Insurance

New York Daily News: Job Benefits

In this week’s New York Daily News column, I review what job benefits you want to be sure you don’t leave behind when switching jobs.

American Express OPEN Forum: Tax Savings on Medical Expenses

In my latest American Express OPEN Forum article, I offer some tips on how to make the most of the dollars you’ve been doling out on health care premiums come tax time.

Today’s Money: Retirement Fears

This morning on Today I spoke with Ann Curry about how to get over your retirement financial fears. The first step, know what you’ll need. To learn more check out the video clip below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Money 911: Using Your Income Tax Refund

On Today’s Money 911 we discussed financial planning for living with a chronic illness and how best to allocate your income tax refund. To learn more check out the video clip below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New York Daily News: Health Care

In this week’s New York Daily News column, I show you how to re-evalute your health care costs and save – on everything from prescriptions to insurance – in the New Year.

Today’s Money: Adult Children – Talk to Your Parents About Money

This morning on Today I spoke with Ann Curry about the importance of discussing finances with your parents. To learn more watch the video clip below.

Today’s Money: The Rising Cost of Health Insurance

How much time do you spend evaluating your health insurance choices each year? If you answered anywhere from a little to not enough, that has to change. Your cost for a family plan went up 14% from 2009 to 2010 and more increases are on the way — not just in premiums but in co-pays, co-insurance, higher deductibles and higher prescription costs. This morning I talked with Ann Curry about how you can make the right choices and save.

Today’s Consumer Scam Alert

In this tough economy some are praying on our nations most vulnerable. Watch the video clip below to learn what scams to look out for and tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Money Mom: Life Insurance for Children

I’ve talked a few times about the importance of having life insurance as a parent.  In fact, I touched on it just last week, and full details are in this post.  But one question I get again and again from parents is whether they should purchase a life insurance policy for their children.

The answer is no.  Children’s life insurance is typically marketed as a way to protect your child in case he develops a chronic illness later in life that would make him uninsurable.  If you buy coverage now, he’ll already have that policy in place. Many insurers also tout the benefits of having a policy on hand that will pay for burial expenses, and some offer coverage as a way to save for college – the premiums you pay for a whole life policy will build up over time, and you can borrow from the cash value. More…

The Money Mom: Budgeting for Baby, Part II

Last week, we hit on budgeting. This week, it’s all about the future – college, yes, but also preparing for the unexpected. What does it take?

A will. When you’re a parent, you need a basic estate plan, and that means writing a will. It’s the only document that allows you to name guardians for your children, which means you’ll be able to select who will take care of them if something happens to you. If you don’t have a will, the choice may be up to the court and the rules in your state. If your financial situation is rather simple, you can make an inexpensive will on a website like LegalZoom. If things are more complicated – you have a lot of assets – you’re better off seeing an attorney. It will cost you about $1,000 for a basic estate plan, but it’s more than worth it. More…