Hello, Frugalistas! Unfortunately, this job market is still no fun. I've had a spate of friends laid off recently, so I thought I'd do a post on some things people recently unemployed need to know about health care:
1) If you were/are laid off work from Sept. 1, 2008 to December 2009, you may be eligible to get 65 percent of your COBRA premiums paid for by the government. The government subsidy lasts for up to nine months. Contact the human resources department at your company or the COBRA administrator for more information.
2) To be eligible, your annual income can not be more than $125,000 for a single person or $250,000 for a couple.
3) If you declined COBRA coverage after September 1, 2008, you have the option to enroll into COBRA with the stimulus benefits.
4) The government subsidy kicked in after Feb. 17, 2009. If you were on COBRA before that, the government won't subsidized the previous months.
I hope this helps a little bit. Information is power and health care is paramount.
Do you have any tips on affordable health care? If you do, please share!
I'm not quite sure how much a cow "get up" would cost, but I imagine it would be pricier than a combo meal from Chick-fil-A. Leather isn't cheap, Frugalistas! Hopefully, you have an old moo-rific Halloween costume lying around the house you can wear.
I'm sure some of us have dressed weirder for free.
Happy grubbing and I hope you have a frugal and fabulous holiday,
Rejoice! It's been a secret goal of mine to write a book. After I launched The Frugalista Files, a lot of my readers asked me about writing one. Writing a book proposal can be a daunting thing. I'm used to writing short articles, not PAGES of copy. Alas, I got the book proposal done in between blog posts and I am so lucky to have a home for my book: Harlequin!
*You may end up paying more interest under the new program but your payments may be lower.
*If your income goes up, your monthly payments increase.
*After 25 years of paying the 15 percent amount, the loan balance would be forgiven. However, you may have to pay taxes on the amount that is forgiven.
Would you consider this program for paying off your student loans? What do you think?
Hmm. I will say this recession has changed me forever. I think a lot of Americans will be a bit skittish about wanton spending. The last thing anyone should want to do is get jammed up again with credit card debt and bad mortgages.
Some new regulations that are out may help skirt another credit crisis, but it's still up to the consumers to handle their income responsibly. I think the smart retailers will learn how to give people products that they need and stop pushing crap that consumers don't need.
I think the next generation may not be so cautious but this one is rethinking a lot of finanical decisions they made over the last five or so years.
Is frugality here to stay? Do you think you will change your spending habits when the economy gets stronger? Do you think the big companies are being greedy?
Do looks matter? Do you think the health risks are worth it to look younger to get a job? Do you think people should just become entrepreneurs? Is America too vain? Is Dr. Jason Shapiro a savior? Would you get a cosmetic procedure? Tell the truth!
I have definitely noticed a "slimmer selection" when I'm in the stores. I have even noticed that the Internet, which is normally my savior, isn't as vast either with the selections. I guess it's a good thing. Less temptation! heheh!
How have your shopping habits changed since the recession? Is shopping-as-sport over?
I don't find pleasure in being frivolous with money. In fact, I find it uncomfortable.
I've always liked Eva. I mean, she's been able to smooch, er act, with the finest leading men: Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Johnny Depp. See what being a Frugalista can do for you!! :)
