Six ways to save travel money

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or looking to become one, getting the best deal is almost as good as seeing far-off places. Here are some ways to save money.

1. Think about traveling off-season or just before or after peak for the best rates.
2. Plan ahead but remain flexible. If you can go at the last minute, you can net big savings as tours, cruises and airlines try to fill seats.
3. Ask for a better price. Hotels, resorts and car rentals always quote the highest price first. It never hurts to ask.
4. E-fares. Compare the online companies to get the best deal over the internet.
5. Use a travel agent. They want your repeat business and work with you to get a great vacation at competitive rates.
6. Buy trip insurance. No matter how well you've planned it, things can come up. Some cover medical care and evacuation as well as lost and stolen luggage. Don't get it at the airport vending machine.

Family will impact LTCi Decisions

Family is the most significant driver of long-term care insurance (LTCi) purchases, according to a new Mutual of Omaha survey.

Of those surveyed, 41 percent said their primary reason for purchasing LTCi was to not be a burden on their family. Sixty-five percent discussed long-term care with their family and 53 percent had a family member involved in their decision to purchase LTCi.

"Clients often bring their family members into the decision-making process because the decision to purchase -- or not to purchase -- long-term care insurance really does affect the entire family," said James Blackledge, senior vice president and product line officer at Mutual of Omaha. "Many of today's retirees have had the experience of caring for a parent or have dealt with the reality of placing a parent in a nursing home. They don't want their children to face those same burdens. Also, consumers are becoming more and more aware of Medicare's limitations and the need to protect their assets. When it comes to financial matters, the family has a vested interest."

While the long-term care experiences of their own family members is thought provoking, many consumers are still doubtful that they will need nursing home or home health care services themselves.

While 78 percent of those surveyed had a family member that needed nursing home or home health care service, 39 percent felt that the biggest risk associated with their purchase was that they might never use their benefit.

The survey was conducted by TNS, a global marketing research company, on behalf of Mutual of Omaha. The margin of error is plus/minus 5 percent.

Living Will

Last night, my wife and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her,
"I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle.
If that ever happens, just pull the plug." She got up, unplugged the TV and then threw out my beer.

Matching Seniors with Caregivers

Niche website, LongTermCareLocators.com, helps match seniors and disabled with caregivers. Find a caregiver for mom or dad or employment as a caregiver. Hundreds of listings. All cities & states.

Kettering, OH (PRWEB) July 24, 2006 -- The U.S. Census in 2000 was a wake-up call for the long term care industry: Get ready for skyrocketing numbers of senior citizens, living longer and looking for services to help them during their later years. As life expectancy for the average American continues to climb, the challenge of finding affordable, high-quality long term care faces more seniors and their families every day. With government shifting the expense of long term care to aging Americans and their families, finding the right caregiver is more of a concern than ever before. The problem is nationwide, and many are turning to the Internet to find solutions.

A wide array of long term care services is available, from in-home care to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Many in need of these services are trying to find the right balance of care and cost, and need guidance on how to look for it. In addition, professionals in the field want to offer their services to good employers, and agencies and facilities are looking for good employees. Experienced nurses and nursing assistants are seeking not only private duty assignments, but also opportunities with agencies that offer services to aging seniors in their communities.

One of the most comprehensive sites being visited by both service providers and those who seek them is LongTermCareLocators.com. The online locator service matches individuals in need of long term care with providers in their city and state who have posted listings to advertise their services. Visitors to LongTermCareLocators.com can post a "help wanted" ad describing their exact needs, or simply get access to contact information for caregivers who have listed their services. LongTermCareLocators.com also enables agencies that provide long term care services to find qualified professionals looking for employment.

Nurses, nursing assistants, and other experienced caregivers can post a free ad on the site. Both individuals and agencies can review their qualifications and make contact. Facility and agency listings are seen by qualified professionals in their area, as well as by individuals seeking services for an aging family member.

LongTermCareLocators.com also provides a wealth of important information on the complex subject of long term care. Information on long term care insurance, performing background checks on prospective employees, and links to websites related to long term care are easy to locate.

The site is operated by MPC Enterprises, one of the leading healthcare advertising and marketing firms nationwide. LongTermCareLocators.com staff respond to e-mail contacts and requests for telephone calls with additional information on the firm's services.

LongTermCareLocators.com fees are nominal, and ads are renewable, as more caregivers add their listings to the site every day.

Visit LongTermCareLocators.com at http://www.longtermcarelocators.com.