The Insurance Doctor

Category: aging

  • 7 Tips to Successfully Work Remotely

    7 Tips to Successfully Work Remotely

    Due to Covid-19, millions of Americans are or will be working from home starting this week.  Follow these Lucky 7 tips in order to have a successful work from the home transition:

    1. Bring the office home: Make sure you have specific office supplies on stock at home in addition to more food.
    2. Designate a desk: A fixed workstation is an essential part of any good remote workplace.
    3. Consider setting up 2 screens: Studies show working with two screens increases productivity by 42%.
    4. Comfortable office chair: Consider an ergonomic office chair to help you focus on work.
    5. Office room location: If you are new to a home office, consider a room far from the kitchen and household foot traffic.
    6. Noise-canceling headset: Noise-canceling headsets help one focus by blocking outside distractions.
    7. Set up home mailing process: Consider setting up a Fed-ex and/or UPS account or get more stamps as you will use the U.S. mail more often when working remotely from home
  • 10 Tips to avoid gaining weight this winter

    10 Tips to avoid gaining weight this winter

    The winter is a time when many folks (especially in cold weather states) hibernate and gain weight.  Diet fads and quick weight loss schemes rarely work.  Changing habits and lifestyle choices are a better way to approach the issue.

    1. Be realistic: Setting unrealistic goals that won’t be achieved is a good way to get depressed and gain weight. Set modest short-term goals to lose weight safely.
    2. Don’t skip meals: Skipping meals will cause your blood sugar to drop, often causing irritability and less efficient burning of calories.
    3. Eat light snacks before going out: Having a small piece of fruit, yogurt, cheese or almond butter on an apple or banana will make you less likely to binge on fatty food late night.
    4. Eat slowly: Chew your food slowly and thoroughly so you can taste and enjoy it. Chewing aids the digestion process.
    5. Be selective: Eat small portions of your favorite foods including protein, high-fiber options and veggies. Try to avoid eating sweets or carbs without proteins.
    6. Take a 5 minute time out mid-meal: Taking a time out starts digestion and can curb your appetite for seconds.
    7. Choose beverages wisely: Try to avoid sugary drinks. Alcohol is also high in calories, about 7 per gram. Liquors, sweet wine and sweet mixed drinks contain between 150-450 calories per glass.
    8. Exercise: Classes and group activities can work and folks can be supportive.  Other options are stationery bikes or just get the dog out for a long walk and/or jog.
    9. Eat omega 3 fats: Fish oil is important year-round for it’s proven ability to reduce heart disease, decrease pain while supporting blood sugar balance.
    10. Celebrate life!: Make a list of everything that makes you happy and try and do one of those things every day.To trim the ‘fat’ from your finances contact the Robert here. 

  • 4 Tips to for a Better Doctor’s Visit

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    Preparing is key for your aging parents to get the most from their doctor’s visit

    If your parents are getting older and have begun to develop medical problems, now may be a good time to accompany them on their doctor’s visits. The following tips can help you make the most out of those visits.

    1. Look for signs: If they can’t remember what happened on their last visit or the reason for medications, it’s probably time to get involved. Talk about it first and let them know an extra set of eyes and ears will insure better care.
    2. Start a file and get organized: Privacy laws require you will need to receive parental permission from your parents to talk to their doctor so start with getting a HIPPA form signed by them. Copy their insurance cards, keep a list of medications and emergency contact info. Consider getting a power of attorney, living will and health care proxy.
    3. Prepare for the Doctors appointment: Develop a list of questions, issues, topics and prioritize. Take notes at the appointment and bring your file.
    4. Keep communication open: Let your parents take the lead in the beginning. Use your list of questions and ask for clarification as to why specific medications are prescribed. Ask about side effects and if there’s any food, alcohol and/or over the counter drugs they should avoid. A good website for medication clashes is www.WebMD.com. There are 10,000 people turning 65 every day in the USA. Many Americans are living well past their 70’s. This can be an unsettling role reversal for children as they now need to care for their parents. When you are participating in your parents’ health care you are providing a gift of love that can make a huge difference in their health and well-being.

    Contact Rob the Insurance Doctor today for a free no-obligation financial checkup today.

  • 4 Tips to Get Your Retirement on Track

    4 Tips to Get Your Retirement on Track

    Retirement. The vision of one’s non-working years is alluring but are you prepared? Put these four tips to get back on track for your retirement planning.

    1. Figure out what you really need: This involves goal setting and thinking. Think about what percentage of your current income you need going forward.  Also, build in insurance, financial services, New York, Queensvacation and bucket-list annual costs.
    2. Take advantage of matching contributions: many employers will match your contributions up to a certain level. Find out your firm’s matching percentage and make sure to take advantage of this “free money”.
    3. Think past your 401K: A 401k is a good start however you need to diversify your portfolio.  Look to take advantage of tax-free and tax-deferred vehicles to save.  Roth Ira, annuities, and cash value life insurance offer different and complimenting tax advantages.
    4. Plan for the unexpected: Good planning is to keep 3-6 months of income in a liquid account for emergencies. Life’s events can be unpredictable like disability, job loss, hurricane or stock market crash to name a few.

    Your actions today will impact the quality of your life in retirement.  It’s always good to communicate retirement goals to family members and loved ones.  In retirement, surprises are usually not good!

    Get a free consultation today to get your retirement planning back on track!