Life Planning Guide, 2016

lifeplanning

3 ways to pay down college debt Tips for first-time home buyers Get a head-start on tax season What to do after death

GUIDE 2016

A publication of the Lewiston Tribune & Moscow-Pullman Daily News

� lIFE plANNING GUIDE sATURDAY, jANUARY�3 , �016

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How to rebuild your creditManymenandwomenwork

hardtobuildstrongcreditanddemonstratetheirworthinessasborrowerstolenders.Butsometimesanunforeseenevent,suchasalayofformedicalemergency,forcespeopletorelytooheavilyoncredit,whichcannegativelyaffecttheircreditratingandmakethemlesslikelytosecurefavorableloansinthefuture.

Rebuildingcredittakestime.Lenderswanttheirborrowerstohavedemonstratedtheirlong-termfinancialresponsibility,soitmaytakemenandwomenwhohavesufferedacreditsetbackasubstantialamountoftimetoregainthetrustofprospectivelenders.Butthereisawaytorebuildcreditandrestoreyourfinancialreputation.

· Examine your credit report. Thefirststeptowardrebuildingyourcreditistoexaminewhereyoucurrentlyare.somecreditcardcompaniesnowoffermonthlycreditreportsorcreditupdatesfreeofchargetocardholders.Ifyoudonothavesuchacard,theFairCreditReportingActpermitsconsumerstorequestafreecreditreportonceevery1�monthsfromeachofthethreemajorcreditreportingagencies(i.e.,Equifax,ExperianandTransUnion).

Examineyourcreditreportforanyerrors,anddisputesucherrorsimmediately.

· Start using your cards again. Menandwomenwhohavebeenthroughthebadcreditwringermaywanttoavoidswipingtheircreditcardseveragain.Butdemonstratingyourabilitytousecreditcardsandpayyourbalancesinfullandontimeisanessentialpartofrebuildingyourcredit.Useyourcreditcardstopaysmallmonthlybills,suchasyourgymmembership,andpaythebalanceinfulleachmonth.Overtime,doingsowillproduceapatternthatindicatesyouareworthyofcreditandcapableofhandlingitresponsibly.

· Apply for an installment loan.Anotherwaytodemonstrateyourcreditworthinesstoprospectivelendersistoapplyforandgetaninstallmentloan.Ifyourcreditmishapsareveryrecent,youmaywanttowaittoapplyforaninstallmentloanuntilyouhavestartedtoreboundandindicateyoucanonceagainpayyourbillsinfullandontimeeachmonth.Waitingwillearnyouamoreborrower-friendlyinterestrate,andyouwon’tberunningtheriskofbeingdeniedforaloan.Butit’sgoodtoapplyforaninstallmentloansuchasanautoloan

becauseyoucanthenusethattorestoreyourfinancialreputationbymakingmonthlypaymentsontime.

· Make all of your payments.Onceyourcredithastakenahitandyourscorehassunk,lenderswilllookforanysignsthatyoumaystillbeacreditrisk.Evenasyourscorebeginstoriseonceagain,youmustcontinuetomakeallofyourpaymentson

time.Oneskippedormissedpaymentisabigredflagtolenders,especiallyifborrowershavehadcredittroublesinthepast.Don’tletallyourhardworkgotowastebymissingpayments.

Rebuildingcreditisnotalwayssoeasy,butmanypeoplehaveenduredfinancialtroublesonlytoreemergeasborrowerslenderswanttoworkwith.

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CREASON, MOORE, DOKKEN & GEIDL, PLLC 1219 Idaho Street, Lewiston, Idaho

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Paul B. Burris, Associate,joined the firm upon graduating from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 2013. Mr. Burris is licensed in Idaho and Washington. His practice primarily focuses on advising individuals and companies about legal opportunities for wealth management and preservation,

including estate planning, Medicaid planning, probate, trust creation and elder law, as well as business formation, development and advising. Mr. Burris received his bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in Natural Resource Sciences in 2010. While at Gonzaga, Mr. Burris assisted Spokane Residents with their Internal Revenue Service problems at the Gonzaga University Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and earned the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Taxation of Business Entities.

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Every day ways to save moneysaving more money is a goal

for many people. Whether retirement is looming or decades down the road, saving as much money as possible is a great way for men and women to plan for their financial futures.

But saving money is not always so easy, especially as the cost of living continues to rise in so many parts of the world. In its 2015-2016 “salary Budget survey,” WorldatWork, a global association for human resources management professionals and business leaders, found that U.s. employees can expect an average base salary increase of 3.1 percent in 2016. That marks only a slight increase from 2015, and many working professionals wonder if that increase will be enough for them to start saving more money.

Cost of living salary increases likely won’t be enough for working professionals to grow their savings considerably, if at

all. Fortunately, there are several ways that men and women can cut back each day and grow their savings without affecting their quality of life.

· Make your own coffee at home. While few people may give it much thought, that $2 or $3 coffee you buy each morning adds up to a substantial amount of money each month. If your daily cup of joe from the coffee shop next to your office costs $2.50, that’s $12.50 per week (not counting weekend mornings), $50 per month and $600 per year. Buying coffee at the grocery store and preparing it at home won’t cost anywhere near that much, saving you hundreds of dollars per year, which you can put directly into your savings account.

· Bring your lunch to work. Many men and women already know that dining in instead of out is a great way to cut back on unnecessary spending. But

it’s not just skipping nights out on the town that can help save money. Rather than spending somewhere between $5 and $10 every day on lunch at the office commissary or nearby restaurants, bring your lunch with you. Bringing your lunch allows you to buy in bulk rather than pay for each individual midday meal, and that can add up to considerable cost savings over the year.

· Trim some fat from your cable bill. While cable providers have been slow to embrace customizable plans that allow customers to pick and choose their channels in an effort to save money each month, some providers have begun to offer such plans. Contact your cable provider to see if you can

customize your plan so you are no longer paying for channels you don’t watch. If your provider does not allow you to customize, consider cutting your cable entirely. streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime cost a fraction of monthly cable subscriptions, and these services continue to increase their offerings.

· Work with a financial advisor. If you keep coming up empty in your search for ways to save, work with a financial advisor. Financial advisors can help you establish a monthly budget so you are in a good position to save. In addition, such advisors can suggest ways to grow your money that you might not know about.

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Did you know?

Financial experts advise that individuals and families save

enough money to cover at least six months’ worth of expenses in the case of an emergency or unforeseen layoff.

Others say that savings should be closer to a year’s worth of expenses. In spite of the obvious benefits of having a financial safety net, many people continue to live paycheck to paycheck, either voluntarily or out of necessity.

According to Pitney Bowes, a document management services company, and Bankrate.com, many people fall well below

the benchmarks suggested for savings accounts, checking accounts, 401(k) plans, and other means of building nest eggs.

Data suggests the average American has anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 in savings and between $2,000 and $4,500 in checking accounts.

In 2011, the Digerati Life, a resource to help people make smart financial choices, found that 50 percent of American households didn’t even have a retirement account, while a little more than 7 percent did not have a bank account.

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� lIFE plANNING GUIDE sATURDAY, jANUARY23 , 2016

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Get a head-start on tax seasonThebeginningofjanuary

servesasagreattimetostartpreparingfortaxseason.Whilethedeadlinetofilereturnsmaybeseveralmonthsaway,gettingahead-startallowsmenandwomenthechancetoorganizetheirtaxdocumentssotheyaren’tracingagainstadeadlinecomeApril.Thefollowingareahandfulofwaystostartpreparingforyourreturnsnow.

· Find last year’s return.Youwillneedinformationfromlastyear’sreturninordertofilethisyear,sofindlastyear’sreturnandprintitoutifyouplantohireaprofessionaltoworkonyourreturn.

· Gather dependents’ information.Whileyoumightknowyourownsocialsecuritynumberbyheart,ifyouhave

dependents,you’regoingtoneedtheirinformationaswell.Newparentsoradultswhostartedservingastheirelderlyparents’primarycaretakersoverthelastyearwillneedtheirkids’andtheirfolks’socialsecuritynumbers.Ifyoudonothavethesenumbersuponfiling,yourreturnwilllikelybedelayedandyoumightevenbedeniedpotentiallysubstantialtaxcredits.

·Gatheryouryear-endfinancialstatements.Ifyouspentthelastyearinvesting,thenyouwillhavetopaytaxesonanyinterestearned.Interestearnedonthemajorityofsavingsaccountsisalsotaxable,sogatherallofyouryear-endfinancialstatementsfromyourassortedaccountsinoneplace.Doingsowillmakefilingyourreturn,whetheryou

doityourselforworkwithaprofessional,gomorequickly.

· Speak with your mortgage lender. Homeownersshouldreceiveformsdocumentingtheirmortgageinterestpaymentsforthelastyear,asthemoneypaidininterestonyourhomeorhomesistaxdeductible.Iftheseformsarenotreceivedinatimelymanner,speakwithyourlender.Youmightevenbeabletodownloadthemfromyourlender’ssecurewebsite.

· Make a list of your charitable contributions.Charitablecontributions,nomatterhowsmall,aretaxdeductible.Whileit’seasiesttomaintainalistofallcharitabledonationsyoumakeastheyeargoeson,ifyouhavenotdonethat,thenyoucanmakeone

now.Lookforreceiptsofallcontributions,contactinganycharitiesyoudonatedtoifyoumisplacedanyreceipts.

· Book an appointment with your tax preparation specialist now. AsApril15drawscloser,taxpreparers’schedulesgetbusierandbusier.Theearlieryoubookyourappointment,themorelikelyyouaretogetafavorabletimeforthatmeeting.Inaddition,ifyouhavegatheredalloftheinformationyouneedbyearlyFebruary,thenbookingyourappointmentearlymeansyoucanfileearlierandreceiveanyreturnyoumightbeeligibleforthatmuchquicker.

Taxseasonmightnotberightaroundthecorner,butit’snevertooearlytostartpreparingyourreturn.

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Tips for first-time home buyersBuying a home for the first

time is an exciting period in a person’s life.

The process of buying a home is rarely easy, and first-time buyers may feel overwhelmed at times. such feelings are perfectly normal and felt by first-time buyers regardless of their budgets or home preferences. But there are a few ways to make buying a home more enjoyable than it is nerve-wracking.

· Examine your finances. The first step toward buying a home has nothing to do with deciding if you prefer a craftsman- or Tudor-style home. Before you even begin your search for a home, carefully examine your finances to determine how much is coming in and how much is going out of your household each month. Figure out how much debt you are currently carrying, be it student loan, automotive, consumer or any other types of debt. Order a credit report so you can see how prospective lenders are likely to see you, and address any errors you find on the report before meeting with any lenders. Peruse past bank statements to track your spending habits, looking for areas where you might be able to scale back if need be.

· Be prepared when visiting lenders. Prospective borrowers can make the home-buying process go smoothly by having all of the necessary documentation ready when visiting potential lenders. Many mortgage lenders will want to see some recent pay stubs (from both borrowers if buying with a spouse or partner), a couple years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your recent bank statements. You can always

call ahead and ask lenders what they need to see when applying for a loan. Having these materials ready in advance means you will spend less time at the bank and more time finding the right home for you.

· Secure financing before you begin house hunting. Many first-time home buyers might not realize the benefits of securing financing before they begin looking for a home. Mortgage preapproval lets buyers know how much a bank will loan them, meaning they won’t spend time looking at homes they can’t afford. In addition, preapproval means buyers won’t lose out on their dream homes as they scramble to secure financing after making an offer.

· Work with a local real estate agent. Real estate agents are an invaluable resource to home buyers and are especially valuable to those buyers who have never before purchased a home. Agents can help first-time buyers navigate the often confusing and, at times, disappointing process of buying a home. Choose an agent who is established in the area where you want to buy a home. He or she can provide information about local property taxes and schools as well as a multitude of additional issues that first-time buyers may not think of. Agents also know the lay of the land regarding home prices, which can ease first-time buyers’ fears about overpaying for their first homes.

A home is the biggest purchase many people will ever make. First-time buyers may be intimidated as they begin searching for their homes, but there are several ways to make the process go smoothly.

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� lIFE plANNING GUIDE sATURDAY, jANUARY23 , 201�

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Pullman Regional Hospital chosen to implement Honoring Choices Pacific Northwest for health care decisions

PullmanRegionalHospitalwasrecentlyselected

among39hospitalsandclinicsinWashingtonstatetoparticipateinthefirstcohortoforganizationstoimplementHonoringChoicesPacificNorthwest,aprogramtofacilitateconversationsaboutadvancecareplanningtoimproveendoflifecare.Theprogramincludesguidanceandtoolstodiscussandplanforaperson’sfuturehealthcaredecisionssothatthesewishesmaybehonored.

KatieEvermannDruffel,directorofsocialWork,isleadingtheHonoringChoicesPacificNorthwestimplementationforPullmanRegionalHospital.sheandateamwillbeattendingtraininginseattle.

“Oneofthemostimportantconversationsyoucanhavewithyourhealthcareprovidersandyourlovedonesisaboutwhatkindofcareyouwantifyoushouldbecomecriticallyillorareunabletospeakforyourself,”EvermannDruffelsaid.

“Wewanttomakesurethatourpatientsarecaredforinthewaytheywant,butthat’sverydifficultifbothpatientsandphysiciansavoidthetopic.Ourgoalistomakethatconversationeasierforbothprovidersandpatients,soyoucanreceivecarethatisconsistentwithyourgoalsandvalues.”

PullmanRegionalHospitalwillpartnerwithPullmanFamilyMedicineinapilotprogramdedicatedtoorganizingthe

referral,storageandretrievalofAdvanceCarePlansforhealthyadults.Theadvancecareplanningprogramwillalsobeintegratedintohospitalbasedcare;wherethehospitalalreadyhasa“QualityofLife”teamdedicatedtopalliativecareandhonoringpatientchoicesattheendoflife.

ThesteeringCommittee&ImplementationTeamconsistsof:

silviaBowker,AdministratoratPullmanFamilyMedicine

Dr.BenAdkins,PullmanFamilyMedicine

jeannieEylar,ChiefClinicalOfficer

KatieEvermannDruffel,socialWork

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HonoringChoicesPacificNorthwestisaninitiativeoftheWashingtonstateHospitalAssociationandtheWashingtonstateMedicalAssociationwithagoaltopromoteadvancecareplanningbyincreasingawarenessandprovidingtrainingandresources.

VisitHonoringChoicesPNW.orgformoreinformation.

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How to get the most bang for your automotive buck

Automobiles are more expensive than ever before.

According to auto researcher Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price of a new car or truck sold in the United states in April of 2015 was $33,560. That figure, which represents a nearly 3 percent increase from the average transaction price a year earlier, highlights just how expensive new cars have become. Because cars and trucks are such significant investments, many drivers want to get the most bang for their automotive buck.

MaintenanceAdhering to manufacturer

maintenance guidelines is perhaps the most effective way for drivers to ensure a great return on their automotive investments.

Routine maintenance, whether it’s changing oil at the recommended mileage intervals or keeping tires properly inflated so engines aren’t overtaxed, can add years to a vehicle’s life expectancy, stretching drivers’ dollars along the way.

TechnologyMany drivers purchase a car or

truck and never give a second thought to the vehicle’s lights. But there’s a great disparity between standard manufacturer-installed lights and aftermarket lights that employ the latest technology, such as Philips Vision LEDs. With LEDs, vehicle owners are less likely to lose a light to burnout or failure, which can effect visibility and potentially result in a police citation. Unlike incandescent bulbs that will eventually fade and go dim, LEDs

stay bright at the same intensity, so drivers can be confident and rely on their consistent performance. Vision LEDs are new, innovative bulbs that are available for direct replacement on interior and exterior lights and feature an advanced design capable of handling extreme heat and high vibrations. Because of their robust design and durability, Vision LEDs are backed by a 12-year limited warranty, providing drivers with more than a decades’ worth of return on their initial investments. And, unlike standard incandescent lights in brake light applications, Vision LEDs turn on instantly, helping drivers react faster. A faster light response can help reduce overall braking distance. For example, at a speed of �5 mph, a driver can reduce braking distance by up to 20 feet because of a quicker reaction to

the brake lights.Styling upgradesBecause they are often

personalized, automotive style upgrades are rarely associated with great returns. But some style upgrades are wiser investments than others. For example, Philips Vision LEDs mimic the popular lighting style used by many of today’s high-end luxury vehicle manufacturers, enabling drivers to give their vehicles the same high tech, top-of-the-line look offered by luxury brands without saddling them with the higher costs of owning such vehicles. The Vision LEDs are available to replace brake and taillights as well as back-up, dome, glove compartment, side markers, trunk, and license plate lights, allowing drivers to make stylish upgrades.

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� lIFE plANNING GUIDE sATURDAY, jANUARY23 , 2016

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How to handle an old 401(k)Uponmakingthetransition

toanewjoborretiring,manypeopleareunsureaboutwhattodowiththeir401(k)orotherretirementplanslinkedtotheiremployer.Handlingthistransitioncanbecostly,andmanymenandwomenmightbenefitfromtheadviceofaprofessionalfinancialadvisortohelpthemnavigatethesewaterswithoutbreakingthebank.

somemenandwomenmaythinkthey’reforcedtocashouttheirretirementaccountswhenmovingontonewcompanies.But,dependingonaperson’sage,that’sapotentiallycostlyoptionthatcanincurheavypenalties.Fortunately,cashingoutisnottheonlyoptionmenandwomenhaveastheytrytofigureoutwhattodowiththeir

retirementaccountsafterretiringormovingontonewcompanies.

• Keep the money with your former employer

someemployersallowformeremployerstokeeptheirretirementsavingsintheirplans.Thisallowsmenandwomentoavoidearlywithdrawalpenaltiesandletsthemcontinuetodeferpayingtaxesonretirementsavingsaccountsuntiltheyreachretirementageandneedtostartwithdrawingmoney.Anotherbenefittokeepingmoneyinanemployerretirementplanevenafteryouleavethecompanyisitprotectsyouiftherearerolloverrestrictionsgoverninganyadditionalaccountsyoumighthavetransferredthemoneyinto.

Employerswhodoallowformer

employeestokeeptheirmoneyinretirementplanslikelyincludedcertainlanguageinthoseplansthatgovernhowtheaccountismanagedafteremployeesleavethecompany.Forexample,formeremployeesmaynolongerbeabletocontributetotheplanortakeoutplanloans.Inaddition,whenthetimecomestowithdrawmoney,youmayormaynotbeallowedtomakepartialwithdrawalsfromaccountslinkedtoformeremployers.Readthefineprinttodetermineifkeepingtheplanwithaformeremployermakesthemostsenseforyou.

• Rollover into your new employer’s retirement plan

somepeoplehavetheoptiontorollovera401(k)fromapreviousemployerintotheirnewemployer’splan.Butnotallcompaniesallowthis.Ifyouareallowedtodoso,thiscanmakethetransitionthatmucheasierwhilestillallowingtax-deferredgrowthonyourassets.Inaddition,ifyoucanrolloverintoyournewemployer’splan,youmaybeallowedtotakeoutloansbasedontheamountofyourcombinedplaninsteadofjustloansagainstnewcontributions.Rolloverandplanloaneligibility

shouldbeconfirmedwithyournewemployer.

Beforerollingovermoneyintoyournewemployer’splan,confirmyourinvestmentoptionsunderthenewplan.IftheypaleincomparisontoanIRA,youmightwanttorolloveryourretirementassetsintoanIRAthatoffersmoreinvestmentoptions.

• Rollover into an IRAManymenandwomenlook

torolloveranold401(k)intoanIRA,astraditionalandRothIRAsmayofferawidervarietyofinvestmentoptionsthanapreviousorcurrentemployer’sretirementplan.TaxesdifferdependingonwhichtypeofIRAyouchoosetorollyourfundsinto,sodiscussyourIRAoptionswithyourfinancialadvisortodetermineifthisisthebestwaytogo.

Content sponsored by: Schrette & Lee Wealth Management

Securities and Advisory Services offered through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (“MAS”), Member FINRA/SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor. MAS and Schrette & Lee Wealth Management are not affiliated companies.

Sponsored by Schrette & Lee Wealth Management


Ready to learn more with no obligation? Call 888-743-1943 or visit us online at www.schretteandlee.com

Securities and Advisory Services offered through Madison Avenue Securities LLC (“MAS”), Member FINRA/SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor.Fidelity, Schwab, TD Ameritrade, Pershing, MAS and Schrette & Lee Wealth Management are not affiliated companies.

It’s not about what you know.

Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade and Pershing serve as custodians of client assets for select investment advisory programs. Not all investment strategies and fee based investment advisory programs are available through each custodian. The annual advisory fee generally covers fees paid to your

The annual advisory fee is separate from any mutual fund or ETF fund

to investing for a complete explanation of fees and cost of each program.

Paul D. Schrette President

Joseph V. Lee Vice President

In•vest•ing v. - energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.

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Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade and Pershing serve as custodians of client assets for select investment advisory programs. Not all investment strategies and fee based investment advisory programs are available through each custodian. The annual advisory fee generally covers fees paid to your financial advisor, the custodian, program manager and investment manager.

1407 16TH AVENUE LEWISTON, ID 83501

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Preparing credit for large purchases

Largepurchases,whetheryouareinvestinginavehicle,

homeorhomeimprovementproject,arenottobetakenlightly.Beforemakingsignificantfinancialcommitments,consumersshouldexercisetheirduediligenceandprepareforsuchpurchasesasmuchaspossible.

Manypeopleusecreditwhenmakinglargepurchases.Thatmayentailusingacreditcardorfinancingapurchaseviaaninstallmentloanratherthanpurchasinganitemoutright.Tomakebuyingoncreditasconsumer-friendlyaspossible,menandwomenmustensuretheyareingoodfinancialstanding,whichcanhelpthemgetlowerinterestratessotheypaylessforanitemthanthey

mightiftheirfinanceswerenotinthebestofshape.

· Get your credit score.Acreditscore,alsoknownasaFICO®score,isanumberbetween300and850thatiscalculatedbasedonyourpaymenthistory,

outstandingbalances,lengthofcredithistory,newcredit,andtypesofcredit.Lenderslookatthiscreditscoretodeterminehowgreatariskyoupresentasaborrower.Wheneveryouusecredittomakeapurchaseorapplyforaloan,yourcreditscorewillbechecked.Thehigherthecreditscore,themoreattractiveyouaretolendersandtheloweryourinterestratefigurestobe.

· Check for credit report inaccuracies. IfyourFICOscoreseemslow,theremaybemistakesonyourcreditreports.Requestacopyofyourcreditreportsfromthethreemaincreditreportingagencies:Equifax,ExperianandTransUnion.Lookoverthereportsthoroughlyandaddressanymistakesimmediately.

· Make sure you have a credit history.Inanefforttoavoiddebt,somepeopleneverapplyforcreditcardsorotherlinesofcredit.Buthavingnocredithistorycanhurtyou,evenifyouneveraccumulatedanydebt.Forexample,whenapplyingforamortgage,youwillbeaskedtoshowatleastthreelinesofcredit(anycombinationofcreditcards,studentloans,carloans,andsoon)thathavebeenactivewithinthepast12to24months,

accordingtotheresourceCreditsesame.Ifyouhavenocredithistory,applyforafewcreditcardsandusethemregularly,payingoffthebalanceinfulleachmonthtomaintainactivecreditandimproveyourscore.However,donottrytoestablishlinesofcredittooclosetowhenyou’remakingalargepurchase,asdoingsowithinsixmonthsofmakingyourpurchasecantemporarilyloweryourcreditscore.

· Keep credit utilization within a safe zone. Indeterminingyourcreditscore,creditagencieswilllookatcreditutilization,amongotherthings.Creditutilizationistheratioofyourcreditcardbalancestocreditlimitsaslistedonyourcreditreport.Ifyourlimitis$1,000andyouhavea$300balance,yourcreditutilizationis30percent.Todetermineyourcreditutilization,simplydivideyourcreditcardbalancebyyourcreditlimitthenmultiplyby100.Thelowerthecreditutilization,thebetter.Paydowndebttohelpreduceutilization.

Consumersreadytomakelargepurchasesshouldfactorincreditscoresandattractivenessasbuyersbeforetheystartshoppingaround.

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Cut the costs of your prescriptions

The costs of filling

prescriptions is simply too big to bear for many people, even now that the Affordable Care Act has greatly reduced the amount of people who are uninsured. A survey from the Commonwealth Fund found that 35 million people in America failed to fill a prescription in 2014 because of the cost of the medication. That figure represents an improvement from 2010, when 48 million people did not fill their prescriptions due to the costs of those medications, but it still serves to highlight a need many people have to cut the costs of their medicine.

Though people who cannot afford to fill their prescriptions often feel helpless, there are a handful of ways they can cut the costs of their medications and start feeling better.

· Discuss changes with your physician. Perhaps the simplest way to cut prescription costs is to discuss medication options with your physician. Brand-name drugs are typically more expensive than generic alternatives, so speak with your physician about generic drugs or less costly brand-name drugs that may treat your condition as well as expensive brand-name drugs do.

· Consider patient Assistance programs. sometimes referred to as “Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs,” Patient Assistance Programs, or PAPs, can greatly

reduce the burden of prescription drug costs. sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, PAPs distribute billions of dollars to patients who otherwise could not afford their medications. Eligibility criteria varies depending on the program, but men and women struggling to pay for their prescriptions can speak with their physicians about PAPs.

· Consult your member organizations. If you are a member of the AAA automotive group or the American Association of Retired Persons, you might be eligible for medication discount cards free of charge. These cards provide discounts on your medications, but some come with expensive fees upfront. Look for no-fee cards, such as those offered to AAA and AARP members or others offered by nonprofit organizations, before considering options offered by pharmaceutical companies or other for-profit businesses.

· Contact charitable organizations. some charitable organizations, such as the National Organization for Rare Disorders and maybe even some local nonprofits, offer prescription assistance to people in need. Visit NORD online at rarediseases.org.

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For life insurance,call a good neighbor.Call us and we’ll help you choose the right life insurance for you and your family.

State Farm Life Insurance Company (not licensed in MA, NY or WI)State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) • Bloomington, IL

Steve Forge1442 Idaho Street

Lewiston(208) 746-7052

[email protected]

Rebecca Knudson825 6th Street

Clarkston(709) 758-0800

[email protected]

Bruce Wyatt502 Thain Road

Lewiston(208) 743-6249

[email protected]

Types of insurance policies you should have

Insuranceisanessentialsafetynetthathelpspeopleprotect

themselvesfromfinancialruin.Whilemanypolicyholdershopetheyneverhavetomakeaclaim,noadultisimmunetoaccident,injuryorotherunforeseencircumstances,whichonlyemphasizestheneedforvarioustypesofinsurance.Thefollowingarevarioustypesofinsurancepoliciesthatalladultsshouldhave.

· Health:Healthcarecostsareconsiderableanddon’tfiguretodecreaseanytimesoon.Denyingcompany-sponsoredcoverageorrefusingtogetpersonalcoverage,whichnowincursafeeforresidentsoftheUnitedstates,putsmenandwomeninpotentiallyprecariouspositionsthatcangreatlyaffectboththeir

physicalandfinancialhealth.Asimplebrokenbonemaycostfivefigurestotreatandheal.Withoutinsurance,menandwomenareontheirowntopaythatbill.Butthosewithinsurancewillpayconsiderablyless,astheirinsurancecompanieswillpaythevastmajorityofthebill.

· Auto: Drivingwithoutinsuranceisacrimeinmanyareas.Buteveninthoseplaceswhereautoinsuranceisnotmandatory,driversstillneedautoinsurancetoprotecttheirfinancesshouldtheygetinanaccidentandcauseharmtothemselvesorothers.Evenifyourcarhasseenbetterdaysandappearstobeonitslastlegs,resistthetemptationtopurchasebarebonescoverage.suchpoliciespotentiallyputyou

atthemercyofotherdriversandtheirinsurancecompaniesifyouarefoundtobeat-faultinanaccident.

· long-term disability: Fewpeoplecanaffordtostopworkingforlengthyperiodsoftime.Butillnessorinjurycanhappenatanytime,andadultsmusthavelong-termdisabilityinsurancetoprotectthemselvesshouldtheydevelopillnessesorsufferinjuriesthatpreventthemfromworking.Long-termdisabilityinsuranceallowsyouto

maintainthestandardoflivingyouhavegrownaccustomedtoduringyourrecoveryprocess.

· life:Whilesomepeoplecangetbywithoutlifeinsurance,ifyouhavedependents,lifeinsuranceisanecessitytoprotectyourlovedonesfromfinancialhardshipshouldyoupassaway.Consultyourfinancialplannertodeterminethetypeoflifeinsurancepolicyandtheamountofcoveragethatismostsuitableforyou.

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Did you know?

Whilemanybankingcustomershavegrownaccustomedtolowinterestratesontheircheckingsandsavingsaccounts,somefinancialinstitutionsstillofferhigher-than-standardinterestratestotheiraccountholders.

somebanksorcreditunionsmayofferhigherinterestratesonaccountsuptoapredeterminedamount.Forexample,suchaccountsmayearnhigherinterestratesonthefirst$20,000indeposits,whileanyadditionaldepositsearnlessinterest,ifany.

someinstitutionsincentivizeusingaccountsbyofferinghigher

interestratestoaccountholderswhousetheirdebitcards‘X’amountoftimeseachmonth,whileothersmayofferhigherinterestratestocustomerswhologintotheiraccountsseveraltimespermonth.Customerswhousedirectdepositalsomaybeeligibleforhigherinterestrates.

Thougha3percentinterestratemightnotseemliketoogreatanincentivetoadheretothebank’spolicies,overtimetheinterestearnedonsuchaccountswilldwarfthatearnedontoday’sstandardlow-interestcheckingsandsavingsaccounts.

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Managing the costs of assisted living

As individuals age, various circumstances have to

be reassessed. A current living situation may not be meeting the needs of a senior who may be having difficulty caring properly for himself or herself. Families often consider senior residences to provide welcoming and safe environments for their loved ones during the golden years of their lives. These facilities may range from independent living homes with minimal care offered to nursing homes that provide more intensive care when needed. somewhere in the middle lies assisted living homes, which blend the independence of personal residences with other amenities, such as the housekeeping, medication reminders or meal services.

Assisted living can be a viable option when a person can no longer live alone, but such facilities come with a price. In the 2015 Cost of Care survey conducted by Genworth Financial, the assisted living, national-median monthly rate was now $3,600 - and it’s only expected to grow. Affording these homes and apartments can be challenging for those with fixed incomes, but there are some strategies that can help.

· long-term care insurance: Long-term care insurance is specialized insurance that is paid into and may cover the cost of assisted living facilities and other medical care, depending on the policy. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance says that only roughly 3 percent of Americans have this type of insurance, but it is something to consider during working years.

· personal savings: some people have the means to pay for assisted living with their own

savings and retirement nest eggs. However, it’s easy for savings to become depleted when facing a $40,000+ per year bill.

· life insurance: A financial advisor may advocate to pay for assisted living with a life insurance policy. some companies enable you to cash out for “accelerated” or “living” benefits, which usually is a buy-back of the policy for 50 to 75 percent of the face value. Other third parties may purchase the policy for a settlement of a lump sum, again roughly 50 to 75 percent of the policy’s face value, according to Caring.com, an online source for support and information about the needs of aging people.

· location: Costs of assisted living facilities vary depending on location. It’s possible to get a lower monthly rate simply by choosing a facility in a different state.

· Negotiation: Not all prices are set in stone. speak with a manager at the facility and see if there is any price flexibility or move-in incentives. You also may be able to get a lower rate by negotiating certain a-la-carte costs against all-inclusive pricing. Perhaps you do not need laundry or shopping services, and family members can fill in the gaps, reducing your bill.

· Veteran’s benefits: Many veterans are eligible for care benefits that can offset the cost of assisted living care.

· Rooms: Opting for a smaller room or sharing a space can keep costs down as well. see if shared rooms are a possibility.

Assisted living is a necessity for thousands of people. Explore the ways to finance this purchase.

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Karen KaufmanC.P.A.

email: [email protected]

Tax & Accounting Services

Teach kids financial lessons for the new year

Atthedawnofanewyear,manyadultsresolveto

makepositivechangesintheyearahead.ButNewYear’sresolutionsaren’texclusivetoadults.Infact,NewYear’sresolutionsprovideagreatopportunityforparentstoteachtheirkidsaboutsettinggoalsandmaintainingthedisciplinenecessarytorealizethosegoals.

ManyadultsexpressadesiretosavemoremoneywhenmakingtheirNewYear’sresolutions.Parentswhowanttoinstillfinancialresponsibilityintheirchildrenandencourageyoungsterstosavemoneyrightalongsidemomanddadcandosoinvariousways.

· Start giving kids an allowance in return for doing their chores. Agreatwaytoteachkidsaboutmoneymanagementistogivethemanallowanceinreturnfordoingtheirweeklychores.Thisteacheskidsthattheymustearntheirmoneyandalsoteachesthemtobudget.Resistthetemptationtogivekidsextramoneyoradvancesontheirallowances,asdoingsocancompromisethelessonthatkidsneedtobudget.

· Encourage kids to establish specific financial goals.Kidscanbenefitjustlikeadultsbysettingspecificfinancialgoals.Ifkids

havetheireyeonanewgadgetorgamingconsole,encouragethemtocreateasavingslogthattrackshowmuchthey’resavingeachweekandhowclosetheyaregettingtoreachingtheirgoal.Askids’sbalancesincreaseandtheygetclosertotheirgoal,theymaygrowjustasexcitedasadultsdowhentheyseetheirinvestmentsperformwell.

· Match kids’ contributions. Anothergreatwaytoencouragekidstosavemoneyistomatchthedepositstheymakeintotheiraccounts.Whetherit’steenagerssavingfortheirfirstcaroryoungerkidssavingforanewbike,kidsmaybemorelikelytosaveiftheyknowtheircontributionsarebeingmatched.Parentscanexplainthatmatchingisnotjustforkids,asmanymomsanddadsbenefitfromemployerswhomatchtheirretirementcontributions.

· let kids make mistakes.Everyonemakesmistakes,especiallywhenitcomestomoney.Manyadultsfeelthebestfinanciallessonstheylearnedwereabyproductofamistaketheymadethatforcedthemtoreexaminetheirapproachtomoney.Lettingkidsmakefinancialmistakesnowmayhelpthemavoidbiggerandmorecostlymistakesdowntheroad.

· Teach impulse control. Anothervaluablefinanciallessonparentscaninstillintheirkidsiscontrollingtheirimpulseswithregardtospending.Manyadultsexerciseimpulsecontrolbywaiting24hourstomakepurchases.Inthisscenario,adultswhoseesomethingtheylikeonlineorin-storethattheydidnotintendtobuywillwaitadayafterseeingtheitembeforedecidingwhetherornottopurchaseit.That24-hourwaitingperiodoftenpreventspeoplefrombuyingproducts

theydon’tneed.Kidscanbenefitjustasmuchfromfollowingthisguideline.Intheinterimbetweenseeingtheitemanddecidingwhetherornottobuyit,discusswithkidstheprosandconsofbuyingtheitem.Thiscanteachthemtocarefullyconsidereachoftheirpurchases,makingthemmoreresponsibleconsumersfortherestoftheirlives.

NewYear’sresolutionseasonprovidesagreatopportunityforparentstoimpartvaluablefinanciallessonstotheirchildren.

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Retirement home: making the right choice

Moving into a retirement home is a huge step

in someone’s life, and it can certainly be a very difficult decision to make. There are many reasons for moving into a retirement home: loss of independence, lack of support from close family members, and the onset of more health problems, to name a few. Financial reasons can also be a factor.

Whatever the case may be, choosing to leave the comfort of one’s own home to move into a retirement home is a decision that must be made freely, after a great deal of thought. If this decision is made for the right reasons, it can be very positive for the person involved and may contribute to an improvement in their quality of life.

The choice of retirement home is, however, extremely important. seniors have to be sure of their needs in order to come to the right decision. For example, if you’re worried about your health, then it is wiser to choose an establishment that offers on-site medical services, which is sure to contribute to your peace of mind.

Maybe you’re a very sociable person or, on the other hand, maybe you require moments of solitude. Here again, your needs should guide you in your choice of home. These types of questions, while seemingly very simple, are essential to the process of establishing your list of requirements. After you know what you want, you can consider

retirement homes in a particular geographical area.

For some people, going to live in a retirement home can be an opportunity to broaden their horizons. The move could also give them the chance to

live closer to a family member or friend. Who knows, this new home could end up being an oasis of comfort and peace!

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AttentionReal Estate Investors!

Sandra Ankney208-305-4223

Have you been looking forReal Estate to invest in?

Contact a local Short Sale Specialist.I can guide you through the complexities and

make your investment venture profi table.

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Contact us today for a nancial or insurance review by calling 208-882-5547 or visit us on

the web at www.hrcwealth.com“HRC Wealth Management, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services are only

off ered to clients or prospective clients where HRC Wealth Management, LLC and its representative are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.”

Buying an investment propertyRealestatecanbean

incrediblyfruitfulinvestment.Buyingapropertyattherighttimecanprovideinvestorswithasubstantialreturnwhentheydecidetosell,andthatopportunitycompelsmanymenandwomentoconsiderinvestinginrealestate.

Whilethere’snodenyingrealestatecanyieldagreatreturnonbuyers’initialinvestments,there’smoretomakingmoneyinrealestatethansimplybuyingapropertyandwaitingforitsvaluetorise.Buyerswhoarethinkingofinvestinginrealestateshouldconsiderahostoffactorsbeforepurchasinganinvestmentproperty.

price trendsRecentsaleactivityina

giventownorneighborhoodissomethingprospectiverealestateinvestorsshouldstudybeforebuyinganinvestmentproperty.Would-berealestateinvestorscanexplorerealestatewebsitessuchasZillow.comforrecentsaleinformation,whichmayalsobeavailablethroughlocalgovernmentagencies.suchdatacanbeinvaluable,showingpotentialinvestorswhichneighborhoodsareindemandandwhichmaybeindecline.

TaxesInvestmentpropertiesarenot

eligibleforasmanytaxbenefitsasprimaryresidences.However,landlordscanwriteoffrepairs,managementcostsandotherfeesassociatedwithrentalproperties.Butit’snotjusttheirowntaxbillprospectiveinvestors

shouldconsiderbeforebuyinganinvestmentproperty.Manypotentialbuyersdowntheroadmaypreferapropertyinanareawherepropertytaxesarerelativelylow,soevenifyoucanaffordthetaxontheinvestmentproperty,youmayfindbuyersareunwillingtoassumethatburdenwhenyouputthepropertyupforsaleinthefuture.

locationProspectiverealestate

investorsnodoubtknowthevalueoflocationwithregardtorealestate,butifyoucan’taffordtobuyinaneighborhoodthat’scurrentlyhot,thatdoesnotnecessarilymeanyoucan’tstillcapitalizeonthatarea’spopularity.Whenatownbecomespopular,itspropertyvaluesrise,andmanybuyersfindthemselvesjustbarelypricedout.Whenthathappens,thesurroundingtownstendtobecomethenexthotneighborhood,astheseareasarenearlyasclosetotheattractionsthatmaketheinitialneighborhoodsodesirable.Buyingontheoutskirtsofahotneighborhoodcansetyouuptobenefitnicelywhenthatarea

getstoopricey.Schoolsschoolsystemsshouldbe

examinedevenifyoudonothavechildren.InarecentTrulia.comsurveyofAmericanhomebuyers,35percentofrespondentswithchildrenunderage18indicatedtheywanttoliveingreatschooldistricts.Greatschools.orghasprofilesof200,000public,publiccharterandprivatepreK-12schools.InvestorscanusetheGreatschools.orgsearchenginetofindinformationaboutlocalschoolsandschoolsystemssotheycanbetterpositionthemselvestobuypropertiesinareasthatwillappealtobuyersdowntheroad.

Realestatecanbeafruitfulinvestment,andinvestorswhowanttobenefitthemostfromtheirpropertieswillexplorevariousfactorsbeforepurchasingahomeorhomes.

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Understanding life insuranceLife insurance is a product

few people want to think about. That’s perfectly understandable, as life insurance forces men and women to consider their own mortality. But life insurance is not something adults should avoid, especially if they have dependents.

Many people should consider life insurance when estate planning so they can provide security for their loved ones. But life insurance is a purchase unlike any other, and people may be confused or intimidated when attempting to purchase life insurance policies.

Deciding if you need coverage

While life insurance seems like the kind of thing every person should have, that’s not necessarily the case. For example, single men and women with no dependents and no tax or debt concerns generally do not need life insurance. If you are single but have tax issues or a considerable amount of debt, then a life insurance policy can be used to pay those debts upon your

death. Adults with dependents, such as a spouse and/or children, should consider purchasing life insurance, which can help your surviving dependents maintain their quality of life and pay their bills in the wake of your death.

Buying life insuranceMuch like various other types

of insurance, life insurance can be purchased from an insurance agent or via an insurance company’s website. When choosing a company from which to buy a life insurance policy, look for a company with a strong rating, as no one wants to end up being burned by a life insurance provider who goes out of business. some people prefer to work with independent brokers who can share information about products from various providers rather than just the ones offered by the firm company-affiliated agents work for.

Choosing coverageWhen choosing coverage,

you will no doubt be asked if you prefer term insurance or permanent insurance. Term insurance is the least expensive

life insurance, and such policies only last for a predetermined number of years. Men and women may purchase life insurance policies if they only want life insurance until they retire or until their children reach adulthood. Permanent insurance is more expensive and will last from the moment you purchase the policy until your death. Many people choose permanent life insurance policies so the money their beneficiaries receive upon their death can be used to pay estate taxes. In addition, there is an investment component to permanent insurance policies, as a portion of the premiums on such policies is invested (policies will spell out how the money is invested) and allowed to grow tax-free so long as the

policy is open. Term insurance only provides protection with no investments.

When choosing how much coverage to purchase, it’s easy to go overboard and aim for as much as possible. However, many financial advisors suggest purchasing enough coverage to pay for funeral costs and a level of income replacement you can comfortably afford. If your spouse does not work, you should consider purchasing enough coverage so he or she can afford to pay the family’s day-to-day cost of living expenses.

Life insurance merits serious consideration, and adults should do their homework and fully understand a policy before signing any contracts.

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Call 1-800-HRBLOCK or visit hrblock.com.

Simple ways to spend lessWhenpeopletakeinventory

oftheirspendinghabits,manycometotheconclusionthattheyneedtoscaleback.Uponmakingthatrealization,manypeopleimmediatelyassumetheyneedtogiveupcertainluxuries.However,spendinglessonnonessentialitemsmayfreeupfundsformoreenjoyableactivities,suchasdiningoutandtravel.Beingfrugaldoesn’tmeanyouhavetobeaminimalist,andit’seasierthanyoumightthink.Exploretheserelativelyeasymethodstotamespending.

· Use cash as much as possible. Payingwithcashcancreateanemotionalfeelingoflossandtapsintoyourfivesenses.Takingcashfromyourwalletandhandingitoverto

cashierscouldslowdownyoursubconsciousspending,whichislesslikelytohappenifyoualwaysswipeacreditordebitcard.

· Keep a spending log. jotdownyourspendinghabitsonapieceofpaperorusehomebudgetingsoftwaretotrackwhereyoutendtospendthemost.Thisgivesyouanaccurateandfluidmethodtoexamineyourspending.

· Spend less on shopping sprees.somepeopleuseshoppingasanemotionalreleaseoramethodtorelievestress.Ifyoulikeshoppingbutwanttocutbackonyourspending,shopinlessexpensivestores,suchasconsignmentordollarstores.Thisfeedsyourdesiretoshopwithoutbreakingthebank.

· Eliminate one monthly bill.Findawaytocutoutonemonthlyexpense.Ifyou’renotusingthatgymmembership,cancelit.Ifyoucan’tfindsomethingtoeliminate,findawaytocutback.Maybeyoucanscalebackyourmobilephoneserviceplan.Downgradeyourcabletelevisionpackagetoonethat’smoreaffordable.

· Do things yourself. Considertheservicesyoupayotherstodothatyoumaybeabletodoyourself.Ifyou’rehandywithapaintbrush,paintyourhomeinterior.Haveeveryonepitchintocleanthehouseandscalebackonhousekeepingservices.Cookyourownmealsandrelylessontakeout.

· Transfer savings automatically.Transfera

portionofyourpaycheckdirectlyintoasavingsaccount.setupautomatedtransferssothemoneyneverappearsintheaccountlinkedtoyourdebitcard.

· pay bills on time. Donotwastemoneyonlatefeesandpenalties.Useautomaticbillpaysoyoudon’tmissanypaymentsandwastemoneyonfees.

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Did you know?

Prospectiveborrowerscantakeseveralstepstoearnlowerinterestrateswhenapplyingforloans.Lendersconsiderahostoffactorswhendetermininginterestratesfortheirborrowers

.someofthesefactorsaremarket-based,whileothersaredeterminedbytheUnitedstatesFederalReserve.Butborrowersarenothelplesswhenitcomestosecuringlowinterestrates.

Thedownpaymentamountaswellasborrowers’creditscoresandhistoriescanhelporhurtthemwhenitcomestointerestrates.Forexample,thelargerthedownpaymentapotentialhomebuyeriswillingtoputdowntobuyahome,themorelikelythatborrowerearnsalowerinterestratefromhisorherbank.That’sbecausethebankseesborrowers

whoarewillingtoputdownasubstantialsumoftheirownmoneyashighlylikelytorepaytheloaninfullandontime.

Inaddition,borrowerswithstrongcredithistoriesandhighcreditscoreshavealreadydemonstratedtheirabilitytorepaytheirdebts,andthatreputationoftenbenefitsthemintheformoflowerinterestratesonmajorpurchaseslikehomesandautomobiles.

Borrowersalsomaybeabletosecurelowinterestratesiftheyarewillingtorepayloansquickly.Theshorterthedurationtomaturity,thesmallertheinterestratemaybe.That’sbecausebanksseelong-termloansaslesslikelytoberepaidthanshort-termloans.

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How to curtail college costsEducation is an expensive

investment, costing many people as much as their homes and far more than their vehicles. And the cost of a college education only continues to rise. According to the National Center for Education statistics, for the 2012-2013 academic year, the annual costs for undergraduate tuition, room and board were estimated at $15,000 for public schools and between $23,000 and $39,000 for private institutions, whether they were for-profit or nonprofit.

Few students are able to fund their schooling outright, which means they must seek ways to finance their educations. The following are a handful of strategies students can employ to curtail college costs.

· investigate scholarship programs. Colleges and universities offer scholarships to incoming students based on various criteria. start by speaking with a school guidance counselor

about available scholarships. Consult directly with the schools where you plan to apply for admission. You may find that they offer scholarships based on academic merit, extracurricular activities or athletics. You also can do a search online. scholarships.com, for example, enables you to find available money to pay for college.

· Explore academic grants. Grants are another form of financial assistance for students to explore. Unlike scholarships, which are awarded based on merit, grants are not tied to a specific list of criteria that must be met. Financial need is often given greater weight when awarding grants than academic performance. Public and private organizations, professional associations, the government, and even schools sponsor various types of grants.

· Sign up for work-study programs. Work-study programs are another form of financial

aid. When part of a work-study program, students work part-time to offset their college expenses. jobs may be available on-campus or off-campus, though ones that are on-campus may be more amenable to your class schedule.

· Stick closer to home. Many students dream of attending college away from home and immersing themselves in a new environment - including dorm life. However, attending school close to home can drastically reduce the cost of pursuing your degree. At public universities, tuition costs for in-state students are typically a lot less than the costs for out-of-state students. Room and board costs, which out-of-state students who can’t commute to school must pay,

can cost several thousand dollars per year. If you can find a school close to home and commute to school, you can save a substantial amount of money.

· Be frugal with food. Food costs can quickly add up if you frequently dine out. College towns have a number of attractions and eateries, and it’s easy to succumb to the draw and convenience of takeout or sit-down meals at a restaurant. Limit dining out to special occasions and try to stick to dining halls or meals you prepare yourself to reduce food costs.

The cost of higher education continues to climb. But there are ways to make post-secondary schooling more affordable.

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Did you know?

According to the College Board Annual survey of Colleges, the average published tuition and fee price for full-time, in-state students at public four-year colleges during the 2014-15 school year was $9,139. That marks a nearly 3 percent increase from the preceding year, but it’s still a considerable bargain when compared to the tuition and fee costs full-time, out-of-state students attending four-year public colleges will have to pay. such students paid $22,958 for the 2014-15 school year, a 3.3 percent hike from the year before. such figures do not

include the cost of room and board, which averaged roughly $9,800 for the 2014-15 school year at public four-year colleges (in-state and out-of-state). Private, non-profit, four-year colleges remained considerably more expensive than their public counterparts, costing students an average of more than $42,000 per year for tuition, fees and room and board during the 2014-15 school year. The 3.7 percent rise in tuition and fees at such institutions also represented the highest average increase of any four-year colleges or universities.

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1. You’ll protect your family from unnecessary pain & expense.

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Protect your money while traveling

Millionsofpeopleacrosstheglobetaketotheskies,

railsandroadwaysforbusinessorpleasureeachyear.Manyvacationsandbusinesstripsgooffwithoutahitch,butnotalltravelersaresofortunate.Oneoftheinherentrisksoftravelisbeingvictimizedbytheftorlosingmoneyasaresultofpersonalcarelessness.

Whentraveling,it’simportanttothinkaboutdollarsandcents-orEurosandyuans-inadditiontopacking,sightseeingandlodging.Thisincludesconsideringhowtopayforthetrip,bothbeforeyouleaveandafteryouarriveatyourdestination.

Credit cardsOnebigadvantagetousing

creditcardswhentravelingisthatyoudonothavetocarryalotofcash.Manypeopleprefertousecreditcardswhenbookingflightsormakinghotelreservationsbecausecreditcardsoftenhavebuilt-insecurityfeatures.Thesemayincludeinsuranceagainstcanceledtripsoreasyrefundpolicies.Creditcardsarealsomoresecurethancashwhenfacingpotentialfraudortheft.

Creditcardsalsocanbeadvantageouswhentravelinginternationally.Purchasepricesareexchangedattheinterbankexchangerate,saystheresourcegroupTheIndependentTraveler.Thatratemaybemoreconsumer-friendlyandanyfees,ifyourcreditcardcompanyevenchargesfees,incurredmaybelessthanthecostofconverting

yourcurrency.Keepinmindthatyourstandardcreditcardmaynotbeacceptedeverywhere,as“chip-and-PIN”creditcardsarenowusedinmanycountries.Thatmayprohibityoufrommakingpurchasesoncreditcardswithjustmagneticstrips.

Keepalistofallimportantcreditcardphonenumbersandaccountnumberswhentraveling,soyoucanpromptlycallcompaniesifyourcardislostorstolen.

Travelers’ checksTravelers’checksareanother

alternativetocash.securityisprovidedagainstlostorstolenchecksbytheissuingparty,whichistypicallyabank.Investopedianotesthattravelers’checksthatarestolenandidentifiedarecanceledandnew

onesarereissued.Cashsometimesyoumayneedcash

whentraveling,assomeretailersdonotacceptcreditcardsorchecks.stashcashsafely,keepingwalletsinafrontpocketandusingmoneystorageaccessoriestohidemoney.storecashindifferentplacessothievesdon’tgetallyourcashshouldyoubevictimized.

Cleanoutyourwallet.Ifyourwalletispackedwithcards,membershipinformationandotherpersonaldetails,cleanitoutbeforetravelingoruseatravelwallet,whichisapareddownversionofstandardwallets.

Whenplanningabusinesstriporvacation,don’tforgettotakestepstoprotectyourfinances.

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Protect your identity and save money

Identity theft is a pervasive problem. According to

figures from the Bureau of justice statistics, an estimated 17.6 million people, or about 7 percent of U.s. residents age 16 or older, were victims of at least one incident of identity theft in 2014. Identity theft is not just a problem within U.s. borders, either. Each month, Equifax and TransUnion credit bureaus report that more than 1,800 identity theft complaints are lodged by Canadian residents.

Victims may be subjected to various types of identity theft. Attempted misuse of an existing account is the prime complaint. This account can be a credit card, bank account or phone or utility account. No matter the type of fraud perpetrated, many identity theft victims endure a direct financial loss as a result.

sometimes individuals do not find out they’ve been the victim of identity theft until they are

notified by a financial institution - or even after filing their taxes - when money already has been lost. People may invest in expensive services to protect their identities, but Consumer Reports notes this tactic is not always necessary. There are other, less expensive ways for men and women to protect themselves from identity theft.

· Guard personal information. Do not share your personal information over the Internet unless you are on a secured site. This will be identified by the https:// preceding the rest of the URL. sometimes a padlock symbol will appear somewhere on the page. Also, do not provide any personal information over the phone, such as tax identification numbers, bank account information or your maiden name. Personal data should be shared only with trusted companies whose authenticity you can verify.

· Watch your wallet. Do not leave your wallet or purse unattended. Keep the bare minimum in a wallet so a thief does not have access to all of your personal information if the wallet is lost or stolen. Keep your social security card and rarely used credit cards at home.

· Sign up for alerts. Many financial institutions will offer free online or mobile alerts to warn of suspicious activity on your account. Take advantage of this service.

· lock down devices. Make sure computers and mobile devices are secured with a password, and only use secured networks when going online. select strong passwords that include a combination of numbers, letters and symbols, as

well as case changes so they will be more difficult to crack.

· Get off of credit-card offer lists. You can stop credit bureaus from selling your name to lenders by going to www.optoutprescreen.com or calling 888-567-8688. Opting out should prevent the majority of offers from coming your way. Many identity theft cases can be linked to crooks stealing credit card preapprovals from mailboxes. similarly, you can put a security freeze on credit reports, so that lenders will not be able to access credit reports and issue new credit.

Identity theft can lead to plenty of paperwork hassle and loss of funds. Preventing it from happening is easier than you might think.

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After death: power of attorney, Witnessingtheemotions

ofadepartinglovedoneaswellasone’sownsenseoflosscanleaveeventhemostorganizedpeopleunpreparedforthelogisticsofdealingwithadeath.

Yet,keepingthingsorganizedanduncomplicatedisoneoftheeasiest,mostconcretewaystoprepareinadvanceforthepassingofalovedone.

Havingado-not-resuscitateformonhandcansimplifymattersifanillorelderlypersondiesathome.Thismeansthatparamedicswillnotattempttouseeverymeasureavailabletorevivehimorheronthewaytohospital.Ifthepersondiesinhospicecare,inmostjurisdictionsitisnowcommonforRNstobeabletodeclaredeathwhenithas

beenexpected.speaktoadoctorinadvancetofindoutabouttheappropriateprotocolfortransportingthedeceasedpersontoacoronerormortuary.

Inthetimefollowingdirectlyafteradeath,immediatefamilymembersorclosefriendscansharetheothertasksthatmustbetakencareof.Theseincludenotifyingthedeceased’sdoctorandotherhealthcareservices;ensuringthatadeathcertificatehasbeensigned;seeingtothecareofchildrenandpets;callingotherfamilymembersandfriends;andnotifyingemployers.

Familymemberswillalsowanttocontactafuneralhomeand/orchurchassoonaspossibletomakearrangementsforandadvertiseamemorialserviceandburialorcremation.

Inthedaysfollowingthedeath,ensurethatthedeceased’shomecontinuestobecaredforandthattheexecutorofthewillandtestamenthasallthedocumentstheyrequiretobeginsettlingtheestate,includingthewill,deathcertificate,andpersonalbankingandtaxinformation.

Takethetimetonotifyanyclubs,associations,andspecialorganizationsthatthepersonmighthavebelongedto.Andaboveall,leavetimeformourningandsharing;itmaybetemptingtosetasideanygrieving,butitisaninevitableprocessthatcanbegreatlyhelpedbyopeningupandacknowledginganyfeelingsthatarise.

power of attorneyApowerofattorney,orPOA,

isalegaldocumentinwhichapersonappointsanother(the“attorney”)toactinhisorhernameincertainmatters.Acontinuing(ordurable)POAisusedtodesignateapersontomanageone’sfinancialaffairsinthecaseofmentalinstability.Thisdocumentisvaliduntilthedeathofthe“grantor”.

APOAdocumentdoesnotnecessarilyneedtobedraftedbyalawyer;howeveritcanbeveryusefultoconsultwithalawyerifthecircumstancesofasituationseemlessthanclear.Itisrecommendedthatacopybegiventothegrantor’sbankandlawyertokeeponfile.

Anon-continuingPOAisusedinsituationswhereapersonwillbeabsentfromtheirfinancialaffairsforaperiodoftime.Thiskindofdocumentisnotvalidforcasesofmentalinstability,andismostusefulifapersonplanstobetravellingawayfromhomeforalongperiodoftime.

Apowerofattorneyfor

personalcare(POAPC)canbedesignatedformattersofpersonalcare,suchashealthcaredecisionsandhousingmatters.

Naturally,therearesomeimportantthingstothinkaboutinchoosingapersontomanageone’spersonalfinancesandproperty.Namingoneadultchildorsiblingasattorneycansometimescauseconflictwithinafamily.Namingatrustcompany,lawyer,orclosefriendmightbeonewaytodealwiththis;alternatively,namingadditionalfamilymembersasPOAsisanoption.

Ineverycase,itisadvisabletorequire,inthedocument,thatalldecisionsandactionsbereportedtospecifiedfamilymembersonaregularbasis.Keepinmindthatunlessthedocumentspecifiesthattheattorneyisnottobepaid,theattorneysmaylegallyclaimpaymentfortheirwork.

Executor of estateThinkingaheadtotheendof

one’slifeis,astheysay,weird.Butnomatterhowoldyouare,lookingaheadanddoingsomeestateplanningcanofferalotofpeaceofmind,bothtoyouandtolovedones.

Choosingaresponsibleandcapablepersontobeyourexecutorofestate(or“personalrepresentative”)isagoodplacetostart,alongwithpreparingawill.Becausethejobcaninvolvethecollectionandpaymentofdebts,incometaxfiling,reportingassetstothecourts,anddistributingtheestate,itisimportanttodothiscarefully.

Althougheverycaseisunique,andeveryjurisdictionsubjecttodifferentestateandtaxationlaws,therearestillsomesimpleguidelinesthatcanensureawisepick.Doconsideraspouse,adultchild,parent,oradultsibling

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executor of estate, and ritualswho is capable. settling an estate involves a lot of paperwork, and so naming someone who lacks experience or administrative ability will necessitate the hiring of third parties to do the work.

A family member has the added advantage of being familiar with your estate; they will be able to clean out your home and discern which objects are heirlooms, for example.

Choosing a close friend can also be beneficial for these reasons. Think carefully before appointing an out-of-country executor, as the estate will be taxed according to the tax laws of the executor’s jurisdiction.

Although is it possible to name an out-of-province executor, keep in mind that the designated person will have to travel to

your home town to settle some matters, perhaps on more than one occasion. Appointing a trust company is an option for a larger estate. Their fees may be high, but they are expert and efficient in settling estate matters.

Rituals that help reconcile with a loss

Every religion and every culture has its own particular rituals surrounding death. Of course, there may be some pretty big differences between them, but many other elements are similar, starting with the need to try and make sense of the loss. The main goal of a funeral is to bring people together who were close to the person who has passed away. This allows mourners to share their suffering and distress with people who are feeling

the same emotions. And even if they fail to find an explanation for their ordeal, they can feel comforted by their common quest. Whatever form these rites take, they allow relatives to internalize the reality that they must now forgo the presence of the loved one. Indeed, expressing grief about the loss is another common denominator of funeral rites from one religion to another. In contemporary society, death seems to be taboo.

Abbreviated funerals, skipping the wake, or avoiding a funeral all together are more common than ever. But psychologists tell us that distancing ourselves from the rituals surrounding the death of a loved one is merely an attempt to deny death itself. It is important to gather and to mark the passing of a loved one in some way.

Fortunately, today many funeral homes allow relatives to live this important stage of grief to the full in a way that suits their needs and the personality of their lost loved one. Whether it includes a memorial service, a lively gathering, special music, or a subdued religious service, it is possible for a funeral to be entirely consistent with the values of the deceased and those left behind.


SOCIAL INSECURITY.Th ere’s nothing more embarrassing than having your dentures slip while you’re in

mid-sentence. People with their own teeth can’t know the feeling. Nor the overwhelming insecurities and discomfort that come with artifi cial teeth.

But, you don’t have to live with that insecurity. Every day, implant dentistry restores lasting smiles to hundreds of patients. At the same time, renews their self-confi dence.

Dr. Gregory Bengtson has spent over 30 years treating dental problems through the practice of implant dentistry.

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How to find a financial plannerManagingmoneycanbea

dauntingtask.Monitoringretirementandinvestmentaccountscansometimesseemlikeafull-timejob,andthat’sinadditiontotheresponsibilitiesmanymenandwomenalreadyfacewithregardstotheircareersandfamilies.

Financialplannerscanhelpmenandwomennavigatetheplanforretirementandhelpthemprepareforunforeseeneventsthatcanaffecttheirfinances.Findingtherightfinancialplannercanbesimilartofindingaphysician;justlikeyoudon’twanttotrustjustanyonewithyourhealth,youalsodon’twantyourfinancesinthehandsofsomeoneyoudon’ttrust.Thefollowingareahandfuloftipsformenandwomenastheylookfor

financialplannerswhotheycanbecomfortablewithforyearstocome.

· Choose a certified planner. Manyfinancialprofessionalsclaimtobeplanners,butonlythosemenandwomenwhoarecertifiedfinancialplanners,orCFPs,arelicensedandregulated.CFPsmusttakevariousclasseswithregardtofinancialplanningandpassanexamadministeredbytheCertifiedFinancialPlannerBoardofstandards.Inaddition,arequirementtomaintaintheirdesignationasCFPsisthat,oncecertified,CFPscontinuetheireducationsotheycanstayabreastofthelatestindustrytrendsanddevelopments.WhileCFPstatusdoesnotguaranteeagivenplannerwillmeetyourneeds,it’sagoodplacetostart.

·ConsiderhowaCFPearnshisorherliving.HowaCFPearnshisorherlivingisanotherfactortoconsider.Commission-basedfinancialplannersearncommissionswhenbuyingorsellingastock,whilefee-basedplannersearnapercentageofyourannualassets.Manypeoplestartingoutpreferplannerswhoearnhourlyfees,feelingthatsuchapaystructuremakesthemmorecomfortableandgivesthemtimetobuilduparelationshipwiththeirplanners.

· Work with a fiduciary. Financialplannersareheldtotwostandards:thefiduciarystandardandthesuitabilitystandard.Thelatterrequiresthatplannersgiveadvicethatsuitsinvestors’objectives,whiletheformerrequiresplannerstogive

advicethatputstheirclients’bestinterestsaheadoftheirown.sowhat’sthedifference?Aplannerbeholdentothesuitabilitystandardcanrecommendtheleastsuitableinvestmentoption(whichmayearnhimorhermoremoney)amongahandfulofsuitableoptions,withouthavingtoreporttohisorherclientanyconflictsofinterest,whereasafiduciaryisobligatedtorecommendtheoptionthatisbestfortheclient.

· Be wary of boasts. someplannerswilltrytoimpressprospectiveclientswithboastfultalkofbeatingthemarket.suchboastfulnessshouldraisearedflag,asitsuggestsaplannerismorelikelytorollthedicewithyourmoneythanmakesoundinvestments.

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investingfor what’s next

Financial FuturePreparing for Your

Securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members.Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution. CHARTERED RETIREMENT PLANNING COUNSELOR (SM) AND CRPC(r) are registered service marks of the College for

Financial Planning(r). FR-1373254.1-1215-0118468467AW_16

3 ways to quickly pay down college debt

student loan debt is a big concern for today’s newly

minted college graduates. According to an analysis of government data by Edvisors.com, a website that provides financial information about college to students and parents, the average student in the class of 2015 will graduate with more than $35,000 in student debt. That figure is roughly $2,000 more than the class of 2014 graduates faced upon receiving their degrees.

With such substantial debts, it’s no wonder many college graduates find themselves looking for ways to pay down that debt as quickly as possible once they leave campus life behind. Paying down college debt may seem daunting at first, but the following are some ways

for recent grads to get out from under that debt sooner rather than later.

1. pay more than you owe.The best way to reduce the

principal on student loans quickly is to pay more than you owe each month. Once the repayment grace period ends, grads will see what their monthly student loan payment is. Paying more than that amount each month can drastically reduce your repayment period, and you will pay considerably less in interest over the life of the loan. For example, a graduate who owes $25,000 and pays 6 percent interest annually for 10 years will pay roughly $278 per month to eliminate that loan in exactly 120 months. Over those 120 months, grads will have paid more than $8,300 in interest in addition to

their $25,000 principal. However, grads who pay an additional $50 per month will pay their loans off nearly two years earlier and pay nearly $2,000 less in interest over the life of the repayment.

2. Arrange for automatic deposits into a repayment fund.

One of the more difficult parts of repaying student loans for recent grads is setting aside enough money to pay them off. Upon landing their first professional jobs, new grads are often making more money than they’ve ever earned in the past, and many have no idea how to manage their newfound financial windfalls. In addition to making your monthly payments via your everyday checking account, arrange for automatic deposits into a savings account you will

exclusively use to repay your student loans so you are not tempted to spend that money on more frivolous pursuits. You won’t miss the money if you never get used to having it, and you will celebrate the day the balance in your student loan savings account matches the payoff amount on your student loan balance.

3. Make plans.Failure to make a plan is one

way to miss the opportunity to pay off your college debt as quickly as possible. Make specific financial goals, such as owning your own home in ‘X’ amount of years or saving money for postgraduate tuition. Having specific goals and plans in place can provide the motivation you need to pay down college debt sooner rather than later.

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When it comes to your investments, you need solid guidance. But how can you be sure your financial advisor isn’t thinking about a commission instead of your future? The key is to find a professional who collaborates with you to set your objectives,and who has the tools and motivation to consider the possible options. As Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors, we don’t represent products, we represent our clients.

The Clearwater Group at Morgan Stanley 518 Diagonal St Clarkston, WA 99403 (509) 295-5175www.morganstanleyfa.com/clearwatergroup

Timothy Lynch, CFA© Sr. Portfolio Mgmt Director Sr. Vice President Financial Advisor

Kenneth Maestas Vice President Portfolio Management Director Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor

Eric Justis Financial Advisor

Parent Complex Address: 500 108th Ave NE, Ste 1900, Bellevue, WA 98004 The appropriateness of a particular investment strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. ©2016 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC1386308 01/16

You know the difference between a financial advisor and a salesman.

So do we.

Timothy Lynch, CFA© Sr. Portfolio Mgmt Director Sr. Vice President Financial Advisor

Kenneth Maestas Vice President Portfolio Management Director Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor

Eric Justis Financial Advisor

When to begin saving for retirement

Afterfinishingschoolandlandingtheirfirstjobs,the

furthestthingonmanyyoungprofessionals’mindsisretirement.Althoughthedayyoungworkerswillcashtheirlastpaychecksandbidfarewelltotheworkplacemaybedecadesdowntheroad,it’snevertooearlytobeginsavingforretirement.

Thesoonerapersonbeginssavingforretirement,themoretimehisorhermoneywillhavetogrow.Asmoredepositsaremadeandinterestiscompounded,retirementinvestmentscangrowconsiderably.

Ideally,workersshouldbeginsavingassoonaspossible.Compoundinginterestproducesabetterreturnforprofessionalswhostartsavingwhentheyareyoungthanforthosewho

delaytheirretirementsavings.Unfortunately,manyoftoday’snewworkersarenotprioritizingretirement.AccordingtoastudyfromHewittAssociates,just31percentofGenerationYemployees(individualsbornafter1978)whoareabletodepositmoneyintoa401(k)retirementplanactuallydoso.

Theeasiestwaytosaveforretirementistomaketheprocessentirelyautomatic.Onecanachievethisbysigningupforanemployer-sponsored401(k)oranotherretirementplan.Whenopeninga401(k),workerswillhaveapredeterminedportionoftheirearningsdeductedfromtheirpaychecksanddepositedintotheretirementaccount.suchcontributionsaremadepriortobeingtaxed,addingeven

moreincentivetobeginsavingassoonaspossible.Moneydepositedintoa401(k)willthenbeavailableforwithdrawalwhentheemployeereachesretirementage.Iftheemployerhasamatchingprogram,evenbetter,asthatmeansthecompanywillmatchemployeecontributionsuptoacertainpercentage.

ApersonmayalsowanttoestablishanIRA(individualretirementaccount).IRAs,whichareavailableastraditionalIRAsorRothIRAs,aretypicallyofferedthroughfinancialestablishmentsandprovidetax-friendlywaystosaveforretirement.TherearedifferencesbetweentraditionalIRAsandRothIRAs,andthesedifferencesarerelatedtotaxesandmaydependonwhencontributionsaremadeaswell

aswhenwithdrawalsaremade.speakwithafinancialplannertohelpyoudeterminetheIRAbestsuitedtoyourpersonalneeds.

Youngprofessionalsmaywanttokeepmoreoftheirretirementfundsinstocksandaggressiveaccountstoearnmore.Asonegetsolderandclosertoretirement,aconservativeapproachismoreprudent.Advisorsmaysuggestolderprofessionalsthenbegininvestinginbondsandotherlessvolatileopportunities.

Professionalsofallagescanspeakwithafinancialplannerformoreinformationregardingretirementsavings.Inaddition,optionstoinvestthroughanemployercanbediscussedwithhumanresourcespersonnel.

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Discover the Benefits of Giving Wisely

Did you know there are creative ways to support Tri-State Hospital Foundation? Ways in which Tri-State, you, and your loved ones all benefit at the same time?

Such giving techniques are called “planned gifts,” because with thoughtful planning, you create win-win solutions for you and the only community-owned hospital in the valley.

Please let us know if you have already included Tri-State Hospital Foundation in your estate plan or if you would like more information. We would love to hear from you!

Did You Know?Did You Know?

We thank all of our planned-gift donors for their generous support.

George H. & Marjorie Day †Dr. Wayne and Vivian DayD & L Feeley †Lloyd J. Fountain †Darrell & Carol Gamet Marguerite U. La Hatt †Cecil & Rita Parlet †† Deceased

LEGACYCircleDon & Joanne PoeMary Poe †Walter W. Seibly, MD †Illa SmithAlexander & Beth † SwantzDale & Verla Ward †Sandra (Ward) Eckmann †Lois D. Williams †

HOSPITAL

1254 Highland AvenueClarkston, WA 99403509.758.4902

Legacy Circle is a special club designed to honor

those who have recognized Tri-State Hospital

Foundation in their estate.

3 ways to maintain good creditA good credit score can go a

long way toward helping men and women secure their financial futures. When armed with a good credit score, men and women can secure lower interest rates on mortgages and auto loans, saving them thousands upon thousands of dollars over their lifetimes.

some people deftly use credit to their advantage their whole lives by never missing a payment or never digging themselves into deep holes with regard to consumer debt. Others fight an uphill battle, earning a great credit score after digging themselves out of debt accumulated in early adulthood. Regardless of how men and women made it to the top of the credit score mountain, once they’re there the work has only just begun. Credit scores are fluid, so high scores must be maintained in order for lenders to continue to view prospective borrowers as worthy investments. The following are a handful of ways consumers can maintain their high credit scores so they can continue to benefit from their well-earned financial reputations.

1. Routinely monitor your score.

Credit scores change constantly, so it’s important that you continue to monitor your score to make sure there are no inaccuracies that can affect your standing. While each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) must supply one free copy of your credit report every 12 months upon your request, some credit card companies now offer free monthly credit report updates. Cardholders can take

advantage of such offerings to monitor their scores. Report any discrepancies to the appropriate rating agency immediately.

2. Sign up for automatic bill pay.

Credit scores can plunge quickly when consumers miss payments. No one is perfect, so it’s not out of the question that you might miss a payment one time. Numerous factors contribute to your credit score, but payment history is perhaps the most influential variable when determining the final score, so a single missed payment can do significant harm. One way to avoid that and protect your credit score at the same time is to sign up for automatic bill pay. When signing up, use a bank account that always has a relatively high balance so you don’t run the risk of having insubstantial funds when the money is automatically deducted from your account.

3. Don’t use too much of your credit.

One of the benefits of having a great credit score is your available credit is likely to go up. That’s because lenders see consumers with high credit scores as good investments worthy of higher lines of credit. But using too much credit, even when you have a high score, can be detrimental to that score. Credit utilization is another factor used to determine your credit score. Your credit utilization rate is the sum of all your balances divided by your total available credit. A study from CreditKarma.com found a strong correlation between credit utilization rates and credit scores, as consumers who had lower utilization rates generally had higher scores.

While it’s important to use credit (the study also found those with a zero percent utilization rate had lower credit scores than consumers with rates between 1 and 20 percent), avoid using too much of your available credit. Even if you pay your balances in full and on time each month, a high utilization rate may hurt your score.

Achieving a good credit score is only half the battle for consumers. Once that credit score is high, consumers must take steps to maintain it so

they can continue to benefit for years to come.

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Having More RetirementAccounts is not the same as

Having More Money

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Stephanie JohnsonFinancial Advisor517 Thain Road

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Scott ArnoneFinancial Advisor

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Dean E. Roy, AAMS®

Financial Advisor1024 16th AvenueLewiston, ID 83501

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Christian Leer, AAMS®

Financial Advisor740 5th Street

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Brian E. Bailey, AAMS®

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Trevor E ArnoneFinancial Advisor

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Brad Melton, AAMS®

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When it comes to the number of retirement accounts you have, the saying “more is better” is not necessarily true. In fact, if you hold multiple accounts with various brokers, it can be diffi cult to keep track of your investments and to see if you’re properly diversifi ed.* At the very least, multiple accounts usually mean multiple fees.Bringing your accounts to Edward Jones could help solve all that. Plus, one statement can make it easier to see if you’re moving toward your goals.*Diversifi cation does not guarantee a profi t or protect against loss.

To learn why consolidating your retirement accounts to Edward Jones makes sense, call your local fi nancial advisor today.

Jay Mlazgar, AAMS®

Financial Advisor609 S. Washington

Suite 203Moscow, ID 83843(208) 882-1234

Jim KubiakFinancial Advisor

1366 Bridge StreetClarkston, WA 99403

(509) 758-83531-800-787-8353

Sherrie Beckman, AAMS®

Financial Advisor940 Bryden AvenueLewiston, ID 83501

(208) 746-38751-800-646-8316

Matt Sartini, AAMS®

Financial Advisor122 Johnson Avenue

Orofino, ID 83544(208) 476-32711-866-904-3271

Larry KopczynskiFinancial Advisor2501 17th Street

Lewiston, ID 83501(208) 798-47321-866-798-4732

Carolyn HicklinFinancial Advisor

609 S. WashingtonSuite 203

Moscow, ID 83843(208) 882-1894

Greg BloomFinancial Advisor

Professional Mall IT1260 SE Bishop, Suite C

Pullman, WA 99163(509) 332-1564

Jeff Bollinger, AAMS CFP®

Financial AdvisorEastside Marketplace

1420 S Blaine, Suite 22Moscow, ID 83843(208) 882-4474

Life Planning Guide, 2016

Documents

Transcript of Life Planning Guide, 2016