five years. This amount can vary depending on the type of IRA you choose. In the case of a traditional IRA, you need to contribute a certain minimum each year, including an amount for your stretch goals.

With a Roth IRA, you can contribute as much as you want without worrying about hitting the maximum limits imposed by the IRS. If you expect a future increase in income, then there are no minimum amount of contributions you need to make.

The amount you contribute to an IRA will depend on the size of your income. If your income is below a certain threshold, then the IRS will not require you to make any withdrawals from it. However, if you have an income above this threshold, there is no limit on how much you can contribute.

The investment earnings in the IRA are also calculated differently. If you choose to contribute money to a traditional IRA, you will receive tax-deferred deductions on your retirement account. On the other hand, contributions to a Roth IRA are not taxed and do not enjoy any tax benefits.

How Does It Work?
If you want to invest in a precious metals IRA, then you must understand how it works so that you can decide if this is something that interests you.

The main difference between this type of IRA and others is that you will not be able to make withdrawals from it. However, you can still access any funds that are invested before reaching your retirement age. It would be best if you made active contributions to the IRA to avoid penalties on investment returns.

After opening an IRA, you must do some research to choose a precious metals company and its precious metals products. The precious metals IRA is more flexible than the traditional IRA and will suit your needs better. Most precious metal companies will have many options for you to choose from.

All About Shopify And Amazon

I’m sure you have noticed the name Shopify and Amazon before. If you go on FaceBook, you will find their advertisement. So. let’s see if we can get some clarity on what the company does, so we all can better understand.

Shopify started its operation in 2006. Their first humble beginning was as an e-commerce software solutions company. Anyone who did business with them was charged a transaction fee; then, by 2007, as the business grew, Shopify switched gears. Any transaction that customers made was charged a fee. In 2007, they changed directions and started charging customers for their subscriptions while decreasing the transaction fee.

When Shopify began as an online store, they were called snowdevil-selling snowboards. They also went by the name Jaded Pixel. The company was founded by Tobias Lutke, a Canadian billionaire, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake. Soon they became disenchanted with the selling of snowboard.

Shopify started trading on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges in 2015 @ $28 per share. This company is growing in leaps and bounds because their people saw the monetary value as the e-commerce trend became popular. Most of the money which the company made was accumulated within the last three years because of an influxion of their business.

The company has an outstanding support team, and this hospitality starts from the top as it trickles downwards. They put their customers first, for they realize that they are the main backbone of the business’s success. Let’s see some great points about selling on Shopify. Not only will you make money but, you will also have fun when you grasp the idea. If you need help, use an Amazon marketing agency to help you with your campaigns.

Buying a Plan:
Whenever a customer purchases a plan, automatically, everything you need is there for you to get your business up and ready—apparatus to sell in different locations, whether in person or online, marketing tools, payment processing, Search Engine Optimizing. Dream it. Shopify says there an app for that.

Shopify vs. Amazon

 

Although Amazon has a greater plan for individuals, Shopify gives you a better value for the money you are spending. In addition, it’s much more affordable than the Amazon Professional plan. You will also get clarity with Shopify.

Shopify is a place where shop owners put their goods on display, converse with customers, get paid, ship their products, and are still able to manage their budget, all on one platform. But, unfortunately, most businesses can’t do what Shopify does. They can’t even come close. Then again, they are not Shopify!

Revenues

Shopify makes about $20 million in profit monthly. That’s nothing to sneeze at.

Selling on Shopify

 

Individuals can sell everywhere you think your customers are based. Either online or in a physical location. Shopify will sync your inventory, so it will be easier for you to manage. According to littledata.io, the average person spends at least $72. So as you can see. It will all add up. The more, the merrier! You will also have to do some advertising and choose your payment plan.
There are five different monthly cost plans designed for your choosing. Shopify Lite is $9/monthly; Basic Shopify, which’s $29/monthly; Shopify, which’s $79/monthly; Advance Shopify, which’s $299/monthly; and Shopify Plus; this starts at @$2,000 monthly. As you can see, these are prices that will fit into any budget. Begin with what comfortable for you. You don’t want you to break the bank!

Remember that Shopify is not one store. It’s an e-commerce platform that allows an individual or group to open a business and start selling. And it doesn’t matter about your geographical location. One can also build their store to their specifications by using the Shopify Store App. You can build as many stores as you like, keep the monthly cost plans in mind.

[Top]

Mold Removal Tips

Mold can turn into a nightmare when undetected and untreated, here I’ll explain what to do and how to treat mold the best way possible.

First of all you need to understand what mold is, and the importance of mold removal either by a professional or by yourself. Mold is a type of fungus that can be dangerous at some point when it starts to grow and expand. What happens is very simple to understand, mold releases spores which can be very dangerous for people with allergies, asthma, chronic diseases such as lung cancer and it is known to be very harmful when inhaled by children, keep your eyes wide open for mold to avoid tragedies. The longer you take to remove mold the more expensive it would be to get rid of it.

Common Places where mold is found

Anyplace in your home could be attacked by mold with the right ingredients which are humidity, oxygen, dark and moisture. These factors can be easily found in bathrooms, kitchen, carpets, A/C units, water heaters and faucets.

Leaks are the number one cause of mold growing, so it is very important to take care of leaking problems as soon as possible, it could just be one drop every few minutes leaking from a faucet, well bad new because it only takes the right amount of moisture for mold to start growing.

For all these areas mold removal it is quite simple when the problem is addressed quickly and hasn’t expanded to other areas like walls and flooring.

Water and bleach is the most simple mixture for mold removal. Bleach is only recommended to use in non porous surfaces. You can also find antifungal products at stores and vinegar is also a good product to remove and maintain surfaces clean and mold free, there is no need to add water when using vinegar, use it directly into the surface with a spray bottle and clean in with a dry cloth.

Baking soda is also known to be a good remedy for mold removal, this product not only removes mold but also absorbs moisture from the damaged surface.

Mold out of Control

If mold has already affected walls and floorings, it is very likely you will have to replace the damaged area and more bad news, once carpet has been attacked by mold it is unlikely to be saved. If you are in Ft Lauderdale, you may want to look at mold removal Fort Lauderdale to get some help.

Keeping mold away

The number one advice to keep mold away is to keep humidity low, you can use dehumidifiers or make sure there is always air flowing into your home. To keep your walls safe you can use mold inhibitors, which make them less likely to get damaged, these products can be found at home improvement stores. Always use antifungal products when cleaning bathrooms and sinks, these areas are the most likely to get affected by mold, try to keep these areas dry and make sure there are no leaks of any kind in any area of the house.

If you are not quite sure which product to use or you simply don’t want to do it yourself, you can always call a professional mold remover. They will let you know what caused the mold in the first place and will get mold removed from any area of your home.

Avoid mold growing by making sure to always have humidity levels below 50 percent, dehumidifiers help a lot. Keep your home clean and dry and last but not least, avoid leaks at all cost and fix them as soon as you see one. Remember that mold can be very dangerous when left untreated specially to people with respiratory problems and children.

[Top]

Choosing A Hearing Aid

Confused about choosing a hearing aid. Many people are, which is why they frequently will go with the hearing aid that their audiologist recommends.

Nevertheless, there are quite a few choices people should know about rather than just going by what their audiologist recommends or going with the brand most of the family uses.

Here are some of the basics.

What are the 6 different basic styles of hearing aids?

In order to get the proper fit and style best for you, those who are investigating a hearing aid, or deciding they need a hearing aid change should know these 6 different types.

They are:

  • A completely in the ear hearing aidMolded to fit inside your ear, the completely in-the-ear hearing aid is the smallest of all hearing aids and the least visible.

    On the other hand, completely in-the-ear hearing aids often do not feature extra features such as volume control or directional microphones.

  • In the canal hearing aidsA little larger than a completely in-the-ear hearing aid, these aids are still discreet and are custom-molded to the individual. In the canal hearing aids often have added features such as that an in-the-ear hearing aid does not.
  • In-the-ear hearing aids.These hearing aids come in two styles, a full shell and half shell style variety. A full shell completely fits the bowl of the ear, while a half shell fills only the lower part of the bowl of the ear.

    While somewhat more noticeable, this type of hearing aid has room for a larger, long-lasting battery, voice control and are available with dual directional microphones.

  • Behind the ear hearing aids are next.Traditionally these have been the standard hearing aid for most people. While they are more visible, the advantage is that behind the ear hearing aids are suitable for just about any type of hearing loss.

    However, there have been great advances in all types of hearing aid and today’s behind-the-ear hearing aid may be smaller than you think.

  • Receiver in canal or a receiver in the ear hearing aidsA modified behind the ear type hearing aid, the receiver goes either in the ear canal or in the ear using a tiny wire rather than tubing.

    The advantage of the receiver in canal or receiver in the ear hearing aid is that the behind the ear portion is less visible.

  • Open fit hearing aidsThese are similar to behind the ear, but the receivers leave the ear more open. This may produce more natural sounds than available for many hearing aids.

    On the negative side is that an open-fit hearing aid is definitely more visible.

What are the main factors of a hearing aid?

Besides their visibility and their effectiveness, the main factors that will determine what kind of hearing aid you obtain will depend upon several factors. If you are looking for cheap, you can find the best hearing aids under $100.

  • First, what kind of hearing loss you have?
  • Your age
  • Whether you are capable of managing small devices
  • Your lifestyle
  • The cost.Unfortunately, hearing aids are not cheap. Normally, good hearing aids start at around $1,000 and can be as expensive as $6,000 or more. It depends upon the features and also about the support provided to maintain them.

Above all, work with a reputable audiologist and go with the better hearing aid companies.

Studies show that that upwards of 90 percent and above are very satisfied with their hearing aid if it’s from a reputable company. However, those who feel they received incomplete fittings were satisfied only around 14 percent of the time.

There is strong evidence that those without proper hearing aids are losing out not only on social conversations but losing out financially in the workplace as well.

Untreated hearing loss can lead to losses as great as $12,000 per year.

Fortunately, many Health Insurance plans now cover hearing aids, and many veterans can obtain help from the Veteran’s administration as well.

[Top]

Woodworking Tips Revealed

An increasing number of people are trying out woodworking. It could be counted among the most exciting and interesting do-it-yourself (DIY) projects that anyone can try. Of course, you will need to put in intense concentration into the work. However, the end result will make it all worth it. Remember, unless you try it out, you will never know the kind of creativity that is hidden inside you. Just take a look at some of the creations at http://tedswoodworkinghonestreview.com, many of which are the result of handyman jobs.

Here are a few must-follow tips for someone starting out on woodworking.

Tip#1: Do some research

It goes without saying that you cannot master woodworking overnight. You should be first of all passionate about the whole thing. It is only then that you will be interested in putting in the efforts required for the job. The internet is a great place to offer you detailed inputs on woodworking. A good website that you can visit is tedswoodworkinghonestreview, where you can find tons of useful information on woodworking. Similarly, you can also get in touch with someone whom you know who has experience in woodworking.

Tip#2: Use good quality sandpaper

If you want your creation to be the cynosure of all eyes, then make sure that you are sanding the woodwork using high-quality sandpaper. Another good option is to use a sanding block. This will mean a more even distribution of sanding pressure. Clog-resistant sandpaper will be a good option for sanding on painted surfaces.

Tip#3: Check the moisture content

Make sure that you check the wood’s moisture content. This is because both too dry and too moist pieces of wood could give problems later on. Warping is a common problem that occurs if the moisture content is on the higher side. Cracks could begin to appear in the wood is too dry. It is therefore important that you know how to correctly measure the moisture content before you starting working on wood. The best way to measure the moisture is by using a moisture meter.

Tip#4: Use a drafting square

For most of the beginners, getting the measurements correct is a difficult task. However, it is because they use the wrong kind of tools. The best way to go about the measuring process is by using a drafting square. The good thing about them is that you can easily get one from any of your neighborhood art supplies.

Tip#5: No clutter, please

Make sure that you clear all clutter from your working area. Sometimes too many things lying in front of you can leave you confused. An orderly workspace can do wonders to both your creativity, as well as your productivity.

[Top]

Making A King Size Custom Bed

The starting point of any good bedroom is a great bed. Not only should you go for a bed that lets you enjoy peaceful slumber in warmth and comfort, but something that can add aesthetic value to your bedroom as well. Unfortunately, those king-size and beautiful beds can be expensive, so if you can find time and motivation to put your hands to work, you can build your own elegant custom bed for a fraction of the price.

Just think for a moment how you want your bed to look like. Inasmuch as there are numerous ready made king-size beds in the market, nothing beats your own imagination. You are the perfect creator of what you desire. Even if it has never crossed your mind, you can design a custom bed befitting a king. Practically, you can customize your king-size bed frame but you have to start with an idea. For inspiration, Teds Woodworking recommends the following steps to anybody who aspires to build a custom bed.

1. Draw Your Design

What you’ve visualized needs to be drawn down to show its practicality. A basic king-size bed frame comprises external side rails and end rails that are bolted onto 3-inch vertical posts. Basically, the side rails are supposed to rest comfortably on the end rails. You can add pocket drawers to your sketch. For stability, good custom beds need five posts. The extra post offers you additional support, and it’s placed at the center. The height of your frame should be roughly 30-inch.

2. Assemble Your Materials

Since you already have a drawn plan for the custom king-size bed, the next step is to gather the materials that you need. Using your drawn plan as a template, you should get the exact materials and their ideal sizes. If you opt for natural wood, you should use hardwood. Besides the wood pieces, other materials to gather include carriage bolts, nuts, washers, galvanized steel braces, and non-skid pads.

3. Cut and Drill the Woods

Before you cut or drill the woods, you should confirm from your plan that you have the right measurements. The frames should be perfect in size to allow a perfect fitting of the mattress. The end rails need two holes, 3-inch apart from both ends while the side rails need the holes 1.5-inch apart.

4. Join Your Pieces

After you’ve made the holes and have perfect-size wood pieces, the last thing is to assemble the frames. You should use bolts and glue to fasten them.

Bottom-line

King-size custom beds are not hard to make. With the above steps, you should be able to make your bed as you imagine it. If there is any personal touch that you want to add, you can always tweak it accordingly.

[Top]

We Support and Salute our Troops and Veterans

Many people remember our soldiers and veterans on specially designated holidays such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day (for those who died in military service), etc. And, we’re grateful that it’s becoming more common to hear about someone thanking a veteran for his or her service.

But, for some of us who have loved ones either on active duty in the military or veterans, it somehow doesn’t seem like enough.

Here are a few ideas of something you can do the next time you see a veteran or someone who is in uniform – and I was reminded of this idea when I was at a gas station in Pennsylvania a few months ago.

While gassing up the car, I saw a young soldier in uniform gassing up his vehicle. He was traveling with a convoy – I think it may have been part of a local National Guard. Anyway, I went in to the gas station to use the rest room, and noticed him shopping for some chips and sodas. I’d guess he had maybe 3 or 4 bags of chips and a few sodas.

I went up to the cashier and quietly said, “I want to buy that soldier’s food.” So just as the soldier got up to the counter, the cashier rung it up and then looked at me – and I slipped into place and stuck my credit card into the machine.

The look on the soldier’s face gave me a smile that lasted the rest of the day. Not only was he surprised (and also thankful), but I personally RECEIVED something – the great feeling that can only come from GIVING.

Anyway, the soldier also had a smile on his face, and after I finished my own business in the store, as I began driving away, a whole bunch of the guys who were traveling with the soldier honked their horns and waved and said thank you to me – and I just said, “Thank YOU!”

What a great day.

Do you see a veteran in line at the grocery store? Why not let him or her go in front of you? Or, if you have the funds, why not pay their bill? THAT’S something I really look forward to being able to do once I have enough money. My husband and I pretty much talk about doing stuff like this for others as soon as our own ship comes in. It’s some of the most fun we have. Giving.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you because I felt like it might help give you some ideas of small things that you can do to support those who are either past or present service members.

And if you are currently in the military, or are a veteran, thank you for your service. You are appreciated.

[Top]