HealthyLife Articles

Tag: save

  • Save Now For Holiday Gift-Giving

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Piggy bank with holiday lights and ornments.

    The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. Before you know it, the stores will be full of holiday cheer, enticing you to begin what is often a season of overspending.

    Now is the ideal time to start saving so you won’t be caught unprepared. If you enter the holidays with a plan, you will be less likely to impulse-purchase or rack up unwanted credit card debt.

    Three easy steps to make your holidays debt-free

    1.Set a gift-buying budget.Decide in advance how much you can reasonably spend.  For some people, setting a dollar amount per person works well. Or you can set a total amount that feels comfortable for you.

    2.Use your budget to determine how much you need to save each month.Take a hard look at your income versus your bills and see how much money you can set aside. If your gift-buying budget is more than you can save, it’s time to reevaluate. Remember, the goal is to get through the holiday season without racking up debt.

    3.Put the money out of reach.Open a separate savings account so you won’t be tempted to spend your holiday money. When you’re ready to begin buying gifts, using cash can help keep you on budget. Another option is to purchase gift cards you can use for holiday purchases.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Save By Being A Wise Health Care Consumer

    Medical Care

    Close up of hand using a tablet.

    *  Before you receive services, know what your plan covers. Find out from your insurance plan’s website handbook, or customer service representative.

    *  Find out if the cost for 9-1-1 EMS transport is covered or if you need to use a certain ambulance company.

    *  Choose providers who accept your insurance. Find out if prior approval or a referral is needed for services to be covered.

    *  Consider a Consumer Driven Health Plan. You pay a higher deductible and pay for health care costs from a tax-exempt health account. With a high-deductible health plan, you can set aside pre-tax money in a health savings account (HSA). Use this to pay for your deductible and medical costs. Money you don’t spend adds up from year to year, to use for future medical expenses.

    *  Learn if acupuncture and massage therapy fees are covered.

    *  Get recommended tests, exams, and vaccines.

    *  Make sure you use covered services, such as dental cleanings, tests and exams, virtual visits, and the Nurse Advice Line.

    *  Find out about tax breaks for medical expenses fromirs.gov.

    *  Stay informed of changes in health care offerings on national and state levels.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine