Imagine going to Best Buy to purchase a new high-definition television and volunteering to pay 40% percent more than the listed price. You would never do that, would you? And yet some folks do something similar with Medicare. Why? Because they have never been introduced to IRMAA’s fantastic four superheroes. Why Medicare Costs More for… Continue reading The Fantastic Four Medicare Savings Superheroes (How to Avoid IRMAA)
Article Categories: Articles
Pre-Medicare Health Insurance Shopping
When people shop for health insurance through the Marketplace, it can feel confusing because you’re dealing with two different sets of rules at the same time. First, insurers price the plan premium based on factors like your age, where you live, whether you use tobacco, and which plan level you choose (Bronze/Silver/Gold). Second, the government… Continue reading Pre-Medicare Health Insurance Shopping
Identity Theft? Start Here.
Identity theft is one of those things most people assume won’t happen to them until it does. A fraudulent credit card appears on your credit report. A debt collector calls about an account you’ve never opened. Your tax return is rejected because someone has already filed using your Social Security number. Fortunately, there is an… Continue reading Identity Theft? Start Here.
Is paying extra on the mortgage a good idea?
Homeowners are often encouraged to make extra payments on their mortgage to become debt-free sooner. While there is certainly value in reducing debt, it is important to understand exactly what happens to those extra dollars and what alternative opportunities may be sacrificed. Every additional dollar paid toward principal reduces the loan balance, shortens the repayment… Continue reading Is paying extra on the mortgage a good idea?
FinTech Banking
Is your bank…a bank? This probably seems like a silly question, but financial technology companies – commonly known as fintechs – such as Chime, Cash App, and Current offer user-friendly mobile banking apps with low fees, budgeting tools, and features like early direct deposit. For many consumers, these financial technology companies provide a more convenient… Continue reading FinTech Banking
Happy Father’s Day!
Happy Father’s Day! Father’s Day is just around the corner and we celebrate you, dads! As fathers, you play a key role in your kids’ lives. You teach them how to live. You run alongside them as they learn to ride their bike. You dust them off when they fall. And you encourage them to… Continue reading Happy Father’s Day!
Bigger Than Homeownership: The American Dream Revisited
I live in a beautiful beach town in Southern California. The average temperature is around 73 degrees year-round. Mountain scenery cascades down to the ocean, passing through a picturesque blend of Spanish architecture before giving way to views of the Channel Islands in the distance. When I first moved here, I felt like I was… Continue reading Bigger Than Homeownership: The American Dream Revisited
Do I Need a Trust?
Do you really need a trust? It depends. A trust is a legal tool where you (the “grantor”) move assets into a managed entity for the benefit of chosen beneficiaries. Trusts can avoid probate and offer control, but they’re not always necessary. Many people can achieve their goals more simply by naming beneficiaries and using… Continue reading Do I Need a Trust?
The Backyard BBQ Financial Checklist
Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, which means summer has unofficially started. The grills are out. The coolers are full. The lawn chairs have reappeared. Somewhere, someone is trying to determine whether the potato salad has been sitting out too long. It is also the time of year when money can start disappearing faster… Continue reading The Backyard BBQ Financial Checklist
Hidden Link Between Oil Prices and Your Investments
Oil prices and the stock market are closely linked because energy is a foundational input for nearly every sector of the economy. When oil prices rise, it typically increases costs for businesses—especially those in transportation, manufacturing, and logistics—since fuel and energy expenses climb. Higher costs can squeeze corporate profits, which may weigh on stock prices.… Continue reading Hidden Link Between Oil Prices and Your Investments
