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10 Best Places to Retire on $75.00 a Day

You don't need a huge nest egg to retire well, especially if you're willing to move to a place with a low cost of living. Relocating to one of these places could help you to get by on a combination of Social Security and a small amount of savings, or allow you to retire younger or maintain a better lifestyle than you could in a more expensive city.

To find places where retirees can live well on less than $75 per day, U.S. News analyzed recently released 2012 Census Bureau data. We looked for places where people age 60 and older spend the least on housing, including rent, mortgage payments and other housing costs, and places where retirees spends less than a third of their income on housing. Among the most affordable cities, we selected places with amenities retirees will need, such as medical facilities, services for seniors and recreation options.

Here are 10 places where it's possible to live well in retirement on less than $75 a day:

Akron, Ohio

Once known for its rubber production, Akron is now home to the world's largest concentration of polymer research and development, thanks to The University of Akron's College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. Seniors can get discounts to the Akron Art Museum and Akron Symphony Orchestra, or enjoy the 6,600 acres of metropolitan parks for free. The Akron General Medical Center and Summa Akron City and St. Thomas Hospitals are ranked as high-performing medical centers in a variety of specialties including geriatrics. These amenities are coupled with low housing costs. People age 60 and older pay a median of $1,087 per month with a mortgage, $646 in monthly rent or $420 per month if they own their homes debt free.

Augusta, Ga.

The best golfers in the world come to Augusta each spring for the Masters Tournament. The low home prices will tempt you to stay. The median monthly housing cost for people age 60 and older is $1,057 among homeowners with a mortgage, just $329 for those who have paid it off and $616 monthly for renters. Located along the Savannah River, this college town is the home of Georgia Regents University, which includes the Medical College of Georgia. Seniors can get discounted admission to the Augusta Museum of History, the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson and on boat tours of the Augusta Canal.

Chattanooga, Tenn.

Chattanooga is nearly surrounded by mountains, and the Tennessee River flows right through it, offering ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Retirees can take in these views for a median of just $644 in rent, $1,023 in mortgage payments or $353 monthly without a mortgage. The city operates a fleet of zero-emission electric buses that seniors age 65 and older can ride for just 75 cents each way.

Des Moines, Iowa

Burl Pierce, 74, a retiree in Des Moines, has season tickets to University of Iowa football games and volunteers three days per week at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. "This is my means of helping to expand my knowledge of horticulture, but it's also become rather personal in that you enjoy the camaraderie of the volunteers that you are with," he says. It costs retirees a median of $1,134 in monthly mortgage payments to live in Iowa's state capital. Renters who have paid off their mortgages pay $456 in other monthly housing costs and renters are charged $678. If you're so inclined, you can meet the U.S. presidential candidates when they descend on the state for the Iowa caucus.

Greenville, S.C.

There's no shortage of free things to do in Greenville. You could take a stroll over the Liberty Bridge that curves over and around Reedy River Falls, ride on the Downtown Trolley or visit the Greenville County Museum of Art, all with no admission fee. Housing for people age 60 and older costs a median of $1,027 with a mortgage, $673 in rent and just $290 monthly for older homeowners without mortgages. "Part of the reason we were able to retire as young as we did is because the general cost of living is so much less in South Carolina than it was in California," says Linda Barnett, 57, a retired financial analyst from California who moved to Greenville in 2012. "The townhouse we have here would have cost three to four times that much in California." Barnett now spends her time volunteering for Meals on Wheels and hiking at nearby Jones Gap State Park.

Little Rock, Ark.

Little Rock's Riverfront Park provides 33 acres of parkland along the Arkansas River. Other free things to do include visiting the Arkansas Arts Center and the Historic Arkansas Museum. Retirees who rent pay a median of $627 monthly to live here. Senior homeowners pay a median of $1,064 monthly or $355 without a mortgage. "It's definitely a lot cheaper to live here in Little Rock on the same amount of income than it would be in San Jose," says Cynthia Conger, president of Conger Wealth Management in Little Rock. "An $800,000 home in California would be equivalent to a home that costs $200,000 or less here."

Louisville, Ky.

For a median of just $1,052 in monthly mortgage payments or $595 in rent, you could retire in the hometown of the Kentucky Derby. Costs are even lower -- a median of $375 monthly -- for people age 60 and older who have paid off their mortgages. Louisville's museum row has institutions dedicated to history, sports, art and science where retirees could spend a relaxing afternoon or find interesting volunteer opportunities. And Kentucky residents age 65 and older can take classes at the University of Louisville tuition free.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's many professional teams make this city a sports fan's paradise. "I see almost every sport there is around," says Phil Coyne, 95, a retired machine shop worker who now ushers at 60 to 70 Pirates games each year. "I never miss a game. I try not to." There is also a ballet, symphony and enough museums to occupy everyone who prefers other forms of culture. People age 65 and older ride free on the bus, T or Monongahela Incline, thanks to a program paid for by Pennsylvania Lottery proceeds. Another perk of the city includes access to the UPMC-University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which is ranked 9th in the nation in geriatrics. Monthly housing prices for seniors are just $1,072 for retirees with mortgages, $422 among people with paid-off houses and $608 for renters.

San Antonio

There is no state income tax in Texas, and housing is often more affordable than in other parts of the county. Renters age 60 and older paid $671 monthly in 2012. Older homeowners paid a median of $1,184 each month toward their mortgages, which drops to $395 among those without housing debt. But watch out for the property taxes. "We do not have a state income tax, so a lot of the income is derived from property tax, which generally is going to be higher," says John Eaton, a certified financial planner for Cypress Wealth Advisors in San Antonio. "We have a very low cost of living, but if you come here and buy similar-cost housing, your taxes could be much higher."

Syracuse, N.Y.

While summer and fall can be beautiful in upstate New York, Syracuse is famous for its prolific snowfall, which pelts the city each winter. Snow removal and heating bills can be significant. What you won't worry about are other aspects of the cost of living, which are among the lowest in the county. Renters age 60 and older pay a median of $641 monthly, and homeowners pay $1,119 with a mortgage or $472 monthly once they have paid it off. Once you no longer need to worry about getting to work in the morning, you're free to have a second cup of coffee, look out your window at the pillowy snow drifts and think about all the money you're saving by not retiring in a more expensive area.

By: Emily Brandon

Home Buying Tips

Tips for buying a house

The top 10 things you need to know when buying a home.

How much house can you afford? Glossary Take the test

Top things to know Are you ready to own? Setting your budget Picking a team The hunt Closing the deal For sellers only

• Mortgage
• Home equity loan

Mortgage Rates

30 yr fixed	4.33%
15 yr fixed	3.39%
5/1 ARM	3.39%
30 yr refi	4.31%
15 yr refi	3.38%

Find personalized rates:
 

Rates provided by Bankrate.com.

1. Don't buy if you can't stay put.

If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner - even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it's an even worse proposition.

2. Start by shoring up your credit.

Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.

3. Aim for a home you can really afford.

The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary. But you'll do better to use one of many calculators available online to get a better handle on how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford.

4. If you can't put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan.

There are a variety of public and private lenders who, if you qualify, offer low-interest mortgages that require a small down payment.

5. Buy in a district with good schools.

In most areas, this advice applies even if you don't have school-age children. Reason: When it comes time to sell, you'll learn that strong school districts are a top priority for many home buyers, thus helping to boost property values.

6. Get professional help.

Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.

7. Choose carefully between points and rate.

When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points -- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing -- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time -- say three to five years or more -- it's usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.

8. Before house hunting, get pre-approved.

Getting pre-approved will you save yourself the grief of looking at houses you can't afford and put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house. Not to be confused with pre-qualification, which is based on a cursory review of your finances, pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history.

9. Do your homework before bidding.

Your opening bid should be based on the sales trend of similar homes in the neighborhood. So before making it, consider sales of similar homes in the last three months. If homes have recently sold at 5 percent less than the asking price, you should make a bid that's about eight to 10 percent lower than what the seller is asking.

10. Hire a home inspector.

Sure, your lender will require a home appraisal anyway. But that's just the bank's way of determining whether the house is worth the price you've agreed to pay. Separately, you should hire your own home inspector, preferably an engineer with experience in doing home surveys in the area where you are buying. His or her job will be to point out potential problems that could require costly repairs down the road.  By:  CNN Money

How to Trace a Phone Call

How to Use *57 to Trace a Phone Call

By Ashley Leonard, eHow Contributor 

There may be times when you get a distressing call or someone begins to harass you, and you need to trace the phone number. By pressing a series of buttons on your phone you can trace the phone number and find the person who has been calling you.

How to Use *57 to Trace a Phone Call

Instructions

1. Tracing a Phone Call Using *57

   • 1
     Hang up your phone then lift the receiver again. Make sure there is a dial tone. There is a fee for this service and you will either be charged every time you trace a call or you will select and pay for this service upfront. To pay for this service upfront, contact your phone company and inquire about your options.
   • 2
     Press *57 on your phone. According to harwichpolice.com, if you have a rotary dial phone, you can dial 1157.
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   • 3
     Listen to the announcement that verifies that the call has been traced. You will not get the actual number. The phone company records the traced phone number.
   • 4
     Contact the phone company to request an authorization form be sent to you to sign. For example, pioneer.net states that after you dial *57, immediately call the phone company (to verify that you initiated call trace) and it will send you the authorization form to sign. According to privacyrights.org, you will have to sign the authorization form before the phone number is turned over tolaw enforcement officials. You can authorize law enforcement officials to further investigate the matter.
   • 5
     Call your local police department and file a report. According to pioneer.net, the police will contact the phone company directly and work with them to begin an investigation. The police department will request the date and time of the calls as well as the traced phone call from the phone company.

Ultimate Guide to Baby Showers

Throw the best baby shower ever with these easy, fun, ideas for games, gifts, invitations, favors, themes, and more!

GO TO: BABY SHOWERS GUIDE

$2 Million Mobile Home

Would you pay 2 million dollars for a mobile home?

A $2 million mobile home in Malibu

This is no ordinary mobile home. It's no ordinary location, either.

Actress Betsy Russell of the "Saw" franchise, who played killer Jigsaw's ex-wife, is selling her three-bedroom, four-full-bath custom home above Southern California's Zuma Beach. It boasts the "best whitewater ocean views in Malibu under $2 million," the listing says. It's offered at a dollar less than $2 million.

Besides those killer views, the buyer will get 3,090 square feet of living space with heated limestone floors, stainless steel appliances, and granite and marble countertops.

Oh -- and the buyer will also get a monthly bill of $3,565 for the privilege of living in the park. (That's on top of any mortgage payment.)

Any takers? The listing agent is Madison Hildebrand -- himself a star, as one of the featured brokers in Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles." | By Jennifer Karmon, Yahoo! Homes

How to Apply Eye Cream, The Right Way!

 

Eye cream is an important step in any skin care routine. Creams can help reduce puffiness, lighten dark circles and make the face look generally more awake and youthful. But if you’re applying eye cream incorrectly, then you might be doing more harm than good.
SESHA Skin Care National Educator and licensed esthetician, Victoria Piotrowski, gave us her tips for how to apply eye cream, the right way:
1. Use your ring finger.
Although we hear it a million times, it’s important to remember. Because your ring finger has the lightest touch, it is less likely to tug or pull at the delicate eye area.
2. Apply small dots around the eye, above the eye up to the brow bone area and under the eye.
Most of us only think about the under-eye area, because that’s where the dark circles are, but your entire eye area needs to be moisturized for optimal results.
3. Gently tap in the cream to stimulate circulation.
“Try not to pull or stretch the delicate skin around the eye,” says Piotrowski. “Tap until you feel it absorb. Pay special attention to problem areas when tapping cream in.”
4. Gently massage in circular motions.
If you absolutely must rub in the eye cream so that it will absorb, then be incredibly gently and don’t pull on the skin.
By: Megan Segura/ Photo: Getty Images

How to Clean Old Stained Carpet

Homes Guides

By: Kit Arbuckle    

 

No matter how clean you keep your home, old carpets accumulate stains and appear dingy. Regular cleaning brightens the carpet and removes the stains. While many carpet cleaning solutions and stain removers contain harsh chemicals and emit strong odors, a few common household products can clean your carpets effectively. You can make homemade cleaners odorless if you have sensitivities to strong scents or add some natural scents for an extra clean smell. As an additional benefit, you can save money by making your own homemade carpet cleaners.

 

 

 

1Sweep your carpet with a broom to lift the fibers and remove loose dirt. Vacuum the entire carpet. (See References 2)

2

Mix one part borax with two parts cornmeal to make a carpet powder that removes stains, prevents mold growth and deodorizes. Alternately, for carpets with heavy odors, use baking soda. (See References 1 and 2)

3

Sprinkle the mixture over the entire carpet. Wait for about an hour and then vacuum the carpet. This should remove odor, light stains and dirt that normal vacuuming misses. (See References 1 and 2)

4

Pre-treat any remaining stains with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. For tough stains on light colored carpets, try a mixture of lemon juice and salt. First test any stain-removing mix, especially on darker carpets, in a hidden location, such as a closet. (See References 1)

5

Scrub the stain with the stain-removing mixture and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Use an old towel to dab up as much of the moisture as possible.

6

Rent a carpet-cleaning machine if you do not have one. Use very hot water to remove dirt and stains more effectively.

7

Fill the soap reservoir with a natural carpet cleaning solution. If you use your own carpet cleaner and it doesn't void the warranty, you can use a natural laundry detergent in place of carpet cleaner. If you don't want to use any detergent, the hot water alone will remove much of the accumulated grime.

8

Clean the entire carpet one time with the cleaner following the manufacturer's instructions. Run the carpet cleaner over the carpet once more with just hot water to rinse any detergent residue. Make a third pass without spraying any water or detergent to suck up as much moisture as you can.

9

Stay off the carpet until it dries completely. Once dry, vacuum the carpet again to fluff the nap and remove the last of any soap residues.