Month: December 2022

Dec. 6, 2022 – Rosalina Finelli from Deerfield Beach, FL, lost 216 pounds after weight loss surgery in November 2019. While she wanted to celebrate her achievement, the procedure left her with excess skin on her arms, back, chest, belly, and upper thighs. Finelli says she constantly felt pressure from the hanging skin on her back, stomach, and knees. “From the pain I felt from the weight pulling on my nerves to looking at myself in the mirror, wanting to celebrate the weight loss, but not loving what I saw, it was a daily struggle,” she says.  The nearly 2 ... Read more

By Cara Murez  HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Dec. 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Pharmacists can now prescribe hormonal contraceptives in 20 U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C., giving women easier access to birth control, a new report says. Another 10 states have legislation in the works, according to research presented Monday at a meeting of the American Society for Health-System Pharmacists, in Las Vegas. Having easy access to birth control has been a hot topic since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion ruling.  “Pharmacists are an underutilized and essential resource for so many Americans, especially ... Read more

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed the £10 Christmas Bonus given to those who get the state pension or claim another qualifying DWP benefit will be paid from Monday, December 5. The Christmas one-off tax-free payment is made to help people with the added costs of the festive period. The DWP confirmed yesterday the payment would be made in the first full week of December. It won’t be made on just one specific day, but throughout the week so people should continue to check their accounts. In a statement, the Department said: “It will be paid in the ... Read more

Putting aside money for later down the line in a cost of living crisis may seem counterintuitive, but could end up having substantial benefits. Many people are unsure when to start saving, but analysis has shown the earlier a person begins, the better. According to Investing Reviews, if a person starts contributing to their pension at the age of 21, they could quickly build up their pot over time. Assuming a five percent rate and starting at 21, a person would only need to put in £53 per month to come out with a £100,000 pot at the age of ... Read more

This type of fraud is being disguised as job adverts online offering an easy way to make quick money – where you keep a “commission” after sending the funds elsewhere. However, more than three-quarters (78 percent) of respondents have no idea what a money mule is, with a quarter thinking it is someone who tops up cash machines with money. And 59 percent were not aware this type of activity could be illegal – as another 15 percent believe money laundering either involves putting money through the washing machine, or hanging it out to dry. Figures from fraud body Cifas ... Read more

NHS doctors in specific regions of the UK are taking part in a new service called the Warm Home Prescription. It is being piloted by Energy Systems Catapult and is designed to assist vulnerable people on low incomes with existing cost-sensitive health conditions. Free prescriptions are already available to particular groups of people but this latest scheme looks set to tackle the ongoing energy bills also. What is the Warm Home Prescription? The idea behind this particular initiative is to help those with health conditions affected by cold weather to stay warm over winter. According to Energy Systems Catapult, offering ... Read more

The viewer said they were keeping around £71,000 in a two-year fixed ISA, which ends in 2024, offering 1.18 percent interest. The penalty to switch accounts would cost 180 days’ worth of interest, equivalent to around £414.95. Mr Lewis said: “If what you’re saying is, ‘I have a fixed rate cash ISA that ends in over a year and I’ll lose £400 interest if I leave, would I earn more interest if I paid that penalty and went elsewhere?’. “Well, the basic answer is yes. You’re earning just over one percent at the moment and you have £71,000. So let’s ... Read more

As part of his Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed that the majority of benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) would receive a payment rate hike. Among the affected payments is Attendance Allowance, which is a benefit that those of state pension age who have a long-term health condition or illness may be eligible to claim. The payment goes towards the additional costs that arise from having said condition with the amount claimants get to increase in April 2023. How much is Attendance Allowance now? What someone gets from the benefit payment is dependent on the ... Read more

Premium Bonds are a saving product administered by NS&I, where, unlike other accounts, interest is not acquired in a traditional way. Savers are instead automatically enrolled into a jackpot lottery, which could see them win up to £1million. Despite this enticing opportunity, some experts believe there is a chance savers will not get “any return” on the money they invest. Gary Hemming, the commercial lending director at ABC Finance, addressed his concern over whether Premium Bonds is a worthwhile investment product or not. Mr Hemming explained: “Premium Bonds are a safe way to invest, but you run a big risk ... Read more

As a surprise to many, pensions remained unscathed from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement in November. A host of revenue-generating tax increases were announced, both on income and wealth, but the state pension triple lock was retained, and there were no amendments to pensions tax relief. However, this doesn’t mean they’re entirely “safe” next year, one expert warns – especially as more people invest in them to take advantage of tax relief. Gary Smith, financial planning director at Evelyn Partners said: “The Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) next outlook for the public finances will be key in determining whether pensions remain ... Read more