Livingston Reporting - page 135

Why Should You File for Bankruptcy?-

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

You are always going to have bills to pay, but what happens if they come in faster than you can pay them, or you are barely paying the minimum payment every month?  You may feel like you are drowning in debt, especially if you need to continue using your charge cards to pay for everyday necessities.

While filing for bankruptcy is never a person’s top choice, you may have no choice but to hire a bankruptcy lawyer, so you can get back on track with your life.  After all, once you have gone through the process and then work hard to improve your credit, you will find that your life is much easier in the future.

An attorney specializing in bankruptcy can walk you through all the steps of the process, starting with whether or not you have a good reason to file.  Your bankruptcy lawyer may even encourage you not to file for bankruptcy if they do not think that you have a good enough reason.

Here are 5 reasons why you should file for bankruptcy:

  1. Your Home is in Foreclosure

A bankruptcy will immediately put a stop to the foreclosure on your home.  This is important, even if you are not planning on staying in your home, because you may not need to pay the difference of the unpaid mortgage balance if the proceeds from the sale are not enough.

  1. You are Being Evicted

If you happen to rent an apartment or a house, filing for bankruptcy can prevent you from being evicted.  You will still need to catch up on your rent payments, but a bankruptcy can give you a little more time.

  1. Your Car is Being Repossessed

Filing for bankruptcy can prevent a lender from repossessing your car if you are behind on payments.  This will allow you to catch up on payments, so you can keep your car.

  1. You Have Medical Debt

If you have major medical debt from an illness, you should talk to a bankruptcy lawyer, so you are not responsible for all those bills.  They can give you your options, so you do not lose your home or other assets.

  1. You Just Got Divorced

Financial changes occur after a divorce and you may find that it is difficult to live the lifestyle that you are used to with just your income.  If you find yourself in debt after getting a divorce, you will want to speak to an attorney specializing in bankruptcy to see what options you may have.

 

No one ever wants to have a lot of debt to deal with, but bankruptcy may or may not be your best option.  They only way you will know if you should file is to speak with a bankruptcy lawyer and see what they recommend for the situation that you are in.

Bohikian Law Group specializes in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies in Michigan. Contact us today to find a bankruptcy attorney that will help you in debt relief at http://www.bohikianlaw.com/ today.

 

Bohikian Law

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When Do I Enroll in Medigap Coverage?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medigap is an insurance policy that will cover the health care costs that you incur that regular Medicare, Part A and Part B, does not cover.  These costs can include co-payments, deductibles, and travel outside of the United States.  However, Medigap supplement insurance does not cover costs that are associated with dental care, vision, hearing aids, or private duty nursing.

Medigap supplemental insurance is available to anyone that has Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, and the best time to purchase Medigap is during your open enrollment period.  You are automatically eligible for a Medigap supplement insurance plan the month that you turn sixty-five and your eligibility continues for a period of six months.

That six-month time frame is the best time to purchase Medigap, simply because you can get it from any Medigap supplement plan that is available in your area.  None of them can turn you down for any health issues that you may have, nor can they charge you more if you have certain health problems.  Instead, during this time you are guaranteed to find coverage at a reasonable price.

The only thing that you will need to keep in mind is that a Medigap supplement plan can make you wait six months before they will pay for anything relating to your pre-existing conditions, although some plans will waive that waiting period.  Once that six month waiting period is over, they will pay for your medical expenses, including ones for your pre-existing conditions.

If you decide to wait to apply for Medigap until after your six-month open enrollment period, a Medigap plan has the right to deny you coverage or make you pay a higher rate.

It is unusual to be able to apply for a Medigap supplement insurance plan when you are under the age of sixty-five, but some states will allow you to do so.  However, you will want to be prepared to pay more for the policy or take the chance of being denied for pre-existing conditions.

A disabled person, who has Medicare, can apply for Medigap before they turn sixty-five, but they might not be able to purchase the exact policy that they want and there are no guarantees that they will even be approved.

If you are approaching the age of sixty-five, you will need to be aware of your options when it comes to Medigap supplement insurance plans.  You’ll want to act quickly and purchase your Medigap plan within your six-month open enrollment period, so you do not miss out on the benefits that you will need.

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Tips for Buying Refurbished Oncology Equipment

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Purchasing refurbished oncology equipment can be an excellent option if you know what you are looking for and can have help picking out quality product.  When you are upgrading LINAC systems, there are numerous things that you should keep in mind, but if you can find a refurbished linear accelerator, you can save quite a bit of money.

Here are tips for buying refurbished oncology equipment:

Consider Your Space

As you are upgrading LINAC systems, you will need to consider your room dimensions, the constraints of your building, your power supply, and your water supply.  You will not want to purchase any refurbished oncology equipment that cannot fit within the space your office has as that will be a waste of your resources.  Instead, have this information available and then only look at the refurbished oncology equipment that fits your requirements.

Create a Budget

Everyone has a certain amount of money that they have available to spend on upgrades, and you should not be any different.  Once you determine how much money you are willing to spend, you will have a better idea of how you can go about upgrading LINAC systems.

Create a Timeline

The amount of time you plan on keeping the refurbished oncology equipment that you purchase will always factor in to the price.  You should be willing to pay a little bit more for the equipment you are planning on keeping for five years and less for the equipment that you only want to keep for two years.

Find a Preferred Manufacturer

You may find that you prefer one or two manufacturers over all the others, and you will want to only look at refurbished oncology equipment from those manufacturers.  This will ensure that you get a product that you can depend on and trust, plus you are more apt to know how to use the equipment from those manufacturers as they are more familiar to you.

Have a Professional Install

While upgrading LINAC systems, it is perfectly fine to purchase it refurbished, however, you should still have it professionally installed.  This will ensure that everything is in working order the first time you go to use it, plus you can find any potential issues before they arise.

These tips will help as you are upgrading LINAC systems and purchasing refurbished oncology equipment as you will get the most product for the money that you spend.  It may take some time to find the product that will work best for your needs, but your patience will pay off when you find the one that fits within your budget.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

Acceletronics

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The Ultimate Guide to Age in Place Renovations

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Moving into an assisted living facility may sound like a good idea at some point in your life, but you may prefer to spend as many of your golden years in the same home where you raised your family.  There is nothing wrong with doing this, especially if you have taken the necessary steps to ensure your safety.  After all, you may not move as well as the years go on.

An age in place remodeling specialist can assist you with planning any necessary renovations that you may need to make your home more accommodating for your future.  The age in place contractor that you choose can help you devise a plan to help you incorporate all the aging in place options that you may or may not need.

You may think that it is useless to do any age in place renovations now, before you need them, however, that is not the case.  These renovations should always be completed prior to them being needed, because if they are not, you will find yourself staying in a hospital or rehabilitation center longer until they are finished.  It is difficult to handle age in place construction on a home when cannot oversee the work!

There are plenty of things that you can do for your age in place renovations, but here are a few of the most common ones:

  • A wheelchair ramp or other way to incorporate a flat entry point to your home may end up being necessary if you ever need to be in a wheelchair.
  • The doors inside your home may need to be widened so you can fit through them with a wheelchair or walker.
  • If widening your doorways will not work, your age in place remodeling specialist may recommend removing your doors and installing pocket doors instead.
  • A walk-in tub will eliminate the need to step over the side of the tub to get inside, but you will still need to climb over a small step and maneuver through the small doorway.
  • Most people prefer to forgo the above mentioned walk-in tub and install a built-in seat within their shower. Placing an adjustable grab bar next to the seat will allow you to sit and get up easily and give you something to hold onto if you decide to stand as you are showering.
  • Your age in place contractor may always recommend that you install grab bars near your toilets.
  • Countertops can be lowered, or you can vary the height of some of them, so that you are able to use at least one of them if you ever need to use a wheelchair for any length of time.
  • Carpeting, faucets, and door handles are all other items that you may need to change during this process.

You shouldn’t think that you will never need any age in place renovations because you never know what the future may bring.  A little pre-planning with an age in place remodeling specialist can save you a ton of time in the future, especially if you are waiting not so patiently from a hospital bed to go home.

Learn more about licensed and insured general contractor Glen Miller the Home Doctor and the variety of home improvement services he offers clients including: home maintenance plans, handyman services, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, handicap ramp installations, age in place modifications, basements transformations, and hardwood flooring installation and refinishing at www.glenmillerthehomedoctor.com.  To contact Glen Miller the Home Doctor call 734.255.9793 for a free estimate.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

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The Roof Replacement Process

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Replacing a roof can be a time-consuming process, which is why you will want to hire one of the local roofing contractors to do the job for you.  While you could eventually get your roof completed on your own, a local company can provide a more thorough roof replacement within a timely manner, since that is the job that they have been trained for.

The first thing that needs to be done when you are replacing your roof is protecting anything that is nearby.  Outdoor furniture needs to be moved out of the way, tarps can cover plants and bushes, and plywood can also be used to provide a barrier, so items underneath do not get destroyed.

Once everything is out of harm’s way, it will be time to remove the old roofing materials.  This can be a messy project, but if tarps are placed on the ground, the mess will stay contained for the most part.  As soon as the shingles are off your roof, the local roofing contractors should do an inspection to see if any of the wood is rotting or if there is any other structural damage.  These pieces of wood will need to be replaced before the roof is shingled.

Once your roof has been deemed to be in good shape, it is time to prepare it for the new asphalt shingles.  At this time roofing contractors can install drip edges, ice and water shields, and roofing felt is installed.  After all that, it is time to lay out the shingles and nail them in starting at the bottom and working towards the top.  During this process, the counter flashing, ridge vents, and ridge capping is also installed.

Clean up will happen in stages, as it is always a good idea to remove the old roofing materials before the rest of the work begins.  This gets it out of the way and prevents accidents from happening.  Of course, a final clean up should be done when the roof is completed.  The clean-up process should also include removal of the tarps and plywood, and moving the outdoor furniture back into place.

Before local roofing contractors leave, they should always do one final inspection of your roof, to ensure that everything is in place where it should be.  Depending on the size of your roof, it can take a day or longer for a local company to replace your roof.  However, this is normally faster than you could do it on your own, because local roofing contractors always send multiple employees to a job, so that the work is accomplished quickly.

Learn more about Home Pro Roofing and their vast line of custom roofing options installed by professional roofing contractors including: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, roof repair, and new roof installation at www.homeproroofingmi.com.  Our roofing contractors offer services throughout Michigan including: Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.

 

Home Pro Roofing MI

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The Many Benefits of Outsourcing Your Company’s IT

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Outsourcing is becoming more common nowadays, especially with employees choosing to branch out on their own and work for more than one company at a time.  This trend is quite popular in corporate IT, where technology changes in the blink of an eye, so if you are looking to outsource anything, that is the place to start.

Here are some of the many benefits of outsourcing your company’s IT:

Save Money

You, like many other business owners, like to save money when you can, as it allows you to increase profits and put extra money back into growing your business. When you outsource your managed IT services, you will not need to worry about paying for the training that your employees would continuously need to keep current with technology.  You will also see savings from not needing to pay additional employee benefits, which can include medical and paid time off.

Efficiency is Increased

Professional IT workers have much more knowledge than any employee that you can hire, unless you are willing to pay at least two times the amount of money as you would for an outsourced employee and decide to hire for in-house services.  This additional knowledge and experience that an outsourced IT employee has will allow them to complete the work faster than any of your regular employees.

Availability

When a large corporate IT job needs to be done, it is always better to have it completed when you are closed for business.  Not too many regular employees are going to want to give up their non-working hours to complete a project, but an outsourced IT employee will not think twice about it.  The work can get finished when your business is closed, and you will be up and running and ready to continue making money by the start of business the next day.

Flexibility in Amount of Employees

You have control over when you outsource your corporate IT projects, which means that you can have one contractor working on IT issues when they arise or four people working on replacing your entire operating system.  This flexibility will allow you to save money when possible, instead of paying for employees that you do not need every day of the year.

Use Your Employees Wisely

Since everyone is not a technological wizard, it will obviously take them longer to solve IT issues that arise.  By outsourcing this type of work, you can utilize the skills your employees already have and allow them to perfect them even further.  If you didn’t outsource the IT work, your employees’ other roles may suffer, because they are focusing on work that they do not excel in.

Everyone needs managed IT services, but that doesn’t mean that you need to have a dedicated employee in house.  Instead, you can choose to outsource your corporate IT services, and reap the many benefits that comes with that option.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com.  To contact one of our IT experts, call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

 

Creative Programs and Systems

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Pool Renovation Ideas That Impress

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Having an inground pool in your backyard is an exciting upgrade that many homeowners choose.  Overtime however, the area surrounding the swimming pool can begin to feel drab, the aesthetics wear out and the initial installation and style of the pool becomes outdated.  Another issue that often occurs is that the amenities you want have changed and it is time to renovate and upgrade the pool area.  Don’t think that the only way to go is to demolish the exiting plaster pool and start fresh.  That in fact is costly and unnecessary when you can easily get a new look and features added that will bring your pool space back to an area you thoroughly enjoy.

Landscaping

The addition of landscape adds greenery and color to a space that is often skewed with tints of blue. Adding landscaping materials to the space can add to the aesthetics of the area and can take a bland space into a beautiful backdrop for fun in the sun.  When choosing materials to install within the landscaping search for plants and trees that can be controlled by proper trimming.  Find trees that do not drop leaves or pine needles into the pool.  Consider the amount of shade and privacy you desire as well as this should play a role in the selection of the landscape materials that you will choose.

Pool House/Cabana

The addition of a pool house or poolside cabana are both popular options.  Both options give families a place to stay out of the sun while enjoying the pool.  A pool house can also give extra storage for pool toys, chemicals, and necessary elements for maintaining the pool and the surrounding area.  A pool house can include a space for showering and changing as well which is perfect when you entertain a lot and don’t always want people trouncing through your home.

Hot Tub/Spa

An easy addition to the pool area is a hot tub or spa.  It can be easily added to the side of the Gunite pool.  There are a number of innovative styles to consider attached and detached.

Waterfalls

If you want to add a visual affect that will really wow your company the installation of a waterfall cascading into your pool is the way to go.  With the addition of natural materials such as rocks and boulders or ready-made waterfalls your pool area can go from plain and simple to majestic and visually spectacular.

Learn more about Pound Pool Plastering and their numerous pool plastering options including: pool resurfacing, plaster surfacing, commercial pool plaster, residential pool plaster, plastering swimming pools, tiling swimming pools, coping swimming pools, and more at www.pound-pool-plastering.com.  To contact our pool plastering specialists call 248.476.4544 today.

 

Pound Pool Plastering

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Why Isn’t Original Medicare Enough Coverage?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

If you have been thinking that you are not going to need to pay for health insurance once you reach the age of sixty-five and qualify for Medicare, you are going to be in for a surprise.  While Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, hospice, lab tests, surgery, home health care, and skilled nursing facilities, and Part B covers doctor’s visits, outpatient care, home health care, medical equipment, and certain preventative services, not all of it is covered in full.  Plus, Medicare does not cover custodial care, dental care, eye exams, cosmetic surgery, routine foot care, acupuncture, or hearing aids.

A healthy adult may be able to survive on only Medicare, but since no one knows when their health is going to get worse, and everyone is only guaranteed approval for Medicare supplemental insurance plans during the first six months after turning sixty-five, you may not want to take that risk.

In addition to all the services that Medicare does not cover, you will also be responsible for a deductible each year, plus coinsurance and copayments.  This might not seem to be a lot of money at first, but one inpatient hospital stay can put you a few thousand dollars in debt.  By purchasing one of the Medicare supplement plans, you won’t be responsible for that full amount, as your Medicare supplemental insurance will cover most of the balance.

You may also be surprised that there is no out of pocket maximum amount of money that you pay each year with Medicare, which means you can pay anywhere from five thousand to twenty thousand dollars or more on medical expenses each year.  If you purchase one of the Medicare supplemental insurance plans, you will be guaranteed to not pay over a specific amount each year, no matter how many medical expenses you have.

All Medicare supplement plans will allow you to keep all your medical costs lower, which will ensure that none of your assets are ever at risk from major health problems and massive medical bills.

You will want to carefully consider the Medicare supplement plans that are available to you, because some cover more than others.  You should also purchase this plan within your six-month open enrollment period, so you are not denied coverage or asked to pay a higher premium.

While it would be nice if Medicare Part A and Part B, Original Medicare, covered all your medical expenses, it’s not realistic.  Thankfully, Medicare supplemental insurance plans are available, so you can still keep your costs manageable when you do need to seek medical care.

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

 

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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Maintaining Your Salt-Free Water Softener

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

A salt-free water softener uses potassium chloride instead of salt, so you will not experience salty water, or the salt build up that can occur inside the tank of your water softener.  There are many other positive benefits of using a potassium chloride water softener, but you will only see them if you maintain it properly.

One of the things that you will need to keep track of is how much potassium chloride you have inside your brine tank.  The potassium chloride should be at least three inches above the water line at all times, although you may find that you can keep less in there if you find a residue on the sides.  It is a good idea to check your levels every couple of weeks at first, until you know how much potassium chloride you are using.

Your valves are a necessary component of your potassium chloride water softener, and you will want to turn them from one position to the other and back again once a month.  This will ensure that they will turn easily when you need to cut off the water supply to your softener.  This is also the time to clean the valve between the brine tank and the resin tank.  To clean that valve, you will need to disassemble it first, but make sure that you relieve the water pressure before taking anything apart.  If you notice that any of these valves are leaking, this would be the best time to replace the washers or seals.

The resin in your potassium chloride water softener is what helps soften your water, and you will want to keep it functioning properly.  A water softener cleaner can be added every few months prior to a regeneration to keep the resin in optimal form.

New potassium chloride softeners do not need to be cleaned often, but they can benefit from an annual cleaning and so can your homes water.  To clean your potassium chloride water softener, you will need to close off the water intake and take all the water out of the tank.  Then you will remove all the potassium chloride and scrub the inside of the brine tank with hot soapy water.  After the tank has been thoroughly rinsed out, you should sanitize the tank with a mixture of water and bleach.

Keeping this maintenance schedule will allow your potassium chloride water softener to continue working for many years, as it provides you with softer water.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

Reynolds Water

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5 Tips on Why it Pays to Hire a Professional Contractor

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Renovating a home can be daunting, but the entire process can be much easier if you hire a professional contractor to assist you.  After all, how much do you know about building codes, permits, and basic home remodeling projects?  Seriously though, there are literally dozens of reasons why you and everyone else should hire a professional contractor for home improvement projects of any size.

Here are 5 tips on why it pays to hire a professional contractor:

  1. Saves Time

Most home remodeling projects are completed on schedule when a professional contractor is involved, which means that you will have your home back to normal much sooner that you would if you didn’t hire someone.

  1. Connections

A professional contractor is going to have numerous connections that you do not have, and that means that they may be able to get their hands on the materials that you can’t find.  These connections can also help you save money, because they will receive discounts from the vendors that they work with often.

  1. Experience

A professional contractor has multiple years of home improvement experience, and that experience can benefit you immensely.  Your professional contractor can tell you immediately if something you want will work in the space or if you are wasting your money choosing one material over another.

  1. Safety

Professional contractors know all the codes for the home remodeling projects they work on, so you will never need to worry if your electrical, plumbing, or anything else will pass inspection.  This also ensures that you and your family are safe long after the work is completed.

  1. Saves Money

You are going to want to come in at or under budget for your home remodeling project, and while anyone can accomplish that feat, only professional contractors will do it properly.  Anyone who isn’t a professional may cut corners to make the numbers work out, but that is only going to cause you headaches in the future when half of the work needs to be done once again.  You will never need to worry about that happening when you hire a professional contractor, as they will get everything done correctly the first time.

These are the five best reasons why you need to hire a professional contractor for your next home improvement project.  If you have never hired a professional contractor before, you should do so for your next home remodeling project, as you will see a major difference in the results.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

Kearns Brothers

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