Question: I’m a stay-at-home mom, and I find that our budget is short about $450 a month. I would like to start a home business. I’ve read in magazine ads that there are companies that will pay me for stuffing envelopes, but I have to pay them a $500 sign-up fee. Is this advisable? Response: In the vast majority of cases, any offer that requires you to pay up front is a scam, and I recommend that you stay away from all such “good deals.” If a legitimate business wants to hire you as a stay-at-home employee, it provides the necessary materials, you provide the labor, and they pay you for your efforts. You should not have to pay any money up front. I suspect the company you’re referring to is selling people the idea of getting into a home business. There are legitimate enterprises that hire folks to do specific tasks at home; generally, though, it’s not stuffing envelopes. Again, remember this rule: If you have to pay, it’s a good deal for the company, a bad deal for you.
Monthly Archives: November 2017
Group Insurance Plan for your Family?
Question: We have the option to join our company’s group health insurance plan, but it’s going to cost quite a bit per month and our budget is very tight. Is this a good buy? Response: Let me assure you that whatever private insurance you could buy that would have comparable benefits is likely going to cost a lot more than what a group insurance plan normally will cost. Group rates usually are lower and the benefits are often better. Personally, I would make the budget sacrifice to join the group plan if possible. Many families gamble by not having insurance, but one major medical expense–one child with a major illness, one heart attack, one major accident–can wipe out their finances for a very long time. In my opinion, if you have the option to put your spouse and children on your company group insurance plan, you should do it. you may have to sacrifice in other areas to do it, but it will be well worth it.