4 unique financial challenges facing millennials

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millenials word cloud on a vintage blackboard isolated on white - demography concept

Generation Y, or the millennials, get a lot of flack on lots of fronts. While every older generation may hold some resentment towards the new one for not appreciating what they have, times can change for the worse as well. In many ways, millennials are at a disadvantage financially. With the stress of student loans and the complications of finding a job, some young people are discouraged by their futures.

Here are four unique ways millennials might be challenged, and how they could solve these issues.

  1. Budgeting. Life is unpredictable, and it’s hard enough making a budget. Sticking to a budget can be hard, especially when many young people’s lives are wild and full of opening and closing doors. Big decisions can throw their budget into the trash, or reformat it completely. Make short-term goals, and leave room for changes.
  2. Debt. From student loans to credit card debt, the age for burden is getting younger. Many people under the age of 26 are already saddled with student loans by the time they get into college, and they can struggle underneath it for years. Don’t ignore your debt, but try to build your life despite it. It shouldn’t own your life or your thoughts, but it shouldn’t leave either. Give it a place to stay, but don’t be your debt’s butler.
  3. The cost of renting. While in the long run, buying a house can be a much better investment, many young people do not have the resources to sink their teeth into such a permanent agreement. Their lives are rapidly changing, and buying a house can be a ball and chain that could haunt them forever. Try laying your investments elsewhere, and put your money in smart places.
  4. Emergency funds. Everyone is going to have a few emergencies in their life. From sick family members to injured pets to personal issues, many young people may not have money to sock back for a rainy day fund. Having money put away for a stressful time can be vital to reacting to a situation, so be sure to put a dollar or two into your piggybank every week.

It’s easy to get confused, especially when you’re young and thrust into a world of responsibility. 2BenefitU realizes this, and offers a special service for anyone with questions, no matter their age. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and build a future you can enjoy.

5 unusual ways to save money

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save money with your business piggy bank

save money with your business piggy bank

If you’ve ever lived paycheck-to-paycheck or wanted to sock back money for the future, you may know the struggle of finding ways to cut corners. You don’t have to squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of your life to save a few dollars, however. Enjoy your fresh fruit and fancy cereal, and try other, less painful methods of saving money.

If you’re a little too close to throwing your calculator out the window, here are a few tips and tricks to saving yourself, and your wallet, from tons of stress. While none of these methods are foolproof, if you combine them with your existing ideas and tips from friends, you can put together a plan that will have your piggy banks stuffed in no time.

  1. Shop less. When you stop picking up extras from the store, you might just see the potential hiding in unlikely places. Force yourself to think about what’s in your pantry, and come up with fun new ideas for dinner. To spice things up, and try websites to find recipes for what you can find in your fridge.
  2. Stuck on delivery? Don’t feel ashamed! Many busy adults just don’t have the time to make meals or go on thoughtful shopping trips every week. Skip the pizza and the frozen foods, and try looking at online delivery services. If done right, these delivery services can actually save you money and time in the long run.
  3. On Wednesdays, we shop. If you’re trying to set a date for your weekly shopping trip, the middle of the week is always wise. Stores start to put out new deals for the end of the week, and coupons from last week may still be redeemable.
  4. Take an odd job for your next vacation. While may craigslist ads may seem strange at first glance, house sitting for an eccentric old lady may be interesting, as long as you’re not allergic to cat hair. Just be sure to water the plants, and spend your vacation relaxing on someone else’s couch.
  5. Utilize technology. Apps and price-saving websites exist for a good reason, why not take advantage? Use price-comparison tools on your browser when you do retail therapy, and be sure to check the store apps before you head in for a shopping spree.

Not interested in these methods, or want a package that includes even more? 2BenefitU offers a plan for the most frugal shoppers, so don’t miss out on all the great deals and discounts.

5 Reasons Your MRI or a CT scan was denied

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CT scanA big bill is the last thing you want if you are recovering from being sick. From missing work to the physical stresses of being sick, there are lots of reasons tensions can run high when you or a loved one is ill. When you add medical bills to the mix, being sick can be an expense on top of being a hassle.

There are many reasons your insurance may deny your claim, and some of them can be discussed and solved. If your claim has been denied, do not panic. Make sure to look over the EOB, and here are some things you might see.  

  1. Pre-authorization or referrals. Some procedures, like CT scans and MRIs, require precious referrals and authorization beforehand. If your doctor ordered the tests before requesting them, you may receive an unwanted bill in the aftermath. Try speaking to your doctor, and ask them to contact your insurance provider to discuss matters further.
  2. Billing problems. Make sure to double-check your paperwork after a procedure.  In case you are covered under two policies, like both your insurance and your spouse’s, the billing can get mixed up and send to the wrong provider.
  3. Non-covered charges. This sounds scary, but it’s important to remember what is covered and what isn’t. Some insurance policies do not cover certain procedures, so be sure to check your plan. If you decide you have needs outside of your policy, it may be a good idea to switch plans in the future.
  4. Filing problems. Make your list and check it twice! Be sure your information is up-to-date and accurate, and be sure to fix problems as soon as they arise by calling your insurance’s customer service. Even minor transcription issues can cause issues for you in the future, so don’t make the mistake of leaving things for later.
  5. Out-of-Network. It may sound complicated, but some healthcare providers are not in your network. This can cause the bill to go to you instead of your insurance. If the procedure is non-emergency or for elective reasons, the costs (or a bigger part of them) may go to you in the end.

If you’ve been denied frequently, it may be time to start considering paying out pocket for your scans. They can be very expensive, but also necessary for proper medical care. While it is not insurance, you can save on CT and MRI scans by joining the 2BenefitU group. Save 25%-75% on scans by participating providers, and start saving yourself time, hassle, and money.

6 famous people who fought and conquered depression

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fighting depressionDepression is a serious illness of the brain, and it can affect more than just one person. If you or a family member has or had depression, you know up close what this disease can do to people’s physical and mental health. It’s always important to reach out and conquer your demons, and finding role models and representation can help inspire you to think better, do better, and be better.

Here are just a few celebrities who have wrestled with their mental illness and come out on top.

  1. Rosie O’Donnell. This big name is best known for her show ‘The Rosie O’Donnell show’ and she has spoken about her depression many times. Like a number of other comedians, she suffered from bouts of depression for much of her life, and overcame it with the help of anti-depressants and a colorful outlook on life.
  2. Russel Brand. Being a man, he found it hard to express his emotions, and his sadness, without being scorned or mocked for being ‘weak.’ He speaks about his experiences with drugs, alcohol, and improper coping methods in his book, and encourages others to find help.
  3. Catherine Zeta-Jones. This beautiful starlet was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, and shortly after being released from rehab, she went public to raise awareness. She still speaks out against those with biased opinions about manic depression, and has made great strides to support victims of bipolar disorder find help and acceptance.
  4. Ellen DeGeneres. Because of her sexual orientation, she lost everything, including her happiness. She now lives happily, and works constantly to encourage acceptance for people of all sexuality.
  5. Demi Lovato. After being grilled about the uniform scars on her arms, Demi Lovato came to reveal she was a victim of depression and an eating disorder. She has beaten her depression and her ED, but she still fights for the equal treatment of mental illnesses among other diseases.
  6. Ruby Rose. After revealing her depression in a series of emotional statuses, she encouraged others to seek treatment and keep living. She encourages victims of depression to find anything to hold onto, whether it be a pet, a friend, or a family member.

If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, it is important to know you are not alone. 2BenefitU also offers counseling packages, so no matter where you are or what time it is, you will always have someone to talk to.