6 Ways to Trim Healthcare Costs

Your health and the health of your loved ones are a top priority – even when you're on a budget. Being proactive about your family’s well-being by practicing healthy habits, getting regular screenings and checkups, and finding the right services to meet your needs can help you spend your money wisely. Here are six tips you can use now to cut expenses while keeping a watchful eye on your family's health:
Maintain Good Health

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy is the best way to reduce healthcare costs. Eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains along with lean proteins and low-fat dairy products. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Get enough sleep, and keep stress under control by finding time to relax every day. If you smoke, quit. And if you drink alcohol, be sure it’s in moderation. Avoid sunburn by applying sunscreen.

2. Get regular health screenings. Blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, mammograms, etc. can detect conditions that require attention early, when treatment is usually both more successful and less expensive.

3. Stay safe. Maintain working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor of your home. Help prevent falls by making sure stairways are well lit and that area rugs have nonskid backings. Use safety devices such as seat belts in the car and bike helmets and other appropriate protective gear when participating in sports.
Choose Services Carefully

4. Use the appropriate service option for your situation. Unnecessary emergency room visits add to individual and health plan expenses. Treatment may cost more than 10 times as much in an emergency room (ER) as in a doctor's office.* Don’t go to the ER if an urgent care facility could handle your problem. And if the condition isn’t urgent, wait and make an appointment at your regular clinic.

5. Know when medical care is needed, and when it isn't. If you have a cold, for instance, your doctor won’t be able to offer much more than the standard advice: Stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids. However, if symptoms persist or grow more serious, you should see a doctor.

6. Use 24-hour nurse-on-call services. With just one free phone call, you’re connected to an experienced nurse who can help you decide whether your condition warrants a trip to the doctor’s office or emergency room. If treating yourself is appropriate, the nurse can give you recommendations over the phone.

Enjoy Good Physical – and Fiscal – Health!
By putting a little thought into your health and your healthcare choices, you can help keep costs in line. You'll discover how keeping yourself and your budget healthy go hand-in-hand.
* Source: University of Chicago Medical Center, www.uchospitals.edu.

The Problem: Talking About Money

Money is a problem for nearly everyone. Money problems can result from insufficient income or lack of clearly defined financial goals, but more often than not, money problems result from poor communication about money.
Differing attitudes and values toward spending and saving money and unrealistic financial goals may result in conflict. When family members don’t talk things out, the conflict may intensify and result in poor financial decisions.
Communicating about money isn’t easy, but it is important if you want to get the most satisfaction from financial resources. The more open communication is about finances, the better the quality of financial decisions.
When talking about money, be honest and candid. Arrange a specific time and place where the family can talk about money without interruption. Meet regularly instead of waiting for a problem to occur.
When talking about money, recognize that whoever earns the money doesn’t also earn the right to dictate how it should be spent. Financial decisions should be made as a team. Allow everyone to have input in financial decisions.
Clearly identify the issue at hand. Is the problem one of spending too much money, spending it at the wrong time, or spending it on something you consider unnecessary or unimportant?
Let each family member freely state his or her wants, needs, and personal feelings. Avoid judging or criticizing others. Encourage communication by beginning statements with "I think" or "I feel." Avoid the phrases "you always" and "you never."
Listen carefully to others. Try to understand their position. Be willing to negotiate and compromise in reaching a settlement of differences.
Communicating about money isn’t easy, but neither is living with financial conflicts. Make a positive change today.
Author: Ann Henderson, M.S., CFCS, Utah State University Extension Educator, Box Elder County
Sources Used: Successful Money Management (EC 428.1-4) by Dr. Barbara Rowe with Kay W. Hansen and Marsha M. Peterson, Utah State University Cooperative Extension Service, November 1990.

Don't Panic — Take Control

Many circumstances can lead to an abrupt reduction in income: a company layoff or cutback, loss of a job, reduced farm income, or loss of a second income from a spouse. Just the threat of any of these situations is a serious blow to individuals and families struggling to survive economically in difficult times.
If economic misfortune strikes you or your family in the form of reduced income, is there anything you can do to minimize the hardship? Yes!
Abrupt loss of income, whatever the reason, is traumatic. Often the financial setback was not anticipated. When it happens, a common instinct is to panic. Although natural, the temptation to tailspin needs to be avoided. Remember the following facts:
Loss of income affects many people for many different reasons. It may be caused by a loss of a job, a softening of the economy, an illness or death, poor return on an investment, or a divorce. It doesn’t help to blame yourself. Chances are it wasn’t your fault. In any event, self-blame wastes energy, and the energy you spend blaming yourself could be better spent on dealing with your situation.
Feeling the effects of stress is very human and very natural. That doesn’t make it pleasant. Keep stress at controllable levels by recognizing the signs and taking steps to reduce stress. Developing and following a plan will reduce stress and help you maintain control of your financial position.
One important way to cut anxiety is to assure yourself you are doing the best you can with the resources you have. You are also encouraged to learn about community resources designed to help you and others in times of economic or personal distress. Sometimes people are reluctant to ask about "government programs" in times of trouble. However, these are ways in which you and the community, have tried to protect our mutual welfare with programs to assist in times of trouble.
After you know the resources you have and are likely to have, talk with your family about how you and they use money. Designing a family spending plan accomplishes two things. It sets your family up for success by thinking positively. And it helps you to survive financially and emotionally until future goals are decided.
One of the most stressful outcomes of a loss in income is the worry that creditors are all around, impatiently waiting for you to pay overdue bills. In this situation, avoidance is not the answer. It is extremely important for you to be realistic about your financial situation and meet it with a plan. Fears caused by uncertainty and avoidance are always worse than facing the facts and following a plan to take control.
Keeping a roof overhead, the utilities hooked up, and essential insurance are top priorities when income drops.
Author: Barbara R. Rowe, Ph.D., Professor and Family Resource Management Specialist, Utah State University

Step Down Principle

You can save money by simply stepping down on your expenses. For example, if you enjoy going to the movies but need to save money, consider stepping down.

Movie options, not including popcorn or a drink:
An evening at the theater for a new release: $6.50
A matinee at the theater for a new release: $4.50
Rent a movie to watch at home: $3.99
Check out a movie at the local library: $0

Dinner options, one large pizza:
A meal at a nice pizzeria (include salad bar and drinks): $25
Order take-out from a fast food pizzeria (with a salad package add $3): $12
Order from a take and bake pizzeria: $9
Buy the ingredients and make the pizza as a family (use frozen dough): $6
Buy your favorite frozen pizza and cook it: $3

If you try to go from the top step directly to the bottom step you may not be successful. It is easy to apply the step down principle to any expense: entertainment, eating out, purchasing household supplies, the stores and seasons in which you buy clothes, and dating. Be creative. Ask yourself how you can step down. Remember: take one step at a time.

Your budget should only fit one person . . . YOU!
Budgets are as unique as the person who creates them!

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Tips for Sticking to Your Financial Plan

Making changes is challenging. It’s difficult to adopt new ways of doing familiar tasks. Making financial changes in a family is no different. It requires thoughtful, realistic planning, goals that reflect family priorities, time to refine and evaluate progress, and determination keep working long enough to see results.
As you begin to make financial changes, choose some tools to help make it easier.
Make a list of questions to ask yourself before making purchases:
Will this purchase help me reach my financial goals?
Is this purchase listed on my spending plan? Can I do without this item, at least for now?
What will I have to give up if I spend my money on this purchase? Do I need this item or do I need this money for one of my financial goals?
Make your spending plan part of your daily life. If you have a goal to save $50, look for ways you can spend less today. Cut out a snack, bring your lunch from home or pass up magazines at the grocery store. Tell someone else what you are doing and ask for their support. Write your plan down so it is clear in your mind.
Break large tasks or goals into smaller pieces and work on them step by step.
Plan for new situations and changes. Look ahead for increased expenses as a child enters school or the washer needs to be replaced.
Plan large expenses so they occur over several years. New carpet this year, a new refrigerator in two years, a new car in five years.
Keep your spending plan where you can refer to it as you make purchasing decisions. Develop a record keeping system. Allow yourself a special treat for successfully following your plan.
Author: Ann Henderson, M.S., CFCS Utah State University Extension Educator, Box Elder County Sources Used: Successful Money Management (EC 428.1-4) by Dr. Barbara Rowe with Kay W. Hansen and Marsha M. Peterson, Utah State University Cooperative Extension Service, November 1990.

E-statements for security

Did you know that Northeast Community Credit Union offers e-statements to our members? You can now receive your statement in your email inbox each month and keep your account information out of the hands of an identity thief. There is another unfortunate side effect of a poor economy, and that is the fact that theft and particularly identity theft is on the rise. You as a consumer need to take every step possible to protect your identity from potential thieves.
As an added bonus, e-statements arrive in your email box on average 4 days sooner than traditional paper statements and you have access to 12 months of statements at all times. Plus if we can save a few trees I don’t think anyone will argue with that. Signing up is easy and can be done from Home banking or by stopping by any of our three locations and asking to be enrolled.