Spruce up your own backyard and inspire your children to get outside and away from their screens.

Treehouse

For kids, there’s almost nothing more fun or classic than climbing a tree, and having a hangout in the treetops makes it that much better! Make this a DIY project at your local hardware store or hire a pro for a more luxurious look.

Swingset

A staple in almost every suburban backyard, a swingset is a great way to get your kids outside. Some sets include slides and monkey bars, and many different styles of swings, such as a classic seat, a tire and even specialty seats for two!

Pool

On a hot summer day, having a pool to jump in, play in and cool off is enticing, both for kids and adults. Even purchase pool toys, such as floats, pool noodles and even a basketball hoop for days full of fun in the sun!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Scrutinizing a bill from your health care provider or insurer is probably one of the last things you want to do after getting out of the hospital, but it can pay off.

Medical bill errors should be corrected so that you don’t have to pay for a service you didn’t receive, for example, or for medication that was ordered for you but you didn’t use while in the hospital, among other potential errors.

Here are some ways to dispute medical bill errors so that your insurance company doesn’t overcharge you:

Get an itemized bill.
Some medical providers may only send a “bottom line invoice” with a total amount due. Ask for an itemized bill that fully explains the charges. If youre unsure what a charge is for, ask the provider.

Document and compare.
You or a family member should document whatmedicines you received and when during your hospital stay. It will help you dispute any unnecessary charges.

Once you have an itemized bill, compare it to the explanation of benefits from your insurance company or your medical chart. The explanation of benefits is sent to you by your insurer, and hopefully you’ve kept it. It may charge for a chart, which should match the services listed on the bill.

Notify the biller, then others for help.
Any errors you find should first be taken up with the healthcare provider’s billing department. It may audit the bill, asking you to provide evidence or documents to back your claim.

If it won’t correct the bill, ask your insurance company for help. You can also file a complaint with the state medical board or hire an attorney.

You can also hire a patient advocate who works on billing disputes. Such services include HealthCPA and Medical Bill & Claim Resolution. They can appeal erroneously denied charges and guide you through your insurance plan’s appeal process.

Companies such as Simplee offer free online services to gather your medical bills and insurance payments so its software can find if there are any mistakes.

Follow up.
Lastly, when you appeal a bill or are told a problem is being fixed, follow up with a phone call or letter to ensure it has been resolved. Upon first contact, ask for an estimate of how long it will take to fix the issue, and contact them on that date.

If you don’t understand something, ask. It’s your right as a patient to be involved in your billing just as you’re involved in your medical care.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you have or plan to have children and you’re shopping for a new home, one of the most important deciding factors will likely be the number of bedrooms. While many parents seek out homes that are large enough for each child to have his or her own room, some choose to have their children share bedrooms because of the clear benefits.

It Teaches Important Social Skills
Sharing a bedroom with a sibling teaches kids respect. Children who share rooms have to learn to respect each others belongings, space, and need for peace and quiet. They need to learn to clean up after themselves, to share possessions, to respect each others privacy and to keep the noise level down so a sibling can study or sleep. Respect for others will be valuable when children go off to college and share a room with a new roommate or when they live with a spouse or partner in the future.

Sharing a room encourages siblings to communicate. They can talk about their day, what’s going on at school, friendships and dreams for the future. They can also talk about anything that’s bothering them and help each other manage their problems. When they inevitably get on each others nerves, they’ll need to talk things through and find a solution. Parents can become involved if necessary, but it’s better to allow kids to try to sort things out themselves first. Learning problem-solving and communication skills as a child can help kids when they grow up.

Siblings who spend a lot of time together when they’re younger are likely to forge a strong bond that will last into adulthood. As they seek support and guidance from each other and confess their secrets while growing up, they’ll likely reach out to each other instinctively when they’re facing challenges as adults.

It Can Help Kids Sleep
Children often sleep better when a sibling is sharing the same room. Kids who have trouble falling asleep or who wake up in the middle of the night may be comforted by the soothing words or the mere presence of a sibling and find it easier to sleep through the night. They’ll also be less likely to wake up their parents to seek out comfort.

Consider the Advantages
If you’re house hunting, dont feel pressured or obligated to buy a huge home so that each of your children can have their own room. Sharing a bedroom can help kids in many ways, and countless adults who shared a room with a sibling look back fondly on those years and appreciate all of the important life lessons they learned from the experience

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When inheriting a home, some people have mixed feelings about what to do with the property, especially if it has sentimental value.

You could move into the home if it meets your familys needs, but beware of maintenance costs.

If you have a small business, the home might be an ideal place to run operations without interruption.

You could even sell the home and invest the money in your future.

To hold onto the property, cover maintenance costs and earn some money, you could rent the house out.

Ultimately, choosing what to do with an inherited home depends on your current situation and overall goals.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

No matter what you’re saving for, having some extra breathing room in your budget is important. Whether you’re putting money away for a down payment or a new car"or looking to build an emergency fund that can get you out of a financial jam"we could all use a little extra cash in our pocket.

While saving a chunk of change can seem daunting if you’re just getting started, setting money aside can make life easier. Here are some simple ways to get some extra money for whatever your savings goal is:

Get a side job. Working 10 hours a week at a nearby coffee shop, department store or delivery service can earn you a few hundred dollars a month to get your emergency fund going. Or, it can help pay a child’s expenses at college"or make retiring in a few years easier. Walk dogs, drive for a ridesharing company or search for other jobs where you can set your own hours.

Host a garage sale. There are probably too many things around your home that you don’t use that someone else would gladly pay you for. Have a garage sale and get rid of that extra lamp that’s collecting dust in a back bedroom, or sell your old books, clothes, jewelry and furniture.

Jump on the short-term rentals train. Airbnb and other short-term rental sites can help you rent out a room in your home to earn some extra money. If you’ve never done it before, try it for a weekend when you’ll be around so that you can get your feet wet without being out of pocket. If it’s successful, you might consider renting out a spare room for a few nights a week or renting out your entire home when you’re away on vacation.

Cut expenses. Shopping for insurance, cable TV, internet service and other things can save you a fair amount of money each month. The problem is, you won’t see that savings in your checking account unless you take the money saved and directly deposit it into a savings account. For example, if a new auto insurer saves you $100 per month, set up an automatic transfer for $100 each month from your checking account to a savings account.

Refinance loans. This can take a little time and some research, but you may be able to find better interest rates on your credit cards and personal loans. Shop at banks and make sure the lower rates aren’t negated by possible transfer fees. Then, just like with cutting expenses, figure out the amount saved each month and transfer it to a savings account.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.