Do You Know the Financial Implications Of Taking A Career Break?

When it’s time to start a family, many parents-to-be are so focused on decorating the nursery and choosing the right car seat that they can overlook the life-altering impact a baby can have on their financial life. And we’re not just talking the exorbitant cost of diapers—we’re talking nearly 4 million dollars in “potential income.” These…

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Make Fall Foolproof — Save Money by Tackling Winter House Maintenance Now

As we bask in the lazy days of August, there are subtle reminders that the change of seasons is around the corner – from the school supplies clogging the shelves of big box stores to that one tree whose leaves are reddening prematurely. Before the first pumpkin spice latte hits the neighborhood coffee shop, take a weekend…

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Bearded Dragons as Emotional Support Pets

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is any pet that is legally certified to offer support for emotional of psychological conditions. They help people by providing support during difficult times and are mostly commonly utilized by people suffering from conditions such as anxiety or depression. Usually dogs are trained for this task. However, diversity of ESAs…

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Older Skateboarder, Stitches, and Disability Insurance.

When the quick care doctor who was stitching up my elbow asked how I fell in the parking lot, he broke into a smile when I said “skateboarding.”   I’m over 60-years and reasonably “fit.” But, “smart” came into question that day. Being active and over 60 had lulled me into some overly casual choices,…

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What Gig Economy Workers Need in a Financial Safety Net Today

If you’re a typical gig economy worker, you have multiple income streams. Maybe you drive for Uber, deliver meals for Grubhub, serve as a virtual assistant for several clients, and write a regular blog that generates ad revenue.   Having multiple income sources can be an advantage during uncertain times. But the downside of gig…

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The Americans with Disabilities Act: Empowering a Generation

I never thought that day would come when I would start a blog post or conversation with: “Well, back in my day…” But alas, that time has come.   Back in my day, life was much different than it is today. I acquired my disability, transverse myelitis, when I was 4.5 months old and became…

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Putting People First

Thirty years ago in Washington, D.C., a group of subject matter experts from the insurance industry gathered with trade groups and legislators to talk about a new piece of legislation called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).   I was thrilled to have the opportunity, early in my insurance career, to take part in this…

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30 Years of Putting Employees First and Disabilities Second

On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The ADA had unanticipated impact on employers and their accommodations of employees who became injured or ill during their employment.   I was very early in my career when President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with…

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Outfitting Your Home for a Child With a Disability

Are you outfitting a home for a child with a disability? The U.S. Census Bureau reports that around 12 percent of the population is disabled, and the PEW Research Center puts that number even higher. That means while only 5.4 percent of children five to seven years old are disabled, they still comprise a pretty large part…

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Helping Employees Deal With Change

Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. shared the following article. In business and life, change is constant. Markets go up and down, companies merge and close, economies struggle, and global issues affect people’s lives. Knowing how to respond to these changes is challenging. Employees especially worry about how these changes will affect their jobs and livelihood. Employers can…

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The Gyms are Open but there are Risks

As gyms and fitness centers reopen nationwide after quarantine, it’s important for those of us who miss our workouts to understand the risks before rejoining.   I returned to my local gym recently and found some welcome new safeguards, but also some surprising lapses that medical experts say should be in place.   The big…

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How Mindfulness Empowers Us to Skillfully Engage in Difficult Conversations

By Cheryl Jones, Director of Mindfulness at Aetna As if the intensity of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic with its health and economic implications wasn’t enough, we now find ourselves in the midst of rising racial and political tensions. It feels as though our sanity and our humanity are at risk. I believe mindfulness (awareness that…

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