THE DOWNLOAD MONEY MATTERS
NO SURPRISES A new consumer protection law called the No Surprises Act prohibits hospitals from “balance billing.” That’s when you unknowingly receive care from a provider who is out of your insurance network. It reportedly happens in about one out of five emergency room visits when you see an ancillary provider, such as a radiologist, anesthesiologist, or cardiologist. It protects you for visits to the emergency room, urgent care, and when you’re transported by helicopter.
KEEP YOUR CASH If you use cash apps such as
Venmo and PayPal to transfer or receive money, don’t leave funds in these accounts. Storing money in app accounts makes it harder to keep track of, and you can only spend that money in places that take PayPal or Venmo. Plus, it’s easy to forget that you have money there, and it isn’t insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
used car, furniture, vacation lodging — or even rent an apartment — should ask about discounts. There are programs, incentives,
coupons, and special promotions available for almost everything. Apartments have free month’s
rent promotions. Car dealerships have fi nancing specials, and furniture stores have closeout sales.
5
ASK FOR FREEBIES Price is only one aspect of a deal.
system or simple French press can help you make at-home caff eine creations for years to come. Savings: If your coff ee
costs $3 every day, that’s $1,095 a year. Pre-plan meals.
“Continuing to plan meals is crucial to reducing your overall food spend,” explains money-saving
expert Andrea Woroch. “This ensures you always have something to cook at home for lunch or dinner, which can help you dodge overspending on takeout.” How to do it: If planning
isn’t your forte, consider a meal subscription service. It may cost a bit more than regular groceries,
but it will still cost less than eating out, and keep you
from having to buy extra ingredients or spices just for one recipe. Savings: The average household spends $3,000 per year dining out, so slashing that in half saves $1,500.
— Jill Schildhouse
If it is a new or used car, see if the dealership can throw in free oil changes for a year. An apartment rental? Ask if the
rental company will include parking or six months of utilities. For lodging, see if you can get
an upgrade — maybe a larger room, better view, or a free dinner at the onsite restaurant.
GOODBYE OVERDRAFT FEES Are banks having a change of heart when it comes to customer fees? Bank of America announced it is reducing overdraft fees from $35 to $10. It’s following in the footsteps of other banking institutions that previously announced similar overdraft moves. Capital One is eliminating overdraft fees altogether. JPMorgan increased the amount that incurs an overdraft charge from $5 to $50, and PNC introduced a 24-hour grace period on overdraft penalties so you can quickly cover your mistake.
RECORD RENOVATIONS Home improvement and remodeling
projects increased by record numbers during the pandemic. According to HomeAdvisor, homeowners spent $2,995 on average per project. And they got their money’s worth. Typically, renovation increased the value of a home by around 13%, or $34 per square foot. Homeowners in Dallas saw the highest return on investment (ROI) per square foot at 23%, while Miami homeowners enjoyed a 21% ROI, and Houston homeowners got an 18% ROI.
APRIL 2022 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 79
NIKWB/SHUTTERSTOCK
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