Eric Painter of Texas has watched architectural trends come and go throughout the years, including the obsession with “neutral” colors that persist within the design industry. As 2022 progresses, he expects many of these trends to stay similar, progressing, or disappearing, while others take their places. Here’s what he’s expecting throughout the year in the architectural world.

Eric Painter of Texas: Top 2022 Architectural Trends

The architectural world is one of constant change, Eric Painter of Texas says, though these changes may not occur from one year to the next. What he means by that statement is that architectural trends often stay stable throughout several years, with various changes in their implementation bringing new ideas and concepts that can create the newest and boldest trends 10 years later.

First, he imagines that the industrial style is likely to start fading out a little during 2022, as it has been around for several years already. That doesn’t mean it’s going to go away. Instead, you can imagine more symmetry to this style, a bit more professionalism, less reliance on plastic. Expect this trend to move towards brick and wood, instead, along with recycled metal like aluminum.

The simple lines, basic concepts, and minimal surface elements may remain popular in this movement for some time. That’s because it’s really only hitting its peak in recent years and has yet to see a blowback. The architectural world is like any creative field: things move in cycles. Eventually, a return to more elaborate styles will occur. But not yet, at least not in 2022 anyway.

On the same note, Eric Painter of Texas states that open and multipurpose spaces are going to stay strong in 2022 and far beyond. He could honestly see this trend staying current for many years or even indefinitely. It’s hard not to stick with open spaces in design concepts because they simply provide more diverse options for homeowners and create easier-to-adjust designs as well.

He expects that more multipurpose designs will become common, such as living rooms that also work as home theater areas, spare bedrooms, and even dining rooms. Anticipate multipurpose designs on home exteriors with porches also being used for storage sheds and much more. While this trend may get tiresome in the next five years, it’ll be still hip and chic in 2022 and at least for the next few years.

What about the tiny house movement? Have people given up on that yet? Eric Painter of Texas doesn’t think so. He believes that the enormous wave of interest from five years ago has died down a little, though, that period when everybody and their mother wanted a tiny house. At this point, it’s going to be limited to those people who truly want one and not those grabbing onto a fad.

Perhaps not surprisingly, he also anticipates that smart homes and automation will remain huge in architecture, particularly in tiny homes. With houses that compress so many living possibilities in such a small space, automation and smart options (like automatic under-bed storage shelves and security systems) will remain popular throughout 2022 and beyond.

Darcy Bergen recently discussed the Restricted Application retirement strategy and how it could work for you.

PEORIA, AZ / Some retirement age individuals might be missing out on some major benefits. Financial advisor Darcy Bergen recently discussed the “Restricted Application” retirement strategy and how it could benefit individuals over the age of 66 considering retirement.

The Restricted Application allows an individual to collect half of his or her spouse’s full Social Security benefit without having to open their own Social Security record. This allows the individual to earn an 8 percent credit on his or her retirement age benefit from the age of 66 to 70. The individual would then switch to his or her benefit at the age of 70.

“The major benefit is that during these four years, the individual can receive a 32 percent increase,” Darcy Bergen said. “However, it’s not available to everyone. This unique strategy was eliminated in the bipartisan budget act of 2015.”

Darcy Bergen explained this means the strategy is only available to a small portion of individuals born on or before Jan. 1, 1954. He added that there are three more pieces of information individuals considering using this strategy must understand. They are as follows:

• You must be of retirement age to take advantage (66). 
• Your spouse must already have opened his or her retirement record and is currently claiming Social Security benefits.
• A divorced individual can also take advantage of this strategy. However, the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years. The individual can not be remarried.

“I advise individuals to pursue this strategy one step at a time,” Bergen said. “Begin by checking that you meet the age criteria, then understand your spouse’s Social Security benefits and so on. It can be especially helpful to speak with a financial advisor about whether this strategy could work for you.”

Bergen explained that he has helped numerous clients locate additional income that can greatly help their families in retirement age. He and his team have the knowledge needed to find which benefits individuals may be missing.

“The most important aspect of filing for retirement benefits is to know your options before you complete filing,” Darcy Bergen concluded. “Filing before understanding your options could cause you to miss out on major benefits. You’ve worked tirelessly for this money, and you deserve all that you can receive in retirement.”

Bergen encouraged individuals in or nearing retirement age to contact DBA Bergen Financial Group to speak with a licensed professional about possible retirement strategies and benefits. Bergen has been in financial planning for decades. He entered the investment business at the age of 24 and began Clear Solutions LLC, DBA Bergen Financial Group in 2003. Bergen became a licensed fiduciary in 2015.

Darcy Bergen and his team currently practice in Peoria, Arizona. Contact them at (602) 652-2665 to set up an appointment and discuss your possible retirement benefits. Bergen and his strategists are also available to handle financial planning needs for clients of all ages, whether near retirement age or not.

Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Simplicity Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Sub-advisory services are provided by Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Bergen Financial Group. Bergen Financial Group is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Simplicity Wealth and Advisory Alpha.

Buying a new home can lead to information overload.

Although purchasing a home is exciting, the process can be overwhelming. There are lots to consider. It’s more than just searching for the right place in the ideal neighborhood. It’s beyond aesthetics and amenities. Financing, taxes, and negotiations can leave you overextended. Finding homeowner insurance is often one of the first items overlooked on the to-do list.

But, as Ai Ling Lee AKA Linda Lee of Hacienda Heights points out, it should be a priority. In fact, homeowners insurance may be required by some lending agents. While difficult to assess all your options, homeowners insurance should still be a necessity.

Having served as an independent agent since 1986, Ai Ling Lee wants to help others navigate and better understand home insurance. Using this experience, she offers six insurance tips for new homeowners.

Compare rates

Shop around. Getting quotes from a few different companies is a great place to start. Research online and seek out insurers who routinely rank high in customer service. This should be done early in the process to get all your paperwork together before closing.

Keep a list of belongings

The value of personal possessions will directly influence how much coverage you need. Begin by creating a home inventory. This is a list of belongings, like furniture, clothing, jewelry, and electronics. Include prices for each. This will ensure you have the right coverage and speed up potential claims in the future.

Understand what insurance covers

Differences in coverage and policy type can get confusing. A standard homeowners policy typically includes protection for the structure itself and your belongings inside. It also features liability and “loss of use” provisions. Ai Ling Lee of Hacienda Heights encourages anyone to sit down with a professional to discuss what’s included. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Fill in gaps

Also, don’t assume you’re “fully” protected. As you review what’s included, every policy will have exclusions. Basic homeowners policies usually exclude natural disasters, like earthquakes and floods. To meet your individual needs, fill in these gaps with additional coverage. Extending replacement cost protection or adding an umbrella policy may be options to think about.

Find savings

Avoid being cheap when it comes to insurance. However, there are ways to limit costs or find savings. Bundling life or automobile insurance with the same company can provide significant discounts. Installing smoke detectors and a security system can lower premiums too. Although harder to accomplish, Ai Ling Lee AKA Linda Lee of Hacienda Heights also recommends raising deductibles or paying off a mortgage early to reduce rates.

Review regularly

Update your policy frequently. Ai Ling Lee proposes doing a yearly review. Changes to a home or neighborhood can impact premiums. Document any new renovations. Also, add any new purchases to your home inventory. Keeping this list current will help you maintain sufficient coverage.

Cannabis legalization will likely benefit society in many different ways. Entrepreneur and cannabis expert Michael Candelario of Arizona explains why and how legal weed could be a big boom

Right now, many states are decriminalizing, and increasingly, legalizing marijuana. This means people can not only buy marijuana legally, but in many cases, they can also set up businesses in the cannabis industry. Marijuana expert Michael Candelario of Arizona explains how legal weed benefits society.

“The most important aspect of legal marijuana is perhaps that it keeps people out of jail,” Michael Candelario of Arizona says. “The last estimates I saw showed that 40,000 Americans were in jail for marijuana offenses. These people are being deprived of their freedom and life.”

Legalizing marijuana will prevent people from going to jail for possession of marijuana and other similar crimes. Some states have also released prisoners after marijuana legalization. California alone released thousands of people. Governments in Michigan and elsewhere have released at least some prisoners, but many people remain behind bars.

“Locking people up over weed strikes me as morally wrong,” Michael Candelario says. “It’s perhaps cruel, to be honest. Less importantly, keeping people incarcerated costs a lot of money. First, you have to pay for the jail system, and second, you deprive people of earning an income, which means less tax revenue.”

Finances aren’t as important as freedom. Still, keeping marijuana illegal deprives the government of billions of dollars in tax revenues. And people locked up in jail are deprived of the opportunity to become productive, successful members of society.

Legal weed, on the other hand, provides money. California alone is bringing in more than a billion dollars a year in tax revenues from legalized marijuana. Washington pulls in more than $450 million, while Colorado is closing in on $400 million. It’s not just about money either. More importantly, the money can be invested in society.

“A lot of times, revenues brought in through the legal cannabis industry are spent on education, basic infrastructure, and other areas that benefit society as a whole,” Arizonian Michael Candelario, notes. “This means we can all benefit from legalized weed. Even if you don’t indulge, legalized cannabis may benefit you.”

Michael Candelario Discusses Potential Medical Benefits

So far, cannabis has shown a lot of potential in medical applications. Marijuana is being used to treat pain, for example, offering a safer, less addictive alternative to opioids. Many of the chemicals derived from marijuana have also shown the potential to treat a variety of conditions.

“Marijuana represents an exciting frontier for medicine,” Michael Candelario argues. “It’s possible to conduct research into marijuana and other substances even when and where they are illegal. Still, legalization should make it easier to conduct research.”

As scientists conduct research, they may develop medications that can treat pain, seizures, mental health problems, and more. Already marijuana and cannabis-derived substances have shown promise in treatment. Only time will tell how effective cannabis is for medical applications but the early returns are promising.