Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Are You Really Covered With Your Health Care? - Part 1

You might think you don't have to worry about paying for medical care if you have health insurance. But you would be wrong. There are several ways in how to make the most of your health plan.
  • Know What You Have. There is no such thing as a "standard health plan". If you're lucky, your employer insurer will provide you with a handy list of features. If not, check your Summary Plan Description, - that book that you probably got when you first signed up for it.
  • Sweat The Details. Remember, insurance isn't for when you're healthy - it's for when you're sick. Check for mental-health coverage...does it include ample counseling visits, inpatient days and substance-abuse treatment? How many days of physical therapy, in case you have stroke? Good "durable medical equipment" coverage can make all the difference for someone who needs a breathing machine or a wheelchair.
  • Do The Math. Do a "worst case" calculation of your maximum annual costs. Here's how: Add up the total annual cost of your premium + your plan's annual out-of-pocket cap. If too high, you might want to trade higher premiums for a lower out-of-pocket limit. if you have enough money saved up to cope with an occasional bad year, your trade-off might go the other way.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Precious Metals by Monex

The Monex group of companies has gone a long way being America's gold and precious metals investment leader. Having an impressive performance as America's premier precious metal dealer for 40 years must have been a historical pride. No wonder, client investors are still choosing Monex when it comes to precious metal business.

Monex is always proud to offer the best precious metals to its valued customers, with high customer service and satisfaction.

Check their products, - gold bullion, silver, platinum, palladium bullions and coins. You can try checking their live prices online for your guidance and their special offers you shouldn't miss!

Call any Monex Account Representative now at 1-800-444-8317.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Stop Embarassing Flatulence!

You can't hide nor control it. The best thing to do with it is to fight it back. How? To fight back against a gas attack, add a pinch of baking soda to a glass of water and drink it down.

You may also want to forgo fruit at the end of the meal, because it causes fermentation.

It is better to have your fruit first thing in the morning or at least an hour or so after a meal.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 6

Scam#9: "I'm a political refugee. Help me move millions out of my former country into your bank account."

The trick: An unsolicited email offers you "opportunity" to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that a self-proclaimed government official is trying to transfer illegally out of a foreign country in return for bank account numbers or other identifying information from you.

What to do: just say no, even if the players were telling the truth. It would be illegal for you to help expatriate money from a foreign country to the US. and dangerous for you to get involved with the characters who would try it.

Scam#10: "I wouldn't go on vacation without this car repair."

The trick: A dealer or an independent repair shops advertise a service at an unbelievably low price, but the shop finds that added costly parts and service are needed, when they are often not necessary. In some cases, the shop pads your bill with "ghost" parts or labor not actually provided.

What to do: Find a repair shop before you need one; get recommendations from friends. Check the shop's reputation with your local Better Business Bureau or your state/local department of consumer affairs, look for Automotive Service Excellence Certification, AAA approved shop status, etc... Get a written estimate of the parts, labor and cost required for repair.
When having a regular maintenance performed, ask what the shop intends to do and compare that with what's recommended in your owner's manual so that you don't pay for work you don't need. If you're suspicious about a recommended repair, get a second opinion at another shop.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Your Kitchen Makeover Dream Come True!

For all Canadians, you must be all lucky to have this contest about winning your dream kitchen makeover! If you are lucky enough to win the contest, obviously it would no longer be a dream but a dream come true, how's that?
Aren't we glad Maple Leaf Foods is here? Yes, if not for them, this contest would not be possible. For sure many of you are already quite familiar with Maple Leaf, - a leading consumer packaged food company based in Toronto, Canada with operations extending as far as United Kingdom, Mexico, Asia and the United States. And how would you like to get those easy-to-make meal ideas? Start exploring the market on Maple Leaf's website today and get some tips! It's as comfortable as when you're actually visiting the store and doing your shopping. Sounds good, huh?

So, it's time to get your dream come true kitchen makeover from Maple Leaf! They are giving away a $32,000 dream Kitchen, and 12 Frigidaire fridges as a celebration for the launching of their new website.
I am not a Canadian resident, but if ever I am qualified, and is lucky enough to win, I will do the total makeover for my kitchen, LOL!
Visit Mapleleaf.com today, and start joining the contest.
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 5

Scam # 8: "We Move U 4 Less."

The trick: A mover provides you a low estimate, then take your household belongings, then holds them until you pay exorbitant and unexpected extra fees. Some schemes involve a moving broker, who takes an initial payment upfront from the consumer, then doesn't arrange shipping by a legitimate licensed trucking company that doesn't expect payment until it delivers the goods; in the end, the legitimate trucker wants payment on delivery to release the goods, but the customer already paid the broker - who's now missing in action!

What to do: Use only an insured mover registered with the Federal Department of Transportation and licensed to transport goods interstate. Check their credentials by calling 202-366-9805 or at fmcsa.dot.gov. Never hire a mover who gives an estimate without visiting your home, and who demands cash before the move, or who shows up on moving day with a rental truck instead of a company-owned and market fleet truck. Check with the company that issued your homeowner's insurance policy to see whether your goods are covered while in transit. If not, don't rely on the mover's minimal insurance coverage.
Buy full-value protection insurance from the moving company or shop for moving insurance through your regular agent.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 4

Scam #6: "You don't need a physical to qualify for this low-cost health insurance."

The trick: An agent offers you a "union" health plan when you're not a union member. They don't require you to pass health standards required by other policies, the rates are low and the benefits are high. Claims might be paid initially, but are delayed and eventually stop.
This scam collects premium from many people as fast as possible, then skips out, leaving the victims with lots of medical bills.

What to do: Agents and insurance plans they sell should be approved by your state insurance department. So, avoid any salesperson that tells you the health insurance is exempted from state insurance laws or the agent doesn't need license. If you want to buy insurance, it's best to contact your state insurance department to make sure the company, agent and policy are properly licensed.

Scam #7: "Investment provides the guaranteed high returns and low risk that seniors like you need."

The trick: A broker promises above-market returns from a safe, low-risk investment to give your retirement savings a kick. Mostly, this scam involves bogus promissory notes, fake certificates of deposit or "prime bank" debentures or letters of credit that don't exist. In some case, seniors will be lured by a free meal at a fancy restaurant at a high pressure seminar designed to sell risky investments such as equity-indexed certificates of deposit that are not FDIC-insured and whose returns depend on stock-market ups and downs.

What to do: Never invest with a broker who finds you; find your own independently. If you're tempted, check the disciplinary record of nASD-registered financial professionals. Monitor your financial advisers, and don't give them the authority to invest your assets without your prior consent. Take note: Higher returns come with more, not less, risk.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 3

Scam #4: "This stock is at 50 cents and it's going to be 5 or 6 bucks this week. Buy now!"

The trick: You get a voice mail about a "hot" stock tip that appears to have been left by someone who intended to call a friend but mistakenly dialed your number. If you act on it, promoters artificially push up the price of thinly traded microcap stocks, which they sell to you high before the bottom drops out, leaving you holding worthless stock.
They call this trick "pump and dump" scam. The FBI estimated that at least $6 billion a year from cheated investors are being stolen.
This spam has lately been showing up as a text messages on cell phones.

What to do: IGNORE unsolicited pitches and "wrong number" tips for any investment. Also, beware of any "friend" who volunteers to help you on the road to riches. If you plan to invest, make a research and purchases on your own initiative.

Scam #5: "Ill Be Back Sometime Soon To Finish Your Roof."

The trick: A fly-by-night operator convinces you to make a big advance payment and might even begin to work. But then, he delays, abandons the job or does poor work. Some contractors push new windows or roofing so that they can arrange a home-equity loan for you, then they abscond with the funds.

What to do: At least get estimates from 3 contractors. Never hire anyone who comes to your home unsolicited, uses high pressure sales tactics, or promises a price too good to be true. Use only licensed contractors and ask for references and proof of liability, workers compensation and property-damage insurance. Reflect the deal in writing and specify the work to be done by the contractor or sub-contractors.

Don't pay large amounts in advance and never make final payments before the work is completed to your satisfaction. Pay either by credit card or check if possible, not by cash.