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Scott Martin is a semi-retired family medicine physician associate (previously known as a physician assistant) and has been practicing medicine for the past 20 years. His previous career was in academia doing research and teaching at the University of Georgia. He and his wife enjoy traveling and spending time with family.
Sports Fan by Scott Martin
37 replies
AUTHOR: Scott Martin on 2/10/2025
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 2/10 | RECENT: Scott Masters on 2/18
My Limitations by Scott Martin
15 replies
AUTHOR: Scott Martin on 6/22/2024
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 6/22/2024 | RECENT: Ed Hanson on 6/29/2024
FOR THE PAST FOUR years, I’ve been dealing with both a revocable and irrevocable trust that my parents created decades ago. In 2020, I knew little about trusts, and my elderly parents weren’t willing or able to share much information with me. In retrospect, I don’t think they fully understood the details of either trust, instead relying on attorneys and financial advisors.
Since then, I’ve learned a lot about trusts. I’ve come to feel they’re unnecessarily complicated and allow unscrupulous advisors to take advantage of well-intentioned,
I GOT MARRIED IN 1980 at age 22. After 29 years of marriage, my wife and I went through a contentious divorce in 2009 and 2010. We’d grown apart and, during our last few years of marriage, discussed parting ways.
I moved out of our marital home of 16 years into an apartment. It was strange to be living by myself again. I was 51 at the time.
While adjusting to my new reality,
I’LL BE TURNING 65 this year, so I’ve been researching my Medicare options. Even though I work in health care—and many of my patients are on Medicare—the task of choosing a plan is no less onerous for me.
I’ve read the information provided on Medicare.gov and watched numerous YouTube videos from insurance brokers. These brokers tend to support two types of Medicare coverage. Retirees might opt for a bundle that includes Medicare Part A,
AS A FAMILY MEDICINE physician associate, I frequently meet with patients early in the new year who are upset. The reason: They just learned their medications are no longer covered by their insurance or will cost significantly more than before. Many times, the insurance company will send them a letter providing other options to consider. I work with patients to find a generic substitute that isn’t as costly.
Several years ago, I had an elderly gentleman in our office one morning complaining that he was having difficulty urinating.
IN SOME FAMILIES, adult siblings work together to take care of their aging parents. But many times, one adult child ends up doing most, if not all, of the work—which is how things have played out in my family.
I’m the oldest sibling, and my wife and I took on the task of caring for my octogenarian mother and stepfather after they moved to Georgia from Colorado in 2017. I have a brother and stepbrother who live in other states.
HIGHLY INTELLIGENT people sometimes don’t know much about investing. Still, they can have a misplaced confidence in their own abilities and feel certain they require no help. In the end, it’s often their adult children who sort things out—which, in this particular case, meant me.
Five years ago, my 84-year-old mother and 85-year-old stepfather moved from the mountains of Colorado to Georgia to live closer to my wife and me. For more than 20 years,
Comments
Thanks Rick! Congratulations to your Eagles and your winnings. I would not be surprised if online sports betting wasn't more than $12 billion today. I used to do "pick em" online for NFL game winners for no money years ago and I rarely was correct 50% of the time. I break out in a cold sweat and get nauseous whenever I walk into a casino which isn't very often. I worked too hard for my money to just throw it away.
Post: Sports Fan by Scott Martin
Link to comment from February 10, 2025
I couldn't agree more. I like your "Futz Factor."
Post: My Limitations by Scott Martin
Link to comment from June 23, 2024
We bought and sold the mobile home for $10,500 in the early 1980's in a city you are familiar with (Davis, CA). Per Zillow, similar single wide mobile homes are now selling for $200,000+. Go Braves!
Post: My Limitations by Scott Martin
Link to comment from June 23, 2024
Bill, this link details how I got out of debt: https://humbledollar.com/2023/09/finding-hope/ I would recommend against a 401k withdrawal or home equity loan. I did use a zero interest credit card balance transfer and I paid off the debt long before the zero interest rate expired. The snowball method worked great for me. Best of luck on your debt-free journey. It is so worth it!
Post: 401k withdrawal, 0% cc balance transfer or home equity line of credit
Link to comment from June 22, 2024
Thanks Jonathan! You have made posting on the Forum very easy.
Post: My Limitations by Scott Martin
Link to comment from June 22, 2024
Stay out of debt!
Post: What advice do you wish you were given when you were in your late 40s?
Link to comment from June 22, 2024
I can identify with your frustrations. One would expect better results from attorneys and accountants that are being paid for their expertise and supposed attention to detail. I have also learned a lot throughout this process. Thanks for sharing.
Post: Details Matter
Link to comment from February 23, 2024
I appreciate your comments Rick. I have come to the same conclusion. I find trusts to be a barrel of fish hooks. I have a three ring binder full of hundreds of pages of legal jargon for the revocable trust. The only important information, in my opinion, is how the assets should be distributed to charities and the beneficiaries (1 or 2 pages max). Fortunately, I have not found the probate process to be overly cumbersome or long here in Georgia.
Post: Details Matter
Link to comment from February 23, 2024
Thanks Edmund. I have believed in the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle for a long time.
Post: Details Matter
Link to comment from February 23, 2024
"It’s okay for children to take on some debt if the alternative is for their parents’ finances to be stretched too thin." Enjoy your articles Adam but I am not sure about this comment in item #11. In 2023, the average federal student loan debt was $37,388 and private student loan debt was $54,921 per https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/student-loans/average-student-loan-debt-statistics/. I think we can all agree that loaning money to 18 year old high school graduates has not worked out too well except for the financial institutions. If the parents are unable to help pay for college there are alternatives to student loans. Part-time jobs in high school and while in college. Scholarships. Low cost community colleges. Enlisting in the military. I would recommend watching this documentary about the student loan crisis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7krdoXswQA.
Post: Easily Avoided
Link to comment from February 18, 2024