Disease-Free But In Debt? Ways to Pay Off Medical Debt After COVID-19 and Other Conditions

The COVID-19 crisis has affected every area of our lives--not only our health, but also our finances. If you’re someone who has gone through getting sick with COVID-19 or other illness that required hospitalization, your burden may even be heavier. NBC news reported that many patients received unexpected medical bills after recovering from the novel virus, as their documents state several out-of-pocket expenses not covered by their policies.

The case isn’t isolated with COVID-19 patients. With hundreds of thousands of insurance claims during this challenging time, a lot of companies are trying to keep up fulfilling these policies. Even after COVID-19 recovery, many families and individuals are faced with out-of-pocket medical debt, on top of unemployment, and other personal struggles related to the effects of the pandemic.

Thankfully, there are ways to be strategic in your finances when trying to pay off medical expenses. Below are some tips that could help.

Ensure mistake-free medical bill

Have you received a medical bill that made you fall off your chair, literally? Perhaps it is time to reassess the balance and confirm if the bill is accurate. Since there is a surge of patients for COVID-19 along with others being treated for non-related conditions, there may be cases where some of the input in people’s bills was a mistake.

Read through your balances and check the procedures and medications provided, and see if there is anything unclear. You can call the billing department of your hospital to ask for a re-calculation or clarification if there’s a particular matter to be settled.

Reconfirm your insurance coverage

If you have a health plan, it is ideal to read through your policy again and look for information about the coverage you have for the condition. Some insurance companies may need extra clarification about the treatments or medications you took, which turns out to be covered by your policy. The federal government is even asking insurance companies to be more transparent about the policies they offer to avoid confusion with clients.

To settle matters, you may call your insurance provider and ask about the non-covered items in your medical bill. Given the right information, they may consider to cover some of the expenses which are actually stated in your policy, but were missed when preparing your out-of-pocket bill.

Don’t use credit cards

Tempted to pay off your medical debt using credit cards? It may not be the best option. Many cases happen where people get into a never-ending cycle of credit card debt with high interest, and you don’t want to be in that situation.

What are some of the disadvantages of paying through credit card?

• High-interest payments: A lot of credit card companies have staggeringly high interest annually. If you cannot realistically pay the rates, do not give in settling for a credit card debt.

• Affects your credit score: Having unpaid credit card debt lowers your credit score, even making it more difficult to secure a low-interest payment plan.

• Other options for medical debt: Unlike other types of debt, medical bills are more negotiable and flexible by nature. You can use no interest or low-interest payment options, so it is ideal to explore more routes.

Choose no interest or low-interest payment plans

Having access to healthcare is a basic human right. Thus, it is justified that medical debt should be paid with no interest or low-interest rates as much as possible. There are several options you can choose from when looking for an affordable medical debt payment plan:

Hospital or healthcare facility offer

Your own hospital or healthcare facility may have payment options that are interest-free or longer terms that make monthly payments more realistic. An article published in Modern Healthcare revealed that some major hospital networks offer a wider level of financial assistance for patients that fit eligibility requirements.

If your medical bills overwhelm you, it is best to get in touch with your hospital or healthcare facility if they have any affordable payment plans.

Interest-free financing companies

There are also other financing companies that specialize in medical bills. They have payment plans which are interest-free for a period of time, making it possible for you to pay medical debt as affordably as possible.

In fact, you can use these financing options not just for COVID-19 hospitalizations, but for other healthcare facilities such as rehabs for alcoholics and urgent care centers.

Personal loans

Taking out a personal loan can be done for a variety of reasons, such as covering out-of-pocket medical expenses. The great thing about this type of financing is the flexibility and the amount of companies offering this option. If you have a good credit score, there is a higher chance that you’ll secure a low-interest personal loan plan.

However, if you have a less-than-stellar credit score, there are still ways to secure affordable personal loan options. You can compare rates and see which one fits your budget depending on your credit score.

Paying Off Medical Debt? You Can Do It!

Paying off out-of-pocket medical expenses may be challenging, but using these strategies can make this undertaking so much easier. Make sure to clarify your bill, negotiate with your insurance provider and explore affordable options to get the best payment plan.

Ways to Earn Extra Income During a Financial Hardship

Life is much like riding a roller coaster with many ups and downs. Because of this, many people who don't have a budget in place, and live paycheck to paycheck, often experience a severe financial hardship that can be difficult to survive. The good news is that there are many ways to bring in additional money to help ease your financial woes.

Take Out a Loan

During an emergency, if you need access to funds immediately, you can reach out to a family member and ask to borrow money for a few weeks. If this is not something available to you, then you can apply for personal installment loans. In many cases, even if your credit isn't at the preferred level to lenders, these types of loans are easier to acquire.

Sell Things You No Longer Need

A fast way to put some money into your pocket is to sell things you no longer want or need. Check around in your attic, basement or garage and see what you have stored away. If you've resided at the place residence for more than a few years, chances are pretty good, that you have things that others will want to buy. You can have a yard sale or you can take advantage of the computer age and post pictures with a description online at sites such as Craigslist, eBay or the Facebook Marketplace.

Use Your Skills

Most people have acquired skills that they can use to earn additional income. Maybe you enjoy working on cars or you're able to fix just about anything around the house, like a handyman. There's an abundance of public need for services such as lawn care, babysitting and tutoring. You can also check online and apply to do things like take surveys or write for blogs. While they won't make you rich, they will supplement your income and help pull you over the hurdle.

Pay Your Bills on Time

Yes paying your bills on time saves you money, and surprisingly in more ways than you might imagine. When you pay them on time you don't incur a late fee and with some companies that can add up to hundreds over the course of a single year. Beyond the late fees, late payments can cause your credit score to take a hit. Suddenly, you are no longer on the "A" list for lenders so you pay more for things like a mortgage or a car loan and insurance. A low credit score can even prevent you from getting hired at a new company.

Trim the Fat

Every household has areas that need improving. When you find yourself in a tough financial time, trimming the waste can help you make it through. For instance, if you dine out or order take-out at least once a week, cut it back to once or twice a month. The same applies to buying coffee on the way to the office and eating lunch out.

Additionally, start paying close attention to your monthly bills, more specifically your cable bill. This is an excellent starting place for removing wasted money. Instead of paying for many extra channels, half of which you don't ever watch, remove them, and go to basic service until you free up monies to live more comfortably.

Most people will have a period of time in their lives where money is tight. Luckily, when these pitfalls occur there are ways to increase your income and continue to enjoy a comfortable life.

The Most Overpriced Items That People Regularly Buy

No one likes the feeling of being ripped off. But there are some things that people willingly part with their hard-earned cash for even if they are paying massively over the odds for them. Well, in this article, we are going to shine a light on some of these to encourage you to think twice before making these purchases. With many consumers feeling more cash-strapped than ever before, it is worth asking the question: can you live without these things?

Movie Theatre Popcorn

When the drinks and snacks at the movies cost more than the ticket, you know something is going wrong. Movie theatres will purchase their popcorn in bulk and then hit you with a markup that it often as much as 1275%! And the rip-off doesn’t stop there with soda and bags of candy costing way over the odds. When you think that you could buy a good meal for what you are paying in movie snacks, it may be worth reconsidering your choices.

Greetings Cards

So many events during the year encourage you to buy greetings cards, and just think how much you are spending on those overpriced pieces of paper! $3 is standard and you will be paying even more for branded greetings cards. When you think that you could make a card on your own for just a few cents, getting a little creative seems like the sensible choice every time!

Books

Paying full-price for books seems a little crazy in this day and age, especially with so many second-hand retailers out there offering significant discounts. After all, if you can read the words on the page, there shouldn’t really be too much of a problem! Also, making the switch to reading books electronically can save you significant sums of money and you can even get many titles for free.

Bottled Water

In developed countries, water is one of the most abundant resources available for free from water fountains and taps pretty much anywhere you go. Nevertheless, many consumers are willing to work out a few dollars just to get their hands on it. A big percentage of bottled water comes from municipal taps and may not even undergo additional filtering. Hopefully, this fact alone encourages you to carry a refillable bottle around with you at all times.

Branded Clothing

The fashion industry is a clever one, dictating what is in style and then charging you a huge sum of money to get your hands on it. Next season, the style inevitably changes and you will have to fork out again. Simply waiting until the end of the season or using coupon sites like DontPayFull can save you a significant amount of cash. And avoiding the big brands can really pay, as the markup is often as much as 500 to 1000%.

So, hopefully, this article has encouraged you to think again before making any of these purchases. The little habits that you change all really add up in the long run, helping you to live a more financially secure life.

Save Money In Unexpected Ways

Living sensibly and learning where to save yourself some cash is a skill. It can take years to truly be able to manage your finances effectively. However, there are a few ways that you can start saving up some money in unexpected ways and it will add money to your pocket without too much extra effort on your part.

Make your own food and snacks

Although eating out all the time is great; it saves you the time cooking and it’s convenient; it is also a very expensive way to live. If you struggle in the kitchen, the best way to tackle this is to stay home and begin learning some basic techniques. If you can learn how to cook pasta and rice, you have a world of opportunities opened up to you and your family food wise. To save even more money on your food shop, opt for easy one-pot recipes which you can make a batch of and use throughout the week. It will save you time on busy work nights and save you washing up loads of dishes!

Use Supermarket Coupons

Whenever you visit a supermarket and spend a certain amount of money, you will likely get a voucher to use on your next shop. Ost of the time, you may end up ignoring the offer or losing it in your purse, but using the voucher you have will help to save you money- so use it! If you get a voucher for something like beans, you could plan your meals around them. Make up a big batch of chilli for your family using the beans and saving yourself a little money along the way.

Write Down What You Spend

If you struggle to keep tabs on what money you have, you may need to start writing it down. It will make you see what you are really spending your money on and may encourage you to refrain from buying that takeaway on Friday night. This is also a great way to track your expenses alongside your bank account so that you are able to identify any unknown transactions from your account.

Utilise Offers and Cashback

Did you know that if you took the time to switch your bank account you could get a welcoming bonus of over $100? Also, you can get 1% cashback when you buy a mortgage with particular lenders- you can find out more here. Shopping around for deals is nothing to be ashamed of, and you could save yourself a tonne of money by switching your bank, energy providers and mortgage lender.

Pay With Cash

Many of us don’t take cash out and about anymore, because it is much more convenient to pay for everything on your debit or credit card instead. The only problem with this is that spending money is so much easier when you can’t see what you spend. Next time you are out and about, take cash and you’ll see how much more reluctant you are to splash the cash.

Fun & Finances: Tackling Debt In Your Twenties

The impact of living life with debt cannot be underestimated, even when you are a student in college, the amount of debt you can rack up can take years to pay off. And so once you soar into your twenties you may already be feeling the pressure of debt and financial anxiety. Living a good quality life in your twenties nowadays is a lot harder to come by, as most people are unable to afford a good night out socializing, and are working their fingers to the bone with underpaid jobs. But with a few simple changes you can get yourself out of debt but still lead a good life.

Develop A Strategy

If you've got numerous credit card bills and student loans to pay off, the first thing you need to do is to make a proper plan of how you are going to tackle it. There are methods of debt consolidation that you can find on websites like debtrelief.xyz, but one of the most popular methods of debt repayments making the rounds right now is the snowball method. This is where you pay your smallest debts first, despite the interest rates. By listing every debt you have, from smallest to largest, you pay the minimum balance on each debt apart from the smallest. With that debt, you set aside as much money as possible every month to pay off that debt until it has been eradicated. From there you move up to the next debt, and so on until all debt is paid off. The overwhelming positive of paying off debt in this manner is that it keeps you motivated as you are seeing each item of debt being paid off one by one, as opposed to trying to pay off everything all at once, which can leave you disheartened and mentally fatigued.

Take Up A Side Hustle

While no one wants to work an exorbitant amount of hours a week, if you have mounting debt, it can be a short-term issue for a long-term fix. The great thing about taking up a side hustle is that you can find numerous projects online through freelancer sites, you can have a look at this list on entrepreneur.com to get an idea of how many different freelancers sites there are, meaning you can pick up work to fill every bit of spare time you have. The work-life balance is something that a lot of people talk about, but if you are without a family and no outgoings apart from your debt, it can be argued that you can very easily take up a side hustle to add to your money pot.

Ask Yourself: What Do You Really Need?

During our twenties we can very easily overspend on things that we don't need, from products and items, all the way through to pointless debt. You may want to have a good look at your life and see what is essential for you to live day to day, for example, do you wear all the clothes you have in your wardrobe? Or do you need that car to get to work? You don't need to be ruthless, but by simplifying your life in some ways, it will have a positive impact on your life.

Our twenties should be a time of having fun and enjoying ourselves, but the debt we can amass in those ten short years can impact us for the rest of our lives, so make sure you strike a good balance between fun and finances.

Stacking Debt For Financial Freedom

From student loans to bank loans and credit cards, everyone has to deal with the dreaded D-word. Debt is enough to weigh a person down and make them do things they wouldn’t otherwise. How many people do you know who work jobs they hate just to pay the bills? Or, how many friends are tighter than cramp just to get through the financial month? The obvious answer is to release the burden and get out of debt. It’s the hallelujah moment every person seeks once in their life. Although there are no Hail Marys, there are methods which can help release the pressure.

This is how to relieve debt using the stacking method.

Stop Creating More

To be honest, this doesn’t only relate to the stacking method. Any technique you choose to reduce your expenses should start with this tip. Otherwise, you will spend your days paying off the minimum amount and will never chip away at the main body. An excellent trick is to force yourself to think before you spend. When you do this, it makes you analyse the decision and whether you need to make a purchase. Lifehacker.com goes as far as saying you should freeze or bury your credit cards. Then, the hassle of digging them up or thawing them out will make you think twice. 

Start With The Highest Rate

Debts aren’t equal, and some have bigger interest rates than others. The key to the stacking method is to find the highest rate and rank it at the top of your list. The reason for this is that this is the one you are going to deal with first. Logic dictates this to be the best move as the biggest rates create more debt and make it harder to reduce. Stepchange.org points out that all you have to do is look through the agreements or check your online banking.

And Lower It

Just because you’re going to pay off the debt with the highest interest rate doesn’t mean it can’t get smaller. In fact, reducing the rate is vital if you want to get out of the red. Plus, the other, smaller debts won’t escalate out of control either. If you have a credit card, moneysupermarket.com says you can move it to a 0% account. What you must do is research the card companies with the best deals, and don’t forget the small print. Barring that, a debt consolidation service is an option according to consolidatingdebt.co. By merging arrears, the overall rate drops and turns into a bitesize, affordable payment.

Celebrate Success

Don’t let your success go unrewarded. One of the best ways to stick to a plan is with high morale. By rewarding the good times, it encourages you to stay strong. Plus, it’s a bright light in a rather dark moment. To do this, make sure you track your debt. Then, when you hit a milestone, you’ll know it’s time to pop the bubbly. Well, as long as it’s on offer.

That’s the stacking method and how to pull it off. Hopefully, this technique will come in handy.

Prevent Medical Bill Nightmares With This Simple Guide

Medical bills are something that most Americans dread. They can reach into the hundreds of thousands, and there is often no choice as to whether to get the treatment or not, as it's vital for life. With over 50% of medical fee debt being related to prescription medications. That is drugs that a doctor has confirmed you need for a medical condition. This creates a big problem for many of us, even if we are insured. As unless we and those that we love have perfect health throughout their entire lives, we will be vulnerable to this issue at some point. So, if medical bills are keeping you up at night, read on to find some ways to minimize or avoid getting into a nightmare situation altogether.

The problem with medical bills 

One of the biggest nightmares that folks can experience with medical bills in the US is that the negatively affect their credit rating. This is because medical collections companies can be particularly strict about logging missed or late payments. As the amounts are so high with, so many people not being able to get anywhere near paying them off, the incidence of missed payments can be frequent.

Of course, this then affects the ability of the person whose account it is to get credit for other things in life such as loans, cars, and homes. Eventually in some cases leading to bankruptcy and further financial hardship.

Insurance

So what exactly can you do to avoid getting into this dire financial situation in the first place? Well, first of all, take out insurance. Yes, it's expensive, especially if you have a whole family to ensure, but when something does go wrong, as it is likely to, at least some of your medical bills will be covered. In fact, it usually works out that those that are insured are in debt to the tune of $10,000 less than those that aren't. Something that could definitely make the difference between being able to clear that debt and bankruptcy. 

If you are really struggling to pay personally for medical insurance, it may be useful to look for a job that includes this with the benefits package. In fact, some companies even offer coverage to their employee's families as well. Something that can make a big difference if the worst does ever happen.

Regular payments 

You can also help stay out of this nightmare medical bill situation by always paying the monthly amount on time. Yes, I know other things can get in the way, and may seem more pressing. Especially if you have already received the care and are fully recovered and feeling fine now.

However, as mentioned above nonpayment can get you into a whole heap of trouble, and damage your credit rating. So it's definitely worth setting up an automatic payment for just after you get paid each month. As then you can't even fall into this situation accidentally.

Disability applications

It may also be prudent to apply for social security disability if you continue to have medical issues that are stopping yours from working and causing you to struggle to pay your treatment bills. As the money that you get from this can help you stay on top of these bills, as well as your other financial issues like rent, groceries, and transport, even if you are unable to work.

To claim for social security disability, you must be over 18 years of age and have a serious condition that is expected to last over a year. You can apply online, although many folks become discouraged because they are worried they will be refused if they do make an application. Although to help you with this you can get some assistance from folks like the ones at LaPorte Law Firm, as they disability claim specialists. So they can help you file your claim, answer any question about the process, provide advice and give your application the best chance of it being accepted.

Medical tourism 

Something that is becoming more and more popular in recent years is US citizens going to other countries like Singapore, Brazil and Malaysia to get medical procedures done.

Known as medical tourism, this is something that many folks choose to do because it can be cheaper to travel abroad and get treatment. In particular, having a procedure like surgery abroad can cost significantly less than it would do in this country. That also includes the flights to and from your destination, and accommodation while you are there as well as the procedures, medications, and aftercare. 

Of course, there are some downsides to this too, in particular, the problem with communication that can become apparent when traveling to countries where English is not their first language. Something that can be pretty scary if your life is on the line.

However, the savings are so great for many that it makes this option something that cannot be ignored. As it becomes the only way to avoid the nightmare of medicals bill nightmares for the person involved. 

Get involved in the political issues 

Lastly, to help avoid the continuing issue of medical bill nightmares, it is important that you research the issue, and be proactive in using your voice to ask the government for change.

The real issue here is that while hospitals are allowed to set their own prices in a free market situation. So there will always be overcharging for essential medical treatments. This is problematic because it means that hospitals are profiting from people’s sickness. Something that doesn't happen in other countries in the world where their medical services are nationalized. 

Of course, the only way to change this is to make your voice heard and join in the appeal to Congress to change this system once and for all, for the better. To one where you don't have to face the choice between excruciating pain or death and bankruptcy. Where medical fees are standardized and affordable and not an additional burdensome nightmare that the sick have to shoulder along with their recovery.

Avoiding Troubles In Saving Money For The Future

Securing your future is the top priority for everyone. However, a lot of the time it can feel like a waste when we want to enjoy life now as well. So in our strive to balance the two out, we can make a lot of a mistakes. Here’s a handy guide on what you can do if you trip up, or if a tricky situation crosses your path. 

Know How To Balance Your Checkbook Properly

There’s a trick to getting this in order, however it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it’s often made out to be. Being able to be self sufficient is some estatthing everyone should have accessibility to, and therefore knowing what’s going in and out of your account is an absolute must. 

Instead of going through your accounts monthly, try to make time to do them weekly. This will make it a lot easier in the long run and less of a chore to check up on yourself.

Know How To Get an Estate in Order

Sometimes when a relative passes away, you’re all you have to put their affairs in order and sort out what they’ve left behind. However, accountants and lawyers are on hand to help with this specific task, even if they’re not around for the others on this list! If you do need help with evaluating assets and taxes associated with anything being left behind to you, you can learn more at EastBayAttorney.com, and from searches across the web for quick and usually free consultations. 

You can think of these kind of experiences as exercises for your affairs. Having to get someone else’s estate in order will help show you what you need to do for your own life. Keep all your documents in a contained place and calculate the worth of any assets you or the estate you’ve been left has. You can use calculators at places like Investopedia.com for an easier estimation at a quick glance.

Keep Your Bill Payouts To A Minimum

We all need a treat now and again, so we go just a bit further with our monthly energy use with parties or extra time on our computers. However, if we make a habit out of this we’ll be especially sore in later years, never mind mentioning right now.

Know what you have to pay at the beginning of each month. Try and set up a direct debit payout of these bills, meaning your electricity and water will stay on even if you’re running low on funds as they’ll be drawn out automatically when they’re needed.

Similarly, if you have money to spare, try and split it into two. Use some for a good night out or luxury day in when you deserve it, and put the other bit into a savings account. You never know when you might need a rainy day fund, and it’s essential practice for the future anyway.

Keep these tips in mind to keep money troubles out of your future.

Are Your Bad Habits Costing You Money?

Everyone picks up a bad habit now and then—it’s completely normal. Using a bit of extra money on entertainment or food that is a little out of your budget is fine as long as you don’t overdo it. Sadly, very few people know the meaning of “enough is enough” and their bad habits will eventually start costing them too much money. But let’s delve into the financial side of bad habits and try to identify what bad habits are costing you too much money.

Living out of your means

If you find yourself constantly buying luxury items, going out to eat all the time and taking a taxi everywhere you go, then you probably live quite a lavish life. Not many people can afford to treat themselves so often, which is why you need to stop and take a look at your budget to see if you’re actually capable of sustaining such a lifestyle. If you’re not, then it’s a bad habit that is costing you far too much money. Make sure you live within your means to avoid debt and spend more money on things that matter, such as your necessary expenses or savings.

Bad driving skills

Going back to driving school or taking a couple of extra lessons won’t harm you. It doesn’t cost much money and it will help increase your confidence and give you a knowledge boost that will make you safer on the road. Negligence or carelessness on the road can end up costing you a lot of legal fees, even if your car is insured. Take care and drive properly. Swallow your pride and take a couple of extra driving lessons so that you don’t run the risk of colliding into others, or else, causing an accident.

Not looking for deals

When you buy something, be it on the internet or in the store, do you ever look for deals? If you don’t look for the best prices available, then chances are you’re wasting a lot of money that could otherwise be saved. For instance, if you own a tablet or smartphone device yet you continue to buy physical copies of books, then consider looking up eBooks and digital versions of magazines instead. If you’re buying in bulk, then take a look at wholesale stores on the internet to see if you can get a better deal. Lastly, make sure you’re actually buying things based on their weight and quantity, not just the price alone.

Coffee habits

How much does a regular cup of coffee cost for you? If you’re paying around $2-3 for a single cup at your local coffee store (a modest price) then you can expect to be paying anywhere from $500 to $780 in a single year on just coffee alone. While that $2-3 price tag doesn’t seem much on a single day, your coffee addiction is costing you a considerable chunk of money each year. Instead of going out to buy coffee, consider making it at work or switching to another drink such as water for more health benefits and savings.

5 Steps to Avoid a DUI

A DUI conviction can be an embarrassing and upsetting process and one that we are all well advised to avoid. Here are our top tips, on doing just that, avoiding a DUI arrest and staying safe on the roads. 

Always Eat When you Drink

Eating a large meal alongside alcohol is always a good idea to make sure that your body can absorb the alcohol that you are consuming. Obviously no one condones drinking and driving, but an average adult should be able to enjoy a couple of small drinks, spread out over an evening, when accompanied by food.

Drinking on an empty stomach tends to go straight to your head and this is because you have nothing in your stomach to be absorbing the alcohol. Even if you are just snacking whilst enjoying your drink you are making sure that there is something in your system to stop the alcohol from going straight to your head, and stop it from being more quickly absorbed into your blood.

Keep Car in Good Condition

This is a surprising one, however statistically you are more likely to get pulled over in a car that isn’t looking roadworthy. If you have a tail light out or an expired tag then of course it is expected that you will attract the attention of the police.

However even just paying minimal attention to your vehicle can make it look a little suspect to a police officer, increasing your likelihood of being pulled over, and then potentially breathalysed. Reducing the possibility of you getting pulled over, reduces the possibility of you getting breathalysed which will in turn reduce the chance that you will need to confirm if you need an attorney for your dui. So make sure you are looking after your car so that it doesn’t garner unwanted attention.

Respect Traffic Laws

Something that we should all be doing, all of the time, following the traffic laws, becomes increasingly important for those of us wanting to avoid a breathalyser test after a glass of wine with dinner. On those evenings you will want to follow these traffic laws even more closely than usual. Don’t forget to use your signal light when turning or changing lanes and always stick to the speed limit. 

Keep Paperwork in the Same Place

If you do get pulled over and spend five minutes fumbling around for your license and car registration and insurance then you are going to rouse suspicion and be more likely to participate in a sobriety test. So make sure all your documents are safely tucked away in the same place, all the time.

Stay Focused

More importantly than anything is to stay focused. A glass of wine or a beer after work can sometimes make you feel sleepy which could mean that your reactions and general energy levels are impaired. Therefore make sure that you have a quick coffee to wake you up before jumping into your car, or keep the windows open to freshen you up, or listen to some energising music.

Avoiding Sticky Financial Situations: When To Seek Advice

There comes a time in life when many of us could benefit from expert help. Money is a worry for many people, but often, getting professional help at the right time can prevent sticky situations. If you’re keen to avoid difficulties and keep your finances on track, here are some scenarios when it may pay to seek advice from the experts.

Getting back into the black

If you have debts, no matter how large or small, seeing a financial adviser can be incredibly beneficial. There are some ways of getting out of the debt that are much more effective than others. You may be paying a huge amount of interest on a credit card, for example. Consider the option of shifting that balance to an interest-free card or paying off that debt and using the money you would normally pay out in interest every month to cover other bills. There are ways of restructuring your finances to get more for your money, and you may not be aware of these tricks unless you’re in the trade. If you have significant debts and you’re facing an uncertain future, it’s particularly important to seek help, as there are solutions out there.

Taking legal action

Losing your income can have a serious impact on your future. If you’ve been injured at work or you’ve been in an accident, which wasn’t your fault, it may be possible to claim compensation. If you’ve been forced to take a long period of time off work or even give up your job, sites like www.wyr-law.com can help you find out more about making a claim and finding the best personal injury lawyer. It is possible to take legal action without guidance, but the process is likely to be time-consuming, and if you’re already under a lot of stress, having experts in your corner can be hugely beneficial. You’ll have a better chance of winning your case and hopefully, securing a payout, which can give you security in the future.

Running a business

If you’re self-employed, you’ll soon find that managing your finances is very different to being employed and receiving your salary via a direct payment into your account each month. You’ll need to take control of your books, work out how much tax you need to pay and show evidence of deductible expenses. If you’re new to the world of self-employment, it’s a good idea to get some advice when you’re working out tax calculations and organizing your accounts, and pages like this may prove useful https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250812. Working with an accountant will eliminate stress and hassle, save you time, and ensure you’re doing everything in the right way. 

Nobody wants to think about a time when they’re faced with debt, losing their job or worrying about the tax inspectors coming knocking at the door. The reality is that these scenarios could affect anyone. In some situations, you’ll find it much more beneficial to seek help than try and battle on independently. Getting expert advice can make life a lot less stressful and improve your chances of reaching a positive outcome.

How To Pay For Massive Medical Bills

Medical bills can be a huge burden on your finances. Especially when they’re large, and you need to pay them ASAP. What do you do when you have massive medical bills that need paying? Well, here are some thoughts on the matter you may find helpful:

Use Your Insurance

Seeing as our public healthcare is a bit of a mess right now, it may be beneficial to take out a health insurance policy. Mainly, this is because your insurance provider can help with the costs of your massive medical bills. They may cover you up to a certain amount, which provides you with a nice little safety blanket. It may transpire that your provider covers the total cost of your bill, which completely takes any stress out of your hands. But, even if they only cover a portion, it should at least lighten the load on your personal finances. A massive medical bill is turned into a smaller, more manageable, medical bill thanks to your insurance.

See If You Can Claim Compensation

There are many cases where you might end up in the hospital with a serious injury as the result of an accident. Maybe you got injured at work or ended up in a car accident? The fact is, any personal injury lawyer will tell you that you can claim compensation if you’re injured, and the cause of the injury was someone else’s fault. If this applies to your situation, you need to find a lawyer and start working on a claim. Hopefully, you can gain compensation which will cover the cost of your massive medical bill, leaving you in a much more comfortable position.

Consider A Personal Loan

Personal loans are there to help you in times of need. If you feel as though you don’t have the funds to pay your medical bill in full, you may need a loan to help cover the costs. So, head on down to your bank and speak to someone there about getting a personal loan. They’ll ask all sorts of questions and do a credit check to ensure you’re eligible for a loan. In a situation like this, when you’re getting a loan to pay for medical bills, they will usually approve it quite quickly. Then, you have more freedom to pay the loan back, as the bank lets you pay in installments while the hospital demands the same amount of money all at one time. 

Ask Friends/Family For Help

Nobody likes asking others for help, particularly when the help you need comes in the form of money. However, if you’re struggling to pay your bills and need an extra bit of cash, it might be worth asking those closest to you. Your family may be willing to help you out without needing anything in return. After all, they care for you, and this is a medical bill, so it’s important. 

Any of these ideas could help you pay for your expensive medical bills. You’ve already suffered enough being in the hospital, don’t let your finances suffer as well.

Drowning Financially? Here’s How To Swim

For one reason or another, you may find yourself suffering financially at some point in life. When you feel like you're sinking in finances that you can’t keep on top off, it can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t mean that you have to face them alone or accept that your situation will be the same for life. Instead, you can make a change and turn your financial life around. Whether you’re not earning enough or spending too much, the first thing you need to do is work everything out, and then you start to take action.

Know What You Spend

As soon as you realize that you’re in a bit of financial pickle, you’re going to want to do what you can to get out of it. But the first step towards making that happen is to look at your finances in terms of what you spend. You may think you know where your money goes, but you can be surprised when you look into it. So you need to look at all of your expenditure. That way, you can work out how much you spend each month in order to cut it down.

Cut Down Bills

Now that you know where your money is going, you can start to think about saving money on your monthly expenses. Firstly, you can weed out any of the unnecessary expenses that you have, like coffee or eating out too much. Then, you’re going to want to look at your monthly bills to see if you can reduce them too. From TV subscriptions to car payments, is there a way that you can reduce the amount you pay? You’re going to want to speak to each company to find out.

Reduce Debts

When you start to save money on what you’re spending each month, you could be getting yourself into less debt, especially if your monthly expenditure is now under your monthly salary. But, if you are in debt, no matter how big or small it may be, you’re going to want to start getting that down - especially if you want to save for old age anytime soon. Start by paying off debts with the highest interest rate and keep going until they are all gone - whether it take two months or two years.

Start Saving

Next up, whenever you find that you have some money to spare, you’re going to want to make sure that you can save a bit of money for a rainy day. You might even want to speak to a financial advisor at this point, just to see if you can find a savings options that suits your needs. With lower expenses and no debt, the savings world will be your oyster.

Be Conscious

However, even you do manage to get back control of your finances and start to save; you should still be very conscious of what you’re spending and what money you have. If you have struggled in the past, you could struggle again - regardless of how much money you earn in the future.

Desperate Times & Desperate Measures

There are certain points in life when your personal finances can take a hard hit. During these situations, it can be quite difficult to stay afloat and ensure that you have enough money to thrive. You might find that your income is drastically limited. Or, it’s possible that there is so much money flooding out of your account that you can’t afford to pay everything you owe. In these types of situations, you might think there is no hope of recovery.

However, there are always options if you want to get back on your feet and improve the situation. Here are some of worst case scenarios and the best ways to handle them.

Redundancy

You might find that you have suffered a job loss and an event like this can be a total shock to the systems. You will recover eventually, but it can take an average of six weeks for a person to find another job. That’s a long time to be unemployed, and your pay-packet might run out long before that point. As such, you will need to think about how to keep your finances healthy and in the green. There are a few options to consider here.

You may want to think about making money while you are looking for a job. This will help fill in the gap that your loss has left and make paying the bills a little easier. You should be looking at something similar to a side hustle like working online. For instance, you can make quite a lot of money by answering surveys.

On top of this, you should make sure you’re seeking out something like job seekers allowance. Remember, the government should help people who are actively looking for work.

Injury

A severe injury can put you out of a job or limit your career options. If the injury was an accident, you might want to consider claiming on damages. Someone is always liable, particularly if the injury occurred at work or on someone else’s property. You should look into the possibilities here because by contacting a local injury attorney, you can get the money you need to survive. You should think about speaking to an injury solicitor whenever you suffer an accident. You never know if it could develop and severely alter your quality of life. Unfortunately though, if you leave a claim too late you limit your chances of being successful.

Debt

Finally, you might find yourself dealing with unmanageable levels of debt. People fall into debt for a variety of reasons from paying off medical bills to living past their means. If you find yourself facing so much debt that the amount isn’t diminishing, you should consider seeking out specialist help. For instance, you can use a debt consolidation service. Consolidating your debt makes it easier to pay off and can even limit how much you actually owe.

Alternatively, you can consider using your assets to get rid of your debt. If you own your house, put it up for sale and downsize until you can get back on your feet.

These are some of the worst financial situations imaginable. However, if you take the right steps, you will get through them.

Windfall Wonders

Coming into a windfall is a great thing. Money is everything in this day and age, and even those who don’t place too much value in the material world can increase the quality of their life with a decent windfall. However, some people get lost. They don’t know what to do with it. Of course one of the first instincts is to spend it, and that’s fair enough. Perhaps a few hundred here or there, but the main bulk should be kept back for something special. Perhaps it could be your retirement fund, or maybe you want to invest it to look after your finances. There are a few things you can do with it. This article can help you make the right decision, or at least present a few viable options for you to use at a later date.

Invest It

Some people may say this is the boring route. Others will likely think it the right one to take. You can invest the money into other ventures, further increasing your worth. You need money to make money, so the saying goes. You could invest the money in property. When looking for houses for sale be sure to consider their surrounding area and such like. Remember, the research is everything. If you wanted something with less hassle consider certificate of deposit or investing in gold. All the options are there for you but as a beginner investor it is probably better for you to stick to the safer routes or risk your new found capital.

Pay Off The Bills

This is a key move to make and could make your life happier and easier. Whatever is left on your mortgage may need to be paid off. Do it. It frees up a nice chunk of cash for you to use each month. It may seem like wasting the windfall, but doing this is the sensible move. All debt should be paid off before all else. If you are paying for your car on finance then the same rule applies. Get rid of it. Think of the money you could save each month. You’d clear your credit score too.

Improve The Home

This is a form of investment, yet not just a monetary investment but also an investment in your life. You can build an extension, meaning you have a bigger home with far more space. You could have nicer bedrooms, an additional living room, or maybe a conservatory. However you think about it whatever you do is improving your life while increasing the value of the home so you win on two counts. If you didn’t want anything major done you could simply revenovate. Get a new bathroom or kitchen. However you swing it it will make your home a nicer place so should certainly be considered.

To Borrow Or Not To Borrow

Borrowing money is always a stressful and challenging decision. Most people don’t know a great deal about finance. And, a lot of the businesses that offer loans seem to muddy the waters when it comes to borrowing from them. But, the information you need exists. And, a lot of it can be gleaned by asking yourself some simple questions. Sometimes, it can be a good idea to borrow some money. In other circumstances, though; you may find that the results of borrowing are hard to swallow. To help you out, this post will be going through some of the considerations you should make before taking a loan.

A lot of people get loans for things that they don’t need. It’s easy to borrow simply what you can afford to; without thinking about whether or not you need to. This happens a lot with things like car financing. People will often get a car that fills their maximum budget. But, there could be an options for less than half the price, which will fill the very same needs. Along with this, you shouldn’t get a loan to afford essential items. If there is an item that you want, but don’t need it; it’s better to save up for it. Budget advice can be found in loads of places. Websites like www.familybudgeting.org.nz have loads of resources to help you out.This sort of logic with borrowing money makes it much easier for you to avoid getting loans that might cause difficulty.

Before you take a loan, it’s always best to make sure that you’re not missing any better options. It’s unlikely that you will have found the best loan straight away. So, you have to look at some different companies. Some loans will give you a long time to pay them back. And, these will usually have a smaller interest rate. Loans that need to be paid back quicker, though, will have a much higher rate of interest. You also need to think about the impact that not paying for the loan could have. Some loans will have much graver consequences than others. And, this is something that you have to be very aware of.

Next, you need to consider the future, before you get a loan. If you have had to borrow before; there’s a large chance that you will have to borrow in the future. But, instead of getting loads of small loans; it’s much better to get one larger one. Looking for loans that will suit your needs in the long-run will have hard. Websites like https://financedistrict.co.nz/loans/personal-loans-no-bad-credit-check/ have the reources and services to help you get a loan that will work into the future. A lot of companies like this can even support you when you have bad credit. So, you don’t have to worry about your past.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start asking more questions before you decide to take your next loan. Borrowing money is risky and complex. So, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have the right support at every stage; even if it costs you a little bit of money.

It Pays To Look After Yourself

It's very easy to take our body, spirit, and health for granted nowadays, isn't it? With plenty of reasons to stress out - we can really take our bodies for a wild ride as we attempt to 'relax'. The thing is - if you don't look after your mind and body, you aren't just wasting your health, you could be wasting money.

Stress is key. We need to focus on getting rid of it or dealing with it. For some reason, people don't think stress hurts - in fact; many people believe they thrive under pressure. While this may be true, it isn't always the case. The negative effects of stress simply aren't worth short term success. Stress can remove mental barriers, making it easier than ever to lose control and blow your top. Stress can also help you get ill; it leads to heart disease and strokes. It can ruin your relationships with friends and family, it can make you unproductive and unhealthy, and it can ravage your body. Stress also opens the gates to your body. It lowers your immune system and will ensure that you become more open to illness. The demands of stress overworks the human body, and usually, stress comes at a time when the human body needs to be at it's best. Stress is a problem that can lead to hospital time and a loss of a job. It simply isn't worth dealing with, so find the time to relax and get rid of stress. Otherwise you could pay in more ways than one.

Relax in the right way - try to do some yoga, or chill out. Don't binge on bad foods. While you don't need to cut meat out your diet, eating healthy foods can keep your gums and teeth in working order and ensure your digestive system isn't suffering. Healthier food is usually cheaper in the long run anyway. Pay your body back by eating good food to fuel it, or you could be paying a lot of money simply to unclog yourself. Fitness is also a good idea - it gets rid of stress and keeps you fit! Amazing.

Looking after yourself? It also means sticking up for yourself. If you've been hurt by someone, or work - getting in touch with personal injury lawyers can save the day. If you're dealing with too much stress, you might have to say no to some of your workload, especially if it is beyond your remit. Life is too short to give 100% at all times, especially if that 100% is killing you. It isn’t worth it at all.

Looking after your body is super easy if you put your mind to it. Take life easy and look after yourself. One of the biggest wastes of money that you can bring into your life is the money used to fix issues with medication and medical bills. These issues can be avoided by taking good care of your body and interests. Save money the best way, by looking after yourself.

Financial Headaches That No One Ever Expects to Have to Deal With

We see things happen to other people or read about them, but many of us assume that many of life’s major financial headaches will never strike us. But that’s the way everyone thinks, and these things do happen to some people nonetheless. That’s why you should be prepared for some of the things that could go wrong for you. Here are four financial headaches that no one ever expects to have to deal with. Put a plan in place for how you would deal with them today.

Coping with an Unexpected Job Loss

Losing your job is always traumatic and difficult. However, it’s something that many people have to deal with. And when the economy is in bad shape, there is often a mass problem with unemployment. It’s difficult to prepare for something like this because there is not much you can do to prevent it. If the company you work for simply isn’t making enough money, cuts to jobs are going to be likely, and that’s something that you will just have to deal with and accept. However, diversifying your range of skills and finding ways to make yourself more employable can help you get back on your feet fast after a job loss.

Going Through Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy occurs when you simply can’t pay back the debts you owe to creditors. It can be a messy and complicated process to go through, but it’s often the last resort that many people find themselves facing. It can help some people to get back on their feet and put things right once and for all. So, it’s not always a terrible option. But you should definitely take steps to ensure that it doesn’t get to that stage in the first place. Borrowing sustainably and carefully can help to ensure that your debt obligations never become too much for you to handle.

Paying Bail Bonds

Not many people envisage themselves needing to pay bail to get themselves out of prison. No one wants to have to do that, but life’s unpredictable, and all kinds of people find themselves in unexpected situations. There are plenty of companies, such as Acme Bail Bonds, that you can go to when you need bail bonds to get out of prison. It’s important to understand how this process works in case you ever do find yourself in that kind of situation and in need of support and help.

Dealing with a Messy Divorce

Messy divorcing can often be expensive to handle. You might end up with a worse deal that you had anticipated, and that can cost you money for a long time to come. It can turn into a real financial headache for you if you’re not careful. That’s why you should try to make the divorce proceedings as easy and straightforward as possible. If you let them get heated, messy and scrappy, you might not come out of it in as good shape as you would have hoped. Of course, no one imagines they will get divorced, but these things do happen.

Money Troubles? Here's Some Solutions

When you find yourself in lots of debt, it’s often difficult to work out the best way forwards. Your mind gets clouded by all those letters with the red writing, and you start to panic. Well, the best thing you can do is take a deep breath and take a fresh look at the situation. At the end of the day, it’s only money, and if you can’t pay there is little anyone can do. However, there are some “outside of the box” methods of raising cash that you may have overlooked. With that in mind, you should take a moment to consider some of the suggestions on this page. Depending on your level of debt, they could make a huge difference. At the very least, these ideas could buy you some time.

Scrap your old car

If you just need to raise a few hundred dollars to keep your family afloat, there are lots of different solutions. One of the easiest involves selling your old vehicle. Industry specialists, one being the cash for junk cars service Junk Car Medics, can pick your car up and give you the money the same day. Obviously, you need an old vehicle lying around to take advantage of that concept. However, lots of people do these days, and so we thought it was worth a mention. Selling the car to someone else instead of letting it rot in your driveway is sensible. That is especially the case when you’re in dire need of extra income.

Start a low-investment side business

Starting a new company to improve your financial situation is a wise move. Even so, you need to work hard to ensure you get it right. The last thing you want to do is invest a lot of cash for the idea to fail. For that reason, you need to identify business concepts that require little or no investment. In most instances, that limits you to digital models. However, people have made their fortunes by launching companies online. So, there’s no reason the same wouldn’t happen for you. At the end of the day, you just need to come up with something simple that will create income. Maybe you could work as a virtual assistant or provide advice on a subject in which you have expertise? There are many options on the table.

Downsize your home

If none of the other suggestions seem suitable, you might have to bite the bullet and downsize your home. Nobody wants to do that until there is no alternative. So, don’t make the mistake of rushing into anything. However, if you’ve paid the mortgage for more than ten years, the property hold equity. By looking for somewhere smaller and cheaper, you could line your pockets with the money. Your family might have to deal with a worse quality of life for a few years. Even so, the move will keep a roof over their heads. With that in mind, they are unlikely to complain when you make them aware of the alternative.

Whatever happens this year, we hope our suggestions will help you to get straight. Money troubles are often stressful, and they make you lose sleep. Still, you can’t let them take over your life. When all’s said and done, sometimes things go wrong. It’s your ability to identify the right solutions that will determine how happy your life will become.

Access Your Immediate Goals with Personal Loan on Credit Card Points

Credit Cards are used for various purposes. Cardholders use these for cashless transactions, to earn reward points on their spending, and enjoy special deals. These cards are accepted widely across the world. Furthermore, the cardholders are able to avail of pre-approved loans within the overall credit limit available on their cards. These funds are repaid at a later date and the users are charged interest at a pre-determined rate. As these types of loans are unsecured (without providing any collateral), the issuers offer them only to certain users. A credit card is often available to individuals who have an impeccable borrowing and repayment history thereby reducing the risks for the card issuers.

Features of Loans on Credit Cards

Although different banks provide distinct and comprehensive personal loans on credit cards, here are some common features of these financial products.

No Documentation

Since these loans are pre-approved based on the overall credit limit, past payment records, and accumulated reward points, the cardholders do not need to provide additional documentation while availing of these loans. This makes it convenient for users to access funds.

Affordability

The cardholders have the option of repaying the loan amount through equated monthly installments (EMIs). This enables them to purchase expensive products in an affordable manner without facing any financial constraints.

Balance Transfer

Somecard issuers provide loan against credit card held from another credit card issuer. This facility is available through a balance transfer mechanism whereby outstanding balance on the credit card/s is transferred to a single card from the new service provider. The users repay this amount through EMIs.

Quantum of Loan

Most of the times, the quantum or the amount of the loan depends on the overall credit card limit. Some card issuers may offer loans exceeding this limit where the borrowed amount is not blocked against the credit card limit. Cardholders are easily able to convert their purchases to a loan, which is repayable through EMIs.

Advantages of Loans on Credit Cards

Fast and Easy Process

The procedure to avail of personal loans on credit card points are quick and simple. This is primarily because the loan is pre-approved and does not require submission of additional documents.

Consolidation of Various Cards

It is common for people to use multiple credit cards offered by various issuers. With this type of facility, users are able to consolidate the outstanding on all their cards under one single credit card. Keeping track of the spending and usage of a single card is simpler for the users.

No Documentation Required

Compared to most other types of loans, these funds are disbursed quickly. This is because the amount is pre-approved requiring no documentation, which makes the entire procedure quicker.

No Requirement for a Guarantor

Availing of loans on the credit card is a convenient option for users. Furthermore, they do not have to provide post-dated cheques (PDCs) towards the loan repayment.Also, these types of loans do not require the users to provide any guarantor.

Reasonable Interest Rate

A common misconception is that these loans are expensive because the interest rates are high. However, the fact is that the interest rates on personal loans are low, which makes it affordable for users to choose these financial products.

Versatility

The loans on credit cards are flexible, which makes it convenient for the users. They may choose to repay the EMIs in a schedule that does not cause any financial difficulties to them. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on how this money is used, which offers additional versatility to the users.