Articles & Real-Life Stories: Financial Planning

Title: Questions to Ask About Continuing Care Retirement Community Fees

By: Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)

Preview: 1. Are there financial deposits for which I am responsible? If so, what is the refund policy if I decide not to move to the community? 2. What types of service contracts or agreements are available in this community? 3. How much is the current entrance fee? Are there plans to increase the amou...

Title: The Flaws That Can Threaten Your Financial Well-Being

Preview: You don't have to be a financial expert to achieve financial success, but you do need to avoid some key fatal flaws that can threaten your future financial well-being. According to Lois Vitt, Ph.D. and Karen Murrell, co-authors of the book You and Your Money: A No-Stress Guide to Becoming Financ...

Title: How To Manage Your Estate

By: Douglas E. Godbe, Attorney at Law

Preview: An executor is the person or corporate fiduciary (trust company) that is appointed under your will to manage your estate after you die. The executor will: offer your will to the court for probate; marshal your assets; file an inventory of your assets with the court; pay all debts, expenses of ad...

Title: How To Prepare Financially for Long-Term Care

By: Michelle Russo

Preview: 1) Is long term care insurance an option for me? Long term care insurance is purchased by you, to cover medical and nursing services not covered by your current health plan or Medicare. Consider a long term care insurance policy before your health begins to fail and before you are in your 70's an...

Title: How To Save Money on Long-Term Care

By: The Insurance Information Institute

Preview: The tips below will help you save money wisely, but don't rely on price alone. MOST IMPORTANT: Because you may not collect for decades to come, be sure to buy from a company that has been around for some time and is financially stable. You may want to look up, from an independent rating agency...

Title: How To Help Your Financial Executor

Preview: If you love your family, give one last parting gift. Tell them where to find your Will and Trust documents. Better yet, organize your documents! On several occasions, executors have walked into a decedent's house with no idea of where to find bank statements, life insurance policies or settl...

Title: A Shoulder to Lean On

By: Lauren Searson

Preview: Linda Loope's hard working mother, Hilda, never wanted anyone to worry about her. Born in Montgomery County, Hilda grew up during the Depression, during which her family often changed locations. Throughout her husband's 42 years with the Norfolk and Western Railroad, their family experienc...

Title: How To Protect Yourself from Health Care Fraud and Abuse

Preview: Information about escalating health care costs is everywhere. What consumers often fail to realize, however, is that much of this inflation is due to health care fraud and abuse. A large portion of these costly crimes are committed against seniors and directly affect the way Medicare and Medica...

Title: Facing the Lifelong Learner

By: Richard B. Chobot, Ph.D.

Preview: Three months ago, I became the Executive Director of The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University. Within days of starting the job, I realized that after 30+ years in education and training, this was the first community of pure learners I had ever experienced. In past...

Title: How To Make Financial Decisions Now

By: Christy Pagans

Preview: When you get the midnight call that a loved one needs assisted living care, what do you do? The obvious, first step is to ensure that they receive the care they need. While arranging for this care, you will undoubtedly have to make some difficult financial decisions, and you may be faced with s...

Title: A Model Retirement

By: Christy Pagans

Preview: Alan and Katharine Jung are truly a model for ideal retirement living. Not only have their retirement living decisions been well thought-out and proactive, but they have also embraced the new opportunities that retirement offers and are fully enjoying what they refer to as a "new season in their ...

Title: A Retirement That is More Than O.K.

By: Christy Pagans

Preview: Two signs hang outside Mrs. Sadie Hofstein's apartment in Martin's Run, a continuing care retirement community in Media, PA. One cheerfully announces, "I'm O.K.," while the other is a more distinguished plaque engraved with "Hofstein House." Both say a lot about Mrs. Hofstein's personality, he...