August 27, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
Is there a difference in the price or quality of care between hospital emergency rooms and urgent care centers? What instances require a hospital emergency room visit instead of an urgent care visit?
Hospital Emergency Rooms Overused
Numerous studies have shown that people are overusing hospital emergency rooms - or going to the ER for non-urgent matters. A study by the CDC in 2005 indicated that only 5.5% of the 115.3 million people heading to the Emergency Room actually needed to be seen immediately. About 21% of emergency room visitors were considered semi-urgent, requiring care within one or two hours and 14% were not considered urgent at all.
This could explain why you end up waiting several hours when you go to the emergency room! If emergency room staff are tied up with patients that are not considered “urgent”, those that are may be forced to wait longer for care that is actually more urgent.
Urgent Care Centers
An alternative to the hospital emergency room is an urgent care center. They are staffed by physicians and will almost always have shorter waiting times for treatment because they are less crowded. You can visit an urgent care center without an appointment, and it will cost only a fraction of what hospital ER visit cost.
Urgent care centers are much like hospital emergency rooms in the types of situations they are qualified to handle. They can treat you if you’ve broken bones, obtained a cut or infection, or if you need advanced life support equipment. My son has severe asthma triggered by outdoor allergies - there have been several instances when I’ve had to rush him off the soccer field and into the urgent care center near his school. The result has always been immediate treatment, caring physicians, and my insurance covers the visit just as they would a doctor’s visit or emergency room visit.
Some urgent care centers offer discounts or payment plans, and most will accept your health insurance.
Posted in emergencies, health, miscellaneous 
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August 27, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
Every personal finance blogger I’ve come across promotes the benefits of having a budget you can live with. If you don’t set up a budget, it’s far too easy to spend more than you should on different items because you don’t have any boundaries set up. Living without a budget is one of the fastest ways to get into debt that becomes increasingly difficult to pay off the larger it gets.
You Need a Budget is software created by a newly married couple, when they were working part-time jobs and dealing with student loans and living expenses. Some of the features of the software include:
- Import bank transactions. If your bank is compatible with MS Money or Quicken for importing transactions, then it’s compatible with You Need a Budget (YNAB).
- Create customized spending categories. Set up categories based on how you actually spend money, not on pre-set assumptions. You can give each category it’s own budget and track spending within each of the categories - if you UNDERSPEND, your available money the following month within that category increases.
- Use the envelope budgeting method. If you like, you can easily use the envelope method of budgetign within the YNAB software interface.
- Choice of software formats. YNAB is available as an interactive spreadsheet or as stand-alone software.
You Need a Budget offers a bit more than your traditional budgeting software. In addition to the tools that help you manage your money, YNAB comes with Four Rules that can help you with your money management skills more effectively. The Four Rules is basically a money management methodology that you can follow while using the software, and they are:
- Rule One: Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
- Rule Two: Give Every Dollar a Job
- Rule Three: Prepare for Rain
- Rule Four: Roll with the Punches
The software is available in two versions, You Need a Budget and You Need a Budget Pro. The PRO version of the sofware offers several additional features that aren’t included with the basic version, but it all depends on what your unique needs are as to whether it is the better solution. Visit the You Need a Budget site to see all options - the different versions range in price from $11.95 to $49.95.
Posted in budgeting, financial planners, miscellaneous, personal finance No Comments »
August 27, 2008 By Tisha Kulak
Some consumers could never dream of buying used…that is until the economy took a turn for the worst and 
gas suddenly began to cost more than many families could afford. There is a growing interest in budgeting and saving money - just take a look around the internet to find the truth in that. While there are many different examples of how to save money, buying used items still, for many, has a negative connotation.
Here are some great examples of things to buy used to still get quality stuff, without the ridiculously high prices:
CDs/DVDs - With the opportunities growing for using new mediums for music and video such as through the online market, there is little need to purchase new discs for audio and video. There is often a plethora of discs that can be found at yard sales and eBay for very reasonable prices. Instead of buying discs, rent them for free from the library.
Video Games - Much like the CD/DVD options, some libraries often rent the games for free or at a low cost. If you can find a local library where you can get your games, shop at a used game store where you can often trade in used games for different used games for no or low cost.
Books - Again, the library is a great way to save yourself $30 per book. Even small town libraries, like the one I frequent, carry the newest releases; though you may be on a waiting list for the newly released copies. Yard sales and the internet are also a great place to find gently read books for a dramatic savings.
Infant/Toddler Jeans - Little bitty kids who can barely walk or can’t walk at all are often pretty kind to a pair of pants or jeans, unlike older, more active kids who tend to wear out the knees or find different kind of stains to acquire. Shop at thrift stores or yard sales that have baby clothing. Most little kids grow out of great clothes before they have a chance to mess them up. Paying $15 for a pair of jean a little one may wear once is ridiculous, especially if you don’t even pay that much for your own adult-sized jeans.
Family Pets - “Previously Owned” may be a better way to describe this category. Many animal breeders charge top dollar for a dog or even a cat. Instead of going for the top of the line, go straight to the heart and adopt a cat or dog from an overcrowded shelter. The adoption fee is generally under $100 and includes neutering and spaying procedures, shots, and the money you spend goes right back into the local animal shelter.
Posted in books, borrowing, budgeting, children, debt, family, free stuff, frugality in motion, saving money No Comments »
August 27, 2008 By Tisha Kulak
Summer is slowly drawing to a close and universities and colleges are beginning to welcome a new 
semester’s worth of college students. Parents, especially one of first-time collegiate kids, will no doubt offer their offspring plenty of advise about sleeping, eating, and partying. But what about money? Quite frankly, next to safety, the topic should be on the top of the priority list.
Here are 5 tips to pass along to your college kids before they leave the homestead.
1. Forget Extravagance - Sure most kids are excited to fill their new dorm with new stuff but it’s important new college kids understand that education in itself is expensive and keeping dorm life simple is the way to go. They may not yet understand the tendencies for college kids to move a lot. Not everything needs to be brand new. Pick up a refrigerator and a television at a second-hand store or a yard sale. Keep new purchases to a minimum especially if you aren’t sure what your dorm life or roommate will be like. Chances are the next time your child comes home for a break there will be some good sales on the things they discover they need the most.
2. Split Costs - Staying in a dorm the first year is a good way to meet other kids and get to know the school grounds. It is less expensive than an off-campus apartment. Once friendships are established, an off-campus apartment can shared and costs can be divided up to save more money.
3. Don’t Grab Up Textbooks Yet - Students new to college may not get the hang of things right away and feel obligated to rush out and buy every recommended book and supply. However, many times, professors won’t require every book and not all supplies will end up being necessary. Go to class first and see what exactly is needed before shelling out the cash. When you do understand what is needed, research used books instead of brand new.
4. Go for Extra Classes - Taking an extra class or two each semester can help students who can handle the extra work to graduate a semester or more earlier than expected. Ultimately, saving a semester or two’s worth of money has some excellent benefits, plus a leg up on applying for job while the other kids are still working towards a degree.
5. Evaluate the School - While many kids have their hearts set on a specific school, it is financially worth it to consider attending a less expensive college or a school closer to home if finances are a concern. If after the first semester or first year of school, finances become an issue, there is nothing wrong with attending a more affordable school and then transfer to the school of choice at a later time.
Posted in budgeting, children, college, saving money, shopping 1 Comment »
August 27, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
The wealthy people of the world get wealthier from “free” money - the 
interest their account balances and investments earn over time. There are ways the rest of us can earn a little extra money from borrowed money - and if done correctly, we won’t be charged more in interest than the amount earned on the money borrowed, either!
Home Owners
If you own a home, you might consider taking out a low interest home equity loan. Place the loan into a high interest account that is FDIC insured to eliminate risk, and let it grow. ING is a good example of a high interest account; either savings or checking, and you can withdraw the money if you need to in order to make a payment on the loan. If you are considering this route, you’ll want to weigh the fees of obtaining the loan with how much the money will earn you while in the savings account.
Credit Cards
You can actually make money with your credit cards. Look for offers for 0% balance transfers or 0% cash advances, preferably for twelve months or more. Instead of using the card to make purchases, simply deposit the amount into your high interest account where it will earn money interest free for the year. When the 0% interest period has ended, you can withdraw the money to pay it back, and keep the interest it’s earned.
Deposit $10,000 from a 0% credit card offer for 12 months in a 4.25% APY account, and you’ll have $425 at the end of the year. Yes, you have to pay taxes on it as “earned income”, but it’s still money you wouldn’t have had otherwise. If you did this every year, you could increase your earnings substantially - simply by adding money from new 0% offers into your account, and leaving your earned interest in the account. So the second year, maybe you would qualify for $15,000 from a 0% credit card offer instead of $10,000 since you paid it back on time; and you already made $425. You are then earning interest on $15,425. That year you’ll earn over $650 in interest. After you pay back your $15,000 loan, you would have around $1075 in interest from the two years of making money off borrowed money. You can decide whether or not to continue these methods of earning from borrowed money; or to move your $1000+ earned interest into a different investment or savings vehicle for long term growth.
Special Considerations
Whenever you consider ways of making money from borrowed money, you need to keep in mind that if you aren’t paying attention to the details of the loan, you can easily make a mistake that causes you to pay finance charges or interest. If you are paying money on the borrowed money, you are probably not going to earn much (if anything at all) from the interest you can earn.
Additionally, when you borrow money, there is always the chance your credit score will drop temporarily. This is because you’ve increased the amount of credit you are using, and decreased the amount of your available credit. Once you pay off the borrowed money your credit score should return to normal, but it’s important to consider that effect in case you have a need to borrow additional money during the time you’ve got your 0% credit card offer or low interest home equity loan earning interest for you.
Posted in banking, borrowing, credit cards, financial plans, free money, investing, making money, miscellaneous, mortgages, personal finance, saving money, savings No Comments »
August 26, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
It’s been proven the best way to take advantage of a rewards program (whether the reward is miles, cash back, or merchandise), is to use your credit cards for all monthly purchases and expenses, and to pay it off in full at the end of the month.
For the not-so-financially disciplined, though, charging everything all month long can be devastating to your wallet when the credit card statement comes and there isn’t enough money in your checking account to pay it off. When you start carrying a balance from one month to the next on a rewards card, the amount you end up paying in finance fees and interest will almost always cost you more than what you get back in rewards - but the only way to really accumulate rewards is to use your rewards credit card as much as you can every month to rack up the rewards!
How can you keep track of your budget when using a rewards credit card for all of your monthly expenses, so that when the statement comes you can pay it off without a doubt? The trouble with using a credit card for everything you buy or pay for each month is that credit cards typically cause people to spend more than they would if they were paying by cash. When you’re grocery shopping, you might add a few extra boxes of cereal since you’re paying on credit…. when picking up school supplies and clothes for the kids, you might allow them an extra outfit or shoes when paying with credit… and you’re soon spending well over your monthly budget.
The solution is quite simple.
When you use your credit card, record the transaction in your every-day checkbook, just like you were paying with cash. Every trip to the grocery store, every gas station fill up or bills you pay with automatic payments from your credit card, record it in your check register. This way you can see exactly how much money you are spending, and not get carried away just because your swiping the credit card instead of writing out checks. In order to make it easy to find your credit card transactions, you can use a highlighter so that when your credit card statement comes, you can match up your checkbook transactions with the list of transactions on yoru credit card statement, and then write a single check to pay the card off in full - every single month.
Posted in budgeting, credit cards, financial plans, personal finance No Comments »
August 25, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
Broke Grad Student offers up the latest issue of the Carnival of Personal Finance. Some good stuff over there, including my favorites:
Posted in blog carnivals 1 Comment »
August 23, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
Moving is stressful. There is nothing worse than getting all of your “stuff” to the new place, only to 
discover you can’t find anything without digging through every box and tote to find what you’re looking for. Here are some tips to help organize your next move:
Get Supplies That Let You Prepare
Several weeks before your scheduled moving date, the following supplies should be obtained to make it possible for you to pack everything and still find it when you get where you’re going:
- boxes of all sizes, at least 20, but probably more!
- Packing tape
- Black markers to label boxes
- Furniture dolly / mover’s cart
- newspapers for wrapping glass and breakables
Clean Out!
Most people have clutter and unnecessary items hidden all over their homes. Why move those unneeded items to your new home? Now is a great time to do a deep cleaning. Recycle anything that is in good shape but is no longer needed by giving it away, selling in a yard sale, or donating to charity.
Room by Room
The most organized way to pack is to put a few boxes in each of your rooms, and only pack items from one room into each box. If your moving in summer, you can start with your winter items (and vice versa) since you won’t be needing them for awhile.
As you fill each box, close and secure with packing tape and label the box with the room and a quick description of what’s in the box. Mark all breakable items with big letters, FRAGILE, on several sides of the box. An example would be:
- bathroom, towels and washcloths
- kitchen, baking dishes. FRAGILE
Moving Day
When the big day arrives, you should pick up the UHaul or other moving vehicle you’ve borrowed or rented, and begin moving your items out. It’s a good idea to move your big furniture pieces in first, stacking and consolidating space as much as possible. You can often flip a loveseat upside down and place on top of a full size couch; turn bookshelves and cabinets upright and then fill the inside of their shelves with smaller items, etc.
Try to keep all boxes with FRAGILE on them in one section, to make it easier to keep track of where the boxes are that need special care.
Unloading
When you reach your new home, resist the urge to bring everything into the first room you come to and dump it! While you don’t need to set up your furniture configurations immediately, moving items into the rooms they belong to prevents having to move everything multiple times.
Posted in home improvement, lifestyle, miscellaneous, personal behavior, travel 1 Comment »
August 22, 2008 By Tisha Kulak
Of course your pets are much-loved members of the family but let’s face it - if they are eating better than 
you and your kids, it is time to consider some cut backs in the doggie (or kitty) department.
Between the rising cost of animal health-care, including vaccinations and emergency services, there is little room for much else when you consider the immediate needs of your family. Here are a few tips for cutting back on the pet luxuries in order to stay on track with your budget.
Budget
Speaking of budgets, if you consider your pet a member of the family, there is no reason why they can’t be included in the family budget. Consider the issues of health treatments, preventative care and medicines, grooming supplies, food, treats, and toys. Regular shopping trip should have already enlightened you as to the cost of your regular purchases. Look at the figures on paper and you might be surprised at just how much you spend on Fido.
Don’t Get Caught Up in Cutsie
The pet market is expanding rapidly. Due to the increased exposure of celebrities and their pets with clothes, strollers, and diamonds, there is a larger market than ever for merchandise solely for pets of every kind. Unless you live in sub-zero temperatures during the year, your dog probably doesn’t need a cashmere sweater to be styling. Avoid the kitschy stuff out there for your pets and don’t fall for the impulsive buys that can cost you more than can afford. Stick to the basics - food, water, shelter, and lots of love.
Save for Your Pet
Just like your pet should be included in your budget, there is no reason why they can not be a part of your savings plan. Many of us would do anything to save or improve the lives of our pets so take consideration of medical emergencies when devising your savings plan. In the event of a life or death situation, you won’t be forced to finance surgery or treatment on credit. Instead, you’ll have cash that can make the decision to save your pet’s life a no-brainer.
Bathe Your Pet on Your Own
Pet grooming is convenient and a lot less messy for an owner. However, it is a luxury that is not necessary. Keeping your pet groomed with regular brushings should limit the number of more intense grooming practices. Purchase a good quality pet shampoo and get your pet used to being bathed at home. It’s a good bonding experience for both pet and owner. If you aren’t comfortable about clipping nails or shaving fur, research local clinics that will help teach you some safety tips.
Shop In Bulk
If there are certain things your pet can’t live without - think litter, dry food, non-perishable treats - shop at wholesale outlets and buy in bulk to get the best savings, provided you have the storage area to put it in.
Posted in budgeting, debt, family, saving money, shopping 2 Comments »
August 21, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
This week, American Consumer News didn’t make the picks for The Carnival of Personal Finance. So, I thought I’d take the opportunity to show off some of the great blog posts submitted and published in the Carnival of Debt Reduction, instead!
If you’re struggling to get out of debt or reduce your debt to a more manageable level, the Carnival of Debt Reduction has a number of articles and blog links that are sure to help you out, including my favorites from this week:
Posted in blog carnivals 1 Comment »
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