FAMILIES SHARING HOPE
  • Blog
  • Resource Links
  • Books
    • News to Make You Weep
  • Prayer Requests
  • Contact
  • Connecting with Community

financial notes

10/20/2015

0 Comments

 
Sometimes my financial planning background tugs at my heart and, since many of us would be happier with more money than days at the end of the month, please consider my concerns.

This morning I had a call from a friend that had received a bill from a government agency that was a bill for moneys she did not owe. It was no small amount, and she had mentioned she was struggling to meet this unexpected bill. This allowed me to encourage her to spend the energy to gather her documentation and to file an appeal, which this morning was upheld by the agency. They deal with over-billing incidents with such frequency that they were wholly unimpressed by a 5-digit savings for my friend. I'd like to mention my friend is smart, has run successful micro- businesses with hard work and savvy,  But this was outside of her wheelhouse and the appeal was a little complicated considering there was no ready resource to provide a check-list of what was needed to appeal. (Please don't spin your wheels just saying, "But I see how I can how this!" and do NOT ignore because after the appeal period runs out you can find yourself being required to pay a stack of money in penalties and interest on top of the amount you did not appeal!)

This can come from a state agency such as the one that recently wanted me to prove I had NOT lived in my new state of residence during the 5 years prior to moving back here 18 months ago. Fortunately this was easy to do, but it took time, a bit of knowledge and a strong belief that much of government is inefficient, in effect praying on those who are too ill, too frail, too ill-informed, too intimidated by officialdom to expend their limited resources.  For those who have honest family or friends to consult with, they have a fighting chance if they are not too embarrassed to ask for help. What might we do to help those whose who have little family or family that is too quick to take advantage of the situation, or those folks who have no one left because their capacity to keep living has outlasted those of their loved ones.

Bear these folks up in prayer today, and in our own families and circles of influence, encourage folks to seek help when they receive unexpected or higher than expected bills they do not fully understand or think they may have been billed in error in some way on their credit cards or bank statements. Even in the electronic age mistakes occur and electronic theft is far too common even it it does not reach the "identify theft" level. 

Be careful out there!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    CHECK IT OUT:
    BOOKS TAB 
    ​News Tab


    For information on meetings use the "contact" button above or call Jann @ 816-896-9815


    Author

    Jann's son was incarcerated.  She longed for a community where she could connect with others dealing with similar issues.

    Categories

    All

    Archives

    January 2023
    April 2022
    March 2022
    July 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.