Bob Burton

09/02/2026

This month's chart unpacks where we most commonly go for information. Take a look, and you'll see one source stands out from the rest.

08/27/2026

Military Family Month recognizes the spouses, children, and parents who hold things together while a loved one serves.

Frequent moves, long separations, and the quiet stress of uncertainty are part of that story too, even when no uniform is involved.

If someone in your life carries that kind of steadiness, this is a good month to tell them you noticed.

08/20/2026

Some hospitals and medical providers are asking patients to pay more before receiving non-emergency care.

The trend comes as deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs continue to rise.

Traditionally, many patients received bills after treatment. Now, some providers are collecting preservice deposits based on their estimate of what a patient may owe.

A KFF Health News report noted that the average deductible for employer-sponsored family coverage is $3,762 per person. The average deductible for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage rose 37% this year to $3,786.

For patients, upfront payment requests can create confusion, especially when insurance networks, deductibles, and estimated costs are unclear.

Emergency care has different rules. Hospitals that accept Medicare funding cannot demand upfront payment before stabilizing a patient who arrives at an emergency room.

For non-emergency care, it may be worth asking for an itemized estimate, confirming network status, and checking with the insurance company before making a large payment.


Source:

Hospitals and other medical providers are increasingly asking for payment before providing care, collecting more of what patients might owe.

08/18/2026

Trending Higher

08/06/2026

Fear & Greed & Investors

08/04/2026

Cell phone use has risen steadily, and the "where" may explain why.

07/21/2026

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

07/17/2026

Small business owners often think of their employees as family, but are they set up like it? This post opens the conversation around retirement options available to small business employees, reminding owners that a 401(k) isn't the only choice and that some options are built specifically for smaller teams.

07/14/2026

When it comes to small business retirement options, the choices can feel overwhelming. This post highlights that a SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and 401(k) are structured differently, and that the right fit depends on business size, number of employees, and overall goals.

07/10/2026

Retaining great employees starts with showing them their future matters. This post spotlights the SIMPLE IRA as an accessible retirement option designed with smaller teams in mind, giving business owners a specific, tangible reason to start the conversation.