Constant money drain
CATRIONA MCGOLDRICK didn't have a holiday this year. She might consider this the least of her worries 12 months after getting her breast cancer diagnosis - which came six months after her 82-year-old mother died with the same condition.
But after undergoing surgery, 16 weeks of chemotherapy sessions and seven weeks of Monday-Friday radiotherapy treatments, a holiday might be just what Catriona, her husband and their five-year-old daughter need.
The McGoldricks didn't get away due to the heavy financial price of being sick. Catriona (44) from Coolaney, Co Sligo qualified for a medical card "by the skin of my teeth" as a cancer patient but despite not having to pay for GP visits, drugs and transport to Galway for treatment, she was surprised at the constant drain of money.
"When you are having radiotherapy you have to get special creams and shampoos which are very expensive," she said. "I had to buy new clothes - you put on weight with the steroids. Of course you also have to buy new bras after surgery."
And while she jokes about how much she saved on hairdressing bills after losing her hair following chemotherapy, she said some people have to pay for a wig and she spent €70 on scarves and bandanas which are necessary to stay warm especially in bed.
But one of the main burdens on the family finances was the cost of childcare when she was having treatment. "My husband's employers were very good to him and he was there when I was having surgery and my first chemo sessions but you can't keep taking time off."
Just before her diagnosis, Catriona had been doing a childcare course but has had to postpone her plans so the family is still reliant on one income.
A leading member of the Save Sligo Cancer Services lobby group, Catriona is particularly scathing about the fact that some patients have to pay €12.50 to take the mini bus from Sligo to Galway for radiotherapy.
She was a passenger when the bus's air conditioning broke down during the now forgotten heat wave in May. "We were all burned from the radiotherapy and we were sick and it was 30 degrees on the bus," said Catriona. "Of course we were promised a more suitable bus but I just got a call last week saying funding had been allocated. No doubt the bus itself will roll around just in time for the election next year."
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 0 Comments
10 reasons you're not rich
Many people assume they aren't rich because they don't earn enough money. If I only earned a little more, I could save and invest better, they say.
The problem with that theory is they were probably making exactly the same argument before their last several raises. Becoming a millionaire has less to do with how much you make, it's how you treat money in your daily life.
The list of reasons you may not be rich doesn't end at 10. Caring what your neighbors think, not being patient, having bad habits, not having goals, not being prepared, trying to make a quick buck, relying on others to handle your money, investing in things you don't understand, being financially afraid and ignoring your finances.
---- Here are 10 more possible reasons you aren't rich: -----
You care what your car looks like: A car is a means of transportation to get from one place to another, but many people don't view it that way. Instead, they consider it a reflection of themselves and spend money every two years or so to impress others instead of driving the car for its entire useful life and investing the money saved.
You feel entitlement: If you believe you deserve to live a certain lifestyle, have certain things and spend a certain amount before you have earned to live that way, you will have to borrow money. That large chunk of debt will keep you from building wealth.
You lack diversification: There is a reason one of the oldest pieces of financial advice is to not keep all your eggs in a single basket. Having a diversified investment portfolio makes it much less likely that wealth will suddenly disappear.
You started too late: The magic of compound interest works best over long periods of time. If you find you're always saying there will be time to save and invest in a couple more years, you'll wake up one day to find retirement is just around the corner and there is still nothing in your retirement account.
You don't do what you enjoy: While your job doesn't necessarily need to be your dream job, you need to enjoy it. If you choose a job you don't like just for the money, you'll likely spend all that extra cash trying to relieve the stress of doing work you hate.
You don't like to learn: You may have assumed that once you graduated from college, there was no need to study or learn. That attitude might be enough to get you your first job or keep you employed, but it will never make you rich. A willingness to learn to improve your career and finances are essential if you want to eventually become wealthy.
You buy things you don't use: Take a look around your house, in the closets, basement, attic and garage and see if there are a lot of things you haven't used in the past year. If there are, chances are that all those things you purchased were wasted money that could have been used to increase your net worth.
You don't understand value: You buy things for any number of reasons besides the value that the purchase brings to you. This is not limited to those who feel the need to buy the most expensive items, but can also apply to those who always purchase the cheapest goods. Rarely are either the best value, and it's only when you learn to purchase good value that you have money left over to invest for your future.
Your house is too big: When you buy a house that is bigger than you can afford or need, you end up spending extra money on longer debt payments, increased taxes, higher upkeep and more things to fill it. Some people will try to argue that the increased value of the house makes it a good investment, but the truth is that unless you are willing to downgrade your living standards, which most people are not, it will never be a liquid asset or money that you can ever use and enjoy.
You fail to take advantage of opportunities: There has probably been more than one occasion where you heard about someone who has made it big and thought to yourself, ""I could have thought of that."" There are plenty of opportunities if you have the will and determination to keep your eyes open.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 | 0 Comments
Tips for applying a credit card with no credit card history
For a new appliances, applying a credit card is harder from it seems. This is the way things work in the world of consumer credit. Lenders are sometime too careful for opening account for appliances with no credit history. With no credit crd, rent a car, or shop online is not as easy as if we have a credit card.
Many major companies won’t accept your appliances form without a credit history, but worry not, some smaller ones will. No matter what card you will get, your main goal is to build a good credit history, not just a credit card. Use your card as you wish but make sure to make al payments on time. Some companies only look at your employment history, your address and housing; they may use this for fill in your minimum requirement. Or if you are a credit union member, or are eligible for membership, see on what their card terms are. Although they are no giving the cards easily, but they will have more relaxed conditions for registered member. It’s very worth to join and make sure you have one in your area.
If you are a student, then the best card for you is a student credit card. Student credit card is the best way to build up your credit history for future upon your graduation. The most important thing is to be wise using this opportunity. Because students tends to lose control when they have money in their palm. If you have a good history already, apply for a credit card that accepted across the world like AMEX Corporate Credit Cards or CITI credit cards will be easy for you.
Friday, October 10, 2008 | 0 Comments
| Sell Links On Your Site |









