Articles

Foreclosures hit a low, at least for the time being

The number of foreclosure filings nationwide dipped to a record low as of the mid-point of 2020, according to ATTOM Data Solutions’ Midyear 2020 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. Filings were down 44 percent over the course of the first six months of the year as compared to the same period of 2019, with a total of 165,530 properties in the U.S. receiving a foreclosure filing during that time. The filings cover default notices, scheduled auctions and

Know your rights with vacation rentals

More people are seeking out vacation rentals recently for longer stays and single-family living while traveling. A vacation property offers more space, privacy and easier social and physical distancing. In many places, you also get more for your money. If you’re planning to rent a property for your next vacation or an extended stay, it’s important to keep in mind that your rights as a renter vary depending on what state you’re visiting. Generally, there are

How the pandemic may affect long-term care insurance

If you have a long-term care insurance policy, you may wonder how it is affected by the pandemic. If you don’t have a policy, you may wonder if the pandemic will make it more difficult to get one. There are lots of uncertainties regarding COVID-19’s impact on long-term care insurance, but here is some of what we know: Qualifying for insurance. It is already more difficult to qualify for long-term care insurance as you get older.

Will Medicare cover a coronavirus vaccine?

With the coronavirus pandemic responsible for nearly 200,000 deaths and disrupting life across the United States, likely the only way for the country to return to normal is an effective vaccine. When a vaccine is available, Medicare will cover the cost. Medicare covers vaccines in a variety of ways, depending on the vaccine. It may be through Medicare Part B, Medicare Part D, or a Medicare Advantage plan if you are enrolled in one. Part B

Medicare’s different treatment of post-hospital care options

Hospital patients who need additional care after being discharged are usually sent to either an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) or a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Although these facilities may look similar from the outside, Medicare offers very different coverage for each. While you may not have a complete say in where you go after a hospital stay, understanding the difference between the two facilities can help you advocate for what you need and know what to

Estate planning essential for unmarried couples

While estate planning is important for married couples, it is arguably even more critical for couples who live together but aren’t married. Without an estate plan, unmarried couples won’t be able to make end-of-life decisions or inherit from each other. Estate planning serves two main functions: determining who can make decisions for you if you become incapacitated and who gets your assets when you die. For couples who have failed to plan, there are laws

Make Preparations for Form 1099s This Year

Be looking for new Form 1099-NEC! Here are three tasks to consider that will make meeting your business’s information reporting requirements less stressful this tax season. Review your general ledger. Even if you’ve already identified 1099 vendors in your payables system, review current year expenses to make sure no new or infrequent payments have been overlooked. For example, it’s easy to forget that fees totaling $600 or more paid to service providers must be reported on

Seven Tips For Financial Wellness In 2021

Common New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight or become more active. Perhaps 2021 is the year to shift focus. Here are seven tips to help you become more financially fit. Create a budget. It’s easy to get into financial trouble if you spend more than you earn. By watching your budget more carefully, you might be surprised by how much you spend in certain areas of your life. Many banks and credit unions offer budgeting

Uncle Sam’s New Year’s Resolutions

As new year’s celebrations are in the rearview mirror, it’s nice to continue celebrating the resolutions that we are definitely going to achieve! So we asked Uncle Sam – yes that Uncle Sam – what his new year’s resolutions were. This is what he told us… Help the federal government spend less money than it collects. If your family needs to make sure it only spends what it makes, why shouldn’t I do the same thing

2021 Retirement Plan Limits

As part of your 2021 tax planning, now is the time to review funding your retirement accounts. By establishing your contribution goals at the beginning of each year, the financial impact of saving for your future should be more manageable. Here are annual contribution limits for 2021: Take action If you have not already done so, please consider: Reviewing and adjusting your periodic contributions to your retirement savings accounts to take full advantage of the

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