Success Story November 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Success Story of the Month" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="November 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] PANIC!! [spacer height="10px"] by David S Edge [spacer height="10px"] Maureen’s son called and was in a panic. His mom was in the hospital and he just found out she was diagnosed with West Nile Virus! [spacer height="05px"] His mom, Maureen has just turned 65 a few months earlier and had signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan because she was healthy and there were no major medical issues that ran in her family. But now, they realized she would immediately hit her “Maximum Out of Pocket” which was $5,000 a year with accumulated co-pays on her Medicare Advantage plan she selected. She never dreamed she would get sick and spend that kind of money in co-pays during a calendar year. She usually just had her yearly wellness check which was at no cost on her Advantage plan, as well as the no cost to see her primary care physician.   [spacer height="05px"] In discussing this with her son, he remembered her explaining the difference between a Medicare Advantage network plan and a Medicare Supplement “Medigap” plan where she would have a monthly fee but no co-pays. Maureen asked her son to call our office to see what her options were.   [spacer height="05px"] After reviewing her enrollment date, we found that she was still in her first twelve months of her trial period with Medicare. This meant that she could drop her Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare and select a Medigap with a Part D drug plan… no questions asked!   [spacer height="05px"] They were both thrilled and switched as fast as we could complete the applications for a first-of-the-month start on her new plans. It’s not that her current Advantage plan was bad, it’s just that she was going to spend a lot more in co-pays than the $138 a month for her Medigap premium that would cover all her Medical portions of leftover bills after Medicare paid their portion. Not sure what your coverage is? Do you remember the difference between a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medicare Supplement Medigap plan? You might want to attend one of our many Medicare Workshops conducted monthly and have a refresher course for your options.   [spacer height="05px"] Remember, Annual Election Period started October 15th and runs through December 7th if you want to switch Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans. Call us! We can help!   [spacer height="05px"] “After reviewing her enrollment date, we found that she was still in her first twelve months of her trial period with Medicare. This meant that she could drop her Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare and select a Medigap with a Part D drug plan… no questions asked! ” [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Slide5.png" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Feature Story 1 November 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="It's a good time to be on Medicare" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="November 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] By David P. Schaeffer [spacer height="10px"] With all the hub-a-loo in Washington about health care, the good news is it has little or nothing to do with Medicare. The changes made to Medicare in 2005, 2010, and again in 2013 have only improved the lives of folks on Medicare. If you are a history buff, prior to 2005 there was no, none, nada, zippo, drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. Back in those days we would charter a bus and take our clients to Mexico for their prescriptions. Back then, we even helped folks get their drugs directly from Canada. We still do. [spacer height="05px"] In 2010, Medicare updated the Medigap plans. They removed a couple and added a few. For the most part, folks still leaned toward Plan F. After the update, Plan J was grandfathered. If you had one, you could keep it, but folks new to Medi-care could not get a Plan J. In 2019, Plan F will grandfather. If you have a Plan F, you can keep it, you can even switch between companies that offered Plan F in the past. [spacer height="05px"] In 2013, Medicare part B premiums adjusted to take into consideration our wealthiest top 5% of Americans. Surcharges, (you can’t call ‘em taxes, you can’t call ‘em penalties) were added to Part B and D. This was in part to fund the folks under age 65 participating in Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant healthcare plans. Even though the news makes the ACA a huge deal, it only affects 8% of Americans are not covered by group plans or Medicare. [spacer height="05px"] So the good news, in most of Arizona, no matter if you select Medicare plus a Medigap and a Part D prescription plan, or an All-In-One Medicare advantage plan… most folks on Medicare do not have to be concerned about a medical services deductible. Most doctors are either available as a Medicare beneficiary or participate in multiple Medicare Advantage networks, making it easy to maintain your doctor relationship and select the plan most appropriate for your needs. [spacer height="05px"] Here we sit, it’s nearly 2018. In Maricopa County, Arizona we have 61 companies offering Medicare supplements, 23 Part D prescription drug plans to choose from and 38 Medicare Advantage plans to span 25 networks. The choice is all around us. The good news is there will be 7325 choices for folks with Medicare to select from in 2018. [spacer height="05px"] Enjoy!   [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Slide2.png" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Financial Tip November 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Financial Tip" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="November 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"]   By David S. Edge [spacer height="10px"] No “Best”… Only what’s “Most Appropriate!” Many of our clients ask “What’s Best”? It doesn’t matter what they are seeking answers to Medicare, financial retirement advice, POAs, DORs, etc. The thing most folks don’t realize is that there is no best! [spacer height="05px"] The answer is what’s most appropriate for you! [spacer height="05px"] Everyone has different financial goals, just like they have different medical conditions, so there is no ‘one size fits all’. That’s what’s great about America, our freedom to choose. [spacer height="05px"] But an experienced planning pro looks at the myriad of choices as a buffet or smorgasbord of selections where we get to pick what we want to accomplish for your individual goals. That goal is usually “what’s best for you”. A great planner will assist you with the choices by reviewing your personal needs, not just “how much money do you have”. What you have, is not where the conversation should start. Reviewing what you need, and where you need to be in order to reach your retirement goals, should be the main course of the conversation. An inventory of what you have is down the list of what’s important. [spacer height="05px"] The discussion should center on who are your dependents? Does the planner need to take into consideration that you take care of an elderly parent or disabled adult child? What would happen if there is a loss of a spouse? The timing of your retirement, the longevity of family members and history, i.e., life expectancy? What is the sequence of financial returns, and what are the tax implications? Projections over time, adjusting for inflation and how that would impact rising health care cost and day-to-day living expenses. [spacer height="05px"] These and other questions are the meat and potatoes of the initial discussion. These answers will create the framework of what, when, and where the answers will come from. Your first important task is to select the person who will guide you through the maze. [spacer height="05px"] We, at American Retirement Advisors, search for solutions that will be your most appropriate selection for your personal plan. Call us we can help! [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Slide6.png" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Why am I me November 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Why am I Me" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="November 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] By David S. Edge [spacer height="10px"] “Who are you calling old?” “You’re only as old as you think you are!” These are old-aging adages we’ve all heard from time to time. As you get older and you find the birthdays starting to roll by, keep in mind that aging, with your life experiences and accumulated knowledge, is what makes you, you! [spacer height="05px"] When we were kids back in the 50s and 60s and we met an older person in their 60s we thought “Man, that person is older than dirt”! But things have changed since we were kids. Currently, folks in their 60s are now like folks in their 40s used to be and it’s a fact that we are all living longer. Current average age life expectancy in the USA is now in the mid-80s. And you girls are living longer than us boys. Some very successful folks were just getting famous or successful in their later years. Take Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. He opened his first store when he was 65! There are over 6 million Americans still working in jobs past the age of 65 and many of them have no intention of quitting anytime soon. Some feel they still have to work, while others simply like what they do and see no reason to stop. Think you’re not old? Well, ask yourself a few questions [spacer height="05px"] - When is the last time you lay on the floor to watch TV? [spacer height="05px"] –Those old style clothes you just could not bear to toss out? Well, look what’s back in style! [spacer height="05px"] –Do you and your teeth still sleep together? [spacer height="05px"] -You know all the answers but there’s nobody to ask the questions. [spacer height="05px"] –Are you starting to look like your driver’s license picture? Is your brain still making deals but your body can’t fulfill them? [spacer height="05px"] –You look for your glasses for half an hour only to find them on top of your head? –You walk into a room to do something and can’t remember why? [spacer height="05px"] –And my favorite……Grey hair is God’s way of saying start wrapping things up! [spacer height="05px"] As we age and gain knowledge we have a tendency to have the ability to chill out and reason through something that 20 to 30 years ago would have caused a panic. More importantly, your accumulated knowledge is something that has taken you a lifetime to gather and your special knowledge is what makes you, you! [spacer height="05px"] Need some accumulated knowledge in other areas of expertise? Do you need help with retirement financial planning, Medicare selection, Powers of Attorney for health and financial, health care directives, wills, trust or other retirement services? Come make use of our accumulated knowledge! We’re here to help! [spacer height="05px"] David S. Edge V.P. of “Retro Knowledge” Healthcare & Retirement Planning Professional Utilizing fact-based decision making to protect your retirement lifestyle!   [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Slide3.png" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

November 2017 Feature post-2

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Busy and brisk November" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] By David S Edge [spacer height="05px"]   By now, there are certain states that are fully gripped in the throes of winter. That first good snowstorm has happened, the temperatures have dropped (even in Arizona) and we’re planning Thanksgiving get-togethers, booking travel plans to meet family at…wait…whose turn is it this year? While family gatherings are being planned, other folks are planning for events in November that most of us have no idea are special days in Nov-ember! What in the world are we talking about? Nothing is more important than Thanksgiving in November! Or….is it? [spacer height="05px"] Our other major holiday in November is Veterans Day on November 10th. Know a Vet? Even if you don’t, find one and thank them for our freedom! The old saying, “If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, thank a Veteran”. This saying goes back to World War II where, if we had lost, some of us may be speaking German or Japanese. So celebrate our U.S. Vets! [spacer height="05px"] There are dozens of other special days in November. Just to name a few; [spacer height="03px"] -The Great American Smoke-Out where everyone is encouraged to quit smoking! [spacer height="03px"] - All Souls Day. This one remembers all our loved ones who have passed on to heaven. In Mexico, this is better known as Dio De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead [spacer height="03px"] -Another fun day is the 13th of November for Sadie Hawkins Day when girls are allowed to ask out boys. This became popular due to the cartoon strip called Lil Abner in the 1930s. Daisy Mae was always after Lil Abner! [spacer height="03px"] If you are a shopper you are well acquainted with “Black Friday”, the day after Thanksgiving. This is the second busiest shopping day in the U.S.A. (The first is the day after Christmas). Where did the name come from? To an accountant being in the black means you are profitable.This day is all about retail sales operations making income that can make or break their year. [spacer height="03px"] There are dozens of other special days in November and here is a sample: Housewife Day, Book Lovers Day, King Tut Day, Gunpowder Day, USMC Day, World Kindness Day,National Fast Food Day, National Adoption Day, World Peace Day, Square Dance Day, National Parfait Day, along with others. [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Slide4.png" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Success Story October 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Success Story" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="October 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"]

By David S Edge

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Discovering a Refund!!!

[spacer height="10px"] Ben and Mary were in our office, and they were in a panic! They had waited until the last minute to find out what they needed to do to select Mary’s Medicare coverage. They didn’t realize that they can make these selections on plans up to ninety days before their effective date of the first of the month of their birthday. But, what had started as just helping Mary, turned into helping both of them! [spacer height="05px"] In reviewing and discussing Mary’s options, we discovered that Ben was also having his 65th birthday. He has been on Medicare disability and thought he would just continue with his Medicare A&B coverage, not realizing that when turning 65 he can now make a brand new selection from all choices of Medicare plans, not just Medicare Advantage plans for Medicare Disability persons under age 65. They were both pleased at this news. [spacer height="05px"] More importantly, Ben had been paying a penalty for not having any “creditable coverage”.What he didn’t realize, was that Medicare and Social Security were not aware that he had employer medical coverage with his trade union plan and he should not be paying the penalty. Ben was paying $195 a month for Part B when he should have been paying only $134! While reviewing Ben’s circumstances, we were able to assist them in getting the Social Security forms they needed to prove he had “creditable coverage” so that he could file a claim with Social Security to eliminate the penalty. He was even able to get a refund on the months he had been paying the penalty! [spacer height="05px"] As originally intended, we were also able to take care of all of Mary’s enrollments in Medicare A&B as well as assist her in selecting the most appropriate Medicare coverage plan. It was a Win/Win/Save some money for the two of them, and they could not have been happier. [spacer height="05px"] Are you paying more for your health coverage than you should? Are you on the most appropriate Medicare health plan in your geographic area? Not sure, or simply don’t know? Call us! We can help you review every available Medicare health plan in your area! [spacer height="10px"] “What he didn’t realize was that Medicare and Social Security were not aware that he had employer medical coverage with his trade union plan and he should not be paying the penalty. Ben was paying $195 a month for Part B when he should have been paying only $134!” [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Success-story.jpg" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Why Am I Me October 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Why Am I Me" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="October 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] Pot Luck? [spacer height="10px"] By David S Edge [spacer height="10px"] We’ve all probably attended a potluck dinner; get together, family reunion, ball game, tailgate, or some combination of these types of events. Everybody brings something to share. There’s always the hardcore group that says everything has to be homemade from scratch, and then there’s the group that says “Hey, just bring something, even if it’s a bucket of chicken!” Point was, it was a group get-together of friends or family. If you attended these events they made up part of what made you… you. [spacer height="05px"] Growing up in the 50s and 60s, I can remember these events being a huge affair with hundreds of family, 1st and 2nd cousins, aunts and uncles all showing up at someone’s house or farm for a full day of renewing friendships, catching up on the news, new babies, who got married, and who we lost from the previous year. It was a good time for friends, relatives, and fellowship. [spacer height="05px"] We boys would help our grandfather and uncle set up saw horses with wood planks for temporary tables as there was one big long table set up that would eventually be covered with different brightly covered tablecloths brought by the women. Then every type of southern-cooked food you could imagine showed up, and you could eat until you busted. The dessert tables were always my favorite with all kinds of pie, cake, cookies, as well as we kids would take turns on the old hand-cranked ice cream machine. There’s nothing like a homemade peach cobbler with a scoop of fresh ice cream! [spacer height="05px"] The old men would gather and swap lies about who caught the biggest fish or had the best hunt, and then there would be the storytelling, and there was serious laughing as some real southern whoppers were told (anybody remember Jerry Clower?) I can remember laughing until my insides hurt. This was all the while someone was pitching horseshoes, shooting target practice, skipping rope, going back and forth on a tire swing, or playing fun old-fashioned games. Sack races anyone? After lunch, the ladies would pull out quilting material and several quilts were made in just one day by these ladies, who of course, discussed family matters about everyone else…who was not in the room (hummmm gossip might be too strong of a word… nope!) [spacer height="05px"] We were together as a family: whether it be by blood, marriage, or by friendship. You could get help from the mechanic, the nurse, or the carpenter. It was a community of experts you could trust because… they were family. [spacer height="05px"] Come to our potluck office of services! Our family of advisors can assist you with a whole smorgasbord of retirement services and you can select what you want help with or not! Medicare, Retirement Income Planning, Wills, Trusts, Life Insurance, Powers of Attorney for health or financial, and DORs. Most of these services are at no charge, so there’s no reason to worry about a “consultation fee”. Call us! We’re here to help!   [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Why-am-I-me.jpg" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Health Tip October 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Health Tip" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="October 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"]

Protecting yourself from the common cold!!!

[spacer height="10px"] By Sharon Cobert-Groves [spacer height="05px"] Flu Shots [spacer height="05px"]   Everyone should get a flu shot, but especially if you have an underlying condition that might predispose you to getting sick, such as being a current or former smoker, anyone with an autoimmune disease, people with diabetes, and the elderly. If you are working in a healthcare, school or library setting, you should definitely get vaccinated. The flu shot can cut your risk of getting the flu by up to 60% according to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. [spacer height="05px"]

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands frequently!

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FourHand Washing Mistakes

[spacer height="05px"] 1) You don’t wash long enough! The CDC suggests 20 seconds with soap and water. Scrub vigorously and get all the nooks and crannies as well as under the fingernails. [spacer height="05px"] 2) Dry thoroughly with a clean dry towel. Your diligent hand washing is worthless if you skimp on drying. Germs love to breed in moisture. Leaving the restroom with still damp hands may make it easier to pick up germs from the surfaces you touch. If you have a choice of paper towels or air blowers, choose paper towels. Mayo Clinic concluded that paper towels are superior to driers without spattering germs or drying out skin. [spacer height="05px"] 3) You wash only after using the bathroom. Any time you touch a public surface-elevator buttons, doorknobs, the ATM, etc., you’re at risk for picking up germs. Wash periodically throughout the entire day during cold and flu season. For times when you can’t get to a sink, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag or desk drawer. An alcohol content of at least 60% is effective at killing many types of germs says the CDC. [spacer height="05px"] 4) You assume only hot water is best. Vanderbilt University states that cold water reduced levels of bacteria just as well as hot water, as long as hands were scrubbed, rinsed and dried properly. You’d need to use boiling water at about 2120 F to see a greater reduction. Ouch, that smarts! [spacer height="05px"] Anti-Bacterial Wipes [spacer height="05px"] In a study focused “solely” on wipes, researchers concluded that instead of preventing hospital-acquired infections, the wipes could actually be spreading bacteria when used improperly. “We saw only one wipe was used on consecutive surfaces such as bed rails, computer monitors, and keyboards. Instead, use one wipe per each surface per WebMD. However, it was also found that frequent use of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers in the classroom can definitely reduce bacterial and viral illnesses from Pediatrics magazine. [spacer height="05px"]

Follow these tips and keep yourself healthy!

  [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Health-tip.jpg" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Financial Tip of the month Oct 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Financial Tip of The Month" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="October 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"]

Pesky Fees! Why am I Paying Them?

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By David S Edge

[spacer height="10px"] Clients are often amazed when we assist them with a new retirement income plan. Many times there are reduced or no fees on many aspects of their new plan. Our plans lookout 20 years so that clients get a real good snapshot of “where are my accounts”, “what are my accounts costing me”, and “how predictable is my current plan”? [spacer height="05px"] When consulting with many financial planners, there is usually a monthly fee on an entire portfolio, regardless whether your plan makes a profit or not. “It’s the management fee”, they all claim as a matter of fact. This fee typically is in the 1-3% range of the entire account under management. But, what if that 1-3% remained yours? What if there was added certainty, and that there are portions of your retirement plan that were guaranteed? What if there was added value to your plan of Long Term Health Care included? If you don’t know the answers to these questions maybe you might be in the market for a new planner. [spacer height="05px"] There are two types of planners, accumulation planners and preservation and distribution planners. Accumulation planners are great while you are in your earning years from age 20 to mid-fifties. When you are 5-10 years away from retiring, that’s when you need to mentally shift gears towards conserving what you saved and making it less volatile. This is when you need to seek out the second type of planner, preservation, and distribution. It’s the basic concept that you’ve built your nest egg, and preserving that nest egg is more important than gambling with it. [spacer height="05px"] Many planners work with specific companies and they can only offer that company’s stable of products. This can mean they are giving you the best choice of what they can offer, but… not the best choice of what’s available across all retirement products. [spacer height="05px"] If you had a bad experience in 2001 and 2008 with the market crashes, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You had your investments in Mutual Funds, or 401K’s, and the like. These accounts are tied directly to the stock market, and if you listen to John C. Bogle of Vanguard fame, whom many consider the father of modern investing, he stated, “The stock market is a casino that the average investor should avoid.” Ask yourself, “Am I gambling with my retirement money right now”? Many Mutual Funds and 401K accounts have hidden fees and you’ll need a microscope in the fine print to read and understand, but believe me they are there. [spacer height="05px"] If you want a comprehensive plan, with little or no fees, and a team of folks that will educate you on exactly what you have, where it is, what it’s making you, and what are the certainties of that plan, give us a call. We’re here to help! Isn’t it time you took control of your retirement planning? [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Financial-tip.jpg" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

October feature 2 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Another October" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="October 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] By David S Edge [spacer height="10px"] You think you know October? Well, did you know…… [spacer height="05px"] Ok, we can give you a mulligan on the first thing that pops into your head. Halloween of course! We will skip the regular spooky, kooky mentions as we get ready by having candy at the door, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, and maybe a costume party or two… [spacer height="05px"] This year Halloween falls on a Tuesday night so maybe trick or treaters will be a bit tamer on a school night… maybe. So what else is happening in October? Well, let’s start a list! [spacer height="05px"] October Festivals are held all over the world for those of us with some sort of Bavarian connection. It’s a fun event with beer and brat, sour kraut, and lederhosen. So eat, drink, and be merry, all the while listening to oom-pah-pah music! [spacer height="05px"] Columbus Day was officially created by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1937 as October 12th was declared the official holiday but has since changed to the second Monday in October. Columbus is celebrated as the explorer who found the Americas and started the European migration. [spacer height="05px"] National Chocolate Day was created by the National Confectioners Association, and is celebrated on three different days; July 7th, October 28th, and December 28th. [spacer height="05px"] World Food Day was created in 1979 to help raise awareness of solutions to world hunger. The Food & Agriculture rganization (FAO) organizes many events every year and also promotes a stamp out world hunger theme each year with a goal of “no starving people on the planet.” They claim that over one trillion dollars’ worth of food is wasted each year. [spacer height="05px"] National Nut day! “Some time you feel like a nut? Sometimes you don’t!” Remember that candy company jingle? Did you know that walnuts are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat, because they contain the most omega-3 fatty acids? These nuts are also rich in antioxidants that promote immune system health. Peanuts are not nuts, but belong to the pea family. There are about 540 peanuts in a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter! So have a nut, it’s good for you! [spacer height="05px"] International Coffee Day celebrates all the farmers and folks involved in the coffee industry. Legend has it, that an Ethiopian farmer noticed his goat herd was much more active when they ate the red berries of the local coffee plant.  Slowly, the habit of drinking coffee made its way through the Arabian Peninsula and continued to spread around the world.  Coffee is often the second most traded commodity after oil. [spacer height="05px"] These are just some of the holidays we celebrate in October. Looking for something to celebrate? I bet you can find one of these to be happy about this month. Take your pick!!! [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Feature-2.jpg" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]