Even with the new tax laws in place, there are still advantages to philanthropy, at all levels of giving. There are many ways to support causes that matter to you. Some charitable giving can be incorporated into your estate plan, according to Investopedia’s article, “A Primer on Philanthropic Vehicles.” However,…
The saying “little children, little problems, big children, big problems,” is particularly appropriate for parents of special needs children. Preparing for the next phase takes time, so it’s best to begin the process, once they celebrate their 17th birthday. One of the many decisions that parents need to make before…
For younger patients, early-onset Alzheimer’s symptoms are usually disregarded or blamed on fatigue, depression or stress. It often takes a very long time before a young person having problems with memory loss or confusion is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The Concord Monitor reports, in “Stolen Memories: Problems with diagnosis of…
If you are 50 or older, you can put $6,500 into your Roth IRA: that includes a “catch up” contribution of $1,000. Typical Roth IRA contributions are still limited to $5,500 a year. There are income limits, which you’ll need to be careful about. One good thing about the new…
We insure our homes, our cars and even our ability to work. We also buy life insurance, which could be the most important insurance policy you own and not just for when you have passed away. People typically think of life insurance as a means of paying final expenses, such…
Use this checklist to be certain that you and your finances are properly prepared for retirement. According to The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, 20% of Americans are wrong about when they’ll be able to retire. That also means that 80% have it right—which group do you belong…
Control of an asset is a key element, when Medicaid considers an individual’s eligibility. A recent article from nj.com, “What revocable land trusts mean to Medicaid eligibility,” starts with what sounds almost like a warning: it’s not easy to protect or hide assets from Medicaid. A revocable land trust won't…
You don’t need to create a spreadsheet or write a book-length plan, but anyone in their 50s, who wants to have a successful retirement, is advised to start getting their thoughts organized. Research shows that people who have more specific ideas of how they want to spend this part of…
The use of technology—including cell phones, emails and social media—has dramatically increased the number of potential victims. There’s good news and bad news on the elder fraud front. Law enforcement recently conducted the largest sweep of elder fraud cases specifically targeting the elderly, according the article “Law Enforcement Conducts Largest…
With an estimated 10,000 Boomers retiring every day, members of this generation who own businesses should already have their succession plans in place. Exit or succession planning is a lot more complicated than most business recognize. It takes a long time if it is to be done properly. A recent…