Kaiser Family Foundation Poll Reveals Most-Liked PPACA (Health Care Reform) Provisions... 01/04/2012
 According to a recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the foundation asked people to reveal their most liked and disliked PPACA provisions. The runaway winner for most favored? The requirement that health plans provide consumers with a short, easy to understand description of benefits and coverage — favored by some 60% of people polled. It was the only provision in the entire law to be rated favorably by more than half of respondents. The rest of the top 10 most liked provisions are: 2. Guaranteed issue. (47%) 3. Gradually close Medicare “donut hole.” (46%) 4. Tax credits to small businesses. (45%) 5. Subsidy assistance to individuals. (44%) 6. Health plan decision appeals. (37%) 7. Employer mandate/penalty for large employers. (35%) 8. Medicaid expansion. (34%) 9. Medical loss ratio. (34%) 10. No cost-sharing for preventive services. (33%) Source: Employee Benefits Adviser Questions on Your Benefits Plan? Contact us for a free evaluation : (800) 846-5902 Personal Finance - Managing Your Credit 11/03/2011
Managing Your Credit Do you know your credit score and what factors raise or lower it? Do you know how to "dispute" an error on your credit report that could be suppressing your credit score? Understanding these and other critical credit issues is the foundation of consumer credit management. Having real-time access to your personal credit information is the first step in managing your credit. New generation consumer credit management websites offer unprecedented value to consumers, who just 15 years ago were at the mercy of confusing, hard-to-read credit reports. It's a whole new world of rapid access, easy-to-use navigation, and real-world advice. Online credit management websites offer real-time access to your credit report and credit score, dynamic tools to help you understand how your credit score is determined, comprehensive credit education, fraud protection, "lost wallet" credit card cancellation services, online disputing of credit report errors (a much faster process than mailing hard copy disputes) and other convenient services. If a low credit score is keeping you from getting financing when you need it and at the best possible rates, then managing your credit online is a wise move. You'll be able to see the progress of your credit score as you work to improve it, and online disputing helps fix errors quickly. Do you have a high credit score and want to protect it? Online credit management allows for frequent monitoring, email pings when inquiries are made on your credit, fraud and identity theft protection, and other services that can save you time and money. Call me if you would like to learn more.  Susan Klaren-Hatzenbuhler Loan Officer Prospect Mortgage 114 Pacifica, 1st Floor Irvine, CA 92618 Office: (949) 341-7209 Cell: (714) 264-0876 Fax: (877) 878-0288 Susan.Klaren@prospectmtg.com NMLS# 255573  What is TEDx? In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxIrvine, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxIrvine event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized. This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED TEDxIrvine is taking place on Thursday November 17th from 6PM to 8:30PM at Rancho Las Lomas in Santiago Canyon. The theme is “Change Agents”. Speakers include: Luke Mysee, Activator, Strategic Thinker & Founder of Design Firm CrossGrain David Wolf, Computer Engineer and Tech Entrepreneur Robert Evans, World-Renowned Photographer Jenny Ross, Owner & Executive Chef of Living Foods Restaurant 118 Degrees Nithin Jilla, UCI Student and Founder of Kenya Dream and Kenya Dance Limited Seating! Click Here to Register for the Event: http://tedxirvine.org/luke-mysse/ 
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.  Join iSight Vision Care for an in-depth seminar on preventing and monitoring glaucoma. The seminar will be held on Wednesday November 9, 2011 at Noon and will be presented by Dr. Vicki Lin. Lunch and refreshments will also be provided. Call to register... iSight Vision Care t. (714)465-9978 18693 Brookhurst Street Fountain Valley, Ca. 92708 www.isightvisioncare.com We look forward to seeing you soon!  Big Money Savings Tip for Business Owners with Jan 1 Health Plan Renewals It is that time of year again. Open Enrollment, ughh. A large part of a businesses budget goes toward their Medical Insurance plan. Yet, many companies do not review the plan each year. It is complicated, employees want different things, employees get confused, and it is hard to explain the plan the changes. Why do we change plans? Not because it's fun or to lower cost. It is because health care and insurance costs go up every year. A business must change plans just to keep the cost stable for the company and the employees. Health insurance companies DO NOT REWARD LOYALTY! Carriers will increase costs on existing plans, meanwhile new plans are available that are not offered to current clients. That is why it is important to review options from other carriers with your broker every year. In most cases, a similar plan is available at a lower monthly premium. BIG MONEY SAVING TIP: We are expecting a premium increase in January. If your health plan is renewing in January or February, have a broker shop for plan options BEFORE November 15; you may be able to get the new plan started on Dec 1, and avoid that premium increase for the next 11 months. This could save THOUSANDS of dollars. In most cases, a company can offer both HMO and PPO plans, contribute a fixed cost, and allow employees to decide whether they want to upgrade at their own cost. At GVIS Insurance and Benefits, we help simplify the process through an easy benefits interview, plan options from top carriers with added benefits, explanation to employees and on-site enrollment. We bring large corporate benefits to small business™ How to Get Started on Kickstarter (excerpts from full article By Carlye Adler March 18, 2011 | 4:46 pm | Wired April 2011 Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. Every week, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields. Inventors and industrial designers may be using Kickstarter, but the site hasn’t abandoned its artsy ethos. Here are some pointers to launching a successful project, whether it’s a dance performance or a shoe line.—C.A. Have Passion The Kickstarter community responds to energy, excitement, and emotion. If you think your invention will make you a millionaire, go the corporate route. If you think it’ll be fun, and you don’t want to compromise, stick with Kickstarter. Be Personal Kickstarter funders like to know who they’re helping. That’s why 48 percent of postings that include a personal video get funded, versus 30 percent of those without a video. Set a Tight Deadline You determine how long people have to put money down, but give funders too long and they’ll just have an excuse to procrastinate. Projects that raise funds for 30 days or less have the highest success rate. Be Realistic If you miss your fund-raising target, you won’t receive anything, so don’t get greedy. At the same time, if you undercharge for preorders, you won’t be able to deliver on your promises. Give Updates Backers will feel more connected if you keep them in the loop with progress reports. It gives them confidence that you haven’t absconded to Anguilla Click here to read more...  Top 10 Excuses From Drivers Caught Using Phones Here are the top 10 excuses the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia compiled of local drivers who were caught using handheld phone devices while driving: 1. This is a bogus law. 2. It was my boss on the phone – I had to answer it. 3. I wasn’t using it – I just like to hold it. 4. Sorry officer, I didn’t see you trying to pull me over because I was on my phone. 5. But it was an emergency call to my wedding planner. 6. My Bluetooth died. 7. Driver: I’m using my speakerphone. Police officer: No, you’re holding your phone in one hand and steering with the other. 8. I’m not driving; I was stopped at a red light. 9. I wasn’t talking, I was checking my messages. 10. I was just checking the time. Full Article: http://www.insurancejournal.com/uncategorized/2011/10/14/219275.htm You are Invited! Oct 22 - Family Health & Wellness Fair & Halloween Costume Contest for the Kids! 10/18/2011
 You are Invited! Family Health & Wellness Fair & Halloween Costume Contest for the Kids! Saturday, October 22, 10AM‐2PM Free information and screenings are available to help you enjoy life to the fullest. So, mark your calendar and visit the Total Woman Gym on to start new healthy habits that will last a lifetime! FREE Information & Services: Fitness Programs, Health Insurance, Physical Therapy, Healthy Cooking, Invisalign, Hypnotherapy, Ladies Accessories, and many other local vendors, gifts and fun activities! When: Saturday, October 22, 10AM‐2PM Where: Total Woman Gym & Day Spa - Brea, 910 E. Birch Street Brea, CA 92821-5800 RSVP Here: http://www.facebook.com/events/263792456993191/
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar. Reposted from: http://moneygirl.quickanddirtytips.com/5-money-management-tips-for-couples.aspx One of the biggest challenges in personal finance can be managing money with your spouse or partner. If you don’t agree on money basics, like budgeting, spending, and saving, that can cause serious problems in your relationship. But don’t worry—if you’re fighting about money or don’t think you can ever see eye-to-eye, there are ways to settle your differences. I interviewed Bethany and Scott Palmer—the authors of First Comes Love, Then Comes Money—to learn more about specific techniques that couples can use to improve their financial lives. Here are 5 tips for managing money that can dramatically improve your relationship: Tip #1: Know Your Money Personality Understanding your “money personality” is the key to ending conflicts about finances in your relationship for good. Your money personality is the distinct way that you think about and handle money. See if you recognize yourself in one of the following 5 money personalities:
Tip #2: Have a Money Huddle Understanding your “money personality” is the key to ending conflicts about finances in your relationship for good. A “money huddle” is a regular meeting you should have with your partner where you talk openly about your money relationship. This is the time to discuss how to blend your money personalities into a system that satisfies both of you. You might have a 45-minute money huddle once a month over dinner, for instance. The purpose of a money huddle is not to crunch your budget numbers or to let tempers flare—it’s to acknowledge your money personalities, discuss how you relate to money, and decide how to move forward as a couple. You should begin your financial conversation with the END in mind, which is an acronym for how to structure your money huddle: E = Evaluate N = Needs D = Dream I’ll explain each of these in the last 3 tips. Tip #3: Evaluate Your Financial Situation You should spend the first 15 minutes of your money huddle evaluating your debt and savings. Quickly review each of the debts you have, such as credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans. Know the balance due on each debt and the interest rate you’re paying. Next, review how much you have in savings and investments, like retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, and bank accounts. Remember that this is just an overview, so don’t let it consume your entire discussion. Tip #4: Discuss Your Money Needs The next 15 minutes of your money huddle should be spent discussing one of your most pressing money needs. You might want to save for a vacation, increase contributions to a retirement account, purchase life insurance, or buy a new toy. Listen to what your partner has to say and set a date for when you could research both of your items, take action, and meet your needs. Tip #5: Remember Your Dreams Take the last part of your money huddle to remember the dreams you and your partner had earlier in your relationship. Think about what you really want your future to look like. Do you want to buy a home? Have a cushy retirement account? Move? Start a business? Whatever it is, starting a dialog about it is the first step to making it happen. More Money Management Advice for Couples Knowing your money personalities, and having re gular money huddles that begin with the END in mind, is key to successfully managing money as a couple. If you’re having money problems or just want to know how to avoid them in your relationship, be sure to listen to my interview with money and relationship experts, Bethany and Scott Palmer. You’ll get invaluable advice and hear the answers to 2 questions from podcast listeners who have money dilemmas in their relationships. To access the audio, visit to SmartMovesToGrowRich.com. | GVIS Insurance News
| ||||
RSS Feed