Save Money at Home in 10 Easy Steps

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Prices are going up on almost everything these days and many people are looking for ways to save money on the things that they buy. While you may not be able to have an impact on the prices of goods, you can take steps to save money in your own home. Following these 10 steps can help you minimise the amount of money that you spend and save money overall.

Start By Refinancing Your Mortgage

It's more than likely that the single largest payment that comes out of your bank account each month is for your mortgage. It's also quite likely that you've got used to it being around - kind of like a well used reclining chair. But mortgage rates fluctuate, a lot. Even if you could shave off half of a single percent, you could save an awful lot of money each month!

Avoid Standby Mode

One way that you can save money at home is to avoid standby mode on your appliances and electrical devices. Many people leave their televisions and computers on standby mode when they aren't using them. While this seems like it might save you some money on energy, it actually does not save you money in the long term. If you want to save money, consider turning off the item completely.

Switch to Energy Efficient Lighting

One of the ways that people waste money is by using lighting in their homes that is not energy efficient. By switching over to energy efficient light bulbs, you can save quite a bit of money on your electric bill every year. While you may have to pay a little bit extra to get the light bulbs, you will save money over the long-term.

Avoid Air Conditioning

Many people leave their air conditioners on all the time when it's hot outside. If you can avoid leaving your air conditioner on all the time, you can save quite a bit of money on your electric bill. Instead of leaving central air on all the time, consider turning it off more often. If you turn off the air and turn on the fan, you can stay cool without the big costs. You may even want to consider installing a window air conditioning unit in the room you spend the most time. This is often much cheaper than leaving your central air conditioning on all the time.

Look at Your Utilities

Much of the money that you spend each month goes toward utilities. Spend some time focusing on what types of utilities you have. Consider whether you can switch over to utilities that are cheaper. For example, if you can switch your heating over to natural gas, you may be able to save money on your monthly bills. Switching over to solar panels could save you quite a bit of money on your utility bills over time.

Cut Down on Energy Waste

Another way to save money on your monthly expenses is to eliminate the energy that you waste. This can be done by improving your home and making it more efficient. Use caulk to seal up windows and put weatherstrip around the edges of doors. This can keep air from going in and out of the home and make it easier to heat and cool your home.

Reduce Water Consumption

Save money by cutting down on the amount of water that you use. Install low-flow shower heads and toilets when possible. Don't leave the water running when you brush your teeth.

Cut Coupons

Saving money on your groceries is another way to minimise your expenses. If you cut coupons and use them when you shop, you can save hundreds of dollars every year.

Do Regular Maintenance

Focus on doing maintenance on your house regularly. If you keep your home up to date with maintenance, you'll be able to avoid major repairs down the road.

Avoid Fees

Stop paying unnecessary fees to your bank, your credit card and other things. Avoid fees like insufficient funds fees and transfer fees and you can save quite a bit of money.

Bonus: Stick to a Budget

If you are willing to stick to a budget, you can save money on your expenses overall. Those who don't stick to a budget end up spending a lot of extra money over the course of a year.

4 Reasons to Pursue Online Education in Retirement

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Younger people have been privy to the benefits of online education for many years now, just because online developments tend to reach the "digitally native" set faster than others, who don't necessarily spend enormous amounts of time on the Internet. Online education is still in its relative infancy, but as it becomes popular, more and different types of people can benefit. Online education is especially well-suited for baby boomers for many reasons. Here are a few to consider:

1. You can continue learning from the comfort of your own home.

This is perhaps one of the best reasons for taking courses online. Many who have retired but want to pursue further education may sometimes feel uncomfortable or out-of-place learning alongside those who are much younger than you. With online courses, you can skip out on that tedious classroom environment altogether.

2. You can gain knowledge while honing your technology skills.

This is another great reason, particularly for baby boomers, who may not know their way around computers and the Internet as much as they would like. Online classes force you to become more adept at using computers through mere exposure.

3. It's much more economical than taking adult or continuing education classes.

Baby boomers are an intellectually curious bunch, as the popularity of adult and continuing education classes demonstrates. Having worked at a continuing education school offered at university before, I know that classes can often be very expensive. Courses online are substantially cheaper (sometimes free!) and much easier to register for.

4. All you need is a computer and Internet connection, so you can still take classes and travel.

Baby boomers are constantly traveling, so perhaps your concern about continuing your education is that you'd have to give up your wanderlust lifestyle. With online courses, the classroom essentially becomes anywhere you want it to be, as long as you have your laptop and access to the Internet. Some courses may require books, but almost all the information you need can be found online.

After retirement, continually challenging yourself is extremely important in keeping both your body and mind fit. Online classes offer an easy and affordable way to keep your mind still going. For more information about online classes, check out this AARP article on e-learning.

Author Bio:

Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she writes about education, online colleges, online degrees etc. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Top 7 tips for Evaluating a Health Insurance Policy

It can be difficult to navigate the maze of private medical insurance. In order to secure the best protection for you and your family it is important to be aware of a vast and ever-changing body of law and practice. It is no exaggeration to say that your financial and medical future depend on it. Here are seven tips to help you evaluate a health insurance policy.

 1. Take it seriously.

There is no way to over-estimate the impact these decisions have on you and your family. You may feel fine today, but it is a law of nature that someday you will not. It is then that your planning, or lack of planning, will show. Even though Americans can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, the moment of need is no time to worry about policies and money. You owe it to yourself to prepare, and if you do not you will certainly regret it.

2. Consider the doctors in the network.

Make certain that they are accessible and competent. Look for reviews online. If you have a doctor who you are dedicated to but is not in the network be sure to budget extra funds.

3. Check the co-pay against the premium.

A low co-pay is wonderful thing but not at the price of a high premium. Take a guess at your average yearly medical expenditure and see how it works out with that plan. If you rarely visit the doctor it makes more sense to pick a plan with a low premium and save a little money for emergencies.

4. Comparison shop.

The only way to be sure you get the best is to know what is out there.

5. Look for details.

There's more to health than emergency care. Don't forget eyes, teeth, or maternity; all things commonly left out of plans.

6. Check the plan for changes.

Health care law and insurance policy change every day. Even if you are using the same provider as last year, check the fine print and make sure it is the same plan.

7. Trust your instincts.

If you see a lot of things in a policy that raise warning flags, heed them. If a contract has one thing that you find unethical, it's a good bet that there are others that you have not seen yet. In a very real sense you are putting your life in their hands. Do not do business with agencies that you do not trust.



Eddie Adams is a Content writer with an interest in topics relating to health, cosmetic dentistry, tourism and green living. You can follow him @thefreshhealth on Twitter :-)

What is Professional Liability Insurance?

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If your an independent contractor you have probably already purchased many different kinds of insurance like health insurance, business insurance, and other insurance products. But have you given thought to the need for professional liability insurance which will protect you if a customer sues you for how you did or didn't fulfill your professional obligations. This kind of insurance is also called how you did or didn’t fulfill your professional obligations. This kind of insurance is often forgotten because many professionals think that their general liability coverage policy is enough to protect them from client lawsuits.

As with liability insurance, proliability insurance is there to protect your financial resources in the event of a customer lawsuit. Many companies that hire you sometimes require this kind of insurance as a general policy. A lot of 1099 sub-contractors are finding that the requirements to carry professional liability insurance are increasing because of the demands of clients. 

The services rendered today by independent contractors are increasing in complexity. Projects that you could be working on may interface with multi-million dollar infrastructures that could be damaged by your interaction, through no fault of your own. Having the right protection is a necessity in today's business world.  If your in the IT or tech industry you are especially vulnerable because of the complexity of the businesses your customers have. 

There can be instances where a client is just dissatisfied or claiming that you have not fulfilled your contract, even though you have. An angry client can easily bring a lawsuit on you and fighting the undeserved suit will waste your time and money. Having someone on your side is where professional liability insurance comes through.

Consumer Confidence Returning To Payment Protection Insurance

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Many consumers are still coping with the problems caused by the mis sold payment protection insurance policies. Naturally consumers are still distrustful of protection policies. But now negativity of the protection products is starting to wane and consumer confidence is returning.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has reported nearly £2 billion in redress has been paid back to PPI customers in 2011. Much of this has been because of the help to consumers from PPI claims companies.

The problems surrounding payment protection insurance are not because of the quality of the product but because of the way it was sold. PPI is a very helpful product to have because it protects you should you find yourself unable to work because of illness or accident. With its protection you will still be able to meet your credit card and loan payments.

Consumers realize that protection of this kind is needed because unforeseen circumstances due arise. Making preparations for illness or loss of job is on the minds of workers who have the responsibility of a family. The past problems of the mis-sold payment protection insurance is still a concern but help from ppi claims companies have alleviated much of the worry with their help in redress paid back to consumers.

The consumer has learned to question the products being sold at their banks and not just take them at their word. With this attitude, customers should benefit from more beneficial financial products.

Commercial Insurance An Often Neglected Necessity

King Henry VI (Photo credit: TranceMist)Starting a new business requires the decision maker of the fledgling company to decide on many matters. Many of these decisions concern important to trivial matters that can lasting effects. One of these important decisions is the choice to purchase commercial insurance.

Many states require a company to have insurance as a part of the license of just operating. There are requirements for insurance to cover an employee getting hurt on the job. Many governments want coverage on the commercial vehicles that a business operates on the roadways. When borrowing money to operate the business, lenders require an adequate commercial insurance protection before processing a commercial loan.

Commercial lenders are understandably concerned for the welfare of the company they are lending their money to. They are concerned about the firms ability to pay if some unforeseen circumstance happens or some liability problems occur.

Once the funding has been acquired the principles of the company should appreciate that things could go wrong and often do. Planning for that rainy day a good business owner takes steps to secure proper commercial insurance.

Other problems, concerning the health of the business, is coverage of possible robbery, vandalism, and liability. Having an adequate emergency fund for these types of problems makes sense. But having comprehensive commercial indemnity protection will help you cover all the problems that the business can't afford to cover.

If your company builds a product, then it is important to have liability coverage to address any claims concerning use or misuse of the product. There may be unknown defects that a good liability policy will address. This is very important because many lawsuits have put companies out of business, when just some commercial insurance could of offered protection.

Your business may someday suffer disaster, man-made or an act of God, a comprehensive commercial coverage policy is important for a quick recovery. A business wouldn't operate a vehicle without good liability protection, doesn't the same apply to your business location.