Category Archives: General Topics

Bigger Income This Year? Call Me!

If you expect a jump in your income, we need to talk.  Have you sold stock or property?  Getting a big bonus (larger than in the past)? Had an unexpected windfall?  I’ve used the word “jump” because if your income is usually high, we both know the numbers, and I make a point of keeping you up on the numbers.  If, on the other hand, your numbers suddenly increase (larger than I normally see) then please let me know.  Continue reading →

Baby Boomers are retiring earlier & healthier

A newsletter article by Kathryn Zdan, EA, and Managing Editor at Spidell’s, states that Boomers are retiring earlier than anticipated, but that there is a top concern about long-term care costs. Her summary is based in a survey released by the Metlife Mature Market Institute providing some interesting statistics related to how the oldest group of Baby Boomers (those born in 1946) is handling retirement. 

Continue reading →

Community Reach : Essentials for Emergency Kit

Recent disasters that have taken place in the Midwest and across the nation emphasize that we all need to take safety seriously and have some level of preparedness.  One way is by making sure you have the essentials to take care of yourself (and others) in one place that can be retrieved as needed.  Kiplinger identified 7 essentials and the approximate cost:

  • Four-in-one lamp (Coleman Quad Lantern), ~$55.00
  • Battery-operated TV, portable power pack, ~$85.00
  • Radio (American Red Cross Solarlink FR600 Eton Emergency Radio), ~$87.00
  • Portable Power Pack (Duracell DPP-300EP Powerpack 300)  ~$132.00
  • Mega generator (ETQ TG32P12), from Eastern Tools & Equipment), ~$500.00
  • Portable water (Katadyn Combi is a portable water-purification system that filters out bacteria, protozoa, sediments and other contaminants, ~$200.00
  • Corded-telephone.  Cellular communications may be compromised.  Very often land-lines still work when cell phones won’t.  ~$10.00

The Kiplinger slide show can be viewed here.