How to Have a COOL Home Office!

Posted on January 1, 2016 by robertjrussellcompanies

Who says a home office has to be boring? Not this fashion blogger, who’s been turning Instagram upside down with pics of her impossibly chic space.

“When you’re a fashion blogger, your good taste is everything, so it’s no surprise that Christine Andrew of Hello Fashion and POPSUGAR Select took her time perfecting every detail of her home office,” said POPSUGAR. “After months of trial and error, she’s just revealed her stunning home office – and it was definitely worth the wait!

Done up in pink and white with flashes of blue and green and feminine touches throughout, this home office breaks a few “traditional” rules for home office design (a bookcase full of shoes? I mean, c’mon!). And that’s just why we love it.

You don’t need to be a fashion blogger to get a stylish, inviting look in your home office. But you can be inspired by her space (just like we are!) to create your own great home office.

1. Keep it organized

There are some of us who thrive in chaos (ahem), however it has been proven that clutter and chaos in your workspace can create clutter and chaos in your mind. Sufficient storage can help. The built-ins behind the desk in this home office provide space for open and closed storage, so décor items can also be displayed, which will give the room some life.

2. Pick the right desk

Your work surface is a critical element in the room. Having enough room is critical, but it should also look good. In this space, the homeowner is often joined at the desk by her young son, who “likes to game while I work,” she said. A desk for two, courtesy of IKEA, was the answer. Bonus: the family dog loves the room too, and often joins the pair to gaze out the window while they’re typing away.

3. Choose a lively paint color

The days of super neutral are over. Forget ‘office beige’: you need a color that gets your work motor humming,” said HGTV. “For some people, that’s a bright, cheery color like orange or lime green. Others need a calming shade like botanical green or sea foam blue to perform.”

4. Consider the view

Staring at a blank wall may not be the best option. Natural light and a view of the outside can keep the mind inspired. If your space doesn’t accommodate a direct view of the outdoors, hanging some interesting artwork above the desk can substitute.


DigsDigs5. Make it masculine

The above space may feel more “typical” for a male-dominated home office, but dark and den-like doesn’t have to dominate the style when you’re designing a home office for a man. This light and bright office has masculine touches throughout, creating a stylish room for work.

6. Create a separation

“Working from home is exciting because it offers an opportunity for real comfort and efficiency, but if the office is too casual, or isn’t effectively separated from the home environment, peak productivity may be lost,” said Entrepreneur. “While comfort is essential in any office, an office that is too casual may seriously impede the ability to get things done. You have to find a way to separate yourself from the rest of the goings-on in the home and to convey a sense of ‘off limits’ to all other normal and natural home sounds and interruptions.”

If you don’t have doors to close, consider a screen.


Amazon7. Light it up

“Good lighting is essential,” said Entrepreneur. “Ideally you want as much natural daylight as possible. If no daylight is available, a combination of general and task lighting will be required.

8. Take a seat

You’re going to be on your butt for long periods of time, so “Invest in a great chair,” said HGTV. “A beautiful, ergonomically-correct, comfortable seat is worth every dime.” Don’t forget to also include a comfortable chair for guests.

9. Make it fun

Why so serious? Adding some flair and fanciful style will help keep the mind open.


Keeley Craft10. Keep it stylish

If you follow every other tip but forget to create a space that speaks to you, you may not be very creative or productive. The great thing about this room is that, while it’s ultra personalized and oh-so-chic, there’s nothing in here that can’t be changed out if the homeowners’ needs changed or they put the house up for sale. Strip out all of the décor, and you’re left with gray walls and neutral flooring.

 

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$930,000 Estate for Sale in Las Vegas

Posted on January 1, 2016 by robertjrussellcompanies

Immaculate Custom Single Story 4 Car Garage 4 Master Suites with bathrooms & walk-in closets, main master bedroom has retreat & fireplace, ceiling fans in every room,custom stone floors, bay windows, formal dining room, vaulted ceilings, fireplace in family room with built in shelves, sunken formal living room, kitchen has walk in pantry, breakfast bar, granite counter tops, island cooktop, stainless steel appliances, nook, over 1/2 acre lot with covered patio, waterfall pool & spa, gazebo with fire pit & bench seating, built in BBQ grill,basketball court, intercom system, exercise equipment & much more to list. Fully furnished including pot and pans, everything you need, just bring your clothes!!

Great Investment Opportunity – Current licensed vacation rental making over $100,000 a year!! Private Luxury Resort minutes away from the strip, near shopping. Or just make this your own private oasis in the desert.

Want to know more – visit: http://www.robertjrussell.com

#LasVegas #montecristo #homesinvegas #lasvegashome #internationalrealtor #robertjrussell

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Dental enrollments jump to record high

Posted on December 31, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Last year marked a milestone year for dental care and insurance.At the end of 2012, more than 187 million Americans had dental coverage, an increase of 11 million people from the previous year, new research finds.It’s the first time that enrollment for dental insurance has hit 60 percent of the U.S. population. The previous two years’ enrollment was at 57 percent of the population, up from 55 percent in 2009.The enrollment numbers come from an annual joint report from the National Association of Dental Plans and the Delta Dental Plans Association, which have been compiling numbers since 1994.Most of the reported growth in dental enrollment can be attributed to an increase in employment, researchers said. Additionally, there were three first-time company participants that provided data for this report accounting for about 1 percent of the total enrollment. Even without these additions, enrollment grew by approximately 5 percent in 2012.“The recent launch of the state and federally facilitated exchanges provides an additional avenue to expand dental coverage in future years,” NADP Executive Director Evelyn Ireland said.Whatever the reason, benefits insiders say the increase in enrollment is positive news for the industry.“We’re pleased that the report shows more Americans have access to dental insurance,” said Steven Olson, president and CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association.“Studies have shown that people with dental benefits visit the dentist more regularly, so increased access to dental coverage should result in improved oral health across America,” he said.Additionally, the report found: The trend toward DPPO products is continuing among commercial products with 78 percent of all commercial dental benefits. The percent of enrollees making some financial contribution toward their coverage was 99 percent for Discount plans, 93 percent for DHMO plans, 94 percent for DPPO plans, but only 45 percent for Dental Indemnity plans. The population that receives dental benefits coverage through Individual policies and products doubled from last year; up from 2.4 percent to 5 percent. Less than 0.5 percent of dental benefits are integrated with medical policies and 99.5 percent are provided under a separate dental policy.

http://www.InsurancePricedRight.com

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What time are the guests coming over for the holidays?

Posted on December 30, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Holiday time is filled with joy and love and laughter. And hopefully good cheer and lots of presents. But if you’re the one who hosts the festivities, it may also be filled with stress and pressure and endless trips to the market for things you forgot and a house-wide search for that one blanket that seems to have disappeared into the abyss. If you’re looking for ways to be a great host without losing your mind, read on for a few tips.

Make them feel at home

“Take steps to make them feel welcome, always. Give them enough privacy, and never act like they’re imposing (even if they are). Be happy when they’re around, and even if something bothers you (like their belongings start taking over your living room), keep in mind that the visit will come to an end sooner than you realize,” said PopSugar. “Especially with foreign guests, understand that their cultures and habits may be different than what you’re used to, and that’s totally OK.”

Make the bed

Even if you have an older mattress, you can still set a nice bed with an inexpensive mattress pad or topper. Check out Huffington Post for a guide to the best choices. Now is also a great time to take advantage of deals on bedding at places like Tuesday Morning, Macy’s, and T.J. Maxx.

Or, if your house is like ours over the holidays, with people sleeping in every nook and cranny, you can still make it inviting for them with soft sheets, warm blankets, and new pillows transforming couches into comfy sleeping zones. If you need to bring in extra sleeping surfaces, Best Air Mattress Guide is a good place to start.


Clear some space

If the closet in your guest room is crammed full of stuff, make sure you clear some space to make your guests feel welcome and allow them to unpack.

If guests are staying for more than a day, it’s also a nice touch to clear out a drawer. Simply throw your stuff into a box and place in your closet for the time being so it can be easily returned when your house gets back to normal.

Special touches

Leaving a goodie basket in the guest room is a nice touch that will make your guests feel at home. Pack up a gift bag with few treats, a favorite book, a sleep mask, and necessary items like Kleenex, lotion, and Chapstick. Want to really be a killer host? Give your guests an early Christmas present of a plush robe and slippers or flannel PJs the day they arrive. They’ll feel as taken care of as if they were staying at a five-star hotel.


Set up a kid space

If you’ll have pint-size guests in your house for the holidays, you’ll want to make sure that they’re entertained. Designating a room with interactive toys and games, an Xbox, a TV with Netflix and comfortable seating is a great way to make sure the kids are having as much fun as you are.

Entertaining the little ones won’t be the only priority. “If your guests include babies or small children, be sure to store away any potentially harmful objects or decor in your home, and do any necessary childproofing of furniture,” said Martha Stewart. “In the same way that parents will likely arrive prepared, visitors with pets will probably also pack everything they need. Still, a nice gesture would be to ask if they need any extra pet necessities or food.”

Freshen up the bathroom

Take a good look at your guest bath and freshen it up before anyone arrives. Ditch near-empty bottles of shampoo and conditioner and soap slivers and put out new ones. Place a package of toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste, along with mouthwash and dental floss, in the bathroom drawer. Lay out fresh towels and add a new air freshener (it’s a good idea to add one to the powder bath guests might be using throughout their stay as well). Simple touches like this will make it easier to manage a house full of people.


Stock basic essentials

A guest who runs out of toilet paper in the middle of the night and doesn’t know where to look for more may feel a tad awkward. Stuff your bathrooms cabinets full of TP, plus Q-tips, cotton balls, makeup remover and basic first aid supplies like Neosporin, Band-Aids, and pain reliever. A night light in the bath or hallway can help them navigate at night without disturbing anyone.

Do some basic upkeep

Making sure the house and the guest space is spic-n-span goes without saying. Paying attention to light bulbs that might need changing and remote control batteries that might be low is also helpful.

Make a Costco run

It’s a great place to get that mega-pack of TP, plus paper towels, water, soda/juice, family-size meals and snacks, sandwich fixins’ and alcohol. Having ample supplies and a fridge/pantry stocked with food will minimize the potential of having to run out in the middle of your gathering. Asking guess ahead of time about their favorite foods is a good tip so you can make sure you take care of picky eaters.

ke sure you take care of picky eaters.


Create an Information Station

Martha Stewart recommends creating an “information station” where any pertinent information like Wi-Fi passwords, home alarm codes, and any other essential household information can be found. It’s also a good idea to have phone chargers available here for anyone who forgot one.

Get in the spirit of the season

Seasonal entertainment and crafts will bring everyone together and inspire new holiday traditions. If you don’t already have Home Alone, Elf, and Christmas Vacation, it’s time to get them. Even if they’re only on in the background while the family is cooking and hanging out, it will impart some fun holiday.

Stay on a budget

“We all know it’s easy to go overboard during the holiday,” said US News. “But the last thing you want to do is overextend yourself and start the new year with credit card debt. To avoid overspending, always head to the store with a budget and a list of everything you need for the holiday — and not just food. Make room in your budget for tableware, decor, wine, beer and even toiletries for your family members staying over. You can find most of the party tableware, décor and toiletries at your local dollar store. You can also buy in bulk at Costco or Sam’s Club.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Where should you put your money ?

Posted on December 29, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

You might recall that right before the financial collapse of 2008, it suddenly became very difficult for investors to withdraw their money from mainstream Wall Street investments, and we soon learned why.  Those mainstream investments were nothing more than Ponzi schemes, and the money simply wasn’t there to withdraw.  Now all of a sudden we have growing evidence that IRA custodians are throwing up roadblock after roadblock to keep people like you from moving your retirement money.  As a result, the enormous $5 trillion retirement account market is starting to feel a lot like another Wall Street/federal government scam-collaboration more and more by the day.  The question you need to ask yourself right now is, who do you want controlling your retirement savings – you or a self-serving banker?  Because it’s becoming clearer and clearer by the day, the IRA and 401K house of cards is about to collapse.

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Sudden Strange Behavior

The actions of bankers and custodians over the last few months has raised major concerns regarding the safety of your IRA and 401K.  Serious worries range from the government micromanaging your retirement accounts to questions of whether the entire system is even solvent.  Many experts warn of an imminent plan for the federal government to confiscate tax-deferred retirement accounts.  More importantly, a number of events we’ve witnessed first-hand raise major concerns about whether banks will allow you to access your own wealth inside your retirement accounts!

First, you need to understand capital controls and the way banks and custodians limit your access to traditional paper-based IRAs and 401Ks.  Limiting the amount of money you can transfer out of the country is a capital control. Limiting the amount of cash you can withdraw from your accounts is a capital control.  And what’s more, we’ve witnessed an alarming shift in the willingness of banks and custodians to allow you to access your own retirement funds, an egregious example of capital control that no one saw coming!

To give you an idea of how serious a situation this is, we have been rolling over IRAs for clients into self-directed physical Gold IRAs for many years, and never have we seen the kind of resistance from financial companies to release funds like we are witnessing right now.   Traditional IRA custodians now refuse to accept forms that they have accepted without issue for years.  They delay for weeks, then claim not to move money with forms any longer, then demand to speak personally with their clients, and then refuse to return client phone calls.  They demand complicated forms and kick them back because of minor errors.  They take 5-7 business days to review forms and another 10 business days to move funds provided the forms are perfect.  If the form has an issue, they don’t alert the client; they just toss the whole request and force you to start over when you call to check the status!

Not surprisingly, the typical time-frame to fund new self-directed IRAs has doubled or even tripled.  And in some cases, financial institutions have refused to let go of their client’s money altogether.  And all of this is happening at a time when most people have been lulled to sleep by a rising stock market and phony economic data.

Why the Sudden Change?

Look, people like you have been rolling IRA funds out of conventional investments (stocks, CDs, annuities, etc.) and into self-directed physical gold-backed IRAs for decades.  This trend increased dramatically after 2008 once the nation wised up to the insolvency of traditional paper-based investments.  And opening a Gold IRA is typically a very simple process.   An account is set up, you fill out a “transfer request” form, the current custodian sends your funds to the new self-directed IRA, the funds are used to buy real physical gold (or silver), and it’s all a tax-free lateral move.  Simple.  And while the process is still simple from the standpoint of setting up your Gold IRA, clients are hitting roadblock after roadblock trying to access their own money.  It seems through a series of recent moves that the bank holding companies are playing a game of trying to control capital.  And the million-dollar question is, why?

When you consider the Fed’s balance sheet is fast approaching over $4.5 trillion, the US Treasury’s debt load is $16.5 trillion dollars and rising, and the so called “recovery” is being led by banks whose only means of survival has been through waterfalls of zero-interest printed monopoly money, you start to realize that the entire global  financial system is skating on some very thin ice.  Considering the system’s fragility and lack of fundamentals, and the fact that banks are now tightening capital controls of retirement accounts, the time is NOW for you to get some of your money outside the system and into a self-directed Gold IRA.

The Fed and the powers-that-be will not stop spending beyond their means and will not stop printing and debasing currency to do it.  And the too-big-to-fail and too-big-to-jail banks will not stop their criminal behavior.  The road left to kick the can down is getting shorter by the day, and the folks leading the charge will kick it until they can’t.  What happens then is going to be ugly, so it’s always been a good idea to have a risk-off asset that lives outside the system when the system implodes.  And that’s gold.  You can buy some insurance now while it’s relatively cheap or you can take your chances living in a house of cards.  It’s your choice.

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Winterize Your Home – You Still Have Time!

Posted on December 28, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Winterizing your home is one of the best ways to get comfortable this year, and it’s not too late to get a few projects done before the holidays.

If you live in one of the states that got soaked over Thanksgiving, you might find a lot of debris on your roof and in your gutters. While you’re hanging holiday lights, sweep out the gutters so that other rains and snows are less likely to cause damage to your walls.

You may have to invest in a heavy duty scrubbing brush to clear sludge and decomposed leaves. The benefits of keeping your gutters maintained in the thick of winter are three-fold:

A clean drainage system keeps water from seeping into your foundation- freezing underground pipes.

Excess water that can’t escape from your drainage system will find other places to go, i.e. leaking into your house causing water stains on ceilings, mold and any other possible damage.

Properly maintained gutters are attractive and enhance your home’s curb appeal

And, while you’re on your ladder, check if your gutters are properly aligned to prevent any leaks. With a garden hose, you can easily check this problem.

The next thing you’ll want to check on is the state of your furnace. Call a master certified plumber to look for potential dangers such as carbon monoxide leaks. Typically a heating system is comprised of three systems; the heat/cold source, distribution system, and thermostat, so there is plenty of room for error. Make sure that your system is properly inspected and cleaned and has fresh filters according to maintenance directions.

Since a good number of homes use gas-based heating, it makes sense to also check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. According to the EPA.gov website, smoke detectors with a UL rating have a useful life of 10 years so don’t just push the button to see if it’s working. Stick a real flame source, such as a candle or a match, to see if the detector can actually pick up on the smoke being emitted.

Energy leaks put a hole in your wallet, so do your best to identify and seal all leaks in your ceiling/attic and cracks in or around your windows and doors. This is something you can do during inclement weather.

A quick way to check if you have enough insulation is to go into your attic and look at your rafters-if you can see ceiling joists you can add some more insulation. Though this will be an expensive process, you will instantly reap the benefits as your heating costs will plummet right away.

Wrapping piping in insulation is also a great way to avoid a “pound of cure,” like the old saying goes. This process will prevent pipes from bursting if you have a freeze. Be especially aware of pipes in areas that aren’t heated like your garage, crawlspaces or garden spigots. There are two main types of protection you can place on your pipes- the first is covering your pipes with regular insulation with either pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation.

The second way is more necessary if you live in a much colder part of the country. Wrap your pipes in electric heating tape-essentially you’re putting an electrical cord around your pipes that emits heat. This process is more expensive as you will undoubtedly need to wrap the pipe in foam rubber sleeves as well to guarantee the safety of your pipes.

Any steps you take will improve your home’s operation, and ultimately keep you more comfortable.

 

 

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Medicare penalizes hospitals over readmissions

Posted on December 27, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

For years now, hospital readmissions within a month of discharge have been driving up the cost that insurers and others pay for the care received by patients who end up back to the hospital.

Medicare is finally fed up with it, and has adopted a multi-pronged approach to reducing those costly admissions.

On the research side, Medicare is the focus of the Independence at Home federal demonstration project, designed to identify processes and policies that will reduce the one-month readmission rate. The three-year program just celebrated the conclusion of Year One.

On the payment side, Medicare is not waiting nearly so long for action. On Friday, it released records of 2,225 hospitals that it says are reporting readmission rates that need to be lowered. To get them to do so, Medicare is cutting its reimbursement payments to those hospitals.

In this second round of levying penalties in the form of lower payments, Medicare will nick hospitals for a total of $227 million, according to Kaiser Health News. This performance-based payment strategy began last October.

The hospitals in question represent about two-thirds of the hospitals eligible for Medicare payments. About the same number were cited during the first round of penalties.

Of the hospitals sanctioned, fines for 1,371 were lower this time around, 1,074 sustained more damage, and 283 that escaped penalties last time were included this time.

Hospitals that treated large number of low-income patients were more likely to be penalized than those treating the fewest impoverished people.

The Independence at Home demonstration involves 18 health providers nationwide that were selected as test sites to help develop new strategies for reducing both one-month hospital readmissions and trips to the ER.

Participating organizations may be eligible for substantial increased Medicare payments based upon the cost savings they realize from reducing such events. These strategies would them become best practices for the industry.

via Medicare penalizes hospitals over readmissions | BenefitsPro.

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The number of participants with outstanding loans from their savings plan hasn’t decreased

Posted on December 26, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Overall, 2.2 percent of participants withdrew from their accounts in the first half of 2015, a proportion that has remained relatively flat since the first half of 2009.

Hardship withdrawals stood at 0.9 percent in the first half of 2015, a rate that has also been flat since 2009.

The vast majority of participants are continuing to contribute to their plans. Only 1.8 percent of participants stopped contributing to accounts in the first half of 2015, compared to 2.1 percent the first half of 2014. In the first half of 2009, 4.6 percent of participants stopped contributing to plans, a direct result of the financial crisis.

The ICI report speculates that in some cases participants stop contributing to plans because they reach their annual contribution limit early in the year.

Investment activity, which tracks how often participants reallocate their accounts, has been relatively in-line for the seven-year period beginning in 2009.

About 6.6 percent of participants changed allocation for the first half of 2015, exactly even with the previous year. But that data does not account for the extreme market turbulence in August, when service providers report fielding record levels of inquiries from participants through call centers.

Equities gained 1.2 percent in the first half of the year, as recorded by the S&P 500 total return index. The second half of 2010 saw a 23.3 percent return, and the second half of 2009 saw a 22.6 percent gain in participants’ equity investments.

All told, 28 percent of U.S. retirement assets are in defined contribution plans, or $6.8 trillion of a total $24.8 trillion.

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Holiday Home Safety Tips

Posted on December 25, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Holiday

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Grief Support for Children

Posted on December 24, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies
A healing place for little hurting hearts.
This is the best way to describe Camp Agapè Bereavement Camp for Children.  It is a summer camp program designed specifically for children ages 7-12 who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The losses range from suicide to car wrecks, cancer and illness, accidents, and even murder.  The faith-based program offers all the fun of a “typical” summer camp, along with unique and creative group-therapy activities to assist the children with their grief process. These activities incorporate the use of art, music, games, and play therapies. They address the needs of the whole child from their emotional health, physical fitness, and spiritual aspects of the healing process.  
Founded in 2000 as a 501c3 non-profit charity, Camp Agapè utilizes volunteers and trained professionals who are willing to donate their time and compassion to lend a hand to mend the hurting hearts of children. This program is offered at no cost to the children through generous donors who realize the value and need of a therapeutic service that offers Hope and Healing to grieving children.   As Camp Agapè continues to grow and impact more lives, please consider supporting this service with a tax-deductable donation to sponsor children to attend the program.
Visit the website for more information at www.campagapetexas.org.
CLICK HERE to donate at gofundme.com
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