1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,080 Speaker 1: Welcome to How the Money. I'm Joel and I and Matt, 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: and today we're discussing surprise COVID medical bills and stimulus progress. 3 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: And Joel, when you say stimulus progress, you mean lack 4 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: of progress, I mean or lack thereof. We're gonna talk 5 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 1: about that as well as a lot of different headlines 6 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 1: that caught our eye this week, things that pertain to 7 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 1: us in our money. But Joel, real quick I saw 8 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:43,159 Speaker 1: that Walmart and Target they both announced that they for 9 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 1: this fall, they're they're still gonna be open on Black Friday, 10 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 1: but they're not going to be open on Thanksgiving Day, 11 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: which honestly, I actually thought was already the case. But 12 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: that's news, man. What are your thoughts on that? I say, 13 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 1: it's on American shop until you drop three or six 14 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 1: five days a year seven. No, I'm I'm totally in 15 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:03,279 Speaker 1: favor of stores and not being open on Thanksgiving, Like, 16 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: I mean, you don't need an excuse of of a pandemic, 17 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: you know, to not be open on a like a 18 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 1: massive federal holiday like Thanksgiving that's supposed to be about 19 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:15,759 Speaker 1: you know, family, family together and it's all that stuff. 20 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: And I hope you know, even on Thanksgiving, the families 21 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: are able to get together. I'm sure some families are 22 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: gonna find that more difficult this year because travel is 23 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 1: gonna be more difficult, because getting together with older relatives 24 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: is going to be more difficult. But yeah, I think 25 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: staying out of stores on Thanksgiving Day is always a 26 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:33,039 Speaker 1: good idea, And so I'm glad that Walmart and Target 27 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: are kind of going in this direction to limit the 28 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: in store shopping. I'm sure they're still gonna have like 29 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: massive online sails when people are going to be in 30 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: front of their computer after the Turkey dinner on their 31 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:44,759 Speaker 1: phone sitting there shopping. Yeah, but I'm glady're at least 32 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 1: taking this measure and closing the stores on Thanksgiving. Yeah, 33 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: we can always look to Target in Walmart to to 34 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: lead the charge when it comes to social change in America. Right, Yes, 35 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: they're a beacon of hope. But honestly too, it's really 36 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 1: good for everybody that works there. Think about all the 37 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:00,120 Speaker 1: associates who are like, I'm gonna go in there and 38 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: you know, deal with a munch of grumpy people a 39 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 1: m the next day on Black Friday, which I know 40 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: you've done before, by the way, Like you are a 41 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: previous Black Friday shopper. That was like fourteen years ago. 42 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,680 Speaker 1: I can proudly say I've never been in a store 43 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:16,080 Speaker 1: on Black Friday to take advantage of those deals, you know, 44 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 1: waiting in line. Never done it. So, yeah, that was 45 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:21,959 Speaker 1: fourteen years ago. I bought a TV and I basically 46 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 1: had it until just this past year. But yeah, at 47 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:25,920 Speaker 1: this point in my life, definitely wouldn't do that again, 48 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 1: that's for sure. All Right, Now, let's get onto our 49 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 1: Friday flight a quick sampling of stories that we found 50 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,640 Speaker 1: interesting this week. We are going to talk about what's 51 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 1: going on with the stimulus package and uh lack of 52 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: progress happening there. But first man experience BOOST. We've talked 53 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 1: about that on the show before, and basically BOOST works 54 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 1: like this, the records your on time payments that you 55 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 1: make with your bank account to third party companies like 56 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 1: utility companies and your cell phone service. Traditionally, your credit 57 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,880 Speaker 1: score is only really a reflection of payments that you've 58 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,760 Speaker 1: made to financial institutions, like paying off your credit card 59 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 1: or paying on a helock to a credit union, or 60 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: your mortgage, your student loans, all those kind of things. 61 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: But typically you're monthly bills, those just aren't reflected in 62 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 1: your credit score, and experience boost is something that's basically 63 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: trying to help people increase their score based on other 64 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 1: on time payments that they're making. Yeah, and so now 65 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: they're not only allowing you to enter in information paid 66 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 1: to utility companies in your cell phone service provider, but 67 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 1: now you can add Netflix. You can add on time 68 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 1: Netflix payments in order to boost your score. With so 69 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,519 Speaker 1: many people staying at home these days, I think Netflix, 70 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:26,959 Speaker 1: they're one of those companies that is doing really well 71 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:29,080 Speaker 1: these days. Joel, you even mentioned a couple of weeks ago, 72 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:30,799 Speaker 1: you guys kind of jumped back on the Netflix train. 73 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:32,679 Speaker 1: What are you watch them? By the way, have you 74 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:35,400 Speaker 1: checked out Dark? No? I haven't seen Dark is against 75 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: getting rave reviews. Yeah, evidently they just wrapped up their 76 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 1: third and final season and people are talking all about it. 77 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: So all right, I'll put that on my line. I 78 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: want you to check it out and then let me 79 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: know if I should watch. I'm kind of born of 80 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 1: the documentaries. Maybe I'm boring in that way, but now 81 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: that the air in her Name Learning, I know they're 82 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: in her Nandez documentary. Fascinating. Yeah, fascinating. So but yeah, 83 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: experience boost can raise your score ten, twelve, fifteen points 84 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,839 Speaker 1: and now you can include your Netflix bill, which is huge, Matt. 85 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: It's also discussed disinfect and shortages. I think we've all 86 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 1: experienced this. Right toilet paper. It's back on shelves in 87 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: most places, but it's still hard to find disinfectant wipes. 88 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: And that's because it's been hard to ramp up production 89 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: quickly for the companies that make these wipes right there, 90 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 1: they're having snags in their supply chains. In particular, polyester 91 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: that's used for wipes is the same stuff that's needed 92 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 1: for ppe and demand is also up four d for 93 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 1: these products. So if you know you're gonna need some 94 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: wipes soon, start hunting now because it might be a 95 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 1: while before you find some in the future. Yeah, you know, 96 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:36,159 Speaker 1: we're not necessarily encouraging folks to to prep unnecessarily, you know, 97 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:37,799 Speaker 1: like you don't need to go out and just buy 98 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:41,279 Speaker 1: all the disinfecting wipes that you can possibly buy. That's 99 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:44,039 Speaker 1: called hoarding, and we're not gonna encourage that. But you know, 100 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: if that's what's led to some of the shortages in 101 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:48,279 Speaker 1: the first place, exactly, and and so We're not encouraging that, 102 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 1: but if you do know that you have a need 103 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 1: for these, this is just a little reminder that it's 104 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:54,279 Speaker 1: in short supply. One thing hoarding is okay for craft 105 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 1: beer sr No judgment there's ever a craft beer shortage 106 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 1: that will come knocking on your door man. We also 107 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: saw that sales tax holidays are happening soon for for 108 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:05,599 Speaker 1: some states, about sixteen of them is what we saw. 109 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:08,840 Speaker 1: You can say between four and nine percent during these 110 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 1: tax free days, depending on the tax rate where you live. 111 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:14,039 Speaker 1: Here in Georgia, the sales tax is actually pretty high, 112 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 1: so this would be pretty meaningful to our savings when 113 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:18,919 Speaker 1: it comes to what we're spending our money on. But 114 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 1: our state unfortunately doesn't participate. Yeah, we haven't seen a 115 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 1: tax holiday here in Georgia since I looked it up. 116 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 1: That's lane I remember having them, but yeah, no longer, 117 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:32,119 Speaker 1: it's been too long. Yeah, many of the state tax 118 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: holidays start this weekend, so while others happened the following weekend, 119 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 1: and still others happen at other random times during the year. 120 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,279 Speaker 1: We'll post a link in the show notes though, so 121 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 1: you can see if or when your state is having 122 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:46,039 Speaker 1: a tax holiday, and and also what the specific items 123 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: are exempt from taxation, and then kind of the overall 124 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,839 Speaker 1: dollar amount that you are allowed to spend without having 125 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:53,840 Speaker 1: to pay tax on it. So yeah, I saw it 126 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: like one state air conditioning units one weekend out of 127 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:58,599 Speaker 1: the year, they you don't pay tax on them. Well, 128 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:00,800 Speaker 1: that's when you buy a c units right up to 129 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 1: like six thou dollars. Think about the amount of tax 130 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 1: savings by buying your air conditioner that specific weekend. So yeah, 131 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 1: planning your purchases accordingly to when you don't have to 132 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: pay tax on them is an awesome way to go. Yeah, 133 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:14,479 Speaker 1: it's good to cross check that list as well, because 134 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 1: some states are not including computers, and so some of 135 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: that back to school shopping that a lot of families 136 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: are expected to spend, unfortunately may not qualify. Joel on 137 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,039 Speaker 1: the working from home front, Google, Uh, we just saw 138 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: that they announced that their employees are going to be 139 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 1: able to work from home until July. Man, this is significant, 140 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,160 Speaker 1: you know, because I feel that other digital tech companies 141 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,039 Speaker 1: they're going to follow the lead of of some of 142 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 1: the bigger players, and you know, with Google's decision impacting 143 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: around two hundred thousand workers, that could have an effect 144 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 1: on what your employer does. Yeah, earlier, Matt, you mentioned 145 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: kind of Walmart and how maybe sometimes their decisions guide 146 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 1: what other retailers choose to do. Well, it's probably even 147 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 1: more true of Google and kind of their decisions on 148 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 1: work from home. How other companies are gonna follow suit? 149 00:06:57,920 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: Who do you think has more sway, Google or Walmart? 150 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 1: It's tough to say, man, it is both mega corporations, 151 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: although Walmart wasn't the one who was under federal investigation, 152 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: under the federal spotlight for squashing the competition. That true, 153 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: That's a good point. Yeah, alright, maw Let's talk about 154 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: more stimulus now. And the question on lots of people's 155 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 1: minds is are we going to get a new stimulus 156 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 1: package anytime soon? Well, the answer to that is what 157 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 1: do you mean by soon, because it all depends on 158 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 1: your definition of when exactly soon as in tomorrow, now, 159 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 1: as soon as in the next month, probably right. Increased 160 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 1: federal unemployment assistance ran out this past weekend, and we 161 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 1: just found out that the economy contracted at a record 162 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: rate last quarter. Congress is now finally at least working 163 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:41,160 Speaker 1: to implement another bill to help Americans as COVID pain 164 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: has continued to drag on so much longer than we 165 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 1: initially anticipated, and especially in our country, Matt that, of course, 166 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 1: the response has just been pretty pathetic. But the parties 167 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: still seem to be so far apart on what they'd 168 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 1: like to see in this latest bill that the Senate 169 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: Republicans proposed on Monday, right at difference of about two 170 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 1: trillion dollars in spending is where they're at. One party 171 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 1: wants to spend one trillion, the other party wants to 172 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 1: spend three plus trillion. It's gonna be interesting to see 173 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: how long it takes to hammer out the details. You 174 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: gotta love politics, man. What happens in d C just 175 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: doesn't seem to have nearly as much consideration for what's 176 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 1: happening in the rest of the country as people are 177 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:17,200 Speaker 1: actually hurting out there. Yeah, so it's not worth maybe 178 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 1: getting into too much detail about the specifics of you know, 179 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: what's likely to be the Heels Act, because negotiations could 180 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: take two to three weeks. Still, I love the acronyms 181 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 1: they they go up with the Cares Act, the Heels Act. 182 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: It's beautiful and it actually kind of fits if you 183 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 1: if he's read what all the letters sand for. It's 184 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: it seems appropriate, so I don't blame them for that. 185 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 1: But when we do have a final compromise, I think 186 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:40,679 Speaker 1: we will likely see federal unemployment benefits continue, but not 187 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: at the current six weekly amounts. Were also likely to 188 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: see more direct stimulus payments to individual households, which is 189 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 1: nice likely along the same parameters that the Cares Act 190 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: had outlined. I believe too, that will see more PPP 191 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 1: like funding for small businesses because that first round wasn't 192 00:08:57,200 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: quite enough to keep many of them afloat. A lot 193 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:02,320 Speaker 1: of businesses were approved, but they weren't necessarily approved at 194 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,320 Speaker 1: the amounts that they know that they need in order 195 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 1: to continue operations. Yeah. Well, I mean Congress basically gave 196 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 1: them amounts based on an eight week shutdown period, and 197 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,319 Speaker 1: the shutdowns have lasted a lot longer for a lot 198 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: of businesses. So if the shutdowns are going to continue, 199 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 1: I think businesses are gonna need more federal funds. By 200 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 1: the way, there is still PPP money available from the 201 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: Cares Act that businesses can apply for right now. Four 202 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:27,080 Speaker 1: businesses who have not applied yet exactly there's still money left. 203 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 1: And you can apply. Access to that money ends on 204 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:32,960 Speaker 1: August eight, though, that's when that money runs out, So again, 205 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 1: there might be another package past that has more money 206 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: for small businesses, but there's still money left over now. 207 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 1: And Matt, you and I would suggest a website like 208 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 1: cabbage dot com k A B B A g E. 209 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:45,719 Speaker 1: That's a great place to go to apply for a 210 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 1: p P P loan. Right now, either have to go 211 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 1: to a bank or you have to go through one 212 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 1: of the very very few places online where you can apply. 213 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 1: And I know PayPal was offering the p P P loans, 214 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 1: but now you can't get them through PayPal anymore, so 215 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:59,360 Speaker 1: Cabbage is really one of the only places I know 216 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 1: of online you can turn. Also, please don't buy a 217 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 1: Lamborghini with the PPPING money. You get some dirt backdown 218 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 1: in Florida did that and do that thing? I don't know. 219 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:09,679 Speaker 1: Maybe we'll post that article in the show notes, but 220 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 1: that's just ridiculous. I mean, I can't believe the guy 221 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: took the money from the government and then bought a 222 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:17,959 Speaker 1: bunch of crap for himself with it. That's just almost 223 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 1: impossible to fathom. And it's going to point out too 224 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 1: that not only is that it's not going to be 225 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 1: forgiven well you know where it'll be turned into a grant. 226 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: But that's also illegal. You know, there's there's a lot 227 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 1: of businesses where individuals have come in and falsified the 228 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:32,719 Speaker 1: numbers related to that business in order to get a 229 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:35,240 Speaker 1: higher amount from the governments. And so the federal government 230 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 1: and they have their hands full in order to make 231 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:39,360 Speaker 1: sure there aren't folks that are just looking to take 232 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,560 Speaker 1: advantage of these, uh these programs. Yeah, for sure, And Matt, 233 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 1: we will continue to do updates on the next stimulus 234 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:48,960 Speaker 1: package and when things get more concrete, will relay that 235 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 1: information to you, in particular how it's gonna impact your 236 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: business and your personal finances. But we've got more stuff 237 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 1: to get to, including banks slashing credit limits and also 238 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 1: the surprise medical bills that people are receiving when they 239 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: get tested for COVID. We'll get to that right after 240 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 1: this break. ChIL, we're back to the break in we're 241 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:15,200 Speaker 1: discussing our Friday flight. That's where we cover a bunch 242 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: of stories that we found interesting this week. But real 243 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 1: quick too. It's summertime, man, and I know you've shared 244 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 1: recently how you don't need watermelon, which is like a 245 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:27,599 Speaker 1: summer you know, American treats. But you guys have a 246 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: lot of figs over at your house. Maybe you even 247 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: have too many of them. I know some of those 248 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,079 Speaker 1: made their way back over to our house. We have 249 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 1: a lot of figs. Yeah, my seven year old Chie's 250 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: super into him picking them like every morning, all the 251 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 1: ripe ones. And she'll eat half of them man in 252 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:41,320 Speaker 1: in like one sitting. It's pretty crazy, like on the 253 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: spot and pretty much. Yeah, so yeah, we do have 254 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 1: a lot of figs. We get this big fig tree 255 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: in our front yard, um and it is. Yeah, those 256 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:49,560 Speaker 1: are nice for a little summer treat for sure. Yeah. 257 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:51,600 Speaker 1: I think we're planning to take some of those and 258 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 1: make a little tart out of it. So there we do. 259 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 1: I'll have to try to share some of that with 260 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 1: you all. Yeah, we made like some some jam basically 261 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: fig jam, and uh yeah it's great. I mean this 262 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:02,640 Speaker 1: is this has been like the year the homestead. You know, 263 00:12:02,679 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: we talked about the little nature preserve in our neighborhood 264 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: and y'all picked a bunch of blackberries made BlackBerry pie. 265 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 1: We we picked them and kind of made like a 266 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:11,360 Speaker 1: like a jam out of it. So I feel like 267 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: we're all getting our fingers a little more dirty, kind 268 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: of you know, reconnecting with Earth a little bit. Yeah, 269 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,199 Speaker 1: I'm feeling a little little house on the prairie these days, exactly. 270 00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 1: But let's go ahead, let's talk about COVID nineteen testing. 271 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 1: Consumer reports. Uh, they are hearing that quote unquote free 272 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 1: COVID testing is resulting in some surprise medical bills. You know. 273 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: I guess we shouldn't be too surprised that in our 274 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:36,120 Speaker 1: massively confusing healthcare system that people are are getting random 275 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: bills for COVID tests that are legally required to be 276 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,720 Speaker 1: free based on two congressional aid packages passed back in March. 277 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: Some people received bills from urgent care centers, you know, 278 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:48,839 Speaker 1: freestanding test sites, or even hospitals that range from a 279 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 1: hundred bucks to three thousand dollars for for COVID nineteen testing. Man, 280 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 1: that's just crazy, Yeah, it really is. It's a bummer 281 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:56,720 Speaker 1: to to see those stories. And I'm sure people are 282 00:12:56,760 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 1: shocked when they receive a bill in the mail, especially 283 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 1: if they bread the headlines and they know that COVID 284 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:03,839 Speaker 1: nineteen testing is not supposed to cost them a dollar. 285 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 1: So it's important to know that if you did receive 286 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: a bill after getting tested, you don't owe any money. 287 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 1: If you're insured, check to see if your insurance company 288 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 1: has paid the bill. If not, get on the phone 289 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 1: and make sure they cover those costs. You might have 290 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 1: to even submit an appeal. Will link to a great 291 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 1: guide from Patient Advocate dot org that will make that 292 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 1: easy for you. And if you are uninsured, let the 293 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 1: testing center know that you're not supposed to have an 294 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 1: outstanding bill from that COVID test due to the Cares Act. 295 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,200 Speaker 1: Right in these cases, healthcare providers are supposed to submit 296 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:35,680 Speaker 1: the bills to the provider Relief fund that those stimulus 297 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 1: bills created. We want to make sure if you've got 298 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 1: that bill, shock, you've got that surprising bill in the mail, 299 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:43,600 Speaker 1: that you're not paying it unnecessarily. Yeah, that was the 300 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 1: exact reason, man, Why why these funds, why these aid 301 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:49,080 Speaker 1: packages were passed back in the spring. But you know, 302 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,840 Speaker 1: there are a few instances where you would be responsible 303 00:13:51,880 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: for a bill. For example, it's important to note that 304 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 1: being tested for COVID that is covered, but not the treatment. 305 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: So if you were in the hospital receiving treatment for COVID, 306 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 1: you will receive the bill for that care. On a 307 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 1: similar note, if you have COVID like symptoms and you 308 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,480 Speaker 1: went in to get evaluated for COVID, but maybe first 309 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: you're tested for something else like pneumonia, you're going to 310 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: be on the hook for that test and for treatment 311 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 1: received from that as well. You know, those eight packages 312 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:19,400 Speaker 1: aren't a free pass on all medical spending, yeah, for sure. 313 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 1: So one of the ways you can completely avoid all 314 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:24,360 Speaker 1: this headache is to go to a pharmacy or a 315 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 1: retailer that has directly partnered with states or the Department 316 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: of Health and Human Services. In these cases, no cost 317 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: testing is being provided for free by folks like CBS 318 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: and by Walmart. Will include a link in our show 319 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:38,760 Speaker 1: notes to the Health and Human Services site where you 320 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 1: can see if you qualify and are eligible for those 321 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 1: no cost tests, and then you can avoid the bills, 322 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:46,760 Speaker 1: the reimbursements, the phone calls about the surprise medical bill, 323 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 1: you know, altogether. Of course, Walmart had to come back 324 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 1: up in our conversation. I think we have like a 325 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 1: love hate relationship with them, right. You know, I don't 326 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 1: hate Walmart, that's for sure. I don't shop that very 327 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 1: often because I don't find it to be a wonderful 328 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 1: experience when I do. But but yeah, I don't really 329 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 1: have anything against Walmart, but I know some people do. Well. 330 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: Let's go ahead, shift gears. Let's talk about credit cards. 331 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: You know, we've talked about banks increasing lending standards and 332 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: slashing credit limits on previous Friday episodes. But it's important 333 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 1: to note now that these things are happening even more 334 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 1: frequently as banks that they're looking to protect their own 335 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 1: bottom line by curbing the risk. A recent survey reported 336 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 1: that of Americans have had a credit card account closed involuntarily, 337 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: and one and three have had their credit limit reduced. 338 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 1: This has caused some to unintentionally max out the credit cards, 339 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 1: you know, which puts an even bigger stray in a 340 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: their finances In an already tough time, there's lots of 341 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: individuals need access to a credit line in order to 342 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:42,040 Speaker 1: pay their bills. Right now, this is going to hurt 343 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 1: the credit scores of millions of Americans. And we know 344 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 1: that a dinged credit score has all these other impacts, 345 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 1: right these cascading impacts. Um it could affect the amount 346 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: you pay for insurance. I mean, there's so many things, 347 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: so it's important to do a couple of things right now. One, 348 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:57,720 Speaker 1: use all of your credit cards consistently. Matt and I 349 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 1: would say that you should use your credit cards once 350 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: per billing cycle, or maybe twice a month, even if 351 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 1: you want to play it safe, so your bank doesn't 352 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:08,000 Speaker 1: cancel your card due to inactivity. If they cancel that card, obviously, 353 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 1: then you won't be able to use that credit card 354 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: and you're missing out on access to those funds if 355 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 1: you need them. But at the same time, it could 356 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,480 Speaker 1: massively hurt your score to pay that credit card bill 357 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 1: on time and in full every month. This is always 358 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:21,720 Speaker 1: our advice, right We always want people to avoid paying 359 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 1: interest and fees to the credit card companies by paying 360 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 1: those bills in full. But it's even more important right now, 361 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: so the banks don't think that you're a credit risk 362 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: and then think that maybe I should be shutting down 363 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: that credit line of credit because that person is a 364 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 1: threat to not pay. And then three, watch your utilization. 365 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 1: Don't charge more than of your credit limit in any month. 366 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:44,040 Speaker 1: So if you have a five thousand dollar limit, don't 367 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 1: charge more than bucks a month. And then, lastly, if 368 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: this has already happened to you reach out to your 369 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 1: bank to ask that your credit limit be increased back 370 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 1: to where it was. It might not work, but it's 371 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: important to try. Yeah, and you, like you mentioned, these 372 00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:58,320 Speaker 1: are things that are good to do no matter what. 373 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 1: But in particular now as the banks, as the credit 374 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: card companies are changing the rules a little bit, you know, 375 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: it's important for us to stay on top of our 376 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,399 Speaker 1: credit cards, make sure that we're not over utilizing our 377 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 1: credit because we're aligned to get cut, you know, or 378 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 1: a credit limit to be reduced that would immediately increase 379 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 1: our utilization rate, which would then affect our credit score. Man, 380 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 1: have you actually seen any of your your your limits decreased? 381 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:23,359 Speaker 1: I haven't. I haven't. I think part of that is 382 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:26,919 Speaker 1: because I'm kind of hyper aware of playing by the 383 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:29,320 Speaker 1: rules that the bank's set up, and you know, some 384 00:17:29,359 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: of those rules are a little arbitrary. But the more 385 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 1: you can play by those rules, you're way less likely 386 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:38,240 Speaker 1: to have a credit card closed or a limit decreased, which, yeah, 387 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 1: has just all these other impacts that are negative for 388 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 1: for people, especially right now. Yeah, man, it makes sense 389 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 1: that if you are keeping a clean house, that you know, 390 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 1: the credit card companies are probably gonna leave you alone. 391 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 1: They're not gonna cut your your limits. And you know what, 392 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:51,879 Speaker 1: if you've had a pretty decent score, there's actually a 393 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:54,400 Speaker 1: good chance to that you could actually maybe even increase 394 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 1: your credit limit. So actually I got I logged on 395 00:17:57,119 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: right before we hit record, and I was kind of 396 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 1: wanting to test this out. My off I'll log into 397 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: one of my credit cards, and with a lot of 398 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:05,160 Speaker 1: the different companies, you can request a credit limit increase online. 399 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 1: And so one of my cards, man, I had a limit, 400 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:10,919 Speaker 1: and I requested a two thousand dollar limit increase, and 401 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:13,360 Speaker 1: I got it like immediately, like just on the spot, 402 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,359 Speaker 1: and they're like, you will be able to utilize this 403 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: increased limit within fifteen minutes. I was like, that's way 404 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 1: too easy. I think I thought you were going to 405 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:22,680 Speaker 1: say your Titanium card, you went from a five dollar 406 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 1: limit to like a seven fifty bump that up to 407 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 1: one mill please now. But I was surprised at how 408 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:30,400 Speaker 1: easy it was. It doesn't even necessarily require a call 409 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:32,359 Speaker 1: into the credit card companies maybe like it used to. 410 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:34,040 Speaker 1: It can be pretty simple. So if you're in the 411 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 1: boat where you might need a credit limit increase, that's 412 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 1: something to remember, or if you can just help your 413 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 1: credit score, because a credit limit increase can't hurt you 414 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:44,000 Speaker 1: except in the case that you would actually spend up 415 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 1: to that limit, right, That's exactly that's when it's a 416 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:47,879 Speaker 1: bad idea. So all right, Matt, that's gonna do it. 417 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 1: For this episode, we covered some good stuff today for 418 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:53,199 Speaker 1: everybody out there listening. We will have some some helpful 419 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 1: links on our show notes up on our website at 420 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:58,199 Speaker 1: how to Money dot com. And maybe you're listening to 421 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:00,439 Speaker 1: How the Money for the very first time, maybe you 422 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:02,400 Speaker 1: just kind of stumbled upon it, and if you are, 423 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 1: we would ask for you to go ahead and hit 424 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 1: subscribe so that you don't miss future episodes. And if 425 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: you are already a subscriber and you haven't left us 426 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 1: a review yet, we would love for you to leave 427 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:13,360 Speaker 1: us a review. You know what, don't even worry about 428 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:15,280 Speaker 1: it over at Apple Podcast. Just do it wherever it 429 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: is that you listen to your podcast. All right, we'll 430 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 1: be back with another episode on Monday. Everybody, have a 431 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: great weekend, Matt. Until next time, Best Friends Out, Best 432 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 1: Friends Out,