Today marks National Senior Citizen’s Day! Do you have a loved one over the age of 65? Are there ways you wish you could help them live a life more enjoyable during their golden years? There are many senior citizens that are unprepared for retirement and need help getting out of debt. Therefore, you can use these resources to help them lead a more financially stable life in retirement.
Here are some debt tips for senior citizens.
4 Ways To Help Senior Citizens Manage Their Finances
1. Determine their financial status by monitoring their accounts.
Many senior citizens are in the dark about where they stand financially. Some are unable to check their accounts online or can’t make it to the bank to see what they’re working with. However, it’s important that you help your loved one if they are neglecting their accounts. This process requires patience. But, applications on tablets and cell phones make it easy for almost anyone to check their balances and even move money around. The more they check their accounts, the less likely they will overdraw or be unaware of fraudulent activity and identity theft.
2. Evaluate any debt.
After monitoring their accounts, you will have a better idea on what kind of debt your loved one has accrued over the years. Therefore, you can better help them manage credit card debt by making sure they pay their accounts on time. If possible, set up automatic withdraws so that they never miss a payment. However, if their debt is a bit more complicated, seek out professional credit counseling advice to determine the best options.
3. Create a budget.
Help them make a budget based on their monthly expenses. Look for ways to save on those costs. Are they paying for premium television shows they don’t watch? Are they utilizing their senior citizen discounts at retail stores and restaurants? In addition to these, ACCC has a great list of additional savings tips for seniors, like AARP and tax return discounts.
4. Research and decide which medical insurance is right for them.
Is your loved one covered by Medicare? What about Medicaid? If so, review the benefits and see how they have been impacted by legislation at least once a year. Investigate all options to see which will work the best for their particular needs. Medical expenses can be very trying on a person’s finances. It’s vital to take advantage of these benefits created just for seniors to avoid credit problems.
Take National Senior Citizens Day as an opportunity to help a loved one in need with their finances. When it comes to retirement, you want to make sure they are comfortable and economically stable as possible to avoid spending their remaining years stressing over money.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
