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Byron Johnson’s Beginners Guide to Affordable Health Insurance

Avatar photo Alice Blake on September 12, 2022

Byron Johnson, commercial real estate investor, entrepreneur, and CEO of an insurance agency, ObamacareEnrollment.org, is an expert on health insurance. He believes that with the complexities of the US healthcare system, most American citizens don’t have explicit knowledge of health insurance. So, how can they choose the right health insurance plan?

 

Healthcare in the United States is the most expensive in the world. With the COVID pandemic, the hospitalization cost increases day by day, making it vital to get healthcare insurance for yourself and your loved ones. Having health insurance in place will offer financial security and help you tackle uncertain health risks with the help of quality healthcare services. 

 

Undoubtedly, the United States has the most complex healthcare system in the world. Unlike its neighboring countries, the cost of healthcare services in the US is your and your family’s responsibility. In many countries, essential healthcare is provided for free or at a reasonable cost. But, in the US, one appointment with a doctor can cost you a few hundred. If you had to be hospitalized due to disease and required regular healthcare, your bill will cross $10,000. The Affordable Care Act or Obamacare was introduced to help American citizens get relief from the high insurance bills, but it’s still not the final answer. 

 

Buying healthcare insurance will help you cover the medical expenses, given that you have chosen the right health insurance plan that fits your needs without breaking your wallets. 

 

Byron Johnson understands that it’s easier to find the optimal health insurance plan, but it can be overwhelming to choose among different options offered by different insurance companies. Byron Johnson has made it easier for us as in today’s article; we will be learning about different types of insurance plans, which plan would work the best for your needs, and what is covered under each insurance plan. Here’s a complete guide for you to choose the right health insurance plan for you and your family. 

 

What is covered by healthcare insurance?

Typically, your health insurance policy covers the medical expenses incurred due to the diagnosis of a disease. Generally, the surgeries are covered under your health insurance policy, but you need to purchase separate plans for dental and vision insurance. Up until 2019, it was mandatory to purchase health insurance, and if you didn’t have one, you would be charged with a tax penalty. But, in 2019, this mandate was removed by the federal government. 

 

What are the different types of health insurance?

According to Byron Johnson, here are several different types of insurance plans that you can buy:

  • Employer-sponsored: You can get health insurance through your employer. If a company has over 50 full-time employees, it is required to provide healthcare coverage. It allows you to split your monthly insurance premium with your employer. 
  • Individual and family plans: This healthcare insurance coverage is available to everyone and can be bought through state or federal marketplace and health insurance companies. 
  • Medicare: Medicare allows you to buy healthcare insurance for senior citizens that require regular health care services. You can buy it through an insurance company or the government. 
  • Medicaid: This insurance coverage is offered by the government for low-income people, pregnant females, older adults, and people with disabilities. Depending on the state, it is often low-cost or even free to enroll. 
  • Short-term insurance: A short-term insurance plan offers temporary health insurance to cover the gap in your coverage. 
  • Dental and Vision: Byron Johnsons suggests that the beneficiary should buy separate insurance plans for dental and vision care as most medical insurances do not cover these. 

 

How much does health insurance cost?

The cost for health insurance plans varies depending on the type of insurance plan and the coverage offered. As a result, your insurance rate will fluctuate annually despite sticking with the same insurance provider.

 

Byron Johnson notes, the average healthcare insurance premium is $479 for individuals and $1,229 for families. The cost of your health insurance is calculated based on zip code, age, gender, and other factors. 

 

When to buy health insurance?

You can buy a health insurance plan at any time, depending on your insurance coverage type. If you are unsure whether you need a healthcare insurance plan or not, you can reach out to Byron Johnson, as he can find the best healthcare insurance plan for your needs.

 

Where to buy health insurance?

You can contact health care insurance providers online and get a quote for your monthly or annual health care premium. You also have the option to go through your state or the federal marketplace. 

 

How to find an affordable health insurance plan?

If you want to find a healthcare insurance plan that matches your needs and fits in your budget, you need to know how to make your healthcare insurance affordable, explains Byron Johnson. The best way to reduce the cost of your healthcare insurance is by selecting a high deductible.

 

About Byron Johnson:

 

Byron Johnson is a founder, entrepreneur, and CEO known for founding several businesses, including an insurance agency, construction and remodeling company, and commercial real estate investment firm. Byron Johnson is an owner of 150+ units of commercial property located in the up-and-coming Seminole Heights area close to downtown Tampa. Additionally, Byron is a recgonzied WSOP Poker Player who won 1st place in the WSOP Poker series in Tampa, FL in 2020. 

 

For more information on Byron Johnson, visit ByronJohnson.com or visit his Cheap Car Insurance Guru YouTube Channel where he gives back by sharing free car insurance tips and valuable insurance info daily. 

 

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Dubai Investment Fund is Expanding Its Operations in Cyprus, New Zealand and The Czech Republic

Avatar photo Alice Blake on September 12, 2022

We recently learned that the Dubai Investment Fund (DIF) is expanding its operations in New Zealand, the Czech Republic and Cyprus. The company will develop its presence in these countries by opening offices to reach more businesses and gain broader market access. 

The first of these offices opened in Prague, Czech Republic, in August, to be followed by offices in Wellington, New Zealand, and Nicosia, Cyprus, by mid-September. Employees can choose to work from home, in the office, or in a hybrid mode that combines remote work and travel to the office. 

According to our observations of DIF’s development in the recent years, and as has happened repeatedly in some regions, operations in the Czech Republic and Cyprus will focus primarily on real estate, tourism, finance and artificial intelligence. The New Zealand office will focus on new projects in environmental, social and governance issues, as well as green energy and healthcare. 

In addition to traditional operations, the company also plans to invest in solar energy projects and pioneering biomedical ventures in New Zealand. These pioneering biomedical projects will explore different methods of combining artificial intelligence with modern medical advances. This endeavor is the result of years of interdisciplinary research in collaboration with leaders in the field of artificial intelligence. The company also has offices in Dubai, London, Sydney, Mumbai, Tokyo, New York, Frankfurt, Zurich, Quebec, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Seoul, Milan, Singapore, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Barcelona.  With three new offices, the total number of countries served by the company has grown to twenty. 

The company’s headquarters are invariably located in Dubai, and has a staff of 2,600 people. As of this writing in September 2022, in addition to Dubai, DIF’s most strategic offices are in New York, London, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Shanghai. 

The Dubai Investment Fund manages about $320 billion in assets on behalf of its 7,300 clients in 61 countries. Since its founding in 2001, DIF has employed 920 people in financial positions. A full account of the investment fund’s history is available in English on its Web site. 

Last year, its operating income grew by AED 14.3 billion ($3.8 billion) in 2021, an increase of 27 percent over the previous year. The corporation’s total revenue was 180.7 billion dirhams ($49.2 billion), an increase of 4.25 percent over the previous year. The company’s year-end total assets were AED 1,184.6 billion ($322.2 billion) and total equity was AED 878.1 billion ($231.1 billion). 

The rapid expansion of the Dubai Investment Fund is a strong indication that the fund is constantly seeking new investment opportunities to diversify the risks of its portfolio. Given this expansion, as well as the creation of multiple departments dedicated to innovation and ESG investment, it is safe to assume that the Dubai Investment Fund (DIF) is also targeting its assets to capitalize on the potential of future technologies. 

Why Colleges are Merging More Than Ever

Avatar photo Jeah Lorraine Adams on September 12, 2022

Since before the United States declared independence, colleges and universities have been an important part of the nation’s history. As the country’s population, geographic area, and access to education expanded, so too did its number of colleges. Now in the 21st century, the US has thousands of degree-granting institutions that serve students after high school. Now the trend that has led the country to this moment has reversed; in 2022, 1.4 million fewer students are attending college than there were in 2020. In the past 4 years, 95 college mergers have taken place. Many merged to avoid going out of business, a threat looming over hundreds of institutions. 

Why has enrollment fallen so dramatically? The pandemic tells part of the story. In 2020, lockdowns forced universities to provide online learning for students. This transition was sudden and led to losses in both life experience and learning outcomes for students. At the same time, the recession caused by the pandemic made college unaffordable for even more Americans. Up to 40% of prospective students have delayed their college plans due to either financial strain or a desire for in-person education. 

Yet the pandemic doesn’t tell the whole story. The truth is that attitudes towards higher education have been shifting for years. The rampant debt and unaffordability of college combined with the vast number of college graduates in the workplace has led many to reevaluate the value of a bachelor’s degree. In 2013, 70% of US adults said a college degree was “very important” to success. By 2019, that number had fallen to 51%. While it’s still generally true that those with college degrees make more than high school graduates, exceptions are becoming more common. In the new decade, 10% of Americans with low wage positions shifted to high-skill jobs, and many did so without a college degree. Instead, they got certified in specific skills online. Such certifications were cheaper and faster to get than a degree, and they offered workers the same result.

For colleges to serve a smaller pool of students, they need to change their ways. Those unable to adapt to the times will shut down permanently. Mergers are one way to streamline operations and reduce competition for students. Proposed mergers typically have to be approved by each institution’s board of trustees as well as the college’s accrediting bodies. Outside the formal approval process, business partnerships, faculty support, and alumni/foundation networks have a strong influence on the outcome of a potential merger. Without the support of all these groups, mergers aren’t likely to succeed in their goal of keeping both campuses running. 

Not all colleges are equally likely to seek mergers. The most common mergers happen between schools who each have less than 5,000 students. Private, non-profit schools are the most likely to merge, usually with a school of the same type in the same state. This is because smaller, less prestigious private schools have tight margins and are seeing higher than average declines in student enrollment.

Federal Reserve Chairperson Promises to Fight Inflation

Avatar photo Alice Blake on September 12, 2022

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In a conference done on Thursday, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, emphasized his pledge to continue with his fight against inflation, using an aggressive implementation of policies and mitigation measures to lessen the effects of the country’s economic downturn.

The 40th Annual Monetary Conference hosted by Cato Institute brought together experts and other officials to discuss fiscal matters of great importance to the country.

During the conference, Powell said, “The Fed has, and accepts, responsibility for price stability. We need to act right now — forthrightly, strongly.”

Powell has since informed the public of the robust measure the Fed will take under his leadership. In an annual symposium by the Jackson Hole last month, the Fed chairman said that the Federal Reserve is conditioning the public on the inevitable rise of the prices of commodities that could alter the spending habits of the citizens, including their income and investment habits.

According to Powell, the public might think that higher inflation in the country is supposed to be the norm. He justified that this mindset might be invoked by the failed attempts of authorities to control prices in the market. Further, Powell ultimately attributes this to the Fed’s inaction and unwillingness to impose tighter limits that could upend the skyrocketing prices of the country.

Powell’s belief that people are already thinking of inflation as a normal occurrence is affirmed by the Vice Chairperson of the Federal Reserve, Lael Brainard. “It is especially important to guard against the risk that households and businesses could start to expect inflation to remain above 2% in the longer run,” she said.

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The future of rates

Many investors are already expecting an increase in the basis points that will be set by the Feds during their policy meeting this month. According to them, at least a 75-point basis hike is expected. The increase will most likely happen even if the next release of the Producer Price Index and Consumer Price Index turns out better than expected.

“Their message is that we should expect them to remain in restrictive policy mode even after we start to see inflation data head in the right direction,” He went to pretty extensive lengths to dispel assumptions of any pivot coming forward soon,” said Keith Buchanan, Globalt Investments portfolio manager.

The Feds previously received raps after it has downplayed the looming inflation months ago. However, the agency’s senior officials have already apologized to the public and said that they have learned their lesson and will strive to thwart its effects.

“It would be sufficient for them to acknowledge that the near-term rate is trending in the right direction, but, definitely, they should not allow that to [influence] their trajectory. The real dilemma is, how much good data do they need in hand before they pause?” said Brad Conger, a deputy chief investment officer from Hirtle Callaghan.

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More work for the Feds

Apart from the current challenges the central bank faces, the possibility of low unemployment seems to exacerbate it. At the current time, the unemployment rate of the United States is experiencing the lowest since 50 years ago. In addition, Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank President Loretta Mester said that inflation has become the country’s key economic challenge now.

“Given current rates of inflation, I believe that the Fed has more work to do in order to get inflation under control. This will entail further rate increases to tighten financial conditions,” the president said.

During last month’s conference, Powell expressed the need to consider these factors.

“Our responsibility to deliver price stability is unconditional. While higher interest rates, slower growth, and softer labor market conditions will bring down inflation, they will also bring some pain to households and businesses,” Powell said.

“The longer the current bout of high inflation continues, the greater the chance that expectations of higher inflation will become entrenched,” the Chairman added.

Source: CNN

Experts Share Tips to Cope with the Stifling Temperatures Amid Heat Waves

Avatar photo Brandon Foster on September 12, 2022

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The scorching heat presents a myriad of problems to countries across the globe. The United Kingdom, the United States, India, and China, among others, have already seen what the intense heat can cause the economy. Reports have sprung detailing how the heat affected the energy production of countries, as well as farmers’ capacity to generate ample amounts of goods for exports.

The problem is as personal as it gets, as individuals are the most impacted by the macro changes due to the heat. Consequently, more than fiscal problems, people encounter another trouble: sleeping.

The grim reality is this: the heat affects one’s sleep pattern. Sometimes, an individual wakes up drenched in sweat or does not sleep at all.

For instance, in California, the temperature reached records high of as much as 110 degrees Fahrenheit or about 43 degrees Celsius. Power grids are strained, resulting in blackouts. Moreover, wildfires become more frequent, adding to the heat in the environment. Top of all these is the cutback on Russia’s gas supply which pressures energy companies to look for alternative energy sources. Therefore, for the time being, grids are limited in the amount of power they can supply to communities.

The condition leaves many hotels and households without sufficient operating air conditioning systems. The result is massive numbers of people clamoring for colder outputs of their AC systems. In the past, a central air system was not needed in the UK because of relatively colder temperatures.

However, the increasing temperatures may change all that. According to a recent analysis by scientists, severe temperatures are expected within the region and will intensify as the years pass by. In their predictions, experts say that by 2035, heat will become the norm.

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Sleep is affected the most

The Journal of Sleep Research said that sleep is “a vital function necessary for adaptive physical and mental wellbeing.” In a journal published last Thursday, the research body revealed some tips that could help individuals cope with the heat and successfully sleep amid the scorching conditions.

According to the journal, the best room temperature where an individual can peacefully sleep is between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit or 15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius. However, with the heat waves occurring more often, how can people sleep peacefully? Studies reveal that the hotter nighttimes cause wakefulness and reduce REM (Rapid Eye Movement). These factors are vital in body repairs and refreshing every night.

Read Also: European Central Bank is Ready to Fight Inflation, but with Higher Interest Rates

Tips for Sleeping amid the heat

  1. Drink a lot of water. Water helps the body regulate temperature. Staying hydrated could nullify the heat in the environment. However, experts warn you not to drink water an hour or two before bed unless you want to end up in the bathroom at night.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, a neurology professor at Northwestern University in Chicago, said that eating lighter meals during the day could also help.

  1. Wear loose, cotton clothing. Fabrics like these are good for the free passing of wind. Avoid wearing synthetics that can trap heat.
  2. If it is cooler in the morning, for some reason, opening windows and other ventilation should help cool your room. Close it immediately once the temperature starts to rise.
  3. Close blinds and shades if the heat does not tone down.
  4. Stop drinking alcohol at night since it dehydrates your body and makes you prone to nighttime sweats.
  5. Calming activities like reading or listening to music could aid your body in relaxation and preparation for sleep.
  6. Take a cool shower or foot bath before bed.

“Your body temperature lowers after you leave the shower or bath as your body adapts to the cooler environment. This drop in temperature prepares your body for sleep because our body temperature has a natural circadian rhythm – the body is primed to cool down when you lay down and warm up when you get up,” said sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasputa.

  1. Find ways to maintain the temperature of your bedroom below 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius.

“There are also fairly inexpensive ice cooling fans that can be placed near the bed. If you’re unable to keep the bedroom cool, sleeping temporarily on lower floors like the basement (if there is one) will be cooler.”

Source: CNN

European Central Bank is Ready to Fight Inflation, but with Higher Interest Rates

Avatar photo Jeah Lorraine Adams on September 12, 2022

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The European Central Bank declared that it would raise interest rates as much as possible to help nations combat the escalating energy crisis. On Thursday, the ECB increased interest rates by three-quarters of one percent and stated that an increase was quite likely to occur in the near future.

Europe has been rushing to keep up with the rising demand for energy since the rift with Russia caused supply cuts of gas entering the continent through significant pipes, particularly the Nord Stream 1. The extreme heat being experienced around the nation only makes the problem worse.

Years after the ECB raised it to zero in 2011; the rate is already higher than zero percent. With this action, the Central Bank benchmarked interest rates over zero percent and outside the negative region for the first time. Furthermore, the ECB reportedly stated in a statement that they anticipate more increases.

“The Governing Council took today’s decision and expects to raise interest rates further because inflation remains far too high and is likely to stay above target for an extended period,” the ECB said.

Inflation in the UK has reached a 9.1% level due to the skyrocketing costs of essential goods like food and electricity.

The Russian-Ukranian war affected the energy crisis

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Europe tried to lessen its reliance on Russian fuel shipments. In reality, the G7 nations have already voiced their opposition to Russia’s ongoing aggression against its neighbor.

In retaliation, Russia shut off the natural gas supply that Germany and other European nations depend on. Therefore, the reduction in supply led to a sharp increase in energy costs, which put pressure on the government to raise its subsidy for businesses and people in order to offset the rapid consequences of the supply reductions.

Economists caution that Europe’s recession is conceivable due to these factors. Businesses are reporting poor sales and activity, inflation is at a decades-high level, and Germany’s economy is not functioning as smoothly as anticipated. The region’s gross domestic product may also contract in the upcoming quarter.

According to the ECB, many people already anticipate experiencing high inflation rates due to the present financial situation. Therefore, the ECB is concerned that by missing its annual goal, corporate leaders and people’s ensuing spending and investing patterns may change.

“Price pressures have continued to strengthen and broaden across the economy, and inflation may rise further in the near term,” the ECB said.

At an average of 8.1% in 2022, the ECB is now considering the possibility of higher inflation rates for the area. The central bank anticipates the rate dropping significantly to 5.5% next year. However, economic growth is anticipated to slow from 3.1% this year to just 0.9% in 2023.

“There seems universal agreement that higher rates are required to prevent higher inflation becoming embedded, though [Russian] President Putin is creating a lot of slack in the European economy already,” Societe Generale strategist Kit Juckes said.

According to ECB president Christine Legarde, there is a chance that the European Union may experience a recession. This results from supply shortages, rationing, and environmental catastrophes.

Holger Schmieding, the head economist at Berenber, said: “It still seems likely that, once the ECB realizes the depth of the recession that we expect to unfold, the ECB will put rate hikes on hold at some time in early 2023.”

Source: CNN

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