Don't forget about filing your taxes - easily!

This is the time of the year when many people have forgotten about filing their taxes in the early part of the year. It is always a good idea to get it done before the 'crazy' part of the season (ie. April) and the IRS, for once, is making it easier and easier to file your taxes. Last year was the first year I used the online method to file. E-file, which is the IRS' gives plenty of information on how to file electronically and how to pay/receive any money that your owe/are owed. The following link will take you to all of the information you need on the E-filing system.

http://www.irs.gov/efile/index.html

If you have to do it, you might as well do it the easy way!

How to Be a Healthy and Productive Employee

Money is always a factor in everyone's life. We must work and make money in order to survive. Instead of working to live, many Americans have it the other way around and live to work. Taking time off for yourself is so important to live a fullfilling life. I recommend that every working person take at least 2 weeks of vacation a year and certainly a personal day here and there to do something not related to your job. Personally, this makes me a better employee. Also, taking a short break in the middle of a work day is very important. I recommend going outside for a walk to get some fresh air and exercise. This energizes me to be productive for the second half of my day.

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)

Did you know that some of the pharmaceutical companies (such as Pfizer© and Novartis©) have assistance programs for people who cannot afford their medications and don’t have any type of insurance? You can get much needed medication for a discounted rate or even free with qualification.

Are you working a job that doesn’t offer insurance, but you need a prescription that you can’t afford? You can search for the website of the pharmaceutical company, then go to it and look for Patient Assistance Programs. Some companies have several types of PAPs. I checked out two sites and found that you fill out an application and have your doctor fill in some things on the application, send it in with proof of income, such as copies of your W-4’s, and the original prescription. If approved they will send the medicine to your doctor’s office, and they can call you to come pick it up!

Online Banking

I just learned the joys and convenience of online banking. It's great. You have to check it out if you haven't already. My son first told me about this banking method, which is easy to use and offers good interest rates for this day and time. I even read recently that online banking accounts offer better rates than most banks and credit unions. As far as I can see they are right. If you have access to a computer try it out.

Healthcare savings accounts

With all the different terminology, I am confused on the difference between a Healthcare Savings Account, a Medical Savings Account, and a Healthcare Reserve Account. Are there differences?

Understanding and Managing Money

It is important to know what to do with the money you make every month. Whether you put it in a retirement fund, or want to invest a little more aggressively, it is important to know how to manage your money. One book that we have come across recently does a really good job of that. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.

In it, he advocates financial independence by means of investing, real estate, owning businesses, and the use of finance protection tactics. Rich Dad, Poor Dad is written in what is meant to be an entertaining anecdotal manner to make finances interesting. The most central element stressed by Kiyosaki is the advocacy of owning the system or means of production, rather than being an employee of someone else. In other words, making your money work for you instead or working for your money.

Whether from this book or another, it is important to understand how to manage your money and make it grow, rather than just letting it sit there in your checking account.....

Cost of Living

I found this interesting "Cost of Living Calculator" webpage. You can enter your salary and compare your cost of living in your current city to what would be more or less in another city. It's amazing how cost of living can vary so drastically from city to city. Is your salary sufficient in your city? Would it be enough in another city?

The site link is http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html