Posts by Barb

Halloween might bring out ghosts, goblins, and pumpkins on porches, but for many retirees, the real chills don’t come from spooky movies — they come from money worries that sneak up when everything else quiets down. You’ve spent decades saving, planning, and working toward the freedom of retirement. But sometimes, even with the best intentions,…

December 30th. You’re wrapping up holiday plans when you remember—did you take your required minimum distribution this year? For retirees who’ve been managing RMDs for years, this moment might bring a quick mental checkmark. But for those handling their first few years of distributions, or juggling multiple accounts, that sinking feeling can hit hard. The rules…

After a turbulent few years of inflation, market swings, healthcare price hikes, and economic uncertainty, a quiet shift is taking place among retirees and those nearing retirement. It’s not about panic or paranoia. It’s about purpose. They’re saving again — but not the way they used to. They’re saving with urgency, with discipline, and, in…

“I didn’t realize my plan changed until I got the bill…” That’s what Susan, a 73-year-old retiree living in Rockrimmon, told us last year. Her Medicare Advantage plan dropped her primary care doctor and increased her prescription costs — and she didn’t find out until January. The worst part? She had no idea anything had changed…

Many retirees feel relief when Medicare starts — then quickly realize there are still gaps. For instance, Medicare requires you to pay part of hospital stays and doctor visits, along with other costs that can add up quickly. That’s where the choice between Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans comes in. Both…

If you’re age 50 or older and earning more than $145,000 a year, a major shift is coming to how you save for retirement. Starting in 2026, you’ll be required to make your catch-up contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis — meaning no more upfront tax break for these extra savings. The IRS just finalized…

The retirement party is over, the gold watch is sitting on your dresser, and for the first time in decades, Monday morning doesn’t mean rushing to beat traffic. But three months in, many people discover something nobody warned them about: the financial decisions don’t get easier — they get harder. Your 401(k) statement arrives showing…

For most retirees, healthcare quickly becomes one of the biggest expenses to plan for. Premiums, copays, deductibles, and unexpected bills can easily compete with everyday living costs. That’s why many retirees find themselves asking the same question year after year: Should I stick with Medicare Advantage, or would a Medicare Supplement plan serve me better? There…

Many retirees go in for what seems like a routine doctor’s visit, only to discover that the bill isn’t fully covered by Medicare. A new prescription, a diagnostic test, or even a short outpatient procedure can add hundreds of dollars to the monthly budget. For someone living on a fixed income, those surprises can feel…

You open your statement expecting steady growth. The market’s been decent, yet your balance hasn’t moved the way you hoped. As you look closer, you notice a series of small charges—an account fee here, a management cost there. On their own, they don’t seem alarming. But over years of retirement, those “small” amounts can quietly…