Tips to choosing the right health insurance

Health insurance is a big ball of wax — so big, in fact, that many of us put it on the back burner rather than deal with it. But it's one of the most important decisions we have to make as consumers. Not only does it determine the care that we receive should our health take a wrong turn, but it can be the wild card in your financial plan. Roughly half of all bankruptcies filed in the United States are caused by illness and medical bills.

Whether our next president will be able to wrangle our healthcare system remains to be seen. Until then, choosing the right healthcare plan remains one of your most important decisions — not just for those people who are selecting from an employer's benefits menu, but for those 46.6 million uninsured Americans who are trying to put at least some coverage in place.

Here's how to whittle down the choices and keep costs for premiums, co-pays and prescriptions from draining your bank account:

Location
Insurance plans and prices vary widely by state. New York, for example, has some of the most expensive individual plans in the country, largely due to its guaranteed-issue policy that requires companies to insure everyone, regardless of health.

The best way to kick off your shopping is by doing a little research on your state's insurance Web site, says Kimberly Lankford, author of "The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance and Still Get the Coverage You Need" (Kaplan Business, 2006). A good site will list companies available in your area, prices for both individual and family plans, and any lower-cost options your state offers if you meet certain income requirements.

Write out your priorities
Do you love your current doctors? Then you should choose an insurance company that covers their service. "It's so important that you make a list of the top five things important to you, and bring them up to the broker or insurance company," advised Michelle Katz, a healthcare consultant and author of "101 Health Insurance Tips" (LifeTips.com, Inc., 2007). This way you can really start to narrow things down by your needs, whether that means low premiums, customer service or the doctor you've been seeing since college.

Don't be afraid to use a broker
An insurance broker can be a huge help. He can do the legwork to find a well-suited insurance company, help shop for the best rates, and explain the ins and outs of your plan. To find a reputable broker, check credentials with either the National Association of Insurance Underwriters (nahu.org) or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (naic.org). You also want to make sure he has a large "book," the industry term for the network of providers he works with. More options mean a better deal and a better fit.

Ask for a "free look"
Lots of things come with a trial period — your gym membership, magazine subscription and virtually anything hawked on an infomercial — but did you know that you can sometimes test-drive your insurance plan? They call this a free look, and it basically means that you can get your money back if you're unsatisfied within a set period of time, explained Katz. The key here, though, is staying on top of things and making sure you follow the guidelines. Restrictions vary by company and plan, but you could have anywhere from one to six weeks to ask for a refund — probably in writing.

Consider a Health Savings Account
An HSA is a great option for people who generally only have to whip out their insurance card once or twice a year. Maybe you go for a yearly checkup, and then to the doctor if you have the flu. It goes hand-in-hand with an insurance policy that has a high deductible ($1,100 for individuals; $2,200 for families), but low premiums. The money you save on premiums each month can be deposited into the HSA pre-tax, where it grows tax-deferred. You then use it to pay for any unexpected medical expenses. The bonus? Once you turn 65, you can withdraw any money you didn't use and spend it on anything you want, including funding your retirement.

Negotiate
You've chosen a plan, but you're still not home free. Bills can pop up everywhere, from services that aren't covered to doctor and hospital co-pays to costs for prescriptions. Many insurers have instituted a system of preferred pricing when it comes to prescriptions, meaning that if yours isn't generic and on a list, it could still cost a bundle.

"Now, even people with employer coverage are having to be smart shoppers for prescription drugs, especially if they have a regular medication that is pretty expensive," said Lankford. Keep your costs low by shopping around (prices can vary among pharmacies — your best bet is a discount store or price club) and asking for generics whenever available. You can also have your doctor write out a prescription for a longer period of time, so you'll get a 90-day supply instead of a 30, advised Katz.

The co-pay will be the same. And don't be afraid to negotiate with your doctor if you're paying out of pocket. In a recent Harris Interactive poll, three out of five people who did so received a discount. With the cost of a single visit often tallying over $200, it's definitely worth a try.

By: Jean Chatzky

'Free' music downloads, complete with a hook

LONDON: A new online music company called SpiralFrog said Tuesday that it would make songs from Universal Music Group available for free downloading if users agreed to watch advertising, the latest in a series of efforts to wean young fans off pirated music and to challenge Apple Computer's iTunes.

SpiralFrog, a privately held company headed by Robin Kent, a former advertising executive, said that Universal had agreed to license its entire North American music catalogue, which includes artists like Eminem, Sheryl Crow and Sting, for download, with a test of the service expected to start in the United States and Canada by the end of the year. A spokesman for SpiralFrog said the offering would be extended to Britain and other European markets next year.

Universal Music declined to comment, beyond confirming the agreement.

While the music industry for years resisted the idea of "free" music, associating it with rampant online piracy, now it is eager to experiment with new digital business models. The growth of online advertising has encouraged industry executives that advertiser-supported music services could win consumer acceptance, while still compensating record companies and artists.

Some record company executives also chafe at the dominance of iTunes, particularly its insistence on a one-size- fits-all pricing model, saying that it has restricted the growth of digital sales.

SpiralFrog is not the first legitimate service to make music available free to consumers. Napster, a former scourge of the record companies that was later reborn as a legitimate digital business, this year introduced a limited advertiser-supported service that lets users listen to some songs without paying.

Kazaa, a digital file-sharing network that last month agreed to settle copyright infringement lawsuits with the music and movie industries, is also expected to introduce an advertiser-supported offering when it is reintroduced as a legitimate service.

The company said in July that it would create a service "unlike anything you've seen before," while John Kennedy, head of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, said the record companies would not object to the creation of a legitimate, advertiser-supported Kazaa.

SpiralFrog pre-empted a move by Kazaa with its announcement, which was reported Tuesday in The Financial Times. Unlike Napster, whose free offerings are "streamed" to users, SpiralFrog plans to offer downloads, like iTunes. Users would have to watch or listen to a number of online ads in exchange for free music, said Neville Hobson, a spokesman for SpiralFrog. Music will be protected from additional copying by digital rights management software from Microsoft, and will not be compatible with Apple's iPod portable music player.

"Offering young consumers an easy- to-use alternative to pirated music sites will be compelling," said Kent, a former chief executive of Universal McCann, a media-buying unit of the Interpublic Group advertising holding company.

While the company's initial agreement is with Universal Music, the company plans to pursue licensing deals with the other major record companies Sony BMG, EMI and Warner Music, Hobson said.

Still, given the fragmentation of the digital music business - there are hundreds of would-be challengers to iTunes, most with tiny market shares - analysts said that new offerings like SpiralFrog would face difficult challenges, despite offering the lure of "free" music.

"Few service providers are currently in a position to provide the large audiences that advertisers require, and few pure music providers have the heritage of building a business funded by advertising," said Michele Mackenzie, principal analyst at Ovum, a telecommunications and Internet consultancy.

Managing the relationship with Apple will also prove to be tricky for the industry, analysts say. SpiralFrog took pains to distance itself from talk that the advertising-supported model would mount a threat to iTunes.

"This is certainly not being pitched as a challenger to iTunes," Hobson said. "It's a very different model. It's complementary to iTunes."

By Eric Pfanner-www.iht.com

Mortgage Refinancing Techniques: know hows

Lowering down expenses might cost you. What is nicer is to save money and lower down expenses. However, when it comes to main economic circumstances, like mortgage payment, saving money is never as convenient as it seems.

Individuals go for refinancing if they like a more convenient loan payment option. It just means paying the newest loan with a new loan, which has better terms. These could consist of lower interest charges. These options are alluring. Specifically when we think of the fact that typical house owners have other debts (such as auto loan, credit card bills) to worry about.

Refinancing though could be complicated. You should not be deceived by a discounted interest fee. It is important to calculate the advantages that you might reap and the probable results that would place you in terrible circumstances.

Benefits of Refinancing

This is the process of refinancing. A new borrower is interested to provide you the funds for your current debt. To make the transaction ultimately enticing, he could give you lower interest charges and much simpler payment conditions. You must monitor your break-even period for you to evaluate your status in refinancing. It's basically the number of days you can reside compared to the loan you utilized for refinancing. These costs commonly refer to those you have also utilized for refinancing.

You can make something good with your money through picking your investment.

Downsides of Refinancing

Usually, homeowners merely pay attention to the funds they end up saving every month when they refinanced. They fail to remember to think if they may actually be wasting money more. And before you basically get to refinance, there are costs that you have to shoulder.

For one, you need to shoulder the closing fees. These refer to the fees that are incurred during closing the transaction of the mortgage. About 1 percent of the whole refinance costs go to payments of these fees.

Don't be deceived by the low interest expenses that refinancing can assure you. You might be spending more if you are not wise. Longer payment schemes sometimes don't suffice. Perhaps later you will realize you are not doing any smart spending at all. You should be smart enough to save your money wisely to not end up being in a terrible condition.

Before opting for refinancing, you need to pay attention to all the ways that it could go wrong. The borrower you've chosen must be able to explain it to you. Do not settle for the "convenient" way. Sometimes you end up simply wrong. Keep in mind that when it comes to money matters, it never hurts to be smart.

Ten Steps to Auto Insurance Satisfaction

1. If you have never purchased auto insurance before, do some research, before you sign any kind of a policy. Be sure to understand the coverage, terms and conditions. Research can be made through an agent in person, on the telephone, or even online. Remember that there is plenty of help available. If you do not understand terminology, use an insurance term glossary, as you may not fully understand the used terms, ex. premiums, public liability, deductibles, etc.

2. Is the auto insurance company a reputable insurer? Check out the company that you are planning to use. Talk to others. They may have had good or bad experiences. That way you will be able to make a more informed decision.

3. Weigh the cost of the premiums on your policy against your actual coverage. Are you comfortable with the coverage? Keep in mind that you may add or reduce according to your needs. Use sites like OnlineAutoInsurance.com to compare auto insurance from other companies. Find out exactly what kind of rates are being offered by a variety of carriers.

4. Make certain that the coverage that you choose to invest in, gives you adequate coverage for the full cost of vehicle repair, or replacement if you feel your vehicle has current value worth insuring. If you're financing or leasing a vehicle, make sure that your requested coverage satisfies your contract.

5. If you're eligible for discounts, take advantage of them. Many will skip out on savings which could've been adding up over time. Some discounts are automatic and some will require your volunteered notice such as low-jack and driver safety discounts.

6. Be careful in terms of clauses in your contract. Watch out for excluded drivers and realize that they will not be covered and should not drive your vehicle. You do not want any uncovered losses at a later date.

7. Find out what you will be required to pay up front in terms of repairs, if you are involved in an accident (deductibles). Will the insurance company assist you in any other way, i.e. in terms of towing, rental car expenses? Some don't find out that they don't have a rental car until an accident occurs.

8. Look closely at your coverage dates, making certain that you know exactly when your coverage begins and expires. What is involved with respect to the renewal of your policy? Is there discounts for paying up front or allowing automatic withdraw from your bank account? Do I have a grace period if I pay late. Do I have late fees?

9. Consider purchasing online car insurance because it may save you some money. A lot of companies are offering discounts for online purchase. Also it may come in handy to be able to manage your policy online because it is convenient to many.

10. Is what you are buying all inclusive in terms of cost and coverage? Is there coverage being excluded such as uninsured motorist coverage, which may be added at a later date.

If you follow these ten guidelines, you will ensure a better quality and a suitable protection - brought to you by OnlineAutoInsurance.com.

Blogging to the bank - Make Money from Blogs

Blogging is the new way to deliver information on the internet, and is exactly what people have been looking for. The word blog comes from the phrase "web log", but combined together. So what is a blog and how can you earn money from them?

Well blogging is great because it is free, you don't have to know HTML and you dont have to pay for visitors to your blog. The way to make money from blogs is simple, affiliate and advertising commissions. When a visitor comes to your blog, they can click on an affiliate product link, and you earn a commission when they buy. If you choose to do advertising too, you get a percentage of what the advertiser pays per click. Blogging can also be pretty fun, especially if you make the blog about something that you like.

The best thing about blogging is the fact that it automatically draws visitors to your site, since the free blog providers are crawled by the search engines on a daily basis. So you add some information, the search engines come and add it to their results, then when people search for that same info they arrive at your blog. The more you add to your blog, the more traffic you will get to it. Also, if you make a really good blog that has good information, then people will bookmark it and come back often, maybe even daily.

When it comes to making money from your blog, there are actually multiple streams of income that you can create. Usually people put Google Ads on their page, and earn a percentage of what the advertiser pays per click, when a visitor clicks on the ad. Pay per click advertising programs, like Google AdSense, are in my opinion, the best way to make money from the internet. Yes, you only make a few cents per click, and from a product you get dollars per sale, but selling products is not as easy as it sounds. You have to know how to write a sales letter and properly pre sell them. Advertisements require no expertise, just content and information that you already know.

That brings me to my next point, choose your topics wisely. The best thing to do is to make a blog about something you already know about, this way you wont lose interest quickly and it will keep you coming up with new ideas all the time. Basically, make a blog about your hobby or something that you like to do in your free time, or a topic that you just like to talk about. My favorite part of my blogs is that I learn something new just about everyday!

The only problem with blogging for profit is that too many people do it wrong and end up getting banned or something from the search engines, or worst yet, their blog host. No visitors mean no money, so if that happens then you will lose all of your profits.

A book by Rob Benwell, called Blogging to the Bank, is a great guide that will teach any beginner how to make money from free blogs. This means you will save time and frustration of writing a blog, then later getting it banned and removed.

I hope that I have helped you get a better understanding of blogs and making money online. My goal is to only help people make money on the internet the best way possible, and I feel blogs is the way to go for any newbie to internet marketing.