If you buy your own health insurance, add this important date to your yearend to-do list: November 15. That’s the date open enrollment is available for individual healthcare plans offered through the Healthcare.gov site, your respective health insurance marketplace (https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/eligibility/) or independent agents in your community. If you’re working for a company that provides your
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Jason Alderman
7 Ways to Cut Your Holiday Expenses
on November 3rd, 2014
When it comes to holiday spending, waiting in store lines all night and jostling for discounts will mean very little if you don’t have a budget that shapes your finances year-round. With the average U.S. household spending $600-$700 in 2014 for the holidays, putting that money together shouldn’t be a game of chance. Here are
Are Extended Warranties Worth The Cost?
on October 29th, 2014
You know the drill: You’re in final negotiations to buy a new car and the dealer is urging you to protect your $20,000-plus investment by purchasing an extended warranty (also known as a service contract). Or, you get a similar pitch at the checkout line when buying a new appliance or electronic device. Are these
Weigh 2015 Medicare Part D, Advantage Plan Choices Carefully
on October 22nd, 2014
If you’re currently enrolled in Medicare, what you do or don’t do over the next few weeks could determine whether you can secure the best, most affordable coverage next year. Here’s why: Medicare Part D prescription plans frequently change premiums, drug formularies, deductibles and copayment amounts for specific drugs from year to year. Medicare Advantage
Do You Need ID Theft Insurance or Credit Monitoring?
on October 14th, 2014
You’d have to be living under a rock not to be concerned about identity theft. It seems like every other month there’s a new report about another massive data breach somewhere in the world. Not surprisingly, a thriving industry has sprung up around helping to protect consumers from identity theft. Most of these services are
Flexible Spending Accounts, Commuter Benefits Cut Your Taxes
on October 6th, 2014
For millions of Americans, 2015 open enrollment for employer-provided benefits is right around the corner. While it may be tempting to simply opt for the same coverage you have this year, doing so could cost you hundreds – or thousands – of dollars in tax savings. Have I captured your attention? Find out if your
How to Pay Less for a New Car
on September 30th, 2014
By Jason Alderman : Late last year, my wife and I were in the unenviable position of needing to shop for a new car, since the used car lease I’d assumed was about to expire. I knew it would probably have to last until my kids were well into college, so I spent a long
Don’t Be Surprised by Retiree Healthcare Costs
on September 16th, 2014
Retirement isn’t cheap. Even though you’re no longer drawing a paycheck, you still must pay for housing, food, utilities, transportation and healthcare, to name just a few expenses. As prices continue to escalate, it’s not surprising that the ages at which people expect to retire – and when they actually do – have crept up
Under 26? Should You Stay on Your Parent’s Health Insurance?
on September 9th, 2014
In their quest to land a job, any job, many young adults will sacrifice what used to be called “fringe benefits” to gain a foot in the door. But many entry-level jobs either offer no healthcare benefits, or the employee’s cost share is prohibitive for someone barely making minimum wage. Add to the equation that
Will Your Kids Inherit Your Debt?
on September 3rd, 2014
By Jason Alderman : Many people finally get around to writing a will in order to safeguard their assets for their heirs. But what if you’ve got the opposite problem: Your nest egg was decimated by the recession, bad investments or simply living longer than expected and now you’ve got a mountain of bills you
