NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Preparing Finances for Fall and How to Help Parents Who Haven’t Saved Enough

15 snips
Sep 22, 2025
Kate Ashford, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, joins Sean and Elizabeth to delve into crucial fall finance strategies. They explore how to prepare for open enrollment and set a budgeting plan for holiday expenses. The discussion shifts to assisting aging parents with limited retirement savings, touching on sensitive money conversations and evaluating Social Security. They also provide insights on Medicare options, subsidies for senior housing, and practical tips to help without jeopardizing your own retirement.
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ADVICE

Plan Open Enrollment With This Year’s Costs

  • Review this year’s health spending to choose the best open enrollment plan next year.
  • Use summaries of benefits and ask HR for help if the plan documents are confusing.
ADVICE

Audit Retirement Contributions And Allocations

  • Check IRA and 401(k) contribution progress and adjust monthly contributions to meet annual caps.
  • Review investment allocations if performance lags your goals and rebalance as needed.
ADVICE

Budget Holidays And Monitor Travel Prices

  • Set a holiday budget and list recipients with per-person limits to avoid overspending.
  • Start tracking travel prices early and buy tickets when fares look favorable.
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