Let me begin by defining which individuals the Affordable care Act (ACA) will not affect when it is fully implemented on January 1, 2014: Anyone now on Medicare (including Pre-Age 65 Early Disability Individuals). Anyone covered by an employer-sponsored Group Health Insurance Plan. (But you will have to upgrade to an ACA-compliant plan when your… Read more »
Financial Health
The Affordable Care Act has allowed our state programs to expand and cover more people, especially children, for very low premiums or even at no cost. If you have been without health insurance, or if you have a plan that is just too expensive for your budget, please make the effort to enroll by December… Read more »
It’s not news that American families don’t look like they did on 1950’s sitcoms: a mother and father who married for life and raised their two and a half biological children to adulthood. With our divorce rate at 50%, remarriage by half of those, and a growing number of same-sex parents, the “typical” family includes… Read more »
A buy-sell agreement is a legal contract common in closely held businesses. It is an agreement you can enter into now that provides for the future sale of your business interest. A buy-sell agreement is also referred to as a business continuation agreement, a stock purchase agreement, or a buyout agreement. When carefully drafted, your… Read more »
Undoubtedly, you are starting to hear about the new Covered California Marketplace Exchange for individuals on TV, radio and in print ads. It is part of the massive changes being brought about by the Federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “ObamaCare.” I have been actively following the slow implementation of the ACA, knowing… Read more »
We all know men and women are different in some fundamental ways. But is this true when it comes to financial planning? In a word, yes. On the path to financial security, it’s important for women to understand what they might be up against. Here are some simple steps to consider: Take control of your… Read more »
Inspired by the federal government’s Healthy People 2010 program, which encourages fitness and disease prevention, the Desert Healthcare District built The Wellness Park at the corner of Via Miraleste and Tachevah Road in Palm Springs. The beautiful 5-acre park offers a quarter-mile walking/jogging loop with drinking fountains and benches at regular intervals, five exercise/fitness stations,… Read more »
The Great Recession has drilled home a lesson many people seemed to have forgotten: debt can be dangerous to your financial health. For those who lost their jobs and ran out of savings, it was a lesson relearned the hard way. But for those who have managed to hang on–or had low levels of debt… Read more »
It takes a lot of hard-nosed work to fulfill your dreams. And we’re not just talking about the years of employment you put in to afford your dreams. We mean converting your dream into a plan to make those dreams come true. The first step is to recognize the difference between a dream and a… Read more »
Simplifying insurance is like simplifying medicine; it’s no easy task. As a medical professional, you can ask your patient a handful of questions that may flag a potentially serious problem, and then order diagnostic testing as needed. Likewise, you or your insurance agent should ask the proper questions to identify potentially serious problems with your… Read more »
A very common reason for investors to focus on their portfolios is for the benefit of the next generation. They want to ensure that their children are well taken care of so that they, the investors, don’t have to worry later in life. Taking it another step is teaching your children about investing. You can… Read more »
With all the end-of-year hype surrounding the fiscal cliff and the relief that came with New Year’s legislation permanently extending most income tax rates, one change seems to have been veiled by the settling dust: the 2 percent increase in FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax. That increase, the result of an expiring provision that… Read more »
If you’re serious about pursuing your financial goals, first get your finances in order. Here are a few simple steps to keep you on track: Get organized. Make time to understand your basic financial facts—how much your net worth increased during the past year, how you are spending your income, or how well your investments… Read more »
Ready or not, it’s time to start thinking about filing your 2012 taxes. By choosing the best tax preparation option for your situation, you can prevent major headaches and stress on April 15th. You have several options in filing your taxes. You can file taxes yourself, use a national tax preparation chain, or hire a… Read more »
How do you know when loved ones are ready for assisted living? Use these guidelines to help spot the telltale warning signs of aging and illness. Rosalyn Carter once said: “There are only four kinds of people in the world–those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and… Read more »
The death of a spouse or life partner is one of the toughest events you can go through. Along with the emotional adjustment of continuing on without your best friend, there is additional stress involved in facing the relevant financial issues while you are still grieving. But there are things you can do now that… Read more »
In the summer of 2011, Coachella Valley Economic Partnership’s (CVEP) Workforce Excellence Program, in collaboration with the Health Career Connection Program, hosted undergraduate health science college interns, Janel Samuels and Faith Villanueva. These two interns have worked directly with CVEP’s Health Industry Council (HIC) to create a leadership program that would allow students to voice… Read more »
Most people tend to underestimate their life expectancy. Thinking you might live to a very old age may lead to better planning. Life expectancy is a critical element in Social Security planning. Because benefits continue for life, the total amount you stand to receive over your lifetime hinges on how long you and your spouse… Read more »
Even in retirement, your portfolio may need to be positioned for both growth and security: growth to meet the challenges of a long life and the impact of long-term inflation and health care, and sources of secure income to ensure that your daily essential living expenses will be met. This is a good time to… Read more »
A wild card in any financial plan is the aging process. Longevity coupled with incapacity can decimate a family’s resources, forcing adult children to contribute to their parent’s support and jeopardize their own retirement. Long-term care insurance can mitigate the financial obligation, but only when the insured is unable to perform two of six specific… Read more »