Hi,

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Next topic...health insurance! There is an alternative to traditional health insurance. It is called Consumer Driven Health Care (CDHC). I'm not talking about CDHC in the sense the Government does (that is still tied to the big insurance carriers). I'm talking about discount benefit plans that offer people a savings (often substantial) by paying a discounted fee at the time you receive service. Many plans have a large list of providers that have agreed to accept the discounted fees. Why would a provider accept a discounted fee? There are several reasons: no paperwork to file, no waiting period to get paid (anywhere from 90 to 180 days) by the insurance company (who, by the way, pays a discounted fee to the provider), and no outside interference on your treatment. With CDHC there are no co-pays, no deductibles, pre-existing conditions are accepted (with no penalties) and there are no limitations on treatment or visits.

CDHC puts health care where it should be, between the patient and the doctor. With CDHC, you pay the providers up front but at a significantly reduced rate (you can save 50% or more on medical, up to 80% on dental, etc.). In short, YOU and your doctor control your treatment, not the insurance companies. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best option for you. However, if you're looking for options in this area, and I know I am, then check out AmeriPlan to see if CDHC can save you money and improve your health services!

Lastly, check out this story sent in by DebtSmart reader Chuck Hart, Mathematics Instructor, Autry Technology Center.
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"Scott: I had a personal story about making my credit card work for me. My wife and I planned an Alaskan cruise last summer. We timed the final payment to post just after the cutoff date of my Discover card. As a result, we kept the money in a money market account for 2 months and earned interest of $24.50. We earned a cash back bonus on my Discover card of $57.21. That means we saved $81.71 on the price of our cruise. I teach a Mathematics of Finance class to high school juniors and seniors. I have enjoyed using your newsletter as part of my class. I feel like my students are becoming really DebtSmart. Keep up the good work."
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That's all for now!

Best,
Scott

I received a letter from Jenni about Chris Peruzzi's article, Bad Customer Service. Turns out that Jenni is a bill collector. I found her comments to be quite interesting in that you can get an insight into the thinking of the typical bill/debt collector. I included my remarks for added entertainment.

Jenni: "I am a bill collector. What a lot of people forget is that what we do is our job."

I don't think anyone forgets that it's her 'job.' Jenni's collection victims also have jobs.

Jenni: "We do not come to your office and cuss you out because you wanted an 8:00 meeting. Under the FDCPA (fair debt collection practices act) we are legally allowed to call from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm your local time."

Of course Jenni didn't come to our office and cuss. It sounds like she would, if she could, which is why the law limits their contact.

Finish reading article

"I just wanted to pass along some success that I had recently while calling my credit card companies. First of all, I called and asked for a credit line increase so that I could transfer a high interest balance to a 4.82% APR. Not only did they increase my credit line, but they also let me know that they had a 3.82% APR available since I called.

I also called another card company to take advantage of another balance transfer offer. It was 3.9%, but it held a transfer fee of $99. When I called to activate the card and make the transfer, I was told that the balance transfer had a $99 fee, but that she would waive the fee if I did the transfer over the phone! I hadn't even asked yet...she just offered it!

Thanks so much for the information that you provide! I finally feel like I'm getting a handle on our debt!"

Susan McVay

Read about special offer for all three of Scott Bilker's best-selling books

Kelly wins $25,000 in the lottery and decides to put this money away for the future. She deposits the cash in a money market fund and expects to earn an average of 4% APR for 10 years. Kelly's younger sister, Audrey, wants to accumulate the same amount of money as Kelly in 10 years, but Audrey doesn't have $25,000 lying around. Audrey decides to make monthly deposits at the same bank as Kelly and expects the same rate of return. How much does Audrey have to deposit each month to have the same amount as Kelly in 10 years?

Answer this problem

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This is a great video from Sheriff Ken Jenne of the Broward Sheriff's Office. You won't believe what the criminals are up to now. If you think that gas prices are ripping you off at the pump, then you HAVE to see this video! Not only is it possible to lose your cash-on-hand, but even worse--your identity!

BE SURE to send this link to all your friends!!!!

Finish Reading Article

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If you don't already know, I'll be the first to tell you... banks, finance companies, bill collectors and credit card companies are some of the BIGGEST crooks in the world. If you don't know the secrets contained in the Credit Secrets Bible, you will pay tens of thousands of hard-earned dollars in extra bills, interest and fees, etc. Your money will be wasted (down the drain) for no reason other than you don't own the Credit Secrets Bible home study course.

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The author(s), Press One Publishing, and DebtSmart.com shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained in this email newsletter and/or at the DebtSmart.com web site. The information, methods and techniques described may not work for you and no recommendation is made to follow the same course of action. Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of all content contained herein. However, there may be mistakes; typographical, mathematical, or in content. This email newsletter and the DebtSmart.com web site have been created for your entertainment only. You must always seek the proper professional advice before taking any financial or legal action. You have been warned.

Copyright ©2007 Press One Publishing. All rights reserved. Please do not reprint, or host on your web site, without explicit permission. However, if you found this newsletter helpful, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you, to e-mail it to a business associate or a friend. Thank you.