Things To Do In SW Florida

Real estate is again a top investment choice, at least according to an annual poll of typical Americans.

But its popularity has tumbled to a five-year low.

In a Gallup poll of 1,013 U.S. adults, 34% of respondents in April said property is the best place for their money when asked to choose between real estate, stocks, bonds, golds and savings accounts. It’s nothing new. This poll has ranked real estate No. 1 for 11 consecutive years in a survey dating to 2011.

But real estate’s popularity took a steep fall. Its slice of the best-investment pie shrank from last year’s record high of 45% to a low not seen since 2018. That pullback in sentiment aligns with the property industry’s tough conditions – notably costlier financing, weak pricing and overall shaky economics.

Now, just how investors define “real estate” is tricky. Ponder some investment results from market watcher Charles Rother at Sector Logic in Santa Ana

For example, do people see real estate as commercial properties — such as apartments to shopping centers, offices and warehouses? read more

At least 1.2 million Medicare beneficiaries pay premiums for Medicare Part B even though they likely qualify to get it for free through a Medicare Savings Program, according to a November 2021 letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS.

Those premiums add up quickly. At $164.90 per month in 2023, they’re just shy of $2,000 per year for Part B alone. And there are other premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance to consider, too.

Various programs can cover some or all of those costs, but they’re not always easy to find. There are free resources available to help you navigate the specifics of your situation.

Medicare Savings Programs (Part A and Part B)

More than 10 million Medicare beneficiaries received help paying for their coverage through a Medicare Savings Program in 2019, according to a 2022 data analysis by KFF, a health policy nonprofit.

Medicare Savings Programs, or MSPs, help cover costs associated with Medicare Part A and Part B. You qualify for an MSP based on income and/or resources. There are four different MSPs with different eligibility requirements and benefits. read more

A recent survey from the Senior Citizens League detailed the impact of inflation on the items senior consumers purchase most often. Over the past 23 years — from 2000 to 2023 — they point out that Social Security increased benefits by 78%, averaging 3.4% annually. But during the same period, the cost of goods and services bought by typical retirees shot up by 141.4%, averaging some 6.2% per year.

As reported by ThinkAdvisor.com, included in those fastest-rising costs in that 23-year period were gasoline (up 167%); pet services, including vet costs (up 190%); homeowner’s insurance (up 193%); and total annual medical expenses (up 177 %), rising from $5,844 in 2020 to $16,192 in 2023!

The impact of inflation is truly hitting home for seniors — especially if home is an assisted-living facility or nursing home. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of the Actuary updated its projections of healthcare spending across provider types last month.

For nursing homes, they predict a 5% increase in spending on care in nursing homes and continuing care retirement communities for 2023 — slightly under the current 6.04% inflation rate — and a 5.2% spending increase in 2024. read more

Sadly, Theme Park Rangers podcast says goodbye to Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice. Katie is leaving her post covering the business side of Central Florida attractions at the Sentinel. She is off on another adventure that will most definitely include fewer theme parks. But before she leaves, she talks with her colleague Dewayne Bevil about some of her favorite rides, how to pack for the parks and some personal pet peeves at area attractions.

• Favorite rides, park (2:15)
• Theme park bag essentials (11:19)
• Hidden hotspots (19:07)
• Theme park pet peeves (23:47)