“The question is not how to survive, but how to thrive with passion, compassion, humor and style.” — Maya Angelou Are you just surviving at work – caught up in the day-to-day doldrums of your job? Life is too short to tolerate any sense of dread on Sunday evening as you think about going to… Read more »
Most baby boomers will face seven key events in their last stage of life that will color their finances and investments. Prepare for these events by thinking about them now. Unlike earlier, happier events such as getting married, having children, and moving up the career ladder, some of these events may be dreaded. For this… Read more »
Oftentimes seniors are faced with the reality of living on a fixed income from a pension, retirement income, and/or social security when they retire. A statement often heard when speaking with seniors preparing for, or currently in retirement is, “I am having trouble making ends meet. My monthly income hardly covers expenses, and I don’t… Read more »
We all know the process. Estimate how much is needed in retirement (which can range anywhere from 70% to over 100% of preretirement income), determine available income sources, and then calculate how much to save annually to reach those goals. As you go through this largely mathematical exercise, however, don’t forget the most important part…You… Read more »
Most will agree, open enrollment for Covered California went a lot smoother this year compared to last year. Though there were a few hiccups, you still have time to correct them before you are locked in. If you enrolled in the wrong plan, or you have changed your mind, you have until February 15 to… Read more »
As we enter the New Year, there is no better time to assess your current retirement plan and to set realistic goals for your long-term future. It is never too early or too late to start. Following are a few guidelines to set you in the right direction: Know where you stand. First, thoroughly analyze… Read more »
In November, 38 local organizations received charitable contributions from the 2014 Humana Challenge totaling $800,000, a 25% growth from the previous year. Desert Classic Charities, the local nonprofit entity that organizes the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, presented to nonprofits in three categories: structured programs for children (including Boys & Girls Clubs,… Read more »
Ever wondered how cashews grow? A single nut appears from a colorful pod (called an “apple”) growing on trees in tropical regions like Brazil, Vietnam and India. While the popular nut is in growing demand, the apples are standardly left on the ground or thrown away. As reported by the New York Times, a new… Read more »
Hundreds of thousands of us enrolled in Covered California last year, and even more will enroll this year. For Medicare, thousands of Californians turn 65 every week and choose an Advantage plan, or a Medicare Supplement. With all of these new enrollees selecting new plans in Medicare and Covered CA, it means much more… Read more »
If you are a senior who either wants to possibly change your Medicare Advantage Health Plan or your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan… OR… you want to consider buying one or the other for the first time, now is the time to check out the facts about these plans. Enrollment is open until December 7 after… Read more »
Many people confuse tax planning with tax preparation and only think about the subject when preparing their annual tax return. However, there is little you can do to actually lower your tax bill when preparing your return. If your goal is to reduce income taxes, you need to be aware of tax planning opportunities throughout… Read more »
According to a survey on retirement readiness by the Employee Benefits Research Institute, only 14% of Americans are confident that they will be able to maintain a comfortable lifestyle after retirement. And among those, about 60% have less than $25,000 in savings, so depending on their age, they will most likely not be able to… Read more »
It’s hard to believe, but the open enrollment period for health insurance is almost here. For seniors, that means October 15 through December 7 is the time to review your Medicare Advantage plan and your Part D prescription drug plan. But, for those under 65, open enrollment will be November 15 – February 15. This… Read more »
For a variety of personal reasons, some of us continue to work after age 65. And when you do, you might delay taking your Social Security retirement benefits. You might mistakenly believe this means you cannot enroll in Medicare as well. Or, you might decide to keep your group health benefits from your employer, feeling… Read more »
In many families, finances and estate talk are taboo. Other families laugh and make jokes like, “Well, guess who just lost their inheritance!” No matter what kinds of family dynamics exist in your life, talking about what will happen after a person dies can be a painful and scary discussion, but a necessary one. It’s… Read more »
After 40 or 50 years of working, you could find yourself retired for another 20 or 30. To support yourself without a job for 20 or 30 years, you should be planning for retirement during your entire working life. However, your concerns and strategies for retirement will change as you age. In Your 20’s. While… Read more »
Now that you enrolled in a new health insurance plan, it is up to you to get the most out of it – including tax deductions. California led the way in enrolling previously uninsured Americans during the recent ACA open enrollment. It didn’t go smoothly, and it sure wasn’t easy. In the end, over one… Read more »
According to the most recent (2012) Household Financial Planning Survey conducted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, only 31% of financial decision makers have a comprehensive financial plan. If the survey had asked respondents to define comprehensive financial plan, few probably could have; most people define financial plan synonymously with retirement plan. In… Read more »
If you are still without health insurance, or wish to change your current plan, you still have a little time to select and apply for new Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant health insurance. You must apply by March 15, and March 31 is the close of this initial Open Enrollment Period, for an April 1, 2014… Read more »
Is your doctor accepting your health insurance plan? It’s hard to tell, even for your doctor’s office. When you call and ask, you probably tell them you have a PPO from one of the top three insurers. Let’s use Anthem Blue Cross as an example. If you have a doctor who takes Anthem Blue Cross… Read more »