CHOOSE YOUR PROVIDER CAREFULLY

When looking for a health care provider, be sure that they are covered under the type of insurance you have to avoid any confusion or costs down the road.  Also be wary of specialists, as they can sometimes not be covered by your insurance whereas the doctor that referred you was covered.  Also consider the type of facility you are using – doctors work in clinics, hospitals as well as outpatient facilities, and each of these facilities costs a different amount of money.

BE SMART ABOUT PRESCRIPTIONS

One of the easiest things you can do to save money on your medication is switch to generic drugs.  The price and your co-pay will both be drastically lower than brand name drugs.  Another way to save money is to refill your prescriptions online instead of going to a pharmacy where you may incur additional fees.

REMAIN HEALTHY

One of the major factors that determine how much you will pay for health care is your current state of health.  Take advantage of preemptive steps and measures that are offered by many insurance companies free of charge to stay healthy.  These tests can cover a wide variety of things such as flu shots, blood-pressure checkups, and routine physicals.

UTILIZE TAX BREAKS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Always contribute to a flexible spending account that is automatically deducted from your paycheck at work.  The money that is put into these accounts is not subject to FICA or Federal taxes.  Use the money in this account to pay out of pocket medical expenses throughout the year.

LEARN THE RULES OF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

Make sure you know what your deductible is and that you’re paying the negotiated rate on your deductible, not the advertised rate.  Always make sure you get itemized bills when you undergo a major procedure or you are stuck in the hospital for any length of time.  This will help track your expenses and save money.

OBTAIN A DISCOUNT

It can never hurt to ask your health care provider or insurance company for a discount.  You have a much better chance of obtaining a discount if you have been with the company or provider for many years, have no underlying health problems, and have always paid your premiums and bills on time.

CONDUCT YOUR RESEARCH

There are many tools that are offered by insurance companies to help alleviate some of the stress and worry accompanied with spending time in the hospital or paying off a large bill.  Research these tools and use them to your advantage.

Cars do get old and need some restorative work to look better. But just in my own company’s parking lot, I have seen many cars that are 2007 or newer that are suffering from the ding-and-dent syndrome.

It is obvious to me that these cars have been in an accident. Whether it was with another car, a storefront, a tree, or an enraged Zhu Zhu pet, something out of the ordinary happened. Since most states require some type of minimum insurance coverage, I know that most of these drivers have received payment because of their accident.

A few years ago, another car rear-ended me, and my car ended up with over $3000 in repairs. My insurance company said I had two options. One was to choose a repair shop recommended by my insurance, and get my car fixed. I would owe the deductible, but the insurance would pay the rest. Otherwise, they would send me a check based on estimated cost, minus the deductible, and it would be up to me to find a body shop that could work on it.

That time, I needed my car back and opted to have it fixed right away. But it made me wonder if other Americans are requesting a check, and then not fixing their car. After all, if the car is still drivable, maybe a few dents aren’t a big deal. Especially if you need the money for more important expenses, such as groceries.

This does make sense to me, actually. A lot of people aren’t planning on selling their car anyway, so what are a few dents? But a couple thousand dollar check can really help out the family’s finances, especially in these tougher economic times.

I started noticing dented cars everywhere. On a slow shopping day at Wal-Mart, I counted 20 cars that needed repairs. Now, maybe some of those were newly damaged and were being fixed soon. But I saw some dents that had been spray-painted in an effort to cover them up. One wrecked bumper was completely covered with stickers. These car owners had clearly kept the check and foregone the repairs on their car.

So, this brings up a question of legality. If an insurance company gives you money for your car, and you don’t fix it, are you breaking the law? If not, are there other consequences?

This is not always very clear. I researched this question online on several auto repair websites, blogs, forums, etc. During this research, it became very clear that many people do in fact take the money without repairing their vehicle. But they may not realize the consequences of doing this.

First of all, the majority of today’s car owners do not really own their cars. That is, they have a loan out on the car. In this case, the insurance check is to be used to fix the car because it is not really yours. The lien holder has the right to make sure you have repaired the car to its original condition. If the check has been made to both you and the lien holder, make sure you don’t cash it. This is fraud and you can serve time in jail for it!

If you don’t own money on the car, it is legal for you to keep the check, although it may not be ethical. On one forum, I read of many people who kept the check. Here is what a few of them said:

Shyla: “Sure, keep the check! I got like almost $900 for a little scratch. I couldn’t even tell it was there, so I decided to keep the money and go on a trip.”

Ivan:  “Of course you can cash it. It’s in your name, isn’t it? My mom did that. She had an older Malibu that got hit. There was only cosmetic damage, so Mom took the thousand dollars and paid off some bills. She didn’t care about driving an ugly car as much as paying off her credit cards.”

So…what do you think?

Let’s say you get in an accident, but the damage is so slight you can barely tell it is there. Or you can tell, but you can still drive your car. Do you repair it? Or do you keep the money? I believe there are pros and cons to each side.

There have been many studies conducted on the subject of school uniforms, and these studies have discovered a variety of conclusions.  First, school uniforms help students learn faster and helped stop some negative trends.  When students were allowed to wear whatever clothes they wanted, they were often judged by which clothes they were, and some students even reported having their expensive designer clothes stolen while at school.

DISADVANTAGES OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS

Despite what the national studies have concluded, many professionals, parents, students and teachers are still against uniforms for a variety of reasons.  Psychologists say students must learn to express themselves – and there is no better way for this to happen than students wearing their own clothing.  Another problem is cost.  Parents often complain that school uniforms are more expensive to purchase and maintain than street clothing, and this can create an unnecessary financial hardship on impoverished families.  Finally, there are many that feel cliques can never be totally avoided or destroyed, and therefore school uniforms are a waste of time and money for families.

ADVANTAGES OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS

There are many proponents of school uniforms in both public and private school settings.  The number one argument that is most often used is that uniforms build a sense of belonging and unity for all members of the student body because no students are allowed to wear clothing that differentiates themselves from the rest of the student body.  Students feel more confident when everyone is wearing the same clothing and it makes cliques harder to form and maintain, allowing all students an equal chance to socialize with each other.

Many students dislike wearing school uniforms because they feel they are out of style or not trendy.  However, school districts around the country are employing big name fashion retailers such as Old Navy, GAP, Dockers and others to design school uniforms that are stylish and fresh.  These uniforms are reasonably priced and easy to care for, making them more economical than street clothes.

School uniforms were once viewed as just a way to keep kids from wearing the wrong clothes, but now they are viewed as a way to bring unity and pride to a student body, which in turn brings along with it many more advantages.  When students can feel good about what they are wearing, they start to socialize more and ultimately make more friends and feel more comfortable while at school.  This in turn leads to higher grades, higher academic standings, and better rounded students.

Request A Raise

It can be scary to talk to your employer about getting a raise. But remember, the answer is automatically no if you don’t ask. Don’t expect a raise, however, if you cannot show your company how you have helped them this year. Bring a list of your accomplishments to the meeting, and be prepared to sing your own praises. Check out glassdoor.com and salary.com to ensure you are not asking for more than the current market price. Make yourself known to the company by being creative and volunteering to head events. Time your request during the annual review or when the new budgets are being created.

Find A Different Job

We are moving out of the job slump now, so you may be able to find a better opportunity elsewhere. Update your LinkedIn profile and start looking for companies you want to work for. Then see if you know anyone within your network of family and friends that may have connections in this company. Freshen up your resume and dress professional for the interview. Negotiate for the salary you want right away, as this will pave the way for asking for future raises.

Get Rid Of Your Stuff

Tons of people have made money just by selling things they already have. Go through your clothes with a critical eye and shed any you aren’t using. Make use of your local library so you can sell your books. It will feel good to clean out your house, and you will make money. Check out this guide to begin selling.

Don’t Forget Your Hobbies

If there is something you enjoy doing that you are also good at, this is the perfect money making situation. If you do any type of arts or crafts, try selling them on Etsy. If you are a natural-born writer, write for About.com. Check out these sites to help turn something fun into extra money.

Get A Second Job

This may sound like a huge undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. There is a lot of freelance work available, so look for this type of work first. Other neighborhood chores such as mowing lawns and walking dogs are still a good way to make some extra money.

Use these tips to start putting more money in your pocket this year.

Now, things have taken a change for the better. If you really dislike your job, you may now be able to find a job you like. It is important to have another job lined up before you quit, which did not seem possible during the recession. Check out these four signs that tell you when the time is right to seek another job:

1.      The Thought Of Work Is Horrible

We all have good and bad days. There are some mornings you wake up and just really wish you did not have to work that day. But this is normal. It is abnormal if you so dislike the idea of going to your job that you worry about it on days you don’t work. If you cannot relax when you are away from work because of worries about what it will be like when you get back, it’s time to move on.

2.      You Do Not Share The Same Values With Your Coworkers

Everyone has their own opinions, and has grown up with different morals and values. If you constantly find yourself questioning the ideas and morals of people at work, it could mean you simply don’t belong there. Even if there is nothing going on that is legally or ethically wrong, your place of employment may not uphold the same ideals that you do. If you find yourself struggling with this day in and day out, it may be time to find a different company to work for.

3.      Work Does Not Challenge You

Some people have no desire to be challenged by their work. These people are solely there for the paycheck. However, maybe you wish you had something more to challenge your mind. Perhaps you are the type of person that wants to learn and grow. A job that does not provide these types of challenges for you is not a good fit. The economy has stabilized enough that more challenging jobs do exist now, so find a job that challenges and expands your mind.

4.      You Frequently Feel Left Out

When you are the only one not laughing at an inside joke, you may be in the wrong place. If you constantly feel left out of the insider’s circle, it is probably because you are working for the wrong people. You need to feel like you are a part of the daily office news and jokes. If you have been at your job for more than a couple months and still feel like they treat you as an outsider, the chances are it won’t get better. Find an organization and fellow coworkers that you can feel a part of.

The social aspect of any job is just as important, or more important, than knowing the technical details of what you are doing. Try to find a job that makes you feel like you are doing something worth your time. Additionally, find a working environment that you fit into.

Tsunamis and Earthquakes

It is estimated that up to 50 earthquakes a day occur and can be detected by scientists and National Earthquake Informational Centers. That is the equivalent of thousands per year. Some of these earthquakes are slight tremors and can go unnoticed and without detection.  However, people may not just feel the ground shake, but it can stir up a shake among pricing of goods globally too.

For one example, in March 2011, a very destructive earthquake that was recorded as a 9.0 on the Richter scale was off the coast of Japan.  As a result, this land that is a huge worldwide provider of technical products and even automobiles were shook up.  Japan then faced cleaning up destruction and even a fear that a nuclear power plant would have another devastating catastrophe as a result of the land around it having seismic waves that left it unsettled. The country of Japan was on edge for many days and as a result, its production resulted in partial shortages as an effect of the tsunami and earthquake that had targeted that region. TIME Magazine indicated that such technical equipment such as computers, televisions, and phones were to shift in pricing as an effect of the natural disaster, with the prices rising as a result. During this time, many factories and manufacturers shut down due to the natural disaster disruption and business simply could not carry on for quite some time.  These pricing shifts could be indicated several months down the road even.

Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect

This factor is not old news.  In fact, a lot of awareness has increased about it in the recent past, as it has been noted that the overall global temperature has increased a few degrees slightly in  the most recent years.  It has been somewhat of a gradual change but it has also been noted that glaciers have been melting and the oceans are becoming deeper, coastal lines are narrowing and this is all a direct result of the temperature increase.

The whole idea behind this, is the carbon footprint that all of us leave on the earth and includes pollution and smog and anything that can apparently change the ozone layer, making it thinner as a coverage over the earth and letting more sunlight in, which then in turn, makes the globe a warmer place over time.  Shifts in eras are nothing new. Of course, we have proof that an ice age once occurred but that was before everything was more modernized on the planet and there was little to no focus on business but more of a focus on survival.

Since global warming is becoming more of a household term, prices have also taken a turn toward the more expensive side of the spectrum. Anytime that there is some sort of international panic or warning, prices have the tendency to do this.  Now this is the first time that any changes like this have occurred during any of our lifetimes. However, the direct result in the global changes has impacted pricing of products. Politicians are getting involved on creating policies as to how to slow global warming (if that is even possible) and it has directly affected the international economy. Regardless of the environmental impact that each of us has on global warming, this will be an issue for several future generations. As global warming increases, so will prices on consumer goods.

Drought

For many years in our past history, there have been issues of drought and it can also result in unusually high temperatures in certain areas.  At these times, certain areas that are well known for their agricultural productions, such as grapes, pumpkins, potatoes, oranges, and many other goods, drought has affected the pricing of goods. In almost any given season we hear of an area that has had drought. As a result of drought, producers cannot grow the typical harvest that they are used to and there is in turn a shortage of these goods.  As a result of this shortage, products become in higher demand and the prices then skyrocket.

Many staple items grown globally are impacted.  If a major rice grower has had a lack of rain, the crops cannot grow.  If the dairy cows are short of grass, milk production halts.  If the rain does not water the vines, the trees and other forms of plantation, there is no way for products to grow.  As a direct result, many of these areas that are dependent on their staple items then experience famine.  If they are a major exporter to other regions across the globe, these areas also do not have access to these products.  If these products are able to grow in other areas, the prices jump up.  It is practically an economic rule.

Torrential Downpours

Conversely to the subject of drought is that of torrential rains. At this point, some areas have an uncommon wet season which can also effect production.  This is currently displayed in the butter crisis in Norway.  They had a very wet summer which resulted in a change of the quality of grazing pastures for the cattle. This in turn affected the dairy products that were produced in Norway because the cows simply were not able to produce what they normally would due to lack of proper nutrition. As a result, Norway waited several weeks for butter imports and it in turn made the cost of butter surge.

Additionally, these heavy rains can also cause flooding. This can be devastating for areas that people live and work.  As a result of the flooding, people have flooded homes, people cannot get to work and oftentimes, business production must be halted. This hurts the local and global economy because business cannot presume as usual.

Since the earth is constantly undergoing change due to daily natural disasters that are unforeseeable, it is a pattern that with any naturally occurring disaster that prices are directly affected. Many times lands are ruined and take a lot of time to repair and bounce back.  People’s lives are devastated and many even parish.  The government often does what they can to offer assistance but it comes at an economic price. The only way we can brace ourselves for these disasters is to be prepared and accept the fact that they will occur. It is just a matter of when and the time of ‘when’ comes about, we can try to soften the impact that it has on us and our global economy when these disasters hit.

There are various reasons why people cannot pay their bills on time. It could be lack of money at the current time that bills are due, it could be that bills are forgotten or even lost.  However, the best way to get rid of them is to avoid them altogether. Here are a few tips that can help you to ensure that your credit score remains a little bit stronger and can eliminate any havoc that looming late fees have on your mind and your credit score.

Pay As Soon As Possible

Of course, we often sit aside bills on a desk or counter and let them go until we think about them again. We have our sigh of “Ugh,” when we receive them in the mail and then there they sit until we get good and ready to sit down and start making out payments or submitting them online.  Organize those bills and one of the best ways to do so is to write on the outside of the envelope the date that payment is due.  This helps you keep them organized so that you can see when they are due immediately upon looking at them without opening them.

In theory, it is nice to pay them the day that you get them if you have the funds available. Sometimes money sitting in your checking account draws interest and it’s nice to have that money sitting in there to accrue additional finances.  However, the interest that the money draws within that checking account, on average, is significantly less than the money that you will have to divulge out to pay late fees. The average late fees are generally anywhere from $20 to $40 depending on the creditor. This can quickly diminish your saved up stash in your checking account just by missing payments even by a day or two.

Pay Bills Online

Many times, we still pay our bills by check, taking the time to write it out, address it, get a stamp for it and take it to the post office to mail.  In fact, these days, paying online is much easier. If you set up your payments to be electronically debited automatically, you are sure to pay all of your bills on time.  It is a flawless way of eliminating late fees.

If you are more cautious about when money comes out, you can still set up a future payment date of when you want the payment to be processed. Just keep track of the due dates and try to pay bills online a few days before they are actually due so that there is time for processing.

Some bills we do automatically let roll out of our account such as mortgages, insurance fees and sometimes club memberships.  However, utility bills and credit card bills are typically some that we prefer to check more closely to see how much we are actually paying so we can pay the exact amount or sometimes pay the minimum payment on credit cards. There is even sometimes an alternative to paying bills via telephone but the companies typically require a $5 to $15 fee for processing on the phone. It is more instantaneous than snail mail but even so those fees can add up, though they are typically less than late fees.

Opt for Companies to Send Reminders

Regardless of what method you use to pay your bills, you can usually opt in for reminders to be sent to you via email or text message to tell you that your bill is ready, even on the date it is released.  This is a good way to keep it in mind, but even still, you can oftentimes overlook them.  They still at least keep the payment notification fresh in your brain and you can read it to check for your bill due dates.  Many companies offer these updates for free but some still do not.  Check with the company to see if it is something you can opt in for.

Keep Reminding Yourself

If it becomes habitual, you won’t forget to do it.  Keep reminding yourself and it will soon turn into something you almost do automatically.  Some bills you can remember are due on certain dates and when that date rolls around every month, you may have an “Aha!” moment in which you know it’s time to regularly pay your scheduled payment.  Make sure you remind yourself a few days in advance so that if you recall that a bill is due on the 10th of every month, you can remind yourself around the 7th or 8th of each month that it is time to pay it.

Other than trying to rely on your own brain, of course there are calendars. You can mark them up at home to note when each bill payment is due.  Otherwise, there are other calendars that can help you remember to pay bills on time.  There are many calendars that can be set up on computers or a Smartphone that can also send you notifications of any items that you have put on your calendar.  Set up bill payments as if they are appointments.  Some smartphones have alarms that go off on those days or the calendars can send you electronic reminders. Again, set these for a few days in advance so that you can ensure that your payment will reach its destination on time.

Remember, it isn’t just credit cards that issue late fees. There are several others that will tack late fees on for various reasons. Every little $5 or $40 adds up, especially if you commonly forget to make your payments monthly.

If It Still Happens

Sometimes life happens and other things like emergencies can often let things slip through our minds.  It’s just how it is sometimes.  If at some point, for any reason, you do incur a late fee, you may be able to call the company, especially if you are only a few days late, notify them that there is a payment on its way and ask them to please consider removing the penalty.  Many companies will do this as a one-time courtesy. If you have been a client of theirs for a significant period of time and have been consistent with paying your bills, they will often grant forgiveness and let you maintain your good standing with their company.  Many times this will get the late fee taken off your bill. If it doesn’t work with the first customer service representative, ask to speak to a supervisor.  Don’t be defensive or offer blame but instead be sincere, insist that you had made a mistake an let them know what you have done to proceed with your current payment to keep your account up to date as well as any other efforts you are taking to keep it from happening again.

The sheer number of options that exist can be overwhelming. To help narrow it down, read the Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. This compares the cost for 35 popular home improvement projects and also estimates how much of that cost will actually help boost the value of your home. Whether you agree with their calculations or not, it is a useful tool to help you sort through your options.

Best Projects for ROI

The study lists the best home improvement projects, based on the return on your investment. Here are the top four projects they recommend:

1. Replace Entry Doors with Steel Doors

With a $1200 door, you can recoup 102% of your cost. This may have not been first on your list, as other items may seem more fun. However, remember that an entry door is what potential buyers will see first. Original doors are often cheaper than what you can upgrade to, and a nice door can really improve the overall look of your exterior.

1. Build a Wooden Deck

Everyone loves having a deck. With the cost falling somewhere around $11,000, you can receive 73% of this back. Even though it’s not 100%, you will use the deck a lot anyway, so it’s worth adding on for your own pleasure.

1. Remodel Your Kitchen

We are not talking a huge overhaul here.  Stay somewhere within the $20-25,000 dollar range, and you can recoup 73%. Plus, it will make your wife happy.

1. New Windows and Siding

Besides being visually appealing, new windows and siding offer a 70% return on your money.

Worst Projects for ROI

Scratch these items off your list if you are looking for a return on your investment. These lose, on average, about half of their value by resale:

• Certain additions:
  • Garage
  • Bathroom
  • Sunroom
  • Installing a backup generator
  • Replacing the roof

For homeowners planning on staying, the recoup value is not going to be as important as simply turning your house into your dream home. However, use this list to talk to your spouse about projects you have been considering. It does provide good information on which projects are worth the money, whether you are planning to sell or not.

The U.S. Department of Energy came up with 10 money-saving tips to help you save at the gas pumps:

• Get a Tune Up

By tuning your engine, you can improve your gas mileage anywhere from 4-40%. This saves you 12 cents per gallon.

• Inflate Your Tires

Ensuring that your tires are the correct pressure can save you 9 cents per gallon.

• Don’t Skimp on Quality

Use the correct octane fuel for your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual if you are unsure. Using the wrong kind of fuel can make you lose 3-6 cents per gallon.

• Lose Weight

Clean out your car. Reducing the weight of your car by 100 pounds saves 4-8 cents per gallon.

• Watch Your Speed

For every five miles per hour over 60 you drive, you are spending an extra 24-87 cents per gallon.

• Shop Around

Compare your local gas station prices to the stations in the next town. It may be worth driving a few miles if the price is a lot lower. Also, if you use a credit card anyway, use one that offers gas rebates or a discount on gas.

• Don’t Stop and Go

Avoid starting fast and stopping suddenly. Maintain a constant speed and you will save hundreds of dollars on lower fuel and maintenance costs.

• Change Your Oil

Motor oil labeled “Energy Conserving” uses friction-reducing additives to make your gas last longer.

• Plan Your Route

Instead of running around doing various errands different days of the week, plan your route so you can do all your errands in one day. Figure out how you can drive to each stop without having to backtrack.

• Use Technology

Use your apps to find the cheapest gas near you. Or hop online to gasbuddy.com.

Work Hard

The average American reads financial information while they are at work. Hey, why waste your free time learning, right? If you want to keep your job, and have a chance at promoting, you need to show your employer why you are the best worker he has. If everyone else in your department is slacking, and you are not, you will definitely receive that raise you want.

Use Coupons When You Can

We don’t mean you have to slash your grocery bill by hundreds of dollars. Some of us don’t have the time required to be really diligent in couponing. But do take a few minutes to page through your Sunday paper, and check online for coupons of things you regularly buy. You will be surprised at how fast those savings add up.

Pay Your Bills on Time

While this seems glaringly obvious, Americans are notorious for paying late. This means a ton of wasted money on late fees.

Put More Money into Your Retirement Funds

Contribute the maximum amounts to your 401(k), and IRAs. Once this is accomplished, try to reach the limit sooner next year so you can put the extra money into taxable investment accounts.

Think About Your Retirement NOW

Don’t put off planning your retirement because you are young. If you don’t sit down and do the math, you won’t know how much you should be saving. You need a clear plan so you can budget accordingly.

Speaking of Budget

Tracking where your money goes can be depressing. Yet this is an absolute must for figuring out where all that money is going. Then you can plan your monthly budget and figure out if you have more money to save each month.

Be Generous and Helpful to Family and Friends

Try to help your friends and family with things that don’t cost money. And if money is needed, be willing and able to jump in. When you are generous, it creates goodwill and paves the way if you ever need help.

Find Ways to Earn More

Once you have the basics down, see if you have time to make money on the side. Extra money helps your family, or you can donate more to charity. Even though money cannot buy happiness, it sure is a nice thing to have around.