What to know about HSAs and FSAs

As the owner of Ashton Senior Placement, I want you to know that my journey into senior living began not in an office, but on the front lines, working as a nursing home social worker. For years, I had the privilege of walking alongside countless families and their loved ones, helping them navigate the daily realities of long-term care. This experience gave me a profound understanding of the emotional and practical challenges involved, and it ignited a passion within me to make the transition to senior living a much smoother, more positive experience for everyone.Why I Founded Ashton Senior PlacementI founded Ashton Senior Placement because I saw a critical need for a more personalized, compassionate approach to finding senior care. In my social work role, I often witnessed the overwhelming feelings families faced trying to sort through countless options on their own. My goal was to create a service that takes that burden off your shoulders, offering expert guidance rooted in real-world experience. I want to be the trusted resource I wished every family had during those complex times.Leveraging My Expertise for Your Peace of MindMy years as a social worker gave me an intimate understanding of the nuances within senior care communities what makes a good fit, what questions to ask, and how to identify quality care. I've been inside these communities, I've seen them in action, and I've advocated for residents. I leverage this unique expertise to meticulously vet each option, ensuring I recommend only the places that meet the highest standards of care and genuinely feel like home. Your peace of mind is my priority.More Than Just a Match It's About the Right FitFor me, its never just about finding 'a' place; it's about finding the right place. Just as I worked to understand the individual needs and personalities of residents in the nursing home, I apply that same approach here. I believe every senior deserves a community where they can thrive, maintain their dignity, and find joy. That's why I dedicate myself to understanding your loved one's unique preferences and needs, ensuring a match that truly feels like home.Your Trusted Advocate and GuideConsider me your advocate and guide through this important life transition. Having navigated countless difficult conversations and complex decisions in my social work career, I'm well-equipped to support you without judgment. From our first conversation to helping you tour facilities, I'll be by your side, providing clear, honest advice and unwavering support. My aim is to make this journey as smooth and stress-free as possible for your entire family, because I truly care.Our Service Is Free to You Here's HowOne of the most common questions I get from families is, 'How much does your service cost?' I'm always happy to tell them: my services at Ashton Senior Placement are completely free to you and/or your loved one. This might sound surprising, especially when you're already facing potential senior living expenses, but I want to be transparent about how it works. Just like how real estate agents are compensated by the seller, I receive a referral fee from the senior living communities once your loved one successfully moves in. This means my focus remains entirely on finding the absolute best fit for your needs, without any financial burden on your family during an already challenging time. My commitment is to your peace of mind, not your wallet.

If you're planning to retire within the next few years or youve recently retired market volatility may feel especially unsettling. After years of saving and planning, you're now entering a stage where your portfolio may shift from growth to providing income. The five-year window before and after your retirement date is especially critical when market downturns can have an outsized impact on your long-term financial security.While you can't control the markets, there are meaningful steps you can take to stress-test your retirement income, so it is not consumed entirely by market drops before you stop working.  Explore your short- and medium-term income needs. One of the most important steps to take is to understand how much of your portfolio youll need to rely on for income. It depends on your other income sources such as Social Security, IRAs, 401ks, pensions and wages if you work in retirement. You'll want to avoid taking too much from your portfolio in response to a decline because that could increase the likelihood that your money may not last through retirement. A financial advisor can help you determine your threshold for monthly withdrawals, based on your income needs, long-term outlook, inflation and risk tolerance.  Review your emergency fund. Are you able to set aside at least three to six months worth of essential expenses in cash or very low-risk investments? That could allow you to avoid digging too deeply into your portfolio or selling stocks or other volatile assets at a loss if the market drops. The income bridge from an emergency fund gives your longer-term investments time to recover and can reduce stress during down markets. You may even find you want more than six months in this fund to help weather emergencies, depending on your risk and your comfort level.   Review your mix. As you approach or begin retirement, does your portfolio reflect your need for stability and income? You may need to reduce exposure to riskier assets such as stocks and increase holdings in more stable ones, like bonds or cash equivalents. Your ideal allocation depends on your risk tolerance, spending needs and other income sources. The goal is to shield your savings from major losses just as you begin drawing from them.  Consider market swings. If the value of your portfolio dropped 20% tomorrow and stayed there for a period of time, would you need to change your lifestyle or spending immediately? Would you need to go back to work? If your answer is yes, revisit your asset allocation or spending plan. A more conservative approach may offer less upside but can provide greater confidence during the early years of retirement.  Assess your spending. Even small budget adjustments can make a big difference, especially early in retirement. Do you need to consider postponing a major purchase or trimming discretionary spending? If you're still working, directing extra income into savings can help build a cushion. If youre already retired, keeping withdrawals as low as possible during market downturns can help support long-term sustainability.  Stay grounded and get support. Market swings are inevitable, but emotional reactions and risky investing can lead to costly mistakes. Dont abandon your investment strategy. Instead, focus on what you can control: your asset mix, spending and flexibility. A financial advisor can help you stress-test your retirement plan, evaluate your options and stay focused on your long-term goals even when the markets are anything but steady.Chad Choate III, AAMS 828 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-462-2445 chad.chaote@edwardjones.comThis article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Why Senior Move Management Makes Life Transitions Easier by A Call to Order Professional OrganizersSupporting Seniors with Care, Compassion, and ClarityLife ChangesWe Help Carry the Emotional WeightEvery home holds a lifetime of memoriesbirthdays celebrated in the kitchen, quiet mornings on the porch, the smell of favorite meals cooked with love. So when its time to move, especially for a senior, its never just about boxes and furnitureits about letting go, starting again, and doing so with dignity.At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we understand the deep emotional layers of senior relocations. Whether you're moving a parent into assisted living or helping a loved one downsize, the process can feel overwhelmingfor everyone involved. That's where Senior Move Management becomes not just helpful, but essential.Senior move managers aren't just organizers. We're listeners, planners, advocates, and compassionate companions in what is often one of life's most emotional transitions. And for families navigating this journey, having that steady, understanding hand can make all the difference.How Senior Move Management Brings Peace to the ProcessBecause no one should feel rushed, lost, or alone during a move.Relocating later in life often comes with a swirl of emotionsgrief, uncertainty, fear of change. Add to that the physical strain and countless decisions that come with moving, and its easy to see how overwhelming it becomes. But with professional senior move support, what once felt unmanageable becomes a guided, step-by-step process grounded in care.Heres how we help make life transitions easier:1. A Clear Plan Reduces OverwhelmInstead of facing an entire house full of decades-worth of belongings, we break the process down into manageable steps. From sorting and downsizing to coordinating moving logistics and setting up the new home, everything is planned and paced for comfort and clarity.2. Emotional Support Is Just as Important as the Task ListOur team doesnt just focus on what needs to go wherewe focus on how it feels. We understand that parting with familiar items and leaving a long-time home can be heart-wrenching. We honor those feelings, allow space for them, and help families navigate them with kindness.3. We Make the New Space Feel Like HomeIts not just about moving thingsits about creating a safe, welcoming, and familiar environment in the new home. We recreate setups where possible, hang favorite artwork, place treasured items in view, and make sure the first day in the new space feels comforting and reassuring.Tips for Families Navigating a Senior MoveCompassion is the most important box to pack.Whether you're local or coordinating from afar, here are a few gentle ways to support a senior loved one through a move:1. Start Early and Go SlowGive the process time. Beginning conversations early allows room for thoughtful decision-making and minimizes last-minute stress. Rushing can lead to regret. Early planning is one of the most powerful tools for reducing anxiety.2. Honor Their StoryWhen sorting through belongings, listen to the stories behind the items. You might be surprised how healing it can be to reminisce. Ask questions like, Tell me about this photo or Who gave you this? Sometimes, being heard is just as important as being helped.3. Bring in a Neutral, Professional PartnerAs much as family means well, emotions can run high. A Senior Move Manager acts as a neutral guide, keeping the process organized and respectful while reducing tension between family members. We help keep the focus on what mattersa peaceful, positive transition.4. Focus on Whats Being GainedInstead of focusing only on whats being left behind, talk about whats ahead: a simpler space, closer community, more safety, or better access to care. Reframing the move as a new chapter helps ease the emotional weight.A Move with MeaningAt A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we know that a move is never just a move. Its a moment of transformation, one that deserves tenderness, understanding, and a team who truly cares.Thats why Senior Move Management is more than a serviceits a lifeline. We take on the physical burden, yes, but more importantly, we walk beside seniors and their families with warmth and respect, ensuring that no one ever has to face change alone.If you or a loved one is approaching a move and feeling overwhelmed, please know this: help is here, and it comes with a heart. Call us at 719-231-5425 or visit www.acalltoorderco.com to schedule a free consultation.Because making life transitions easierthats what were here for.FOLLOW US and stay inspired as you simplify and transition with love: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acalltoorderco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACalltoOrder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acalltoorderco/