Oct

28

Friends with Money Part 2/Hunt for Health Insurance Part 2

Filed Under Health and Well-Being, Money, Finance and Other Serious Stuff, Saving Money | Comments Off

friend with moneySome readers may have noticed that I often visit  friends and family when I travel.  This is a little about saving money, but much more about being with friends and family — to me that’s what a vacation is all about.  Well, this week, I got a wonderful offer that I can’t refuse: I have been invited to join a friend on a week-long cruise to Central America and Mexico — next week, for free!  I get to travel with a great friend, have a vacation, and save money — chances are it will cost me as little as staying home.  So, next week, we’ll re-run some of our favorite blogposts, updated with new money-saving opportunities for our newer readers.

I know I’ve mentioned it here before, but I am very very lucky.

Meanwhile..I’ve already been contacted via email by the AARP insurance agent, who sent over a brochure and preliminary proposal for my needs.  Compared to those, the $400 a month I am now paying is smack in the middle of the range.   The deductibles, however, are quite higher — from $1250 to six thousand compared to the $250 on my current plan, which ends in January.

I put a note up on my Facebook page and got about a half-dozen replies, comprised of three personal referrals, a suggestion to visit the Freelancers Union, one to visit SBUA.org  (Small Business United), and one minor rant on the state of the U.S. Healthcare system.

Going through the old email, I find: nothing of any value.

Looking at old snail mail, I find something from AARP. It’s an offer for information on not only health insurance per se, but also dental, vision, prescription and fitness programs.  I will look into this as well. And there’s a Blue Cross/Blue Shield ad in the Sunday paper that says coverage from $5 a day ($150/month; very low).  I’ll call them tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a few special deals for today:

from Daily Candy: Both sweet treat for your smackers and hint of tint for your cheeks, Benefit Pocket Pal is our go-to product. Score one free (reg. $20) with any full-price purchase from Benefit Cosmetic’s online boutique.

Just add the Pocket Pal to your shopping cart and enter code DCPOCKET at checkout. Spend more than $50 and enter PRETTY50 on the following page to receive free standard U.S. shipping as well.

Get 15% off orders at OneHanesPlace.com. Enter promo code 611691 at checkout. This offer is valid October 27th through October 30th.

Win free groceries for a year from It Pays To Eat Pasta.  Enter here.


TigerDirect Exclusive Deals, Limited Time Offers, Act Now And Save! Free Shipping on orders over $100.

Great Costumes, Low Prices, Costume SuperCenter — and they’ll guarantee shipment by Halloween if ordered before the 30th (Friday) at 3PM.  Click for great ideas and great prices.

As we approach the Great Pumpkin day, click here for costume ideas.  To read Friends with Money part 1, click here.    To read more about the Health Insurance search, click here.

Oct

23

Plan NOW for the Best Holiday Shopping Bargains

Filed Under Money, Finance and Other Serious Stuff, Saving Money, Shopping | Comments Off

Baked Goods always make welcome inexpensive holiday gifts!

Baked Goods always make welcome inexpensive holiday gifts!

Christmas? Hannukah? Kwanzaa?  Already?  It’s not even Halloween yet, and stores are already preparing for the onslaught of shoppers ready to spend in a way they don’t during the first 10 months of the year.   Stores are giving discounts, consumers are making their lists.   And the credit card companies are greedily licking their lips in anticipation of the charges, annual fees, late fees, overlimit fees.  Who really is winning in this game?

Well, it can be you, if you play your cards right (no pun intended, but makes sense, no?).  Begin by taking this oath:  I will not overspend on stupid stuff this holiday season.  I will shop wisely, and I will find everything I need at the price I want to pay.   Make it your mantra, and read on.

Before you start shopping, you need to have a plan. And before you can plan, you need to know what you’re starting with, money-wise.  So this weekend, instead of making lists of people and gifts, take some time on your computer or log on to Quicken.com for their free online money management tool, and get a feeling for where you’re really at with money.

Next week, we’ll focus on credit cards — which are the best, which you should immediately trash, and how to talk to the card companies to get the best deals for you this holiday season and beyond.

Meanwhile, a few Friday newsflashes:

Windows7 debuted yesterday and is available at Amazon.com, in-stock and ready to ship.  Amazon also announced new discounts for its Kindle readers.  Shop now to avoid being disappointed later.

Weekend sales start now at TheTopSecret.com.  Some great stuff for gifts and for you too! Watch this space for more awesome online sales.

A new website is tracking Holiday sales circulars as they come out.  Keep on top of sales at Black Friday ads.net.

Get ready, get set….have a great weekend!

—

Webdevelopment byPajamadeen.com