The Penny Hoarder

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• The Best Time to Buy a TV, Mattress and More: Here’s Your Guide
• How to Become a Private Investigator Without a 4-year Degree
• 11 Simple Ways to Get Free Diapers
• 10-Minute Tasks That Could Earn You Extra Money This Month
• Pretected Could Add $500/Year to Your Budget
• Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Our Pros & Cons For 2022
• 5 Unwelcome Financial Surprises to Watch Out for in 2022
• Best Pet Insurance Companies 2022
• Dear Penny: Will Getting a Job Cost Me My Social Security Disability?

The Best Time to Buy a TV, Mattress and More: Here’s Your Guide Posted: 25 Jan 2022 11:00 AM PST Some purchases are tough to plan: car repairs, patches for a leaky roof, a working furnace right before the big snowstorm hits. But more often than not, you can plan ahead for life's necessities — and some non-necessities, too. "You might be able to score an extra discount on a floor model, and some stores are offering special freebies and bundles to incentivize consumers," Trae Bodge, a Smart Shopping Expert featured on CBS, CNBC and The Today Show said. Before you let an impulse buy drain your bank account, consult our handy calendar of the best time to buy absolutely everything. You might be surprised at the deals each new season brings! Our Guide to the Best Time to Buy Everything Be a smart shopper and plan your purchases according to this calendar, which plots the best deals, month by month. What to Buy in January Kick off the new year with big savings. TVs Retailers know that the newest TVs and other electronics are revealed at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in January. This makes January the best time to buy a TV, thanks to major discounts — as long as you don't covet the new, fancy models too much. We also think it's no coincidence that the Super Bowl is played annually in early February. Some 100 million people watch the game and nearly all of them on a TV. Calendars No need to rush to the bookstore in December to get a new wall or desk calendar. Buy one in January to get a discount. Calendars and other physical organizers still hold sway with modern shoppers, Bodge says, in part because people are naturally tactile. It feels really good crossing stuff off your to-do list. We get it. "Planners also remain popular because many planners are designed to help people become more organized, more mindful," Bodge said, "There is a self-help/self-care benefit." Gym Memberships and Home Fitness Equipment The pandemic may have kept you out of the gym, and you might still be hesitant to return. But gyms are known to offer big incentives to sign up and get fit in the New Year. Home gym equipment also goes on sale in January, as do scales, according to Consumer Reports. Here's some guidance on what equipment you need for a good, affordable home gym. You'll also be able to find good deals on smartwatches and fitness trackers to help with that resolution. Linens The yearly tradition of hosting a white sale dates back to the 1870s, when linens were only available in white. But modern white sales include linens and home goods in every color of the rainbow. Don't be swayed by sheets with super-high thread counts — you'll want to focus more on the material the sheets are made from. You'll also get more for your money by helping your new sheets lasting longer with the proper care. Christmas Gear You have an entire 11 months until you get invited to your next ugly sweater party, but you can browse the clothing racks for some heavily discounted Christmas sweaters. Other Christmas supplies are also on sale in January, including holiday cards and decorations. What to Buy in February Fall in love with these deals during February. Mattresses If you've recovered from your Christmas spending and could use a new mattress, check out Presidents' Day sales. The three day weekend is considered the first major mattress sale of the year. If you need time to decide if you'd rather have foam or an innerspring, mattress companies also use holidays such as Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day to offer big discounts. Jewelry One of the best times to buy jewelry is in February — but only after Valentine's Day. Look for deep discounts after retailers remove their rose-colored glasses. It's not worth paying the "love tax" to celebrate with your sweetheart, anyway. Also look for discounts on other Valentine's Day goods, such as cards and chocolate after the holiday itself. Winter Coats Winter coats take up a ton of room in your closet and just as much room in stores. Help retailers clear 'em out this month, and you'll get a big discount. What to Buy in March Spring forward by making these smart purchases in March. Luggage Don't wait until a week before your big family vacation to get a new suitcase. March is the best time to buy luggage, as it's on sale to entice shoppers who are desperate to be done with their snowy, dreary winters and who crave a little spring break. Just don't forget where you put it when it's time to pack. What to Buy in April The smart shopper always plans ahead. Tools You don't have to wait until Father's Day in June to find excellent prices on tools and home improvement gear. If you're eager to start your home DIY projects in the spring, go ahead and shop now. Sneakers Everyone's finally going outside again and stores are swapping out their winter shoe collection for the brighter summer colors. Let sporting goods stores make it easier for you to keep up with your New Year's resolution (remember that?) by discounting those new kicks. What to Buy in May Is your refrigerator running? If not, May is a great time to get a new one. Small Appliances Blenders and juicers, coffeemakers, slow cookers, toasters and even toaster ovens are often on sale during Memorial Day extravaganzas. That's at the end of the month but the deals are often offered at least a week before, sometimes all month. Besides replacing your old kitchen aids, think about these items for shower and wedding presents. Refrigerators New refrigerator models debut in the summer. Shop in May to get last year's model at a better price. You can't tell the difference between last year's refrigerator models and this year's, right? Didn't think so. Also look for deals on other necessities like freezers, oven ranges and air conditioners, according to Consumer Reports. What to Buy in June Here come the … deals? Vacation Tickets Hopefully 2022 proves to be a better year for travel. Planning a summer vacation? Travel early or late in the summer instead of during peak times. And you'll pay less for airfare if you can travel midweek. "Because prices are particularly high, consider using any points you have accrued and when you make your purchase, use the credit card that offers the highest percentage of points so you can make the most of your purchase," Bodge said. Outdoor Gear Now that summer is in full swing, outdoor gear — like tents, backpacks, lanterns and even fitness gear — is marked down. You can also find great deals throughout the year. Cookware and China June is typically peak wedding season, and stores hope you've planned ahead to buy wedding registry gifts. Now is when those items are discounted, and it's the perfect time to replace or upgrade what's in your own cabinets. While you're looking through your old stuff (or your Nana's), keep an eye out for china patterns that are worth something. What to Buy in July Don't sweat these savings. Furniture New styles hit stores in February and August, so retailers spend much of July clearing out old stock, especially over Fourth of July weekend — making this the best time to buy furniture. Dehumidifiers July means humidity. Pick up an older version of a much-needed dehumidifier in July or August, according to Consumer Reports. What to Buy in August The dog days of summer offer some amazing bargains. Computers (Except Apple Products) Computer manufacturers typically release their new models in the summer, so back-to-school sales are a great time to buy last season's model. The specs probably won't be different enough for you to notice, unless you're a hardcore gamer or designer. Apple products, however, typically get announced in the fall, so hold off to get that new MacBook. Printers If you're working from home and your kids are doing online learning, you might be considering a printer upgrade. Printers, tablets and wireless earbuds are some of the electronics that you'll see discounted during back to school sales. Grills Grilling season doesn't stop at the stroke of Labor Day. Buy at the tail end of summer to enjoy your grill until almost Thanksgiving (OK, depending on where you live). What to Buy in September Back to school? More like back to the checkout lane. Thanksgiving Flights Airlines still aren't getting pre-pandemic levels of business, but flights are getting booked again and the rising cost of airplane fuel is being passed on to customers. If your new baby still hasn't met Great Aunt Millie, consider buying those Thanksgiving flight tickets in September to get a better price. Hitting the prime booking window — plus our other top tips for saving on air travel. Swimsuits Even though your local pool might be closed for the season, you should think about stocking up on swimsuits for next year. A House This might not be a frequent purchase, but if you're in the market for a new home, it can help to hold off past the busy spring and summer buying seasons. Your costs typically drop a few percentage points at the end of September (after the kids have gone back to school), making this the best time to buy a house. Washers/Dryers Have you been debating on making the switch to a front load washer and dryer set? Many manufacturers roll out new models in September and October, so Labor Day weekend can be a particularly good time to save, according to Bodge. What to Buy in October There's a joke about spooky deals in here somewhere. Denim Jeans typically get discounted in October, after back-to-school sales have ended and families are stocked up on fall attire. Patio Furniture Goodbye summer, hello savings. It's worth checking out the patio furniture if you don't mind storing it over the winter. When that first warm spring day hits, you'll be ready to bask in the sunshine. Leaf Blowers October means fall leaves — and they are likely covering your yard. Pick up a leaf blower, and while you're at it, get ready for the snowy days ahead with a snow blower, according to Consumer Reports. Incoming snow also means you'll find good deals on lawn mowers. What to Buy in November The days get shorter, but the deals get bigger. Small Appliances, 2.0 Like in Spring, the fall is a gold mine of rock-bottom prices on giftable small appliances. If you're looking for a blender, air fryer, coffee maker or anything else that'll proudly take up space on your kitchen counter, it's worth waiting until Black Friday sales begin in stores and online. Video Game Consoles If you're one of the people still waiting to get a PS5 over a year after its release, you might have to wait a bit longer. The semiconductor chip shortage is still impacting supply issues and Toshiba expects to have a shortage through the end of 2022. Nintendo and Microsoft are also experiencing supply issues. If you can snag a video game console, prices will be lowest around Black Friday, experts say. If you (or your kids) are okay with older models, the previous generations of consoles experience a drop in price when new models arrive. Pro Tip It's a good idea to wait a few months after release to buy a new console, since it gives manufacturers the chance to work out any kinks. Video Games When you do get a new console, you'll need video games to go with it. If you wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday, many retailers bundle popular video games with their respective consoles — giving you good deals on both. If you can't wait for the holidays and are buying throughout the year, wait until the game has been on the market for two or three months. That's when games tend to experience their first drop in price. If you're looking for computer games, you can also check out Steam's summer and winter sales. They have sales throughout the year, but you can find games slashed by as much as 60% during those weeks. Wedding Gowns Bridal shops are slow before the proposal rush during the holiday season, so the few weeks before Thanksgiving is a good time to start trying on gowns. Ask about sample sales and last year's styles that may be priced to move. What to Buy in December Celebrate the season by shopping smart, obviously. Swimming Pools If your family's been begging for a backyard pool, December is the best time to have one installed. It might be chilly, but pool pros would rather avoid working on 90-degree days! Plus, when their workload slows in the winter, many contractors are willing to lower their prices. Toys Toy deals stick around after those Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in November. Even if you're done with holiday shopping for your little ones, consider picking up their favorite character and activity toys while they're still discounted to stash away for birthdays. Cars You won't always be able to predict when your current car will see the end of the road, but if you can, wait until the end of the year to buy a new (or new to you) one. Car dealerships offer the lowest prices in December when they're trying to make their yearly quotas. You'll also find older car models discounted to make room for the new ones. If you can't wait until December, also try going at the end of the month during the year when the deadline for monthly quotas is approaching. Contributor Jenna Limbach writes on financial literacy and lifestyle topics for The Penny Hoarder. Lisa Rowan is a former staff writer.  This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

How to Become a Private Investigator Without a 4-year Degree Posted: 25 Jan 2022 09:00 AM PST From Sherlock Holmes to Easy Rawlins to Veronica Mars, popular culture has had a fun time depicting private investigators. Danger! Mystery! Glamor! And while stories about fictional private investigators aren't necessarily accurate, it's still an interesting and exciting field. You might want to become a private investigator if you are naturally curious, level headed, and detail oriented. This is a field that pays well and doesn't require a four-year college degree. There is some variation among the states about requirements for private investigators. An interest in criminal justice helps but isn't necessary. Become a Private Investigator as a Second Career Being a private investigator could be an excellent second career, especially for people who have worked in criminal justice, the military, cyber-security, or have been a law enforcement officer. This is a career area that is growing. It is expected to grow by 13% through 2030, which is faster than many other fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be 3,500 jobs available each year. Good news for a job that averages more than $53,000 a year. It might also be worthwhile to find out what it takes to become a private investigator as a full or part-time career after retirement. You will find out below how some private investigation jobs can be flexible. Some specialties in private investigation require extensive knowledge of certain fields. For example, a healthcare/insurance fraud investigator needs to know their way around medical terms, software and best practices. Part-time private investigator is among the good side gigs for retirees. We've got 18 more for people not ready to quit work completely. States will generally accept a mixture of education, experience and internship experience toward required hours for a license. For example, California considers time spent working as a military police officer or a sworn law enforcement officer to count toward the hours, equal to interning with a licensed private investigator. Read on to find out how to become a private investigator. What Characteristics Does a Private Investigator Need? Private detectives rarely creep around old buildings with magnifying glasses like Nancy Drew. Instead they spend a lot of time researching and following up on details. Private investigators have to be pretty friendly, and comfortable talking to a variety of people. It's important to be detail oriented, since a small discrepancy could be the thing that breaks open a case. On the flip side, a mistake in your data collection could torpedo a case. Other qualities that are important for private investigators to have are persistence and tenacity, for following up on reluctant interviewees; quick thinking and ingenuity, so you can react to unexpected events or results; and professionalism and integrity, so the information you gather can be used in court. If you think you have these qualities, then you should definitely research how to become a private investigator. What Does a Private Investigator Do? Private investigation employment breaks down into a few basic categories. They might work for lawyers or for businesses and large corporations. Governments also use investigators in child protection services, tax fraud, and more, but those wouldn't be considered private investigators. A licensed private investigative agency is used by individuals, lawyers, and businesses. Lawyers Law firms hire private investigators to discover whether people are cheating in some fashion. It could be on a spouse or involving health insurance, workman's compensation, non-compete agreements, and more. Lawyers also use private investigators to find people perhaps in connection with a will, and they are also used to uncover assets. Businesses Corporations may have internal detectives to find fraud, both internal and external, within the company. Or they might have private investigators on retainer. These detectives would look to see if there is embezzlement within the organization, intellectual property or copyright infringement, and other protective reasons. Businesses and corporations also use private investigators to research potential partners or acquisitions to ensure they are getting accurate and complete information. Having a strong corporate compliance background can help corporate private investigators. Businesses might also use private investigators with cyber-security backgrounds when there has been a data or information hack, or there are online threats against the business. Agencies Individuals also hire private investigators to get information. They might be worried about a straying spouse or a missing child. They may be concerned about certain activities, but don't want to go to a law enforcement agency. Insurance Companies Insurance companies will hire private investigators to look into claims. Those investigators might look at a claimant's social media; observe their activities; use public records to see if they have previously filed similar claims; and photograph or record a claimant in public. Private investigators of all types talk to the target's friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. What Are the Different Types of Private Investigators? While many private investigators are general practitioners, meaning they are competent in all of the facets of investigative services, people can also specialize in types of investigations. They develop sources and a broad understanding of the tools that are available for their private investigation field. When you are thinking about how to become a private investigator, do a self assessment about your skills (or skills you want to develop). Some of the specialty areas might be perfect for you. Corporations often have internal investigating departments. These departments may hire private investigators to fill  special needs. Some private investigator agencies specialize in certain fields, or need specialists like those listed below. List of Private Investigator Specialties These are the main types of private investigator jobs. A license is required to do them. Private investigators, like all other licensed jobs, have to take continuing education courses throughout their careers to retain their license. Background investigator Corporate investigator Cybercrime investigator Desktop investigator Healthcare/ medical fraud  investigator Internal/external fraud analysis investigator Skip tracer Surveillance investigator Background Investigator/Background Data Analyst This investigator/analyst does background checks on potential employees. They follow up on submitted information. For high level jobs, they may conduct interviews. This requires good organizational and writing skills. Corporate Investigator This person would carry out due diligence investigation on investors; brand reputation investigation, and other investigations into assessing information to identify potential issues. Good for someone with corporate leadership background. Cybercrime Investigator A cybercrime investigator works to recover data on computers if hacked, destroyed, or damaged. Plus, they test/investigate cybersecurity breaches, conduct other digital investigations, and write the investigation reports. They may be called to testify, for example, in a child pornography case about recovering and reconstructing evidence. Desktop Investigator This is a form of investigation that would suit someone with considerable computer research skills involving databases, social media, and other sources. May do phone inquiries. Usually the first step in an investigation. Healthcare/Medical Fraud Investigator Very much a detail oriented field, this private investigator audits medical coding to ensure accuracy and detect fraud within healthcare providers. A type of insurance fraud investigation. Internal/External Fraud Analysis Investigator Internal fraud investigators usually work for a company or organization. External fraud investigators are brought in, either by an outside party or the organization. These investigators may be looking at any facet for fraud. Skip Tracer Skip tracers look for people who have skipped town, or disappeared without a trace. People might be ducking debt, avoiding court, or family matters. Some skip tracers / private investigators may find people remotely or have to travel. Surveillance Investigator These private investigators fit the classic television trope of the private detective sitting in a car with a video camera. They find, follow, record and report the actions of the surveillance target. How to Get Started as a Private Investigator Some states may require an associate or bachelor's degree to get private investigator licenses, but most don't. A high school diploma or GED is almost always required.  Alabama doesn't require any schooling, but it is helpful to take criminal justice courses for the state exam. You usually have to be a citizen or legal resident and be at least 21 years old. Often you can get your private investigator intern license earlier. For example, in Florida, the required age to get an investigator intern license is 18. States generally require 40 hours of professional training before someone can apply for a private investigator license for an internship. This can be through traditional colleges and universities, or through private investigator academies. Some states allow substituting completed academic hours for professional training Once you qualify as a private investigator intern, you will work for a licensed private investigative agency. States may require up to two years of interning with an agency before you can take a licensing exam. Once you pass your exam, it is likely that you won't have any problem getting employment. Some states require that you post a surety bond. That means you have guaranteed a certain amount of money to be paid out if you mishandle a case or incident. It is more difficult to qualify if you have been convicted of a felony, or misdemeanors of moral turpitude. One possibility is getting a criminal record expunged, so you can legally say you don't have convictions. Here is how to become a private investigator. Schooling Internship Licensing / Fingerprinting / Background check Weapon licensing Professional development Schooling Many colleges and universities offer programs which meet the requirements to get a private investigator intern license. There are online academies in Georgia. A growing field of investigation is cybersecurity. There are an increasing number of hacks of business and government data. Various programs offer certification in cybersecurity, often costing around $1,000. The average salary though in this field is higher, at just under $80,000. It is important to make sure that whatever school you use for professional training is certified by your state. These courses sound like something out of a action movie: Improvised Explosive Device Training, Surveillance Basics; Bomb Threat Analysis. Many states also require ethics courses. Most courses cost between $99-129 to qualify. The cost varies state to state. A pre-licensing online course in Georgia costs $375  Internships When researching how to become a private investigator, it might surprise you to read about internships. Colleges and universities can teach you the necessary background knowledge for being a private investigator. Interning teaches you how to do the job. Almost every state requires private investigator interns licenses. For example, to qualify for the private investigators' intern licenses in Florida, you have to have at least 40 hours of certified education in criminal justice, law enforcement, civil and criminal liability, and related areas. Arizona doesn't call it an internship, but rather requires a Private Investigator Employee Registration Certificate for an apprenticeship with a licensed agency. Not every state has a private investigator intern license. For example, New York does not have one, and you have to be 25 years old to become a private investigator. It is important to reiterate that if you have law enforcement experience, that may count as your internship. This site is a good resource to read the requirements of becoming a private detective in every state. Licensure & Legal Requirements Forty-five states require a license to be a private investigator. It is vital that before you become a private investigator you research your state. Five states (Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Wyoming) don't have statewide licenses, but there are some local requirements. Alaska and South Dakota require a general business license ($50 in Alaska, $150 in South Dakota). There is variety between the states (and Washington, D.C.) in the requirements to get and stay licensed. Generally between 3,000-6,000 hours of private investigation work has to be logged, or between two and three years of interning. Previous law enforcement personnel or military police can use some of their experience to count. Getting an associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice (or similar) also counts. When you are ready to take your state's licensing exam, you submit to a variety of processes. You will get fingerprinted (usually costing around $60), background check or FBI classification check ($25), affidavit of good moral character, application fees ($33-$165), and the cost of the exam ($100-$175), plus other common paperwork. States often require confirmation of employment from a private investigation agency. About half of the states require a $5,000-$10,000 surety bond. Weapons Licensure While private investigators don't have to carry weapons, many do. There are a variety of situations you might find yourself in, and some of them could be dangerous. Some private investigators who used to work in law enforcement might already have concealed weapons or other firearm permits. Weapons permits and licenses also vary by state. Being a private investigator may be beneficial in some states when applying for a concealed weapon license. Most states require additional coursework and bonds for private investigators who carry weapons. Professional Development Maintaining your license is essential in working as a private detective. License renewal is an average of two years in the United States, and generally costs around $200. You will be expected to take continuing education courses. States like North Carolina, Texas, and Oregon require ethics courses as part of continuing education. Becoming a private investigator is a fantastic option for the person who likes variety in a job and doesn't mind not knowing the outcome of each case. Private investigators get paid well without having to spend years in college. It is a quickly growing field, and if you want to focus on one of the specialty areas, you can make good money and have job security in a fascinating field. It is an especially good second or post retirement career. The Penny Hoarder contributor JoEllen Schilke writes on lifestyle and culture topics. She is the former owner of a coffee shop in St.Petersburg, Florida, and has hosted an arts show on WMNF community radio for nearly 30 years.  This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

11 Simple Ways to Get Free Diapers Posted: 25 Jan 2022 07:00 AM PST Quick Navigation 11 Ways to Save Money on Diapers Free Diaper Samples From Manufacturers Loyalty/Rewards Programs Baby Registries The Pediatrician's Office Switch to Cloth Diapers Market Research Companies Diaper Banks Local Organizations Coupons and Sales Cash-Back Apps Eliminate Them Altogether Having a baby is easily one of the most life-changing experiences you'll ever have. But a new baby can also take a toll on your budget as you realize how expensive things like diapers, formula (if you choose to use it) and clothes can be. We've heard your average baby goes through six to 10 diapers a day, and 2,500 to 3,000 diapers in their first year alone. By the time your kid is finally potty-trained, you'll have spent thousands on thousands of diapers. 11 Ways to Save Money on Diapers There are several ways to get free diapers depending on your need. Check out these 11 ideas and start saving money on baby diapers. You will be able to get free diapers (or close to free.) 1. Free Diaper Samples From Manufacturers Diaper companies count on loyal customers, and many may be willing to send you free diaper samples if you contact them and ask. If you're a new parent, explain that you're trying to find the best diapers for your baby and ask if the manufacturer will send you some free diapers to try. If you're a more experienced parent, call and explain that you're considering switching to a different diaper brand and ask whether they can send you any free samples to help guide your decision. Go to the website for companies like Huggies, Luvs and Pampers and look for their contact info. Give them a call and explain your situation to see if there's anything they can do to help you. It's also a good idea to follow the top diaper companies on social media to keep an eye out for coupons, promotions and giveaways that can get you free diapers. 2. Loyalty/Rewards Programs Interested in using your diaper purchases to get free diapers? The following diaper companies offer rewards programs where your diaper purchases can earn money which you can use to buy … you guessed it… more diapers! Huggies Sign up for Huggies Rewards+ and you'll earn points by scanning your receipt every time you buy a pack of Huggies diapers. Those points translate into cold hard cash (well, gift cards) that you can use to spend on even more diapers, all free of charge. Pampers Download the Pampers Club App and start saving! With each purchase of Pampers diapers, you'll earn Pampers Cash which you can redeem for coupons or gift cards to use on free diapers (or marginally cheaper). Bambo Nature Sign up for the Bambo Nature rewards program and start earning points on your diaper purchases. You'll earn two points for every dollar spent, which you can then exchange for money off diaper purchases at BamboNatureUSA. 3. Baby Registries Some baby registries will send you a free box of baby items when you reach a certain threshold, and that box often includes free diaper samples. Here are a few of the best-known baby registries that offer free diapers, baby food, formula and other baby freebies. Amazon Amazon's baby registry has a ton of perks, including a box of free baby stuff when you can check three boxes: Sign up for an Amazon Prime membership (pretty much a done deal for many of us), complete 60% of your checklist and order at least $10 of gifts from your registry. Once you've completed all three, Amazon will send you a box of random baby items, which often includes free diapers in addition to things like free baby formula. buybuy BABY When you set up a baby registry with buybuy BABY, you'll get a bag of goodies that includes free samples and coupons for baby items, including free diapers, baby food and other baby freebies. Babylist Unlike store-specific registries, Babylist allows you to add items from a variety of stores to your registry. And when you create your baby registry, you'll receive a free Hello Baby Box, which contains goodies like free diapers, toys and breastfeeding supplies. Target Target has a wide selection of baby items and a whole bunch of locations, making it a great option for your registry. When you sign up for a baby registry, you'll get a free welcome kit filled with free samples and coupons for you and your baby, which could include some free diapers. 4. The Pediatrician's Office If you're not sure which diaper brand works best for your baby (because, surprisingly, not all diapers work the same for all kids), ask your doctor's office if they have any samples they can give you to try. Doctors and pediatricians often get free samples of things like baby diapers and formula from manufacturers and are encouraged to give them out to parents as needed. You likely won't get a ton of free diapers this way, but you should get enough to keep you going for a few days or, if nothing else, stock your emergency diaper stash (yes, you need one of these). 5. Switch to Cloth Diapers Disposable diapers fill up your trash can quickly and end up in the landfill. Instead of looking for free diapers that'll end up in your trash can, consider cloth diapers. Cloth diapers are a fantastic way to save money on diapers while also reducing your waste and being kinder to the planet. You might initially be a little grossed out by the thought of cloth diapers, but once you get the hang of them you'll wonder how you ever used disposables (trust me … I cloth diapered my kids for almost six years straight). Cloth diapers come with an initial cost, but once you have your stash you'll literally never buy diapers again. You can find cheap but effective diapers on Amazon and eBay. Look for brands like Mama Koala, Alva Baby, and Kawaii Baby, all of which are affordable. My kids used these brands almost exclusively and they held up over several years per kid before they were potty trained. You can build a cloth diaper stash for a few hundred dollars. Compare that to the thousands you'll spend over a few years for each kid in disposables and it's clear cloth is the more affordable (and more eco-friendly) option. Not exactly "free," but the savings you'll enjoy from cloth diapering more than outweigh the savings a few free diapers will yield. 6. Market Research Companies If you like to share your opinion (and these days, who doesn't?), consider doing some online surveys that can help you earn free diapers. Surveys aren't going to make you rich, but they can provide some extra money to help you cover the cost of baby diapers, making them essentially free. We tried out InboxDollars, MyPoints, CashKarma (read the full reviews here). Another good option is Swagbucks.com, where you can earn gift cards or PayPal credit for taking surveys. You even get a $5 bonus just for signing up! Whether you use disposables or cloth diapers, you can stock up using an Amazon, Walmart or Target gift card you earn from Swagbucks. 7. Diaper Banks If you're struggling to afford to keep your kids diapered, there's an easier way to get free diapers than collecting points or writing reviews. The National Diaper Bank Network is an organization dedicated to ending diaper need. According to statistics on the National Diaper Bank Network's website, around 5 million children under 3 in the U.S. live in poor or low-income families, and many simply can't afford to buy the number of diapers their baby or toddler needs. In that situation, free diapers can really make a difference. If this describes your situation, you can call 2-1-1 for 24/7 help. The specialists at the National Diaper Bank Network will be able to connect you with a local agency that provides diaper assistance. If you prefer cloth diapers, you can apply to get free ones at The Cloth Option. Approved families will receive 20 free diapers for newborns, 15 for infants or 10 for potty-training toddlers. 8. Local Organizations Local groups and organizations are a great place to ask for free diapers when you need them. Some local food banks or faith-based organizations offer help for families struggling to afford diapers. You can also contact your county's social services office for help if you need it. Failing that, you can often find neighbors with extra diapers to gift on websites like Freecycle and Nextdoor. If you have a Buy Nothing Project group in your area, that's a good resource to try as well. It's surprising how many people have a stash of diapers left over from when their child potty trained. 9. Coupons and Sales Diaper manufacturers really want your business, so you'll often find coupons to entice you to buy one brand over another. If you're not picky about brands it's a great strategy to buy whatever has the best sale or coupon deal so you can stock up. Most major diaper companies list coupons on their websites, so it's a good idea to check frequently and see what deals and free samples you can find. You can also keep an eye on local grocery and big box stores and stock up when their diapers are on sale for super low prices. 10. Cash-Back Apps If you want to earn money for free diapers just by doing your regular grocery shopping, you need to download a cash-back app. One of the best-known is Ibotta but there are others to check out as well. Cash-back apps can help save money on diapers and more. Check out 13 money-saving cash apps that make it easy. Ibotta works by searching for rebates on items you've purchased and then applying them to your account. You just need to upload a copy of your receipt to the app and Ibotta does the rest of the work. Once you have $20 in your account you can convert it to cash and spend it on all the free diapers your heart desires. In addition to Ibotta, check out Shopkick, Fetch Rewards and Checkout 51. 11. Eliminate Them Altogether A couple of years ago, one of our contributors shared her story of raising her son diaper-free. It's a growing trend and it's no wonder since the average family can save more than $2,100 going this route. Would you consider this? The bonus is that by using old shirts and other materials, babies are often potty-trained earlier because of the discomfort. Ohio-based Catherine Hiles is a British writer and editor living and working in the U.S. She has a degree in communications from the University of Chester in the U.K. and writes about finance, cars, pet ownership and parenting. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

10-Minute Tasks That Could Earn You Extra Money This Month Posted: 24 Jan 2022 01:00 PM PST Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Spending 10 more minutes at work probably won't have a significant impact on your finances, but using that break-sized amount of time elsewhere just might. Sure, some of the tasks listed here are one-offs, while others may need to be repeated to realize real value. The thing these tasks all have in common is that they can have a lasting impact on your finances, if you capitalize on them. Here's how you can take advantage of 10 minutes of your free time to add some extra room to your budget this month. 1. Get Money to Invest: This App Gives You Between $2.50 and $200 in Free Stock If you're playing the short game and want money you can spend this month, consider one of the other tips here. But if you want to play the long game and grow your money, consider investing it — you don't need that much. If you feel like you don't have enough money to start investing, you're not alone. But guess what? You really don't need that much — and you can even get free stocks (worth $2.50 to $200!) if you know where to look. Whether you've got $5, $100 or $800 to spare, you can start investing with Robinhood and it only takes a few minutes. Yeah, you've probably heard of Robinhood. Both investing beginners and pros love it because it doesn't charge commission fees, and you can buy and sell stocks for free — no limits. Plus, it's super easy to use. When you download the app and fund your account (it takes no more than a few minutes), Robinhood drops a share of free stock into your account. It's random, though, so that stock could be worth anywhere from $2.50 to $200 — a nice boost to help you build your investments. 2. Sell Old Electronics You aren't short on options for selling your old electronics. There are plenty of mobile app marketplaces, as well as the classifieds sections on social networking sites like Facebook. And of course, there are legacy hubs for buying and selling: eBay and Craigslist. With eBay, you can even get a quote of sorts on how much your old devices could fetch on the resale market. OK, certain electronic devices may take a little longer than 10 minutes to prep for flipping online — specifically, devices that have your personal information stored on them. But most modern mobile devices can be fully erased with a few swipes and taps, while older devices may require a little more time. 3. Earn up to 5% Cash Back on Things You Already Have to Buy What if you could get paid to shop for things you were already going to buy? You can, if you shop with a card that pays cash back for everyday purchases. It's common for credit cards and debit cards to offer 1% to 2% cashback on certain purchases, but a debit card called Aspiration gives you up to 5% back when you swipe at certain stores, plus they give you up to 83 times the normal national interest rate on your savings balance. You were going to buy these things anyway — why not get this extra money in the process? Enter your email address here, and link your bank account to see how much extra cash you can get with your free Aspiration account. And don't worry. Your money is FDIC insured and under a military-grade encryption. That's nerd talk for "this is totally safe." 4. Add $225 to Your Wallet Just for Watching the News Following the news has never been more impactful on everyday decisions we all have to make. But while the news is more important than ever, it's also more political than it has ever been. Whether you feel like it or not, your opinion on the news truly matters. It helps shape the way media outlets cover the news as well as the content search engines and social media platforms show you. Your opinion matters so much that some companies are willing to pay you money to find out what you think – that's refreshing, considering how it's common for tech companies to trade details of our online activities behind our backs. You could add up to $225 a month to your pocket by signing up for a free account with InboxDollars. They'll present you with short news clips to choose from every day, then ask you a few questions about them. You just have to answer honestly, and InboxDollars will continue to pay you every month. This might sound too good to be true, but it's already paid its users more than $56 million. It takes about one minute to sign up, and start getting paid to watch the news.   This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Pretected Could Add $500/Year to Your Budget Posted: 24 Jan 2022 10:13 AM PST Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. So you've achieved the American Dream. You're married and you own a house and cars. Congrats! Problem is, the American Dream is so expensive. You've got to pay so many bills to keep the whole thing going. Here's an easy way to lower one of those pesky bills: When's the last time you compared car insurance rates? If it's been more than six months, you should look again. Chances are you're seriously overpaying. If you look through a website called Pretected, you could save yourself up to $500 a year* in the time it takes to brush your teeth. No matter where you live, what your credit score is or what kind of coverage you need, Pretected's smart matching technology can match you with the right insurance provider — and make sure you stop wasting money every month. It takes just a couple of minutes to answer some questions. Then the website will show you options that could work for you. You have the freedom to choose whatever policy you think suits you most. You're certainly not obligated to buy, so you have nothing to lose by checking. The website is free to use and can even save you up to an additional 20% if you add another vehicle to your policy. You could be paying as little as $19 a month* for car insurance. More than 10 million Americans have already used Pretected to save money on their car insurance. And don't worry — Pretected uses advanced data security and encryption technology, so all your personal info is safe. Answer a few questions here to see how much money you could save with a new policy. Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. *average expenditure $88/mo.  This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Our Pros & Cons For 2022 Posted: 24 Jan 2022 09:00 AM PST Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. You have insurance for your health, your car, your house — but what about your pets? Do they have pet insurance coverage? If you don't currently have pet insurance, you're not alone. While more than 70% of U.S. households have pets, just 26% of those American pet parents have actually purchased insurance for their pets, according to a 2021 study from Liberty Mutual. But given the price of vet care, it's worth looking into. The ASPCA estimates the annual cost of routine vet visits is $225 for dogs and $160 for cats, depending on your pet's age. Emergency vet visits can cost from $800-$2,500, and sometimes more. And if your pet develops cancer and you choose to treat it, you might spend $10,000 or more. If you've ever found yourself at the animal hospital at 3 a.m. with a beloved pet in distress, you know what it's like to be willing to shell out pretty much anything to make your pal feel better, no matter the cost. But that dedication to our pets can also lead to financial ruin, which is why pet insurance is worth the cost for many pet owners. Lemonade insurance provider, which offers pet insurance, says that pet insurance provides peace of mind and allows the insured to save on routine care with preventative plans. We've put together this breakdown to help you decide: Is pet insurance worth it for you and your pets? How Does Pet Insurance Work? Like with human health insurance, pet insurance providers alleviate some of the costs of keeping your pet healthy. You can choose from different levels of coverage, with each plan costing a monthly or annual premium based on how much coverage you choose. Some plans cover basic scenarios like accidents and injuries, some only cover accidents, and others include injury, accident and illness, as well as genetic/hereditary conditions. Accident-only coverage is the most affordable; accident and illness coverage is more expensive; and the most expensive plans include wellness care and even death-related expenses. In general, the more comprehensive the coverage, the higher you can expect the monthly premium to be. Pro Tip Whether or not you opt for pet insurance, start an emergency fund now for vet care to make sure you can handle unexpected out-of-pocket costs.  Many plans have a deductible, a certain amount you must pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. Depending on your policy, this could be anywhere from $0 to $2,500 in a plan year. Typically, higher-deductible plans will yield lower monthly premiums. While human health insurance works on a copay basis (you pay a certain percentage when you see the doctor and the insurance covers the rest), pet insurance is largely a matter of reimbursement. You pay the full amount due when you take your pet in for care, then submit a claim to the insurance company afterwards. Depending on your policy, they'll pay you back anywhere from 20% to 100% of covered costs. This means you might have to put the cost of emergency vet care on a credit card temporarily, if you can't pay out of pocket. Rates are calculated based on your pet's age and breed, as well as your location (vet costs are higher in some areas than others). How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? While individual costs will vary based on your pet's breed, age, health and the tier you opt for, the average cost for accident and illness dog insurance is $49.50/month (or $594/year), while the same level of pet insurance for cats is about 40% less, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Remember, pet insurance costs largely depend on the deductible you choose, the age of your pet, any preexisting conditions and the type and amount of coverage you ask for. That said, we have compiled a list of the best pet insurance companies in the U.S., factoring in cost, types of coverage offered, reimbursement speed, mobile app and website ease of use and more. Among our favorites are Trupanion, Healthy Paws, Lemonade and Figo. Have an exotic pet (i.e. anything other than a dog or cat)? Your options are a bit more limited, but you can still find coverage. Check out Pet Assure and Nationwide for plans for birds, rabbits, reptiles and other members of the animal kingdom. A dog receives cancer treatment at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa, Florida. Tina Russell / The Penny Hoarder The 5 Pros of Pet Insurance So is pet insurance worth it? There certainly are a lot of reasons to get your pet covered: 1. It's Easy to Compare Options Unlike human health insurance, which can be a labyrinth of plans and riders you need a pro to help decode, pet insurance is relatively straightforward. Policies are simple, tiers are easy to compare, and you can get a no-commitment quote from different companies within minutes, making price shopping a breeze. 2. Premiums Can Be Low for Young Pets If your pet is young or healthy, or you choose a lower tier, you can get coverage for less than the cost of your Netflix and Hulu subscriptions. Such a low monthly premium is not a huge price to pay for the security of knowing your pet can get the help they need. 3. Deductibles Are Reasonable Compared to the cost of one late-night animal ER visit, most plans' deductibles are affordable. If, heaven forbid, your pet is seriously injured or ill, you could wind up paying at least the cost of the deductible anyway — but with insurance, you can get your pet the extra care and piece of mind toward vet bills that you may not have been able to afford on your own. 4. You Get to Choose Your Vet There are no "out-of-network" provider headaches when it comes to pet insurance. As long as your vet is licensed, eligible expenses should be covered and there's no need to worry if your vet "accepts" your plan. Since you pay for the cost out of pocket and then submit a claim to the company for reimbursement, all you need from your vet is a copy of their invoice and for them to fill out a section of the claim form (or to send along your pet's records). 5. You Can Do More for Your Pet According to a recent joint analysis by Nationwide and VetSuccess, owners with pet insurance are more likely to seek medical care for their pets than those without. Parents of insured dogs visit 73% more often while cat parents with insurance take their feline friends into the vet 43% more often. No one wants to have to choose between a sick pet and a mountain of debt. Too many pet owners, faced with a catastrophic medical crisis they hadn't prepared for, are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to elect for "economic euthanasia," according to the University of Melbourne in Australia. If you invest in pet insurance, you could save yourself — and your pet — from ever facing such a decision. The 4 Cons of Pet Insurance But for some, the cons of pet insurance outweigh the pros. Here are a few of the biggest problems with pet insurance policies: 1. Premiums Can Be High for Older Pets If your pet is older or has a pre-existing condition or you choose a high tier, you could be looking at monthly premiums of $50 or more. You'll want to carefully weigh whether the annual cost makes sense for you. The more customized coverage you require (like if you want a specific chronic or behavior condition covered), the higher you can expect to pay. 2. You Still Have to Pay Up Front Having pet insurance won't save you from having to shell out big bucks if your pet needs a costly procedure. Whether you have coverage or not, it's wise to have a separate savings fund for vet emergencies to ensure you can handle upfront charges until your claims are processed. 3. It Doesn't Cover Everything On average, a pet owner with insurance still pays around 20% of their pets' medical expenses, according to a report by the New York Times. Routine wellness checkups usually aren't covered (unless you pay extra for that), so you'll still pay for those out of pocket. Certain hereditary/genetic conditions may also not be covered; be sure to check each policy's specifics carefully. 4. The Coverage has Limitations Many plans also limit the amount you can claim, either annually or over your pet's lifetime. If your pet is unfortunate enough to suffer a major medical problem, you could max out your plan's limit quickly and find yourself paying the difference. 5. You Could Even Spend More If your pet only needs routine vet care, you won't save much. And pet owners with insurance spend an average of $324 out of pocket on a dog and $264 out of pocket on a cat, according to the zoology and veterinary sciences journal, Animals, compared to $251 for an uninsured dog and $146 for an uninsured cat. Yep, pet parents with insurance spend more on veterinary care than those without. This is largely because, unsurprisingly, owners with pet insurance take their animals to the vet more often than those who don't have insurance. This is a good thing, as our animals age more quickly than humans and do deserve the kind of care vets can provide. It's just something to be aware of if you're already struggling to pay your vet bills. And these numbers don't include the annual price of pet insurance premiums. With an average cost of $49.50 a month for dogs and $29.70 a month for cats, insuring your pet could mean your total costs hit $918 for a dog or $620.40 for a cat (barring catastrophic expenses of unexpected vet bills). If your pet is fortunate enough to avoid any big issues, the cost of pet health insurance could outweigh the savings. But that's insurance in a nutshell: Most of us will spend more on monthly premiums to cover those rare but expensive calamities, but those of us who do encounter such tragedy will be grateful for having the insurance. Should You Get Pet Insurance? Like property insurance (car, home, etc.), you won't necessarily "save" or "make" money in an average scenario, but in the event of a catastrophe, you may find it's worth the investment. While you may not get the most bang for your buck with a relatively healthy pet, there's no way to predict what illnesses or injuries might occur, and for many pet owners, knowing they have a safety net in place is value enough. And because pre existing conditions generally aren't covered, it's wise to start your pet insurance policy when your pet is young and healthy, meaning the first few years you can certainly expect to spend more than you save. "Pet insurance can help offset routine medical expenses and can be especially helpful for the unknown. Keeping the coverage may give you the freedom to make medical decisions for your beloved pets based on quality of life, not finances," Dr. Jennifer Welser, former chief medical officer of BluePearl Veterinary partners in Tampa, Florida and now with Mars Veterinary Health in Vancouver, Washington, told The Penny Hoarder. Pro Tip To get the most benefit from pet insurance, enroll your pet when they're young for maximum savings.  Talk to your vet to get an idea of your pet's potential breed-specific health problems, and ask them which insurance they'd recommend. If you decide to choose catastrophic coverage (generally the best cost-to-savings option), spring for the highest deductible you can afford. How to Get Pet Health Insurance To sign up for pet health insurance, you'll need the following information for your pet: Name Breed Age Pre-existing conditions (if any) Vet's name and contact information Have your pet seen by a vet if you haven't done so within the past year. Most pet insurance providers have waiting periods, which means you can't get coverage immediately following an accident or illness. (This ensures people don't sign up for pet insurance plans only when they know they need to cover a big bill.) So if you think you'd be interested in pet insurance, apply now before you end up needing it. Choosing the Best Pet Insurance Plan for Your Needs Ready to move forward with a pet insurance policy but unsure which company to go with? We recommend getting quotes from a few top companies; our list of the best pet insurance companies is a good place to start. While there are some niche companies on the list (Nationwide covers lizards and birds, Trupanion has lifetime deductibles and Lemonade prides itself on super-affordable premiums and its charitable giving), we find that any of the insurers included in our list are well worth consideration. Timothy Moore covers banking and investing for The Penny Hoarder from his home base in Cincinnati. He covers a variety of other topics, including pets, insurance, taxes, retirement and budgeting and has worked in the field since 2012. Reporting from contributors Kelly Gurnett and Olivia Snow Smith is included in this report.  This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

5 Unwelcome Financial Surprises to Watch Out for in 2022 Posted: 24 Jan 2022 08:00 AM PST Maybe you'd rather forget 2021 — we get it. But before getting too far into 2022, it's a good idea to take stock of how your finances may have changed during the last 12 months and make any needed adjustments. Here are five areas of your finances to check on so you don't get any unpleasant surprises this year. 5 Financial Surprises (the Bad Kind) to Avoid in 2022 Missed Student Loan Payments If you've been taking advantage of student loan forbearance since March 2020 — when all payments and interest on federally held student loans were suspended — it's time to resurrect those payments. Forbearance ends April 30, 2022, at which point you start owing and accruing interest on your student loans. Don't delay reaching out to your student loan servicer. If you're on the standard repayment plan and are unable to make the payments, apply for an income-driven repayment plan, which could substantially reduce your monthly payments when the forbearance period ends. If you're already on an income-driven plan, update your income to modify your monthly payment. Overdraft Fees Overdraft fees are among the most criticized fees assessed by banks, since those who live paycheck to paycheck are the ones likely to accidentally overdraft. The goods is that in 2021, a number of institutions eliminated their overdraft fees, including Ally Bank, Alliant Credit Union and Capital One. Since the new year, Bank of America announced it's slashing overdraft fees from $35 to $10 and intends to drop bounced check fees. Wells Fargo said that it will give customers 24 hours to make good on overdrafts, although it hasn't budged on the $35 overdraft penalty. What does that mean for you? If you're banking at a place that's socking you with fees, then maybe 2022 should be the year you find a new bank — here's a rundown of those fee changes, plus a list of banks that don't charge overdraft fees at all. Social Security Changes Whether you're already retired or years away, Social Security affects your finances, and there are some major shakeups to the system this year. For retirees, first some good news: Social Security payments are getting their biggest cost of living increase since 1982. But don't expect a much fatter monthly check — most of that increase will be eaten up by rising Medicare premiums. And if retirement is still in your future, you'll have to wait longer to reach it — as of 2002, full retirement age is now 67 years old. End to Child Tax Credits If you're a parent of a kid under 18, you likely received an extra monthly payment courtesy of the temporary child tax credit boost — but that source of extra income came to an end in 2021. Starting in July 2021, parents who qualified received up to $250 a month for each child between 6 and 17, and up to $300 a month for each child younger than 6. The last payment was Dec. 15, and the remaining half of the credit — $1,500 to $1,800, depending on the child's age — will be disbursed this year when parents file their taxes for 2021. The only way to get the remaining half of the credit is to file your 2021 tax return — the earlier the better, if last year's refund delays are any indication. The quickest way to receive your additional child tax credit money is to file a return online. There are plenty of free tax filing software programs that simplify the process. Credit Card Debt Don't let the ghost of credit card purchases past haunt you in 2022. If you want to start putting a dent in your credit card debt, we have plenty of options, including the debt avalanche, debt snowball, debt snowflake and debt lasso payoff methods. However, if you're having problems making payments, you should reach out to your lender to ask them about assistance or hardship programs. Start by looking for a customer service number on a copy of your bill for your mortgage, credit card, auto loan or other loan. When you call, have your account number and a clear explanation about why you're unable to pay the bill. Be sure to ask about all your options as well as how your payments, balance, interest rate and credit score could be affected. Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a staff writer/editor. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best Pet Insurance Companies 2022 Posted: 24 Jan 2022 04:20 AM PST Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Unexpected vet bills can be the most expensive part of welcoming a dog or cat into your family. For many pet owners, pet insurance for their dogs, cats and even birds can keep the costs of pet care reasonable. While the monthly premiums are an additional expense on top of food, toys, treats and grooming, pet insurance is worth it for medical emergencies, especially serious illnesses or injuries. With the cost of treating chronic illnesses so high, pet health insurance can mean being able to afford an improved quality of life for your companion and avoiding the tough decision of saying goodbye because you don't have the money for a $5,000 procedure. Like all insurance, it's a gamble. You will likely spend more over the course of your animal's life on monthly premiums than the cost of regular veterinary care if your pet is healthy. But if your best friend is dealt a bad hand, it's reassuring to know you have insurance to take care of the problems. In most cases, pet insurance is worth the cost but if you still need more information, we've gone into detail about how to decide if pet insurance is worth buying. The Best Pet Insurance Companies, Ranked Which pet insurance plan has the perfect combination of coverage, flexibility, benefits and positive reviews? The six companies below represent the very best of pet insurance in 2022, starting with our top pick. Methodology: To determine the best pet insurance companies listed below, we examined and rated them across these criteria: best value (most coverage at a reasonable premium), flexibility in plans and deductibles, the highest benefits and the best consumer reviews. To be included on our list, pet insurance companies had to achieve at least a 7 out of 10 with Pet Insurance Review and offer, at a minimum, dog insurance and cat insurance. 1. Trupanion What we love about Trupanion: One-time deductible: Trupanion's biggest differentiator is its one-time per-condition deductible. If your dog develops diabetes at a young age, once you've paid off your deductible, you'll only pay coinsurance for the rest of his life for that issue. Flexibility: Speaking of deductibles and coinsurance, Trupanion offers flexible deductibles ($0 to $1,000) and a single reimbursement option: 90%. Coverage: The range of what is covered is wide. It includes the basics like accidents, illnesses, medications, hereditary conditions and surgeries, but it also covers supplements and even prosthetic devices. Large-breed issues like hip dysplasia are also covered. Quick (or immediate) payouts: Trupanion is the only pet insurance provider that offers direct vet payments. That means, at the vet or hospital, Trupanion's software can quickly review the bill and determine what portion it will cover. Unlike with other pet insurance policies, you won't have to pay out of pocket. Most vets and animal hospitals are set up to accept this process, but if your specific vet is not, Trupanion is still one of the fastest pet insurance providers when it comes to claim reimbursement. Claims are paid out quickly (80% within seven days). Annual premium increases: Trupanion's annual premium increases are small compared to competitors. Consumer reviews: Finally, Trupanion holds a 9.8 out of 10 on Pet Insurance Review. What we don't love about Trupanion: Price: Trupanion isn't the most expensive insurance option, but it is in the higher tier. However, you can potentially save a lot of money with its per-condition deductible. Designed for younger pets: The per-condition deductible is designed for puppies and kittens. Older dogs and cats won't benefit as much from a lifetime deductible. Mobile app: When we reviewed Trupanion in 2019, we lamented that it did not have a mobile app. Trupanion has gotten with the times and now offers an app. However, it has lukewarm ratings from actual customers (3.7 stars on the App Store and 3.6 on Google Play). These are, however, based on fewer than 100 reviews at the time of publication. Waiting period: Trupanion has a 30-day waiting period before coverage for illnesses kicks in. (It's just five days for injuries.) Examination fees not covered: Because Trupanion is meant for emergencies, it does not cover exam fees, which are typically billed when you bring your dog or cat in for accident or illness care. This may surprise some customers, who assume all costs related to accident and illness are covered. 2. Lemonade What we love about Lemonade: Price: Lemonade is one of the most affordable dog insurance and cat insurance options. Policies start at just $10 a month. While these are basic plans and additional customization could add to the monthly premium, we still find Lemonade to be among the most affordable options even when you opt in to more comprehensive coverage. Plus, Lemonade offers 5% multi-pet discounts, as well as a 5% annual discount and 10% bundle discount. Mobile app: Lemonade is among the most technologically advanced insurance providers on our list. It uses AI to review and approve claims in seconds, and its mobile app carries amazing scores on the App Store and Google Play. Customization: Lemonade is truly customizable. The base plan includes accident and illness coverage for just $10, but you can add on preventative wellness packages that cover things like blood tests, vaccinations, annual exams and even flea or heartworm meds. You can also opt for more comprehensive illness packages. Charitable giving: To operate as a business, Lemonade claims a portion of your monthly premium, but most of it is donated to a charity of your choice. In 2021, Lemonade donated over $2.3 million to nonprofits and $365,000 to animal rights organizations. Quick payouts: Lemonade promises quick payouts; 30% of claims are paid in a matter of seconds. Waiting period: Lemonade has one of the shortest waiting periods for new cats and dogs — just two days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses. Preventative benefits kick in immediately. What we don't love about Lemonade: Customization: That's right — customization can also be a confusing thing. If you're new to pet insurance policies and aren't quite sure what you're doing, you may do better with a company that has one simple policy that gives you just a few options, like deductible and copay. Lemonade may be overwhelming for first-time pet owners seeking insurance. Limited availability: Lemonade is only available in 36 states. Find out if your state is on the list. Experience: Lemonade is the youngest pet insurance provider on the list. While this isn't inherently bad, some might prefer to go with a company that has been in the business longer. 3. Healthy Paws What we love about Healthy Paws: Consumer reviews: Healthy Paws has fantastic customer service and a high score on Pet Insurance Review: a 9.7 out of 10. Based on reviews on petinsurancequotes.com, Healthy Paws has been the number one rated pet health insurance company for more than a decade. Flexibility: Deductibles and reimbursement percentages are flexible; you can choose 70%, 80% or 90% for reimbursements after you've hit your deductible, which you can set at $100, $250 or $500. Coverage: Coverage is comprehensive. All the basics are covered, but the plan also includes alternative treatment methods like hydrotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic services. There are no per-incident, annual or lifetime caps on coverage for accident and illness. Quick payouts: Claims are paid out lightning fast: 99% of Healthy Paws claims are reimbursed within just two business days. What we don't love about Healthy Paws: Price: Like Trupanion, Healthy Paws can be on the more expensive side. Monthly premiums for dogs start at more than $30, and premiums for cats are almost $20; these are likely to be much higher if you pick the top benefits and depending on the age and size of your pet. Hip dysplasia: Treatment for hip dysplasia can only be covered if you enroll while your pet is 6 or under. HealthyPaws also has a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage on large breeds. Mobile app: While building profiles for individual pets and submitting claims online is super easy with the Healthy Paws platform, its mobile app leaves a lot to be desired and has low scores on both the App Store (2.0 stars) and Google Play (2.5 stars). Examination fees not covered: Because Healthy Paws is meant for emergencies, it does not cover exam fees, which are typically billed when you bring your dog or cat in for accident or illness care. This may surprise some customers, who assume all costs related to accident and illness are covered. Waiting period: Healthy Paws has a moderate waiting period for illness and injury coverage to kick in: 15 days. Competitors are much faster, especially for injuries. 4. Embrace Pet Insurance What we love about Embrace: Consumer reviews: Embrace fetched a 9.3 rating on Pet Insurance Review. Coverage: Embrace's accident and illness coverage is extensive. It covers all illnesses and injuries and related expenses, including breed-specific and hereditary conditions, hospitalization and surgery, behavioral therapy, prescription drugs, cancer treatment, rehabilitation and more. It even includes the exam fee for accident and illness visits. You can spring for the optional Wellness Rewards plan as well. Flexibility: With Embrace, you can choose an annual reimbursement limit ($5,000 to $30,000), annual deductible ($200 to $1,000) and reimbursement percentage (70%, 80% or 90%). Price: Compared to our top two options, Embrace is pretty affordable. If you're looking for a moderate cost plan with great benefits, this just may be it. You can also get a 10% multi-pet discount. Mobile app: The Embrace mobile app is easy to use and has top ratings on the App Store (4.8 stars) and Google Play (also 4.8 stars) at the time of publication. Waiting periods: The 48-hour waiting period for accidents is nice, as is the 14 days for illnesses. The orthopedic waiting period on dog insurance, however, is six months. What we don't love about Embrace: Fine print: Don't get us wrong — Embrace has great coverage. But just a little digging reveals that, for example, the all-inclusive injury and illness coverage, even with a max cap of $30,000 a year, only allows up to $1,000 for dental issues. When at first glance the coverage seems too good to be true, it probably is. Payouts: If you go with direct deposit, you can get your reimbursement in two days. That's not bad, but other companies at similar price points are paying out faster (i.e., immediately). Embrace offers top-tier coverage, but slow processes hold it back. Annual limits: We prefer plans with unlimited coverage; while the $30,000 annual limit is affordable and you're not likely to ever reach that, it would still be nice for an unlimited option. 5. Figo What we love about Figo: Technology: Figo is one of the younger pet insurance providers on this list, but its association with Google's Tech Hub Network means advanced technology (paperless claims process through online portal and mobile app) as part of the claims process. This technology also includes the Pet Cloud for easy records access, lost pet finder with geolocation, vaccine reminders and more. Unlimited benefits: You can choose unlimited annual benefits, but for a cheaper premium, you can also opt for $5,000 or $10,000 of coverage. While those will cover most medical expenses in a year, they might not cover full cancer treatment. If you are using your pet's health insurance as a just-in-case option for big things like cancer, we recommend unlimited benefits. Another plus: There are no lifetime maximums. Flexibility: Deductibles and reimbursement are flexible. Choose from $100 to $750 for your annual deductible, and select 70%, 80%, 90% or even 100% for claims reimbursement. Coverage: In addition to typical coverage, Figo covers exam fees related to illnesses and accidents for an added fee (called a Powerup). Other Powerups include wellness coverage and the Extra Care Pack. There are no exclusions for hip dysplasia. Waiting period: The waiting period for the policy to kick in is generally short, though it does vary by state. Live vet access: Figo customers get 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians, whom they can contact for questions during emergencies. What we don't love about Figo: Too new: The company is young, so we still need some time to determine how reliable it is. For instance, a few years back, Twitter users raged when premiums grew by 50% year over year. Price: Speaking of premiums, they tend to be high for Figo. Waning features: Figo used to offer more features for a set price; these are now no longer offered or have been baked into the Powerups. 6. MetLife Pet Insurance (formerly known as PetFirst) What we love about MetLife: Waiting period: MetLife has one of the shortest waiting periods in the industry. Accident coverage kicks in at midnight EST (less than 24 hours after enacting the policy); illness coverage does, however, take 14 days. A unique coverage offered by MetLife Pet Insurance is for periodontal disease. Here's why taking care of your pet's teeth is important. Coverage: Policy limits range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year, but even with cancer, it is unlikely you will reach the higher end. Chronic issues, like cancer and hip dysplasia, are covered for a lifetime, as long as you are under your annual maximum. Flexibility: Deductibles and reimbursements are flexible. Choose from $50 to $500 for your annual deductible and 70%, 80% or 90% for claims reimbursement. Price: Though premiums are higher now under the MetLife umbrella than when the company was known as PetFirst, they're still lower than competitors like Healthy Pets and Trupanion. The cheapest plans ($2,000 annual limit) are not helpful in true emergencies, however, which quickly surpass $2,000. What we don't love about MetLife: Consumer reviews: MetLife Pet Insurance scores lower with consumers than others on our list. Slow payouts: Claims can take longer to be paid out; approximately 80% are paid out within 10 days. Compared to others on our list, this is an unreasonably long payout. You can receive the reimbursement by check or direct deposit. Low annual limits: That MetLife Pet Insurance even offers a $2,000 annual limit is frustrating. That is not likely to help those who truly need insurance in true emergencies. There's not a lot of value there for someone who may struggle to pay the monthly premium as it is. Honorable Mentions While these didn't make our top picks, we tip our hat to other leading insurance providers: Nationwide Pet Insurance: Best pet insurance for birds and lizards ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Best for multi-pet discounts Pet Assure: Best for pet owners on a budget How to Choose a Pet Insurance Plan With so many options on the market nowadays, choosing insurance for your furry (or feathery, or scaly) friend can be stressful. In the past, I have insured multiple dogs with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance (and have been very satisfied), and my two dogs now are covered by Healthy Paws (still satisfied). Choosing these plans was no easy task; to do my due diligence, I read multiple pet insurance reviews and got multiple quotes.. When choosing your policy, identify multiple options that have the coverage, flexibility and other benefits suited to your pet's needs and then request quotes from all of them. Compare these to find the option with the lowest premium that meets your needs. Pro Tip Don't forget to check with your employer about employee discounts. Many employers now offer discounts on pet insurance as part of their benefits packages. So what should you look for in a pet insurance company? Here's what the best policies offer: Coverage What does the best pet insurance cover? Choose only from plans that offer comprehensive coverage, and find an insurer that covers specific conditions that are common in your pet's breed. A good, comprehensive insurance plan should meet all the requirements listed below: Find a plan that broadly covers accidents and illnesses. This includes injuries like a fractured leg and illnesses like bronchitis. Find pet insurance coverage that includes chronic conditions (like diabetes or hypothyroidism), congenital conditions (birth defects) and hereditary conditions (genetic disorders). Because the true value of insurance lies in its capacity to make expensive treatments for life-threatening illnesses affordable, find a policy that covers cancer treatment. The best pet insurance companies will also cover lab tests and blood work; surgery; prescription medications; X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and other imaging services; and even rehabilitation, like after a broken leg. Animal hospitals tend to be more expensive than a regular veterinary office (much like an emergency room compared to the doctor's office). Only consider pet insurance plans that cover emergency visits. Look for plans with high maximum annual limits or, preferably, no annual limits. If you have an elderly dog or cat who has already developed serious issues, you may want to decline pet insurance. Unfortunately, the older cats and dogs get, the less sense it makes to purchase insurance for them, as costs will be too high and you will likely not see a positive return on investment. A Note on Pre-Existing Conditions No pet insurance policies currently offer support for preexisting conditions. That is why it is crucial that you insure your pet as early as possible. If you rescue a puppy or kitten, make insurance for your new family member a top priority in the first few days you bring them home. Pro Tip If you're thinking of covering a pet with a host of health problems, consider saving the money you would spend on insurance, and instead putting that into savings for future care. If you already have a pet insured with one plan and she's developed a number of issues, stick with it. A new pet insurance policy will likely see those as preexisting conditions, making it challenging to switch. Coverage You May Be Able to Skip One area of coverage that might not be worth it? Wellness coverage. Wellness coverage typically includes dental cleaning, vaccines and regular check-ups. Many policies allow you to elect for wellness coverage for an additional monthly fee. Instead, put the $20-ish a month you'd spend on that coverage into savings, then draw from that to pay for annual wellness visits. Deductibles The best pet insurance plans have flexible deductible options, typically between $0 and $1,000. Like human health insurance, high-deductible plans are cheaper. Most plans have an annual deductible; Trupanion breaks from the pack with a one-time per-incident/per-condition deductible, meaning if your dog has a chronic issue, you'll only have to meet the deductible once over the course of his life before the insurance benefits kick in. This would be a great solution for dogs famous for contracting specific illnesses, like hypothyroidism, which requires regular blood work and medication. On the flip side, this solution would not be ideal for a dog or cat that requires lots of veterinary care for a wide range of unrelated issues, as you'd have to meet a deductible for each. Some insurance plans have fixed deductibles. While that's not necessarily a red flag, it's nice to be able to choose the option that best suits your needs. To save on monthly premiums, choose the highest deductible you're comfortable paying. View your pet's insurance as that "just-in-case" crutch to lean on if your dogs need emergency surgery or cancer treatment. If you can afford a $500 vet bill from time to time, save on the monthly payments and fork over $500 a year before the benefits kick in, but rest easy knowing you have support if disaster strikes and you're faced with much larger vet bills. Benefits As with deductibles, the best pet insurance companies will let you select the reimbursement option that fits your needs. Reimbursement is the amount insurance will pay after you have met your deductible. You are still financially responsible for the remaining percentage, called coinsurance. The lower the reimbursement, the lower the monthly premium. Leaders in the pet insurance industry typically offer options for 70%, 80%, 90% and even 100% reimbursement (though the cost for the latter can be exorbitant). We only considered pet insurance companies that reimburse 70% at a minimum. For example, let's assume your plan has a deductible of $500, $300 of which you have already met. It also has a 70% reimbursement. You take your dog in for a stomach issue that, after testing and treatment, costs you $400. You will pay $200 toward your deductible. Of the remaining $200 owed, your insurance will cover $140 (70%), leaving you with a $60 bill. Any future illnesses or injuries that year should also be covered at 70% because your deductible has been met. Premiums So how much does pet insurance cost? It's difficult to pinpoint which insurance company offers the best premium, because quotes depend on variables such as your pet's age, breed, size, location and more. Dogs are 50% to 60% more expensive to insure than cats because they are more susceptible to injury and illness. For reference, the current average monthly premium for accident and illness pet health insurance is $50 for dogs and $28 for cats. Premiums will also depend on the coverage you elect and the deductible and reimbursement amounts you select. Still, we've examined typical premiums across the top rated pet insurance policies and used those to influence our list of the best pet insurance companies. Some pet insurers, like ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, offer multi-pet discounts to help you save on premiums. Consumer Reviews While you should take reviews with a grain of salt, consumer reviews of insurance companies can be extremely helpful. Pet Insurance Review's website scores companies out of 10 based on customer ratings, while Consumer Affairs and similar sites let you browse hundreds of reviews of policies. Plans for Lizards, Birds and More A final consideration: What animal are you hoping to insure? While most pet insurance companies provide coverage for dogs and cats, only Nationwide includes policies for animals like birds, lizards and rodents. While Nationwide is not the strongest insurer across the other criteria, it stands out as a winner for the range of animals covered. One Alternative to Pet Health Insurance If pet insurance seems like a financial burden, consider starting a savings account for pet emergencies and putting away the equivalent of a premium each month. When an emergency does happen, you will have that money to rely on, but you'll have been earning interest on it (check out one of these high-yield online savings accounts). One caveat: If you have a pet for just a couple months and she develops a serious issue or gets injured, you likely won't have much saved up and you'll need savings on hand to cover the cost. If you do have to pay for emergency vet care and don't have pet health insurance, there are several options for pet parents to choose from. Timothy Moore covers banking and investing for The Penny Hoarder from his home base in Cincinnati. He covers a variety of other topics, including pets, insurance, taxes, retirement and budgeting and has worked in the field since 2012. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dear Penny: Will Getting a Job Cost Me My Social Security Disability? Posted: 23 Jan 2022 07:00 AM PST Dear Penny, I receive full disability from Social Security. I am 64 and went out on disability at 48 years old. (I was born in 1957.)  Since there is now a shortage of labor, I thought I might like to try going back to work. Social Security has a Ticket to Work program, which gives you a limited time to try working without losing your benefits. Is there a downside in trying to go back to an office job? I believe I can work part time and earn less than $1,000 a month without disturbing my benefits.  Also, right now, I do not pay any income tax. Would I really be gaining anything if I went back to work just to have a tax bill wipe out my earnings? -L. Dear L., Getting approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is such a long and complex process, so I understand why you wouldn't want to put your benefits at risk. But I don't see much downside to what you're proposing. The Ticket to Work program provides training, career counseling and help with finding a job for people who receive disability and want to work again. You can find out more about the services the programs offered at choosework.ssa.gov. Have A Money Question? Senior editor Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and the voice of Dear Penny. Write Dear Penny Have a tough money question? Dear Penny wants to help! Write Dear Penny for Practical money advice. Dear Penny Circle Form Name * Email * Message * If you are human, leave this field blank. But you don't need to use Ticket to Work's services to qualify for a trial work period. Basically, as long as you still have a disability, Social Security lets you test out a new job for up to nine months without affecting your benefits. There's no limit on how much you can earn during these nine months. As of 2022, any month you earn above $970 or work at least 80 hours if you're self-employed would count as one of your trial months. Social Security would only consider your disability to have ended if you used up nine trial months during a 60-month period. But as long as you kept your income below $970 for any month you work, it wouldn't count as a trial month. Once you've completed a nine-month trial period, you can keep your disability for any month in which you don't earn enough to have what Social Security calls substantial gainful activity for the next 36 months. In 2022, you can earn up to $1,350 a month, or $2,260 per month if you're blind. There's no middle ground here, though. If you're not blind and you make $1,351 in a month, you wouldn't get your disability for that month. Even if you'd use up nine trial months, you're not putting your long-term benefits at risk because of your age. You're about two years away from full retirement age, at which point your disability benefit will convert to your retirement benefit. After that, you can work as much as you want without impacting your Social Security. You also wouldn't risk your Medicare, since you'll be 65 this year. A couple of other benefits to consider: By working, you'd be paying into Social Security, which could increase your retirement benefit. Also, when you earn money from a job, you can contribute to a retirement account, like a 401(k) or IRA. The tax part of the equation complicates things a bit. While you'd likely wind up paying some taxes, I don't think Uncle Sam would take too big of a bite. We have a progressive tax system that gradually increases tax rates according to income. Suppose you have $20,000 of income from Social Security disability, plus $10,000 in wages for the year, bringing your income to $30,000 for the year. Between federal taxes (which would apply to both your earnings and part of your Social Security) and payroll taxes (which would only apply to your earnings), you'd wind up paying a little over $1,500. Ultimately, it's your call whether getting a job is worth owing a bit in taxes. The point is, you don't have to worry about taxes eliminating the benefits of working. As long as you feel like you can work without risking your health, I'd vote for at least applying for a few jobs to explore your options. Along with office jobs, you may also want to look at work-from-home jobs since remote work is the new normal for so many companies. The current job market presents so many opportunities, particularly for older workers or those with a disability who often face a lot of barriers when they seek employment. Since you have options for working without risking your benefits, why not take advantage? Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Send your tricky money questions to AskPenny@thepennyhoarder.com. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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