Medicare Open Enrollment

Contributed by: Kali Hassinger, CFP®

As the weather changes and fall begins, there seems to be a general shift from the summer mindset to a more focused fall mentality.  Maybe it’s because, even well into adulthood, we’re accustomed to that “back-to-school” switch.  If you are currently enrolled in Medicare (not quite school, but significant nonetheless!), fall will continue to mark an important time of year because the Medicare open enrollment period begins on October 15th and lasts until December 7th.  This is the time when Medicare participants can update their health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year. 

If you participate in a Medicare health and/or prescription plan, it’s important to be sure that your coverage will continue to meet your needs in the year to come.  Plans will send out notification materials if coverage is changing, but, even if it isn’t, it may be worth comparing your current coverage to other options.  If you are thinking of updating your coverage, there are several items that you should consider. 

Other coverage options:

If you are currently covered by or eligible for coverage through another provider, such as your former employer, you’ll want to understand how this plan works with Medicare.  Most retiree plans are designed to coincide with Medicare for those 65 and older, but you’ll want to be sure that the premiums and plan benefits are more advantageous than the open market Medicare options.

Cost:

This may seem like a given, but there are several cost factors to take into consideration.  Premiums, deductibles, and other costs can add up throughout the year, so it’s important to have a grasp of the plan’s monthly AND annual expenses.

Accessibility: 

Are the doctors and pharmacies who participate in this plan convenient for you?  If you have a current doctor or pharmacy that you want to continue using, be sure that they are in network.

Quality of Coverage:

Perhaps another seemingly obvious but important consideration, quality of coverage means how well does the plan actually cover the services you need.   Some plans require referrals and limit (or won’t provide) coverage if you go out of network.  If you have ongoing prescriptions, make sure the drugs are covered and that you understand any rules that may affect your prescription in the future.  

It’s important to understand and compare your Medicare options, but it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the process.  Raymond James partners with a group called Health Plan One to help clients strike the right balance between appropriate coverage and healthcare costs.  Our office has the opportunity to host a webinar with HPOne on October 23rd at 1:00 PM, and you can register for the webinar by clicking here.

Kali Hassinger, CFP® is an Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

2017 Congenital Heart Walk & Why I’m so Involved

Contributed by: Emily Lucido

Photo Source: http://www.congenitalheartwalk.org/

My name is Emily and I work as a client service associate here at The Center. I’m honored and proud to announce that The Center will be one of many sponsoring the Congenital Heart Walk in September of this year. This is something that means a lot to me and I feel so happy to work for a place that is so supportive.

Congenital Heart Disease, more commonly known as CHD, is the most common birth defect in the U.S. with nearly 1 in 100 babies born with CHDs each year. I was one of those babies many years back, which is why I am here promoting the walk today. I was born with a heart condition that affects my right ventricle. The name of my condition is pulmonary atresia – but I’ll spare you from any more medical terminology. I had open heart surgery when I was born and 2 more surgeries after that, all before the age of 3. I now live a very healthy life and am becoming more involved volunteering with heart related programs.

The Center jumped on the idea to be involved in the heart walk and exceeded my expectations when they offered to sponsor and support me (and everyone else out there!) who has Congenital Heart Disease as well. CHD research and programs are severely underfunded. The Congenital Heart Walk aims to correct this problem.

The Congenital Heart Walk (CHW) is the only national event series dedicated to fighting congenital heart disease. Since 2010, CHW has raised more than $8 million. CHW is a partnership between the two leading national organizations dedicated to fighting CHD – The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) and the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA).

The information for the event is listed below:

• Date: Saturday, September 23, 2017

• Location: Boulan Park – Troy, MI

• Event Schedule: Festivities begin at 9:00 AM

• Expected attendance: 1,000 + Participants

• Visit: www.congenitalheartwalk.org for more information!

I will be speaking at the Congenital Heart Walk this year, which is a huge honor for me. For those of you who would like to come support and walk with us at The Center, join by registering with the link below. If you have any trouble accessing the website or registering, please feel free to give me (Emily) a call.

To register for the walk with The Center Team follow this link:

http://events.congenitalheartwalk.org/goto/TheCenterTeam

I truly appreciate you taking the time to read about my story and the Congenital Heart Walk. Thank you all for your support.  We look forward to walking with you in the fall!

Emily Lucido is a Client Service Associate at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

---

Links are being provided for informational purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

Planning for Health Insurance and Medical Expenses in Retirement

Contributed by: Matt Trujillo, CFP®

At any age, health care is a priority. However, when you retire, you will probably focus more on health care than ever before. Staying healthy is your goal, and this can mean more visits to the doctor for preventive tests and routine checkups. There's also a chance that your health will decline as you grow older, increasing your need for costly prescription drugs or medical treatments. That's why having the right health insurance for you is extremely important.

If you are 65 or older when you retire, your worries may lessen when it comes to paying for health care--you are most likely eligible for certain health benefits from Medicare, a federal health insurance program available upon your 65th birthday. But if you retire before age 65, you'll need some way to pay for your health care until Medicare kicks in. Generous employers may offer extensive health insurance coverage to their retiring employees, but this is the exception rather than the rule. If your employer doesn't extend health benefits to you, you may need to buy a private health insurance policy (which may be costly), extend your employer-sponsored coverage through COBRA, or purchase an individual health insurance policy through either a state-based or the federal health insurance Exchange Marketplace.

But remember, Medicare won't pay for long-term care if you ever need it. You'll need to pay for that out of pocket, rely on benefits from long-term care insurance (LTCI), or if your assets and/or income are low enough, you may qualify for Medicaid.

As mentioned, most Americans automatically become entitled to Medicare when they turn 65. In fact, if you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you won't even have to apply--you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare. However, you will have to decide whether you need only Part A coverage (which is premium-free for most retirees) or if you want to also purchase Part B coverage. Part A, commonly referred to as the hospital insurance portion of Medicare, can help pay for your home health care, hospice care, and inpatient hospital care. Part B helps cover other medical care such as physician care, laboratory tests, and physical therapy. If you want to pay fewer out-of-pocket health-care costs, you may also choose to enroll in a managed care plan, or private fee-for-service plan under Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage). If you don't already have adequate prescription drug coverage, you should also consider joining a Medicare prescription drug plan offered in your area by a private company or insurer that has been approved by Medicare.

Medigap Policies:

Unfortunately, Medicare won't cover all of your health-care expenses. For some types of care, you'll have to satisfy a deductible and make co-payments. That's why many retirees purchase a Medigap policy.

Unless you can afford to pay for the things that Medicare doesn't cover, including the annual co-payments and deductibles that apply to certain types of care, you may want to buy some type of Medigap policy when you sign up for Medicare Part B. There are 10 standard Medigap policies available. Each of these policies offers certain basic core benefits, and all but the most basic policy (Plan A) offer various combinations of additional benefits designed to cover what Medicare does not. Although not all Medigap plans are available in every state, you should be able to find a plan that best meets your needs and your budget.

When you first enroll in Medicare Part B at age 65 or older, you have a six-month Medigap open enrollment period. During that time, you have a right to buy the Medigap policy of your choice from a private insurance company, regardless of any health problems you may have. The company cannot refuse you a policy or charge you more than other open enrollment applicants.

Long-term care insurance and Medicaid:

The possibility of a prolonged stay in a nursing home weighs heavily on the minds of many older Americans and their families. That's hardly surprising, especially considering the high cost of long-term care.

Many people in their 50s and 60s look into purchasing Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI). A good LTCI policy can cover the cost of care in a nursing home, an assisted-living facility, or even your own home. If you're interested, don't wait too long to buy it--you'll need to be in good health. In addition, the older you are, the higher the premium you'll pay.

You may also be able to rely on Medicaid to pay for long-term care if your assets and/or income are low enough to allow you to qualify. But check first with a financial professional or an attorney experienced in Medicaid planning. The rules surrounding this issue are numerous, complicated and can affect you, your spouse, and your beneficiaries and/or heirs.

The issue of how to properly plan for health insurance in retirement is complex and multi-faceted. As with many aspects of good financial health I recommend working with a qualified professional to address your evolving health care needs, and to ensure that you and your family have the proper coverage for your circumstances.

Matthew Trujillo, CFP®, is a Certified Financial Planner™ at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Matt currently assists Center planners and clients, and is a contributor to Money Centered.

---

This information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. Long Term Care insurance policies have exclusions and/or limitations. The cost and availability of Long Term Care insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of Long Term Care insurance. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company.

We're Sorry, This Page is No Longer Available

Checkout our current blog posts HERE. See you there!

Is it Time for You to “Come Clean” with Your Financial Planner?

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™

Recently, I had an awakening experience with a long time client.  For years, my client has been very focused on investment returns and fees.  We began working together during the downturn in 2008 (he had been with the firm, but working with another planner for years before that).  This client is always worried about losing too much or not taking enough risk; when in reality, he needs no more than his current risk profile to help reach his goals.  I struggle to find ways to prove to him how solid his financial and investment plan is.

During our recent meeting, our conversation took a different turn than conversations of the past.  He got very emotional and disclosed to me that money really makes him very anxious.  He went on to tell me about some very personal things that have happened in his past, both with personal relationships and in his business life that made him distrust his ability to make good financial decisions.  To this day, he still gets nervous about every financial decision, and is never sure he is making the right one – he is always waiting for the something to go horribly wrong. 

Our meeting lasted much longer than normal and he apologized for “breaking down”.  I, in turn, thanked him for giving me the profound insight I needed to serve him better as his planner.  I now understand his view of money, and can find ways to address his fears and anxieties like I never could have before.  I thanked him for having enough trust in me to share his story.

Many of us have “money” stories that are not kind – those that cause us to feel fear and anxiety, and those that may still interfere with our ability to make rational financial decisions. 

If you have things in your history that you feel impact your financial decision making, share them with your financial planner.  With the understanding of your money fears, your financial planner will be able to assist you, on an even deeper level, in making the best financial decisions for your future.

Sandra Adams, CFP® , CeFT™ is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Any opinions are those of Sandra D. Adams and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Every investor's situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.

ESG Investing: The Little Engine That Could

Contributed by: Jaclyn Jackson

As children, many of us were made familiar with The Little Engine That Could, a story about a small railroad engine that overcame the seemingly impossible challenge of pulling heavy freight cars up and over an intimidating mountain. As we witness the unraveling of many government policies, alliances, and programs helpful to ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing such as dismantling carbon dioxide mitigation, leaving the Paris Agreement global pact, looming EPA budget cuts, etc., it would appear that an insurmountable amount of challenges could hurt ESG investment product performance.

Yet, like The Little Engine, the trend towards ESG investing is plugging ahead with great intensity. In fact, the recent focus on these issues has fired up investors and fund companies.  Leading research firm, Morningstar, has seen a four-fold increase in the use of ESG data in its cloud-based research platform used by asset managers, advisory firms and independent wealth managers since Trump’s election.  Net flows into ESG products in the first 6 months of 2017 have been greater than both 2014 and 2015.  With a dozen new open-end sustainable mutual funds, 2017 flows are also positioned to beat 2016 numbers.

Performance

Excluding ethical motivations, ESG transparency helps investors get a unique, “under the hood” analysis of company risk (or stability) that complements traditional research methods. For example, ESG risks are sometimes more prominent in foreign markets (autocratic governments, human rights issues, wage disparities, etc.).  The graph below demonstrates that ignoring ESG factors may lead to reduced returns for investors in emerging markets.

A study done by European Centre for Corporate Engagement (ECCE) also supports correlation between good ESG practices and financial performance for emerging-market companies.  Even in the case of developed markets, Hermes' global equities team research found that avoiding companies with bottom-decile corporate governance rankings could increase returns by 30 basis points (bps) per month.  To boot, research by index provider, MSCI, indicated that a company’s efforts towards sustainability, such as fair labor practices, good environmental stewardship, and diverse internal leadership, improves returns.

Is it Just Smart Business?

Going back to our metaphor, imagine that the Little Engine was little by design.  While the Little Engine had fewer cylinders and less horse power, it also burned less fuel.  Since the Little Engine was smaller, it weighed less and minimized wear and tear on the parts that supported it. Perhaps the company that owned or built the Little Engine designed it to save money on fuel, have fewer repairs, and prevent EPA emission fines from cutting into profits. 

This begs the question, Are companies that manage environmental, social, and governance factors just practicing smart business strategy?  Phil Davidson, co-manager of American Century Equity Income, stated it best in a Barron’s article, “Cutting corners on environmental issues, for instance, can lead to lawsuits, fines, and damages. Businesses that use less water and less power have lower costs and operate more efficiently. Good corporate governance plays a winning hand in capital allocation and is critical to corporate longevity. If a company is being managed for the short term to maximize revenue, that’s not sustainable.” 

Here to Stay

Despite political noise, it seems some fund companies and investors alike continue to embrace ESG strategies.  Research indicates monitoring risks factors that may affect the sustainability of a company may prove to support higher potential returns.  Perhaps ESG strategies are finally “up the hill” as they seem to be a more common part of one’s investment strategy.

Jaclyn Jackson is a Portfolio Administrator and Financial Associate at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

---

The information contained in this blog does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Jaclyn Jackson and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein. Investments mentioned may not be suitable for all investors. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in well-established foreign markets. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss. Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. Individual investor's results will vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions.

Managing our Minds as We Age

Contributed by: Matthew E. Chope, CFP®

I recently read an article about cognitive decline as we age.  The article shocked me and made me realize why a strong partnership with a good financial planner can be absolutely vital as we get older.  The research article by Michael Finke, John Howe, and Sandra Huston called “Old Age and the Decline in Financial Literacy” describes the situation well. The authors provided a financial literacy test to older populations and found that while financial literacy tends to decline by about 1% per year after age sixty, financial confidence remains the same.  The chart below illustrates this dangerous paradox:

Source: retriementresearcher.com, August 4, 2017

One of our most important responsibilities as financial planners is to make sure that our clients are thoughtful about their financial decisions.  We consider ourselves managers of risk even more than managers of return, especially for our older clients.  This is paramount in what we do because many clients are focused more on matters of living – health, family, etc. – than on diving into the details of their investments or retirement cash flow in order to know their best path forward. 

As I was reading the article about the average confidence vs. literacy I was stunned at the widening differential gap between financial literacy and financial confidence. The gap at age 70 was 15% but widened to over 40% by age 80! This gap is where people become permanently financially damaged by poor decisions.  Most of the work we do is focused on helping reduce the probability of poor decisions.  It’s akin to the doctors Hippocratic Oath, “first do no harm”.  Our goal is not to make people rich, but to structure a solid foundation to ensure our clients never become destitute.

Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you have the time, energy, interest, knowledge, and desire to implement all kinds of financial decisions on your own? Do you enjoy financial planning?

• Will you overcome the inertia of inaction to put together all the various pieces needed to create and implement an effective and coherent overall plan?

• Will you continue to periodically update your plan?

• Have you determined how to make sure your planning will be maintained properly if other family members need to take control of it?

• Are you working with a financial planner who does more than just manage investment portfolios – who helps you with all aspects of your financial picture -- and helps you to implement suitable financial planning decisions?

If the answer to any of these questions is “I’m not sure” or “no,” please reach out to a Certified Financial Planner™ professional to discuss how they can help.

Matthew E. Chope, CFP ® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Matt has been quoted in various investment professional newspapers and magazines. He is active in the community and his profession and helps local corporations and nonprofits in the areas of strategic planning and money and business management decisions.

---

The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Matt Chope and not necessarily those of Raymond James. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.
Source: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1948627

The Importance of Being Involved In Your Parents’ Financial Planning in Later Life

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™

There are a million reasons why we don’t talk to our parents about their financial situation…

• “I don’t want to be nosy.  What if I offend them by asking them about something so personal?”

• “What if they think I am asking because I don’t think they can handle their finances any longer?”

• “I have my own problems to deal with. I am not going to bother trying to handle my parents’ issues, too.”

• “I don’t need to know anything until they tell me, or until they’re gone.”

• And, the list goes on and on. 

And some of our parents may have their own hesitations about offering information to their adult children:  fear of loss of control, not wanting their children to be aware of all of their financial resources for fear that they will want/need more from them before they are able to give it, or simply discomfort with the conversations that may be involved about their own longevity and/or mortality.  However, in my experience, the majority of older adult clients are more than willing to begin to invite adult children, (at least those that are will be in charge of assisting with financial affairs in the case of incapacity or after death), into meetings to help them get a better understanding of the overall financial and estate planning picture.  We strongly encourage this with our clients and their adult children!

Some of the strongest and most successful family relationships we have are with generations of families that take advantage of these kinds of meetings.  Not only do they give us an opportunity to meet the family members that we will be working with if and when anything ever happens to mom and dad, but a number of additional items are uncovered during the annual meetings that can be extremely beneficial for the families:

• They can develop a strong understanding of the overall financial status and financial plan

• They have conversations about long term care planning, and reveal mom and dad’s preferences on how the finances fit into the plan

• They have conversations about the overall estate plan and structure (who will be in charge, the flow of the estate, etc.)

• They have conversations about charitable giving and its importance during life and after death

• They have conversations about how they wish their assets to be passed on to future generations (how, why, etc.)

It has been an amazing experience for many of our families, some of whom have grown so much closer through the experience.  If you have older adult parents and have hesitated to get involved or been afraid to approach the subject and need help getting started, please reach out.  We are happy to help!  We promise it will be worth the effort.

Sandra Adams, CFP® , CeFT™ is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Any opinions are those of Sandra D. Adams and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Every investor's situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.

The Center's Day of Creative Giving

Contributed by: Laurie Renchik, CFP®, MBA

There are many ways to give time, talent and resources through volunteering.  Recently, a group of Center clients, friends, and team members came together with energy and purpose to lend a hand for an afternoon of Creative giving.  The goal was to make 125 care packages for children who are experiencing a stay at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.   We reached our goal and hope that the goody bags will bring smiles to the faces of children receiving care at C.S. Mott.

Handmade cards decorated the outside of the packages. Volunteers filled the bags with snack items, huggable stuffed animals, coloring books, and puzzles. The smiles were abundant, and the sense of purpose created a positive vibe for all.  

The Center Charitable Committee, Creative Committee, and team members all pitched in to help with the planning and set up.  Clients and friends of the Center came together in support and created a multitude of brightly colored Care Packages filled with tangible items and a sprinkle of love and caring. 

In the words of Oprah Winfrey; “I don’t think you ever stop giving.  I really don’t.  I think it’s an ongoing process.  And it’s not just about being able to write a check.  It's being able to touch somebody’s life.”

Thanks to all that contributed to the success of our “Creative Giving” day!

Laurie Renchik is a partner and Certified Financial Planner™ at the Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

---

Webinar in Review: A Beginners Guide for Those Just Starting Out

Contributed by: Emily Lucido

With a little bit of wit and a whole lot of information, Kali Hassinger, CFP® and Josh Bitel, Client Service Associate, recently presented a webinar that provided young folks with a broad guide for how to start their financial lives off on the right foot. As we found out during the presentation, making smart choices early can make life easier in the long run.

Although Millennials have an average debt of 50% in just student loans, they are doing better than most people might think. About 80% have a budget and 72% are saving for retirement. (Source: http://bit.ly/2bBC3vG). If you are a Millennial and are reading and thinking, “I’m not saving for retirement and I don’t have a budget,” that’s okay! Even by taking small steps now, you can make a huge difference rather than waiting. There are a lot of different factors to think about when tackling financials in the “real world.” The first step is to get organized.

Spending vs. Saving

You can spend smarter by following these tips below:

• Stay Organized - which can include setting up account notifications & alerts

  • These notifications can be set up for when you complete a transaction, or if your balance falls below a specific amount (you can set the minimum balance amount yourself)

  • The notifications can also be good for detecting fraud

• Applications & Technology

  • There are a ton of free apps out there that can help with any situation, just google your need and you can find something suitable for you

• Figuring out your Credit Score

  • Credit Karma gives you free access to your credit score and is highly secure

  • What determines your credit score?
    ~ Check out our blog that breaks down your credit score composition!

  • When building credit and using credit cards, you want to make sure to use only around or below 30% of your available credit

  • Watch for annual fees on credit cards; see if opening the card is worth the annual fee you will end up paying

  • Set up auto pay on all your bills with your credit card to benefit with cash back and rewards

  • To avoid ATM fees, go to the store and buy something small (like a pack of gum) and then get cash back on that purchase

• Student Loans

  • Student loans are something you want to start paying down right away – and if you can make more than just the minimum payment, try to do that

  • Make sure your payments are being allocated toward your highest interest loan

  • A good resource to show you every student loan you have, whether federal or private is, Annualcreditreport.com

Saving is so important, and to start sooner can make such a big difference in the long run. These tip s help with how to smartly save money:

• Cash Savings

  • In case of emergency it’s good to have six months of living expenses in a savings account

• Investing Early

  • The graph below demonstrations how investing your savings early can really benefit you in the long run

  • In the example below Chloe started investing from age 25 and almost reaches $2 million dollars by the age of 65, while we see Noah saves from age 25 (the same amount of money) and just let it sit in cash and only obtained about $653,000 by the age of 65.

• Retirement Savings

  • Although retirement might seem far away, it is important to be forward thinking and plan ahead

  • Employer plans are a great opportunity to save money if your company offers one - always remember to contribute at least the match if you can

• If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan you can still invest through a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA. Depending on your situation a Roth or an IRA could work for you.

• Taxes – some quick tips

  • The more money you make, the more you pay in taxes!

  • You can write off student loan interest of up to $2,500 per year

  • TurboTax® is a great online resource for doing your taxes with a 100% accurate calculation guarantee

• Insurance

  • Insurance is something that is so important – but something that can be overlooked when we are young

  • Staying on your parents health coverage until age of 26 is great – but don’t just assume it’s the best option because you aren’t paying anything

  • Remember to get renters insurance when living in an apartment – you never know when you might need it!

The last thing to remember is the 28/36 Rule. Your housing expenses should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income while your total debt payments should not exceed 36%. Remember, the earlier you start saving the better – and any place you start at is good.

Take 30 minutes to view the webinar below and get the full details of Kali and Josh’s discussion. If you have any questions, please reach out to us -- we’re here to help!

Emily Lucido is a Client Service Associate at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

---

The information contained in this blog does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Emily Lucido and not necessarily those of Raymond James. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.