Don’t fall victim to fraud after hurricanes

By Justin Lavelle
Posted on October 04, 2017

In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, two things are certain: 1) Texans and Floridians will rebuild and repair, and 2) scammers will be lurking — ready to take advantage of victims, their circumstances and the people lending a hand to help. Preventing natural disaster relief scams is impossible. But informed citizens doing their research can avoid falling... READ MORE

FAQs about Medicare: Filling the gaps

By Kimberly Lankford
Posted on September 25, 2017

Every day, my in-box is filled with questions from readers about the nuances of Medicare. The following frequently asked questions concerning signing up or changing your coverage will help you navigate the system and deal with tricky issues.Q: Why do I need Medigap insurance?A: Even with Medicare, you still have to pay deductibles and co-payments. Most people buy... READ MORE

How to track down your forgotten cash

By Sandra Block
Posted on September 13, 2017

If you’ve ever pulled a $20 bill out of the pocket of an old pair of pants or a mothballed winter overcoat, you know the pure joy of finding money you didn’t know you had.But many of us have much larger sums languishing in old bank accounts, forgotten insurance policies, uncashed paychecks, and other relics of our financial lives.When an account is inactive for a certain period... READ MORE

A good problem to have: saving too much

By Brian Vnak
Posted on September 06, 2017

The most fundamental financial advice — to consistently save — is absolutely correct. What’s less obvious, yet equally correct, is that you can also save too much.In order to strike the right balance between diligent saving and saving too much, you need a blueprint.When saving goes too farI recently met with two of my clients, we’ll call them Larry and Laura (not... READ MORE

Nervous investors look to dividend stocks

By Michael Andersen
Posted on August 28, 2017

While most investors are publicly celebrating this record-setting bull market, many tell me in private that they’re nervous about the possibility of a downturn.People have different reactions when the market does so well for so long. Some are sure they should get out, but greed won’t let them pull the plug. Others are eager to get in on the action, but fear won’t let them... READ MORE

Widows need an attorney to protect assets

By Renée Henning
Posted on August 18, 2017

Recently widowed women and their children are vulnerable. After losing a spouse, many women are treated poorly. They need a champion with expertise in estates, contracts, competency, and other legal subjects. As explained below, this area of law is effectively a “wronged widow” practice.For centuries, numerous people have profited from the death of a colleague, friend or... READ MORE

Let’s retire these five myths of retirement

By Ali Swofford
Posted on August 07, 2017

After decades of paychecks, you might be counting the days before you can leave your job for good.Every day is a free day. Waking when you like, drinking coffee in the sunroom, and puttering around the house to your heart’s content may be your retirement dreams. But the truth is that those visions are not what the retirement lifestyle usually turns out to be. online pharmacy buy... READ MORE

Praising volunteers of all ages

By Robert Friedman
Posted on August 03, 2017

Janice and George Vanisko were “sort of embarrassed” to be heralded a few months ago by the County Council and the Volunteer Center of Howard County with the Dynamic Duo Award, one of several awards honoring county volunteers. After all, they say, shouldn’t we all spend hours each week helping those in need? Janice, a 76-year-old retired nurse, and her husband George, 82, a retired ... READ MORE

Certified used cars offer peace of mind

By Dee-Ann Durbin
Posted on July 28, 2017

A certified pre-owned vehicle costs more than a regular used car, but it can give buyers some peace of mind in an often murky market.Certified pre-owned vehicles are used cars that are backed by an automaker’s guarantee. They’re usually newer cars, coming off two- or three-year leases.U.S. certified pre-owned sales grew by 61 percent to 2.6 million between 2010 and 2016,... READ MORE

Biggest estate-planning mistakes to avoid

By Andrew McNair
Posted on July 18, 2017

There are several common mistakes people can make when planning — or not planning — for what will happen with their estates when they die.The legacy you leave can either simplify the process of dealing with your personal and financial property, or it can be a worrisome burden for those you leave behind.So let’s take a look at what you should discuss well ahead of time with ... READ MORE