https://jckcfinancial.org/blog/ Plain-language guides to taxes, ACA / Obamacare, life insurance, Medicare and notary services for South Florida families. en-US JCKC Financial Services Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://jckcfinancial.org/icons/icon-512.png https://jckcfinancial.org/blog/ https://jckcfinancial.org/florida-coverage-gap-medicaid-aca-medicare-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/florida-coverage-gap-medicaid-aca-medicare-2026/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Florida never expanded Medicaid, so the rules work differently here. A plain-English 2026 guide to the income ladder, the gap, and which door is open to you. https://jckcfinancial.org/medicare-annual-enrollment-2027-south-florida/ https://jckcfinancial.org/medicare-annual-enrollment-2027-south-florida/ Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026 for 2027 coverage. The Part D cap rises to $2,400, the deductible to $700, and the program https://jckcfinancial.org/final-expense-funeral-costs-south-florida-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/final-expense-funeral-costs-south-florida-2026/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT A funeral is one of the largest bills a family faces on the shortest notice — and for many South Florida families the cost doesn’t stop at the funeral home. Here’s what https://jckcfinancial.org/hurricane-insurance-claim-guide-south-florida-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/hurricane-insurance-claim-guide-south-florida-2026/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT After a storm, the claim is where money is won or lost. Here’s the 2026 guide for South Florida: Florida’s 1-year filing deadline, what your insurer must do, wind vs. https://jckcfinancial.org/medicare-2000-drug-cap-south-florida-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/medicare-2000-drug-cap-south-florida-2026/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT For the first time, Medicare caps your out-of-pocket drug costs — $2,100 in 2026. Here’s the plain-English guide for South Florida seniors: how the cap works, the new https://jckcfinancial.org/flood-insurance-vs-homeowners-south-florida-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/flood-insurance-vs-homeowners-south-florida-2026/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Your homeowners policy does NOT cover flood damage. Here’s the plain-English guide for South Florida: how NFIP and private flood insurance work, the $250k/$100k limits https://jckcfinancial.org/turning-65-medicare-enrollment-south-florida-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/turning-65-medicare-enrollment-south-florida-2026/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Medicare has a clock, and missing it can cost you for life. Here’s the plain-English guide for South Floridians turning 65: your 7-month enrollment window, what the https://jckcfinancial.org/no-tax-tips-overtime-south-florida-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/no-tax-tips-overtime-south-florida-2026/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT A 2025 law created two new federal tax breaks for tipped and hourly workers — a deduction of up to $25,000 in tips and up to $12,500 in overtime. But “no tax on tips” https://jckcfinancial.org/2026-tax-changes-south-florida-business-owners/ https://jckcfinancial.org/2026-tax-changes-south-florida-business-owners/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT The tax cliff that worried small-business owners never happened: a 2025 law made the 20% pass-through deduction permanent, brought back 100% equipment write-offs, and https://jckcfinancial.org/aca-subsidy-cliff-2026-south-florida/ https://jckcfinancial.org/aca-subsidy-cliff-2026-south-florida/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and the average subsidized ACA premium is set to more than double in 2026. Here’s what changed, why Florida https://jckcfinancial.org/itin-tax-filing-immigrant-families-south-florida-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/itin-tax-filing-immigrant-families-south-florida-2026/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT Earn income in the U.S. but can’t get a Social Security number? An ITIN lets you file — and often claim refunds and credits worth thousands. Here’s who needs one, which https://jckcfinancial.org/notary-services-florida-what-to-know-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/notary-services-florida-what-to-know-2026/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT A missing notary stamp can stop a home sale, a power of attorney, or a document headed overseas. Here’s what actually needs notarizing in Florida, what it legally costs https://jckcfinancial.org/life-insurance-south-florida-families-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/life-insurance-south-florida-families-2026/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT Most South Florida families have no life insurance or quietly suspect they don’t have enough — usually because of a price they imagine that’s nothing like reality. https://jckcfinancial.org/hurricane-season-financial-readiness-south-florida/ https://jckcfinancial.org/hurricane-season-financial-readiness-south-florida/ Mon, 25 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT Plywood and water are only half of hurricane prep. The other half is paperwork — the policies, documents, and decisions that determine how fast your family recovers https://jckcfinancial.org/self-employed-south-florida-tax-guide-2026/ https://jckcfinancial.org/self-employed-south-florida-tax-guide-2026/ Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT 2026 tax guide for South Florida self-employed workers: standard deduction, SE tax, quarterly estimates, deductions, retirement plans, ITIN, and the Florida https://jckcfinancial.org/medicare-aca-2026-changes-south-florida/ https://jckcfinancial.org/medicare-aca-2026-changes-south-florida/ Mon, 11 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT Plain-English guide to 2026 Medicare and ACA changes for South Florida: $2,100 Part D out-of-pocket cap, the first 10 negotiated drug prices, expired ACA enhanced