Medicare policies are the health insurance benefits you have worked toward throughout your life, and having the proper policy is critical as you are likely to face more health problems as you age. While these policies can provide you with the coverage you need for your health conditions later in life, they may be confusing to navigate for some and can include a variety of pitfalls. Whether you are ready for a Medicare policy or planning ahead for the future, below are some costly missteps that you can do your best to avoid. Mistake 1: Failing to Sign Up at ...

Targeted scams have become even more popular with the amount of personal information readily available on the internet. Social Security recipients are, unfortunately, targeted by some of the most sophisticated scam artists out there. From phone scams to phishing attempts and intercepted deposits, here are three common Social Security scams and how you might avoid being fooled by them. Phony Phone Calls Generally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) communicates with you over the phone only if you request a call. You are unlikely to get a call from the SSA at random. Be immediately suspicious of anyone who calls you ...

Times to call your financial advisor Most of us go to see professionals when we’re in trouble or during times of crisis. Think about it. We go to the doctor when we’re sick. We go see a lawyer when we have a pending legal matter. We go see a counselor when we’re feeling depressed. As a financial advisor, unfortunately, I often hear from clients after something has happened – and sometimes I’m limited in how I can help. Sure, I can often make a situation better, but if I knew about what my clients were facing sooner, I can usually ...

Everyone needs to clean-up their financial clutter at least once a year Spring is traditionally the time to clean the garage and to get the yard in shape. It’s also a great time to clean up your investment portfolio. Going into the final days of tax season, this is a perfect opportunity to get rid of clutter, review your asset allocations and make the necessary changes if your portfolio has strayed from your financial plan. Here are seven steps to making your portfolio cleaner and more efficient. Think of your investments as a portfolio. This is the first key step. ...