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Pay Monthly Rental Websites: A Cheap Option, But Is It a Real Alternative Option for Businesses?

Recently we have seen growing trend for pay monthly websites. These types of websites give a business the opportunity to get a website at a fraction of the upfront cost of the normal development route. The question is are they a genuine alternative to what is deemed the normal pay for in full website or just a cheap poor quality option that should be avoided at all cost. In the current climate, with the credit crunch, and businesses going out of business at an alarming rate, a new breed of website has risen up to help the struggling business generate more sales.

The pay monthly website, or rental website is gaining popularity, and with businesses making redundancies and a marked increase in new start-up businesses, the Pay monthly website seems like the perfect solution to cash strapped businesses both new young and old. In the modern internet Google driven world we live in, it is essential to have some kind of online presence for business, but the cost of getting a website developed can prove prohibitive, especially for a business that is feeling the pinch in these hard times.

A concern for any business when it comes to marketing and promotion, should be does it represent my brand well. Can a website developed on a shoestring, come out with a product that represents the brand and is good enough for worldwide presentation. Here we have to consider individual the needs of the company and the complexity of the website. So who is a Pay monthly rental website suitable for and how can you differentiate between good and a bad.

Pay monthly Website

The pay monthly website will have the following features and restrictions. This is not an exhaustive list.

The Website will be template driven. The quality of the template will vary from developer to developer. The template system will restrict your options regarding design, you will be able to pick a colour pallet, and an overall feel I.E. corporate or funky, brightly coloured or muted, but you would be restricted on individual design elements.

Most of this type of website is systemised and built using a Content management system such as WordPress, Jommla or Modx. These systems vary considerably and you will hear different opinions on each, but they all produce basically the same results. The issue to consider here is this type of website is Database driven, they can be quite restrictive and would prove difficult to move to another hosting company.

Restrictions exist at the lower level to the number of pages you will have available for the website, if you only need four pages then great, but how restrictive will it be if you need to add more pages what are the implications and cost.

The development cost and time will be significantly reduced, and the functionality of the website will be good as it will be developed using proven tested methods.

The content management system for the sight should become available to the business, which means once the sight is live it can be edited with a bit of training by the company. This will provide great savings going forward when the company edits its own content.

You should be able to request additional add-ons such as newsletter page, Blog, RRS feeds etc. as the CMS systems are built to handle this. Again the advantage being these are tried and tested systems so should prove reliable.

If you chose the right development company, you can end up with a very well developed product, which is comparable in almost every way to the more expensive bespoke designed website, but at a fraction of the up-front cost. However do your research, and take a look at the website portfolio. If the web development company has any existing clients in their portfolio perhaps ring them and ask them about their experience working with the company.

Bespoke developed website

The normal route to a website is to use a website development company, the price for development can vary dramatically, from 500 for a basic 3 to 5 page website, up to 20,000 and above for a high end Dynamic sight with tons of functionality. The average price for a website in my experience is around 1500 to 4000 for a well-designed website with basic functionality. The normal payment method for a bespoke developed website is three equal payments. With the balance due before the site goes live. What you get with a bespoke developed website.

Obviously the first comment to make here is flexibility. With a bespoke developed website the business gets full control over the design and page layout. You can make it work more closely with your existing branding.

You will be less restricted on number of pages, and menu layouts and navigation options within the site.

The end product will be guaranteed unique, and should represent your company perfectly.

The development time will invariably take much longer and will require much more input from the company

This type of development can be much more labour intensive and complex.

A new cutting edge development with large amounts of dynamic work can take months to complete.

In conclusion, it all depends on what the business's wish list versus budget and time scales. If you are a start-up company needing a brochure site to promote your products or services, or an established company needing to upgrade your current website, but are worried about the cost versus cash flow the Pay monthly website could prove the perfect option.

However if you need much more functionality from the site, or have very individual design ideas for the site then bespoke development will be the route to take but ensure you think hard about your budget and what you can really achieve with it. The growth of the visit here website in the market place is assured, and from my point of view that can only be a good thing. The need for all companies to be online with a website is paramount and if this product gives them an opportunity that would be otherwise shut to them, then that can only be a good thing.

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Step-By-Step Instructions For Concrete

Many times, the average person uses the terms "cement" and "concrete" interchangeably without realizing that there is a difference. Even when the handyman refers to "cement," there is often a question as to exactly what he means. Before going into the details on mixing and various projects, here is a definition of terms:

1. Portland cement is a manufactured product purchased in sacks that usually contain 1 cubic foot. 2. Cement is a mixture of Portland cement, sand and water. 3. Concrete is a mixture of Portland cement and sand with gravel added to give it strength and bulk, plus water. 4. Mortar is a mixture of Portland cement, sand and water with about 10% hydrated lime added. 5. Grout is a flowing mass of cement or concrete.

How Much of Each?

For most cement jobs - to set flagstones or patch a house foundation, you need 1 part of Portland cement to 2½'' parts of clean, fine sand.

For concrete jobs, the proportion varies depending upon the use to which the concrete is put.

For mortar mixes - for playing brick or concrete block or repointing brick - use 1 part mortar cement or 1 part Portland cement with 10% lime added to 2½^'' parts fine, clean sand plus water.

Basic Tools for Concrete Work

Here are several of the basic tools you need when doing cement or concrete work about the house:

1. General-purpose trowel - for placing cement or concrete when doing any concrete work. 2. Pointing trowel - for smaller repair and patching jobs and also finishing details, especially the joint between rows of brick. 3. Wood float - for finishing the surface, making it smooth but with a gritty texture. 4. Steel float - for finishing the surface, making it smooth, slick and hard. 5. Edger - for finishing sidewalks and large surfaces where rounded corners are desired. 6. Strike board - for striking off the excess of the concrete; it leaves the surface level. 7. Tamper - for removing air inclusions in thick sections of freshly poured concrete. 8. Broom - for finishing surface of concrete jobs with a rough, non-slip surface.

Making a Measuring Box

When doing any extensive mixing of your own cement or concrete, a measuring box is exceedingly helpful, especially when using large quantities. You can make this bottomless measuring box in just a few minutes and avoid counting the ingredients by the shovels-full.

Use ¾'' plywood or 1" thick lumber to make a box with four sides - a cubic foot - 12" high, 12" wide and 12" deep. Secure the sides with screws set about 2" apart. Two short lengths of 2x2 attached on the sides make it easy to move the measuring box about.

How to Mix

All the ingredients must be thoroughly mixed to do the job. If you have failed to mix the Portland cement with the other materials, you undoubtedly will encounter difficulty later; the job just won't turn out right. If you follow several basic rules, you will be able to handle cement and concrete like an expert.

1. Mix the cement or concrete near the place where it is to be used. 2. Mix the cement or concrete just before you are ready to use it. Once mixed, the cement or concrete begins to set. 3. You can mix cement or concrete in a wheelbarrow, on any concrete surface or on a sheet of ply-wood. However, once you have finished pouring the mix, wash the surface off completely so that no cement or concrete hardens and sticks. 4. It is best for the homeowner doing a job to mix about a half a bag of Portland cement with the needed amounts of sand and gravel (when making concrete). This is about the most convenient amount for a handyman to handle at one time. 5. Mix the Portland cement and sand thoroughly when dry. After these two are fully mixed you can add gravel when making concrete. 6. Only after the gravel is thoroughly blended in with the Portland cement and sand should you add the water. 7. Always measure the ingredients - don't just guess. As a guide, if you don't have a "measuring box," use a shovel to measure. Remember that 1 shovel of Portland cement is equal to 1 shovel of damp sand or 2 shovels of dry sand or 2 shovels of gravel. 8. Follow the formula necessary for the mix you are preparing. Cement and concrete used for different purposes contain different proportions of Portland cement, sand and gravel. 9. When mixing concrete, the size of the gravel you use depends upon the thickness of the concrete you are pouring. The gravel should be not less than one-fourth nor more than one-third the thickness of the concrete mass. For example, when pouring a 4" thick layer of concrete, use clean, hard gravel in sizes from ¼'' up to about 1" or 1½''.

READY-MIXED CONCRETE - Relatively new is the availability of already mixed concrete from local companies. The concrete is delivered in a special truck and is ready for pouring in place.

The handyman can also use another form of ready-mixed concrete; this is sold already mixed in bags. All he has to do is add the water. This ready-mixed concrete and cement is prepared at the factory. Here is all you have to do:

1. Empty the bag of ready-mixed cement, and mix it once more by hand while still dry. 2. Add water as specified on the bag. A good proportion is one gallon of water to 90 pounds of the concrete mixture. 3. Mix thoroughly using a hoe, shovel or trowel. 4. Use the mix immediately; in no case should wet mixture stand for more than 45 minutes.

Concrete Forms

Many home improvement projects you will undertake involve the making of a wooden form. These forms should be made of sound lumber, free of knots and decay. The lumber should be dressed or smoothed on at least one side because it is easier to remove and leaves a better finish. This is particularly important if the surface is to be painted afterwards.

If the cement of concrete will not be painted afterwards, you may use oil, shellac or varnish over the wood to make them easier to remove.

If the form is set in the ground, as for sidewalks, stake the outside of the form. But if the object you make is separate, as a stone for a walk, you can set the form on a sheet of tarpaper or roofing paper.

Always align the form to see that the tops are level. Also make certain that the concrete fills in all the form and that there are no "holes" in the mass.

The Curing Process

When a high degree of water-tightness, durability and strength is desired, the cement or concrete should be cured. Curing is a process that delays the evaporation of the water in the mix. It lengthens and intensifies the hardening process, which is simply a chemical reaction between the Portland cement and the water.

The curing process continues as long as water is present to hydrate the cement. If concrete is not moist-cured, the surface dries first, often just after finishing, and before hardening of the mass below. Thus floors, sidewalks and all surfaces subject to wear will last longer if they are moist-cured for several days. Moist-curing of all patch work is essential.

The curing process itself is very simple. The cement must be covered and kept moist. The covering material can be wet burlap, canvas or straw. It should be kept wet by periodic sprinkling for at least five days. The covering should be placed on as soon as it can be done without marring the surface.

Walls and vertical surfaces can be protected by leaving the forms in place temporarily or by hanging the covering over them. In some cases, the covering material can be dispensed with as long as the surface is kept wet by periodic sprinkling.

One of the best coverings for curing is sheet plastic, available in large sizes and in rolls. About three or four hours after the surface of the concrete has been smoothed, it will be hard enough to take the plastic covering without sticking. Tack the plastic to the wooden forms, where used, or tape it in place with masking tape. The plastic will prevent water evaporation so no periodic sprinkling is necessary.

Make a "Memory Walk"

A "Memory Walk" leading to your driveway or curving around your garden can be a source of constant enjoyment to the entire family.

Such a walk is not too difficult to make. After your first stones are laid, you have a continuing project to keep memorable family dates alive.

The first stones for the walk can contain all the important dates you now have. There should be one with the date of your wedding; another for the birthday of your first child; if the family is growing, have a stone imprinted with the birthday of each child. You might include the date you bought your first home as well as other dates that bring back memories.

The stones can be made from a reliable dry pre-mixed concrete that needs only the addition of water to make a good workable mix. Use the concrete mix instead of the mortar or sand mix. You want strength for the stones.

A simple form made from 2x2 lumber will start you off. You will need 10' to 12'. Notch near the ends so the form will fit together like a child's building logs. In making these forms, you don't have to be as precise as in cabinet work. In fact, you can be downright sloppy and come out all right. Be sure the tops are level, though, so your stones will be level. Make the forms with inside dimensions about two feet by two feet. This will give you square stones, but won't be too difficult to handle when you go to lay them. One 90-pound bag of the dry pre-mixed concrete will fill this form with the addition of about one gallon of water. This will give you four square feet of stone at a cost ranging between 40¢ and 45¢ per square foot, depending on the part of the country you live in.

An old piece of tarpaper can serve as the base when pouring the concrete. If you start during inclement weather or in the winter, you can pour the stones in your garage or basement. Let each stone cure about 24 hours, and you can make one each evening.

Mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow using a garden hoe to thoroughly work the water into the mix. Then use a shovel to fill the form. Use a strike board made from scrap lumber to level off the mix. Then float with a steel trowel to get a smooth finish. Use an edger to give a slight curve to the top of the stones.

After you have this smooth finish, mark the date with a stick or piece of pipe. Use something you can handle easily. You can use script or block printing. Do this soon after you have smoothed the surface and before the concrete has set up too much.

If you want to start a series showing how your children are growing up, have them make footprints in the concrete. Better use old shoes. You can easily scrape the mix off. Leave enough space beneath the footprints for you to mark the date. Then each year on their birthdays, make a new stone with date and footprints. Replace one stone in your walk with the new one.

After the stones are completed, lay them in a bed of sand. With a space of a couple of inches between each stone, there will be no danger of cracking due to frost. The stones will be about two inches thick, if your form lumber has been properly dressed. The spaces between the stones can be filled with sand. Your pathway, of course, should be the width of the stones - two feet - and the depth - two inches. You will need to dig the ground out to these dimensions if you want the walk level with your grass. Or, you might wish to simply lay the stones out in a walk pattern on top of the grass. By using sand as your laying base, you can keep the walk flexible for the addition of the new stones. Since the stones will be relatively loose, they may heave during the winter. But it's not much trouble to push them back into place.

The notched forms can be stored for use when you want to make a new stone.

Memories can fade easily. With a visit here "Memory Walk," you can have a constant and up-to-date reminder of the times that have meant the most in your life.

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The Variety of World Tour Packages

Picnics in small parks, amusement parks in the next town or a visit to the zoo: these were the previous ideas of people when asked about a good holiday. Now, International Holiday Destinations are the most coveted idea for a vacation among youngsters and old alike. The desire to see far off lands and see in reality something only imagined or portrayed on the television is an attraction for any human being. Add the discounted World Tour Packages to the desire to roam round the globe and you have a wonderful formula of a happy vacation. On a single trip, one gets to visit different countries and cities of different continents and cultures.

A stop at the breathtaking mountain scenes of Switzerland, followed by the sunny glory of Italy is a combination made very much possible by organizations like those that offer a huge range of choices in terms of World Tour Packages. The perfect idea of International Holiday Destinations may vary from person to person, the places ranging from the icy slopes of Switzerland to sunny coast and famous beaches of Australia, from the cold Canada to tropical climatic African countries. Arranging the destinations as per the choice of the traveler is the least of their problems. In fact, there are hardly any problems once these professional planners take over the responsibility of making a schedule ideally suitable for the traveler.

The companies offering World Tour Packages plan the trip in such a way that their customer, and the traveler, is able to enjoy the stay in any given place for at least a few days before being flown off or shipped away to the next destination. They could even go to the extent of arranging a skiing adventure or a desert or jungle safari, as appropriates the occasion. These organizations bring to life the vision of a person's perfect list of International Holiday Destinations, with the option of customizing the destinations (and sometimes even their sequence) as per one's desirability.

An exciting feature of these travels is that the International Holiday Destinations also provide a wonderful residential variety according to the country visited. On a trip to Africa, it would be uniquely spectacular to stay in a room made entirely of wood and leaves- a place as close to the natural surroundings as possible. Depending on the organization in question, the visit here Packages may also include these aspects as part of the normally provided facilities.

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Florida Driver License Requirements for Mopeds and Motorized Bicycles

In the practice of criminal defense in Florida, there are certain myths that an attorney routinely encounters in his or her dealings with clients and the general public. One common example concerns the requirement of a driver's license for the operation of so-called mopeds or motorized bicycles on Florida public highways. The myth is typically expressed as follows:

"Even if my driving privileges have been suspended or revoked, I can legally drive a moped or motorized bicycle on a public street or highway in Florida because neither is considered a "motor vehicle" for purposes of the Florida driver's license statute."

The following article discusses the Florida statutes and case decisions governing the operation of mopeds and motorized bicycles without a valid driver's license. Contrary to the beliefs of many, these types of vehicles almost always require a valid driver's license to be lawfully operated on a Florida public street or highway.

Background: The Requirement of a Driver's License for a "Motor Vehicle"

The statutory provisions governing driver's licenses in Florida are contained in Chapter 322. Under Section 322.03, "a person may not drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless such person has a valid driver's license..." Under 322.34, a person who drives a motor vehicle upon a highway while his or her driver's license has been canceled, suspended, or revoked, commits either a moving violation or a criminal traffic offense, depending on whether the person knew of their suspended or revoked status.

What is a "Motor Vehicle" for Purposes of Chapter 322, Florida Statutes?

The definition of "motor vehicle" for offenses committed under Chapter 322 is contained in Section 322.01(27), Florida Statutes. It provides as follows:

"[A]ny self-propelled vehicle, including a motor vehicle combination, not operated upon rails or guideway, excluding vehicles moved solely by human power, motorized wheelchairs, and motorized bicycles as defined in [Section] 316.003."

Although the statute refers to Section 316.003 as the definition of "motorized bicycle," in actuality Section 316.003 merely defines the term "bicycle" and contains within that definition a description of "motorized bicycle." However, Florida courts have universally interpreted this description as the operative definition of "motorized bicycle" for purposes of the licensing requirements of Chapter 322. Section 316.003(2) provides as follows:

"[E]very vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground... having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels."

Thus, unless the vehicle in question is propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor, and unless that vehicle travels at speeds not in excess of twenty miles per hour on level ground, the vehicle does not qualify as a "motorized bicycle." If the vehicle does not qualify as a motorized bicycle within the meaning of the statute, then it requires a valid Florida driver's license, even it resembles what would commonly be thought of as a motorized bicycle.

Florida Case Law: "Mopeds"

Florida courts have specifically addressed the requirement of driver's license in the context of a so-called "moped" operated on public highway. In State v. Meister, 849 So. 2d 1127 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), the defendant was charged under Section 322.34 for driving on a suspended license while operating a moped. The moped in question had a displacement of less than 50 cc, did not exceed two horsepower, and had pedals to permit propulsion by human power so as to supplement the gasoline engine. The defendant moved to dismiss the charges, arguing that the "moped" was not a motor vehicle for purposes of Section 316.003(21), Florida Statutes.

On appeal, the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal held that a moped was a "motor vehicle" for purposes of charges brought under Chapter 322. Using the definition of motor vehicle contained in Section 322.01(27), the court concluded that a moped was a self-propelled vehicle and was in no way excluded from the definition of motor vehicle for purposes of the Florida driver's license statute. Thus, regardless of how the term moped was defined for purposes of Chapter 316 (pertaining to traffic control), the operative definition for driver's license requirements was that contained in Section 322.01. The Court furthermore rejected the argument that the differing definition of "motor vehicle" in Chapter 316 rendered Section 322.34 unconstitutionally vague or ambiguous.

Like the Fourth District decision Meister, other Florida courts have rejected the argument that a gasoline moped is excluded from the definition of "Motor Vehicle" so as not to require a driver's license. See Wood v. State, 717 So. 2d 617 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998) (holding that a moped is a "motor vehicle" which requires a driver's license for operation under 322.34); Jones v. State, 721 So. 2d 320 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998) (holding that a valid driver's license is required for the operation of a "moped" under 322.34(2)).

Florida Case Law: Electric "Scooters"

Florida courts have further rejected the argument that an electric scooter is not a "motor vehicle" in the context of a charge brought under Section 322.34, Florida Statutes (driving on a suspended or revoked license). In Inman v. State, 916 So. 2d 59 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005), the defendant was cited for driving on a suspended or revoked driver's license while driving a seated, two-wheeled, battery powered electric scooter on a public street. The scooter did not have pedals and thus was powered exclusively by its electric motor. The defendant moved to dismiss the charge, arguing that a scooter with an electric motor was not a "motor vehicle" as defined in Chapter 322.

On appeal, the Second District Court of Appeal of Florida held that, because the defendant's vehicle did not operate by a combination of an electric motor and human pedaling, the vehicle fell outside of the definition of motorized bicycle as contained in Section 322.01(27). Thus, the defendant could be properly convicted of driving on a suspended or revoked license, even if his electric scooter had many of the key attributes of a motorized bicycle.

Florida Law in a Nutshell: Mopeds and "Motorized Bicycles"

Chapter 322, Florida Statutes, requires the operator of a "motor vehicle" on a highway of the state to have a valid license. As defined under that chapter, "Motor vehicle" is anything that is self-propelled, but does not include bicycles and qualifying "motorized bicycles." As defined in Section 316.003, "Motorized bicycle" means that the bicycle is not capable of self-propulsion, but is propelled instead by a combination of human power and an electric helper visit here at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground.

In interpreting this definition, Florida appellate courts across the State have taken the view that the law means exactly what it says. Thus, if it is a "moped" powered by gasoline, it requires a license. If the vehicle is powered exclusively by battery, it requires a license. If the propulsion for the vehicle does not derive from a combination human and electric power, then it requires a license. Only those vehicles falling within the narrow exception provided in Section 322.01(27)(referring to Section 316.003) are exempt from the requirement of a driver's license.

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Advantages of Packaging Services

You may be wondering that packaging goods and transporting them is not such a daunting task, why then should you rely on a packaging agency or outsourcing the service? If this is the kind of doubt that you still have, it's time to wake up and smell the coffee! Packaging is important and even marketers are accepting this fact. Accordingly, an increasing number of companies have shown the willingness to invest more in packaging. The uses of packaging are commercial as well as residential. After all, you have to rely on packaging services even when you are shifting homes, isn't it?

Now that you are well versed with the uses, let's talk about the advantages of using professional packaging services:

They know their job

What most of us don't realize is that packaging is not a generic option. It needs to be customized in accordance to the product or object being packed. Therefore, the job is best left to professionals. Since they know their task, they will be able to do the packaging in a better way. For example a glass statue may need more padding while being packed as compared to a metal box.

One stop shop

A professional packaging service provider agency is the one stop shop for several types of solutions with regards to packaging. Right from the type of goods needed to do the packaging to the types of packaging, you will get all that you need to pack under one roof. This surely saves a lot of trouble, doesn't it?

Security

Since professionals are doing the job, you can be rest assured that they will do it professionally. Your goods will be safe. The secure packaging will minimize the risk of damage for the goods as well. All in all, it becomes a complete value for money option.

Neat stacks

Have you ever wondered how shabby the set-up looks when you are randomly stashing goods? What kind of impression does it cast? Well, the answer to these questions might just surprise you. It looks really bad. Instead, the packaged version looks way more impressive. Yes! The goods being packed and placed looks neat as well as helps you save a lot of floor space.

So, the next time, you have doubts about the advantages of opting for professional visit here, think about the benefits that you can make along with security that you are getting, this will surely help you take an informed decision!

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Health Insurance Rate Increases And Grandfathered Health Plans - Should You Go Down With The Ship?

Everybody is getting large health insurance rate increases this year. The size of the increase is making many people look for alternative health insurance plans. One type of plan is being especially hard hit with double digit increases, and those are grandfathered health plans. We'll cover what's happening and what you can do to protect yourself from the rate increases that are taking place.

You may be thinking, "What's a grandfathered health insurance plan?" The answer is, if you have a health insurance plan that was in place on March 23rd of 2010, and you haven't made any changes to your plan, you're still in the same plan, then you have a grandfathered health insurance plan. If you've been in the same plan for 5, 10, 15 years, then you have a grandfathered health insurance plan.

Grandfathered plans have some special exemptions and characteristics, so we need to go over those in a little bit more detail. The easiest way to do that is to tell you a story about a recent client. That client's name is Barry.

Barry and his wife are 52, and they have two daughters; one 21, and one that's 16. Barry shared with me that their letter basically told them their new rate was going up almost 24% and they would be paying $1389 a month. They were in an Anthem PPO Share 5000 plan, and they'd been in that plan so long, he didn't even remember when they actually started it. The rates had increased progressively from one year to the next.

But this year, the rates were finally high enough that he said he didn't want to pay that much anymore, he wanted to find an alternative. So he called his agent, and then he called Anthem Blue Cross directly. In both cases, they told him to "just ride it out" and wait to see what happened in 2014, after the Affordable Care Act kicked in. That wasn't an answer Barry was willing to live with because he wanted a solution today.

So when Barry called he shared the above information and his fear that he would have to pay higher rates. When queried about the health characteristics of his family, he said they were all healthy, and that other than one or two colds, they did preventive care and that was pretty much it. Their current plan was very rich in benefits that they weren't making use of, based on what he'd described.

After running a set of quotes for the family, and scanning all of the different options, it became clear that one of the best options for them was the Health Net PPO Advantage 3500 plan. The reason is because it gave them two office visits for a simple copayment, and then all of the preventive care was free. That's not something that they had in their PPO Share plan. They actually have to pay for their preventive care as part of their deductible costs in that plan.

The monthly premium on that Health Net plan was only $480 a month, so they were saving a little over $900 per month, or $10,900 per year. Barry really liked that. But he said, "There's a big difference in benefits between these two plans. Can you show me a plan that's a little bit closer to the benefits we have in our grandfathered plan, but at a lower cost?"

So looking through the list again, the closest match was the Cigna Open Access 5000/100% plan. It has a $5000 deductible and has unlimited office visits, which is very similar to the plan they currently have. But the monthly premium is only $928 a month. They could still save almost $500 per month, and $5500 in savings over the course of a year. Now, I don't know about you, but saving $5500 to $10,900 is a pretty substantial amount of money for any family. Barry loved the heck out of that.

But he was still a little bit concerned. He said, "I like those plans, and I'm glad that there is an option that looks like it could save us a ton of money. But what am I giving up if I leave this grandfathered plan?" He needed to know what the advantages and disadvantage of a grandfathered plan are.

Advantages Of Grandfathered Health Plans

The advantage is that it's outside of the Affordable Care Act. It's not regulated, so it doesn't have to have all the essential health benefits, and it doesn't have to add all the extra benefits required by the Affordable Care Act. So hopefully, it's going to have a lower cost. But that's the only advantage of a grandfathered plan.

Disadvantages Of Grandfathered Health Plans

There are a number of disadvantages to grandfathered plans. First of all, they don't free preventive care. For a family that has people over 50, that can actually be pretty substantial when you start looking at colonoscopies once every few years or so.

Secondly, in all health insurance plans, when it initially starts and gets to its largest size, there's a pool of people that are inside of that plan. The premiums that the pool of people pay, covers all of the medical expenses for everyone in the plan. But over the years, as people leave that plan and move to lower cost plans or plans that better fit what they currently need, the number of people in the plan shrinks. This the typical lifecycle of a health insurance plan. At some point, the people that are left in the plan are either people that just never bothered to leave, or people that have health conditions that prevent them from being able to leave the plan. At that point in time, the rates for the plan start to climb much faster than the rates in other plans.

The last nail in the coffin for grandfathered plans is that because it is outside of the Affordable Care Act, come 2014 when the rates go up yet again, people on the grandfathered plans are not going to be able to qualify for subsidies. So they're going to get no financial assistance at all, they're going to have to pay for all their preventive care, and the rates on their grandfathered plan will increase again, so it probably isn't going to make a whole lot of sense to stay in the old plan.

At that point in time, Barry was pretty much ready to change plans. He understood why his plan was going up so much; he liked the fact that there was a solution for him; and he actually started to get kind of frustrated. He said, "My agent and the Anthem Blue Cross representative both told me I should ride this out. Why did they do that? That doesn't make any sense." Not wanting to say something bad about somebody else, I told him that if he had asked the same question a year ago, I would've said to let it ride. Just stay in there and wait for more information, because nobody knew what the Affordable Care Act plans were going to be, and nobody knew what the rates were going to look like on the new plans.

However, a lot has changed since January of last year. During the summer and fall, the Affordable Care Act "metal" plans were described. Not the specific benefits, but what they're going to look like in terms of benefit levels. The insurance companies, have given indications about what the pricing is going to look like for these new Affordable Care Act plans. What they're saying is that the average cost is probably going to be anywhere from $300 to $500 per person each month. So for a family like Barry's, it's anywhere from $1200 to $2000 per month. The cost of the Affordable Care Act plans and his current grandfathered plan are pretty much even right now, and his plan is going to go up even more next year.

Barry decided there's really no benefit to staying in his grandfathered plan, because he's not going to get any subsidy help, and he's not going to get free preventive care in the grandfathered plan.

The end of the story is that Barry's family was accepted, and they were going to take a dream vacation this year, using some of that $11,000 they're no longer paying to a health insurance company.

As you can see from this case study, it's really important that you stay on top of what's happening with the Affordable Care Act, because things are going to start moving very quickly this year. States and the feds are beginning to quickly build the exchanges, and the insurance companies are creating the new metal plans to go inside and outside the exchanges. Knowing what steps you should take to position yourself and your family to be able to make a smooth transition to the new Affordable Care Act visit here is important.

If you have a grandfathered health plan there are some exemptions that you have to consider, along with determining where your grandfathered plan is in its lifecycle, to determine if it makes sense to stay with the plan you currently have, or if making a change is a better option. There's no sense going down with the ship if you don't have to.