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Why Checking Your Family Medical History Can Save You Money

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Checking family medical history to save money

Knowing your family medical history is important. There’s a reason that doctors always ask for that information on those initial forms that you fill out. In fact, there are quite a few reasons. Most of those are related to providing you with the best medical care. However, checking family medical history to save money is also a good reason.

Do You Have An Accurate Family Medical History?

Many people don’t have an accurate family medical history. They know bits and pieces about certain family members. However, they might not even know about chronic conditions. This absence of information ranges from people in closed adoptions who are given very limited medical family history to people in close-knit families who simply have misinformation. It’s very common. However, it’s possible to collect an accurate family medical history. And checking family medical history to save money is just one reason to make this a priority.

Checking Family Medical History To Save Money on Testing

Danielle T. Leahy of UVM College of Medicine clearly explains one reason that checking family medical history to save money makes sense. Many patients come to their doctors with vague complaints. Similarly, people come in with a constellation of symptoms that might relate to any number of conditions.

With no family medical history, the doctor may have to run a lot of tests before figuring out what the problem is. However, with an accurate and complete family medical history, the doctor has a good idea of where to start. It may be easier to diagnose and then treat the patient as a result. The fewer tests, the lower your medical bills.

Accurate Medical History Helps With Prevention and Early Detection

If you know that your family is prone to certain conditions, then your doctors will know to keep an eye out for those things. As a result, you’re more likely to detect issues early on. The earlier you catch something, the easier it is to treat it. Moreover, it’s usually cheaper (and often less invasive) treating conditions in the early stages.

Furthermore, you may learn how to take active steps to entirely prevent developing those conditions. For example, a family history of diabetes might encourage you to be proactive about your diet and exercise. As a result of those affordable lifestyle changes, you may not develop the costly condition. So checking family medical history to save money works in large part because of prevention and early detection.

Impact of Family Medical History on Life Insurance Costs

Some people are concerned that revealing their full family medical history will raise their insurance premiums. That’s a valid concern. After all, your insurance rates are based upon many factors. Family medical history is indeed one of those factors. Specifically, life insurance companies factor this in.

However, you shouldn’t ever lie to your insurance company or omit that information. Instead, you should work with companies that are able to assist you in getting the best possible life insurance rates considering all of your health factors. So checking family medical history can help you to save money by assisting you in comparison shopping for the best insurance.

 

Do you know how to complete an accurate family medical history?

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10 Reasons Why Preventive Health Checkup Saves Money

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Preventive Health Checkup Saves Money

It’s really easy to put off going to the doctor. After all, you’re rarely excited to go spend time there. Therefore, it’s easy to think of plenty of other things you would rather do. If you’re feeling healthy and well, then it’s even easier to put off those appointments. However, there are a lot of good reasons to get regular checkups with your medical professionals. A preventive health checkup saves you money. More importantly, it can save your life.

10 Reasons Preventive Health Care Saves Money

The most important reason to keep your regular doctor checkups is that it lets you catch problems when they’re still small. Therefore, you can more easily correct issues. This can be lifesaving. Preventive health screening for heart attacks, cancer, stroke, diabetes and other major diseases can save your life.

So, that’s the big reason to keep those appointments. But it’s also important to recognize that a preventive health checkup saves money in a variety of different ways.

1. Treatment Is Less Costly When Problems Are Caught Early

Catching health issues early saves both lives and money. Nearly all treatments are significantly easier, less invasive, and less costly if you catch a health problem early on. The worse the problem gets, the more it invades your body. Therefore, the harder treatment is. Thus, the more it costs. Catching problems early makes it easier to treat them. This is better for your health and it’s better for your bank account, too.

2. Developing Rapport With a Doctor Helps You Make Good Decisions

If you keep those regular appointments with the same doctor year in and year out, then you really get to know them. This allows you to develop rapport. In other words, you trust each other. Having a good working relationship with your doctor makes it easier to discuss any type of issues that arise. You’re better able to make the decisions that are right for your health. Your doctor is able to understand your varied situations, including financial concerns. The more comfortable you feel discussing all things with your doctor, the more likely it is you’ll be able to work together to improve your health while saving you money.

3. You’ll Have Time To Research Different Options

If you wait until you’re already in a lot of pain before you see a doctor, then you’re going to feel desperate for an immediate solution. As a result, you might grab the first option you’re offered, no matter the cost. In contrast, a preventive health checkup saves you money by giving you time to consider all treatment options. You’ll know in advance whether a small issue might require greater care down the road. Therefore, you can compare treatment options, shop around for better rates for some treatments, etc.

4. Chances Are You’ll Develop a Healthier Lifestyle

If you know that you’re going to see your doctor on a regular basis then you’re probably going to implement those good habits that you know they’re going to ask you about. This goes for all medical professionals including therapists and dentists. For example, when I started making dental cleaning appointments every three months instead of every six months, I became much more consistent with twice daily flossing.

How does this save money? Obviously, the healthier you are the less you’ll spend on medication and other expensive treatments. But additionally, healthy choices sometimes also save you money. For example, switching from an expensive diet of processed food, soda and takeout to one rich in fresh produce and water might reduce your grocery bill. In this way, a preventive health checkup saves money.

One of the best money-savers in preventive health care is that a lot of people take the advice to stop smoking. Reducing your vices to improve your health helps saves you money.

5. You’ll Help Keep Health Care Costs Down at Work

Research indicates that preventive healthcare improves workplace productivity. Therefore, many employers offer incentives in order to keep up your preventive health checkups and routines. Plus, if you’re someone whose health issues might prevent them from regular work, those checkups are vital in getting you back to a steady income. This, preventive health care can help you to miss less work, earn more money, and take advantage of employer health incentives.

6. You Might Get Better Health Insurance Rates

Depending on your health insurance, you might be able to receive better rates when you commit to preventive health care. After all, your health insurance company doesn’t want to pay out large sums for people who are in terrible health. Instead, they are happy to pay small sums for you to keep your health issues under control. Check with your personal health insurance to find out if preventive health care can save you money on your premiums, deductibles, and/or co-pays.

7. You Might Improve Health Insurance Rates for All

The more people who engage in better preventive health, the better off everyone in society is. The costs of supporting those who can’t work due to illness can be very high. If more people work to support preventive health measures, overall health can rise. Working together in the community has the potential to lead to better health insurance rates for larger groups, not just individuals.

8. Preventive Health Checkup Saves Money on Life Insurance

Are you looking into getting life insurance? If so then you might want to visit the doctor first. Oftentimes your health directly affects your life insurance rates. Preventive health care improves your health. Plus it can show the life insurance company that you take care of yourself. As a result, you might get better life insurance rates.

9. Better Able To Set and Meet Goals

Taking care of your health improves the rest of your life. Preventive health care, including preventive mental health care, can help you optimize your wellbeing. As a result, you’ll have the energy and drive to pursue the things that mean the most to you. As you better set and meet your goals, you can improve your financial situation. You can pay down debt and increase savings as you move that energy towards higher levels of success.

10. You Set a Healthy Stage for the Next Generation

Making preventive care a priority in your life sets an example for the next generation. In the case of prenatal care and childhood preventive care, it also directly impacts your child’s health journey. As a result, you might find that the preventive care you do now saves money for the generations that came after you in your family. More importantly, it can significantly improve their quality of life.

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5 Ways I Treat Myself Without Breaking the Bank

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treat myselfDuring the chaos of the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s become clear that self-care is essential to your well-being. But if you’re on a budget, or even out of work due to the pandemic, you may not have extra funds laying around to go treat yourself. Typical self care, like massages, facials, and manicures all cost a pretty penny. Here are 5 ways I treat myself without breaking the bank.

1) Buy Flavored Coffee

If you’re a coffee drinker like me, you know just how luxurious a delicious cup of joe can be. But before you go running out to your local coffee shop and splurge on a pricey drink, consider making your own instead.

I bought a cheap French-press at Ikea to make my own coffee at home. But I will splurge on buying nicer, flavored coffee, like caramel, French vanilla, and hazelnut. While the flavored coffee is a little more expensive than the old-school brands you can buy in bulk, overall, it’s still much more affordable than going out to grab a coffee on the go.

And you can take it a step further by buying flavored creamer, a milk frother, and a pretty coffee mug. It truly starts my day off on the right note, and doesn’t cost much money at all.

2) Do an At-Home Spa Night

Once a week, I like to treat myself to an at-home spa night. All you need is time and a few of your favorite products!

You can go as simple or as in-depth as you want. From hair treatments to bubble baths, at-home manicures, and homemade facials, you can pamper yourself without breaking the bank.

3) Go for a Walk

During a chaotic day, there’s possibly nothing better than taking a short break to take a walk, especially if it’s a nice day. And best of all? This is totally free!

Plus, you can take a timeout to listen to your favorite music or podcast. Personally, I love to take my dogs with me, which always puts me in a better mood.

4) Cook a Healthy Meal

Admittedly, I’m not a great cook. I tend to eat on-the-go, and rarely give myself time to really enjoy a meal, let alone cook one.

But recently, I have been experimenting with cooking simple, healthy meals. I have to say, it’s fun! You can take a few basic ingredients and make it into something delicious that makes you feel good.

So try out a new recipe and get out the nice dishes. Your body will thank you.

5) Take a Nap

Lastly, when I find myself really stressed or anxious, I love to treat myself to a quick nap. After all, how liberating is it to take a timeout to take a nap? I find that a nap is essential when I’m overwhelmed, especially on busy days. Then I can wake up rejuvenated and focused.

If you’re able to, find time to build a quick power nap into your day. It’s a luxury that’s completely free!

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If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

5 Steps to Financially Prepare for a Surgery

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Can You Financially Prepare for a Surgery?Going under the knife is stressful enough without adding financial worries on top of it. To make sure you can focus on your health, it’s important to financially prepare for a surgery in advance. Here are some tips to help you estimate the cost of your operation so you don’t get any surprise bills after you get home from the hospital. 

Talk to Your Doctor

To properly financially prepare for a surgery, you need to know how much it’s going to cost. Talk to your doctor and see if they can give you an estimate. 

If not, ask them what the surgery will entail so you can relay that information to your insurance provider. Find out what kind of prescriptions, medical equipment, or physical therapy you might need after the surgery so you can figure out how much they’ll cost too. 

Make sure you verify that the hospital, surgeon, and anesthesiologist are in-network. If they’re not, it could substantially increase the cost of your procedure. 

Call Your Insurance Provider

It’s also important to call your insurance provider well in advance of your surgery. They may need to pre-authorize your operation, especially if it’s an expensive one. They’ll also be able to give you some insight into what parts of your procedure are covered and how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket. 

Figure Out How to Pay Your Medical Bills

In order to pay your medical bills, you may have to cut out unnecessary expenses like eating out and dip into your emergency fund. 

But even after trimming your budget and draining your savings, you may not be able to afford your bills on your own. If you don’t think you’ll be able to cover the cost of your surgery, there are charities and financing options that can help.

Organizations like the Healthwell Foundation and Patient Access Network help people with certain conditions cover their medical expenses. You might also consider starting a GoFundMe to raise money for your surgical costs.

Many hospitals will put you on a payment plan if you tell them you can’t afford your bills. As a last resort, you can take out a personal loan to finance your operation.

Financially Prepare for Recovery

To fully financially prepare for a surgery, you need to consider your recovery too. Some procedures only require you to take a few days off of work, while others have much longer recovery periods. 

Ask your doctor how long it will take for you to heal and when you’ll be able to return to work. If you have a desk job, your employer may allow you to work remotely so you don’t have a big lapse in income.  

But if you have a fairly physical job, you may not be able to do it while you’re recovering. So you’ll need to figure out how to cover your living expenses during that time. 

You may be able to use your paid time off or get on short-term disability to pay your bills. If you have to live off of your savings, you can tell your utility company and creditors about your situation. They may be willing to reduce or suspend your payments during your recovery. 

Create a Will

Although it’s unpleasant to think about, every surgery has risks. If something happens to you during the operation and you don’t have a will, your assets may not be distributed the way you would’ve wanted. 

That’s why it’s a good idea to create a will before your operation if you don’t already have one. Online services like LegalZoom can help you make one quickly and cheaply. 

Having surgery can cause a great deal of physical, emotional, and financial strain. But hopefully these tips will help alleviate your financial worries so you can focus on healing. 

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If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.
Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

Why Self Care Should Be Included in Budget

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self care budget

Self care. It’s such a loaded phrase. You know that you’re supposed to embrace it and yet maybe you’re not even quite sure what it means for you. And yet, taking care of yourself is really important. In fact, you should have a self care budget. Let’s explore what self care really means and why it matters.

“Self-Care Sunday” and the Problematic Buzz Around Self Care

Self care has taken off as a buzzword, so much so that it’s become something of a joke. Check social media and you’ll find thousands upon thousands of entries featuring hashtags like #selfcaresunday. The idea behind it is great: take time to take care of yourself. But the message has gotten lost. How did this happen?

The Marketing of Self Care

One problem has been that brands and businesses picked up on the concept of self care and began to market around it. So now there are all of these people trying to sell you products and services to help you better take care of yourself.

But spending a bunch of money doesn’t necessarily lead to self care. Sure, if you’re investing in your physical and mental wellbeing, then various products and services might add to your life. However, if you’re just lured in by the promise of abstractly feeling better, then you’re likely to end up disappointed. And this is how the concept of caring for yourself has practically turned into a joke when really it should be a critical priority.

The Pressure of Self Care

The other major problem with the marketing of self care is that it now comes loaded with a bunch of pressure, especially for busy women. Self care should be about how to truly take care of yourself, whatever that means. But all too often lately it ends up being just another thing on the To Do list. It’s another thing that people, especially women, beat themselves up about not doing, not doing well enough or not doing often enough. And that feeling is the exact opposite of self care.

So What Is Self Care?

So what exactly does it mean to take care of yourself? It’s probably not what you think. Sure, it can mean spa days if that’s your thing. But more than that it’s about taking the time to know yourself and then doing what you really need, regardless of how un-trendy that thing might be.

More than anything, self care means taking quiet time to really get in touch with yourself. It means that you turn off the devices, settle in, and listen to what your mind and body really need. The better you learn to hear your inner voice, the more you’ll know what you actually need in any given moment.

Self-care might include:

  • Taking time off of work – an afternoon, a long weekend, a vacation, a sabbatical
  • Reducing other obligations and expectations including those among family and friends
  • Starting a new project that you feel passionate about
  • Staying up late when you’re having a great time but then taking a nap the following day
  • Eating in a way that makes your body feel good
  • Making an appointment with a doctor, a therapist, a physical trainer or an acupuncturist
  • Being honest with your partner about your authentic feelings
  • Ignoring phone calls and listening to your favorite music for an hour
  • Signing up for classes to pursue an interest or new career path
  • Asking your friends to lunch when you need their support

Why You Need a Self Care Budget

So if self care isn’t about spending a lot of money on spas and trips to island getaways, then why do you need a self care budget? Sometimes self care does cost money. More than that, knowing that you have enough money to take care of whatever your needs may be allows you peace of mind.

Sometimes Self Care Costs Money

Even if you don’t spend a lot of money specifically on “treat yourself” items, self care can cost you some money in the following ways:

  • You might need time off of work. It’s important to have some money saved up in order to take the time that you need. If you have a self care budget then you can take any amount that’s left over within that budget each month and put it into a self care savings plan.
  • Certain things that are good for you do cost money. For example, in order to feel your best, you might need to eat higher quality food. Or you might want to pay for a gym membership, higher education, or, yes, a massage. If you have a self care budget, then you have accounted for those potential costs.
  • You can plan for impulse purchases. The fact is that sometimes you’ll set your self care aside. Then you’ll crash. Often this results in impulse spending. But if you’ve got a self care budget, then you’ve built in a cushion precisely for these times.

Knowing You Have Money for Self Care Helps Your Mental Health

Part of taking care of yourself is just giving yourself a little bit of ease. Knowing that you’ve set aside money each month for self care can go a long way towards allowing that ease in your life. Maybe you’ll spend the money. That’s great – that’s what you’ve set it aside for. But even if you don’t use it all, it helps to know that you could if you needed to. It relieves a burden. And that in and of itself is a form of self care.

How Much Money to Budget for Self Care

There are two ways to approach your self care budget.

The first is to look at what wiggle room you already have in your budget. Then use that to set a self care budget. For example, if you currently have $100 per month that is part of your “miscellaneous” budget then you might earmark all or part of that specifically for self care.

The second is to work with percentages. Try to aim for 5% of your budget to go to self care. If that doesn’t work for your finances, then what will? Be honest with yourself while still making this a priority. If you need to cut out expenses that aren’t helping your self care (streaming services for example) in order to make room for beneficial things, then do that.

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Can Your Acne Be a Sign Of Underlying Health Condition

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acne and health

Editors note: Savingadvice.com generally covers personal finance related topics.  However, due to reader demand, we are writing on this topic here. 

Acne is a pimple outbreak on your skin that is caused by oil glands plugging hair follicle openings. When the openings are large, blackheads in small, flat spots with dark centers appear. If the openings are small, tiny whiteheads form in a flesh-colored bumps state.

Acne may be a sign of different underlying health conditions. If you’re having a problem with this, it’s essential to consult a doctor as you treat acne. A doctor may pinpoint its root cause and provide the proper intervention. This is especially important as optimum health is generally beneficial for your wallet.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible health conditions that may be indicated by acne.

  1. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances occur when the body produces excess or insufficient testosterone or estrogen. The increase or decrease in hormone production prompts the body to produce more oil than it does when a person’s hormones are balanced. The result of excess oil is the possible clogging of pores, which result in blackheads or whiteheads.

It’s essential to try medication that clears the skin while attending to hormonal imbalance treatment if diagnosed. You can save on acne meds if you research platforms that supply products that may help with the skin condition. You may need to pay for treatment regarding the root cause of the problem, meaning you need to be financially savvy.

For more on saving

  1. Bacterial Infection

Bacterial infection may be the reason why one experiences acne. In this instance, bacteria were grown in clogged follicles. The clogged state means that the follicle wall can break down due to the build-up pressure. The result of this is inflammation and pain from the acne breakout. If a bacterial infection is the cause of acne, you will need to get antibiotic treatment. Taking the antibiotic together with an acne medication may be the solution to clearing your skin.

  1. Stress

Chronic stress is a health condition that can cause acne. The body contains cells that are receptors for the stress hormone. Constant pressure makes the oil mix with dead skin cells and the bacteria to clog hair follicles. While acne is treated by various recommended medications, chronic stress needs to be attended to. Some ways of handling stress are seeking professional mental services, taking a break, journaling, and breathing work, among others.

Woman looking at acne

  1. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by the excessive growth of the ovarian cyst, which can become quite large and painful over time. PCOS has many underlying risk factors: infertility, hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, obesity or being overweight, diabetes, and family history.

The symptoms of PCOS include excessive hair growth on the face and scalp, irregular menstrual periods, tenderness of the breasts, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, diabetes, and acne.

A thorough physical exam and pelvic examination are required to assess the severity of the condition. Blood tests are also necessary to measure serum hormone levels and liver enzymes. A thorough abdominal examination will also help in determining the diagnosis. As these processes are done, you can consult your doctor on whether you can use acne medication to help with clearing your skin as you treat the root cause.

Conclusion

Acne can be a sign of underlying health problems, which is why you should consult your doctor for the most appropriate treatment. Some of the health problems that can be flagged by acne include hormonal imbalance, bacterial infection, stress, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Refrain from experimenting with skincare products or random meds to get over acne—it’s best to research and check with your dermatologist.

For more great savingadvice articles, read these:

Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips To Keep Your Wallet Lean

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Mindfulness At Work Can Help Your Bank Account