Each year, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), under the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), sets new pricing for Medicare. This involves more than just your Medicare premium, but deductibles, co-pays and reimbursement levels for providers. Fortunately, there is good news for the year ahead. The 2022 Medicare Part B premium… Read more »
In today’s economic environment of higher interest rates, inflation (aka higher prices) and a potential recession on the horizon, it’s important to get back to the basics in managing our finances. Review your budget. Make a list or use an app to track your expenses. Most banks offer software to categorize your transactions appropriately. This… Read more »
History demonstrates socially responsible investing (SRI) has been present since the 1800’s. It began with adversity to companies that manufactured tobacco and alcohol or promoted gambling in an era known as the Age of Reason. In 1971, the first socially responsible investing fund was launched by Pax World, a sustainable investment firm, and in… Read more »
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans can be complicated, but once you understand them, you can make them work in your favor. The two main factors that affect the price of your prescription medications are drug tier and coverage stage. Drug tiers 1-5 are the levels of pricing for medications on a specified formulary. Each… Read more »
Medicare can be very confusing. Plan types, names and acronyms make for a labyrinth of terminology. Here are some simple definitions that may help make sense of Medicare coverage. Traditional Medicare: This is the federal program that includes Medicare Part A and Part B. Most people start here at age 65, unless they have group… Read more »
When I was a kid, I loved our annual block party; lots of food, fun and games. Some years multiple blocks would participate. One year we had a huge scavenger hunt where each family had a set of clues for the items to collect. The clues were extremely sophisticated, puzzle-type questions that needed to be… Read more »
Many years ago, I received a $30,000 tax bill from the state. I was a freshman in college and the world wide web had yet to be launched for public use. After several long calls to the state, it was determined that my social security number had been compromised. Fortunately, I was not held responsible… Read more »
As one of the first do-it-yourself (DIY) shows over 40 years ago, “This Old House” focused on home renovations and improvements. Today, there are dozens of DIY shows and dedicated networks to watch renovations and new home construction. One constant in every show, whether a home is being modernized or built from scratch, is that… Read more »
Most everyone knows the adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” If that’s the case, then what is a video worth? The value of video, when used in marketing efforts, can be worth a whole lot more, especially to your bottom line. No matter what business you are in, videos should be a… Read more »
What once seemed an impossible dream— Coachella Valley students making their way into medical school— may soon become a regular reality thanks in part to efforts of OneFuture Coachella Valley’s Physician Assistant Pipeline Alignment Team. The team recently launched with leadership from UC Davis, USC, and local physician assistant (PA) professionals to prepare students to… Read more »
With all the beautiful music in the world, it’s hard to believe there are only seven letters in the musical alphabet. Of course, there are many different variations with sharps, flats, cord combinations and timing that create the sounds we enjoy. Similar to diversifying your investment portfolio, one note or cord a song does not… Read more »
Recently, the Women’s Advisory Institute at Beacon Pointe Advisors hosted an event discussing anxiety among our children and the challenges this past year has presented. As we embark on another school year, we thought it was important to keep the conversation going. Anxiety and mental health issues occur at all ages, whether it’s a… Read more »
As we’ve seen the rise of inflation thus far in 2021, it is important to understand the different types of inflation to assess if there is a need for concern. Inflation An increase in the price of goods and services within the economy. The cost of a specific product or service may inflate due to… Read more »
Marriage is an exciting time in one’s life. Planning for a wedding entails a lot of time and effort, regardless of the size of the celebration. Nowadays, there are many layers to consider when contemplating those nuptials. Where will you live? Do you want kids? Are you marrying into an instant family? Ask yourself if… Read more »
Hello, 2021! Boy, are we glad to see you. However, with an unbelievable year behind us, many are still faced with the repercussions of the extraordinary events in 2020; pointedly, the need for families to move in together. Whether you are a recent college graduate or a full household, moving home takes on a whole… Read more »
In researching my book, Leaving Life, I discovered that the lack of proper estate planning is somewhat of an epidemic within the baby-boomer generation. The result of not preparing a proper will or living trust can lead to heirs, partners and children fighting over assets or possessions. Irreparable relationships are often the byproduct of settling… Read more »
I often get questions on ROTH contributions and how they work, who they work for, and which is better to contribute to – a traditional or ROTH IRA. There is a lot to be said about ROTHs. Below is a brief summary. Named after former Delaware Senator William Roth Jr., the ROTH IRA was established… Read more »
When looking back at the roaring ‘20s I think of flappers, jazz music and prohibition. However, it was a time of social and political change, defiance and the great stock market crash. Sound familiar? We’re barely in the first year of a new decade and it’s already lived up to the name of Roaring 20… Read more »
These are some crazy times. Many of us are not only feeling the stress physically but also financially. The good news is there is financial help out there. Here are some helpful tips to consider: Paying rent. If you are a renter and have lost your job or cannot work for health reasons, call or… Read more »
The Event. Recently, our family adopted another dog and I was excited for a potential running buddy. I knew Jack would need a little training and guidance, but this guy was made to be a running companion. In the beginning, we took him out for walks around the neighborhood, so he could get comfortable with… Read more »