DontSpendMore.com Blog

Category: Budgeting

  • Phone Bill Reduction Strategies: How To Lower Your Phone Bill

    By Kavita

    Most of us have our own monthly budgets in place. Any disturbance in a single item on this budget can often make everything go haywire. Those who have made and planned their monthly budgets each month will agree how volatile the phone bills can get sometimes. Often it jeopardizes the entire monthly budget, forcing people to adjust the excess amount spent on phone bills by cutting back on something else.

    No wonder everyone welcomes the idea of having effective phone bill reduction strategies in place. Let us take a look at some of the commonly used strategies that have been proven to show results.

    Click here to compare phone plans, including flat rate unlimited long distance plans

    If you are interested in comparing cell phone plans, you can review our cell phone packages as well

    Take a look at your average usage

    Every home has a different pattern of usage when it comes to phones. Some folks have a lot of relatives who stay out of state or sometimes even out of the country (in case of immigrants), while others are lucky enough to have their near and dear ones residing close by in the neighborhood or at least within the same state.

    Some people have a lot of calls to be made during the day, while others may have to make calls during the evenings or maybe at night. Some people have a huge share of their contacts using cell phones, while others may have contacts with home phones.

    All these factors can have a huge impact on the monthly phone bill and if any effective strategy has to be discovered for a particular family, then it has to begin with their phone usage pattern.

    A look at your phone bills for the last six months can provide a fair idea of your pattern and based on that you should talk to your phone company. Most of the phone companies have a variety of packages, meant to accommodate the various needs of their users. Let the company executives find a package that is most economical for your usage pattern.

    Ask for a better deal

    Sometimes you may find that you are already using a plan that is best suited to your usage pattern. In such a case, make it very clear to your phone company that you are looking around for a better deal and will not hesitate to dump them if you find another company with better rates. This is a strategy that works most of the time, because no company wants to let go of its existing subscribers.

    Consider streamlining your usage

    If your usage pattern indicates that you have been making too many calls in a “costlier time zone,” then you should consider streamlining your usage. See if you can shift some of the calls into a time when the calls are priced comparatively lower. You may also want to cut back on some of the unnecessary calls. If you speak for longer durations when you call your folks, you can try and time your calls on days that offer subsidized rates like national holidays.

    Mostly a combination of disciplined phone usage and request for better priced deals should work in your favor and get your phone bills much reduced.

    Go VoIP

    These days, a number of phone companies have launched alternate versions that include unlimited calling — local, long distance, and even international. These packages are much cheaper than traditional phone lines, primarily because the calls are routed via the Internet. VoIP is often considered an extremely low cost alternative to traditional phones.

    Click here to compare phone plans, including flat rate unlimited long distance plans

    If you are interested in comparing cell phone plans, you can review our cell phone packages as well

  • How To Save On Water Bills: Simple But Highly Effective Ways To Cut Your Spending By 50%

    By John

    The amount Americans pay for their household water varies up and down the country. It may range from $40 to $135 monthly. You can buy various gadgets and new appliances to help you achieve maximum economy, but there are several ways you can save water — and thereby money — right now using what you already have, by adopting new habits.

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    Monitor, monitor, monitor

    You should always monitor the water component of your utility bill for excessive usage. If you find that there is waste, it could indicate a leakage in your system which you should have investigated immediately, not only to plug the leak but also to prevent damage to your property.

    Now to change those wasteful habits….

    Did you know that around nearly three-fourths of a household’s water usage occurs in the bathroom?

    • Showering accounts for over a third of water usage
    • Cut a few seconds off your normal shower time
    • If you have an adjustable shower head, turn it to fine spray
    • If you want a long soak, use the tub
    • Shower young children together
    • Turn the water off when you are lathering and shampooing (isn’t that so easy)
    • Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth, shaving and scrubbing your hands
    • Fix dripping faucets at once – you can do it yourself
    • Flushing the toilet accounts for over over 39% of water use
    • Don’t use the toilet to flush away other waste or trash
    • If you have a dual-flush toilet, make sure everyone in the family knows how, why and when to use a full or partial flush
    • You can reduce the capacity of the water tank in older models of toilet by putting one or more plastic bottles filled with pebbles and water at the bottom. Experiment until you find the amount of water necessary to do the job (about three gallons)

     Did you know that around 10% of a household’s water usage occurs in the kitchen?

    • Don’t use running water to rinse dishes — use a bowl until you reach the final rinse
    • Don’t use running water to rinse fruit and vegetables — use a bowl until you reach the final rinse
    • Don’t use running water to defrost frozen food — use the refrigerator
    • The dishwasher is most economical with water on a full load
    • The clothes washing machine is most economical with water on a full load (and a front-loader is generally more economical than a top-loader)

    How about the yard?

    • Use a broom, not water to clean the sidewalk
    • Wash the car using a bucket of water and not a hose — this can save over ninety five gallons or more of water each time you wash the car
    • If you want to absolutely splurge, go to a car wash … five bucks
    • Use hose taps on the nozzles of hoses

    And, finally, the garden

    • Collect rainwater and use it for watering plants
    • Minimize the use of recreational water toys
    • Use the sprinkler on your grass early in the morning or in the evening to minimize evaporation under the sun
    • Use the sprinkler on your lawn only when it is needed. If the soil at a depth of 1-2 inches is still moist, sprinkling is not necessary
    • Don’t over-sprinkle

    Of course there are many other steps you can take to save water, and as stated before you can invest in equipment to help you do it. However following these basic tips is easy and could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

    Click here to compare offers and save hundreds of dollars every month. Why pay more? We have hundreds of offers on various items from credit cards to cell phones.

  • How To Really Save Money On Vacations

    By John

    Before the military embarks on an operation, it makes a plan. And before it can make a plan, it carries out an assessment of all the factors relating to the operation. The aim is to ensure that the objective is successfully met with the optimal use of available resources. In a civilized way this process can be carried out when planning for a vacation. In that wasting something is the opposite of saving it, good vacation planning will actually help you to save money.

    What is your budget?

    This is a fundamental question these days. Until you know how much you can afford to spend on your vacation, you can’t make a sensible plan. Having set a budget, you must stick to it.

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    Strange question, but why are you thinking of going on vacation?

    Unless you are going it alone, everybody’s view must be taken into account. Let’s say that Dad wants to go hiking and he likes some local culture; Mom hates walking and swimming but likes shopping and eating out; teenager Susie just wants sun, sea and sand, while little Jimmy likes theme parks. Somehow all these aspirations have to be accommodated, which will probably mean some compromise.

    Once you have decided on the aims of your vacation, where should you go? Can the goals be met without going abroad? Or is going abroad one of the ideas?

    Click here to review travel deals. From airfares to hotels and car rentals, you can compare and review multiple offers.

    Slicing the pie

    When you know broadly what you want to do, and where, you should apportion the budget according to your priorities. For instance, a budget airline may not be convenient but would free up money for shopping, and a top-notch hotel might be desirable but could leave you with little to spend on anything else. A real balancing act.

    Don’t fork out more than you need to – look for best deals

    From here on it’s all research. Here’s what to look for:

    Transportation

    • Coach versus air. If opting for a vacation Stateside, or even a ‘nearcation’, consider travelling by coach or bus. Coach travel is fast, convenient and cheap as compared to flying. If not, map out a train path and see if it leads to your destination. The savings may not sound like a lot of you add up the savings for each family member, you could really be on a roll.
    • Compare travel fares. If you are flying, Internet sites will throw up good deals, but cheaper tickets can sometimes be had by comparing travel packages online. Night flights are often cheaper, especially in Europe. You shouldn’t necessarily limit your research to flights from your nearest airport, though. Sometimes, a few extra miles to the airport could translate into substantial savings. Beware budget airlines’ policies on baggage.
    • Package deals may not be to everyone’s liking, but they are generally cheaper than buying each component of your vacation individually. The fixed price means that you don’t run the risk of having to negotiate rates on the ground, which can be a challenge in some countries for a foreigner.

    Accommodation

    • As with air tickets, internet sites for hotel bookings will often produce good deals but a direct inquiry to the hotel might result in a better one. Hotel rates never seem to stand still and as a rule of thumb, the earlier you book the better. Keep trying!
    • When choosing a hotel, it’s worth looking at local taxi rates at the same time. A medium quality hotel in the prime area of the city may be far more expensive than a better one on the outskirts of town that requires only a modest outlay on taxis to get you back and forth to the action.
    • Many hotels associated with local attractions, especially theme parks, offer really good deals incorporating admission to the attraction. A typical deal may represent as much as fifty percent off the hotel rate as well as off the theme park entrance fee.
    • When at your destination, check the local newspapers. They often contain special offers and coupons for local attractions.

    And off you go….

    If you have done your planning properly, you should now be able enjoy your vacation knowing that it is the vacation you all want and that it is all budgeted for. And if you agree that not wasting money is the same thing as saving it, then you are indeed saving it.

  • Top Benefits Of Offer Comparison Sites

    By David

    We all love shopping, and we are constantly looking for the best deals. Today, there are thousands of online stores, and selecting the right one can be confusing at times. Fortunately, offer comparison sites minimize the hassle involved with finding the right deal; saving us time and helping us make smart spending decisions.

    Click here to initiate your offer comparison process

    Comparison sites are becoming increasingly popular, as many of these sites serve as one-stop-shops for finding awesome deals. You will have a hard time finding a savvy internet shopper who isn’t already familiar with price comparison sites, as promotions and special offers are quite common with retailers nowadays and it is always smarter to pay less.

    Here are a few ways offer comparison sites help you save money:

    It helps you narrow down the search field
    When you begin shopping online, you will often discover that there are hundreds of sites with similar products and services. You will also notice that each site has its own offers which can include everything from: buy one get one free promotions, discounts, free home delivery, and combo offers. With a comparison site, you can easily find out which store has the best deal at the moment, saving you time and money.

    Increased convenience
    Always remember that offer comparison sites are one-stop-shops for all you offer comparison needs. There is no need to tire your feet walking around to compare prices in every store in the mall, when you can simply click your mouse a few times and find out where the best deal is.

    It leads you to popular shopping destinations
    Not sure which stores are currently popular with shoppers? No need to worry, as offer comparisons will often take you to places you have never been before.

    It can serve as an alternative source of feedback from other consumers
    Popular offer comparison sites often develop communities which provide feedback about retailers they have used in the past to their peers.  While there are other many ways to find out what others are saying about any given store’s services, it is nice to have one more source.  After all, there are a few folks who make a living scamming people on the net, and it is always safer to make sure others have purchased items without hassle from any online store you plan to patronize before giving out payment information.

    It couldn’t be any clearer: offer comparison sites don’t just help you save money, they also reduce the hassle and time spent trying to locate the best deal possible.  As with everything else, not all comparison sites are equal, so it is your responsibility to ensure that the website you plan to use has your best interest in mind.  You have to be aware of the fact that a decent amount of price comparison sites do generate revenue by selling advertising space, so you want to be sure that the search results are actually leading you to the best results for you, not their advertisers.

  • Six Important Tips For Shopping Comparison

    By David

    Shopping can be a fun activity, and it’s become a lot more convenient with the increasing popularity of the internet. However, it isn’t always easy to sort through all the prices and deals, and that can turn an otherwise fun activity into a tiring task.

    To make the online shopping process a bit easier for you, here are a few things you should examine while performing your shopping comparison:

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    Substitute products and services
    Today, you will find many variants of the same product, and it is up to you to find the right one for you. Many expensive products have significantly cheaper substitutes which might just be enough to handle your needs. Why pay more than you need to when there are cheaper alternatives.

    Price comparison sites
    Price comparison sites are becoming very popular among online shoppers, as they simplify the process of shopping comparison by bringing all the best available deals to one place. The resulting savings can be astronomical. They also make the selection process easier, since there is no longer a need to visit multiple outlets simply to find a decent deal.

    Acquisition cost
    While comparing prices, take the time to ensure that the cheaper product you are selecting doesn’t have any additional acquisition costs like shipping charges, online transaction charges, convenience fees and so on. Some retailers actually try to hide these additional costs, so make sure your read all the fine print before paying for anything.

    Store credibility
    In the online world, there are many traps set for the unsuspecting buyer. While engaged in the process, make sure you verify the credibility of the site you will be giving your patronage. Some sites are used by hackers to steal personal and payment information, so you certainly don’t want to enter any valuable into an unfamiliar website until you are sure it is a reputable company with a proven track record.

    Return policy
    This is something else you should consider when comparing prices.  Different retailers have different policies, but most would at least offer you a portion of your purchase price if you are not satisfied with their service. You will rarely find a reputable online retailer that does not offer some sort of refund.

    Once you polish your shopping comparison skills, you will quickly become an expert at finding the best deals possible, which will save you a bunch of money on the long run. Most online websites are safe and secure, but that does not mean you should drop your guard. Being cautious is extremely important on the web, and it would be wise to follow the above tips when shopping online. As long as you take the time necessary to find the best available deal and verify the credibility of the online retailer your plan to deal with, your experience shopping online should be a pleasurable one. If possible, try to make purchases with your credit card, as many come with very strong anti-fraud policies that will protect you if you ever run into the unsavory characters roaming around the net.

  • Did You Know Money Comparison Sites Can Save You A Lot Of Money?

    By David

    With the arrival of the Internet, e-commerce was born. Virtual shopping has become a reality, and it is booming along with the increasing expansion of the internet all over the world. Today we have thousands of websites offering products and services from wide range of industries online.

    There are also many e-commerce sites which sell similar products and services at different prices, so it is typically wise to compare items from multiple vendors when shopping online. That is where money comparison sites come in, as they make it easier for consumers to compare prices. As the internet and e-commerce continues to grow, the volume of comparison websites has also increased.

    Save hundreds of dollars by comparing offers at DontSpendMore.com

    Why use money comparison websites?

    Every one of us is a consumer in one way or the other way since we all buy products and services on a day to day basis. Naturally, we would rather pay less for items we purchase, and we would not mind having someone else do all the research to find the best deals. That is where money comparison sites come in. They let us compare prices from a large number of stores with only a few clicks of the mouse.

    Here are few benefits derived from comparing prices when shopping online.

    • Saves money: You will always save money anytime you use a money comparison website before shopping. You will know where the discounts are, and stores with overpriced items. With all sorts of promotions being offered by online retailers, a little bit of research goes a long way.
    • Leads to discovery of new places to shop: While using price comparison sites, the search often leads you to retailers you’re not familiar with. With so many options available online, it’s nice to have a tool which will consistently point you towards all the best discount spots and perhaps even your new favorite store.
    • Saves time: Comparing prices can actually save you time as well. Before price comparison websites became popular, people would have to visit multiple websites to compare websites. Now, you simply enter what you are looking for in a search box, and the bots do all the work. No more spending hours on the internet simply to shave a few bucks off your shopping bill.

    Now, you must be thinking, how you choose the best money comparison site for yourself? Depending on your specific spending habits, certain comparison sites might be better suited for your tastes. Some price comparison sites have specific niches, so it is certainly a good idea to take the time to research your options, as it can lead to even greater savings.  While you are at it, you might also want to do some research on the vendors the comparison site is leading you to.  If you are unfamiliar with the vendors your search leads you to, take the time to verify their credibility. Read reviews from other customers, verify that their payments methods are secure, and ensure you will be getting the quality product you expect.

  • Save Money By Reducing Your Vulnerability

    By John

    In these challenging times, most people are either choosing or having to make serious choices about their spending habits in order to save money. The most-touted choices inevitably entail a certain amount of pain or sacrifice; however there is one approach to saving money that is not so often mentioned, yet is relatively painless. With rising levels of crimes of ‘economic desperation’, both here at home and in many of our overseas vacation destinations, safe-guarding what is ours can save a considerable amount of expense and hassle in the short- and longer-term.

    Click here to compare offers and save money

    How am I vulnerable?

    Apart from assets you may hold in the bank and safety deposit boxes, your valuable possessions are pretty much held in your house or on your person.

    Your vulnerability can cost you heavily

    Having something stolen from you, especially violently, can cause you considerable expense. There may have been damage to your property, you may need medical attention and, of course, there are the replacement costs of the items stolen. If you make an insurance claim you may recoup some of the loss but your credit rating is likely to take a hit.

    What you can do to improve your residential security

    No matter how much you spend on a security system, it won’t guarantee your house to be burglar-proof against the really determined burglar: remember, what man has put together, man can take apart. Whether you have a security system or not, here are some basic common-sense rules:

    • All doors and windows should be lockable and locked. The quality of the locks used should be standard throughout i.e. the same quality for the garage door and cat-flap as for the front door or gate.
    • The outside of your house should be adequately lit at night. A timer switch will ensure the lights are switched on when you are away. Good lighting and robust locks may be enough to deter an opportunistic burglar, or at least delay him until help arrives.
    • Don’t advertise the fact unnecessarily that you may be going away on a trip or vacation. Neighbors may be amenable to keeping an eye on your house if you are away.
    • Be rigorous about authenticating the ID of anybody you don’t know who asks to enter your house, for whatever reason. Reputable organizations make this easy for you.
    • Be suspicious about people loitering near your house.
    • Make sure you have a reliable means of calling the police to your house if necessary.

    What you can do to improve your personal security

    Your best weapon against being mugged or robbed on the street or in a public place is ‘situational awareness’. If something doesn’t look right to you, it probably isn’t. But you won’t be aware of it if you are listening to music on your earbuds and texting at the same time. Paying attention to your surroundings takes discipline and effort. In addition an alert-looking person is less likely to be attacked by a mugger than one looking as if he is in a trance.

    Here are some practical tips to reduce your personal vulnerability:

    • Don’t wear all your flashiest accessories on the street.
    • Don’t carry more cash and cards around than you might reasonably be expecting to use.
    • Keep your wallet/purse in a fastened pocket, preferably an inner one.
    • Consider carrying a ‘throwaway’ wallet containing only a little cash with your main wallet better secured inside your clothing.
    • Use an ATM inside a bank lobby or in a building with security staff present, rather than one on the street.
    • Be alert when exiting a bank; secure any cash you may have withdrawn before you leave the building.
    • Consider running a bank account with only a small balance that you use for daily expenses and top up frequently. That way your exposure to loss is limited if the card linked to that account is compromised.
    • Particularly when overseas, carry photocopies of important documents in your wallet and leave the originals in a safe place. Better to have a slight problem with the police than have to obtain a passport at short notice.

    It’s all about exposure…….

    The better you protect what is yours, the less you expose yourself to the risk of being vulnerable and having someone try to take it away from you. Following these simple tips will save you money if the worst should happen.

    Click here to save hundreds of dollars every month

  • Four Credit Card Mistakes College Students Make

    “Yay, money!” If you are a student, that’s probably the first thought that crosses your mind when you see a student credit card with a generous spending limit. Unfortunately, credit cards match the proverbial “double-edged sword” cliché to the T. Used correctly, they can be great tools toward building a strong credit history and a powerful financial foundation; conversely, common mistakes could derail your future for a minimum of seven years.

    Here are some common credit card mistakes you must avoid:

    Spot and hop

    “Spot and hop behavior” refers to the habit of applying for the first credit card offer that comes your way. From annual fees to high APRs, you could end up spending a lot more than what you would want. Take your time to compare different credit card offers before zeroing in on one that best matches your needs.

    There are plenty of online tools that will allow you to compare offers and choose a credit card that is designed with you in mind.

    Applying for cards without ascertaining your needs first

    You must apply for a credit card that suits your lifestyle and personality. One size never fits all when it comes to credit cards. If you travel frequently, then a rewards credit card could be great for you, but if you are going to buy text books next month, a cashback credit card may be much better. On the other hand, if you drive every day to school, a gas rewards credit card could save you more money.

    If you are going to spend money, might as well get something in return. One caveat, though. Always try to repay the sum you spend on time. The slightest delay could cause you to lose all the benefits and cost you more instead.

    The “I will pay you later” strategy could backfire seriously

    Don’t fall for the minimum payment trap. Credit card companies stand to benefit from interest payments and other finance charges if you pay less than the full amount. If you are short of funds, try to pay off the full balance as quickly as possible. A small slip on your payment schedule could trap you in debt prison for many years to come.

    Always try to pay more than the minimum and whenever possible, in full. In addition to avoiding debts, you will also be building a healthy credit profile.

    The fine print is boring, but don’t sign up without understanding the terms

    Would you write out a blank check to a stranger? If you don’t read your credit card’s fine print that is exactly what you will be doing. From late payments to trigger points that could spike your interest rates, there are so many ways credit cards could levy penalties on your account. If you don’t understand your credit card provider’s terms and conditions, you will have agreed to all of their terms without your explicit consent. That could be dangerous.

    Nimish Thakkar is the CEO of DontSpendMore.com. The site allows you to compare student credit card offers from various companies.

  • Cheap Insurance Rates: Easy Ways To Negotiate A Reduction

    I don’t know about you, but I love bargains. There is an indescribable joy in getting the price reduced after exercising your negotiation skills. With insurance premiums shooting upwards each year, it is high time that we discussed tangible ways to negotiate a reduction.

    Here are some easy ways to flex your negotiation muscles:

    Safety goes a long way toward reducing your insurance premium

    Let us suppose that you are looking to negotiate the premium rates for your home owners insurance. If you look at the situation from the insurance company’s point of view, you will easily understand that the more secure your home, car, business, or any other asset is, the less likely you will be to claim insurance for theft, accidents or fire. So, beat the insurance company at its own game by installing safety measures like fire alarms, burglar alarms, car safety devices, and other common sense safety measures. Highlight this point while discussing a reduction. You will be pleasantly surprised to see that this tactic works, more often than you know.

    Consolidate your insurance policies

    If you are like any of the other million citizens of this country, you probably have at least three insurance companies to manage your different insurance needs like car insurance, health insurance and home insurance.

    Most of the popular insurance companies provide comprehensive insurance coverage and it is in your best interests to consider a consolidation. If you can choose just one insurance service provider and assign all the different types of your insurance needs to this one company, you will be in a better position to negotiate for discounted rates and qualify for great deals.

    Choose a higher deductible

    This helps in a large way, so choose a higher deductible on your insurance premium. But before you take this leap, make sure that you are prepared and can manage to pay the high deductible amount when the situation warrants it.

    Act like an insurance expert and negotiate confidently

    Most of us have settled down with our car insurance providers and are paying their premiums without even bothering to check out the loopholes that can help us negotiate a reduced rate. So, make a list of the features in your car that you think will qualify you for a reduced rate and then call your car insurance provider. You can then read out the list to the employee who answers the phone and confidently demand a discounted price.

    In case you are still wondering about the loopholes, here is a short list for your reference:

    • Anti-lock brakes in your car
    • Low risk occupation
    • Defensive driving course
    • Higher deductible
    • Add your own …

    Don’t forget to compare insurance rates

    Comparing different insurance rates is the easiest way to negotiate cheap insurance rates. In case you don’t know where to start, you can visit our insurance comparison page as a starting point. In just a few minutes you can compare different insurance rates and save money.

    Negotiating is a skill that some are born with, but the rest of us work hard to develop it. But when you find out about the amount of money that successful negotiators save, you will certainly find the motivation to train yourself. We hope these tips will help you negotiate cheap insurance rates. You deserve the savings!

  • How To Get Health Insurance If You Don’t Have a Job

    Most of us cannot even imagine how our lives would be if we did not have our health insurance to cover us. But there are people who do not have a job in the first place and are living highly insecure lives. Or there are instances where people enjoy health cover with their current jobs, but are suddenly faced with a situation where they lose both their job and insurance

    These situations seem too scary to even think about, but health is not something that can be ignored. There has to be some way in which people can enjoy health insurance coverage even if you don’t have a job.

    Health insurance after leaving/losing your previous job

    Many employed individuals (especially those over the age of thirty) cannot afford to pay the health insurance premiums after losing their jobs. There is a provision of the law that goes by the acronym COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) which was passed in 1986 to facilitate continuation of group health insurance coverage to former employees.

    COBRA extends coverage to certain former employees and retirees and spouses, former spouses, and dependent children of both these retirees and former employees. The major criteria here is that the services of the employee must not have been terminated due to gross misconduct.

    COBRA is commonly applicable only to private-sector employers that have employed twenty or more employees, employee organizations, or state and local governments. The coverage is generally extended only up to eighteen months after losing the job/voluntary retirement, but can be prolonged to thirty six months in special cases, where there is another qualifying event during the first eighteen months.

    Other low cost choices

    Many people are out of jobs at the moment but are trying to get one at the earliest. They only need a temporary coverage for the time period in between the previous and the next job. There are many companies that cater to the requirements of such individuals. The coverage offered is usually for a year and may not cover any of your preexisting health conditions.

    Individual health plans for those who can afford

    If you can manage to pay $1,000 or more per month for family health insurance, provided all of you are comparatively healthy, then you can consider an individual health insurance plan. You have to take into account any chronic disorders like diabetes or cancer, which could pose a problem in getting coverage.

    But if you are fortunate enough to live in one of the five states where health insurance premiums are determined by regulators, then you cannot be refused health coverage.

    But for the less fortunate ones who live elsewhere, the coverage offered by your health insurance entirely depends on the state and their rulings regarding the preexisting health conditions. Most of the time, there may be a blanket health insurance cover denial for preexisting conditions.

    Other options

    If you are a member of a certain association or group with a large number of members, you may be able to take advantage of group rates negotiated by the entity. Furthermore, there are non-profit organizations and other institutions that focus on helping people obtain the right coverage. Some hospitals have special plans for low income individuals. You may want to explore government programs as well.

    No matter what option you choose, you must try your best to obtain health insurance coverage for you and your family.