Earn, Save & Live Smart
Celebrations and cake often go hand in hand. When it comes to cake, does it make more sense to buy at Sam’s Club or make your own? To Bake or not to bake? That is the question. When it comes to the gatherings of friends and family for special occasions, often a sweet treat is … Read more
Disability is a frightening world to navigate. Losing the ability to work is humiliating, and finding the resources to start collecting disability income is an exhausting, confusing process. The Social Security Administration has extremely strict definitions of disability, and out of the millions of people who apply every year, only a third are initially approved, … Read more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) are benefits for people who can’t work or are impoverished. They’re both handled by the Social Security Administration and are commonly thought to be the same thing. But they’re two very different animals when it comes to eligibility and benefits. Here’s the difference: SSI is … Read more
Is it possible to cook Paleo meals on a budget? The answer is yes! Even though non-Paleo foods (like starchy white potatoes, pasta, rice, and bread) are very cheap to buy, you can create healthy meals without those fillers. Chicken is one of the most affordable meats that you can buy, as are eggs, and … Read more
This baked macaroni and cheese recipe also works well with boxed macaroni and cheese, poured into a casserole dish and baked. We recommend either Annie’s Organic Shells & White Cheddar Mac and Cheese (you can get a pack of 12 boxes inexpensively) or the original Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (pack of 5 boxes). Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese If … Read more
My husband is my favorite person to be with, but we don’t take the time to reconnect one-on-one as often as we should. That’s why, this Valentine’s Day, I’m determined that the two of us are going to do something special. It has to be something fairly cheap, though. We’re saving all of our spare … Read more
Sam’s Club is a warehouse store that, like Costco, requires you to become a member and pay an annual fee. Sam’s Club membership costs $50 a year, which is cheaper than Costco’s $60 annual fee. When paying such fees, your first thought is likely: Is it worth it? After all, Sam’s Club is owned by … Read more
If you think you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits and you’re considering applying, don’t let the long and sometimes complex Social Security system process dissuade you. While there’s a lot to think about and to keep straight as your claim goes through the full decision process, you don’t have to do it alone. … Read more
If your Supplemental Security Income disability claim has been denied on your first go-round, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Most disability claims are denied at first review. The comprehensive claims process, including appeals, can be long and draining. As an applicant, you have the responsibility of proving that you are disabled, according to the SSA’s … Read more
At some point after a Social Security disability benefits claim has been reviewed and approved, a claimant will receive an official verification of benefits letter. The information in this letter is extremely important since it outlines the details of what you should expect in terms of the monthly benefits you’ll receive. An applicant may also … Read more