Most of us only have a vague understanding of the healthcare system. It’s not just the incredible number of therapies, treatments, and procedures that are within the realm of possibilities, but also the financial entanglements it can create. Fortunately, there’s a calling known a patient advocate who can help us sort through it all.

What is a Patient Advocate?

In the most general sense, a patient advocate is a person or organization that acts as a liaison between the patient and healthcare providers. They are case workers, typically having a background in healthcare – such as registered nurses – or social work.

Some of the functions that a patient advocate performs include:

• Providing explanations of medical procedures to be performed.
• Providing options to the recommended treatment.
• Disclosing the cost of various treatments.
• Completing paperwork for admissions.
• Helping the patient navigate the healthcare system.
• Filing paperwork with insurance companies.
• Following up with the patient, healthcare provider, or insurance company.
• Recommending follow-up treatments and therapies for a patient.
• Arranging outside support services, such as counseling.

If you hire a patient advocate to represent you, it could cost $150 to $200 or more per hour, but there may be less expensive and even free services available if you can’t afford the cost.

Some employers offer patient advocacy as an employee benefit. Hospitals often have them on staff, however it’s important to understand that one employed by the healthcare provider may be required to represent the provider’s interests first. There are probably patient advocacy sources provided at the state level as well. If you are unable to find a free source, check out the Patient Advocate Foundation to see what they may have available.

Why might you need a patient advocate?

The Healthcare System is Too Complex for Ordinary People

This is a fact of life in the 21st century. Unless you work in the healthcare system – preferably on the clinical side – you will be confronted with terms, procedures, financial entanglements and other complications that seem to be beyond human comprehension.

It’s not just that you or me or anyone else lacks the brain power to understand, it’s just that it really is that complicated. Not fully understanding the process could result in unnecessary treatments, missed opportunities for better alternatives, and spending more money than is necessary.

A patient advocate can help you navigate the system, as well as many of the complications at the periphery.

It Promises to Get Even More Complicated

If you‘ve been following the unfolding of the oncoming Affordable Care Act, a.k.a., Obamacare, you know that healthcare is threatening to get even more complicated than it is now. This will be true if only because the Act is requiring a very long list of changes, and change only means greater complexity.

You Need Someone Inside the System Who is Working on Your Behalf

A patient advocate can help you to work with the system. The advocate has greater understanding of the process flow, the clinical implications, and the financial requirements.

Even more important, they will have access to people in the system who can help to expedite your case. Not only do they know exactly who to contact, but they can get in touch with them much quicker than you could on your own. When you are pressed to make important decisions in a hurry, that fast access can be a critical factor.

If money is an issue, the patient advocate can guide you in a way that will minimize the direct cost to you, and even make recommendations for payment options or financial assistance.

Warning: Having a Patient Advocate is No Reason to Not Get Involved

With all of the positive effects a patient advocate can have on your case, it’s important to remember that they are there to assist you, not to completely relieve you of the burden and responsibility for your case. It is much the same as hiring an investment advisor to help you to choose investments and manage your portfolio. They can make recommendations, but you still need to be aware of what is happening and to contribute to the process.

You will need to learn all that you can about your condition and the treatment options. And you will also need to get involved in some of the mechanical processes, particularly if you are paying the advocate. $200 per hour is a heavy fee to pay for gathering general information or making follow-up phone calls. Ultimately, you are responsible for the outcome – the patient advocate is there to help you do that. But they can make it faster, more efficient, and less expensive along the way.

Have you ever used a patient advocate? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Several months ago a friend brought to my attention that PayPal’s policy changes included keeping 3% of everything deposited to my account — not just from my eBook sales. As a freelance writer, I’m paid from some publications via PayPal.com; so this was disconcerting news. PayPal was playing with my paycheck and I didn’t like it.

Let’s suppose I make $1,000 a month on my freelance writing (hypothetically speaking). Three percent of $1,000 is $30. With this policy change, PayPal was making $30 per month (or $360 per year) off my income. My brick and mortal bank only charges $7.00 per month for my checking account and they waive that fee because I keep a minimum balance.

Some quick mental gymnastics had me comparing the two. With my brick and mortar bank I get a friendly face to talk to should I decide to drive to town, checks, a debit card, online banking, phone banking, a pen when I don’t have one in my purse, a change machine, a dish full of candy, and a fridge stocked with Cokes or a free cup of coffee. With PayPal, I get a way to shuffle money online, cart buttons, and a debit card. When I realized what PayPal was costing me, I felt cheated.

The friend that enlightened me to my plight was also good enough to tell me about Dwolla.com. Dwolla is another way to shuffle money online. Thing is, that is all they do. No debit cards, no frills. However, they don’t charge 3%. So I opened a Dwolla account.

Comparing PayPal and Dwolla is like comparing Goliath with David. But here it goes:

Why You Will Like Dwolla

Opening a Dwolla account is super easy. All you do is and give them your email address and a password and you’re in. Of course, they are going to ask you to verify your account and give them some other personally identifiable information, but these days, who doesn’t?

Dwolla does not keep a percentage of your money. Dwolla charges 25 cents per transaction over $10. That’s it. No hidden fees or percentages to figure out. When I get paid from a blog I write for, Dwolla keeps 25 cents — that’s it. If I want to send my friend $20 for her birthday, Dwolla takes 25 cents — that’s it. Only one fee is charged. It just happens that the receiver of the money pays it, unless the sender opts to.

Dwolla does not charge to transfer money to your bank account. If I receive money in my Dwolla account and want to transfer it to my checking account at the brick and mortar, I do not have to pay anything to transfer it. This process only takes about two or three days.

You can send money using Dwolla through various means. If you want to pay with Dwolla, you can “send money to email addresses, phone numbers, Facebook friends, LinkedIn connections, Twitter followers, and businesses.”

Dwolla has a mobile app that allows you to transfer funds from your smartphone. You can use Dwolla from your iPhone, Android phone, online, or from a merchant’s kiosk or a Dwolla-enabled point-of-service.

Why You May Not Like Dwolla

Dwolla does not have a debit card. This has been hard for me to get used to. But with a little pre-planning, I can transfer funds to my checking account and use that debit card. Easy peasy.

Dwolla is relatively new and unheard of; therefore, you will not find it accepted by a lot of merchants. However, if you enlighten them, and they choose to open a Dwolla account, you get a $10 transaction credit to your account.

Your e-commerce platform may not support Dwolla. I use E-junkie, and they do not. Consequently, I continue to use PayPal for my eBook sales while researching the platforms that do work with Dwolla.

Bottom Line

I have had my Dwolla account for several months now and have been very happy with it. I do not feel that they misrepresented themselves in any way and their customer service has always been prompt. What about you? Have you tried Dwolla?

Leave your thoughts on Dwolla in the comments section!

I am excited to announce that we are launching the ChristianPF ‘Say No To Loans’ College Scholarship.

Student loans in America are just out of control. For too long we have been told that college debt is “good debt”.  And while there are instances where students’ yield a nice benefit from that “good debt”, I find that most often graduates are heavily burdened by the debt and it greatly hinders their financial progress.

Who it’s for

For this scholarship, we are looking for students who have found some creative ways to pay for college without full-ride athletic or academic scholarships, applying for student loans, or parents who did a great job saving up.

I get a kick out of people who dare to do something unthinkable, or even what experts say is impossible – like getting a college degree without any student loan debt. 

This scholarship is for those students.

About the ‘Say No To Loans’ Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship will be given to one student who is choosing to get his/her college degree without borrowing any money. We will be accepting entries up until August 1st 2013.  

Who is eligible?

Any college-aged student 17-22 not taking out any loans to pay for college. Our ideal applicant is someone who is receiving little to no outside financial support from family members, but students receiving partial financial support (gifts) from family members are still eligible.

How to apply

I remember writing a million scholarship essays in high school, so there are no essays here.

1. Create a video (less than 3 minutes) explaining/showing/demonstrating what you are doing to avoid taking out student loans and why. Creativity always helps.
2. Fill out the application form below by August 1st 2013.

If you are reading this via email, click here to complete the application.

[contact-form-7]

The Winner

After all the entries have been received  we will be emailing the semi-finalists with some additional questions. There may be a round of voting by the ChristianPF audience, and the winner will be announced mid-August. The winning video will likely be shown on ChristianPF.com and other websites as well. 

$37.3 billion dollars. That staggering figure represents the gross revenue for the year 2012 from what is often called “gaming” in the United States. That was up nearly 5% over the 2011 number, according to Time magazine.

What Does the Bible Say?

Obviously, Americans spend an enormous amount of money gambling, yet the issue is always controversial. Whenever a new jurisdiction seeks to add gambling, there is always a controversy. Christians are often the most vocal opponents of these measures, which usually pass anyway.

It is interesting that the Bible does not speak directly to the issue of gambling. None of the 10 Commandments state “Thou shalt not gamble.” Jesus did not address the issue in the Sermon on the Mount, and Paul didn’t write at length about it in Romans. However, we must always remember that the purpose of the Bible is not to give us an exhaustive list of restraints or “don’ts” to avoid. The Bible is meant to help draw people closer to God, not list every “yes” and “no” we can possibly dream up.

With that in mind, though, there are several Biblical principles from Bible verses that are quite clear, and help us understand that gambling is wrong.

Biblical Principles

1. Gambling can show a lack of trust.

Gambling can – though not always – be done out of a lack of trust in God. Many people run to the casino or the scratch-off ticket when they are in a bind and are not sure where this month’s mortgage is going to come from. That lack of trust is in direct violation of Jesus’ clear teaching to not be anxious, but to trust God (Matthew 6:25-33).

2. Our hearts are not to be focused on storing up treasures on earth.

Earlier in that same sermon, Jesus stated, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV) If all I can see is how this one roll of the dice or putting some money on the right horse is going to gain me this world’s riches, it is obvious where my heart is. I am not seeking God first, but I’m only thinking of the temporary things of this life.

3. We are to be content with what we have.

Remember the words of the Hebrews writer: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) It is hard to place that teaching alongside gambling and find how they compliment one another.

4. We are to delight in the Lord, not in money.

Further, the tenants of gambling are clearly described in Scripture as being unwise. Even if we do not wish to say that it is sinful, several passages of Scripture make it clear that it is simply against the wisdom of God for our lives. For example, Proverbs 13:11 (NIV) states, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” The idea of “get rich quick,” which is the very allure of gambling, is called unwise by the Lord himself. Modern studies show that wisdom to be true. 90% of all lottery winners – no matter the size of their winnings – go through all the money they won in five years or less. The reason is that it is not just money that the gambler seeks. Solomon wrote, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV) Maybe it’s the fame, or the “rush” of the moment, or what “friends” this newfound wealth will get me. But Solomon says such a pursuit is vain. By the way, David gives the solution: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 NIV)

5. We should treat others as we’d want to be treated.

Finally, we need to mention the Golden Rule. Gambling is, in essence, trying to put up a tiny amount of money in order to “take” that money from someone else (either a person or a business). Knowing that, we need to ask a question. Would I want someone to try to take money from me in exchange for a tiny amount of their money? That changes the way we look at it, doesn’t it? We are trying not just to get “something for nothing.” The gambler is trying to get a lot from someone else for very little. It is hard to make that concept jibe with the Golden Rule, to do unto others as you have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12).

Final Thoughts

Thinking through this issue from a Biblical worldview, it is hard to find justification for gambling. It violates several basic Biblical principles, and the foundations upon which gambling is founded are considered unwise by the Lord. As one who is trying to see in Scripture a way to draw ever closer to God, gambling is something I will avoid at all costs, so that my heart can be drawn closer to my Father in heaven.

What are your thoughts on gambling? Should Christians be gambling? Leave your thoughts in the comments section!

I recently listened to a talk about time management for bloggers. The speaker loaded the 90 minutes with great ideas and advice, but I had trouble getting past his first statement, “There’s really no such thing as time management because we are all given the same amount of time. The real issue is self-management.” (That’s my paraphrase.)

Boy, did that hit home with me. When I find myself without enough time in my day it’s because I allowed things to steal that time away from me. And that is because of my own lack of self-discipline. Here are a few ways I’ve found to discipline myself better so that it seems that I have more time left over.

1. Do the worst task first.

If I have a job that I really do not want to do, I do it first. Get that bad boy out of the way and the rest of the day looks like a breeze. For me, it’s making phone calls or paying bills. I will do anything to avoid doing those tasks. So if I need to call the insurance company or mechanic, or balance my checkbook, I do that first thing.

2. Reward yourself.

If I’m tempted to go outside and play with the chicks, or sit and watch the bees fly in and out of their hive, or read “just one chapter” in my novel, I will use that as a reward for something else that must be done. I will tell myself, as though I’m both the parent and the six-year-old, “You can read a chapter after you fold the laundry.” Or, if it’s work time and I’m on the computer and that Facebook tab has a little “12” on it telling me I’m missing out on a great conversation, I will say, “You can check Facebook after you write one blog post.”

3. Use a timer.

I know, you’ve probably heard that a thousand times, but it really does work. So that my coffee break doesn’t turn into an hour, I will set the timer for 10-15 minutes so I know it’s time to get back to work. If I have several projects to complete, I will set the timer for 30 minutes to work on the first project, go get a glass of tea and come back for another 30 minute session on the next project, and so forth. That way I know that each project got some attention that day.

4. Break large projects into small segments.

This technique I use mostly for house cleaning. I hate house cleaning. And if you ever drop by unexpectedly, you will know I’m just being honest. But if you call ahead, I will use this technique to whip the place into shape. First, I make a list of all the things that need to be done:

• Clean the bathroom.
• Fold all the laundry and it put away.
• Mop the floors.
• Clean off dining room table.
• Vacuum the living room.
• Sweep the porch and water the plants.

Then, I set the timer for 15 minutes and work as fast as I can on the bathroom. When it beeps, I reset it for another 15 minutes and work as fast as I can on the laundry. When it beeps, I reset it for another 15 minutes and start mopping the floors. Then, when it beeps, I reset it and rest for 15 minutes. That is one hour. I continue in this fashion until either the list is done, or I’m out of time.

Why not just start at the top of my list and work my way to the bottom? Because I may only get the bathroom and laundry done and you will come onto my porch which is covered in leaves, enter my dining room that has some project all over the table, and you’ll stick to the tile as you walk to the living room where dust bunnies greet you from under the furniture. But, with my method, at least every area of the house will have had some attention.

Some folks are taught a more disciplined lifestyle as children and do not struggle with self-discipline as adults. Others have employers or a spouse to keep them on task. I don’t have an employer and my spouse is not home all day watching over me. That’s why I’ve developed these little tricks to help me. What do you do to help you get things done? Do you need a higher level of self management?

Leave a comment to explain how you manage your work. What tips can you share with other readers?

Last weekend I saw Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and thought it was a pretty entertaining movie. It’s a sequel to the 1987 movie Wall Street and picks up when Gordon Gekko is released from prison. I won’t go into detail about the movie’s plot, but Gekko definitely loves money and isn’t afraid to sacrifice almost everything for it.

I was taken back by one line that Gekko had in the movie: “Time is the greatest asset you have.” If you watch the movie, you’ll see that Gekko isn’t a super sensitive guy and for him to recognize that time is the greatest asset you have on this earth, it makes you step back and think about the things that really matter.

I love talking, thinking, creating, and building businesses that succeed financially. Money is a great tool to advance projects and to support causes in life. But once we make money our main focus in life, that’s when problems can arise. The tough part is that the problems come gradually and the important things get pushed back slowly. Not too many businessmen make a decision in just one day to make their work a priority over their family, but the small choices made everyday can lead to that very outcome – even if they think their priorities are still straight.

Allocating time to the highest priorities in your life takes a concentrated effort. It’s easy to unintentionally let important things like faith, family, and relationships slip by while you’re attention is focused on things like work and becoming financially secure.

I think this verse is a great reminder of how we should prioritize our time.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:31–33 NIV

It’s important to understand that these verses aren’t telling us to forget work altogether and to focus every minute of our day on spreading the Gospel. We were created to work and according to Col. 3:23 we are to work at everything with all of our heart as working for the Lord. This verse is simply about priorities. It says seek his kingdom “first.” It’s up to us to prioritize the “second” and “third” thing we do – but I’m confident that we have a better chance of prioritizing these things in our life if we start with seeking His kingdom first.

We’re all given 24 hours each day – no more no less. Our time never increases, making it the most precious asset we have. So take a few minutes today and think about what you’ve been putting first. Is it his kingdom? If not, when was the last time you really evaluated how you were spending your time?

What are some ways you remind yourself to seek his kingdom first? Leave a comment!

This article was originally published in October, 2010 at FaithandFinance.org.

This year, along with a number of other significant changes, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has put an end to the decade-long provision that allows for mortgage insurance cancel-ability. That provision allowed homeowners to cancel their mortgage insurance premiums once the mortgage was paid down to a certain level.

The wave of defaults and foreclosures that have hit the housing market in the past few years have hit FHA especially hard, and this is one of the ways they’re trying to make up the difference. Contrary to popular belief, the FHA is not a direct lender, but a federal agency that insures the value of mortgages, but does so for higher risk borrowers than the conventional market traditionally serviced. This makes FHA the backstop for millions of mortgages, many of which have gone sour.

How does FHA mortgage insurance work?

In the most general sense, the purpose of mortgage insurance is to induce a lender to make a loan to a homebuyer who has a down payment (or equity in the case of a refinance) that is less than 20% of the property value. Mortgage insurance will reimburse the lender for at least a percentage of the original loan amount in the event of foreclosure.

In the case of conventional loans, mortgage insurance effectively lowers the loan-to-value ratio (“LTV”) to something less than 80% of the property value. As far as the lender’s risk exposure, mortgage insurance will make a minimum down loan less risky than one to a buyer who makes a 20% down payment.

With conventional loans – those provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – the amount of the mortgage insurance that a borrower pays is added to the monthly payment. Mortgages taken through FHA require a monthly mortgage insurance payment too, but also in up front mortgage insurance premium (“UFMIP”).

This will enable the borrower to get the mortgage to buy the home that they want, but it will also increase the cost of owning it.

The Old Rules: You could cancel mortgage insurance at a certain point.

In 2001, a federal law was introduced that required mortgage insurance companies – including FHA – to drop monthly mortgage insurance premiums when the value of the outstanding mortgage balance fell to 78% of the home’s original value.

There were other requirements as well. The mortgage had to be in force for at least 24 months, and the borrower had to have a good payment history on it.

For conventional mortgages, the borrower always had (and still does have) the option to refinance the loan if the value of the property rose to a point where the new loan would not exceed 80% of the value, and in doing so eliminate the mortgage insurance. But cancel-ability meant that the monthly premium would eventually disappear without the need to refinance.

The New Rules: FHA mortgage insurance is no longer cancelable.

Effective from April 1, 2013, mortgage insurance cancelability has been removed from FHA-insured mortgages. This means that monthly mortgage insurance premiums will be required over the life of the loan.

Mortgage cancelability is still in effect for conventional mortgages.

Why the FHA Changed the Rules

Historically, FHA has insured mortgages that have been considered too risky for the conventional mortgage market. This means that FHA-insured mortgages have always carried more risk – and have higher default rates – than what would typically be found in the conventional market.

The mortgage meltdown of the past few years took a heavy toll on the FHA’s portfolio of mortgaged properties, and continues to weigh heavily even now that the market is experiencing a modest recovery. The termination of mortgage cancel-ability, in concert with higher monthly and upfront mortgage insurance premiums, are an attempt to recover some of those losses.

This is also important because FHA insures 100% of each mortgage – not the top 20 to 30% that conventional mortgage insurers do. When mortgage cancel-ability was in effect, the borrowers’ monthly premium would disappear, but FHA’s liability for loss on default remained intact.

Why the Elimination of Mortgage Cancel-ability isn’t a Game Changer

For all the attention focused on the elimination of FHA mortgage insurance cancel-ability, this is hardly a disaster for homebuyers and existing owners.

Mortgage cancel-ability was always a greater benefit with conventional mortgages than it was on FHA loans. Traditionally, conventional loans typically required larger down payments – and that meant lower mortgage insurance premiums. The typical down payment on FHA mortgages was 3%, while with conventional loans it was more typically in the 5% to 10% range. Simply put, it is easier to cancel your mortgage insurance when your original loan to value ratio was 90%, rather than 97%.

It can take many years for a mortgage to amortize from an opening balance of 97% of the homes value down to 78%. In addition, since so many homeowners would refinance their homes to take cash out after building up equity, most homeowners with FHA mortgages never reach this point anyway.

What this means is that the impact of eliminating mortgage insurance cancel-ability on FHA loans is unlikely to be a game changer in the housing market.

What are your thoughts on this news and FHA loans in general? Leave a comment!

A recent theme of Big Box advertising is the savings from eating breakfast at home rather than a fast food restaurant. The average savings is between $500-$600 a year if a family of four would give up one fast food breakfast a week.

Guess I’m a little naive on how a majority of Americans are getting the most important meal of the day. We always thought of “breakfast out” as a vacation/traveling option or a special, weekend occasion. Not an everyday thing.

So I started asking around. Sure enough, many office workers walk in the door with a fast food bag and a disposable coffee cup in hand. Parents are serving breakfast in the minivan on the way to school from a bag passed through their window in the Drive Thru lane. A recent survey found that 37% of adults and 42% of kids had eaten from a fast food restaurant over a 2-day period.

When did breakfast start being a big budget item for people?

Everyone wants a bit at your breakfast dollars. Breakfast makes up a quarter of McDonald’s sales. Taco Bell is wanting to get in on the huge profits with a Waffle Taco while Dunkin’ Donuts just introduced its glazed donut bacon sandwich. Starbucks figured out you were already there for coffee, so why not offer a few munchies to go with it. Just around the corner, someone is wanting to sell you breakfast.

Breakfast is keeping some people broke!

How can you push away from the marketing of a quick, easy breakfast delivered through your car window?

1. Prioritize breakfast foods on your grocery list.

Keep a steady supply of breakfast staples in your house that your family will actually eat – eggs, milk, bread, favorite cereals, oatmeal, yogurt and fresh fruits. Splurge a little and get the shrink pack of eight different cereals and have a tasting party where everyone gets a small sample of each kind. Vote on which cereal to have in the pantry next week.

Many products in your grocery store can be a quick breakfast if you aren’t a morning chef. Power bars, even though they can average $1 each, are still a better nutritional and budget option. Frozen breakfast sandwiches and toaster items are kid friendly to prepare and easy to transport on the way to school or work.

2. Get creative with breakfast choices.

Who says breakfast is limited to cold cereal, hot oatmeal, or a frying pan of bacon and eggs? Breakfast is the first meal of the day that jump starts your body and mind. Proteins and carbs are the essentials to get you going.

Brainstorm with your family on what they would like first thing in the morning. Maybe a PB&J would be perfect for John, a bowl of yogurt with some granola for Jane, and a mini-breakfast pizza for Terry. Make the breakfast menu part of your calendar.

3. Prepare the night before.

While the kitchen is still messy from dinnertime, take a moment to prep a few things for breakfast. Cut up fruits in single-serving bowls that are easy for everyone to grab. Prep some overnight oatmeal for a change. Pour out a single serving of cereal in an air-tight container and milk in an easy-pour measuring cup so a little one can eat while you are still getting ready in the morning.

If you want to do a quick batch of eggs, have the pan out on the stove top and blend the eggs and milk in a bowl. In the morning while waiting on coffee, turn on the heat, whip up the eggs, and pour. In a few minutes, scrambled eggs are ready for the plate or a tortilla roll-up.

Put your car-friendly mug near the coffee maker. If your breakfast will be mobile, have things ready to go in the fridge or on the counter to quickly grab as you head to the car.

Preparing the night before is the best offense to staying away from a drive-thru.

4. Prepare breakfast foods well in advance.

Crystal, a great savings blogger on Money Saving Mom, is always posting about her breakfast options she makes in advance and puts in the freezer. This is a good strategy for any meal, but breakfast foods are especially freezer friendly. Take a few hours on the weekend or evenings to whip up a batch of muffins or pancakes and store so that single servings are easy to grab and heat up.

Find new recipes online for a yummy power bar that will make a large number of servings.

What You’ll Save

Money

The average fast food breakfast can run between $4-$7, without a fancy coffee. Put a fancy coffee and muffin together, you have a $10 breakfast. At home, breakfast can average between $1-$3. Your family of four can easily spend around $2,000 a year ($4 x 4 people x 3 days x 40 weeks) on a cheap, part-time breakfast habit. That’s like eating away your vacation.

Time

You might have saved yourself time in the kitchen, but chances are you are driving a little out of your way to get breakfast. Plus, you are spending time in the drive-thru, which is not always predictable.

Calories

Fast food breakfast choices are loaded with calories and fats. Making breakfast from fresh foods at home will help your wasteline as much as your bottom line. Even the convenience foods in your grocery freezer are better nutritional choices, especially if you add some fresh items to your plate.

Has the fast food breakfast crept into your lifestyle? Is buying breakfast on the way to work or school keeping you broke and from reaching your financial (or fitness) goals?  Take a moment this week to purposefully make a plan to have an enjoyable breakfast at home.

What are your at-home breakfast tips? Do you have a drive-thru habit that needs to be changed? Leave a comment!

Technology is great. It’s possible to do a number of financial tasks with your mobile device, including budgeting, paying down debt and shopping smart. I bought the hottest new Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy S4, on its launch day. Once I got my hands on it, I started looking for apps to really make the most of it.

Android is a great operating system for a phone, and with the right apps found on Google Play, you can manage your money (and even save money) no matter where you are or what you are doing.

1. Mint

I’ve been a big fan of Mint and this is one of the best money management apps, allowing you to see what is happening with your accounts no matter where you are. With this app, you can see exactly where you stand. It’s perfect for checking your budget progress while you are on the go. Oh and did I mention that Mint allows Canadians too?

2. ShopSavvy

Want to save money at the store? This barcode scanner is one of the most exciting apps for Android. Simply take a picture of the barcode at the store, and you’ll see price comparisons for local stores, as well as online options. It’s price comparison turbo-charged, and in the palm of your hand. No more running all over town, you can simply scan and then use that information to negotiate a better price.

3. Financisto

This is an opensource app that is aimed at those who want to manage finances in a serious way from their phones. You can enter a number of transactions, including transfers and scheduled transactions. It’s also great for business owners, who can use it for projects, payees and locations. It’s also possible to split transactions with this app.

4. Groupon

If you are serious about saving money, the Groupon app for Android can help. Get daily deals delivered right to your phone, and store them on your phone, so you don’t have to worry about printing out your deal. It’s a great way to save money and put your phone to good use.

5. Bank Finder

This is one of the most useful apps for Android. No matter where you are, you can find a bank or ATM. Get turn-by-turn instructions from your location. Handy if you are in an unfamiliar area and need some quick cash.

6. Google Wallet

Your phone can be a wallet. Google Wallet allows you to pay for items across the web, as well as on Google Play. On top of that, it’s also possible to use your phone to pay by tapping at stores outfitted with NFC point-of-sale terminals. So with a newer NFC-equipped model, your cell phone can become a payment device, too.

7. Debt Snowball

One of the best ways to save money over time and use your resources wisely is to get out of debt. ChristianPF readers are certainly familiar with the debt snowball. The Debt Snowball app can help you create a plan to help you pay your debt in a way that works for you. Receive a personalized debt repayment plan that helps you see exactly what you need to do each month until pay off. It’s a great way to take control of your financial future, and stop spending so much on interest payments.

All of these apps are free or fairly inexpensive. They can help you save money in the long run, and manage your finances better.

What are some other Android apps that you love? Leave a comment!

Tom Drake runs Canadian Finance Blog and is an active member of his Anglican church; teaching Sunday School and serving on a financial stewardship committee.

For most retirees, Medicare is the primary health insurance used to cover a wide range of medical services and costs. Medicare can be a very different style of insurance compared to employer plans.

Keep in mind that Medicare Part A and B, and any supplement or Part D policies, cover an individual and not a married couple. Premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts are for each person. Each benefit has very specific requirements and descriptions. The Medicare website has tons of useful information and is very interactive.

Here is a summary of Medicare benefits for 2013:

1. When can you receive Medicare benefits?

Most people know that you are eligible enroll in Medicare when you turn 65 years old. You are automatically enrolled if you receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits. If you aren’t receiving these payments yet and want to use Medicare, you can enroll online, at your Social Security location, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.  Benefits are also available to those that have been on Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability for 24 months.

2. What are Part A benefits and costs?

Part A is the coverage for hospital visits, skilled nursing facilities, and home health hospice care. Part A covers:

In-patient hospital stays for a specific event:

• First 60 days of in-patient hospital care, you pay the first $1,184 as a deductible and then Medicare picks up the rest of the tab.
• Between 61-90 days, Medicare covers everything beyond $296 coinsurance per day.
• Between 91-150 days, Medicare covers everything beyond $592 coinsurance per day up to a lifetime limit of 60 days.

Skilled nursing facility stays:

• Stay is related to an in-patient hospital stay.
• First 20 days, Medicare pays 100% of services.
• Between 21-100 days, Medicare covers everything beyond $148 coinsurance per day.
• After 100 days, Medicare does not cover anything.

Home health hospice: Medicare covers 100% of home hospice services.

Premiums for Part A: There are generally no additional premiums for Part A coverage if you or a spouse paid into Medicare while working, you have received disability benefits for 24 months, or have End-Stage Renal disease. If you need to buy Part A, it can cost up to $441 per month.

3. What are Part B benefits and costs?

Most people consider Part B to be for doctor’s visits, but it covers much more.

There is a $147 deductible you must pay each year before any Medicare benefits kick in. Preventive services by a Medicare provider are generally covered 100%. This includes screenings, shots, and an annual wellness visit.

After the deductible is met, you will pay 20% coinsurance and Medicare will pay 80% for covered services such as:

• Doctor’s visits in and out of the hospital if they accept Medicare’s reimbursement rate. *
• Durable medical equipment that will be used long-term like walker, home oxygen, and diabetic supplies
• Ambulance emergency services
• Outpatient hospital charges

* If a doctor does not accept the Medicare rate, they are allowed to charge up to 15% more for Medicare covered services. You are responsible for those excess charges in addition to any deductible and 20% coinsurance.

Premiums for Part B: Premiums are automatically deducted from your Social Security benefit when you elect to enroll in Medicare. The initial monthly premium is set at $104.90 for 2013. However, premiums are based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). If you are single with at least $85,000 MAGI or married with $170,000 MAGI, you will have at least an additional $42 per month for Part B. Check out this chart for 2013 premiums.

4. What additional coverage do I need?

Supplemental Insurance for Part A and Part B: A Medicare Supplement Plan (also known as a Medigap Plan) can help pay for the out-of-pocket expenses of Part A and B benefits. These plans are offered by independent insurance companies and are regulated by the federal government and each state where they are sold for your protection. There are 12 levels of plans with the F plan offering the most coverage.

Part D for prescription drug coverage: Medicare does not cover any prescription drugs. A Part D plan can help with a majority of the cost of a prescription at your pharmacy. Monthly premiums can be fairly low ($15 per month) and copays start at $0 for generic drugs. Plans for your state can be reviewed on Medicare.gov.

Medicare Advantage Plans: Advantage plans (Plan C) cover many of the out-of-pocket expenses of Part A and B, as well as Part D for prescription drugs. You will be required to see doctors and use facilities within a certain network. Before enrolling in an Advantage plan, be sure you understand all the details and rules.

5. How does Medicare work with other healthcare insurance plans?

You are still working at age 65: You may still be eligible for your employer’s healthcare plan if you are still working and can postpone the Medicare Part B premiums and benefits. The Human Resources Department will be able to explain how their insurance works once you turn 65.

Spouse still working and you are age 65: If a spouse is still working and you are still eligible to be covered by their employer’s plan, you still have Part A coverage but you can elect to postpone Part B coverage (and the associated premiums). Again, check with the HR Department.

Retirement health coverage: You may have healthcare insurance coverage as a retiree from a large company, a government job, or the military. Many of these plans require that you enroll in Part B and pay the premium, but then the other out-of-pocket expenses are covered from your retirement health benefits.

Healthcare costs are a big part of any household budget, but even more during later years. It’s important that older Americans understand their Medicare benefits, the role of additional insurance, and the coordination of any other health insurance plans. Use the resources available at your doctor or healthcare facility to understand how to take advantage of your Medicare benefits to their maximum and keep your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum.

If you have a parent that is over 65 years old, make time to talk about Medicare insurance and other health concerns. Today is the best time to start a conversation!

What has your experience been with Medicare for yourself or a parent? Are you ready to make these big decisions when you retire? Leave a comment!