The types of housing we choose throughout our lives can vary greatly between studio flats and bedsits to 4 bedroom houses. For couples, planning a family is often an important factor for choosing a home, particularly the size of the house. The first time buyers’ 2 bedroom love nest with space for an office might well have been plenty of room, but when baby comes along and brothers and sisters follow, it’s time to get more space, a garden, a drive way….

When the time comes for the children to fly the nest, it can be a difficult time for parents and many of us struggle to let go. If young adults have moved out, a lot of parents still feel they should keep their child’s bedroom as the child’s space in case the ever want to come home again. A few years down the line and the child is settled in their own home now – this is when the wallpaper stripping starts and the home office, library, den or games room makes a re-appearance.

Often the benefits of having extra bedrooms are outweighed by the cost of maintaining the house. Whilst it’s nice to have a guest room or an extra space to relax, are 4 bedrooms still really necessary? As time goes on, DIY tasks that were once simple and fun may seem like a chore as your priorities change. Downsizing your home is a great way to make sure you aren’t wasting your retirement funds on fuel and home maintenance costs, and aren’t leaving a large house to decay as the odd jobs mount up and become more difficult to carry out.

A simple search on the internet for How to sell my house will give you plenty of tips to get the best possible sale price for your home as well as ideas about how to save money on estate agent fees. This will ensure your large family home pays you back in your later life with equity to put towards a low maintenance and low running cost home ready for you to enjoy your retirement.  A great place to go to look for property within a specific budget is http://www.housesimple.co.uk and this site can also give you an idea of the cost of selling your own home and the prices you may be able to achieve.

Relinquished responsibilities
Most singles in their 50s will have little responsibility when it comes to looking after the kids as it’s likely that any children they do have will be old enough to look after themselves. It’s also likely that they’ll have access to more disposable income, thanks to being settled in their career or having paid off most of a small mortgage left over from when house prices were still affordable. Having less to worry about and more money to spend will remove some of the restrictions of how far you can travel for a date, and the type of restaurants you can visit, and even whether there’ll be any sort of curfew on your evenings out. And of course if you meet someone who is retired, you’ll have all the time in the world to
get to know each other.

Mature personalities
As we grow older we become more comfortable with our own personalities, our likes and dislikes and become a better judge of character when we meet new people. The experiences we have in the past can guide us to meeting the right person, rather than meeting the wrong person. If you feel like perhaps you aren’t such a good judge of character still, then you can find singles at eHarmony.co.uk through a special relationship questionnaire and personality profile that will match you to someone with similar morals and values to your own.  Although it’s not guaranteed of course, the older generation tend to have better manners and traditional values so you’re likely to be treated better than you might have been treated by some of your dates in your teenage years.

Shared experiences
Being older, it is easy to find things in common or shared experiences that can bring you closer to someone. For example, if you both have children, you might find that they went to the same school or like the same strange music that you both hate! If you have recently been through a divorce and your date has been too, you will have a good understanding of some of the feelings they might have worked through. Much like the dating sites can help you find people from different areas and countries like you can find Indian singles at eHarmony.co.uk, you can also be matched to people with similar believes, experiences, marital status and income amounts to find the perfect partner who will love you for who you are no matter what your past history may be. One thing to remember is not to get into the heavy details on a first date or talk about negative feelings. Talking about exes is a big turn off but it’s ok to talk about feelings!

The most important thing to remember about dating is that it’s supposed to be fun, and even if you don’t meet the right person straight away, you’re sure to make good friends along the way.

We cannot blame it all on having kids either, because our bodies just seem to tell us that we are not up to it as much as we were in our twenties. Men cannot get an erection as easily as before and older women may suffer more frequently from a lack of natural lubrication making sex painful and uncomfortable.
Does all of this sound familiar? Well if it does, then think again because this is perception and the reality is that many women in their 60’s and 70’s are having regular sex that they claim to be some of the best of their lives. Men really face one problem and that is not libido, but erectile dysfunction. According to Christiane Northrup, M.D. in her book, The Secret Pleasures of Menopause, one of the main reasons women lose their libido is boredom with the same old bedroom routines.

There is a solution, or at least an option worth trying if you are feeling a little adventurous and that is because there are adult sex toys and aides that are readily available online as well as at your local pharmacy.

You could be pleasantly surprised at the difference a little bit of lubricant can make to your bedroom exploits so there’s no need to dive straight into the vibrators and dildos. Introducing lubricant to your boring sex routine is such a simple yet highly effective way to spice things up. Apart from the obvious practical benefits, it is the psychological effect it seems to have that makes this such a great idea. The simple act of getting the lubricant out and applying it is enough to transport your mind to the place where your libido lives and, for the more mature, hides itself.

If you are stuck for ideas to spice things up, then a little lubricant specifically designed for women and offering extra stimulation is a great way to make things interesting even if you follow the same old tired routine. It is quite probable that introducing it could lead on to a renewed and active sex life for the over 50’s.

It would seem that we’re not!

The annual Financial Planning Survey which is commissioned by the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) shows that the general public just aren’t doing very much. They’ve organised another ‘Financial Planning Week’ – this is the fourth year they’ve done so – to help raise awareness and talk about the importance of good financial planning.

A recent poll shows, that despite concerns over future standards of living in retirement, many people still aren’t doing anything to change this for themselves. They’re not putting money into pension plans or trying to improve the situation, and just 41% of people asked said that they would consider making additional contributions to their pensions in order to be able to retire at 60 instead of the increased state retirement ages that are being brought in.

So how come, if we know how important it is for our future, we’re not doing anything about it?

It seems we know that it’s important – 47% of us don’t believe we’ve saved enough to live comfortably in retirement – but at the moment a large proportion of the public just don’t have any spare cash to put away for their future. Instead, they’re concentrating on paying debts or coping with every-day living expenses. A rather large 14% haven’t made any pension contributions at all.

So what will the future hold?

With retirement creeping closer for us all, and more and more people being basically unprepared for it, it seems that many of us will need to continue working as retiring will just be unviable for us financially. One of the most worrying figures recently shows that 12.5% of people over 55 think that they will never be able to retire because of their poor finances. For some equity release will be an alternative, but for those who own no property or who will still have outstanding mortgages this will be cold comfort.

One positive change comes in, in 2012. Companies will be forced to enrol their staff into private pension schemes. This is being done in a bid to make sure that we all save more, and will mean that instead of choosing to opt in, we will have to choose to opt out instead.

Even if you have debt and are struggling to pay it off, you are actually entitled to count money that you pay towards a pension before money that’s calculated for minimum payments on debts! So take some action now to improve your future financial security and start paying into a pension plan now.

The UK economy is hardly going from strength to strength and many ageing workers feel that they might never be in a position to afford retirement. The future is not entirely bleak for the silver workforce, however, as plenty of opportunities exist to save money.

Despite the low base rate, many banks continue to offer good introductory rates on standard cash ISA deals, for example, whilst there are numerous other ways to save for retirement, as will be explored in more depth below.

In November 2011, the annual Financial Planning Survey revealed that 47 per cent of people in Britain are uncertain about their future, fearing they have not managed to save enough money to retire in comfort.

Commissioned by the Institute of Financial Planning, the survey further revealed that 12 per cent of workers aged over 55 thought they would never be able to afford retirement, suggesting current financial concerns are simply too great to overcome.

Following the abolition of the compulsory retirement age in the UK, previously set at 65 years, it would appear that many UK workers are planning to extend their terms of employment for as long as possible.

The prospect of saving enough money to retire in comfort, relatively speaking at least, ought not to be unthinkable for the average British worker earning an average salary.

As noted above, the cash ISA offers an excellent opportunity for workers to save in preparation for retirement. Most banks offer an introductory rate of between 2 per cent and 3.5 per cent for the cash ISA, into which £5,340 can be paid each tax year.

If savers switch lenders when interest rates revert to 0.5 per cent (assuming the base rate does not increase to deal with inflation), it is possible to earn generous rates on savings for a number of years.

Another advantage of the cash ISA is that savers can usually withdraw money at any time without penalty, whilst the account is also tax free. Equally, savers who receive Working Tax Credits need not declare the income generated by ISAs.

A personal savings account may offer greater benefits in terms of interest rates and maximum allowances, but the cash ISA provides benefits that few workers can afford to ignore.

In addition to saving and preferably making more money, workers should also forensically analyse their expenditure with the aim of cutting monthly costs.

Some monthly budgets might already be stripped to the bare limit, but many others are grossly inflated. Reviewing monthly outgoings can help workers free up more money that can be used for savings and investments.

Common expenditure that can be eliminated or greatly reduced to this end include gym membership, satellite television subscriptions, mobile phone contracts and credit card bills, with the latter capable of being reduced with little pain by strategically transferring balances to enjoy lower interest rates.

Even necessary expenses such as food, clothing and petrol can be reduced with a little planning and determination. When more disposable income has been made available, workers can choose to save or invest the funds to make more money.

One potentially lucrative form of investment is gold. Purchasing gold bullion or buying gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is a risk like any other form of investment, but it also happens to be one that has a proven history of generating high profits over a long period of time.

In the months leading up to and during Christmas, it is more common for homes and their contents – presents included – to be left unattended and so more prone to burglary. To reduce the chances of you becoming a victim yourself, there are some simple measures you can take to ensure you are covered this Christmas. Insurance is perhaps the most important one and doesn’t have to cost the earth, especially if you compare home insurance quotes online with price comparison sites such as. As a specialist in insurance for the over fifties, Castle Cover can help individuals in this demographic – who are generally considered lower risk – to track down some of the cheapest deals out there.

Finally, before you decide on your home insurance policy, it is important to carefully consider the total value of the contents you wish to be protected, ensuring you don’t underinsure your possessions. After all, insufficient home insurance cover is as useful as no cover in place at all. A suitable home insurance policy will cover the replacement value of your possessions and will also outline any items above the value of £1,500 – another factor to bear in mind if you are buying expensive Christmas pressies.

You don’t have to let increasing energy costs for your home interfere with your financial well-being. You may not be able to control the energy rates, but there are some easy and quick fixes that you can do around the house to help save energy. Keep reading to find out where you can save on energy in your home.

Poor Insulation
One of the primary ways that homeowners unknowingly waste energy is by allowing their money to sift through the cracks and spaces of their home. If you invest in climate control to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, you should also take time to maintain your home’s insulation to make sure that cooled or heated air stays put. Key areas to check for insulation include the attic, windows and doors. You can purchase insulation materials and weather-stripping for doors and windows at a home improvement retailer.

Compare Energy Prices
One of the best ways to make those pennies back that you have lost through rising energy bills is to compare energy prices and switch your provider. By doing this, many people save as much as £200 each year on their bills.

Appliances On Standby
You may not be aware of it, but appliances like desktop computers, stereos and televisions are sucking energy out of your home and money out of your budget even when you are not using them. These electronics are usually programmed to use what is called ‘standby power’ to help them boot up faster when you turn them on. However, if you can identify appliances that use standby power in your home, you can save money by connecting them to a power strip instead of directly plugging them into a wall circuit. Simply flick the switch on the power when you’re not using them to reduce your energy costs.

Old Household Appliances
Now that you know the energy-wasting secrets of new appliances, it is time to check your old ones. If you purchased your washer, dryer or refrigerator years and years ago, it may be one of the energy culprits stealing your pennies. Evolving technologies have made large household appliances like these more energy-efficient by using less power to run the motors and adding more insulation. Although it may cost a little money upfront to replace these items, you will notice a considerable difference in your energy bills over time if you do.

Incandescent Bulbs
We have all heard of the age-old energy saving rule: turn the lights off when you’re not using them. But what many people don’t realise is the kind of light bulb they use in their homes could also be wasting energy. Incandescent light bulbs are one of the first types of light invented, and these outdated tubes take much more power to work than more modern fluorescent or LED lights. Replacing incandescent bulbs is relatively easy since they are made in the same sizes and shapes as older bulbs, and it is well worth the energy savings.

Want to find out how you can save even more money on your home’s energy budget? Visit uSwitch to compare energy rates from different providers.

One of the best destinations for winter sun is the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt, one of the world’s hottest and sunniest countries. The desert climate results in the southern part of Egypt being very hot indeed in the summer months, although in December the temperature is likely to be a pleasant 25°C.

Having a favourable climate, miles of beautiful beaches and warm sea, the resorts along the east coast of Egypt offer a holiday to suit everyone.

Steeped in Biblical history, Egypt is home to Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery, reputed to be the world’s oldest Christian monastery.

There are several National Parks with desert and marine life and spectacular coral reefs, with water sports available at the resorts of Dahab, Sharm el-Sheikh and Taba.

Cruising in the other direction, the Mexican Riviera is another great destination for winter sun seekers, with the weather between November and April being less humid and drier than during the summer months.

Several cruise deals stop at ports along the west coast of Mexico. Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and La Paz offer energetic nightlife with the traditional mix of music and margaritas, while Mazlatan has incredible shops selling an array of exotic goods.

A number of important archaeological sites have uncovered remains dating back thousands of years, many of which are now on display in the Rio Cuale Island Museum.

Restaurants in resorts along the coast offer a mouth-watering range of fresh fish which is caught daily and cooked in unique Mexican style; grilled marlin with hot sauce, marinated red snapper and scallops in lime juice and chillies.

There are many super cruise deals to beat the winter blues with cruises from Southampton offering more destinations each season.

A cruise to the Black Sea through the Dardanelles offers the opportunity of visiting Yalta and Odessa in the eastern Mediterranean as well as Istanbul, which straddles both Asia and Europe and offers a beguiling mix of culture and cuisine.

Odessa in the Ukraine is known as the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’. Established by Catherine the Great, the neoclassical buildings and wide tree-lined avenues and beautiful parks rival many European cities. There are a number of museums, the Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Potemkin Steps for visitors who wish to experience the rich heritage and culture of the area.

Other stops en route may include Spain, Malta and the historic port of Piraeus in Greece, close to Athens. Athens is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan and historic cities, with the spectacular ruins of the Parthenon and Acropolis and many temples dedicated to the Greek gods of mythology.

Late cruise deals often stop at the Balearic Islands. Minorca’s strategic position in the Mediterranean, together with one of the largest natural harbours in the world at its capital Mahon, is evidenced by the cannons, moats and emplacements around the city, built to repel invasion.

Lisbon in Portugal is another ancient city which has been influenced by many different nations, with Moorish architecture alongside the 12th century monastery and Belém, the sailing point for the Portuguese adventurers in one of the most notable periods of its history.

Another popular stop for late cruise deals is at the Rock of Gibraltar which offers the chance to walk round the historic colony or watch the dolphins, whales and other marine life which live in the bay.

There are no longer issues about travelling just in the summer holidays, or choosing somewhere that will appeal to the children or where there are kids clubs so you can get a few hours to yourself here and there, and this means the chance to go to some wonderful places, and where better to start than in Europe.
Taking a touring holiday around Europe gives you the chance to enjoy a variety of different aspects of this amazing continent.  You will need a car to travel here, but cheap car rentals either for the whole event, or for each step of the way isn’t difficult in mainland Europe – in fact it’s an amazingly easy process.  Having a car means that you can enjoy far more widespread options seeing cities and countryside and flitting from one country to the next easily.

In France take in Paris, enjoy the views from the Eiffel tower, take a boat trip down the river and then eat lunch by the Arch de Triomphe, followed by a bit of shopping in the worlds greatest fashion city.  The next day hop into the car, and head for Versailles with it’s gorgeous palace, gardens and park.

In Germany visit the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin that used to separate East and West, and was originally built in 1791 as a symbol of peace.  Travel to Cologne and visit the famous cathedral here that took over 600 years to construct and was finally finished in 1880 and was the only building locally to survive the WWII bombings.

Switzerland offers lakes, mountains, the Montreux Jazz festival, shopping in Geneva and skiing in St Moritz.  What you choose to do is entirely up to you, but there’s plenty to see here from cute towns to mountain roads, snowy peaks to lazy lakes and some of the most beautiful countryside in the world to drive through while you do so.

Italy offers another wonderfully romantic set of places to visit, from Rome with its seven hills and mixture of Renaissance and Baroque architecture at its heart.  There is the Colosseum where gladiator games and public spectacles where held, and of course St Peters and the Vatican too.  Head down to Tuscany and visit Florence seeing some of the most important art and architecture in the world.  This is a city full of museums, but there are also the Medici palaces to take in too.

Whatever route you choose on your touring holiday, you’re sure to have a fantastic time exploring some of the many wonders of Europe.