Posts by Doug Reed
Government Shutdowns, Politics and Their Affect on Your Wealth and Your Health
The Economic Impact of Government Shutdowns, Political Division and The Overall Impact on Markets, and More Importantly, You! Government shutdowns have become an unfortunate recurring event in the United States political landscape. These disruptions occur when the government’s funding is not approved by Congress, leading to the temporary closure of federal agencies and departments.…
Read MorePrepare for Long-Term Care Before the Need : Despite the dollars, fears and emotions – you can manage with planning
Long-term care (LTC) keeps you functioning in the face of devastating illnesses, disabilities and prolonged disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. LTC kicks in when you lose the ability to care for yourself and can no longer do things such as bathe, dress or eat without help. These are three of the six most commonly listed…
Read MoreA Quick Look at Your Life Insurance Needs: You might consider a needs analysis in order to truly meet your objectives
Have you ever wondered how much life insurance is “enough”? One general rule of thumb says that you should buy an amount equal to five to seven times your annual income. Sure, it may be a reasonable guideline, but this method does not relate life insurance needs to your personal financial goals. A better method…
Read MoreMedicare Will Not Cover All Health Care Costs: There are out-of-pockets, limitations and gaps that Medicare doesn’t cover
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 or older and certain younger people with disabilities. And despite being a widely used program, there are several misconceptions surrounding Medicare, one of the most pervasive being that it will cover all healthcare costs. Myth or Fact: Medicare Will Cover All Health Care Costs…
Read MoreAvoid the Crippling Hill That Jack and Jill Went Up: Sometimes the best financial advice is the simplest: tough, objective love
The couple had made every mistake you could: retired too early, spent too much, took on too much house and too much debt. “This is killing me,” Jill told their new advisor (me), as she burst into tears. Jack and Jill left their well-paying jobs in their late 50s, with little idea how they would…
Read MoreThe Problem With the Retirement Age: Too High It’s time for us (you) to rethink the retirement age and make adjustments
As the wealthiest society in human history, it is reasonable to expect that we should prioritize the well-being of our citizens, particularly as they age. Yet, the current retirement age is increasingly seen as problematic, with many arguing that it is too high. Let’s explore the reasons behind this viewpoint and make a case for…
Read MoreShielding Your Insurance from Estate Taxes: The rules are very stringent, but your financial advisor can help navigate
Life insurance, which can help to provide for your heirs in the event of your death, can be an important estate planning tool. It can provide funds to loved ones when they need it most and help meet your family’s financial obligations. One issue overlooked by many people, however, is that life insurance can add…
Read MoreThe Murkiest Part of Estate Planning is Talking:Specific questions to help frame your thinking as you talk to your heirs
The murkiest part of estate planning is to discuss when and how to distribute your assets to your heirs. This process requires a series of considerations and trade-offs to avoid emotion-laden family problems. For many, focusing on the numbers are objective and straightforward. But when it comes to this final set of issues, things get…
Read More12 Estate Planning Must-Dos
Many of you already have estate documents, probably executed many years ago. You need an estate attorney to look over your documents every 10 years or so. Here are a dozen points to review. Do you have a will and powers of attorney for health care and property? These are part of every complete estate…
Read MorePrepare for Long-Term Care Before the Need: Despite the dollars, fears and emotions – you can manage with planning
Long-term care (LTC) keeps you functioning in the face of devastating illnesses, disabilities and prolonged disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. LTC kicks in when you lose the ability to care for yourself and can no longer do things such as bathe, dress or eat without help. These are three of the six most commonly listed…
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