Guide To Getting Your Debt In Order Before Retirement

Picture yourself back in your high school chemistry class for a moment. You have three beakers. 

One is full of a solution called debt, one is full of a solution called retirement, and the third one is empty. You pour the debt and retirement solutions into the third beaker, and you know what happens? It blows up in your face. 

Why? Because retirement and debt are a toxic combination. Do what you can to get your debt in order before you retire and you will enjoy the retirement that much more.

1. Prioritize Your Debt

Depending on how much debt you have, you are never going to be able to tackle all of the debt at once. The first step is to prioritize the debt you are in. 

You will do this by focusing on interest rate and tackle the debt that is costing you the most money first. Getting rid of the more expensive debts first will speed up how fast you get all of your debt paid off. 

Just create a list of your credit cards, installment loans, student loan debt, and unpaid bills.

2. Consider Getting an Installment Loan

If you have a handful of smaller debts or bills from different places and live paycheck to paycheck, you could consider getting an installment loan and using the money to pay off some of the smaller loans or debts. 

You can apply for installment loans online and pay them back gradually instead of having to come up with a lot of money all at once the way you’d have to with a payday loan.

3. Understand Your Options

The opportunity to settle a credit card bill by paying 50-70 percent of the total bill may sound appealing when a debt settlement company sends you a letter or calls you on the phone. 

However, it is important to slow down and understand more about debt settlement companies before doing business with them. The unfortunate truth is debt settlement companies rarely have your best interest in mind. 

If you work with a debt settlement company, you may end up paying more than you would have if you just paid the debt in full on your own.

4. Create a Budget

In order to prepare yourself, financially, to have the best retirement possible, you should spend time making a budget as well. 

This is to compare how much money you spend every month to how much money you make. If your lifestyle and spending habits do not match your retirement income, you will need to cut back on spending and find ways to save some money.

5. Stick to the Plan You’ve Created

Once you create a plan, a budget, and prioritize your debt, it is important for you to stick to the plan you’ve created. 

It is not uncommon for this to be more challenging than crafting a plan in the first place. If you take a detour from your plan and spend money on things that were not part of your budget, you run the risk of not having enough money to pay your living expenses. 

You can avoid this budget by trying to set a little money aside for random spending or just to save for a future larger spending. The key is to try to avoid spending money you never planned to spend.

As you can see, preparing your finances and dealing with your debt before you retire isn’t complicated if you develop a plan. The earlier you start dealing with your debt and preparing your finances for retirement, the easier it is going to be.

Healthcare for the New Era

Industries that have been around for a long time have a hard time changing. The more established and complicated they are, the harder time they have jiving with the modern consumer.

Healthcare is one of those behemoths that ruffles the feathers of even the most conservative millennial. 

It stands in direct opposition to a million principles that we hold dear. It often sends people into debt because of its high cost. It throws its weight around with “trust me, I’m a doctor” instead of valuing transparency and patient-centric care. 

It devalues alternative options and promotes itself as the single authority when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.

Now, I’d like to make one distinction: I’m not saying that the healthcare industry is bad at adjusting to new procedures and treatment options. 

In fact, it’s one of the fastest-moving fields in the world when it comes to incorporating new developments. However, the industry itself and how it’s run as a business… that’s a ponderously slow beast that will only change its ways under extreme duress.

However, big changes are on the horizon for the healthcare industry. With a new era of consumers, healthcare industries are finding themselves faced with the “evolve or die” ultimatum. 

Millennials, as the new consumer force, are changing the way that healthcare does business.

Reasons the Healthcare Industry Has to Change

They have less personnel and less leaders: One major change that the healthcare industry is facing is an extreme shortage of qualified leaders. 

The modern economy has made a generation of debt-averse students. In a rapidly changing field, students no longer feel confident of the ability to quickly pay off the crippling debts that can get accrued in med school. 

While technology will answer many needs for more helping hands, it’s also true that more individuals will have the power to make waves in an increasingly sparse industry.

It’s just too expensive: With or without insurance, patients are increasingly appalled by the expenses that they have to face from just a checkup or a routine procedure. 

A friend of mine spent two years just paying off her appendectomy… and she’s a very financially responsible individual! 

While most people trust doctors, they also don’t believe that the cost is usually worth the service, and more and more people are looking for manageable options that will help them maintain health.

Technology is changing how we shop: A decade or two ago, no one would think to check out online reviews before choosing a primary care physician. 

Now, it’s unthinkable to many to accept a doctor without first checking out their online rating. The internet gives us the power to explore our options, and make informed decisions about who will be conducting our care. 

Technology is also changing how we’re able to monitor and direct our own health. Today, millions of people use wearable devices to determine how they’re doing with diet, exercise, and sleep. 

Not only does this allow for more specialized health care, but it also gives us a wider range of data to do research from and develop more effective care.

Some Changes You Can Expect Within Your Lifetime

1: More Openness to Holistic Care

An increasingly connected world means that we’re no longer stuck inside a narrow Westernized view. 

Information exchanges across cultural and geopolitical barriers make patients more curious about alternative treatments, and force western medicine to acknowledge that it doesn’t have the market cornered on healthcare. 

Although basic methodology will continue the same, more and more research will look into care that focuses on the well-being of the entire body, instead of a narrow focus. 

Part of the reason that we’ll see more and more of this is because integrated healthcare works. We know very well that mental health has a bearing on physical health, and that treating the body is just a part of treating the overall person.

2: Increasingly Preventive Care

More and more, medical education programs are requiring nutrition courses because we’re acknowledging that what we eat and do daily helps to determine our health. 

With America’s greatest health challenges being diseases like diabetes and heart disease that are easily preventable, in many cases, with changes in diet and exercise, more and more physicians are seeing the need for teaching patients personal care habits that will improve health instead of diagnosing and dosing.

This can be seen as a part of the new generation’s desire to be more involved in care, and to opt for cheaper routes. 

Most people will choose a new self-care regime that they can control over the knife any day. Now, I know that in a lot of my statements I sound like I’m pitting myself against the old order of doctors and health professionals, but I’m positive that I’m on the same side as most professionals when I say that this can only be a move in the right direction.

3: More Connectedness

Technology and communication options that we have today means that no one is an island. Online forums and texts mean that patients are well-informed about their health, and that connecting with others who confront the same challenges is easy. 

Since shutting down WebMD isn’t really an option, professionals have no choice but to enter the conversation instead. 

We’re seeing more and more physicians with an online presence who connect with patients online and do their best to dispel myths that are floating around out there.

An immediate consequence that we see of this inter-connectedness is that many hospitals are opening up device-enabled communication, instead of having all patients come into the office for care. 

Patients are able to connect with professionals from their own home.

What changes do you see coming up in the healthcare industry? Which ones are you most excited for?

5 Savvy Ways to Save Money on a Home Purchase

When you look over the local real-estate listings, you'll notice many recent sales that seem to have astronomical figures attached to them. 

Buying real-estate is a major investment, but it doesn't have to be a far-fetched dream. There are ways to save money on a home purchase when you're aware of the industry's details. Consider these savvy ways to reduce the cost of that dream home.

Clean Up Your Credit

One of the best home buying tips is working on your credit. Many consumers aren't aware of their credit score or history. 

This information will directly influence your ability to buy and retain a home. Contact the credit companies and download your history. Read through every line item. Correct any items that are mistakes or incredibly old. 

A clean credit history will save you money on a home purchase because your mortgage interest rate can be much lower when your score is exemplary. Applying for a home loan with poor credit details will only increase your costs with each lender.

Look for Government Help

First-time homebuyers and people who fall under certain income levels may be eligible for government help during their home search. 

Speak to a lender who is experienced with government loans. These funds are designed for low-income individuals who're trying to create some wealth. There might be low down payments, reduced interest costs and other discounts applied to your loan. 

You simply need to be honest about your financial situation. The government wants to help everyone into a good home.

Save Up a Significant Down Payment

After the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, it was harder to enter the housing market because of stricter guidelines. If you have time and the means, try to save up a significant down payment amount. 

The strict guidelines usually require a 20 percent down on any home. This amount could equal thousands of dollars, depending on the property. Ideally, you want to have more than the minimum down payment on a home. 

Because there's cash involved, the sellers may drop their price even further so that they can secure you as the buyer. Loans can fall through at any time, so most sellers prefer as much cash in the deal as possible.

Be Present for the Home Inspection

Save money on your home purchase by pointing out any flaws. The home inspector must go through the home before any transaction takes place. 

He or she will note any issues with the property. With this information, you can drop your bidding price based on the necessary repairs. Most sellers don't want to fix these items on their own so they'll agree to the lower price. 

You might be able to fix the issue for a lower price after you move in. As a result, you have a home that's a great deal with only minor problems to be fixed.

Negotiate With the Seller

Save money on your investment by simply talking with the seller. They may be in a hurry to sell the home because of a new job starting in a different state. 

Come to an agreement that pleases both parties. In many cases, you can lower your bid by a small amount, and the seller will accept the change. Be fair about your offers, however, and don't undermine the sellers. 

Everyone wants a fair shake in the real-estate industry.

You might consider contacting a real estate specialist company like Success Path for more information. Above all, be realistic when you shop for a home. 

It's easy to look at a huge property and justify its cost in your mind. However, your budget and family size will ultimately dictate the final property that you pick. 

An affordable mortgage and a happy family are your goals during this shopping process.

Digital Entertainment: 5 Tips For Saving Money On Your Television Service

Your television may be on for several hours out of each day, which makes it a popular device in any household. In fact, many families gather around the television as a way to bond and experience shows as a group. 

However, costs for your television service have steadily risen over the years. Although the audio and video feeds are incredibly clear, you don't want to pay a premium on your bill. 

Consider these money-saving tips that can help you lower your television service bill for good.

Give Corporate a Call

A clever way to lower your television bill is by contacting your provider, such as those at ACN. Don't be aggressive with your conversation because this strategy will only frustrate the operator. 

Be kind and persuasive as you build your case for a better price. In many cases, they can offer you a discount or package deal that's a promotion at the moment. The discount may be short-lived, but you'll still benefit from its savings for as long as it lasts. 

Avoid multiple calls regarding discounts, however. Asking for a discount each month will cause the television company to stop all discount packages on your account.

Be Honest About Viewing Habits

When you subscribed to a cable or satellite package, you may have signed up for nearly every channel. At this point, you need to survey your household's viewing habits. 

Ask everyone about their favorite shows and the channels that correspond to each time. You may find that most shows are on a handful of channels. You can potentially cancel other channel packages so that those charges aren't part of your bill anymore. 

It's possible to cut the monthly bill in half with enough cancellations to the packages.

Consider a Supplemental Streaming Service

Remove most channel packages from your cable bill while leaving the basic, network channels for everyone to enjoy. In addition, subscribe to a streaming service that carries the other shows and movies that you prefer. 

Many consumers are considering this strategy because streaming is very inexpensive compared to supporting channel packages of 20 or 30 networks. You'll be able to pick and choose your favorite shows through the streaming service. 

Use the cable's channels for late-breaking news, such as the main news networks.

Antennas Still Exist

Depending on your home's location, you may be able to supplement your cable or satellite bill with the old-fashioned antenna. Set-top and rooftop antennas are still viable in today's advanced-technology world. 

They receive digital signals now, which allows you to capture all of the free channels that still broadcast across a town or city. Simply set up the antenna so that it can catch all of the signals without any obstructions. 

You'll only receive a few channels, but the remaining networks can be found on your cable TV with a lower bill associated with it.

Accept a Lock Deal

Don't be afraid to accept a lock deal. These agreements between consumers and television providers will create a low price on a package, but you must agree to it for several months or years. 

In many cases, the lock deal may last up to two years. When the discount is significantly in your favor, it's a perfect deal to make. You simply need to calculate your savings before agreeing to it.

From your local Internet provider to international business there are many companies in the industry that can offer quality programming. Look over your bill, and confirm that it's a fair deal in your mind. 

Speaking with a provider representative is always possible when you're not pleased with the monthly charges. In the end, the company can help you find the right package that meets your needs.