I am a nurse working for a large medical corporation. This year we are being offered two plans - one is Humana Coverage First with annual deductibles of $5,000 (family) but excludes co-payments and has a benefit allowance of $500 (does not apply to co-pays). The yearly premium is $3,510 for my husband and I. We also have a HSA option which is a PPO with a $5,000 in-network family deductible with no co-pays and preventative services are covered at 100%. The cost of this plan is $1,378 per year for my husband and I and we can put up to $7,250 in the HSA account because we are both over the age of 55. In the past I have always taken the Humana Coverage First insurance plan and put $2,500 into a flexible spending account because I have to have a PET scan annually due to melanoma 5 years ago which costs $2,500. I am unsure because I don't know if the deductible is per person or combined??? This HSA plan is almost $2,000 cheaper in premium. I would appreciate some input to help make this decision. Thank you!
My favorite budget dish for Thanksgiving is squash casserole. I can always find squash on sale at this time of year, which makes it economical, in addition to being delicious.
I would also suggest for someone that feels the need to own books, (like myself) used book stores are a great option. i just couldnt get into using the library, i like to be able to reread at my leisure.
i doubt too many people on here would criticize someone for keeping internet. it is pretty darn essential to finding work. and going to the library to use internet every couple days could mean you missed the chance to reply to a prospective employer. if one does not live in a place with readily available wifi (stolen from others), paying for internet or library might be their only options.
besides contact with potential employers, friends (who might have job leads), family etc. internet offers low to no cost entertainment.
Thanksgiving is an easy holiday to do on a budget. My favorite budget Thanksgiving dish is sweet potato casserole. I use free walnuts from my grandmother's trees and everything else can be bought on sale at low prices.
Favorite budget dish and comfort food is definately sweet potatoes. Plain baked topped with butter and brown sugar, boiled and sprinkled with brown sugar and baked to carmelize, mashed and topped with marshmallows........ endless options
I love that I'm part of a community that I've always wanted to be a part of, contributing to something bigger than myself. My job is only a tiny little part of the whole, but I know that my work is going towards something greater. I find the whole field exciting! I'm only at the start of my career and I can't wait to progress further and take on greater responsibility and influence in the industry.
I was also wondering why the library wasn't mentioned, instead of bookstores. And I think it's a modern myth that internet is a luxury; if my husband and I were to face another period of unemployment, internet would be one of the last things to go. You search for jobs online, and some places only accept applications online. I mailed a paper application to a university because I was having trouble with their website, and they sent me back an email that they couldn't accept paper applications. It's true that the library has internet, but applications for federal employment can involve essay questions and take hours. Not to mention the free things that are available online--TV shows, podcasts, newspapers and magazines, Freecycle, medical advice, phone calls via Skype. I think you should keep your internet if at all possible when your contract runs out.
For Thanksgiving, if you want budget and filling, I always go for mashed potatoes and corn! This is sooo inexpensive. Add salt, pepper and a little cayenne pepper for some spice, and you are good to go.
My favorite Thanksgiving comfort food is green bean casserole. I try to make it every Thanksgiving and it just reminds me of all the Thanksgivings in my past!
Extremely valuable points re: forced fruaglity versus 'choosing'. I too wish she'd mentioned the library. With all the state/city budget cuts, if they aren't used, we will lose them!!
You cannot have Thanksgiving without Glazed Carrots!! I find using the baby carrots the best and then I use brown sugar, maple syrup, butter and lket them simmer until just slightly soft!! Yummy and the kids love them!!
I can't decide between the mashed potatoes with lots of butter and milk or the dressing with onions and celery. Wait, I forgot about the not from the can cranberry sauce that brings it all together. Since we're vegetarians, we eat a meatless turkey with meatless gravy and all the wonderful sides. Yum. How long until Thanksgiving?
What I love the most is the hours. Most jobs in my field almost require overtime. The company I work for doesn't. I'm on-call every 5th week, but it's just a babysitting job for our nighttime processes and usually doesn't require much if any work.
Great tips. I like to take advantage of number 5 a lot - essentially by using my credit card I get free banking (no transaction fees on my bank account for making purchases) and I get free money to use for up to 55 days as you mentioned, as long as I pay the balance off each month. Plus, I get rewards for using my credit card. So, it just makes sense for me to use my credit card for everything.
My family would hurt me if I didn't make pumpkin pie. My husband and I like to use pumpkin for all kinds of things, and I buy a specific name-brand can because nothing else tastes like it, not even the fresh pumpkins at the store. I save a little by buying the big can and freezing whatever doesn't get used in the pie.
I am a nurse working for a large medical corporation. This year we are being offered two plans - one is Humana Coverage First with annual deductibles of $5,000 (family) but excludes co-payments and has a benefit allowance of $500 (does not apply to co-pays). The yearly premium is $3,510 for my husband and I. We also have a HSA option which is a PPO with a $5,000 in-network family deductible with no co-pays and preventative services are covered at 100%. The cost of this plan is $1,378 per year for my husband and I and we can put up to $7,250 in the HSA account because we are both over the age of 55. In the past I have always taken the Humana Coverage First insurance plan and put $2,500 into a flexible spending account because I have to have a PET scan annually due to melanoma 5 years ago which costs $2,500. I am unsure because I don't know if the deductible is per person or combined??? This HSA plan is almost $2,000 cheaper in premium. I would appreciate some input to help make this decision. Thank you!
My favorite budget dish for Thanksgiving is squash casserole. I can always find squash on sale at this time of year, which makes it economical, in addition to being delicious.
Katrina dear, have you never heard the term "socking it away."
Thanks for including our link Ashley!!!
Kyle
Mashed potatoes! Potatoes are really inexpensive and everyone expects them at Thanksgiving. If you want to splurge, add some cream cheese - yum!
I would also suggest for someone that feels the need to own books, (like myself) used book stores are a great option. i just couldnt get into using the library, i like to be able to reread at my leisure.
i doubt too many people on here would criticize someone for keeping internet. it is pretty darn essential to finding work. and going to the library to use internet every couple days could mean you missed the chance to reply to a prospective employer. if one does not live in a place with readily available wifi (stolen from others), paying for internet or library might be their only options.
besides contact with potential employers, friends (who might have job leads), family etc. internet offers low to no cost entertainment.
Thanksgiving is an easy holiday to do on a budget. My favorite budget Thanksgiving dish is sweet potato casserole. I use free walnuts from my grandmother's trees and everything else can be bought on sale at low prices.
Favorite budget dish and comfort food is definately sweet potatoes. Plain baked topped with butter and brown sugar, boiled and sprinkled with brown sugar and baked to carmelize, mashed and topped with marshmallows........ endless options
I love that I'm part of a community that I've always wanted to be a part of, contributing to something bigger than myself. My job is only a tiny little part of the whole, but I know that my work is going towards something greater. I find the whole field exciting! I'm only at the start of my career and I can't wait to progress further and take on greater responsibility and influence in the industry.
I was also wondering why the library wasn't mentioned, instead of bookstores. And I think it's a modern myth that internet is a luxury; if my husband and I were to face another period of unemployment, internet would be one of the last things to go. You search for jobs online, and some places only accept applications online. I mailed a paper application to a university because I was having trouble with their website, and they sent me back an email that they couldn't accept paper applications. It's true that the library has internet, but applications for federal employment can involve essay questions and take hours. Not to mention the free things that are available online--TV shows, podcasts, newspapers and magazines, Freecycle, medical advice, phone calls via Skype. I think you should keep your internet if at all possible when your contract runs out.
My favorite budget dish is scalloped corn, canned corn, boxed cornbread, butter, and sour cream. Delicious!
Thanx, I will give this a go..Im excited!
For Thanksgiving, if you want budget and filling, I always go for mashed potatoes and corn! This is sooo inexpensive. Add salt, pepper and a little cayenne pepper for some spice, and you are good to go.
My favorite Thanksgiving comfort food is green bean casserole. I try to make it every Thanksgiving and it just reminds me of all the Thanksgivings in my past!
Extremely valuable points re: forced fruaglity versus 'choosing'. I too wish she'd mentioned the library. With all the state/city budget cuts, if they aren't used, we will lose them!!
Mac n cheese, the ultimate comfort food!
You cannot have Thanksgiving without Glazed Carrots!! I find using the baby carrots the best and then I use brown sugar, maple syrup, butter and lket them simmer until just slightly soft!! Yummy and the kids love them!!
I can't decide between the mashed potatoes with lots of butter and milk or the dressing with onions and celery. Wait, I forgot about the not from the can cranberry sauce that brings it all together. Since we're vegetarians, we eat a meatless turkey with meatless gravy and all the wonderful sides. Yum. How long until Thanksgiving?
What I love the most is the hours. Most jobs in my field almost require overtime. The company I work for doesn't. I'm on-call every 5th week, but it's just a babysitting job for our nighttime processes and usually doesn't require much if any work.
Our cranberry salad with apples and walnuts is a holiday must. It's economical and it looks beautiful and colorful.
Great tips. I like to take advantage of number 5 a lot - essentially by using my credit card I get free banking (no transaction fees on my bank account for making purchases) and I get free money to use for up to 55 days as you mentioned, as long as I pay the balance off each month. Plus, I get rewards for using my credit card. So, it just makes sense for me to use my credit card for everything.
What kind of gift cards do you usually get?
Agreed. I think the 55 day trick should only be used for emergencies.
Ha ha. Possibly the only time in history someone had something positive to say about junk mail. =)
My family would hurt me if I didn't make pumpkin pie. My husband and I like to use pumpkin for all kinds of things, and I buy a specific name-brand can because nothing else tastes like it, not even the fresh pumpkins at the store. I save a little by buying the big can and freezing whatever doesn't get used in the pie.