Month: November 2024
Family Conversations on Aging Financially with Mike Stith (Ep. 4)

Family Conversations on Aging Financially with Mike Stith (Ep. 4)

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Aging gracefully involves more than health—it requires financial clarity and confidence.

This week on JubilAge, host Carol Chiarito is joined by Mike Stith, a retiree and hands-on caregiver for his 85-year-old mother-in-law. Together, they tackle the barriers seniors face in achieving financial peace, such as fear of market fluctuations and reluctance to involve family in financial decisions.

Mike shares his personal experience and introduces the “three buckets of money” framework—a simple but powerful tool for balancing long-term stability, emergency preparedness, and personal enjoyment.

Whether you’re a financial advisor, a family member, or a senior yourself, this episode provides actionable strategies to break the silence, address financial anxieties, and foster trust through inclusive conversations.

Key Highlights:

  • Master the “Three Buckets” Approach: Simplify resource allocation into retirement, emergency, and enjoyment funds
  • Build Financial Transparency: Strategies for breaking generational silence around money conversations
  • Empower Advisors: How financial professionals can create family-friendly environments to tackle long-term care and financial goals
  • Overcome Barriers: Addressing challenges like hearing impairments, market fears, and isolation in financial decision-making
  • Start Small, Think Big: Practical steps for families to introduce essential topics like wills, trusts, and care plans
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Carol Chiarito:

Connect with Mike Stith:

About Our Guest:

Mike Stith is a retired professional turned caregiver who offers firsthand insights into seniors’ financial challenges. His personal journey highlights the importance of compassionate, family-inclusive financial planning.

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Medicare Madness: Navigating the Complex World of Medicare with James Grabinski (Ep. 3)

Medicare Madness: Navigating the Complex World of Medicare with James Grabinski (Ep. 3)

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Medicare can feel overwhelming, but what if it didn’t have to be?

This week on JubilAge, Carol Chiarito sits down with Medicare professional James Grabinski to untangle the chaos of “Medicare Madness”—that critical time when seniors need to rethink their plans. 

With over 25 years of experience, Jim breaks down everything from Parts A, B, and D to Supplements and Advantage Plans, making it easier to understand. He also highlights key changes coming in 2025, like the $2,000 cap on prescription drug costs.

Curious how to obtain the right coverage now and for the future? 

Jim’s practical insights help seniors take control, whether it’s managing medications, traveling between states, or preparing for long-term care.

Key Highlights:

  • 2025 Medicare Changes: A $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs and the elimination of the “donut hole”
  • Understanding Medicare Plans: Clear breakdowns of Parts A, B, and D, and the benefits of Medicare Supplements versus Advantage Plans
  • Navigating Medicare’s Complexity: Why working with a local agent offers personalized support over call centers, especially when reviewing coverage
  • Top Tips for Seniors: How to prepare key details—medications, doctors, and current coverage—for a successful plan review
  • Special Considerations: Medicare tips for military retirees and “snowbirds” who travel between states and need nationwide coverage
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Carol Chiarito:

Connect with James Grabinski:

About Our Guest:

James Grabinski has been a dedicated insurance professional since 1999 and an Honor Roll Member of the Million Dollar Round Table. With designations like FICF, LUTCF, and FSCP, James and his team specialize in guiding seniors through the Medicare system, making it easier to navigate this complex landscape.  Licensed across multiple states, he brings a wealth of experience and insight, helping consumers understand the ins and outs of Medicare. Based in the scenic Hudson Valley of New York, wine and apple country, James shares his expertise from the heart of the region, home to Angry Orchard.

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