Leah Kari, licensed insurance agent and retired pharmaceutical representative For a comprehensive understanding of the enrollment process, please refer to the previous month’s issue of this publication, which will feature Part one and provide detailed guidance on how to enroll in Medicare. Automatic Enrollment: If you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)…
Tag: Dollars and Sense
April 2026, Features
Dollars and Sense – April 2026
Medicare and Me: Time Tested Tips Leah Kari, licensed insurance agent, and retired pharmaceutical representative Finally! Your long-awaited doctor’s appointment is a few days away. In preparation, you’ve wisely jotted questions to ask on bits of paper or stored the questions on your phone. During your appointment, you’ll reference notes if you have them available.…
Features, November 2025
Dollars and Sense – November 2025
How to Prepare Your Finances for 2026 As 2025 comes to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan for next year and take control of your finances. It’s time for fresh goals and smart planning to ensure your hard-earned money is protected and working for you. Two areas deserve extra attention as you prepare…
Features, October 2024
Dollars and Sense: Medicare and Me: When A Spouse Passes
Leah Kari, Retired Pharmaceutical Representative and Licensed Insurance Agent No matter how orderly we believe our affairs are, most people who have experienced the enormous life upheaval of a spouse passing say they were not as prepared as they thought. Having updated our trust today, I hope to convey the importance of meeting with your…
September 2024, Features
Dollars and Sense: Guard Your Card!
Leah Kari, Retired Pharmaceutical Representative and Licensed Insurance Agent Your Medicare number is your passport to accessing vital healthcare services. It is required for enrollment into Medicare Supplement Insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Your Medicare number is confidential. Criminals are on the prowl to exploit this information. Safeguard your Medicare number…
Features, November 2022
Dollars and Sense: Will the Stock Market Recover?
Premier Coin Galleries The U.S. stock market is typically positive for midterm election years, though October can be notoriously volatile. By the time you read this article, we’ll have election results and more economic reports to guide us through the rest of the year. “We have to understand this will take time,” says Vanessa N.…
Features, December 2020
Dollars and Sense: What Is the Maximum Loan Amount?
Melanie Sedam A maximum loan amount describes the total amount that an applicant is authorized to borrow. Maximum loan amounts are used for standard loans, credit cards, and line-of-credit accounts. Key Takeaways * A maximum loan amount describes the total sum that one is authorized to borrow on a line of credit, credit card, personal…
Features, November 2020
Dollars & Sense: VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan
Melanie Sedam If you have an existing VA-backed home loan and you want to reduce your monthly mortgage payments—or make your payments more stable—an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance loan (IRRRL) may be right for you. Refinancing lets you replace your current loan with a new one under different terms. Find out if you are eligible…
Features, October 2020
Dollars and Sense: Refinancing Your Home
The Paseo Financial Group If you are interested in borrowing against your home’s available equity, you have choices. One option would be to refinance and get cash out. Another option would be to take out a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Here are some of the key differences between a cash-out refinance and a…
Features, September 2020
Dollars and Sense: What is a Stated Income Loan?
In the past, stated income mortgages were home loans that did not require income verification or documentation. Lenders just needed a borrower’s stated income—hence the name “stated income” loans. Unfortunately, these risky loan types contributed to the 2008 housing market crash, and banks stopped issuing stated income loans as a result. They prevented banks from…