Author: troyashbacher

Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care (LTC) in the United States, and pays for more than two-thirds of the LTC delivered in home- and community-based settings. Most home care (also known as “home and community-based services” or HCBS) is optional for states to provide and is frequently offered through “waivers,” which allow states to cover a wide range of benefits and to choose—and limit—the number of people who receive services. KFF estimates that 5.1 million Medicaid enrollees use home care, and that about half of people are using home care through waivers. States’ ability to cap the number…

If you invest in or own assets, like real estate, stocks, and other securities, understanding the IRS tax rules for capital gains and capital losses is crucial.Missteps here, from miscalculating a holding period to violating the Wash Sale Rule, can lead to unnecessary taxes or penalties.Can you confidently navigate the rules governing capital gains taxes, and do you know which capital gains tax rate applies to your investments? From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert…

Thanksgiving 2025 is just around the corner (November 27) with some good news for some who celebrate. After years of surging food prices, the classic holiday feast — at least on paper — costs a little less this year.The latest American Farm Bureau Federation survey puts the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for ten people at $55.18. That’s down about 5% from 2024.But as anyone wandering the grocery aisles can tell you, the dip in prices hasn’t solved the challenges of local taxes, inflation on side dishes, or the hunt for a meal deal that matches last year’s value.​ Here’s…

The Bissell Little Green Machines are something people always look for during the holidays.  The regular Little Green Machine is on sale today for $74.  That is marked down from $94.  This would be a nice gift for someone with a new home, pets or small kids or someone that enjoys detailing their car. Click here to pick it up from Amazon.   If you prefer the Pro version – pictured above- you can get that for $99 marked down from $159.   You can pick that up from Target by clicking here.  

I’m getting married next October to my partner of almost seven years. Wedding planning has been a whirlwind of fun, decision-making and occasional overwhelm, and I’ve felt so lucky to have a significant other who has been rock solid through it all. Despite the strong foundation we have, I’ve felt some bubbling anxiety about what our financial future will look like. In an era where marriage is no longer the primary avenue for women to gain financial agency, it’s been hard to imagine a life where I willingly surrender some of my independence for the sake of a partnership, despite…

The coming 2026 changes to IRAs and 401(k)s offer new opportunities to save more for retirement, but you need to understand the new rules. This means keeping track of changes like higher contribution limits and updated requirements for withdrawing money from your accounts.So, what’s on deck for 2026? The major changes coming to retirement plans and accounts in 2026 are primarily driven by the SECURE 2.0 Act and the annual inflation adjustments. The most significant change to be aware of involves catch-up contributions for high earners.1. Catch-up 401(k) contributions for higher earners over 50 must be made to a Roth…

Lawmakers and regulators must reform the “significant litigious environment” and make it more difficult for investors (and their attorneys) to sue ERISA fiduciaries who decide to offer alternative investments in 401(k) plans, according to one SEC commissioner.During a speech at the Investment Company Institute’s Retail Alternatives and Closed-End Funds Conference in New York, Commissioner (and former Acting Chair) Mark Uyeda said litigation reform concerning 401(k) exposure to the private markets is “not about shielding bad actors,” but ensuring responsible fiduciaries aren’t punished for good-faith decisions.“ERISA does not require perfection. It requires prudence,” Uyeda said. “Without such reform, the threat of…

Food prices matter deeply for consumers’ wallets and their mood, economists say. Yet the expenses that are really gnawing at household budgets are far from the supermarket.

On rare occasions, I read something so insightful that I feel compelled to share it with the readers of this blog. Today’s article is an example of one such occasion.  On October 26th, I was reading Dan Haylett’s weekly newsletter, The Retirement Fix (click to subscribe, it’s one of my “must-reads” every week). I was so inspired by the feature article that I immediately sent an email to Dan, asking if he’d mind if I shared the entire article as a guest post on this blog.  Fortunately, he agreed. (If you were paying attention last week, I hinted that you’d…

Key Takeaways Avoid reacting to short-term market or political changes that can derail your long-term goals.Focus on what you can control by staying grounded in your plan and disciplined in your decisions.Identify the root of your worries so you can address them with clarity and confidence.Channel anxiety into action by reviewing your goals and consulting your advisor before making changes. Many Americans are feeling anxiety in today’s world. Money and politics are colliding, and constant headlines about tariffs, regulatory changes, layoffs, and global turmoil are causing widespread anxiety among investors. Heightened anxiety may prompt your clients to make rash decisions…