Can I Live without Television To Save Money?

The other night, as I was watching my boyfriend watch television, I was reminded again of how television can induce a mind-numb state. He was supposed to be reading up on financial matters or anything to prepare for his up and coming interview at a financial/investments company.

Then, I had an idea that by cutting out television, I would save about 60 dollars each month AND save valuable time for both me and him, forcing us to perform more beneficial tasks, such as reading, working out, etc.

We would still have the DVD player and could get Netflix subscription again (the one DVD turnaround), so we would still have easy entertainment when we choose to.

I turned towards him and proposed my plan...and he looked at me as if I had pulled the rug out from under him. So, the television subscription will continue but I will try again in a couple months, hehe.

Earn Money While You Get Healthy!!!

Healthy Lifestyle Rewards Program - Blue Shield Vs. Kaiser Permanente


There are a couple of incentive programs occurring currently with Kaiser Permanente (HMO) and Blue Shield of California (HMO and PPO) medical insurance companies.

Blue Shield

Has an online, interactive program that has "tools" to help one get fit, lower stress, and/or quit that pesky smoking habit (me..yes, guilty still.)

Basically, the program requires you to sign on to their website (www.blueshieldca.com/hlr) and fill out a "Wellness Assessment". By filling out the assessment, you get $50!!! Sign onto the program and keep checking in and using their resources/tools on the website every week to update your profile with the fitness progress that you're making, you can earn up to $200 in one year. It's still a great incentive for a few minutes of your time and what disadvantages could there be?? You're working towards a healthier you, and we all know that keeping track of your efforts can definitely keep you on the right and LONG-lasting path to a healthier you.

I wish I had Blueshield medical insurance, darn.

Kaiser Permanente

They're cheaper. In terms of their rewards (potential rewards, in this case) and in terms of their service costs and quality of service. I've always been a Kaiser member ever since I got medical insurance because they're cheaper but lately, I've been wondering if I should move to Blue Shield PPO due to me getting older as well as the growing medical problems I seem to be blessed with lately.

Their "incentive" program is that they give you CHANCES to win rewards if you fill out an online "Total Health Assessment". Go to their website and sign up for a kaiser online account with your medical account number (www.my.kp.org/ca/calpers). Click on "Be rewarded for living well". Fill out the form and open the health guide designed to whatever you filled out in the assessment, which will enter you into the drawings.

There are five seperate drawings, so you have five seperate chances to winning multiple rewards.

The rewards are as follows:

* $500 spafinder.com certificate
* $500 (REI, Sportsmart, or Big 5) sports store certificate (This is the only thing i want to win, since I really really want a mountain bike)
* An 80GB color screen iPod

I definitely prefer the Blue Shield's rewards program, because it fits the definition of an incentive program more than Kaiser's, which is just a lottery-type drawing. You're pretty much garanteed to earn $50 by completing the assessment. In addition, Blue Shield's program encourages long-term behavior by giving you continued incentives to keep track of your health progress through out the year and rewarding you monetarily throughout the program's length.