Government Stepping In to Help Americans Pay for LTC Costs

Government Stepping In to Help Americans Pay for LTC Costs The federal government is concerned about the rising costs of long-term health care for senior citizens and the disabled. And it is actually taking action. The Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act (CLASS Act), part of the health reform legislation signed into law by [...]

Simple Steps to Help Reduce Credit Card Debt

Simple Steps to Help Reduce Credit Card Debt The U.S. has a cumulative revolving debt of more than $850 billion, according to the Federal Reserve. A whopping 98% of that figure is comprised of credit card debt — with 54 million households in arrears for an average balance of $15,788.1 If you are contributing to [...]

New Fee Disclosure Rules Help Make Costs More Transparent

New Fee Disclosure Rules Help Make Costs More Transparent Ask most retirement plan participants how much they pay to participate in their workplace plan, and answer will probably be, “Nothing.” But your retirement plan isn’t really free. While employees typically aren’t charged any out-of-pocket costs to participate in their plans, participants do pay expenses, many [...]

Essential Financial Planning for Returning or Deploying Military Personnel and their Families

Essential Financial Planning for Returning or Deploying Military Personnel and their Families As the United States goes into its ninth year of military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, financial planning for military personnel and their families has taken on unprecedented importance. Multiple deployments during the longest wartime period of U.S. history has added considerable strain [...]

Buying Used is Smart in Any Economy

Buying Used is Smart in Any Economy Even with hopes for a better economy in 2011, some habits learned in tough times could stand to become permanent ones. A good one might be continuing – or starting – to buy particular categories of merchandise that are used but still in good condition. If it makes [...]

If Rates Are Heading Up, Should You Refinance Now?

If Rates Are Heading Up, Should You Refinance Now? As the economy recovers, homeowners are faced with the good news/bad news prospect of a better real estate market with the likelihood of higher mortgage interest rates. For many, that leaves three choices – sell, refinance or sit tight with the mortgage they have now. Despite [...]

Should You Still Consider Long-Term Care Insurance?

With Premiums Increasing and a Major Carrier Exiting the Market, Should You Still Consider LTC Insurance? On Nov. 11, insurance giant MetLife said it would sell no new long-term care (LTC) insurance policies after Dec. 30 though it would continue to service its 600,000 insured customers. The reason? “Financial challenges” in the long-term care insurance [...]

What’s Your Risk Tolerance?

What’s Your Risk Tolerance? Going into a New Year with hopefully better economic and market prospects, it’s a good time to start researching investments. With that, it’s also a good time to review how much risk you’re willing to take on when making those critical decisions. It’s reasonable to assume your risk tolerance has changed [...]

Getting Ready to Sell Your House

Getting Ready to Sell Your House While most experts see little good news in 2011’s housing market, economic downturn is no reason to neglect maintenance on a home or lose sight of future plans to relocate. The critical issue is planning intelligently for what spending you do now to make sure it’s worth your money [...]

Financial Issues for Long-Distance Caregivers

Financial Issues for Long-Distance Caregivers As older friends and relatives increasingly need our help, it’s not always possible for us to move back to personally oversee their care. The same goes for younger loved ones who face sudden illness or injury that robs them of their ability to care for themselves. How can we best [...]