Articles Posted in financial wellness

Credit cards rule the domestic economy of many households. Few people want to carry a lot of cash, and credit cards have always been convenient for buying things. However, the pandemic caused people to shop online, using their plastic to purchase essentials in addition to gifts. As a result, many now deal with sizable credit card balances. That situation is dangerous.

It is more than simply larger minimum payments due each month. Overusing credit cards will put a strain on family budgets. It is no secret that credit card abuse has brought many people to the brink of bankruptcy. Forgetting to pay some credit cards will lead to major problems. Plastic is important, but it is a beast that must be kept under control.

Financial wellness depends on keeping credit card debt under control. However, there are some straightforward strategies a consumer may use to prevent a serious situation, and it does not require having the skills of an accountant. Continue reading

Apprehension and panic are what many people feel when they go to their mailbox. There could be an invoice waiting for them that will require thousands of dollars to pay. It is a medical bill for a procedure or a program of therapy. The amount can keep a person up late at night worrying about what to do.

Modern medicine has allowed us to live better lives than our grandparents. People live longer, and the quality of life has improved dramatically for those who are disabled. But unfortunately, it all comes at a cost. Employees face a situation where they are pressured into dealing with sizable debt. The amount can lead to some poor financial decisions.

You Can Negotiate

A medical invoice is an expense statement; it is not an ultimatum. Healthcare providers want their money but do not have to be paid immediately. The accounts receivable folks are willing to be flexible and negotiate with any patient. There is no desire to destroy anybody’s financial wellness. Continue reading

The United States is currently experiencing inflation that has not been seen in 40 years. Everything costs more, especially food and gasoline. What is sobering is to know that inflation is outpacing pay increases. The rising costs make people feel anxious and worried about their finances.

It is a challenging situation but is also an opportunity for management.

Employers can step in and assist people in dealing with the rising costs. It does not have to be adjustments to wages or outright money grants. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services has a benefit that permits a person to adjust to inflation successfully. Continue reading

Right now is the calm before the buying storm. It will not be long before the real estate market starts booming with activity as people look for that special place to settle and raise a family. Springtime can be a season of discontent, however, for those not prepared. A first-time homebuyer can quickly become frustrated.

The real estate market can be an absolute beast for anybody who is unprepared. Anyone who is venturing out into the housing arena must be ready. Those who are not may spend thousands of dollars learning some painful lessons.

What to Know Continue reading

College debt is not only a problem for recent graduates. Many employees are still struggling to pay off their education bills, which seems hopeless for some. College debt may be only part of an overall bleak financial picture. It is the size of the payment obligation that many times causes the worse stress. Too many people are resigned to life decisions that include delaying marriage, family, or buying a house because of college debt.

Employers are now being called upon to help their employees with money problems. This means more than a seminar or a self-study course. Increasingly, more people want a little extra to help them with their financial wellness. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services offers considerable value with a significant benefit plan.

Advice, Support, and Education

The 2021 Capital One CreditWise Survey shows that nearly three-fourths of those surveyed consider finances to be the most stressful part of their lives. We could not agree more. Money is on everyone’s mind.

Quarantines and Stimulus Checks

The past two years have caused incredible changes in the financial habits of many people. Quarantines enhanced unemployment checks, and stimulus checks have dominated personal budgets and altered spending habits. The government assistance that affected everybody is going away, but what people do with their money has not changed yet. Continue reading

Employees need help with their money, and they appreciate anything an employer can do to help with personal finances. Creating a personal budget is something many need help in developing.

It seems odd for an older person, but a newly hired employee, fresh out of school with excellent technical skills, might never have created a personal budget in their life. They live from day to day on Ramen noodles and live in a dorm. Now, they are in the workforce, and they are not quite sure how to manage their finances. Continue reading

People will do the best they can to stay financially stable. But unfortunately, there are times when their best is not good enough. Bad things can happen because of the layoff or unexpected debts. For example, credit cards get out of hand, and homeowners can no longer meet mortgage payments. As a result, a person’s finances are going underwater.

You can’t blame Christmas shopping for all of this. Indeed, many problems that lead to bankruptcy court result from years of poor financial decisions and bad spending habits. Anyone who is facing bankruptcy knows the stress and anxiety. It sometimes feels like the walls are closing in, and there is no way out. Continue reading

Everything starts fresh in the New Year. The budgets are approved for 2022, and programs are starting everywhere. It can be stimulating except for people with health problems. The group health insurance deductible is renewed, and it must be paid first.

Folks can get very worried about healthcare costs. Surgery and physical therapies can be expensive, and deductibles of up to $5000 are common. The cost is on top of expenses already incurred by the holiday season. So, it is easy to see why people get anxious. Continue reading

Many people are tired of renting an apartment and would love to have a home of their own. It does not need to be anything fancy; a three-room bedroom and two bath house is plenty. The challenge a person faces is a lack of understanding of the real estate market. A first-time buyer is vulnerable.

Flying in the Dark

Real estate is a major industry in the United States, and it is one with its own vocabulary and procedures. Not everyone understands it. Someone who has never purchased a house before is not aware of the importance of preapproval letters, title searches, and personal liens against the property. These all have an impact on a house purchase. Continue reading