When you are budgeting for the future, health care expenses and possible long-term care costs are going to be things that you have to take into account. Along these lines it is important to understand that you have a lot of control over what your medical bills are going to look like and you may want to take this very seriously.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seven out of every 10 deaths that occur in the United States are caused by what are called chronic diseases. These would include stroke, cancer, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.

The fact is that a high percentage of instances of chronic diseases are preventable. You can’t smoke three packs of cigarettes a day for 40 years and assume that you are just unlucky if you develop lung cancer or throat cancer. If you pay no attention to your diet, are carrying 60 or 70 extra pounds, and haven’t exercised since high school you are clearly inviting one of these chronic diseases.

It should be noted that there are individuals who take good care of themselves that fall ill through no fault of their own. But at the same time, countless people who suffer from chronic illnesses engaged in behavior that would logically lead to ill health.

The bottom line is that you can minimize your future health care expenses by making intelligent lifestyle choices along the way. If you work with a Suffolk County financial planning lawyer to create a long-term plan while taking good care of yourself you should be able to make the most of your retirement years on both a physical and a financial level.

The Law Offices of Saul Kobrick, P.C. is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.