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Why Keep an Emergency Fund?

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One of the keys to long-term financial security is building an emergency fund. Even if you’re a very prepared person, things happen. My husband and I were extremely financially organized before we added a child and a much larger mortgage to our family. We had a good emergency fund of several thousand dollars, less than the six months of income that some recommend but more than the thousand dollars recommended by others. We felt confident. Then I went on maternity leave, which is a year long here in Canada. That was wonderful, but it did cut my income quite substantially. … Continue reading →

Hospital Indigent Funds

I spent a good portion of yesterday morning in the Emergency Room. While scrubbing out a pot that I’d boiled linguini noodles in, I jammed a dried noodle in between the nail and the thumb. It went all the way to the quick. I tried pulling it out which only broke it off, then soaking it to make it flexible (no go), and sucking it out (extremely painful, no positive result). It quickly got infected and moved closer and closer to that ten on the pain scale. So reluctantly I went to the ER, knowing that I was in for … Continue reading →

Financial Preparedness Advice from Money Bloggers

One important part of preparing for the future is having your finances in order. The money blog here at families.com is a great resource for learning to budget your money, save, invest, and get out of debt. Here are some great articles to read that will help you be financially prepared for whatever life has to offer: Preparing for death: Writing Down Your Wishes Everyone should have a will, especially those with children or those married with children from a previous relationship. The Basics of Estate Planning For more information on starting a will or trust, read this article. Getting … Continue reading →

Arizona Will Expand its Medicaid Program

This was really unexpected! The Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer, has announced that the state of Arizona will be expanding its Medicaid program. The federal funding that comes with the decision appears to be a primary motivating factor. If the Arizona Congress passes this initiative, it would greatly benefit the citizens of Arizona. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican, has a track record of opposing the Affordable Care Act. She decided that Arizona would have a federally run health insurance exchange, something seen by many other Republicans as “opting out” of participation in the Affordable Care Act. Arizona was also … Continue reading →

Two Court Cases About Medicaid With Different Outcomes

What happens when elected officials choose to “play politics” with Medicaid? No one wins. This is especially evident in situations that involve health care coverage for women who are low income. Recently, two different courts made opposite decisions that will directly affect the ability of women to access health care. Medicaid is a public, or government run, health insurance program. The federal government provides some of the funding for Medicaid. The government of an individual state also provides some funding for Medicaid. This program is designed to provide health insurance coverage for individuals and families who cannot afford to buy … Continue reading →

The Texas Women’s Health Program Still Exists

The Texas Women’s Health Program is part of the Medicaid program in Texas. Legislators in Texas did an efficient job of gutting the program, but some of it still exists. Women who qualify will have difficultly finding a doctor who works with this program, and the state won’t cover care done at Planned Parenthood. Medicaid is a public, or government run, form of health insurance. It is designed to provide health insurance to people who are low-income and who cannot afford to buy health insurance from a private company. Typically, Medicaid programs like the Texas Women’s Health Program would be … Continue reading →

Michigan No Longer Requires Motorcycle Riders to Wear Helmets

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The state of Michigan has changed its law regarding motorcycle helmets. From now on, helmets are no longer required by law. This change is making many motorcycle enthusiasts very happy, but other groups aren’t as pleased. There are questions about how this change will affect insurance. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill into law recently that repealed the requirement that motorcyclists wear helmets. The law had been in place for nearly half a century. Those who are in favor of this change are people who ride motorcycles. Many have expressed that they experience a unique feeling of freedom when … Continue reading →

Tax Refund Advice

Are you getting a tax refund? Here is what to do and what not to do with it. Many people get excited about their tax refunds, usually relying on them to fund a new purchase or to to give them a chance to have a little fun money. But what these people don’t realize is that the tax refund shouldn’t be viewed as free spending money. It didn’t manifest from nowhere but was actually a “loan” to the government in which the government paid no interest. If you do have a sizable refund coming to you, that is great news … Continue reading →