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Mar 30, 2023    |       8 comments

More Medical Costs and Mortgage Update

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Medical Costs and Mortgage Update

When it rains, it pours! In addition to my dental issues, I’ve had two more medical problems pop up. My medical costs are definitely going to be higher this year than last year. Just a warning—possible TMI coming if you’re squeamish and don’t like discussing medical stuff. 

Getting An Ultrasound

I’m not due for a physical until December, but I had to go back to the doctor early because I had a painful rash/lump on my chest. Plus, my armpit was hurting badly due to what I believed was a swollen lymph node. 

If you have a touch of health anxiety like I do, you’ll understand the panic I felt when I looked up my symptoms on Google. I was so scared that I had cancer that I considered going to the emergency room (luckily my spouse talked me out of it). 

My doctor believes it’s a benign cyst and I’m on a course of antibiotics to treat it, which were completely covered by insurance. However, I still have to go for an ultrasound in a month just to make sure there’s nothing else going on. My doctor thought it was a little weird that the swollen lymph node wasn’t on the same side of my body as the cyst, so she wanted to order more tests to be safe. 

Possible ADHD

Another medical issue I have going on is potential ADHD. My therapist who I’ve been working with for over a year believes it’s possible I have it and wants me to get tested by a psychologist. I’m in the process of finding a psychologist who has an opening in the next couple of months (many are booked up for a year or longer) and takes my insurance, which will hopefully help reduce the cost of the testing. I’ve heard it’s expensive, so I’m not looking forward to getting that bill!

But I think undergoing testing will be worthwhile. I’ve been doing research on ADHD and the more I read, the more it seems to match up with my personality. Many people with ADHD say they have a constant hum of thoughts, and I definitely relate. During the day, I cycle between feeling like my brain is in overdrive and feeling completely spaced out. Although I was an A student and have managed to run my freelance writing business, tasks take me longer than the average person. 

I was always the last one to finish tests in school and had trouble paying attention to lectures and conversations. It almost feels like my brain or ears “short out” and make it impossible to understand what the person I’m trying to listen to is saying. I register that sound is coming out of their mouth, but I can’t interpret the words, no matter how much I wish that I could understand and focus. 

My therapist thinks I developed good coping mechanisms over time, which enabled me to succeed in school and launch my writing business. But he thinks I may need medication to function optimally and stop feeling like I’m always behind the eight ball. 

Mortgage Update

Recently I talked about our mortgage payment increasing to $1,500 per month. However, my spouse called the insurance company and managed to secure a lower homeowner’s insurance premium. We’re going to save about $900 on our policy this year, so our mortgage payment probably won’t go up after all. 

Apparently we were getting homeowner’s insurance through an insurance broker, which raised the cost. We’re not sure how this happened because we called the insurance company directly to get our policy. It’s good news that our insurance will cost us $900 less this year. But I’m upset that we’ve been paying more than we had to for the last two years unknowingly. Has something similar ever happened to you? I’m pretty confused by the whole situation!

Read More

Confession: We’ve Taken On A Little More Debt

Ashley’s February 2023 Debt Update

Finally Dealing With My Dental Issues

Mar 30, 2023    |      0 comments

5 Money Management Tips You Haven’t Thought Of

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Many people find managing their finances to be a challenging endeavor. The good news is that you can always use methods to improve your financial situation, regardless of whether you are living paycheck to paycheck or attempting to save for the future. This article will discuss five money management tips you may not have thought of before. Let’s dive right in!

1. Buy Local and Organic

Many individuals pick the least expensive option when purchasing food. However, these foods are inorganic and quite unhealthy. Therefore, investing in locally grown and organic vegetables is a wise financial decision. In addition to boosting your community’s economy, buying locally grown food also helps the environment by lowering transportation’s carbon footprint.

Also, buying organic food over time can save you money. Although organic produce may initially cost more, it is frequently more nutrient-dense, so you may feel fuller after eating it and need to make fewer purchases altogether. In any case, inorganic food isn’t cheap. According to a USDA report, US producers spent nearly $9 billion in 2012 on agrochemical expenditures. Also, purchasing organic food can reduce the consumption of dangerous chemicals, safeguarding your health.

2. Consider Hiring a Probate Lawyer

Many disregard the advantages of hiring a probate lawyer regarding estate planning. A probate lawyer can help your family keep track of assets you have on your estate, their value, and whether or not selling them would result in tax liabilities. Otherwise, family disagreement and poor administration could see the estate you worked for all your life go down the drain.

3. Choose a Diesel Vehicle

There are fewer diesel cars on the road today than gasoline-powered cars, but diesel cars can offer significant long-term savings. The US Department of Energy estimates that diesel fuel has 10% to 15% more energy than gasoline. Hence, diesel vehicles may frequently travel 20% to 35% farther on a gallon of fuel than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Additionally, diesel engines typically use less fuel than gasoline engines, so you’ll save money on gas over time. Though diesel cars may cost more upfront, they are a prudent investment for people who drive frequently or wish to save on gasoline in the long run.

4. Take Advantage of Cashback Rewards

Credit cards frequently offer cashback benefits for certain expenditures like groceries or gas. You can get cash back on purchases you make by using a credit card with cashback benefits. However, it’s imperative that you use credit cards responsibly and only make purchases you can afford to pay back each month. The interest fees associated with carrying a load on your credit card might quickly cancel out any cashback rewards you receive.

5. Use a Budgeting App

Many people make a budget at the beginning of the year, but sticking to it all year can be challenging. Tracking your spending and focusing on your financial objectives might be made simpler by using a budgeting app. You can track your spending, set savings goals, and monitor your progress with budgeting apps such as Mint and YNAB. You become more aware of where your money is going and make future financial decisions that are more informed by utilizing a budgeting app.

It is challenging to manage your money, but there are always ways to improve it. You can save money and achieve your financial goals by shopping locally and organically, hiring a probate attorney, driving a diesel vehicle, utilizing cashback rewards, and using a budgeting app. These tips may not be the most obvious or commonly discussed, but they can significantly impact your finances over time. Take control of your finances by incorporating these strategies into your financial management plan.

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