by Bag It Team | Oct 8, 2025 | Educational Articles
By Ben Katsel, Associate Wealth Advisor at Mariner
A serious medical diagnosis can change life quickly—not just emotionally and physically but financially too. Amid new appointments, treatment plans and shifting priorities, it’s easy to push financial decisions aside. Yet creating a plan for times of change may help provide stability, clarity and peace of mind.
It’s helpful to understand the difference between financial advice and financial planning. Advice often focuses on answering specific questions, such as how to invest or where to save. Financial planning is broader: it’s an ongoing process of aligning your financial resources with your goals, values and needs. It considers your entire financial picture and is designed to help you make confident decisions, even when life feels uncertain.
Here are three foundational steps to help you begin:
Understand Your Current Financial Picture
Start by organizing what you have and what you owe. Review your income and expenses, including any new medical costs or changes to work. Identify your savings and emergency funds, ideally enough to cover several months of essential expenses, and list any debts and their terms. Finally, understand your insurance coverages—health, disability, and life—and how they might support you now.
This snapshot becomes the foundation for any future planning. It shows where you stand today and where adjustments may be needed.
Prioritize Flexibility Over Perfection
In uncertain times, financial plans should adapt. That might mean revisiting your budget to address new expenses or using tools like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for medical costs. Explore benefits such as short-term disability or Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) if income is affected.
The goal is progress, not perfection. A flexible plan that evolves with your situation is far more valuable than one that tries to predict everything in advance.
Balance Today’s Needs with Tomorrow’s Goals
Immediate concerns deserve focus, but small steps toward the future matter too. Consider reviewing beneficiary designations, updating estate documents and continuing to save for the long term, even if contributions are smaller for now. These actions are meant to help protect your future choices and keep your plan aligned with your goals.
Final Thought
Financial planning is a process designed to help create stability and confidence; it is not just about managing money. By taking small, intentional steps now, you can focus on building a plan that supports you and your loved ones through whatever comes next.
For additional guidance, the CFP Board’s overview of the financial planning process provides an excellent starting point. FINRA also provides helpful strategies for preparing for and navigating financial hardship, and the National Cancer Institute outlines track and manage cancer-related costs.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized advice. Financial planning cannot eliminate risk or uncertainty, and outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances. For additional information visit mariner.com.
by Bag It Team | Sep 5, 2025 | Educational Articles
September 21 marks Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day—a national reminder that good health isn’t just a personal responsibility; it’s an important way we can support each other.
Whether it’s a parent, spouse, sibling, neighbor or friend, many people put off important medical appointments for reasons ranging from busy schedules to fear of bad news. But preventive care and regular checkups are essential for catching health issues early, managing ongoing conditions, and maintaining overall well-being.
Why This Day Matters
- Early Detection Saves Lives–Many serious health conditions, like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, have better outcomes when detected early. More about early detection.
- Breaking Down Barriers–Some loved ones may face language, transportation, or cultural barriers to accessing healthcare. Your presence can help bridge those gaps.
- Emotional Support Counts–Going to a doctor’s appointment can feel intimidating. Having someone by your side can ease anxiety and encourage open conversations with healthcare providers.
How You Can Participate
- Make an Appointment Together–Schedule a checkup for yourself and your loved one on or around September 21.
- Offer a Ride or Company–Even if you’re not the patient, being there for support can make a big difference.
- Help with Questions–Encourage your loved one to write down concerns or symptoms ahead of time so they get the answers they need.
- Celebrate the Step – After the appointment, enjoy a meal or activity together to mark the positive choice.
The Bottom Line
Good health is a gift we can help each other protect. This September 21 (or any day of the year), take the opportunity to show you care—by making sure someone you love gets the care they need. Sometimes, the best way to say “I love you” is with a ride to the doctor.
by Bag It Team | Aug 5, 2025 | Educational Articles
August is National Wellness Month—Explore how Bag It Cancer helps nurture physical, emotional, and informational well-being on your cancer journey.
Navigating a cancer diagnosis or supporting a loved one through theirs can bring a whirlwind of emotions, decisions, and challenges. That’s why National Wellness Month is such an important time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the things that support your overall well-being—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.
At Bag It Cancer, we believe that wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not about perfection or pressure—it’s about feeling empowered, informed, and supported, no matter where you are in your journey. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, a long-time survivor, or a caregiver walking alongside someone you love, small steps toward wellness can make a meaningful difference.
Empowering Through Information
One of the most powerful ways we support wellness is by putting trusted, understandable information directly into your hands. The Bag It resource bag includes tools to help you stay organized, learn more about your diagnosis, keep track of important documents, and feel more in control of what’s ahead. When people understand their options and feel confident asking questions, they often feel less overwhelmed and more engaged in their own care.
Emotional Wellness Matters
We also know that wellness includes how you’re feeling—mentally and emotionally. That’s why our materials include space to journal your thoughts, track how you’re doing day-to-day, and write down questions or reflections. These small actions can bring clarity and comfort during times of uncertainty. You don’t have to have all the answers—you just need space to process and tools that support your journey.
Caregiver Support Is Wellness, Too
If you’re a caregiver, your wellness matters just as much. It’s easy to focus all your energy on your loved one, but taking moments to care for yourself helps you stay grounded and connected. Bag It includes resources designed just for caregivers, offering guidance, encouragement, and ways to feel supported in your role.
4 Simple Ways to Focus on Wellness This Month
1.Step outside and enjoy a moment of fresh air
2.Journal three things you’re grateful for
3.Take a few deep breaths with intention
4.Revisit your Bag It materials for insight and clarity
Wellness Resources
Cancer wellness resources encompass a wide range of support and information for individuals and their families affected by cancer. These are just a few of the available resources offering emotional support, financial assistance, information about treatment options, and access to support groups and more.
American Cancer Society Wellness Resources
National Institutes of Health Emotional Toolkit
Explore the Bag It Cancer Resource Center for additional trusted, accessible support.
by Bag It Team | Jul 7, 2025 | Educational Articles
Explore the Bag It Cancer Resource Page
Navigating a cancer diagnosis—whether it’s your own or a loved one’s—can feel overwhelming. That’s why Bag It Cancer is committed to making the journey a little easier with trustworthy, accessible resources all in one place.
The Bag It Cancer Resource Center is thoughtfully curated to support patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers at every stage. Whether you’re looking for guidance on supportive care, emotional support, survivorship, caregiver tools, or community connections, you’ll find credible organizations and up-to-date information right at your fingertips.
This free, easy-to-navigate hub includes links to national resources across a range of topics—financial help, clinical trials, mental health, and more. It’s an extension of the support offered through our Bag It Bags, helping you stay informed and empowered beyond the doctor’s office.
We encourage you to visit our Resource Center and share it with anyone who may benefit. At Bag It, we believe that information is power—and hope.
by Bag It Team | May 30, 2025 | Educational Articles
June marks Men’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness about preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. At Bag It, we recognize how important it is to empower men with the tools and information they need—especially when facing a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer & Men: Know the Risks
Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with cancer and have a higher mortality rate. The most common cancers affecting men in the U.S. are:
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Melanoma
Early detection is key. Men often delay routine checkups or ignore early symptoms. Regular screenings can catch issues before they become serious.
Tips for Taking Charge of Your Health
- Schedule annual checkups – Even if you feel fine, regular visits can help detect problems early.
- Know your family history – Some cancers run in families; talk with your doctor about any history of cancer.
- Get screened – Discuss appropriate cancer screenings with your provider (especially for prostate, colorectal, and skin cancer).
- Live healthy – Eat well, stay active, limit alcohol, don’t smoke, and protect your skin from the sun.
- Talk about it – Encourage the men in your life to prioritize their health, too.
How Bag It Cancer Can Help
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, our Bag It Bag provides reliable, easy-to-understand materials to help patients feel informed, empowered, and organized. Men may not always ask for help—but they deserve support, too.
Let’s break the silence around men’s health and encourage the men in our lives to take action today.
Resources
General Men’s Health & Preventive Care
- Men’s Health Guidelines for Screening
- Men’s Health Month (Men’s Health Network) – Information, health facts, and advocacy resources dedicated to men’s health.
- CDC – Men’s Health – Covers key health risks, preventive steps, and tips for staying healthy.
Support for Men Facing Cancer
- Bag It – Get a Bag – Free resources to help patients feel informed, empowered, and organized.
- ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer – Support, education, and advocacy specifically for those impacted by prostate cancer.
- COLONTOWN – A patient-led community for colorectal cancer
- GO2 for Lung Cancer – Education, screening & support for lung cancer
- CancerCare – Support for Men – Support groups, counseling, and educational workshops for men affected by cancer.
- Cancer Support Community – For Men – Emotional and practical support specifically geared toward men
Bag It Bags for Specific Cancers
- Prostate Cancer – Bag It and ZERO Prostate Cancer have partnered to develop 2 Bags of essential resources for patients and caregivers impacted by Advanced-Stage and Early-Stage Prostate Cancers.
- Colorectal Cancer –Bag It and Colontown have partnered to develop this Bag of essential resources for patients and caregivers impacted by colorectal cancer (CRC).
- Lung Cancer – Bag It and GO2 for Lung Cancer have partnered to develop this Bag of essential resources for patients and caregivers impacted by Lung Cancer.
Explore other Bag It Cancer-specific Bags.
by Bag It Team | Apr 29, 2025 | Educational Articles
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to pause and reflect on how we care for our emotional well-being—something that affects all of us, no matter our background or health status.
At Bag It Cancer, we work every day to support those impacted by cancer, and we see firsthand how critical mental health is throughout the journey. But the truth is, everyone faces stress, uncertainty, and emotional challenges at different points in life—whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, caring for a loved one, or simply managing the pressures of daily life.
Mental health is health. It deserves our attention, our compassion, and our time.
Here are a few small ways anyone can support their mental well-being this month:
- Take a mindful break. A few minutes of quiet breathing or stepping outside can reset your mood.
- Connect with someone. A conversation with a friend or loved one can make a big difference.
- Practice kindness—especially toward yourself. Let go of perfection and embrace progress.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—free, confidential support 24/7/365.
Looking for helpful mental health tools?
Here are a few trusted resources:
CancerCare: Coping with Cancer
Mental Health America: Mental Health Month Toolkit
Headspace: Free Mindfulness Tools
Caring for your Mental Health
Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, donor, or part of our extended community—thank you for standing with Bag It. Let’s continue supporting the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
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