I have Private Health Insurance .......... but for how long?

I haven’t always had private health insurance, not because I chose not to – but because I couldn’t afford to. Now that I can afford private health insurance, I’ve taken it up (as is ‘my duty’) but I am struggling to afford it.

Firstly I’m being penalised because I delayed signing up after I turned 30 (because of finances, due to injuries that prevented me from working.) I joined as soon as I could afford to.

It means that I have a 10-15% loading (penalty) because I delayed. So with every hike in insurance costs, I get a further 10-15% penalty.

Alright – so the government said everyone MUST be insured and if you’re not – we are going to penalize you.

What about a ‘reward’ if you stay signed up for 12+ months? Something like, alright we penalise you for the time it takes you to sign up for health insurance, BUT for every 12 months you stay joined, you get a 1-2% discount every year. Until you are back to the regular rates. You’d still be penalised but not at a rate that may eventually cause you to drop out of said health policy?

Let’s play pretends (with nice round figures)

M’ship length - - Pr Mnth $ - - - % Penalty - - - Total cost - - - Discount - - - Total
1yr - - - - - - - - - -$200 - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - - $220 - - - - - - - 1% - - - - - $218
2yrs - - - - - - - - - $210 - - - - - - - -10% - - - - - - $231 - - - - - - - - 2% - - - - -$226
3yrs - - - - - - - - - $220 - - - - - - - -10% - - - - - - $242 - - - - - - - - 3% - - - - - $235
4yrs - - - - - - - - - $230 - - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - -$253 - - - - - - - - 4% - - - - - $243
5yrs - - - - - - - - - $240 - - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - - $264 - - - - - - - - 5% - - - - - $251
6yrs - - - - - - - - - $250 - - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - - $275 - - - - - - - - 6% - - - - - $259
7yrs - - - - - - - - - $260 - - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - - $286 - - - - - - - - 7% - - - - - $266

So in 8-10 years, things would be back to normal and you might be enticed to stay in said health policy rather than dumping out because you can no longer afford to stay and pay both the yearly hikes and the penalty.

What say you? Are you being penalised the same as me – or don’t you have private insurance because you can’t afford to have it?

I’m beginning to wonder if $250 a month is really worth it – would I be better off putting that money in a high-interest earnings account, paying the 48% interest for having savings in the bank and use that if I need to?

Would love your thoughts.

Noting that I found this artical regarding lifetime health cover loading AKA LHC. There is no expections, no exclusions, and there is a further 2% levy if you fail to maintain your cover (even if due to financial hardship) NO EXEMPTIONS.

Another trip to the dentist

For many years I’ve had problems with my teeth, little niggly problems, that I’m sure others have similar experiences, but in reality I’m not so sure!

In 1986 I needed to see a dentist, first time, since flying the coop. I found a dentist, one that I thought was good, top end of Collins Street, Melbourne and all.

Seemed to spend a lot of time in the chair. Maybe because the bills were always paid on time, or because I was young and stupid. I don’t know.

Not long after the dreaded wisdom teeth started to put in an appearance, and true to form, nothing could be simple, of course they were impacted ALL 4 of them! The symptoms were massive migraine type headache that would incapacitate me for days on end. Only solution a full general anaesthetic, so of course booked into one of the private hospital in the inner Melbourne area.

I crawl/walk out of hospital after having a reaction to the anaesthetic (of course!) and then the real pain started.

TMJ (Temporomandibular joint disorder) possibly due to the over-extension of my jaw during the extractions – who knows. It meant that I was unable to eat a forkful of food, I was unable to raise myself off the floor when lying on my stomach. And they are just the things I remember (besides the pain)

I trundle back off to the dentist, who installs a splint (removable thing, that is supposed to rest the jaw muscles) 2 years later and no real improvement. Next solution (remember I trust this guy) grind my adult teeth down to try and improve my bite, again no success.

So two options left, keep the splint (making me lisp and making employment involving a telephone useless) OR spend LOTS of money on orthodontics. Of course, being young and stupid I took the second option.

2 years later, the pain is reduced, the headaches still evidence, I’ve got straight teeth, I’ve spent enough money for a house deposit and still got problems. FFS!

Essentially I give up. But every 12months or so – regardless of how often or well I brush my teeth – I end up with a tooth infection/abscess. Doesn’t matter if I get 6 monthly check-ups or not. The same thing happens almost every year.

Because of high pain tolerances, The only symptom is something similar to sinus pain, and a headache to boot. The first time it happened, took the GP 6 months to realise what the problem was and because there was no surface pain I had no idea.

It’s happened again (6-7th time), this time I’ll bypass the GP and head straight to the dentist. Ayn is used to me and my self-diagnosis, and I’ve not been wrong yet.

By the way – a Chiro helped with the headaches and I’m still seeing him now, once a month, and it’s well worth the money (my hubby calls him a fish monger!) But I don’t care if it works for the body or the mind, then that is all that matters!

Flashing Lights, Drink Drivers, Unlicenced Drivers, Outstanding Warrants

I am writing this post in relation to this article in the Herald Sun today Victorian Woman blows 0.363 following car crash It’s been all over the news and the comments are scathing to say the least.

I saw the accident, not occurring, but after when the police were in attendance and turned on their flashing lights. In fact you could see those lights from 2km away on this stretch of road.

The accident occurred northbound, right at the Main Street intersection with High Street, in Thomastown. It occurred in the inside lane, this was probably due to the fact that vehicles were still parked outside the strip shopping centre.

I saw the flashing lights from Mahoneys Road, as I headed north. I had approx 6 cars travelling with me, one veered off and positioned themselves in the turning lane onto Keon Parade. I say veered because he went from the outside lane across 2 lanes of traffic to get to this location.

Another took the Settlement Road turn-off, could have possibly been a planned maneuver as nothing was done suddenly.

Two more took the Spring Street turnoff, again could have been planned, but one did appear to hesitate before making the turn.

One pulled in right near the Primary School opposite Heyington Avenue. Seemed a strange place to pull over, given the time of night.

I slowed to approx 20kph, the lighting in that area is not brilliant and I wasn’t sure what I was approaching other than a police vehicle in the middle of the road. I passed on the left-hand side. I saw people on the kerb and people in the middle of road, and 3 cars, nose to tail. One a BMW (the stolen vehicle) the second, a sign-written work van, possibly a Hyundai and the third vehicle was a sedan of some sort. I didn’t look too closely as I was trying to drive.

But what I am getting at, is that it would appear that more than 1 vehicle/driver in the group that passed over Mahoneys Road with me may have had issues that saw them actively evading police.

More and more people are losing their licenses due to drink driving, speeding excess accumulation demerit points.

More often we are hearing of more and more people being pulled from the roads for being all of the above, plus outstanding warrants, unregistered vehicles.

Is the leniency of the sentencing system such that it encourages this type of behavior?

I would love your thoughts – sometimes I feel like I am the only one with a clean driving record, with a registered roadworthy vehicle, with insurance and without alcohol or drugs in my system.

If you have a Mobile Phone and/or a GPS read on...

We all know not to put our address on our house keys or our registration on the car keys - but have you thought of this?

GPS
A couple of weeks ago , some people had their car broken into, while they were at a football match. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard.

When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.

The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football match, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.

Something to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your home address in it. Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.

MOBILE PHONES
I never thought of this........

This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet... Etc...was stolen.

20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.'

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their
bank account.

Moral of the lesson:
Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list.

Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mum, etc....

And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.

Also, when you're being text by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

*PLEASE PASS THIS ON
* I never thought about the above!
As of now, I no longer have 'home' listed on my mobile phone.

Storm in Perth yesterday 22nd March 2010

This is the damage from the storm that hit Perth and surrounding areas Yesterday,

Monday 22nd March 2010.

There is considerable damage as you can see. Thought you might be interested!

If I get more photos OR you would like to add yours - add a comment (which is moderated - meaning I have to check before posting) and leave your email address - I contact you right back!

How Retailers Can Ruin their Future Income for a Lifetime

I am so mad at the moment. I teach my children independence, I teach my children how to do things without an adult standing over them. Things that many adults have difficulty with.

2 weeks ago (to the day) we purchased a game from a gaming store in Epping Plaza who is also a second hand dealer, who specialises in the PSP, Xbox type games.

Being trusting we purchased the game with scratch insurance. Me thinking that would stop any accidents and for the sake of a few dollars, worth it.

My son (12yo) decided that he didn’t like the game, as they stated ‘satisfaction guarantee” My son decided to return the game and try and find something else. I know for fact he may have played this game twice in the preceding two weeks. We haven’t been home between school and sporting commitments.

He went into the said store to swap, exchange or get a gift card refund. He was informed that he had had the game for 3 weeks. OMG – who is having a bad day?

He decides this is bigger than him and calls for his knight in white shining armour to save him and his birthday money. So mum rides into the picture.

We both walk into the store and are advised after checking calendars and fingers (yup, seriously) that this purchase was a 15 days!

Let’s do the sums – purchase made 30.10.09 17.46hrs – today is the 13.10.09 17.15hrs.

So that is NOT quite 14 days – it’s 13 days, 23.5hours to be precise.

Two staff members were adamant that it was 15 days – I asked to see to manager, only to be advised that he would be back in 10 minutes. I leave said store, find somewhere to sit and on the back of an envelope I broke the fortnight down into 24hour periods (for simpletons) .

I then re-entered the store and was advised that the manager had left!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was just about to turn my back, when he miraculously re-enters the premises. I show him the simpleton calculations and he advised me that it was 15 days, INCLUDING the day it was purchased AND the 14th day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello – the period in discussion is 14 days not 15. Friday to Friday to be precise, with ½ hour to spare. (to be technical)

After showing the manager the simpleton’s working – he agreed to refund the cost of the game BUT not the scratch insurance. Saying that the disc was scratched!!!!!!!!!!!

Ummmmmmmmm – hate to tell you – it was purchased second-hand, I suppose the previous owner scratched it. For me the ‘scratch insurance’ was if it didn’t work due to a scratch, but I must be too honest.

My son has lost 15% of his birthday money and is upset about what has occurred, even he knew that Friday to Friday is 14 days NOT 15.

He now tells me, that he will never go back to that store, I said to him what about the gift card refund. He advised me he would spend that money at another store, in another centre and never go back to that store AND he said he would tell his friends.

My son goes to a private school of some 1700 students very close to this shopping centre, in other words 1700 kids who don't drive and thus are a captive audience, so don’t blame me if turnover decreases, there are other gaming stores in the same centre.

And………….. if you are unable to work out that Friday to Friday is 14 days AND NOT 15 days then perhaps you shouldn’t be working in retail.

Now before you jump down my throat and call me rude and pushy. My children, may be opinionated, but they are honest and they will only argue a case, that is fair and square. If a business tries to pull the wool over their eyes, they will take it further.

As this mother taught these children these qualities, she taught them, don't tell lies, tell the truth, the retailer if they are honest will understand. If they are dis-honest, then you have no need for their goods or services in the future.

Remember bad news travels 10 times faster than good and in the world of cashed-up teenagers, who don't have a car to get to the next shopping centre, you really should look after your customers, or they will move to the other store in the same centre.

Budgeting Money

Do you struggle pay the bills? Not because you don’t get paid enough – but all the money seems to disappear before your very eyes?

There is a really easy answer. It’s so simple you won’t quite believe how easy it can be.

I’m not selling anything, in fact I’m not even giving anything away – other than sharing with you a few tips that I have learnt whilst living life in the lean lane for many years.

First thing you need to do – calculate how much your bills really are, from the car registration to the insurance to the electricity bill and even your mobile phone and land rates. Everything that you have to pay on a monthly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or yearly basis – write these down on a piece paper, noting when the amounts have to be paid.

Now break these figures down into the same period that you get paid, so if you get paid weekly, divide the monthly due figures by 4.5, if yearly divide by 52. This will bring all figures into line with the pay period.

Example:-
I get paid weekly
Car Registration $600 per year, therefore $11.54 per week
Car Insurance $700 per year, therefore $13.46 per week
Mobile phone $50 per month, therefore $11.11 per week
Water rates $150 per year, therefore $2.88 per week

This is only part of my costs, but it works out at $38.99 per week, this is the amount of money I need EACH AND EVERY week to pay my bills, without anything else going wrong.

Go to your bank and set up a separate account into which this money is paid into directly from your wages account.

Then use that money to pay the bills when they come in – utilize the pay early discounts and set things up when you receive the bills – so they are automatically paid on the day. That way you don’t have to worry about remembering to do it when the bill is due.

Believe it or not – although it seems hard for the first couple of weeks/months, you will actually have more money and better cash flow because you are not taking chunks out of your regular account to pay the bills!.

It’s easy – do it now – don’t pretend it’s hard. The hardest bit is going to the bank and setting up the 2nd account.

It worked for me and I am still amazed at how much money I really have these days AND I am not worried about the bills AND I am managing to put some money away for a rainy day. That wasn't possible before!