Money Saving Tips for Family Eye Care

Although we all know that we have to care for our eyesight and ensure that our vision is protected, those of us with families know how fast the cost can add up. Eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses cost a lot, and when vision problems run in the family, before you know it, you can break your medical expense budget.

There are a few ways you can save money when you have a family in need of eye care solutions. Here are some tips to help you trim down your budget while giving your family better vision.

Get a complete prescription.

Each time you or a family member sees the doctor and gets a new eye prescription, make sure you get the papillary distance. When you order glasses from any retailer, they will ask for this, so you need to have it on hand if you want to be able to save money. The measurement is the distance between your pupils, so that the lenses will be centered and give you the best possible vision.

Order eyewear online, not offline.

Companies such as the Lenstore.co.uk site offer better deals on eyewear such as glasses and contact lenses than you can find offline. The reasons are varied, but primarily include the fact that these sites can order contact lenses or frames in bulk. This means they can sell you eyewear cheaper than a retailer who has to order each individual pair. Also, they don't have overhead like the average store in the mall that sells eyeglasses.

Use warehouse clubs to your advantage.

Certain warehouse clubs offer eyewear and vision products at a significantly lower rate than you would find them for in a high-end store. You don't even have to be a member in some cases; check with customer service at a nearby club to find out. You may just be able to walk in and order from the eye care booth near the exit.

Don't get stuck on name brands.

Some people pay far more than they need to for name brands. Especially when you're ordering glasses for your kids, name brands are not very important – both kids and adults break and lose their glasses, after all. Name brands are not a reliable indicator of quality; they simply mean that the designer agreed to let the manufacturer pay them a lot of money to use the name.

Look for clinics that offer free replacements.

Sometimes, optometrists or vision wear retailers will offer clinics where you can get a repair or frame replacement for free. They may give away daily-use contact lenses or even offer discounts at certain times of the year. When you're willing to drive to another side of town to visit a clinic you might not otherwise go to, the benefits can actually be worth it.

Saving money when you have a family is easy if you know what to do and where to look. You don't have to skip your own prescription in order to get proper vision care for your family.

Chelsea Miller has extensive experience in eye care and treatments. She enjoys blogging where she gets to pass on her knowledge on the topic.

How Important is a Home Inspection Before Buying a House?

When buying a home, don't consider home inspection an unnecessary expense. The reality is quite different. Home inspection becomes even more important, if you are buying home for your retirement home. Today, we will talk about some of the main reasons, how it can benefit you and how it is worth your time and money:

Makes You Financially More Safe and Secure:

Home inspection helps in knowing the condition and systems of a home. You cannot evaluate a house by just looking at it. Obviously, you need to check out everything in-depth. You can't tell if there are cracks in the roof or there is something wrong with the basement. So saving money on a home inspection today can make you pay big later. A home inspection gives you the confidence your home is safe and free from problems.

A Home inspector inspects the entire house with you and briefs you about each section of the home; he informs you if there are any area in need of repairs and will give you an  estimate on how much the repair would cost. 

Eliminates the Risks to Health and Safety:

Your new home might create some health issues as well. There can be injurious elements in your new home, like mold, carbon-monoxide and radon. These are considered health and environmental hazards. So, first make sure that detection of such hazards have been included in the buyers agreement. Make sure you are not buying an "as-is" property, like foreclosed properties which are boarded up for too long. These types of houses may conceal hazardous problems, and may result in health issues. So, a home inspection should be carried out to avoid these health issues.

Serves as an Effective Expense Monitoring Tool:

Home inspection keeps track of your expenses by calculating all of your money spent on maintenance, repairs, etc. Home inspector estimates detail the age of different systems of a house, like plumbing, cooling, heating, etc. He tells you the age of a structure and also will inform you when you'll need to replace it. Though, it has nothing to do with finances and safety, but it gives you an idea of which home insurance you should consider for your new house.

Helps You in Reaching a Well-Informed Decision:

So, finally, if you have taken a home inspection and something unexpected is found, you will have the right to take back your purchase offer. Home inspection makes you well-informed about the property, which helps you in evaluating the property; thus you can negotiate the price more intelligently. You can ask him to reduce the price, and he will, most probably because the home inspection may have revealed an unseen problem. So a home inspection helps you in getting a better deal.

Final Words:

Before buying a home get a home inspection. You can't afford unexpected expenses due to a bad decision so it is highly recommended to spend the money on a home inspection. It will definitely save you money and time in the long run.

Author’s Bio:Paul Montgomery is a senior journalist and writer for http://homeinspectors.net/, a comprehensive home inspection network. Only the best home inspectors are in their network!

3 Best Ways to Build Equity Over the Next Five Years

Sometimes it's not enough to simply make money. Unless you want to see the money you earn disappear with no return, you'll need to look into ways to build personal equity.

Making smart investments that either build value over time or hold their value for a reasonable duration ensures you can actually spend money to make money. Here are a few of the best ways to build equity over a manageable, five-year period.

Purchase a Home

Intelligently investing in real estate is one of the surest ways to turn a small investment into a big payday down the road. A large or lavish home isn't imperative. With proper research, you can end up spending less on a decent condo investment than you'll spend on monthly rent.

You can also see a huge turnaround on a house that has seen its value plummet over resolvable issues, like worn paint or a dead lawn. Keep the property for several years and do what you can to improve the property without investing too much more money. After several years, put the house back on the market.

With just a few valuable improvements, you could see a decent return. Be careful, though -- the real estate market is volatile and neighborhoods can change over time. Be sure to thoroughly research both the property and neighborhood so you can avoid any future surprises.

Invest in Stocks and Bonds

The great thing about the stock market is that, while many of the highest payoffs come from the biggest risks, there are still safer stocks that can give you a decent return on investment through smarts and patience. Spend some time learning about stocks that interest you and don't be afraid to consult a broker or three. Once you find stocks and brokers you can trust, sink a few dollars into a smart investment and bide your time.

There is, of course, always the chance that your investment gets lost in the often unpredictable market, so start small so you can get your sea legs. And when it comes to bonds, keep your eye on interest rates -- these will affect the return you receive at maturity.

Purchase a Car

The key to making the most out of your automotive investments is buying vehicles that keep their value. Aside from those cars that will eventually become sought-after vintage models, all vehicles depreciate in value. In this case, it's not about identifying an investment that will turn you a profit in a few years, but finding a good place to spend money where you would spend it anyway.

If you must drive, make sure industry projections show that the car will retain its value for several years and with minimal depreciation. For example, the 2014 Ford Fusion is at the top of the list of current cars slated to hold value for several years to come.

Whether you're aiming for property, stocks, or more obscure investments like precious metals, it's essential to do your research and think long-term. Ask experts how your investment might change over time. Consider the benefits and drawbacks, and whether it's about making money later or saving money today.

4 Must-Know Tips for Protecting Your Identity

Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It can cause serious havoc to your finances, credit history, and reputation. That’s why you should take preventative measures to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. Take a look at these four must-know tips for protecting your identity.

Closely Monitor Your Credit Accounts

According to Javelin Strategy and Research, 11.6 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2012. Because of this, you should closely monitor your credit accounts to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. Going paperless and setting up automatic payments with your credit accounts is fine, but you should still monitor them for unusual behavior. There are several types of identity theft — tax related identity theft, child identity theft, medical identity theft, and financial identity theft. So, monitor all of your accounts, not just the ones that give you credit.

Use Secure Passwords and Virus/Firewall Protection Software

The Internet is a common place for people to try and steal your identity. They prey on people who are too trusting and not careful with their personal information. Avoid becoming a victim by never buying anything from a website that doesn't have a BBB seal on the bottom or a trusted site symbol. Also, only use secure passwords when creating merchant accounts online. Additionally, protect your computer with a good virus protection software that has firewall and spy-ware built in.

Shred Everything that Has Your Personal Information on It

If you don’t own a shredder, it’s something you should invest in. You should shred everything that has your personal information on it so that it doesn't get in the wrong hands. This includes preapproved credit card offers, bills, and anything with your name on it. Tearing these things in half isn't enough; you should get a shredder with a cross cut to make everything unrecognizable. Old credit cards should also be shredded to protect you from identity theft.

Get a Credit Report Once a Year

Another thing you should do to protect yourself from identity theft is to check your credit report once a year. You are allowed to do this without penalty to your credit, so there's no reason not to do it. When you get your report, look for identity theft threats and take care of them before things get out of control. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, so checking your credit is important.

Even if you take all of these precautions, there’s still the risk of identity theft. If you suspect your identity has been stolen, report it to the Consumer Response Center at the Federal Trade Commission. Also, notify all of your credit card companies and accounts to put a hold on them. Additionally, you may need to contact the Social Security Administration and each of the credit bureaus. The sooner you act, the better. Of course, the best thing you can do is take preventative measures in the first place.

 

Retirement: Four Tips for Getting Your Finances in Order

Getting your finances in order before you retire is a great idea for anyone who is either planning their retirement, or who has suddenly found themselves in a position where they are being forced to retire. Financing for your later years doesn't have to be scary. If you are looking for a way to get your money in order before you stop working, try these four tips.

Rid Yourself of Debt

The best way to make sure that you don't outlive your money, is to cut your expenses down as much as possible. Make plans to use your retirement funds to pay off any existing debts that you have. If you don't have enough in savings to cover your debts and your income will not give enough coverage, you might want to consider filing for bankruptcy. According to a chapter 7 attorney in St Louis, getting rid of any debt is the best thing you can do to avoid bankruptcy.

Know the Facts

Figure out what your income will be. There are many people who do not know how much they can expect from their pension, their retirement fund, or Social Security. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to find this information. Several months before you retire, gather together any documentation you have about your retirement accounts, and contact each fund manager. Also start the application process for Social Security. This usually won't take long and can help you on your way to budgeting and planning for the future.

Future Planning

Decide what you want to do in your retirement. Believe it or not, very few people actually have a plan of how they will spend their retirement. Think about your day to day life, and how you want to spend it, not just a once-a-year trip you'll take. Look into volunteer opportunities, hobbies, and maybe even part-time work. This is the chance to try something new, or something you always wished you could do. Once you know what everyday life will entail, you can plan a more precise budget.

Make Cuts Where Possible

After figuring out what your income and expenses will be, it's time to make a spending plan. If you have more income than expenses each month, come up with a plan to save the money and/or carefully plan major purchases. Be sure to include every payment you might be making, and even unforeseen events like hospital visits or house repairs. If your expenses are greater than your income, however, it's probably time to make some hard decisions about where you can make cuts, or start looking for part-time work. Perhaps it is feasible for you to sell some assets or old valuables to make sure you have enough money.


With these simple tips, panning for financing your retirement won't be a daunting task. The key is organizing and making a plan that will be easy for you to follow. Retirement is a chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor, so start by preparing now to have the time of your life.

Five Surprising Things That Can Cause Insurance to Rise

Insurance premiums are at an all-time high, especially for vehicles, so here are a few causes that aren't always considered by consumers that might be increasing the cost, without your knowledge. These are applicable for everyone, whether you are looking for regular car insurance, right through to business van insurance.

Turning 50

Believe it or not it’s not only youngsters that get penalized for stereotypes surrounding their age. Statistically, people in the 50 plus age bracket are more likely to have road accidents than other demographics, so premiums are totted up accordingly. Shop around to ensure you’re not paying over the odds for your age; some companies will price match, so speak up and ask your provider if that’s a possibility. 

Credit rating

Most insurance companies will run some form of background check before agreeing to offer you cover and your credit rating is often the first of these. If you happen to have any missed mortgage repayments, credit card charges, or broken payment contracts, then the cost of your insurance is probably going to suffer as a result. This should be a consideration when deliberating whether to apply for another new credit card.

Vehicles power

This is where companies are really making their money. If you happen to own a farm and drive a vehicle suitable for use on that farm, such as a high powered four by four, your insurance will rocket, even though technically you need such a vehicle. You will also find that may insurance providers will not cover this type of vehicle. Where possible, be sensible with what you ‘need’, rather than what you want and be assured you will pay a sensible price.

Security

Security may seem obvious, but it isn't considered by many motorists and it is a hugely influential factor. This includes where you park your vehicle when at work and home, as well as whether it has an alarm. If you go all out with security measures as well as storage (even if that means hiring garage space), you will probably find there is a drop in your annual insurance fee. 

Payment method

Most insurance providers reward customers that pay annually rather than monthly, so it’s always worth asking for a price for a year as well as the price for monthly installments when inquiring. Save bits and bobs of cash where possible throughout the year, to make this one off payment less of a shock.