This post is quoted directly from Boston College historian Heather Cox Richardson from Letters from an American <heathercoxrichardson@substack.com>Date: April 5, 2022 Obama signed the ACA into law in 2010. Today, 31 million Americans have healthcare coverage thanks to it. They can’t be denied coverage because of preexisting conditions. The ACA has lowered prescription drug costs…
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Medical Bills and Debt Collection
$88 billion of outstanding medical bills are currently in collections – affecting one in five Americans. My own academic research at Utah State University and that of University of Utah Economics Ph.D. Levi Pace revealed that medical bills were a major cause of personal bankruptcy filings in Utah. Similar research in other states confirm our…
Medicare Eligibility for People With Disabilities
Many people think of Medicare as a program for people who are 65 and older. While this is true, some may not know that a younger person with a disability can also qualify for Medicare coverage. Not every disability is a qualifying one, so it’s important to understand if you meet the requirements before you…
Longevity Risk: World’s Oldest Person Dies at 119
How long are you likely to live? Outliving your retirement resources is a potential risk for many Americans. Most retirement planning scenarios project a 30 year retirement span but what if you live past 100? According to The Wall Street Journal (4/26/22), the world’s oldest verified individual, Kane Tanaka of Japan, born January 2, 1903,…
Series I (inflation adjusted) U.S. savings bonds will pay almost 10% beginning May 1, 2022
Yes, higher prices are a drag but why are you leaving your savings in 0.05% (or less) savings accounts? Inflation-adjusted U.S. Savings Bonds are the best way to beat inflation. Currently these bonds are paying 7.12% (through April 30); the rate will escalate to 9.6% May 1. Generally one is limited to buying a maximum…
Understanding Your Finances: The Guide for College Students
Understanding Your Finances: The Guide for College Students https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/students-guide-to-credit/ Here’s what we cover: How to pay and save for college Getting college scholarships and grants Managing your credit score as a student Best financial advice for college students And some of the insight we explore: Private student loan debt volume hit an estimated $12 billion…
Help Ukraine but don’t get scammed
Michelle Singletary, Washington Post financial journalist, warns: Fraudsters will use Russia’s invasion, declining stock values and spiking oil prices to come after your money “You see images from Ukraine and feel compassion and the need to give what you can to help civilians fleeing to safety. Con artists see the Russian invasion as a way…
Paying for long-term care
It’s estimated that 50% to 60% of 65-year-olds will require some form of long-term care at some point in their lives, often in 80s or later. Physician John Lim recommends considering an alternative to self-funding (often followed by Medicaid), traditional long term care insurance (LTCI), or hybrid policies (afford payouts even if you don’t need…
Six Key Lifestyle Changes Can Help Avert the Climate Crisis
Less Stuff, More Joy! “Take the Jump” Six Key Lifestyle Changes Can Help Avert the Climate Crisis In February the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) issued its “bleakest warning yet,” saying the climate crisis was accelerating rapidly with only a narrow chance left of avoiding its worst ravages. But don’t give up hope. Governments and…
2021 Federal Taxes: Expanded child Tax Credits and Child-Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Q: (True or false): Taxpayers who got direct deposits of 2021 child tax credits last year could have lower refunds or higher taxes due than expected on returns they’re preparing now. A: True. Millions of taxpayers received partial prepayments of expanded child credits for 2021 last year via direct deposit. As a result, these amounts…