_ Money Matters6 Ways to Steer Clear of Identity Theft By articleEditor’s note: These days, people are more vulnerable than ever to identity theft, and many seniors find themselves faced with … Read More→
_ Money MattersPlants in the Office Boost Productivity By Sondra Forsyth article“Green” offices with plants make staff happier and more productive than “lean” designs stripped of greenery, according to research done … Read More→
_ Money MattersThe Documents Every Woman Should Have By Jane Farrell articleThere’s more to managing your money than the shoebox filled with crumpled receipts under your bed. According to Patrice C. Washington, Money Maven of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, organizing paperwork and keeping track of financial and legal documents is imperative to your financial well-being.“It is hard to stay on top of your finances if documents are scattered about,” Washington says. “On top of that, many women don’t know which types of documents they need or even where to start.”
_ Money MattersChange to Medicare Part D Would Save $5 Billion By Adprime Admin articleThe federal government could save over $5 billion in the first year by changing the way the government assigns Part D plans for Medicare beneficiaries eligible for low-income subsidies, according to new research from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
_ Money MattersIs It Smart To Buy A Condo? By Jane Farrell articleEditor’s Note: As we get older, many of us think about downsizing from a house to a condo, because it’s easier to manage our lives in a simpler place. And we’d like to save as much money on home repairs as possible, because fixed incomes and Medicare don’t cover all essential expenses. Sometimes, though, the decision to buy or lease a condo isn’t as clear-cut as you’d like. Here, from a top expert, are some smart questions to ask yourself before making a move.
Money MattersHacking & ID Theft: Are You Next? By articleBy. Scott A. Merritt At least 110 million consumers were affected by the hack involving Target and Neiman Marcus and at least three other retailers. Whether or not millions more will have their identities manipulated and finances ruined within the coming months due to more breaches of security at other stores is anyone’s guess.
_ RetirementWhy I'm Taking Early Retirement By Jane Farrell article By Judy Kirkwood For me, the sixties are more fabulous than the fifties. For one thing, beginning at age 59 1/2, as a sneak preview, you can access your IRA savings – if you have any -- with no penalty other than the regular tax (do it before and you’re hit with an additional 10 percent penalty). At age 62 you can apply to receive early Social Security benefits. At 65, we have Medicare and can perhaps drop our expensive healthcare insurance if we’ve been paying privately – depending on who is elected and what happens in Congress.
_ Wills & EstatesThe Best Estate-Planning Tips By Jane Farrell article If you don’t have a will, you are not alone. Half of Americans don’t have a will, a living will, or financial and medical powers of attorney. Yet we know a will and other estate documents would ease our family’s burdens if something happened to us.