“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Aflac. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”

For those of you with health insurance, are you prepared for the out of pocket expenses that are involved if something bad was to happen. Medical debt happens to be one of the leaded causes of bankruptcy.

Did you know that the average cost to treat a broken leg is more than $10,000?

Even though you might have health insurance, that policy that you have probably does not cover out of pocket expenses that you might not be financially able to pay.  When an illness or injury occurs there are costs such as transportation to follow-up medical appointments, caregiving costs, everyday household costs like rent and utilities and other costs because you are unable to work.

Aflac is a company that can help offset out-of-pocket costs and also educate consumers about how voluntary insurance like Aflac can really help to fill in the gap with your health insurance policies.  Take a peek at the Aflac Real Cost Calculator to see the average out-of-pocket expenses that are associated with a number of injuries and illnesses. This calculator will help you to see a breakdown of the following:

1. Medical and out-of-pocket costs including deductibles and copays.
2. Household expenses during treatment and recovery such as rent, mortgage, car payments and utilities.
3. Out of pocket expenses like transportation for follow-up appointments and other heath care needs.

I am one that has dealt with unexpected costs in the past. With my second pregnancy, I didn’t know I was going to have a HUGE co-payment when I delivered my daughter and I was so shocked when I got a bill that I wasn’t expecting to pay. Had I known beforehand about this cost, I probably would have either got a supplemental insurance or would have saved each month so it didn’t come as a surprise. I learned my lesson there and was prepared with my next pregnancy.

What type of out of pocket expenses have you had to pay that you weren’t expecting?

Guest Article Feature

From saving money on gas to improving fuel efficiency and lessening your carbon footprint, there are many reasons to start using green technology for your car. While it’s always great to walk or ride your bike, it’s not always possible or practical. On those occasions when you have to slide behind the wheel, why not reap the benefits of eco-friendly technology?

You Won’t Spend So Much on Gas

Image via Flickr by Nakeva

One of the main reasons you should start looking into green technology for your car is because you won’t spend your entire paycheck on gas. Gas prices are absolutely ridiculous. If you live in a suburb or a city, the odds are good that you spend far too much time topping off your tank, and you probably never spend less than $50. With green technology, whether you have a GPS that leads you away from stop-start traffic or drive an electric car, you won’t use as much gas. That means more money and fewer greenhouse emissions.

Your Vehicle Will Last Longer

Image via Flickr by CDavisWI

Because of advances in eco-friendly technology, you end up taking better care of your car. There are smart tires, for example, that let you know when they need more air. Even low tire pressure leads to less fuel efficiency. A car or truck with a low capacity general purpose sensor runs cleaner and longer. There are even engines designed to last longer without wasting fuel. Lots of automakers are even recycling the batteries from their hybrids and electric cars, meaning that current models will drive better for a lot longer.

You’ll Spend Less on Maintenance

Image via Flickr by Matthew Burpee

Those smart tires are apt to keep you from needing a realignment, because you’re never in danger of riding around on your rims. The standard GPS feature that shows you the quickest, smartest routes to work keeps you from dealing with stop lights and traffic jams, which means you won’t wear out your breaks as often. Green technology keeps your car in better condition for a lot longer. From cleaner gas tanks to better tire maintenance, you won’t find yourself visiting the mechanic once a month.

Smarter Cars Save Money

Image via Flickr by Slabby

Whether you drive a hybrid or an electric vehicle or install greener, eco-friendly technologies in your current ride, you’ll save money. When gas prices increase again, you won’t worry because you’re no longer wasting gas. You won’t end up buying four brand new tires because you are always driving on bad roads, stopping all the time, or driving around in spite of low pressure. Getting your engine overhauled or considering newer, smarter fuel injectors might seem costly at first, but once you see how well your car runs and how much longer it lasts, you’ll appreciate the one-time financial sacrifice.

Investing in greener technology is always a good idea, whether you do it in your home or in your car, so take the time to do the research and learn about the benefits. What have you done to make your vehicle greener and more environmentally friendly?