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How to Recover Your Finances After a Legal Battle

December 20, 2022 By Erin H Leave a Comment

Legal battles, such as divorce, can have a significant and lasting impact on your finances. It can be overwhelming to try and regain control of your finances after such a stressful and emotional experience, but it’s important to take steps to rebuild your financial foundation. Here are some tips for recovering your finances after a legal battle.

Create a Budget

One of the first steps in recovering your finances is to create a budget. This will help you understand your current financial situation and identify areas where you can cut expenses. This is extremely important for families of divorce as neglect was the top reason why Kentucky children were removed from their homes between 2010 and 2015, making up 68.6 percent of removals. It’s important to prioritize you and your family’s basic needs, such as housing, food, and healthcare, and make sure you have enough money to cover these expenses. Consider creating a budget that includes all of your monthly expenses, as well as any debts or obligations you may have. This will help you see exactly where your money is going and allow you to make informed decisions about where to cut costs.

Find Ways to Increase Your Income

If your legal battle has resulted in a decrease in income, it’s important to find ways to increase your income. This could involve taking on additional work or starting a side business. You could also consider selling items you no longer need or use, such as clothes or furniture, to generate extra cash. Another option is to negotiate for a raise at your current job or look for a higher-paying position. Whatever route you choose, it’s important to be proactive in finding ways to increase your income.

Make Home Improvements

Home improvements can not only make your home more comfortable and enjoyable to live in, but they can also increase its value. According to Remodeling Magazine, replacing a garage door gives you a 93.8% ROI. This means that for every dollar you spend on a new garage door, you can expect to recoup nearly 94 cents in increased value. Other home improvements, such as installing vinyl windows, can also save you money on your monthly energy bills. If you decide to install vinyl windows, you can save up to 20% on your monthly energy utility bills. These types of improvements can help you save money in the long run, and can also be a good investment if you plan to sell your home in the future.

Get Professional Help

If you’re having trouble managing your finances, it may be helpful to seek the advice of a financial professional. A financial planner or advisor can help you create a plan to pay off debt and save for the future. They can also provide guidance on investment strategies and help you develop a plan to meet your financial goals. Working with a professional can give you the support and guidance you need to make informed financial decisions and get your finances back on track.

Consider Credit Counseling

If you’re struggling with high levels of debt, credit counseling can be a helpful resource. Credit counseling organizations can help you create a budget, negotiate with creditors to lower your interest rates, and develop a plan to pay off your debt. They can also provide education on financial topics, such as budgeting and saving, to help you improve your financial skills. Credit counseling can be a valuable tool in helping you get your finances back on track and gain control of your debt.

Overall, these were some of the ways you can help recover your finances after a legal battle. Remember these tips if you are ever facing legal trouble. Keeping your finances in order is important for anyone.

6 Ways to Protect Your Finances From a Workplace Injury

December 19, 2022 By Erin H Leave a Comment

No one likes to think about a workplace injury, but the truth is that it happens more often than you might think. Furthermore, workplace accidents can be expensive, both for the worker and the employer. Workers suffer from medical costs and lost wages, and businesses lose an average of $5,600 for every minute of downtime, per Gartner reports. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your finances from a workplace injury. Here are some key ways to mitigate the financial risk of an accident.

1. Invest in Health Insurance

One of the best ways to protect your finances from workplace injury is to ensure that you have good health insurance coverage. Health insurance can help to cover some of the costs associated with a workplace injury, such as medical bills, rehabilitation, and other costs related to recovery. It’s a good idea to take the time to research different health insurance plans and find one that meets your needs and budget.

2. Consider Supplemental Insurance

While health insurance can help to cover some of the costs associated with injury, it may not always provide enough coverage. For this reason, it’s a good idea to consider investing in supplemental insurance. Supplemental insurance policies provide additional coverage for disability, critical illness, and other medical expenses.

3. Utilize Employer Benefits

Employers are required by law to provide workers’ comp and disability benefits to their employees, which can be incredibly helpful when dealing with the financial burden of an injury. During the initial five months of 2020, more than 1,300 requests were filed in Kansas alone for workers’ comp benefits, demonstrating how important these benefits can be for injured workers.

Furthermore, many employers also have other types of benefits, such as discounted healthcare services, that can help their employees protect their finances. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the details of your employer’s benefits program and take full advantage of them if and when you need to utilize them.

4. Seek Medical Attention Promptly

If you have been injured at work, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. According to the American Hospital Association, the United States boasted 6,210 healthcare facilities in 2017, providing plenty of options for anyone with an occupational injury to get the immediate medical attention they need.

Prompt medical treatment can help ensure that your injury heals properly and quickly and document the circumstances of your accident. Furthermore, seeking treatment right away can help to reduce the amount of time you spend away from work. This reduces the financial burden of workplace injury.

5. Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

A workplace injury often involves complicated legal issues. Even if you feel confident you are entitled to compensation from your employer, it’s best to retain an experienced lawyer specializing in workers’ comp claims. An attorney can assist you in filing the workers’ comp claim and help you navigate the legal system, ensuring that you’re properly compensated for your lost wages and medical bills.

6. Find Financial Support

If your injury results in long-term medical costs, consider seeking financial support from charitable groups or non-profit organizations. Various programs are available that provide financial assistance to those in need and are often tailored to specific medical needs. They can help you get through the tough time so that you can pick back up when you’re healed.

The possibility of a workplace injury isn’t something that anyone likes to think about, but the truth is that it is a potential reality. With these six tips, you can protect your finances from the financial burden of a workplace injury. Invest in good health insurance coverage, utilize employer benefits, consider financial support, and seek legal and medical help. This will help you ensure that any workplace injury does not put a financial strain on your life.

7 Reasons You Need to Have an Emergency Fund

December 15, 2022 By Erin H Leave a Comment

If you’re currently having a tough time managing your finances, having an emergency fund in place can help you stay afloat. Setting up an emergency fund means that you’ll always have some money to lean on during extreme financial difficulties. Many people rely on their emergency fund when they lose a job or are forced to cover an unexpected expense. Here’s an overview of why it’s beneficial to set up an emergency fund.

1. You Don’t Follow a Strict Budget

Perhaps you have started trying to establish a strict budget, but you forget to cover some of the monthly expenses. If you become overwhelmed due to the state of your finances, you can rely on your emergency fund. You can adjust your emergency fund as your financial needs change over time.

2. You Only Have One Primary Source of Income

Establishing an emergency fund is important if you only have primary sources of income that you rely on to meet all of your needs. Things may become tight if you suffer an unexpected illness that prevents you from working for an extended period of time. Perhaps you suffer a tooth injury that causes severe pain, and you’re forced to take time off work or cover an unexpected expense. According to recent stats, almost 50% of adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease.

3. Car Issues

One of the most significant financial emergencies that people deal with is car issues. Perhaps your engine breaks down out of nowhere, or you’re involved in a serious accident. While auto insurance should assist with some of the repair costs, you may still be responsible for covering your deductible. Things may get complicated if you’re going through a tight financial situation. Having an emergency fund in place protects you and ensures that you won’t do any short-term damage to your finances. Having an emergency fund also covers you if you are held liable for causing damage to another vehicle. Perhaps, the impacted party decides to sue you. You’ll need money to defend yourself in court. Keep in mind that recent data highlights over 30% of people who can’t make bail on their own will have their case resolved or dismissed.

4. Emergency Home Expenses

Perhaps you’re living comfortably with your spouse and a couple of children. According to a recent study, over 90% percent of people get married before the age of 50 in the United States. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for performing regular maintenance. Perhaps unexpected plumbing or HVAC issues arise. Covering these repairs can get expensive, which is why establishing an emergency fund is beneficial. This way, you can relax if an unexpected home repair issue arises because you have the funds to take care of it.

5. Cover a Large Tax Bill

Filing taxes is generally unpredictable. One year you may receive a refund and the next you may owe some money. You may be surprised to learn that you filed a significant amount of money. If your finances are limited, you could rely on your emergency fund to pay your taxes.

6. Unexpected Travel

If you have to make an emergency trip to visit a loved one, covering last-minute transportation costs is generally expensive. You can rely on your emergency fund during these tough times. You don’t want your finances to stand in the way of you getting a chance to spend time with your loved ones.

7. You Have a Long-Term Goal You’re Trying to Reach

Finally, you could be saving money to start your own business or purchase a new car. You’ll need stable finances in order to accomplish long-term goals. One unexpected emergency could prevent you from accomplishing your goals or extend the time it takes to reach them. However, relying on an emergency fund during troubling can help stabilize your financial situation.

There are multiple positive benefits to establishing an emergency fund. You can prevent a minor setback from damaging your long-term financial situation. Remember these tips as you look to build your fund.