Self Improvement

Self Improvement The Ultimate Quest for A Better You

  • Apr 17

    While it is undeniable that the benefits of yoga are endless and far reaching many are still skeptical of a new trend being called yoga facial toning. The yoga element will definitely produced positive results but does it actually give you a face lift without the surgery? This may indeed be one of those things you may just have to tryout to find the answer for yourself.

    Yoga facial toning is considered to be a specific exercise program which stimulates, firms, and lifts every muscle of the face and neck. The claim is that by exercising these muscle there will be a reduction of sagging skin and the disappearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Many also believe the stimulation of the facial muscles will also lead to a clear complexion.

    During a yoga facial toning class the face is ultimately the focus but be aware of the fact you will not just be sitting in a chair making faces at your instructor, it is generally believed that proper form involves your heart being higher that your head. The facial poses are often combined with yoga body poses and breathing techniques to allow for an increased flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to all parts and aspects of the head including the face, neck, scalp and brain.

    The facial poses are very precise as technique and form are considered key. In general terms some of the facial expressions utilized are looking surprised, puffing out your cheeks, looking like you are kissing someone, and wagging your tongue. The premise is that exercising the muscles of the face and neck will result in drastic improvements of an aged face and also prevention of further damage. All muscles in your body regardless of where they are located will experience atrophy when not used and stimulated.

    There are additional side effects of facial yoga that may indeed lead to a younger appearance. Yoga is centered around the body, mind and spirit connection and the balance of ones vital force. When you leave a yoga class you will definitely experience an unexplainable combination of feels including increased energy, at peace, free of stress, and a sense of clarity which leads to a shift in awareness. If you feel more vibrant you will most certainly look more vibrant. In addition, we most certainly wear stress on our faces, therefore it stands to reason we should also see in the face when this stress is alleviated.

    Whatever the reason, many people swear by facial yoga toning so it may require some experimentation on your part to determine for yourself if this is a trend you want to be a part of. If yoga facial toning does indeed return the toted results it is definitely a great alternative to the cost and risk that surgery offers. At the very least it would offer the proven benefits of total body yoga not to mention laughs and good hearted fun, where else can you stick out your tongue and not get a disapproving look.

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  • Apr 15

    Michigan is under a great financial challenge and it’s important for seniors to be aware of their options. There has been a lot of talk lately about Reverse Mortgages in Michigan. This is a great service that is available for Michigan seniors and offers a ton of benefits for home owners. These features can make all of the difference between just barely getting by or having a great life.

    As seniors get along with age they will find themselves in need of having enough money set aside to pay for many extras. These include things such as prescription medication, medical care, home repair, and emergency funds. Many seniors like the ability to have this extra amount of income as it helps them stretch out the monthly budget.

    Of course it is always nice to have extra money on hand to afford the unexpected extras. Some seniors take advantage of being able to travel and to go to see the world. They also enjoy being able to help out their family and loved ones. Others really enjoy being able to remain independent and to not be a burden on their sons or daughters.

    Independence Is What It’s All About

    Many seniors really like the idea of being totally independent. There are two sides to this great prospect. On one hand you can be totally independent of relying on your family. This can come in the form of having round the clock care from health professionals. To many seniors this can be a great luxury and add total peace of mind.

    The other type of independence is having totally financial freedom from stress and worrying. It is like having a big weight taken off of your shoulders. Having total financial independence means having real freedom of choice. No longer will you have to worry about having to just “get by”. Having a reverse mortgage can really work miracles by adding a cushion of support in your daily life.

    So you see having real independence really depends of two major things – financial freedom and having the freedom of doing what you want - whenever you want. That means that as a senior you get to live your life by your standards. You set the pace and make the rules. Having more money on hand gives you the opportunity to make a substantial difference in your life and in the lives of others.

    In order to take advantage of the great features of a reverse mortgage you need to take in the pros and cons.

    Advantages:

    The cash payments you receive are tax fee since they are loan proceeds and not income, and they generally do not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.

    There are no minimum income requirements to qualify and no credit checks.

    You can use the money for any purpose.

    You may be able to create a cash flow stream for the remainder of your like.

    Reverse Mortgages are complex. You must receive free, government-approved independent counseling. This is to insure that all of your questions have been addressed and that a reverse mortgage is right for you and your family.

    Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) is the insurance required by HUD that protects you and your heirs from never owing more than the home is worth.

    Disadvantages:

    One of the biggest disadvantages of a reverse mortgage are the high closing costs. If you think you might be moving in the next few years a reverse mortgage may not be the best decision. This program makes the most sense for those who plan to stay in their homes permanently.

    Reverse mortgages are relatively expensive. The interest is added to the loan balance each month, and the total interest you owe increases greatly over time as the interest compounds.

    A reverse mortgage uses up the equity in your home, so it reduces what you have left to leave your heirs.

    Kaye Reverse takes care of Reverse Mortgages for its many senior clients in Michigan. To see if a reverse mortgage is right for you and you are a Michigan homeowner log onto: http://www.kayereverse.com/dvd.html and get the FREE DVD.

  • Apr 15

    Aging in place is the dream of 92 percent of our Michigan senior population. Home repair and improvement financed with a reverse mortgage makes this a reality.

    Being able to afford home repairs when you get to the senior level can be challenging if you are not prepared. Living off of limited earnings can lead to a meager existence. Getting the essentials for comfortable living can be hard to come by if you’re not prepared.

    Imagine not having something as critical as air conditioning in your home if you are a senior. Not only is this uncomfortable but it can be life threatening in case of a heat wave. The same can be said if you didn’t have adequate heating for your home. A lot of seniors unintentionally put themselves in dire situations when it comes to having the bare essentials. That is why having a Michigan reverse mortgage can play such a critical role in the life of a senior citizen.

    There are many other things that are important to a senior household including plumbing. Not having a good plumbing system to lead to other problems when owning your own home. Having leaky pipes can lead to water damage and further lower your homes overall value. This can have a catastrophic effect on your living arrangement and damage your quality of life.

    And when you’re talking about home repairs we cannot leave out safe and adequate roofing. You want to make sure that your roof is kept in good condition. If your roof is left to fall apart this can lead to interior water damage to your property and lower the value of your home.

    Home repair and improvement can be broken down into three distinct markets:

    1.Home repairs due to deferred maintenance. An estimated 35 to 45 percent of all reverse mortgages require some type of home repair to meet HUD’s minimum property standards.

    2.Home improvements and modifications to meet the changing needs of senior adults to make a home safe, and enhance comfort and convenience.

    3.Preservation and rehabilitation of an historic home. Today, the preservation and rehabilitation of historic homes is integral to the mainstream housing market.

    More neighborhoods are forming preservation associations, and more cities and states are developing incentives to support preservation and rehabilitation of historic homes.

    Financing home repairs and improvements can be a real problem for many senior adults. It would typically require a home equity or home improvement loan. First they must qualify, which may not be possible for senior’s who’s sole income is from Social Security. Second, they must make monthly payments which could cause financial hardship.

    Robert Bruss is a real estate attorney and syndicated columnist. A home owner asked him the following question:

    “I am 68 and a homeowner who is “property rich and cash poor” as you say. My $400,000 house needs a new roof that would cost $15,000 to $20,000. My daughter says I should take out a home equity loan but I don’t know how I will afford the payments on my limited retirement income. I don’t want to touch the $35,000 I have in CD’s except for an emergency. What would you do?”

    Response from Robert Bruss:

    “Spending up to $20,000 of your cash reserves on a roof would be the least costly of alternatives, but it will leave you with depleted liquid reserves. You need increase monthly income to fully enjoy retirement. Consider a reverse mortgage that never requires repayment until you sell your home, move out for more than 12 months or die.

    Meanwhile you can enjoy any combination or (1) monthly lifetime income, (2) lump sums as you need them and /or (3) a credit line or (4) a combination of the above.

    A home equity loan requires monthly payments. If you are already short of cash, making monthly payments will further deplete your cash.”

    Michigan reverse mortgages are the perfect means to finance home repairs and improvements with no credit or income qualifying, and no monthly payments to worry about.

    Kaye Reverse takes care of Reverse Mortgages for its many senior clients in Michigan. To see if a reverse mortgage is right for you and you are a Michigan homeowner log onto: http://www.kayereverse.com/dvd.html and get the FREE DVD.