Senior friends preparing a dinner in the kitchen
November 6, 2024
 | 
Written By:
Brian Goldman
 - 
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser

November 2024 Newsletter

Warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyful holiday season! Please read on for information on keeping to a holiday budget, how to prepare for winter weather, and more.

Keeping Control of Holiday Costs

The holiday season is one of the happiest times of the year – and among the most expensive.

But holiday shopping can be challenging for older adults on a fixed income. Consider these tips: they can help you make sure your holidays are a time of pure joy. (Caring Traditions).

  • Create a holiday budget with a spending limit.
  • Avoid impulse buying.
  • Don’t go shopping without a list. This can help you focus and get what you need without distractions.

Don’t forget the food! Make it part of your budget (Caring Traditions).

Prepare for Winter

Winter weather will soon be here. And experience shows that the conditions can be especially harsh for older Americans.

The good news is you can make preparations for cold, wet weather. (Heathy Aging). For example:

  • Stay indoors (keep outdoor trips brief).
  • Keep indoor temperature at 65° or warmer.
  • Stay dry -- wet clothing chills your body quickly.
  • Layer up! Wear 2 or 3 layers of loose-fitting clothing.
  • Wear hats, gloves (mittens), winter coat, boots, and a scarf to cover your mouth and nose when going outside.

Annuities as Gifts

Have you considered buying an annuity as a gift for a special child or grandchild?

This can be a way to boost their retirement savings early. With an annuity, you make an initial deposit and then contribute any amount each year.

There are a variety of annuities to choose from. Contact me for details and more information on all of the available options.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

It's flu season. You can usually get your vaccine at no cost from your primary doctor or other provider. You may be able to get the RSV vaccine at the same time. Seniors are considered to be at risk for RSV.

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period only runs until December 7. This is your opportunity to change your healthcare coverage. Make sure to contact me immediately.

Fighting Diabetes

November is American Diabetes Month — a time to spread awareness about a health condition that affects millions of people worldwide.

Diabetes has been found to be increasing at a significant rate. According to the CDC, during a recent year, cases of diabetes had risen to an estimated 37.3 million, and diabetes is seen as the fastest growing chronic disease in the world (American Diabetes Association).

However, this month-long awareness campaign is an important effort to end diabetes. It aims to educate the public about the different types of diabetes, risk factors, prevention strategies, and the importance of early detection and management.

National Diabetes Month can also support individuals living with diabetes, their families, and healthcare providers in their efforts to control the disease and improve overall health.

The most common is type of diabetes is “Type 2 diabetes” — which usually occurs in adults.

Insulin is a common treatment for diabetes. Medicare has “capped” a person’s cost at $35 per month.

Good Taste, Good Health

Shortcut Chicken Enchiladas

Shortcut Chicken Enchiladas

Take the stress out of busy days with easy to make chicken enchiladas. Some store-bought ingredients, or leftovers, will help you serve a delicious and nutritious dinner in no time.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 15-oz can refried beans (about 1 cup)
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 oz Monterey Jack cheese (about 3 cups)
  • 1/2 rotisserie chicken, meat shredded (about 2 1/4 cups) or same amount of leftover chicken
  • 16-oz jar medium spicy salsa
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 6-inch corn tortillas
  • Sour cream and pickled jalapenos (optional), for serving

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Stir together beans, oregano and 1 cup cheese in a bowl. Add chicken, season with pepper, and stir until evenly combined.
  2. Stir salsa with 1 c water in a bowl. Transfer 1 cup of mixture to cover bottom of 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Stack tortillas, wrap in damp paper towels, and microwave until warm and pliable (about 15 seconds).
  3. Arrange tortillas on workspace. Divide chicken filling among tortillas (about 1/4-cup filling per tortilla). Roll up each tortilla like a “cigar”, then transfer to baking dish seam-side down. (Position rolls so that the dish is filled evenly). Press rolls gently with hands to allow tortillas to soak up sauce. Pour remaining salsa mixture over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining 2 cups cheese.
  4. Bake enchiladas until cheese melts and enchiladas are hot in center, about 30 min. Serve hot with optional sour cream and pickled jalapenos.
SOURCE: Food Network Kitchen

DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT NOVEMBER?

November 3, 1957 -- Russia launched the world's first inhabited space capsule, Sputnik. It carried a dog named Laika.

November 6, 1860 -- Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th U.S. President.

November 13, 1956 -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.

November 26, 1789 -- The first American holiday occurred, proclaimed by President George Washington to be Thanksgiving Day.

SOURCE: The History Place

November Celebrity Birthdays: Emma Stone (November 6), Demi Moore (11), Pete Davidson (16), BoJackson (30)

SOURCE: Famous Birthdays

Senior Financial Glossary

The “yield” of a stock, bond, or other asset is the earnings generated on an investment over a particular time, including the interest it earns, or dividends paid to investors.

Yield curve risk is the risk that a change in interest rates will impact fixed income securities.

A ‘Yankee’ bond is a debt obligation issued by a foreign entity, such as a government or company, which is traded in the United States.

An annual (or annualized) return is a measure of how much an investment has increased on average each year.

SOURCE: Investopedia

Quote of the Month

“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.”
- Albert Einstein

View Last Month's answers

SOURCE: BrainyQuote©

For information about Medicare or Claiming Social Security, please visit briangoldman.myasbagent.net. Should you have any questions, please email me at brian.goldman@successfs.com or call 412-897-0760.  

Brian Goldman
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser
412-897-0760brian.goldman@successfs.com