Star-Herald How To Guide 2011

Page 3 — How to Select ActiveAdult Communities

Page 5 — How to Find the BestReplacement Windows for YourHome

Page 7 — How to Choose anAuto Repair Shop

Page 9 — How to Select Fishand Seafood

Page 11 — Guide to Estatesand Wills

Page 13 — How to Get the MostOut of Your Remodeling Dollar

Page 15 — How to Make YourHome Reflect Your Personality

Page 17 — How to Choose anAuto Repair Shop

Page 19 — How to Determinethe Appropriate Amount of LifeInsurance Coverage

Page 21 — How to Select aHearing Aid

Page 23 — How to Find theMortgage that is Right for You

How to Guide 20112 Saturday, February 5, 2011 A Star-Herald Publication

Select Active AdultCommunities

Things to FindOut BeforeMoving In

1. What does the moving inprocess entail? What are thepaperwork requirements andthe timeframes involved?

2. How is the initial assess-ment managed? Who com-pletes the assessment?

3. Is the residence affiliatedwith a hospital or nursinghome should acute or long-term care be needed? If so,is there a priority admissionprocess?

4. If you need hospital ornursing home care, is yourroom held? What are theassociated fees? Is there adiscount for unused servic-es (e.g. meals)?

5. Does the residence sub-scribe to a set of residentrights and responsibilities?Is a written copy available?

As people are living longer and healthier lives, many seniorsare facing their “golden years’ and retirement with quite a bitof energy. Many are eschewing conventional retirement and

nursing homes for communities which offer them a great deal ofactivity and autonomy while still providing the security and conven-ience of onsite medical facilities, meal plans and other therapeuticand semi-therapeutic services from physical therapy to yoga class-es. These communitiesoffer the services andfeatures of the “outsideworld” that seniors mostneed or desire but aregathered together in acommunity of individualsof similar age andlifestyle.

Choosing one of thesecommunities oftencomes down to two sim-ple factors, the featuresoffered and the overallcost. Some first thingsyou should look for are:Do you like the areawhere the community islocated? Are the choices of accommodation in line with what you’relooking for – are they apartment style, town home style, single fam-ily homes, manufactured homes – or a combination of all of theseoptions? Choices range from what’s basically a “subdivision” target-ed to seniors with some typical services – a community center, pool,tennis courts, etc. – to a community which provides a long termcommitment for seniors in terms of dealing with current and futurehealth issues and their impact on your living situation. You shouldfind out what’s included in the various choices you are offered for aprice. Ask how you “own” your property, what additional services doyou need to pay for, and so on. These basic questions are particu-larly important if the community is far from home. For instance, ifyou’re migrating from a chilly northern climate to Texas, California orFlorida or some other warm and sunny state you haven’t visited thearea before, try spending some extended vacation time before com-mitting your savings to moving to an adult community there. Youmay find your attraction to sun and fun is short-lived and that youstill like snow for Christmas. Of course, if you’ve been to the areabefore, then your decision also needs to include the kind of ancillary

activities offered for both you and your spouse. Many such commu-nities are centered on a particular activity like golf. If you’re not agolfer, you may feel a bit out of it.

One of the most important things to find out is how you can tran-sition in the community as you get older and become less of an“active adult.” Many communities offer the potential to move alonga scale from completely independent living to 24 hour in-homecare to nursing home facilities. In other words, should you live

there for a certainamount of time, and thenbreak a hip, you mightthen decide to movefrom your townhouse toan apartment facilitywhere you have theoption of nursing careand a meal plan. Often,all or part of your homeequity covers theseoptions. You may investyour life savings in acondominium which,when you’re deceased ormove into another part ofthe community, can beresold by the community.

There are, of course, many ways these arrangements can bemade, and you would be wise to consult organizations like AARP,the Better Business Bureau, local senior advocacy groups, yourdoctor as well as current residents to see whether the financialarrangements will work for you, your spouse and your family.Major questions like what will happen should you or your spousebecome incapacitated or need constant care should be answeredadequately before you commit.

Once you feel secure about the financial arrangements, however,you may find that living in an active senior community is one of thebest decisions you’ve ever made. Combining the convenience andsecurity of a gated community with the advantage of living withpeers of similar age, background and fitness level, and with apanoply of services both recreational and therapeutic designed tohelp you live an even longer, happier and more productive life.These communities help retirees do what is often difficult to do ontheir own, without sacrificing the choice and independence they’vecome to enjoy, and deserve.

By Charles Hansen

3


1725 East Overland, Scottsbluff308-632-2105

www.centurylumbercenter.comHours: Monday-Friday: 7:30 to 5:30; Saturday: 8:00 to 1:00

Choose ReplacementWindows for Your Home

The U-FactorRating

The NFRC rating system.Fortunately, the NationalFenestration Rating Council hasdeveloped a rating system that con-siders nearly all of these factors.One element the NFRC rating sys-tem doesn't account for is the long-term durability of the productbecause it rates the overall windowonly when it is new.

The NFRC gives each window a U-factor rating. The U-factor is theinverse of the more familiar R-factorused in attic insulation. So a U-factorof .5 equals an R-factor of 2. Thelower the U-factor the better.

When comparing windows, checkfor the NFRC label. Look for the U-factor. The first number after thewords "U-factor" is the rating that'sappropriate for residential purposes.It will be marked "AA" or"Residential." The U-factor marked"BB" or "Non-Residential" is for com-mercial window applications. Usethe U-factor rating to make mean-ingful comparisons. Be wary of awindow vendor who won't providethis number.

How far should you go? Obviously,you need to get price comparisonsto make a decision. Keep in mindthat a good portion of your cost isinstallation, so it makes sense toleverage those costs by installing abetter window.

While many of these companies devote a lot of time and energy to mar-keting, the installation end of the business may get very little attention.This can be a big problem for you. If installed improperly, the best win-

dow in the world may yield you results no better than the old one you're replac-ing.

The most popular reason people replace windows in their home is to savemoney on utility bills. Another significant reason is that good quality replace-ment windows deliver large savings in maintenance costs. Many people aresimply tired of wrestling with old windows that are hard toopen and close or that won't stay open. When old windowsneed scraping, new putty and repainting, it's an ideal timeto consider replacement. Replacing windows is also anopportunity to upgrade your home in terms of style andresale value.

Saving Money on Utility BillsGood quality windows, installed properly, can yield sub-stantial energy savings. How much you save depends onthe type of window you choose and the type and conditionof the windows you are replacing.

In the average home, 38 percent of the heat loss is throughwindows and doors. If your home has drafty single-panewindows or single-pane aluminum sliders, the heat lossfrom windows may be as much as 50 percent. The poorer the performance ofyour old windows, the more dramatic the savings and the sooner energy sav-ings alone will cover the cost of your investment.

Many technologies contribute to a window's overall thermal performance. Themost common way to compare thermal performance is using a U-factor rating.The U-factor rating allows you to make decisions without becoming an experton all the latest technologies.

Opening StyleMany people don't realize that you don't have to replace your old windows withnew ones that have the same opening style. Air leakage in and around windowsis a big factor in the window's overall thermal performance. In terms of air leak-age, the best window is fixed; that is, can't open or close. There simply aren'tany gaps and openings for air to find its way through.

While useless for ventilation or for escaping a fire, fixed windows may be anexcellent option in certain locations. Nearly as good are "casements" or awningstyle windows that crank open and closed. Because the seals are compressedslightly when the window is closed, it is difficult for air leaks to develop.

The least efficient opening style is sliders. Many people select sliders simplybecause that is what they've always had. There are plenty of good sliders onthe market, but they have to rely more on other features, such as low-E coat-ings and more glazing layers, to deliver top energy performance. Sliders, whichhave more joints and gaps, are also more susceptible to air leaks as the sealsage and get worn or lose their resiliency. Frame material and construction. As

much heat can be lost through the frame as through the glass portion of thewindow.

Both wood and vinyl perform well, whereas making a metal frame that containsheat well is difficult. Metal frames are generally stronger, which becomes a fac-tor in commercial applications or with extra-large windows. For normal size res-idential windows, most homeowners choose vinyl or wood.

Window FrameThe frame is the key to the long-term structural integrity of the window. If the

frame warps or cracks, the window's performance can sufferenormously. With vinyl windows, avoid frames that are heldtogether with screws because they tend to loosen over time.Instead, look for "welded" seams, where either heat orchemicals have been used to fuse the joints. In terms ofenergy savings, wood and vinyl are comparable. Some peo-ple prefer the aesthetics of wood, though it lacks the main-tenance-free aspect of vinyl.

Glazing Most older windows are made with a single layer of glass.The most popular replacement windows are made with twopanes of glass. Some people opt for triple-pane windows tomaximize the improvement in thermal performance. Addedlayers improve performance in two ways.

First, enclosed air and other gases are effective insulators.The more enclosed spaces the window has, the less heat can escape. Eachlayer of glass also provides more surfaces for low-E coatings. Some windowsuse a plastic film suspended between two layers of glass to achieve a triple-pane effect at a lower cost.

Low-E coatings. Low-E coatings are almost invisible finishes that are usuallyapplied to glass. While they let through most of the light humans can see,they block much of the heat-intensive infrared light, thus improving the win-dow's insulating value. Some windows have the low-E coating on a film sus-pended between two layers of glass, creating the effect of a triple-glazedproduct.

Fill gases. While plain air is a good insulator, some gases (like argon, kryp-ton and carbon dioxide) are even better. The gas or combination of gasesaffects the window's overall thermal performance.

Saving Money on Maintenance New windows can save you money on maintenance in two important ways.First, if you choose vinyl windows, you can eliminate the cost of painting thewindows inside or out. In a typical painting project, the most expensive partis painting the windows. Eliminate the need for that and your painting costswill be reduced.

The outside of most modern replacement windows is designed to be cleanedeasily from the inside. If you wash your own windows, you'll save yourself alot of time and eliminate a major safety risk. If you normally hire a pro, youmay find you can do it yourself with these practical new windows.

By Don Bush

5


Choose an AutoBody Repair Shop

In search of theperfect body shop

1. Look ahead. Choose abody shop before you'reinvolved in an accident.There isn't enough time tomake an informed decisionafter the fact.

2. Get references. Friends,mechanics and insurancecompanies can help youstart. Credentials fromestablished organizationssuch as the NationalInstitute for AutomotiveService Excellence or goodreports from the BetterBusiness Bureau also help.

3. See for yourself. Go to abody shop you're consider-ing using. Inspect the shopfor cleanliness, type of workbeing done and quality offinished product.

4. Talk it over. Speak withthe owner. Is he courteous?What kind of warrantiesdoes she offer?

Your new car has just been damaged in a fender bender. Youwant to find an auto body shop that will do the work quicklyand effectively. And you don't have a lot of time to make the

decision. Where do you turn?

Stop.

You've already made your first mistake.

Choosing the correct auto body repair shop should be done beforeyour first accident, not after. In the unfortunate event of a car acci-dent, you will have a lot on your minds. Tending to injuries, workingwith your insurance company and countless other obligations willoccupy your time. You don't need to addthe search for a good body shop to yourlist.

Experts recommend finding a good bodyshop before the first crash. It not onlyreduces the number of things you musttake care of at the time of the accident, butit gives you the time to make a wise deci-sion.

The first step is to talk to others aboutmaking a quality selection. Ask friends for their recommendations.Talk to your regular mechanic about who he would use. Speak toyour insurance company about any preferred companies they workwith.

Once you've made a list of potential shops, you should also do anon-site inspection of the shop. There are numerous things you canlook for once you get there.

Austin C. Davis, founder of the web site www.Trustmymechanic.com,suggests a few things to look for when you get to a shop.

"What kind of cars are they working on - newer or older models,antique car restoration, small dings and dents or big-time car crash-es?" Davis says. Consider the kind of work they do most often andsee if it matches up with the kind of cars you drive.

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair echoes that idea. Thestate government division offers a helpful checklist on choosingrepair specialists at its web site.

"Different repair shops will specialize in fixing different makes andmodels of vehicles, which means they are likely to have specializedexperience, training and equipment."

Davis also suggests inspecting the look of the shop. Is it messy andcluttered or clean and orderly?

A shop's cleanliness may give clues to the way it operates. A placewith a lot of parts strewn about may be more likely to "make due"with parts, choosing parts that weren't specified for your vehicle.

The walls can also be a tell tale sign. Look for accreditation fromvarious organizations, such as I-CAR (the Inter-Industry Conferenceon Auto Collision Repair) or ASE (the National Institute forAutomotive Service Excellence). In California, you can check adealer's license through the BAR's web site, www.autorepair.ca.gov.Other states offer similar systems of checking on a shop's creden-tials.

The Better Business Bureau is also a valuable resource in checkingthe shop's reputation.

There is also some vital information to begleaned outside the shop. Frequently, autobody shops will have a finished product await-ing pickup. Davis suggests asking the owner ifyou may inspect one of their finished autos todetermine their skills.

Start with the paint and see if it matches withthe car's original coat. It's best to do this in thesunlight.

"Walk around the vehicle slowly looking at each body panel individ-ually, paying special attention to areas joining two panels. Does thepaint on the bumpers match the rest of the car?" he asks.

Also, ask yourself, "do the fenders match and align properly with thehood and the doors; is the roof straight or wavy looking; do you seepaint over-spray around the tires, windows and on emblems orchrome pieces?

"If you can see obvious defects or sloppy workmanship with thenaked eye, how many non-visual defects or safety issues can therebe?" Davis asks.

He also suggests talking to the shop owner about warranties andwho will honor them.

"You should ask the shop in advance what brand of parts will beused, and what the warranty will be on all parts and labor.

"Paint can look beautiful for six months, then start to peel off, crackand fade away all on its own. Poor preparation before painting cancause the beautiful paint job you see now to completely disappearin months after it finally cures and hardens.

"What you see right after your car has been repainted will be thebest it will be, so look closely. Dust, hair, small grains of sand andBondo body filler particles can resurface as the paint dries."

By Dan Markham

7


Catfishwith Corn & Tomato Relish

Makes 4 Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes* Cook Time: 20 minutes

1. For corn & tomato relish, place corn in microwave safe dish;

cover loosely with damp paper towels. Microwave on HIGH 5

minutes, turning over halfway through cooking. Let stand 3 min-

utes to cool slightly. Cut kernels from ears of corn; place in a

large bowl. Stir in tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, lime juice &

1½ tsp. (7ml) Cajun seasoning; set aside.

2. Brush fish on both sides with oil & sprinkle with remaining 2

tbsp. (30ml) Cajun seasoning. Grill on high heat 6-8 min. on each

side or until fish flakes with a ford. Serve fish on corn and toma-

to relish. Garnish with cilantro leaves & lime wedges, if desired.

3 corn cobs, shucked

2 large tomatoes,

chopped

4 green onions,

chopped

¼ cup (60ml) cilantro,

chopped

2 tbsp. (30ml)lime juice

1½tsp. (7ml) plus 2

tbsp. (30ml) Cajun

seasoning, divided

4 (6-oz./180g) catfish

fillets

1 tbsp. (15ml) olive oil

Cilantro leaves, lime

wedges (optional)

Catfish Fillets$399

LB.

A wide array of Fresh Fish & Seafood!Make your selections from

Plus so much more! Stop in today!

Yellow PerchTuna

Sword FishRed Snapper

Sea ScallopsKing Crab Legs

Salmon Fillets$729

LB.

Snow CrabClusters

$659LB.

26/30 RawShrimp

$699LB.

401 South Beltline Hwy WestScottsbluff, NE

308-632-5303 • Open Daily 6:00AM-9:00PMPrices Good Through February 15, 2011

Select Fishand Seafood

A delicious way tocook and serve fish

Swordfish, tuna, kingfish and other meatyfish have flavor and texture enough tostand up to very robust toppings. Cookingthe onions and garlic very slowly makesthem sweet and tender.

Grilled Mahi Mahi with SweetOnions and Garlic Note: This recipe also good for tuna,sea bass, mackerel, or halibut.

1 1/2 pounds mahi mahi, sliced 3/4-inchthick (4 servings)1 large Vidalia, Maui or other sweet onion5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced3 tablespoons olive oil2 tablespoons butter1/2-teaspoon sugar3 tablespoons orange juice, (fresh is best)1/4-teaspoon salt1/4-teaspoon pepper

Peel and slice the onion and garlic cloves asthinly as possible. Heat the oil and butter inheavy skillet. When the butter bubbles, addthe onions and garlic. Reduce heat to medi-um-low and cook the onions very slowly for20 to 25 minutes until they're golden brown.Watch mixture to avoid burning. When theonions are golden, sprinkle with sugar,orange juice, salt and pepper. Allow the juiceto evaporate for about 1 minute.While onions are cooking, heat a grill to medi-um-high. Brush both sides of the mahi mahifillets with olive oil. Cook the fish for 2 minutesdirectly on grill; rotate the fish one-quarterturn without flipping it. (This gives the fish anattractive diamond pattern from the grill.)Cook for 5 minutes longer on the same side.

Flip fish and cook for 5 minutes longer. Fish isdone when it feels firm to the touch. (Cookingtime may vary slightly according to thicknessof fillets.)

Serve fillet topped with the onion and garlicmixture. Makes 4 servings.

This outstanding dish deserves an outstand-ing wine. Visit with Ike in Plaza Food’s WineDepartment to select the wine that willenhance your seafood dinner.

No matter what diet plan you read or nutrition informa-tion you follow, it is almost universally agreed uponthat Americans need to cut down on the red meat and

eat more fish. Not only are fish high in protein and low in fat,but the fat they do have - what are called Omega 3 fatty acids- is considered to be a significant factor in reducing "bad" cho-lesterol and thus the possibility of heart disease. Of course,for those of us living on the East or West coasts, fish can bea fact of life, with awide variety of freshand saltwater fish aswell as shellfish avail-able, in many casesjust caught. And, for aprice, the landlockedcan enjoy fresh fishflown in from thecoasts either chilled orfrozen just as it hasbeen pulled from thewater and thus almostas fresh as our beachliving fellow con-sumers. However, if your budget is a little less forgiving,you're often looking at frozen or processed fish which, thoughstill better for you than no fish at all, simply don't confer thesame benefits or have the same variety of flavors as freshfish.

How do you tell if the seafood you're considering is fresh?Well, it turns out your sense of smell is an excellent indicator.Fresh fish does not smell "fishy," the fishier the smell, theolder the fish. Thus, no matter how embarrassing it is,always, always ask your fishmonger to let you smell the fishyou've selected - there's nothing worse than picking out abeautiful cut of salmon and bringing it home to find that you'vepaid full price for less than full flavor. What should fish smell

like? Basically, like water - really fresh fish has the cleansmell of the sea or lake water it came from. Fresh fish is alsofirm and resilient (not rubbery or squishy) to the touch and, ifyou're buying fish whole, the eyes are clear, not clouded ormilky. For shellfish, lobsters, crabs, etc. should be alive andlively, and clams, oysters, muscles, etc. should be tightlyclosed - or if slightly open slam shut when touched.Remember to wash shellfish thoroughly to remove and sandor grit (keep dunking them until there's no sand at the bottomof the pot or bowl) and, after you've cooked them, throw away

any that have notopened - they areinedible.

If you're stuck with-out a fish counter andare looking at "fresh"fish filets and shell-fish like scallopsshrink-wrapped inthose little Styrofoamtrays, you stillshould, if possible,smell the fish to see ifit's fresh. If that

means calling the butcher or store manager over to rewrap thepackage after you've opened it, so be it - but be considerateand find someone to help you, don't just poke holes in pack-ages and leave them there. Fresh-frozen fish also can be agood alternative - think of them the way you think of frozenvegetables, almost as good but different - though some vari-eties seem to freeze better than others so use your taste andpreparation method as your guide. Pre-cooked frozen shrimpcan be quite a good buy - often better than those little plasticrounds of "fresh cooked" shrimp at the deli counter. The samegoes for frozen rock lobster tails - if you want a little lobster forsalad, they're a far easier and often more economical choicethan dealing with a whole live lobster.

By Curt Hagedorn

9


Guide to Estatesand Wills

It's probably a natural tendency, but most of us tend to considerthings like estate planning only when something happens in ourlives that brings the possibility of something happening to us into

often surprising focus. The death of a friend or family member, abrush with serious illness, even natural or man-made disasters canmake the far off prospect of needing to plan for "not being here any-more" much like the warning in the rear-view mirror - somethingmuch closer than it appears. Even if you own nothing of particularvalue and the only thing you haveto pass on is your credit card bills,you really need to consider andaccomplish the following now.

1. Write your will. Basically, thislets people know what to do withyour stuff after you're gone. Evenif you don't much care, if there'snothing your family might want,you can at least specify a charityto benefit from your assets, how-ever meager. Your lawyer oraccountant, your local bookstoreor computer software store all willbe able to direct you in how to cre-ate a will that is legal and bindingin your state. Remember, theimportance of this documentincreases as you add assets - ifyou have children of any age andhaven't gotten around to making awill, you risk their becoming wardsof the state should you and yourspouse both suffer an accidentaldeath, for example.

2. Anticipate problems. Many of you have probably heard the term"living will," which basically is a list of things to do and whom to turnto should you become incapacitated, suffer a life threatening illnessor accident or otherwise be unable to conduct your personal andbusiness affairs. Again, depending upon your situation you mayneed to consider both Health Care and Financial Powers of attorney(and you should definitely find a good lawyer to help you with theseshould your situation be at all complicated) which lay out what youwish and don't wish concerning handling your health care and

finances in the even that you are unable to do so yourself. Forexample, if you have three children but only one of them lives closeto you, you might want to give that child power of attorney overhealth care decisions since they're more immediate. If you haveyoung children, other family members or trusted friends and profes-sional advisors may figure into your choices. However, these arecomplicated decisions based upon a variety of personal trust andrelationship issues and again, the advice of a professional from yourdoctor or lawyer to your accountant or financial advisor can be very

helpful. It is within this broad cat-egory that you will also find thefamous DNR order...where youspecify that you do not wish to bekept alive by extraordinary meas-ures under certain circumstancessuch as coma or brain death.

3. Put your existing affairs inorder. Though many people arenow forming living trusts thatbasically help your survivorsavoid probate, many states alsowill consider P.O.D. (Payable onDeath) orders on such things asyour automobile title, the title toyour house and your bankaccounts. Ask you financial advi-sor which makes the most sensefor you at your level of assets.Also, make sure you haveenough insurance to accomplishthe things you might have want-ed to accomplish had you beenalive - things like putting your

kids through college or making sure that your spouse, children orother family members will be well taken care of in your absence.

4. Plan your parting. Though this may be the most uncomfortabledecision you need to make, it will contribute greatly toward thepeace of mind and harmony of those you leave behind if you makearrangements for your funeral. This includes everything from spec-ifying if you would like to be an organ donor to whether you wouldlike to be buried or cremated. You can purchase insurance to helpcover funeral expenses, or set up an account at your bank to holdfunds you set aside for your funeral.

By Curt Hagedorn

11

Planning Tipsfor your estate

and will1. Creating a Will is easi-er than you think, and anabsolute necessity foreveryone

2. Stop fights and solveproblems before theystart with Trusts, Powersof Attorney and other rel-atively simple to executelegal documents

3. Plan insurance forboth now and in thefuture - particularly if youhave children.

4. Don't leave your lovedones with more than yourloss by arranging to coverfuneral expenses inadvance.


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Get The Most Out OfYour Remodeling Dollar

I've recently been looking into downsizing for my 85 year oldmother, who now lives in a five bedroom three bathroom homethat is getting to be a little much to take care of for a four foot

eight woman with an active social life. Just getting the place pre-sentable for a marathon game of canasta with the other members ofthe little old lady mafia in her neighborhood can take days. All ofwhich is to say, navigating the slippery slope of what something isworth in the real estate market today is not for the faint hearted.

For example, the first thing you'll find isthat everyone's house, no matter howbig, or small, or crumbling at theseams, is worth at least 200K - exceptyours, which somehow (according tobuyers) no one will buy for over 150K,unless you spend about 50K fixing itup. Is this for real? Well....yes and no.Top cosmetic improvements can bringyour house up to whatever is the high-est prevailing price in your neighbor-hood, but if you think spending$50,000 is going to add $50,000 to thevalue of your home over and abovewhat homes in your neighborhood areselling for think again. Nobody is goingto spend $350,000 for a home in adevelopment where every other houseis selling for $250,000.

However, there are things you can doto bring your home on a par with otherhomes in your area so you can com-fortably ask for top dollar and, unlike the more realistic market ofsome years ago, you may even actually realize a bit more on yourhome than what you've put into it. According to a recent article inParade magazine a kitchen remodel costing around $15,000 helpedthe homeowner realize an approximately $22,000 increase in thevalue of their Florida home. This kind of added value is in no way asure bet except in the hottest of the hot markets, so invest in remod-eling carefully. Another word to the wise: remember, part of thevalue equation for any home is what you've actually gotten out of itby living in it. If you want to start renovating for sale, do it when you

move in or do it over time as you live in the home. That way, you'llreap the energy saving benefit of those new energy saving win-dows, and enjoy the convenience of those deluxe appliances, orthat new deck with a gas grill and get your maximum value out ofthem before you pass them on, lovingly cared for, to a new owner.

What are the most desirable home improvements? Well, renovatedkitchens and bathrooms top the list. Over the past few years remod-eling these essential spaces deliver around 80 percent and more of

their cost in resale value. Adding abathroom, another bedroom, a deckor other outdoor entertaining areaand then cosmetic improvements likeexterior siding and so on also top thelist of improvements that make a dif-ference in the value of your home.Things that you might think wouldadd value but surprisingly, do not,are swimming pools (which can actu-ally lower the value of your homeeverywhere except places likeCalifornia, Florida and southern-most climates) and over the top fix-tures and accessories. You areunlikely to get back the money youspent on all of those 24K goldfaucets and fixtures or Waterfordcrystal chandeliers, unless everyhouse in your neighborhood hasthem.

If you do want to update your homefor sale, remember appearance is

everything. Look at your neighbors' homes, or the houses that havesold for the top prices in your development (take advantage of openhouses and if you're thinking of selling, start looking at every housein your neighborhood.) Do the things that add the most sizzle forthe least amount of cash. You are going to see a lot of "six paneldoors" out there and, actually, since ones of reasonably good qual-ity can be had for around 50 bucks apiece, they make an attractiveupgrade for three to five hundred dollars. Also, you should clean,freshen and paint. A well maintained home without a lot of dirt andclutter inspires confidence - and that includes outdoors as well.

By Charles Hoffman

13

Find the BestContractor for

your Home ProjectIf every house in yourneighborhood has twobathrooms but yours,adding a bath should bethe first remodeling proj-ect on your list. But don'tjust go with the first con-tractor you interview,since basic remodelingjobs can vary widelydepending upon whomyou hire. Check outbuilders with the BetterBusiness Bureau or localHome Builder'sAssociation, ask friendsand acquaintances whosehomes you admire, checkwith your church andother organization towhich you belong. Andonce you find a contrac-tor you can trust andwhose work you admire,develop a plan to keephim busy as much aspossible upgrading yourhome. Next to a doctor, alawyer and an automechanic, a good con-tractor or handyman isworth his weight in gold.


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See, Touchand Feel the

Furniture BeforeYou Buy it.

While it's true that there'snever been more classicdesign available at unfin-ished wood prices, remem-ber all knock-offs are notcreated equal. There arestores out there that can sellyou quality reproductions ofdesigner furniture from Miesvan der Roe to Louis XIV.However, there are alsoplaces who believe thatbeauty is genuinely onlyskin deep, and that furnitureis meant to be seen, notused for any length of time.If the price of somethingbeautiful appears too goodto be true, make sure youknow the exact warrantyand return policy and, evenin these days of sightunseen internet buying, thatyou have an opportunity toactually see and if possibletry out the piece before thetransaction is final.

Afew years ago everyone was talking about the "democra-tization" of taste. Basically, the theory was that with riseof national chains like The Gap, Banana Republic, Club

Monaco and the like (stores which promoted a certain kind ofclassic style) Americans from all walks of life could all afford acertain level of dressing. In other words, one man's (or woman's)white button-down and khakis is just as good (in theory) asanother's. This concept has now moved over into home décor aswell. Call it "Ikea" call it "Pottery Barn," call it "Target," ourhomes are increasinglyfilled with examples of akind of clean eclecticismranging from angularmodern to enduringtraditional from furnitureto fixtures.

While this state of affairsis perhaps far preferableto the furniture fads ofthe past from hot pinkshag carpeting to patentvinyl neon bean bags toinflatable polypropylene,it's also become a littlebit....uniform. If you lookaround your room and can't tell the difference between it and thecover of the latest furniture catalog, maybe it's time to set out ona journey to discover your personal style.

Perhaps the best way to do this is to follow a few tips from therealtor's handbook. To make your home to look like a showplace,start by editing. Remove everything that's not absolutely neces-sary and follow the rule of three: a maximum of three objects onany flat service. This means that if your coffee table is hosting astack of magazine, a bevy of knick-knacks and a pile of mail, youneed to reduce it to one magazine, one envelope and one knick(or knack.) While this isn't the end of the line, this will clear yourfield of vision to decide what's absolutely necessary (pull theenvelope, add a candy dish, and so on.) Pull things that arebland and generic and replace them with things you love. Andremember while the things you love may not make your homelook more like Pottery Barn, they will make your home look morelike you.

The next best (and least expensive) place to add some of yourown personality to your home is with color. Paint and fabric cango along way to turn safe neutrals into radiant reds, glamorousgolds and passionate purples. If color scares you, start with adeep color to emphasize one wall, then pick up that color insome throw pillows or even a print you love. Or pull your colorsfrom a favorite piece of art. And, contrary to popular opinion,play with scale. One oversized framed poster or one imposingsplash of slip covered sofa or scarlet wall can help add just

the right touch of overthe top drama to anotherwise safe decorat-ing scheme. Just don'tspend too much moneyon any one thing (unlessyou will love it for the restof your life) and remem-ber paint can be paintedover, fabric can be dyedor reupholstered.

Finally, one of the bestways to make your homereflect your personality isto ask someone else.What you may not be

able to do, you may be able to describe. Professional decoratorsand color consultants abound in the pages of the paper and atyour community's home show and decorators showcases andmodel homes and finally, even at your local home and furniturestores. You'll be surprised how a good decorator can not onlymake the most out of a limited budget, but can take a look at yourmixed up home and figure out just the touches to make what youalready have shine and what's most important about you fromyour favorite color to your fear of hot pink stand out. Rememberdecorators often have access to furniture, fixtures and labor thatthe rest of us don't. If you're brave and on an even more limitedbudget, you might even try interviewing some graduates ofyour local college or other interior design program. You mightconvince a professor to give extra credit or make your dowdybedroom or family room a class project.

By Curt Hagedorn

15


Choose an AutoRepair Shop

Finding your perfect mechanic1. Choose before you go.Selecting the proper autorepair shop takes time, andis best done before youneed service. Talk to friendsand family for recommenda-tions.

2. Check credentials. Goodrelations with the BetterBusiness Bureau or com-pletion of certified trainingprograms suggests thetechnicians provide qualitywork.

3. Clean is good. A neat,well-organized shop signi-fies a professional atmos-phere. A dirty shop doesn'tnecessarily mean the serv-ice will be less expensive.

4. Follow-up. Don't hesitateto ask for an itemized list ofwork done on your vehicleand don't shy away from air-ing concerns with your serv-ice with the owner or man-ager.

The mechanic in our imagination may be a man who wears hishard work on his sleeve... And his pants... And his shoes.

While we expect cleanliness out of our school teachers, waiters andother professionals with whom we have daily contact, many of us arewilling to overlook a little (or a lot) of grease on our mechanic or hisshop. Hey, it's a dirty job, right?

Well, if you're in the position of looking for a mechanic, experts say thatcleanliness is a trait worth savoring, even in amechanic.

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair, in itschecklist for selecting a good repair shop, advis-es motorists to put cleanliness next to goodliness."A good repair shop should have a neat and well-organized service floor, modern equipment andclearly posted policies regarding labor rates."

Shop owner Austin C. Davis, the founder of theweb site www.TrustMyMechanic.com, is evenmore adamant about looking for a clean shopand shopkeeper. "Don't leave your car, a hugeinvestment in your life, in the hands of a slob."We are looking for a shop that we can call homefor a long time. You should feel comfortable inthis shop while wearing white tennis shoes ornew penny loafers. A clean shop will attractclean and well-educated mechanics, servicewriters and any other shop personnel. Dirtyshops attract dirty people."

There are plenty of other things to look for whenyou're in the market for an auto repair shop. Andamong the first things to understand is it's better to make your deci-sion before you need work done.

The California BAR, among other experts, recommends choosing amechanic in advance of needing major service. Doing so reduces theheadaches at the time service is required, and allows you to make aninformed decision about your mechanic.

The first step in choosing one is to talk to friends, family and othersfor recommendations. Find a mechanic they trust. "If they're happywith the shop's services, chances are you'll be happy too," the BARreports.

Stan Adamick, writing on the subject for www.Howtoadvice.com, alsorecommends setting up alternate transportation in advance, to keepfrom selecting a shop solely on location.

Once there, you should verify the shop's credentials. Look for diplomasor other items signifying credentials. Membership in the BetterBusiness Bureau or status as an AAA-Approved Auto Repair shop is asign that the work is of higher quality.

To Adamick, the best indicator of good work is certification from theNational Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). He saysASE conducts the only industry-wide national certification program forautomotive technicians.

"Consumers benefit from ASE's certification program since it takesmuch of the guesswork out of finding a competent technician. ASE cer-

tifies the competency of individual techni-cians through a series of standardized spe-cialty exams."

In California, motorists should seek outlicensed shops, which will also include asign indicating the state's Motorist Bill ofRights. Such rights include the right to awritten estimate before any work is done, adetailed invoice of work done and parts sup-plied, a return of replaced parts, answers toadditional questions by the manager andassistance from the BAR with additionalquestions.

Other states have similar rules protectingmotorists, and should be researched beforetaking your vehicle to the shop.

Also at the shop you should look at thetypes of vehicles being worked on. Somevehicles specialize in certain makes andmodels, and it's best to find a shop that iscomfortable with your car. Feel free to askthe technician what kind of vehicles the

shop typically works on.

One other thing to consider is that you're really not done choosing amechanic until after the transaction is complete. Once your car is fin-ished, don't hesitate to question any items on the bill you don't under-stand.

"It is to your advantage to ask for an itemized face-to-face explanationwith the service writer of the work that was done to your car," says Davis.

Adamick also believes that you should immediately bring any problemsto the owner's attention. "Discuss the problem with the service manageror owner. Give the business a chance to resolve the problem. Reputableshops value customer feedback and will make a sincere effort to keepyour business." And remember that. It is your business the auto shopneeds, not the other way around.

By Dan Markham

17


Choose the CorrectAmount of Life Insurance

Getting the mostlife out of life

insurance1. Assess your situation.Before buying, consider howmany people are dependingupon you and how muchmoney they'll need to be pro-tected in youth death.Consider adding relativelyinexpensive accidental deathand disability insurance tosupplement your term lifeplan.

2. Don't start too late. Manypeople don't become insureduntil they reach their 40s, longafter they've started a family.

3. If you plan to invest largeamount of money on life insur-ance policies, do it throughseveral carriers.

4. Don't lie on the application.If you smoke, fess up.

Determining how much life insurance you need comes down toa simple two-part question: Who is depending on you andhow much money will it take to support them in the event of

your death?

In some cases, the answer is no one. For an older single personwhose children have moved past the dependent stage and withouta large estate, the cost of death is small.

So too is the case of a 20-year-old single person whose income isnot a source of need for the family. But for a married mother orfather, with children, then life insurance is a most necessary item.And it's best to purchase a lifeinsurance policy when you start afamily, not after.

Todd Ewing, the senior vice-pres-ident of Insweb, a life insuranceinformation web site, says thatthe average client begins buyinglife insurance at 41. That's toolate.

"Life insurance is meant toindemnify you during your primeearning years," Ewing said. "Youshould begin early, when youhave a child." Additionally, Ewingsaid, purchasing life insurancethen is "incredibly affordable. It'spennies on the dollar."

Gerry H. Goldsholle, the fonder of FreeAdvice.com, an all-purposeinformation web site, agrees that life insurance is most importantwhen a person has the most to lose. "What are you leaving behind?"Goldsholle suggests asking yourself. "What financial and otherforms of support will be necessary if you aren't there?"

For working parents, Goldsholle says the axiom of 7X your yearlyincome remains a good barometer. Since life insurance proceedsare tax free, the use of 7X your income results in roughly 10 yearsof pay at your current income level. This, he says, should provide"enough time for the surviving spouse to get retrained or the kids togrow up."

Of course, even non-income earning spouses need protection.The costs of child care and other home duties should be factoredinto the equation. In either case, Goldsholle recommends terminsurance as the optimal choice. "It's pure death protection,"

Goldsholle says.

Ewing concurs that term insurance is the best option. "All term poli-cies are variable," Ewing says. "It gives you flexibility. You canalways convert it."

Additionally, for younger parents, Goldsholle suggests accidentaldeath and disability insurance, noting it costs around $65 for$100,000 worth of insurance. He recommends this policy becausefor parents under 40, 50 percent of deaths are caused by acciden-tal means.

As children age and leave the dependency stage, the need for lifeinsurance lessens, but is not eliminated. Surviving spouses must be

covered in the event of yourdeath. Ewing says one mistakesome spouses make is to limitcoverage to the cost of the mort-gage. "That's not the onlyexpense they incur every month."

At any rate, Goldsholle says notto take out more insurance thanyou need. "You can spend allyour money on insurance, but it'snot a good lifetime strategy. "Takeyour other money and invest it infar more attractive (plans)," hesays.

Before you take out a policy,some other considerations mustbe made. Assessing your ownneeds and situation is imperative.

For instance, specific health issues, such as obesity, are factoredinto premiums. Yet some carriers, Goldsholle noted, are moreaccepting of some of these health issues. "Your broker can explainwho can place you with a company more tolerant of the risks youhave," he says.

Additionally, he says, you need to be truthful in the assessment ofyour risks. If you're a smoker, you need to be honest when openinga policy or you risk the policy being voided in the event of yourdeath, particularly within two years.

Finally, for those wealthier individuals who will invest more moneyin life insurance, Goldsholle suggests spreading out policies withnumerous carriers for more stability.

"You wouldn't put $2 million in one bank," he says. However, youalso shouldn't purchase too much insurance at one time, as itsends up red flags among carriers.

By Dan Markham

19


Home Office - 2821 Ave B - Scottsbluff 308-632-7415 • Hours: M-F 8:30 -4:30

Cheyenne Office: 4112 Laramie St. • (307) 637-7415 AUTHORIZED CENTER FORHEARING EXCELLENCE

SHERSHER ARDARD HEARING AID CENTER

Stan Sherard & Wendy Juarez

Do you hear, but have troubleunderstanding certain words?

Do you have trouble hearingon the telephone?

Do you often ask people torepeat themselves?

Visit us forprofessional advice

on hearing loss.We dispense FREE telephones through the

Nebraska Public Service Commission for the Hearing Impairedfor those who qualify.

Select aHearing Aid

Purchasing aHearing Aid

You need someone who will workwith you over several visits tofind the right hearing aid, teachyou to use and maintain it andthen be available to service it inthe months and years to come.

Following are a few additionalsteps you can take to find a rep-utable, skilled hearing-aid dis-penser.

1. Make sure the hearing aid dis-penser offers at least a 30-daytrial period for the hearing aidand services the aids that he orshe sells.

2. Find out exactly what's includ-ed in the price. Some dispenserscharge separately for the hearingaid and the fitting; some willquote an all-in-one price.

3. Know whether the warranty ishonored by the manufacturer orby the dispenser.

4. Follow-ups are very important.Make sure they are covered atno cost.

If you remember your grandfather or other relative witha box about the size of a transistor radio in their pock-et with a wire running to an earplug, hearing aids have

changed a lot since then. With the rise of digital andcomputerized, hearing aids have become ever smaller,and more effec-tive. However,unless you'rethe kind of per-son who picksout a pair ofreading glassesby trial anderror at thelocal drugstore,you shouldreally first con-sult with yourp h y s i c i a nand/or hearingaid specialist tomake sure thatyou're gettingthe properhearing aid foryou - and tomake sure thatyour hearingloss isn't causeby some otheru n d e r l y i n gproblem. Also,since hearingcan changeover time, it's important that you have a relationship witha professional that can help you analyze problems andmake adjustments over time as you break in the deviceand learn how to use it over the long term.A hearing professional will do a variety of tests coveringthe full range of sounds and frequencies you may needassistance or have trouble hearing. What are called tone

tests or pure tone tests measure the kind of hearing lossyou might have. Speech recognition tests measure thethreshold of volume where you can hear and understandspeech. Once these tests are completed, you can expectto be presented with the results of what is called "audio-gram," which will tell you if there is any variation in hear-

ing betweenyour right or leftears, your totallevel of hearingloss, and atwhat levels orfrequencies youhear best. Yourpotential hear-ing aid will thenbe adjustedbased uponthese results. Digital hearingaids offergreater adjusta-bility to matchthe specificlosses outlined

on your audiogram. They can be customized for eachindividual ear depending upon the kind and style youget. "Completely in the ear canal" models, "behindthe ear" models and over the ear models have cer-tain advantages of amplification and battery life andsize. The over the ear hearing aids have becomemore popular over the past year. These models seton top of the ear and use a small tube placed justinside the ear canal. This leaves the ear canal open,therefore, a person does not feel full or stuffy.

Expect to pay from one to three thousand dollars fora quality hearing aid. Programmable features allow you toset your hearing aid for different listening environments -say "in church" or "watching television at home" - differentaids offer different numbers of channels and features.Digital hearing aids can also adjust for background noiseand whistling problems that hearing aids from the past havenot been able to do.

By Curt Hagedorn

21


Decide How Much YouCan Afford to Spend

Fixed Rate orAdjustableMortgage

One of your first decisions should bebetween a fixed rate (the interest rateremains constant through the life ofthe mortgage) and an adjustable (theinterest rate is adjusted--either up ordown--at specified times during themortgage term). Adjustable RateMortgages (ARM) will have an initialinterest rate lower than fixed rates butwill adjust upward (unless rates reallyfall) usually after the first year. The ARMmay be a good choice if you are surethat you will not own the home for anextended period (more than 5-7 years)of time.

Advantages and Disadvantagesof Fixed and ARM Mortgages

Advantages of Fixed Mortgages1. Since you know what your payment will befor the life of the loan, you can budget moreeasily. 2. No possibility of an interest rate changemaking your mortgage payment suddenlyunaffordable. 3. No anxiety over interest rate fluctuations.

Advantages of Adjustable RateMortgages - ARM1. Lower initial interest rate and thereforelower monthly payment.2. If interest rate declines, your payment willalso decline.3. Easier to qualify for due to lower initialinterest rate and payment amount.

Disadvantages of Fixed Mortgages1. More income needed to qualify because ofhigher initial mortgage rate. 2. Interest rates decrease appreciably, it willbe necessary to refinance to get a lowerpayment.

Disadvantages of Adjustable RateMortgages - ARM1. If interest rate increases, your payment willalso increase.2. A large increase in interest rates -- andpayment -- could make your houseunaffordable.

Once you have determined that you want to buy a new home, one ofthe first, most important factors to consider is how much you canrealistically afford to spend. Typically, new homes are purchased

with a combination of cash down payment and a mortgage loan.

What is a Mortgage?A mortgage is a consumer loan for the purpose of buying a home, using thehome you are buying as security or collateral. Important aspects of a mort-gage include:• Principal - the amount of the loan or cash borrowed.• Interest - the amount the lender charges for the use of the funds or prin-cipal. Interest rates vary around to a num-ber of factors, including the term and con-ditions. The borrower is expected to repaythe principal with interest.• Amortization Period - the number ofyears it will take to repay the mortgage infull. This time typically ranges from 15-30years.• Term - the length of time a mortgageagreement exists between the consumerand lender. The shorter the term, thelower the interest rate will be. • Maturity Date - the end of the term, atwhich time the borrower can either repaythe balances or renegotiate the mortgageat current interest rates.

Consumers can choose from a variety ofoptions based upon personal needs and circumstances such as open orclosed, or fixed or variable rate mortgages.

Types of MortgagesFixed Rate - With a fixed rate mortgage, an interest rate is established priorto closing and does not changes for the entire term of the loan. Many banksenable you to lock in the interest rate months prior to closing, which may beadvantageous if rates are low and subject to rise. With fixed rates borrow-ers know what their monthly payments will be without having to worry aboutrate hikes that would increase the amount of the payment. However, if rates decline, borrowers will not see a reduced payment. Ifrates decline significantly, you can refinance the mortgage to take advan-tage of the lower rate. Refinance charges will be incurred, so the interestrate drop must be able to justify the charges.

Adjustable Rate - With an adjustable or variable rate mortgage the interestrate will vary throughout the duration of the loan. Adjustable rates are ini-tially priced at a lower rate than fixed rate mortgages. Adjustable rates typ-ically have a rate increase cap per year and a lifetime cap on the interestrate. Adjustable rates are preferable for borrowers who only plan on beingin a home for a short period of time (3 - 5 years), as the monthly paymentsfor that time frame will be lower than a fixed interest rate. Since interestrates are difficult to predict, it may be difficult to set a budget, as rates hikes

will increase the amount of your monthly payment.

How Much Can You Afford?Determining how much you can afford to spend on your new home is basedon two factors.1. The amount of down payment you will have available. The larger thedown payment, the less you will need to borrow. This can lower your mort-gage payment and help save you thousands of dollars in interest.2. Your ability to carry the mortgage debt. A simple method can help youdetermine the mortgage amount you can pay back on your income. Start by calculating the maximum monthly payment you can afford.Lenders recommend that you use no more than 32% of gross income tocover principal, interest, property taxes and insurance costs. Gross house-

hold income is the total salary, wages,commissions and other assured income,before deductions by all householdmembers who are co-applicants of theloan.

Example: Gross annual income = $55,000. Gross monthly income = $4,583Maximum monthly payments = ($4,583 x.32) = $1,467

Next, calculate the size of the mortgageloan your payments will handle. Onceyou have determined how much you canafford in payments, you can determinethe maximum amount of the loan youqualify for.

Example: Monthly payment = $1,467 Less estimated monthly taxes and insurance = $275Amount available for principal and interest = $1,192The amount of the loan than can be served with a $1,000 monthly paymentdepends on the interest rate. The lower the rate, the higher the amount youcan borrow.

At a 6.5% interest rate, it takes $6.32 per month to repay $1,000 over a 30-year period. This means that if you borrow $100,000 and can obtain amortgage with a 6.5% interest rate, the payments for this mortgage wouldbe $632.07 a month. Your total payments would tally $227,544.49.

Add your down payment amount to the calculated mortgage amount andyou will have a good idea of the price range of homes you can be consid-ering. Most lenders are asking for 10% - 20% down

Check with your bank or other financial institutions for the current interestrates. Financial institutions also provide mortgage information and publi-cations to consumer's free-of-charge, to help you determine the amount ofmoney you can borrow.

Copyright © 2010 Publishers-Edge

By Heidi Smith

23


Documents

Star-Herald How To Guide 2011