A Cost That Cannot Be Underestimated

Guess what might be one of the most painfully underestimated costs of all? If you guessed healthcare and end-of-life care you are correct. Read on for a handful of reasons why it can be dangerous to avoid addressing this topic.

First a brief introduction. Anyone who has been a direct or indirect care giver for an aging relative or friend knows the pain and stress that can be involved. Of course, there are joyful care relationships, which ultimately are the goal. Where the difficulty begins is in estimating the costs of later-in-life care. Then, even worse can be executing the logistics of care and the ultimate reality of having to pay for – or running out of funds to pay for – care, whether for oneself or a spouse or relative. Timing is often almost completely unpredictable.

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Caring For an Aging Friend 2.0

This topic has become far more complicated post-coronavirus.

Back in 2017, 2018 & 2020 TGIF 2 Minutes explored “Caring For Aging Parents”… which then became “Caring For an Aging Friend”. Whether caring for a family member or friend, finding and putting into action Care (with a capital “C”) may be more stressful than ever – both for Care-receiver and Care-giver.

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Leap of Faith

These are trying times. Despite the strains of pandemic, home schooling, work furloughs, and entire families sitting at dining room tables on laptops… there are still BIG decisions and “leaps of faith” to be made. Namely,

  • Annual Healthcare Enrollment (deadlines looming)
  • 401k contributions by year-end amidst a year of zany cash flows
  • Kids’ high school enrollments (these have changed for lots of people)
  • College semester enrollment and tuition payments
  • Home improvements like, “Do I add a home office?”… and more.
  • Don’t even get me started on – “Do I know who my beneficiaries are?” or “When do I start taking Social Security?”

This is nuts!

Take the time to become informed in order to make proper leaps of faith where needed or to stay put where necessary.

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Scary Financial Things

Halloween can be pretty scary – but not as scary as Open Enrollment for health coverage! Dates for open enrollment typically go from November 1st to December 15th for coverage starting January 1st of the coming year. Enrolling for healthcare (Flexible Spending, Dental, Health Savings Accounts or Medicare, among others) can scare the living daylights out of even the smartest, strongest people. We are presently in or near the “Open Enrollment for Healthcare” season.

Hitting the “Enroll” button is an action that people put off, sometimes even missing the deadline.  Don’t miss the deadline. 

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Jobs Amidst An Economic Slowdown

As we continue to watch both from the sidelines and the interior of the Coronavirus tragedy, there exist lessons learned and lessons yet to be learned. Mistakes made past and present. But in looking at history and researching the aftermath of past global tragedies there is evidence of subsequent innovations along with lucky breaks that surpass the imagination.

woman in yellow tshirt and beige jacket holding a fruit stand
Let’s not forget the warehouse workers and truck drivers of America that keep all of the essential food and consumables in our homes and on our tables.

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One Way To Be Unselfish

This edition is dedicated to the loving memory of my father-in-law, Mickey Debbs.

Lots of things in life are learned or really hammered home only during or after a sad event. While there are still lots of lessons learned amidst happy times.

trees in park
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Recently I experienced the tremendously sad and sudden passing of my father-in-law. Note the word “sudden.”  Most of us say out loud regarding death, “I want to go fast!” Or, “I don’t want a long and drawn out death.” But really, we have no idea. What if it is sudden?

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Scariest Financial Things

Halloween can be pretty scary — but not as scary as Open Enrollment for health coverage!  Enrolling for healthcare (Flexible Spending/FSA, Dental, Health Savings Accounts/HSAs, or Medicare, among others) can scare the living daylights out of even the smartest, strongest person.  We are presently in or near the “Open Enrollment for Healthcare” season.

Pumpkin

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Caring for Aging Parents

Grandma moving in??  Traveling to help mom and dad from time to time? Sharing tasks with your siblings to help out your parents?

Elderly Parents

“Caring for Aging Parents” is an emotional and involved topic that takes FAR longer than 2 minutes to cover.  However, it is a critical topic and one that comes up daily in my conversations with friends and clients. Think about it: how many times have you been part of this conversation in the past several months alone… among friends/family?? I bet more than once!

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