Beating Broke

Personal Finance from the Broke Perspective

Tips for Finding a Nursing Home to Meet Your Budget

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Finding a nursing home to meet your budget can be a difficult process. However, it’s vital to ensure that the facility you choose is one that can meet your care needs, while also being affordable. Whether you or a loved one are in need of long-term care, here are some tips to help you find a nursing home that fits within your budget.

Research Your Options

According to data from the Payroll-Based Journal, nearly three in four nursing homes did not meet the expected registered nurse staffing levels recommended by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2017 and 2018. Low staffing levels are just one factor to consider when researching nursing homes. You’ll also want to look for facilities that offer activities, recreational options, and other amenities that fit your needs. Research nursing homes in your area and compare their services, pricing, and quality ratings.

To make your research easier, consider using an online database such as the Medicare Nursing Home Compare tool to access information on quality ratings, staffing levels, and other data points.

Consider Veterans Benefits

For those who are eligible, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers several benefits for veterans and their spouses who require long-term care. The VA operates several nursing home facilities nationwide and provides financial assistance in the form of pension aid payments to cover some or all of a veteran’s nursing home costs. Eligibility requirements vary based on service history, disability rating, and income.

Compare Prices

Comparing prices for your budget is an important step in the process. Nursing homes can widely differ in costs, sometimes even for facilities that are fairly close to each other. Make sure to get quotes from several different nursing homes before making a decision.

Most nursing homes also have different payment plans and discounts available, so be sure to ask about any possible discounts or incentives you qualify for. For example, some nursing homes offer discounted rates for residents who need less care than other residents.

Check for Payment Assistance

You may be able to receive financial assistance from your state or local government, insurance companies, or other organizations to help pay for nursing home care. Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance are some of the most common options for payment. In addition, you might be able to receive Medicaid benefits even if you don’t meet the poverty guidelines. With one in nine men diagnosed with prostate cancer and some of those cases being terminal, you might want to check for any help that’s available when looking for long-term care.

Visit the Facility

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s important to visit the potential nursing homes and get a feel for the atmosphere. Speak with administrators and staff members to learn more about their policies and the quality of care they provide. Ask questions about staff qualifications, medical services, and other aspects of resident care.

Finally, put yourself in the shoes of your loved one. For instance, 26% of American adults have untreated tooth decay. If your loved one were to need dental care, how easy would it be to access that care? If the answer is not very easy, you may want to look at other options.

Check Out the Quality Ratings

Reviews, ratings, and feedback from other families are important indicators of quality. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provide a star rating system to help you easily compare facilities based on their overall performance. When looking at the ratings, make sure to pay attention to the staffing level scores as well as any complaints or citations that have been lodged against the home.

By taking your time and researching all of your options, you can find a nursing home that fits both your needs and your budget. Knowing what services each facility provides and how much they cost will help ensure that you find the right place for yourself or a loved one. Ultimately, finding an affordable yet quality nursing home is possible with some diligent research and patience. If you need help finding a nursing home that fits your budget, call us today!

How to Revamp Your Living Room on a Budget

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Revamping your living room at home can be a daunting task, especially if you are on a tight budget. Whether you want to give the space an entirely new look or just change a few key elements, these tips can help you make a big impact without breaking the bank.

Find Used Furniture

Used furniture is often a great option for budget-friendly living room makeovers. Check websites such as Craigslist, OfferUp, and eBay for gently used furniture that could be incorporated into your new look. If you plan to paint the piece, look for solid wood items with minimal damage that can be easily transformed with a coat of paint and some sanding. In addition to used furniture, you can also shop for hand-crafted furniture, like 100% of Amish furniture is hand-crafted. Shopping at local antique stores, flea markets, or consignment shops is also a good option for finding furniture that fits your aesthetic and budget.

Do DIY Projects

DIY projects are another great way to revamp your living room on a budget. There are many tutorials available online to help you give old furniture, or even everyday items, a new look. You can also customize furniture with stencils or fabric to make a unique piece that fits in perfectly with your decor. Additionally, many projects are inexpensive enough that you can do them yourself without breaking the bank.

For instance, something as simple as covering one wall with a mirror will instantly make the room appear twice as deep. In addition, adding new accessories such as lamps, throw pillows, and rugs can also bring a room together and add character.

Update Lighting

Lighting is an important element in any living room, and it can often be overlooked. Installing dimmers or adding light fixtures can drastically change the mood of your space. You don’t have to invest in expensive fixtures; look for options at thrift stores or yard sales. If you’re feeling creative, create your own light fixture with items such as mason jars, branches, and twine.

Don’t forget to consider natural lighting in the room as well. Open up curtains and blinds to let more light into the room, and use sheer curtains to diffuse the sunlight.

Invest in Home Automation

While many people think adding home automation is expensive and only for the wealthy, that’s not necessarily true. There are many affordable home automation systems that can help you control your lighting, security, temperature, and more with just a few taps of your smartphone. Investing in a home automation system can save you money on electricity bills in the long run and give your living room a modern touch.

Look for modern automated devices such as automated blinds or switches that can be controlled from your smartphone or voice-activated speakers. You can also invest in Alexa, Google Home, or a similar device to automate tasks like adjusting the thermostat and controlling your lights. Home automation not only adds a layer of luxury to your home and living room but also adds convenience and functionality.

Consider New Accents

New accents can give your living room a facelift without draining your wallet. Swap out old pillows, blankets, and throws to incorporate new colors or textures into the space. Additionally, you can add artwork or wall decals to brighten up the walls and make them feel more inviting.

Keep in mind more modern accents to help decorate your home and, possibly, improve its resale value! Around half of the homes listed in the DC Metro market did not sell the first time they were listed, so it’s best to take your time to stage your home and create a unique living room that prospective buyers will be drawn to.

By following these tips, you can revamp your living room on a budget and create a space you love. With a little creativity and effort, you can transform your living room into an area that reflects your personal style.

How You Can Avoid Loss of Income

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As a hardworking individual, the last thing that you want is to lose your income in a way that could have been prevented. Since most of what you do as an adult is towards securing your finances, you want to make sure that there’s minimal risk of something happening to them. Read on to see some actions that you can take to avoid a loss of income that could leave you in financial distress for years to come.

Maintain a Clean Home

One of the most important things that anyone can do for their continued good health is to keep their home clean and tidy at all times. Doing this could lower the chances of infections and diseases spreading to people in the home. This is backed by the fact that flu viruses can survive for up to 48 hours on hard surfaces.

There are many other disease-causing organisms that can linger around your home for a long time if you’re not careful. With health care being as expensive as it currently is, it’s important to take measures to keep the chances of coming down with something low for you and your family. When you do this, you may end up spending fewer finances on treating various issues.

Ensure Your Business Is Run Professionally

If you run a business either as a side hustle or it’s your main job, you must do it right. When you do, you’ll have a better chance of not just avoiding losing money, but you’ll also be likely to make more money. Avoid making mistakes such as failing to ensure your website is running optimally. This is important since up to 42% of people wouldn’t hesitate to leave a website whose functionality was poor. Clearly, it’s a good idea to hire the right professionals at every level of your business.

While doing this will see you spend money, you’ll have a great chance of getting this money back down the road. This should motivate you to plan your business operations carefully, ensuring that every last detail is thought about and dealt with the right way. This is going to help you avoid mistakes that could see you losing a lot of money and potentially even having to shut your business down in the end.

Take Care of Your Health

As mentioned, healthcare can be expensive. This makes it a good idea to practice prevention rather than wait to cure a full-blown issue. To this end, paying your doctor and dentist regular visits is advisable. This way, you can easily have any health issues identified and dealt with before they become expensive and time-consuming to solve. Keep in mind that almost 137.1 million Americans, according to CNBC, have gone through financial hardship this year as a result of medical costs.

Clearly, you stand to save a good amount of money by ensuring that you’re always in good health. The moment any issue is identified, you need to deal with it before it gets out of hand. Otherwise, there won’t be an advantage in finding out about issues early. Don’t try to cut corners where your health is involved. Pair regular visits to your health care professionals with eating healthy, nutritious meals, and staying physically active. These are all measures that can help you get your health in the best possible shape.

Taking these actions can help you avoid a loss of income in a number of ways. Start with one measure and practice it to perfection and then work on the others. In the end, you may be able to control your finances and avoid loss of income that could affect your lifestyle in a negative way.