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How to Appeal a MetLife Long-Term Disability Denial

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How to Appeal a MetLife Long-Term Disability Denial

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company—more commonly known as MetLife—is one of the world’s largest financial services companies. While MetLife is typically associated with life insurance and financial services, the company has a robust disability insurance business as well.

If you’ve recently had a long-term disability claim denied by MetLife, we understand how frustrated you might feel. Before you give up and accept MetLife’s decision, you should consult with a disability insurance lawyer at Bryant Legal Group. We have extensive experience with MetLife disability insurance appeals and can help you understand your legal options. Keep reading to learn essential steps you should take after a disability insurance denial.

MetLife Has a Track Record of Denying Valid Claims

While many of us associate MetLife with friendly images of blimps at sporting events and advertising with cartoon characters, it is a hard-nosed, savvy company. It has sometimes run afoul of state insurance regulators.

MetLife has a history of mishandling claims and even losing them. In January of 2019, New York regulators fined MetLife $19.75 million for mishandling and misplacing thousands of its clients’ pension claims. It had to pay hundreds of millions to clients whose claims were lost, delayed, or otherwise mishandled.

For large companies like MetLife, their primary goal is profit. They process thousands of claims and cutting corners is more common than any of us want to admit. However, there are ways you can protect yourself and improve your likelihood of getting the disability benefits you deserve.

RELATED ARTICLE: When Should I Speak With a Disability Lawyer?

Most MetLife Disability Insurance Plans Are Governed by ERISA

Unlike many other large insurance companies, MetLife currently doesn’t sell individual disability insurance policies to private individuals. Since September 2016, MetLife has only offered group disability coverage through employee benefit programs.

That means if you have disability insurance through MetLife, your plan is almost certainly governed by a federal law known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA for short. You have certain rights and protections under ERISA. However, you also must follow strict guidelines for how and when you can appeal a disability denial or file a lawsuit, and what evidence you’re allowed to include.

The remainder of this blog post will primarily focus on the MetLife appeals process under ERISA.

If you did purchase an individual disability insurance policy directly from MetLife (not through an employer) before September 2016, and that policy remains in force, a different set of rules may apply to you. We will touch on this briefly toward the end of this article.

How to Appeal a MetLife Long-Term Disability Denial

A Step-By-Step Look at the MetLife Long-Term Disability Appeals Process

You must act quickly once your claim has been denied. Under ERISA, you only have a limited time to appeal, and you want to make sure that initial appeal is as comprehensive as possible. You might only get one chance to add evidence to the record.

Read Your Denial Letter Carefully

MetLife is legally required to provide two critical pieces of information in their denial letter:

  • The specific reason they denied your claim. For example, they might say you didn’t provide enough evidence, your condition isn’t covered, or they do not believe you meet the plan’s definition of disability.
  • Their appeal procedures and guidelines. Each disability insurance company has its own administrative appeals process, and under ERISA you must appeal directly to MetLife before you can file a lawsuit in court. You also will have a maximum of 180 days to file an appeal. That might sound like a lot, but it isn’t.

Request a Copy of Your Claims File

MetLife may have provided this with your denial letter—but if they didn’t, request it immediately. Your claims file should include all the information that MetLife used to make their determination. This could include medical records, job descriptions, and other evidence.

By reviewing your denial letter, your claims file, and your plan documents, you can get a much better sense of whether MetLife’s denial was legitimate—and if not, the additional evidence you’ll need to provide for your appeal to be successful.

Contact a Long-Term Disability Lawyer

ERISA appeals are extremely risky to try to tackle on your own. The stakes are high and mistakes can be costly.

The denial letter might make it seem like MetLife’s appeals process is simple and straightforward. It isn’t. More likely than not, you will need to present extensive evidence and arguments in an organized way.

You do not want to mess this up, and building a successful appeal will take time even for an experienced attorney. The sooner you get a professional to review your case, the better your chances of success.

Gather the Necessary Evidence

Once your attorney reviews the denial letter, plan documents, and claims file—and determines you have a good case—they will start to help you gather the relevant evidence. This might include things like:

  • Additional medical records
  • Functional evaluations that measure your physical and cognitive performance
  • Vocational evaluations of your realistic future employability and earning capacity
  • Letters of support from doctors and medical staff
  • Letters of support from colleagues, family members, and other individuals who are knowledgeable about your physical and mental capabilities, before and after you became disabled
  • Photos, videos, journal entries, and other recordings of your daily experiences and circumstances
  • Any other evidence your long-term disability lawyer might consider relevant to your case

Make Sure Your Evidentiary Record Is Complete

In an ERISA claim, you only have a limited amount of time to submit evidence. Once MetLife reviews your appeal and makes its final decision, you cannot submit additional information, no matter how important it is to your case. Even if MetLife denies your appeal, and you file a lawsuit, the court will only be able to review the evidence that is already in the claims file.

Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of submitting an appeal without additional evidence. Your lawyer can help you collect and submit evidence that supports your allegations and documents your disabilities.

RELATED: ERISA Claims and Exhausting Administrative Remedies: What You Need to Know – Bryant Legal Group (bryantlg.com)

File Your Administrative Appeal and Wait for a Response

Once you have your evidence together, your attorney will help you prepare and submit your appeal. This will include all the new evidence you’re adding to the claims file. It will also include a detailed appeal letter that outlines why, specifically, you disagree with MetLife’s determination and believe your benefits should be approved.

After you appeal, MetLife will have an initial deadline of 45 days to respond. This can be extended one time for an additional 45 days, so you could be waiting almost three months to find out if your appeal has been accepted.

Consider Legal Action If Your Appeal Is Denied

If your claim is denied, and there are no more mandatory administrative appeals you must go through, your final option is to file a lawsuit in court.

From here, your case will likely be reviewed by a judge (not a jury) and, as noted above, the judge will only be able to review the existing evidence in your claims file.

Even though no new evidence can be added, your long-term disability lawyer will still be able to represent your interests in court. They can prepare written briefs, present oral arguments, and explain and interpret evidence in the record.

What If I Have an Individual Disability Insurance Plan?

Although MetLife no longer sells individual disability insurance policies to private individuals, they still administer policies that were sold previously. If you have one of these “grandfathered” policies, it may be governed by your state’s contract laws rather than ERISA.

In general, policyholders with non-ERISA plans have more options when it comes to appeals. For example, you may not be required to complete an administrative review before filing a lawsuit, and you may be able to request a full jury trial.

Because each state has a unique set of contract laws, be sure to contact a long-term disability lawyer in your state as soon as possible to begin reviewing your legal options.

RELATED POST: Appealing Denied Private Disability Insurance Claims – Bryant Legal Group (bryantlg.com)

Bryant Legal Group: Disability Lawyers Who Can Fight for Your Rights

If MetLife recently denied your disability claim, it’s in your best interest to consult with a skilled lawyer at Bryant Legal Group. We are proud to help our clients assess their legal options, identify the correct procedures, “stack” their evidentiary record, and negotiate with the long-term disability company.

To learn more about our approach and how we might be able to help you, please contact us today to receive a free and confidential consultation. You can reach Bryant Legal Group by calling 312-561-3010 or completing this brief online form.

7 Ways to Turn Small Business Saturday Shoppers Into Loyal Customers

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7 Ways to Turn Small Business Saturday Shoppers Into Loyal Customers

2. Offer Exclusive Small Business Saturday Deals

Offering Small Business Saturday promotions can bring in plenty of potential customers, but also feed your pipeline for the foreseeable future. 

  • Bundle Deals: If you have items that are hot sellers, you may consider pairing them with items that have been harder to sell this year. This could also be a strategy for Cyber Monday sales as well. 
  • Buy More To Save: Customers on Small Business Saturday are eager to spend. Incentives to sell more products could be worth considering. 
  • Early-Bird Specials: For those who show up early to support you, consider offering discounts, tastings, or free gifts at the door. 

These deals attract new customers and also reward your year-round customers. 

3. Capture Customer Information Strategically

Your ultimate goal is to continue the relationship after they shop local on Small Business Saturday.  

  • Email Sign-Ups: An easy way for retailers to capture customer emails is to host a giveaway. It can be as simple as a tote bag with holiday gifts, but the emails of active customers are worth its weight in gold. 
  • Loyalty Program Enrollment: Introduce a loyalty program and encourage sign-ups by offering bonus points or special perks on their first purchase. Loyalty programs are proven to work and can be a powerful way to improve marketing for a small business. 
  • Social Media Engagement: Create a hashtag for your event and encourage shoppers to tag your business in their posts. 

Like any email list, be wary of how you use it. Flooding customer inboxes may not be the best marketing strategy to continue making sales after Small Business Saturday. 

4. Leverage Social Proof and Testimonials

Your customers will thank you for a job well done. Don’t be shy about asking for their support on social channels for positive reviews and feedback. 

  • Encourage Reviews: Hand out marketing materials asking satisfied customers to leave a review on Google, Yelp, or your social media pages. 
  • Happiness Spread Around: Capture testimonials from both repeat and new customers about their positive experiences. You can use this for future marketing materials. 

Seeing other people enjoy your products or services can be one of the best marketing strategies to attract new customers to your business. 

5. Follow Up After the Event

Small Business Saturday is just the beginning. Following up with your customers is critical to turning a one-time shopper into a repeat buyer. 

  • Personalized Emails: Send thank-you emails afterward thanking customers for showing up as one of your marketing strategies. You could even potentially include exclusive offers or a discount code to bring them back. 
  • Bring Customers Into Your Circle: Invite customers to upcoming events, product launches, or special promotions. 
  • Survey for Feedback: Ask for their opinion during Small Business Saturday. You can take this feedback and make adjustments going into the holiday season. 

Whether your customer is in-person or online shopping, that extra touch can make all the difference. 

6. Invest in a Stellar Customer Service Experience

Great customer service builds loyalty. 93% of customers who receive excellent customer service say they will be repeat customers. 

  • Responsive Support: Ensure your team is ready to answer questions, handle returns, and resolve any issues quickly and efficiently. 
  • Human Touch: Personalize interactions wherever possible by using customers’ names or referencing previous purchases. 
  • Post-Purchase Care: Follow up on purchases to ensure satisfaction and offer assistance with product use or troubleshooting. 

Happy customers are more likely to advocate for your business and return themselves. 

7. Build a Sense of Community

Many people shop small because they value the sense of community it fosters. Here’s how you can continue investing in those around you along the way: 

  • Collaborate Locally: Partner with other small businesses to create cross-promotional opportunities or bundle deals. 
  • Support Local Causes: Donate a portion of your sales from Small Business Saturday to a local charity or host a fundraising event. 
  • Stay Engaged: Use social media and your website to highlight your involvement in the community throughout the year. This is a fantastic marketing idea for small businesses to stay at the top of the mind of their local community. 

Customers who feel connected to your business are much more likely to stick around. 

Final Thoughts 

Amex has done a fantastic job promoting its Small Business Saturday in the 14 years it’s been going. And now, it’s your turn as a small business owner to take the initiative and run with it. 

The best marketing for small businesses for this holiday is to focus on delivering an exceptional experience, following up, and showing genuine appreciation for their support.  

With the right approach, Small Business Saturday can be the start of long-term success for your small business. Take the time to implement these strategies, and you’ll be well on your way to transforming casual shoppers into loyal customers who support your business all year long. 

 

FAQs about Small Business Saturday 

Is Small Business Saturday still a thing? 

Yes, Small Business Saturday is still actively promoted by American Express and the Small Business Administration. It’s a valuable piece of marketing for small businesses. 

What is the impact of Small Business Saturday? 

Each year, billions of dollars are spent by consumers with local businesses. Studies show that these dollars have a much longer economic impact than those spent with major companies. 

How much do people spend on Small Business Saturday? 

In 2023, consumer spent over $17 billion on Small Business Saturday. 2024 could deliver an even larger number. 

Why did American Express start small business on Saturday? 

American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010 to support small businesses after the 2008 Great Financial Crisis. Additionally, it was made to focus on small businesses between Black Friday and Cyber Monday holidays. 

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How It Works: How SoFi Makes Money

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How It Works is an ongoing series here on our blog, exploring and demystifying topics about which we hear often from our members and the public. Today, we’re taking a look at how SoFi makes money.

[UPDATED 11/21/2024 to include additional information on how SoFi Invest makes money.]

SoFi is able to offer products and services at competitive rates to members because we pride ourselves on our efficiency. As with any time a company implements a new or different way of doing things, people may wonder, “Is there a catch?”

We’re here today to explain how we make money—it’s something we think every consumer should know about the companies they do business with, in finance or any other sector. Since we offer a variety of products, we’ll break this down by product area.

Our Lending Products

First, our lending products (that’s Student Loan Refinancing, Personal Loans, Private Student Loans, and Home Loans). There are many different ways companies make money in lending—some make their money on origination fees and get paid when a borrower takes a loan, others by holding the loans and making money from the interest the borrower pays, and others by selling loans after they’re made to investors while maintaining some ownership for themselves.

We employ a blend of the last two approaches at SoFi, but primarily make money the third way, through securitizations and whole loan sales. The buyers in these securitizations are institutions like pension and insurance funds, as well as other asset managers, who pay a premium upfront for the future potential cash flows from the loans. We’re able to make money through securitizations because investors trust the quality of our loans.

This enables us to have access to funds at a very competitive rate—often, on par with large commercial banks with big balance sheets—without “selling” our relationship with our members.

We then pass those savings on to our consumers by offering them loan products at an interest rate below their current rate, but above our cost of financing. This represents a win-win: the member saves money on their loan payments and SoFi makes enough money to keep doing what it’s doing.

Who Buys SoFi’s Loans?

Who buys SoFi’s loans? Investors like pension and insurance funds, as well as other asset managers. They are willing to pay a premium above the principal value of the loan upfront for the future potential cash-flows.

We sell these loans in two ways: (1) “whole loan sales” where we sell a group (called a “pool”) of loans in their entirety to investors, and (2) “securitizations” where we group the loans together and their combined cash flows pay specific groups of investors (called “tranches”) in a specific sequence. Having multiple ways to sell our loans ensures we have cost-effective financing and reduces the risk that the market disrupts our business.

To break the process down more simply, here’s an example: let’s say SoFi extends a student loan that pays 5% annual percentage rate (APR) for five years with the principal due at the end of those five years. If our borrowers were paying 7% APR originally, for example, they now save a whopping 2% APR each year. Nice!

The value of the total loan is 125% of the original loan amount (5% APR x 5 years in interest; 100% in principal). We sell the loan to investors for 105%. For taking on the risk of loan repayment, investors will get 20% (125% – 120%) over five years; SoFi will get 5% upfront to cover its cost of borrowing funds, its operations, and the memberships perks it offers to its clients. Double nice!

Our Investment Products

SoFi Invest® charges no commissions for the buying or selling of stocks, ETFs or fractional shares in our Active Investing brokerage accounts. Our Automated Investing service also doesn’t charge a SoFi management fee. This is our robo-advisor product, which builds and rebalances portfolios automatically for Members.

We instead earn revenue in a variety of ways–all of which are common and help Members avoid SoFi fees:

•  SoFi lends out shares. The borrowers are typically short sellers, or investors who bet that prices of certain stocks will decline. They compensate SoFi and our partners with a loan fee for the shares that are borrowed.

•  We also earn money from sending customer orders to third-party market makers–a practice known as payment for order flow. The market makers carry out the customer orders, and regulatory rules require they do so by delivering “best execution.” Recommended: What Is Payment For Order Flow?

SoFi also makes money through its suite of ETFs that charge management fees annually. Below is a table of their expense ratios, or the percentage subtracted from assets each year. So if the expense ratio is 0.19%, that means $1.90 is charged each year for every $1,000 invested.

ETF Name ETF Ticker Gross Expense Ratio Net Expense Ratio
SoFi Select 500 SFY 0.19% 0.05%
SoFi Next 500 SFYX 0.19% 0.06%
SoFi Social 50 SFYF 0.29% 0.29%
SoFi Enhanced Yield THTA 0.49% 0.49%


*SoFi ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

Our Deposit Account

With SoFi Checking and Savings, we earn a small amount of interest on the money in the accounts and from the merchant with each swipe of the debit card.

But unlike most banks, SoFi has lower costs from doing business online, so we pass those savings on to our members in the form of higher interest paid on deposits—and we don’t charge account fees on top.

Our Life Insurance

We also offer term life insurance through our partnership with Ladder and Ethos. Forlife insurance, we earn a set marketing fee every time a member submits an application for life insurance.

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE


SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below:
Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.


1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.


2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.


For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.


Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by email customer service at [email protected]. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.

Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.

For members enrolled in the Apex Fully Paid Securities Lending Program, securities are lent based on the Master Securities Lending Agreement. Members are eligible to receive a monthly payment if Apex lends out any securities. The payment is a percentage of the total net proceeds earned, which is subject to change. There are risks with share lending, for a detailed review of those risks please review the Important Disclosure. Members may opt out of the Securities Lending Program at any time by sending us a message via chat.

SoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance

SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.


SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Personal Loans

Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., and meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements. SoFi Personal Loans can be used for any lawful personal, family, or household purposes and may not be used for post-secondary education expenses. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2023 was around $33K. Information current as of 10/28/24. SoFi Personal Loans originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). See SoFi.com/legal for state-specific license details.

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🎁 Refer a Friend: Give the Gift of Investing This December

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🎁 Refer a Friend: Give the Gift of Investing This December

December is a time of giving. And what better gift to share than the gift of financial growth? This holiday season, it’s easy to help your loved ones start their investment journey with us. When you refer a friend to invest with Go & Grow, you can both earn cash rewards.

🎁 Refer a Friend: Give the Gift of Investing This December
Refer a friend: Give the gift of investing this December

Why Go & Grow is a great gift for new investors

Investing doesn’t have to be complicated. With Go & Grow, your loved ones can enjoy:

  • Hassle-free investing: It’s simple to start, even for beginners.
  • Attractive returns: Earn up to 6.75% p.a.* while you build your wealth.
  • Fast access to your money: Withdraw funds quickly whenever needed.
  • Low minimum investment: Start with as little as €1.

It’s not just an investment; it’s the gift of financial empowerment.

How to refer a friend and earn rewards

Referring a friend is easy:

  1. Log in to your Bondora account and head to the Refer a Friend page.
  2. Share your unique referral link with friends, family, or anyone ready to start investing.
  3. When they sign up and invest with Go & Grow, you both receive €5 each on your Bondora account!

It’s a win-win for everyone. Your friend kickstarts their investment journey, and you get a little extra for helping them get started.

When you refer a friend, everyone wins!
When you refer a friend, everyone wins!

Refer a Friend: Investing is the gift that keeps on giving

Unlike fleeting holiday purchases, investing with Go & Grow is a gift that grows in value over time. Whether it’s your friend’s first step toward financial freedom or a boost to their existing portfolio, this is a gift they’ll appreciate long after the holiday season ends.

Don’t wait to spread the word. December is the perfect time to introduce your loved ones to the simplicity and potential of Go & Grow—and get rewarded for doing so.

Make this holiday season about more than just gifts. Make it about building brighter financial futures—together.

Can orthorexia nervosa be grounds for SSDI benefits?

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The quest for perfect health can sometimes lead to an unhealthy obsession with clean eating. This condition, orthorexia nervosa, can severely impact daily life and work abilities. As more people learn about this disorder, many ask: can orthorexia nervosa qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits?
What is orthorexia nervosa?
Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by an extreme fixation on healthy eating. Unlike other eating disorders that focus on food quantity, orthorexia centers on the perceived quality and purity of food. People with orthorexia often:

Feel intense worry about food choices
Spend too much time planning, buying and preparing meals
Cut out entire food groups they think are “unhealthy”
Experience guilt when they break their dietary rules
Avoid social situations due to their strict eating habits

Medical experts don’t currently list orthorexia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, doctors increasingly recognize its harmful effects on a person’s life.
Exploring the possibilities
The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t specifically name orthorexia as a qualifying condition for SSDI benefits, but this doesn’t mean people with orthorexia can’t qualify. The SSA looks at how a condition affects a person’s ability to work when it reviews disability claims.
To potentially qualify for SSDI with orthorexia, applicants must show that their condition:

Greatly limits their ability to do work-related tasks
Has lasted or will likely last for at least 12 months
Stops them from adapting to other types of work

Getting SSDI benefits for orthorexia may prove difficult, but it’s within reach. As doctors learn more about this condition, they may start to see how it can severely disable a person. If orthorexia affects your ability to work, consider talking to a disability attorney. They can guide you through the SSDI application process and help present your case effectively.The post Can orthorexia nervosa be grounds for SSDI benefits? first appeared on Disability Rights Law Center.

Duplicate Best Practices against COVID-19 Pandemic

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The Government of India has been on the forefront to combat Covid-19 pandemic eversince it spread-out in the western part of the world.  Visible measures were observed in terms of necessary barricading, curfews, supply of essential goods, food distribution to needy families and most importantly issue strict directives to protect oneself & close ones.  The checkpoints around the country has been restricting frivolous public movement inside and outside states. Likewise, continuous work has been started for preventive measures instead of chalking out curative ones.

The Central & State Government came together to outline a concrete plan of action on Covid-19 preparedness. These guidelines work best as the best practices to prevent against Coronavirus pandemic.

1. Washing hands with soap for 20 seconds or using hand sanitizers to stop the spread of germs 

Very early, markets were shut out & sanitizers were sold at higher their MRP. The shortage and affordability of a basic need like Hand Sanitizers raised a red flag for State & Central Govts. And now we can get the alternate solutions for an efficient santizer.

This can substantially help to prevent the spread of respiratory disease like Covid-19. In-house production of alcohol based hand rubs, i.e., 80%(v/v) ethnol or 75% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol with 1.45% (v/v) glycerol and 0.125% (v/v) Hydrogen Peroxide and QS water can turn out effective. This process has now been institutionalized. This was surely a tough battle to fight the virus away!

2. Wear a mask always to avoid coming in contact with sick people

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in trash. A similar situation happened with the availability face masks. In case your hands get infected, avoid touching your face, mouth & nose. Since, masks were also going out of business, small textile were put to produce face masks by the process of sterilization. This way every mask gets disinfected and ready for use.

Every administration is working hard to ensure delivery of essential commodities to citizens. Separate channels for even delivery of ration (Reliance Fresh, Easy Day etc.), medicines, milk and bread, LPG, New Born and Sanitary Essentials are freely available in stores.

3. Clean & disinfect frequently touched objects & surfaces

We may not know but COVID-19 virus also stays outside of a human body. And since the virus is susceptible to disinfectants, its best to avoid

High-touch areas such as phones, door handles, remote controls, switches, bathroom fixtures etc

Horizontal surfaces such as countertops, kitchen tables, desktops and other places where droplets could possibly fall.

And the mobile phone! Did you wash your hands properly and then touch your phone? This gets you you’re re-contaminated.

4. Stay home when you’re sick, except to get medical care 

The Govt. well realized the need for essential logistics, thereby ensuring the well-being of citizens amidst the lockdown. Medical facilities have been kept open for emergencies and critical patients. However, for the rest its best to stay indoors and keep safe. A dedicated phone line was put in place for any health related assistance to remove distress, anxiety and fear of so many.

To add, religiously practice “social distancing.” Social distancing is exactly what it sounds like: keeping your distance from people (including your close ones, living far).

The virus will stay for a while, so developing good habits can be a long-term strategy for keeping ourselves & community healthy.

Read more: How will Coronavirus impact the Finance Markets?

Here is why America had to raise the terms to complete the SVB sale

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Here is why America had to raise the terms to complete the SVB sale

Here is why America had to raise the terms to complete the SVB sale
First Citizens BancShares is buying SVB's $72 billion in assets for $16.5 billion, a 23% discount, according to an FDIC statement on Sunday.

BoE’s Bailey expects four rate cuts next year as pressures on economy ease   – Mortgage Strategy

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BoE’s Bailey expects four rate cuts next year as pressures on economy ease   – Mortgage Strategy

BoE’s Bailey expects four rate cuts next year as pressures on economy ease   – Mortgage Strategy
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey expects four interest rate cuts next year if the economy continues to benefit from easing inflation.
The leader of the central bank was speaking at the FT’s Global Boardroom conference in London, against a backdrop that has seen general prices fall to 2.3% from a peak of 11.1% in October 2022. Its official target is 2%.
The BoE does not make formal projections on interest rates, but its forecasts for inflation and growth in the economy rely on market expectations of rates’ future direction.
When asked about investor expectations, built into its November economic forecast, of four 0.25% cuts next year, Bailey said: “We always condition what we publish in terms of the projection on market rates, and so as you rightly say, that was effectively the view the market had.”
Pressed if, under the BoE’s central forecast for 2025, the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee would carry out about four interest rate cuts, Bailey replied, “Yup.”
He added: “[Inflation] has come down faster than we thought it would. I mean, a year ago we were saying that inflation today would be around 1% higher than it actually is.”
The MPC has long said it wants to see services inflation and pay rises fall below 5%.
The latest readings hover around that level. Services annual inflation rose from 4.9% to 5% in October, while regular earnings lifted by 4.8% from July to September from a year ago.
The cost of borrowing is currently 4.75%, after two 0.25% rate cuts this year. Its initial August reduction was the first in four years.
Bailey said: “We’ve been looking at a number of potential paths ahead — and some of them are better than others.”
The governor added that while a number of different inflation scenarios were possible, the central forecast in the Bank’s latest monetary policy report implied it would pursue “gradual” interest rate reductions.
However, UK interest rates will fall more slowly than expected, while growth will rise over the next two years due to around £70bn of new spending earmarked in October’s Budget, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said today.
The international thinktank said: “Wage-driven pressures on the price of services and the fiscal stimulus will keep underlying price pressures elevated, leaving headline inflation above target over 2025-26.”

Bilt Card to Offer Point Earning on Mortgage Payments

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Bilt Card to Offer Point Earning on Mortgage Payments

Well, it sounds like the new Mesa Homeowners Card got the attention of one of its competitors.

Bilt is best known for its credit card that allows its members to earn points on rent, but soon homeowners will be able to earn points on mortgage payments too.

We heard rumblings of this possibility a while back, but it never materialized, possibly because the numbers just didn’t pencil.

Now it seems like some good old fashioned competition may have proven to be the mother of innovation.

And if you’ve been paying attention, Mesa, which is planning the same thing, just so happened to be built by some former Bilt employees, among others.

Bilt MasterCard Will Reward Homeowners in 2025

In its Letter to Bilt Members released today, Bilt Rewards CEO Ankur Jain said, “We’ll announce the first phase of plans in the mortgage space, creating a whole new category of value for homeowners.”

This includes the ability to earn points on mortgage payments, and points when refinancing a mortgage, likely a referral style program.

As I always say with those referral programs, don’t use the lender unless the total cost is lower than other options, even if you can earn points!

Anyway, the fact that you’ll be able to use a credit card to pay the mortgage is the biggie here, at least for me.

It’s been very difficult to pull off, and even when it is permissible, there are often hefty fees that negate the benefit of using plastic.

I’ve long thought that the math just doesn’t work and that mortgage lenders and loan servicers aren’t too keen about their customers charging the mortgage. And who can blame them?

But the public has been pretty vocal about wanting points/cash back on virtually all purchases they make, especially large transactions that have big earnings potential.

So apparently Bilt will soon allow you to pay the mortgage with a credit card. Just stay tuned on that official launch date.

Competition Heats Up for Homeowners in the Credit Card Space

Lately, it seems credit card issuers have grown increasingly interested in homeowners.

It makes sense as they probably have a lot of expenses (other than the mortgage) and could be solid customers.

As noted, a new competitor (Mesa) entered the fray recently with its Mesa Homeowners Card that earns one point per dollar spent on monthly mortgage payments.

It’s currently waitlisted, but may have been the inspiration for Bilt to make the announcement in their letter today.

Especially since some of the Mesa team includes former Bilt employees.

For the record, Bilt was floating this idea in early 2024 as well but nothing came of it all year.

Perhaps they are still working out the economics of it, as it could be costly to allow mortgage payments on their network when no others card issuers permit it without fees.

I also wonder if there’d be an annual fee on the card or if it would require cardholders to spend X amount on other purchases as well.

At the moment, the Bilt Mastercard offers 1X on rent but you need to use the card at least five times each statement period to actually earn points.

This could well be a requirement for mortgage payments too. Obviously it has to make sense to all parties involved.

Bilt Rewards Now Offers Points on Home Purchases Too

Bilt Card to Offer Point Earning on Mortgage Payments

Back in late November, Bilt announced that it launched the industry’s first program to earn points on home purchases.

What they meant by that is Bilt Members will now be able to earn Bilt points when purchasing a home through an eXp Realty agent.

So it’s essentially a real estate agent referral program where you earn one Bilt point for every $2 in property price if you link up with one of their preferred agents.

On a $400,000 home purchase we’re talking 200,000 Bilt Points, which are redeemable for all types of stuff like shopping, fitness classes, and travel.

In fact, you can transfer the points to frequent flyer programs and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio to maximize the value.

Perhaps even more interesting, you can redeem Bilt points for a down payment on a home, and the value is an even better 1.5 cents per point.

This works out to $1,500 towards your down payment if you have 100,000 Bilt points. Pretty cool.

Lastly, you can apply points toward rent as well, though the redemption value is a lesser 0.55 cents per point, or $55 for every 10,000 points.

In other words, it might be better to save those points and use them on a down payment for a new home and kiss rent goodbye!

Read on: Should I rent or buy a home?

Colin Robertson
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Why Celebrating Holidays Late Can Help You Save Big

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Why Celebrating Holidays Late Can Help You Save Big

Why Celebrating Holidays Late Can Help You Save Big

‘Tis the season for spending! I’m a sentimental person who seriously loves festivities, and I always look forward to the holidays. But as a financial expert, I dread the holiday price tag.

A few years ago, I accidentally discovered a trick that saved me major money on seasonal expenses: celebrating a few days late. Admittedly, my motive in pushing back the festivities was not financial.

I initially suggested postponing Thanksgiving by a week to avoid the madness of traffic jams, the cramped seating on Amtrak and the stress of coordinating schedules with siblings and friends.

In my effort to reduce the stress of the holiday, I stumbled upon an unexpected gift: I saved money. Here’s how pushing back your holiday celebration by a few days or more can save you money, too.

How much do people spend on the holidays?

As far as I’m concerned, holiday spending is out of control. Maybe I sound like a Grinch, but here are some figures that dampen my holiday cheer:

  • The average consumer is expected to spend around $1,778 on the holidays in 2024.
  • Spending is expected to increase by up to 3.3% in 2024.
  • This season, 27% of people report they’ll take on credit card debt and buy now, pay later loans to cover their expenses.

Perhaps my holiday hack won’t stop you from taking on debt this year, but if it helps you cut down expenses, I’ll consider it a win.

4 expenses you can cut by delaying your holiday celebration

Pushing back holiday celebrations won’t eliminate all your holiday expenses, but it will give you a shot at significant savings. Here’s where you can expect to see it payoff.

1. Transportation

Finding an alternative date to travel could be your biggest shot at saving both time and money on your holiday vacation.

According to INRIX, a company that analyzes traffic data, December 23rd and 28th are the most congested days on the road. Visiting home at a later date could mean cutting any number of transportation costs, including:

  • Car rentals
  • Airline or train tickets
  • Gas (since you’ll spend less time in traffic)
  • Surge pricing on rideshares to/from the airport
  • Airport parking

Here’s a look at what you could save by flying for the New Year holiday instead of Christmas when you travel to some of the most popular destinations.

Lowest fare for round-trip airline tickets to popular holiday destinations*

Trip 

Dec 23-27 

Dec 30-Jan 2 

Savings for single passenger 

Savings for family of 4 

Seattle, WA > Orlando, FL 

$429 

$355 

$74 

$296 

Chicago, IL > Los Angeles , CA 

$396 

$357 

$39 

$156 

New York, NY > London, England 

$672 

$621 

$51 

$204 

*Prices found using Google Flights on September 20, 2024. Taxes not included.

To save even more money, consider booking on the optimal dates for low airfare, using your airline points or planning a trip closer to home.

2. Gifts

Black Friday gets all the credit for delivering discounts, but after-Christmas sales are not to be slept on. On December 26th, retailers start dropping prices, hoping to offload seasonal inventory and (according to my personal theory) dissuade consumers from returning holiday gifts.

That’s good news for anyone who celebrates Christmas a little late. If you start your shopping right after the big day, you could tap into year-end clearance sales, you can potentially save around 50% on gifts.

3. Food

Last Easter, the average adult reported plans to spend $177 per person on gifts, clothing, and most of all, food and candy. It’s easy enough to bring down that cost by celebrating just a few days later. You might find frozen ham marked down to half off the day after a holiday, as well as deep discounts on seasonal candy.

4. Decorations

For bargain hunters, the best time of the year to buy holiday decorations is right after the big day. Easter decor is often marked down by 50% starting the day after Easter, and Christmas decor may also be available at significantly reduced prices after the 26th.

Isn’t celebrating late kind of a… bummer?

For traditionalists, the idea of celebrating a holiday on the “wrong” date is simply out of the picture. And I understand why! After all, no one wants to feel left out or lonely on such a special day.

After a bit of trial and error, I’ve found the key to fending off FOMO and maintaining important traditions is to plan something small but special on the big date(s).

That might include watching a favorite movie, baking a pie with your immediate family, or exchanging a gift with a few friends.

As a reward for your flexibility, you’ll save money and extend the season by a few days or more, enjoy traveling when there’s less traffic, and visit home when your friends and family have more free time to enjoy one another’s company.

 

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