2026 Resolution: Fund LTC plan without killing the budget
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Release Date: 01/08/2026
Back to the Basics of Long Term Care
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Because we have so many new listeners, we decided to get back to the basics of long term care and LTC insurance. The best starting point is to learn current and future costs of home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. Use the cost of care website to find costs where you live at Once we understand the risk we're up against if we suffer from dementia, a stroke or a severe car accident (for example), we need to decide where we would want to live when help is needed to get through our days. We need to consider who we want to have helping us, and we need to decide how we're...
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2026 Resolution: Fund LTC plan without killing the budget
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Happy New Year! Let's make 2026 the year we design and fund our LTC plan without destroying our budget. This week, Diane shares ways to pay for long term care insurance with alternatives to simply using income to fund it. Listen and learn how to reduce the impact on the budget while preparing for that day when we do become more dependent on other people to help us get through our days. We're making sure to afford a plan today AND afford to provide for our needs then. Schedule a phone or zoom meeting to discover unique and creative ways to prepare for your family's tomorrow If...
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A Christmas song from Paul & Diane Stoddart
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
We recorded "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" along with a few other classics about 15 years ago. My husband, Paul, is the guitar master, and I am playing flute. Please enjoy, and share with those you care about most as you gather to celebrate this week. As Christians, our family is celebrating the birth of our Savior. Whatever you celebrate this season, do so with love and joy in your hearts. If you're weary, lay still and hear the angels sing as they bring peace throughout the world. I pray for blessings over each of you today, and into 2026 (and beyond). Sending hugs to...
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Guest Interview:Jason Dutra BuddyIns - easy to add LTC at work
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
When discussing worksite LTC with employers, two question come up all the time - 1) How much work do I as an employer or HR director have to put in? 2) I heard LTC insurance is expensive. How much more will the company be spending to add this benefit? Jason Dutra clearly addresses both of these questions this week. For more info, reachout to me Or research first at Jason's email is When asking him or the team for more info, be sure to let them know I sent you so we can connect that way.
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I can't afford LTC & I'll never qualify for Medicaid
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
That title is an oxymoron. Truthfully, if you'll never qualify for Medicaid, that means you'll pay for all of your long term care needs yourself. In this week's episode we're sharing things you need to consider today, long before care is needed. You need to prepare for tomorrow's needs today, whether you choose to own insurance or not. You need to create a roadmap for your caregivers to follow if you're unable ot unwilling to communicate your wishes when you need extended care. In today's episode, Diane shares what is involved in creating that roadmap. To help you prepare for where...
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301% rate increase? What the...?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Diane received an email this week from a long time listener who received a notice of a 301% rate increase request from his LTC insurance company. This episode discusses the process of requesting and seeking approval for rate increases. This process is heavily regulated from multiple angles. It's definitely not a random insurance company tactic to create more profit or to force policy holders to cancel their policies. I know it seems like it sometimes. Rate increases cause a lot of headache and extra work and payroll expense to the insurance companies as well. They don't want to...
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Some of what I'm thankful for...
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Thank you all who are listening to these podcasts and for the great feedback you've shared over the years. I can't believe we're in our sixth year already. I'm so thankful that these poscasts are helping so many people learn about long term care and all the strategies available to protect our families. Enjoy your family this Thanksgiving weekend, and always be thankful. If you're ready to plan for your family, schedule
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Guest Interview: Jason Dutra with BuddyIns discusses UNUM ceasing LTC sales in February 2026
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
This week, Jason and Diane discuss UNUM's February 2026 ceasing of LTC group and employer sales. How should employers and employess react to this decision? What are the next decisions that must be made? What can employers now offer to newhires? Should current policyholders keep their policies? When you don't have answers, the best thing to do is talk with a long term care planning specialist like myself. I will help you determne what questions you should be asking as well as work through the answers with you. Each employee's family is unique and LTC needs are different for each family....
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Nov. is LTC Awareness Month & Family Caregiver Month - coincidence?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
We need to recognize the contributions and sacrifices that family caregivers make to help those they love who can't provide for their own daily needs. The reason most people own LTC insurance is to help those caregivers to not feel alone and isolated. If you don't own LTC insurance and you want to protect your family, assets and choices, schedule time with me to plan Below are many resources to help caregivers help their loved ones better. Administration for Community Living Alzheimers Association American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging Aging Life Care Association ...
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Who is the LTC insurance really for?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
This week, I'm kind of on a soapbox. It seems that some people will keep asking about LTC insurance until someone tells them they don't need it. No one knows if we'll need help living at some point or not. We need to ask ourselves who the insurance is going to help. We're going to get care whether we plan or not. We need to ask oursleves who wil suffer the consequences of our failure to plan. It's the people helping us. We say we don't want to "burden our family", but by not discussing where we want to live, who we want helping us and how we will pay...
info_outlineHappy New Year! Let's make 2026 the year we design and fund our LTC plan without destroying our budget.
This week, Diane shares ways to pay for long term care insurance with alternatives to simply using income to fund it.
Listen and learn how to reduce the impact on the budget while preparing for that day when we do become more dependent on other people to help us get through our days. We're making sure to afford a plan today AND afford to provide for our needs then.
Schedule a phone or zoom meeting to discover unique and creative ways to prepare for your family's tomorrow here
If there is a topic you'd like me to discuss this year, email me here