Over the past few years, streaming services have grown exponentially. Nielsen’s monthly Gauge platform rankings show that the combined usage of all the streaming services in the country accounted for 34.8% of the total consumption, surpassing cable and broadcast. This is why many media companies have introduced their own subscription-based streaming services, but these can be expensive. So, here are some practical tips for saving money on these platforms. Use one service at a time Today, it has become increasingly difficult for viewers to keep track of all their subscriptions. Viewers lose the most money by forgetting to unsubscribe from a streaming platform after they are done with the service. So it is best to subscribe to one service at a time and cancel it before moving on to another. Opt out of unnecessary subscriptions If you have already subscribed to several streaming platforms, it is best to figure out which platforms you rarely use and can do without. Scroll through your phone and check credit card statements to track your subscriptions. Consider consolidating all your streaming services onto one credit card to track them easily. Over a few weeks, evaluate each service you are paying for and see if you use it frequently.

Medicare plays an important role in ensuring the health and financial security of the elderly and disabled. It covers basic healthcare services, including the cost of hospitalization, professional care, and prescriptions. As per the Medicare age eligibility chart, the plans offer coverage to seniors over 65, people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant). To choose the ideal Medicare plan, here is everything one should know: Types of Medicare coverage Part A and Part B (Original Medicare) Part A covers hospital care, while Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services. So, basic services, hospice care, home health care, and durable healthcare equipment are covered in this plan. The Original Medicare plan excludes dental, vision, and prescriptions. Part B also includes preventative treatments such as checkups, lab testing, and screening shots to help prevent, detect, and treat conditions. Medicare Advantage plans Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is health insurance provided by private companies. The plans cover prescription options, dental, vision, and hearing insurance in addition to the Original Medicare coverage. So, one can look up local Medicare Advantage plans to find the closest providers. For instance, one could check out Cigna’s new Medicare coverage as the company is revising its MA plans to include more healthcare options, personalization, and social support in 2023.

Moving into a new home can be overwhelming – albeit positive – change requires thorough preparation and planning. It involves considerable excitement and nervousness at once, and families typically miss out on certain crucial aspects due to such hustles. Besides maintaining a to-do list for your moving process, it is imperative to understand the don’ts of moving. If you are about to start afresh at a new home, here are some common mistakes to avoid: Not decluttering One of the essential aspects of moving into a new home is discarding belongings you would no longer require. Decluttering helps you organize your belongings better and make way for any new products you may want to purchase. Moving into a clutter-free home can also help clear mental fog and chaos. Finally, it is noble to give away belongings that are in good condition but you are unlikely to use them. Not packing fragile items properly Besides packing all your belongings in designated boxes, ensure to bubble-wrap fragile items to avoid breakage. It is also advisable to pack such belongings in boxes that are only slightly larger than their sizes. This measure can help avoid rigorous movement of the item inside the box, preventing it from breaking.

Moving a house or workplace can be complicated. Several things could go wrong, such as unforeseen delays, issues stemming from poor communication, reliability problems, diversion, and many more. This is why most people or companies hire commercial movers, professional interstate movers, small-load moving companies, or similar services to smoothen office or residential moving. While choosing such services, customers must be careful about a few factors to make the moving process hassle-free. Some such factors are: Failing to book in advance Arguably the biggest mistake, most people tend to believe that hiring professionals just before moving is the right thing to do. However, last-minute services are always more expensive than advanced-booked standard ones. So, if one needs to move things in the first week of November, one should not wait until the last week of October before contacting and hiring a moving company. What’s worse, the elevated costs are only a part of the problem. Hiring movers at the last minute can expose customers to less-than-desirable service quality, for example, inconvenient pick-up and delivery times, inexperienced movers, and the likelihood of goods being damaged during transportation. Therefore, to avoid massive expenses and poor service quality while moving, users need to hire moving companies well in advance.

A home warranty is a service agreement that pays for the maintenance and repair of specific home systems and appliances that could malfunction due to normal wear and tear. It can help assure homeowners that unplanned repairs won’t be expensive. However, making a home warranty claim can be difficult for some, and the claim may get rejected. Here are the steps for filing a home warranty claim and what to do if it gets rejected. Steps for filing home warranty claims Review your contract The first step in filing a home warranty claim is to review your contract. Check to see which appliances and systems are covered by your home warranty and which are not. Contact the provider of your home warranty Contact your home warranty provider when you need to make a claim. Most home warranty providers offer a customer service hotline that is open 24/7 to help you with your claim. Set up a service call After you’ve reported the problem, the home warranty provider will arrange a service call with a qualified and insured technician after you’ve reported the problem. Service visit During the service call, the technician will identify the issue and propose a fix. If the item can be fixed, the technician will immediately start the repairs.

Social Security disability benefits can help people with impairments become financially stable and independent. However, one has to complete a few formalities and submit specific documents while applying, which can take time and effort. While individuals can get through the process all by themselves, it is advised to contact a lawyer to get the job done. Here are a few advantages of hiring an attorney to help with the application. Understand the Blue Book better Social Security disability benefits are processed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The agency maintains a Blue Book, which mentions the criteria to qualify for the benefits. This book lists the impairments that make one eligible, the symptoms one should have, and the kind of test results and proof one must produce at the time of application. Since understanding the information written in the Blue Book can be challenging, hiring an experienced attorney for help makes sense. Avoid mistakes in the application Besides submitting proof of one’s imperilment, individuals must fill out lengthy forms, presenting information accurately. An attorney can guide applicants and help them avoid rookie mistakes and misunderstandings. This is crucial because any error in the submitted data can lead to the SSA rejecting the request.

Switching phone carriers may be a daunting task, considering all the research and work needed to get through it. However, in some cases, it is inevitable, so it is always recommended to be well-informed and have all the details on hand before making the decision. There are many factors to consider when it comes to this, and there are some mistakes people make while switching phone carriers that customers can easily avoid. Take a look. 1. Choosing the wrong carrier This is one of the biggest mistakes people make and should definitely be avoided because of all the troubles that could limit a smooth phone experience. There are three wireless networks available: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Some factors that can help decide which carrier works best for a customer include data speeds, any problems with dropped calls, text messaging plans, and if they are delivered timely. So check for these metrics when choosing the carrier. 2. Failing to compare phone plans So many phone plans are available, and while customers compare them, they often do not get into the specifics of the pricing to understand each service. This can be essential, especially when someone has already started a plan and, in the middle of the month, they realize they have been charged for some extra features they have been using.

Moving houses involves numerous considerations, as what might seem like a cost-effective or cheaper choice can bring about unexpected expenses in the end. Further, the bargaining power may be compromised once the possessions have been handed over to the movers. To ensure a hassle-free experience, one should consider various factors, from organizing things to be moved to choosing reliable movers. So, here are some tips to consider for a smooth moving experience: 1. Research before hiring movers Moving companies may initially quote low estimates to attract customers and later inflate prices or hold belongings hostage for additional payments. To avoid such issues, one must conduct thorough research to verify the legitimacy of the chosen company. For example, one can check the “state moving resources” or look for companies that have a ProMover seal from the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA). When moving to a different state, one can check whether the company is registered under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 2. Opt for in-person estimates Getting quotes on the phone or online may be convenient, but opting for an in-person assessment allows the moving company to understand the specific requirements of the move accurately. This results in a more precise cost projection, reducing the chances of incurring hidden fees or unexpected charges later.