When elder law planning is delayed, families often find themselves in crisis mode.

In this episode, Tom Kaminski and elder law attorney Maureen Lester discuss common elder law “horror stories,” what actually goes wrong when planning happens too late, and how families can avoid these outcomes. They cover outdated estate documents, guardianship proceedings, and the financial and emotional costs of court involvement.

The conversation also highlights positive planning strategies, including care contracts, Medicaid considerations, and how clearly defining roles among siblings can reduce conflict. Maureen shares practical ways families can start conversations early and take small but meaningful steps before a crisis occurs.

This episode offers realistic guidance for navigating aging, caregiving responsibilities, and long-term care decisions.

What is elder law, and why does traditional estate planning often fall short as parents age?

In this episode, Tom Kaminski is joined by elder law attorney Maureen Lester to break down the role of elder law, how it differs from standard estate planning, and why it becomes essential once health, cognition, and caregiving enter the picture.

Maureen explains how elder law focuses not just on asset transfer, but on long-term care planning, decision-making authority, and protecting vulnerable adults. Together, they discuss common misconceptions families have, why early planning matters, and how professionals can work together to better support aging parents and their adult children.

This episode lays the groundwork for understanding the legal realities families face as they move into the later stages of life.

Open enrollment for Medicare ends on December 7. If you are caring for aging parents, supporting multiple generations, or approaching age 65 yourself, this episode will help you get clarity fast. Our guest is Grant George from Medicare Done Professionally. He explains Medicare in simple and practical terms. We cover what Parts A, B, C and D actually do, how to compare employer or retiree plans with Medicare, and the biggest mistakes people make during open enrollment.

Grant also walks through enrollment timelines, advisor compensation, red flags to watch for, and the best practices families should follow each fall. If you are navigating Medicare for the first time or helping a parent make decisions, this episode gives you the education you need to move forward with confidence.

Guest: Grant George, Medicare Done Professionally
Website: www.mdprs.com

In this episode, Tom talks with financial planner Danielle Seurkamp about what the “sandwich generation” means in practical terms. Instead of a demographic, it is a season of life when someone supports younger and older generations at the same time.

Danielle shares her experience caring for her grandmother through illness and cognitive decline. She discusses the financial and logistical tasks she took on, the family dynamics involved, and the learning curve that many caregivers face when support needs increase quickly.

Tom and Danielle discuss:
• How they define the sandwich or caretaker generation
• Why caregiving often begins suddenly
• The strain that comes with increased responsibility
• Danielle’s real-world caregiving story
• The importance of documents and planning
• The role of trusted professionals
• First steps for new or stressed caregivers

This episode offers a helpful foundation for anyone navigating caregiving and financial planning.

Click here to Download the free Caregiver Contact List

Learn more about Danielle at https://www.wellspentplanning.com/

In this episode, Tom explains how to approach open enrollment with clarity and confidence. He covers retirement plan deferrals, health insurance comparisons, FSAs, disability coverage, life insurance, and lesser known benefits that can save or cost you real money. A simple, structured guide to help you get the most value from your employer benefits.

Episode 1.0 introduces The Sandwich Bread Pod and the purpose behind it. Tom Kaminski, CFP®, shares his background, why he launched this show, and what it really means to be part of the Sandwich Generation. This episode sets the foundation for honest conversations about multigenerational life, real financial pressure, and the responsibilities that come with supporting parents, raising kids, and managing your own goals.