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long term care

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

June 13, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: What will long-term care cost you? Also in the news: Social Security myths, the best cities for first-time home buyers, and how to pay less to your credit card company.

What Will Long-Term Care Cost You?
Almost everyone will need it after 65.

Don’t Believe These Social Security Myths
Checking the facts.

These are the best cities for first-time home buyers
7 spots to look at.

Here’s how to pay less to your credit card company
Just pick up the phone.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, first-time home buyers, long term care, long-term care costs, Medicare, myths, real estate, Social Security

What will long-term care cost you?

June 4, 2019 By Liz Weston

Many people are frightened of long-term care costs — for good reason.

Most people over 65 eventually will need help with daily living tasks, such as bathing, eating or dressing. Men will need assistance for an average of 2.2 years, while women will need it for 3.7 years, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Aging.

In my latest for the Associated Press, the high cost of long-term care and why planning ahead is essential.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: long term care, long-term care costs, Medicare, Social Security

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

August 9, 2016 By Liz Weston

help-parents-manage-moneyToday’s top story: Long-term care and wealth planning for aging parents. Also in the news: How Donald Trump’s new economic plan could affect you, student discounts on everything needed for college, and the cost of volunteering for a political campaign.

Long-Term Care and Wealth Planning for Aging Parents
Protecting their assets.

How Donald Trump’s New Economic Plan Could Help You (or Not)
What’s in it for you.

Use These Student Discounts to Save on Everything You Need for College
From books to clothes to computers.

The Costs of Volunteering for a Political Campaign
All that free labor can be pricey.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college discounts, Donald Trump, elderly parents and money, election, long term care, long-term care insurance, volunteering

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

June 11, 2015 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Money moves that could kill your retirement. Also in the news: How to stress test your budget, how to build long-term wealth while renting, and how to prepare your parents for financing their long-term care.

9 Money Moves That Could Kill Your Retirement
Avoid these at all costs.

Stress-Test Your Budget with a “Financial Fire Drill”
Putting your emergency plan to the test.

How Renters Can Build Long-Term Wealth, Too
Investment alternatives can help.

Steps to Prepare Your Parents for Financing Long-Term Care
How to have a difficult conversation.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: emergency fund, financial stress test, long term care, renters, Retirement

“England is sinking. Scotland is rising.”

September 18, 2014 By Liz Weston

DSC04008The narrator of the museum documentary we were watching in Edinburgh was referring to the geology of the United Kingdom, not its economy or politics.

Yet the phrase resonated somehow. Since devolution, when the Scottish Parliament was established after nearly 300 years of British rule, the Scots have definitely taken their own way.

One thing travel can do is help you better understand the world, and I understood Scotland a bit better after learning some of its history this summer. Its union with England was mostly supported by wealthy landowners, merchants and investors who wanted access to England’s colonies. The common people were not so enthralled. After that came the Highland Clearances, when tenant farmers were booted off their traditional holdings so that wealthy landowners could raise sheep instead. The evictions came with little notice and left a lot of suffering in their wake.

So maybe it’s not surprising that many Scots are suspicious of any system–political, social or economic–that favors the rich at the expense of regular people.

While England slashed public benefits after the financial crisis, Scotland restored tuition-free college education for its residents and added free long-term care for its elderly. (Actually, in-home care is free. Care in nursing homes is means-tested.)

As a result, Scotland is moving closer to the European model, where long-term care is at least in part funded by the government in many countries and where college education at public universities is free or very low cost.

These outlays might surprise people who believe the stereotype that Scots are tight with their money, but a Scotsman explained to me that what his people really like is good value for their money.

Renewable energy is a big thing in Scotland, too. The Scots surpassed their goal of 31% by 2011 and its 2020 target has been boosted from 50% to 100%. Again, that’s more like Northern Europe than the rest of the U.K.

Now Scotland is on the brink of deciding whether it wants to be independent. The U.K.’s prime minister, David Cameron, has promised Scotland more control if it stays with the union. So either way, it looks like Scotland may continue to rise.

 

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college costs, energy, long term care, renewable energy, Scotland, Scotland independence, United Kingdom

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

February 18, 2014 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Capital One could be paying you a visit. Also in the news: Why your tax return could get audited, the pros and cons of self-insurance, and how to rent a home with bad credit.

Capital One Says It Can Show Up at Cardholders’ Homes, Workplaces
“What’s in your wallet? No, really. Show us what’s in your wallet.”

6 Reasons Your Tax Return Might Get Audited
Don’t panic.

Should You Self Insure Against Long-Term Care Risk Or Buy Insurance?
Hedging your bets.

5 Tips for Renting a Home With Bad Credit
Bad credit doesn’t have to leave you out in the cold.

Track How Happy You Are with Your Purchases in Your Ledger
Analyzing your purchase satisfaction can save you money.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: audits, Credit Cards, home rental, Insurance, long term care, tax returns

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