1. Saves time and money – when you are able to log on from your home, office, or wherever you may be at your appointment time, there are time and cost savings. You don’t have to take additional time off of work to get to your appointments, nor do you have the cost of gas and possible childcare for that time. You can take your lunch break and then get back to work quickly and easily.

2. Reduces transportation issues – this ties in with #1, but there is no transportation needed for telehealth services. For families or individuals who may not have transportation this is a great option to still be able to get the services they need yet may not be able to physically get to on a regular basis.

3. Reduces childcare issues – for any parent of younger children who is trying to come in for their own mental health, or one of their child’s, they always have to consider ‘Who is going to watch the kids while I’m there?’ Telehealth offers the option of not having to leave your home and not necessarily having to find additional care for younger children during your appointments.

4. Improves continuity of care – clients often have to cancel appointments for a variety of reasons such as: running late, overbooked activities, can’t get away, weather is bad/travel is bad, don’t have childcare, don’t feel like leaving my house, etc.’ Whatever the reason may be, telehealth is often a great alternative so that clients can maintain their appointment with their clinician and continue the care and support they need. We’ve seen reduced cancellation rates since implementing the option of telehealth.

5. Eases access – mental health services are at an all-time high for demand. Everyone wants late afternoon or evening appointments, yet there are only so many of these times available. At FamilyMeans, new clients can typically get in the next day, or within the same week as they reach out if they are able to utilize daytime hours, which often telehealth is a great option. 

6. Expands pool of clinicians available – clients are able to expand their search for their perfect clinician beyond their local clinics. Telehealth offers a broader range of clinicians; typically having to stay within your state of residence. However, with this expansion, clients can truly find the right fit for them and a clinician who specializes in their area of concern.

7. Allows more comfort for clients – being able to stay in your own environment, such as your home or office, for appointments gives clients a sense of comfort. Therapy can be a vulnerable place and if clients are surrounded by their own things, and in their own environment, this often puts them more at ease.

8. Allows clinician to better understand where client is coming from – telehealth has given clinicians the unique ability to truly see where clients are at – their environment, their favorite spots, or what makes them feel safe. This is not accessible in the same way for in-person appointments. Younger clients often love this part of therapy – they get to show their clinician stuff from their space and share important things with them. This all builds relationship and safety with the clinician. 

9. Allows for ‘in the moment’ practicing – there is often practicing of skills that occurs during therapy. Whether that is communication skills, coping strategies or setting boundaries. Telehealth offers again, the unique ability for clients to practice ‘in the moment’ with their clinician because natural situations may arise during session that have to be dealt with. Clinicians can be there to support and encourage as the client is working through their skills.

10. Reduces stigma – telehealth offers more privacy than traditional in-person therapy. Often clients don’t want others to know they are attending therapy.  For clients that live in a small town, have a high powered career, are well known in the community, etc. Telehealth is a wonderful option because clients can access service privately from their home.

We hope these benefits have given you the courage to reach out today to speak with one of our clinicians.

1 - Pay Monthly Fixed Obligations:
 If you tend to run out of money before all of the bills are paid, you may benefit by utilizing the refund income to temporarily eliminate some ‘fixed obligations. 

Many households spend a majority of their income on basic housing, utilities, vehicle payments, insurance and other contracted obligations that all require a monthly payment.  Could you benefit by eliminating one or two of the monthly payments from your bill-paying process?  If so, consider making the required payments for 12 months in advance, to eliminate the monthly obligation until the next anticipated tax refund is received. 

Which monthly FIXED obligations can you pay for 12 months in advance, until the next cash bonus is received?  Property taxes? Car insurance? Car payment? Cell phone? Life insurance? Student loan? Gym membership?

2 - Reduce Credit Debt:
If you have a workable spending plan with sufficient income to pay all living expenses and contracted obligations, you may be in a position to reduce your credit debt by paying-down or paying-off credit accounts.  This could reduce or eliminate the monthly payments and interest accrual inherent with credit accounts.

If your goal is to reduce the ongoing monthly payments paid to credit debt in an effort to “balance your budget” and have more money available for living expenses, run the numbers.

Project payment reductions using a 3% calculation.  For every $100 paid-down on a credit balance, your minimum monthly payment will decrease by approximately $3.00. Therefore, if you pay $1000 toward a credit balance, you may realize a $30.00 monthly payment reduction; $2000 equates to $60, etc…

Short-term vs Long-term:

One should also compare the short-term versus long-term benefits of each payment option.

• Paying monthly fixed expenses eliminates the monthly payment from the budget for 12 months and assumes that a refund or bonus of at least the same amount, will be received in order to repeat the process for the next year’s obligations. This is a short-term endeavor, generally with greater financial impact for the immediate monthly bill-paying process.  With some expenses pre-paid and eliminated from the monthly payment structure, there should be more income available to distribute to other living expenses, credit accounts or a structured repayment plan.

• Paying-down or paying-off credit debt has long-term benefit implications towards the ultimate goal of being debt-free.   For credit-reduction payments to have the intended impact for the long term, use of the accounts should be limited to amounts that are payable, in full, each billing cycle.  Avoid increasing the balance or carrying a balance after applying the reduction funds. Impact and benefit are lost if shortly after applying the funds, the credit account is used to support living expenses or emergency needs.

Utilize a portion of the refund/bonus by setting aside funds for repairs, maintenance, medical costs or other expected expenses.  In addition, save for the unknown, too, by building an emergency savings account. 

After pre-paying monthly fixed expenses for a year, you could now have extra untethered funds. If left untethered, those funds could be absorbed into everyday life and spending and simply disappear; but if put in a savings account for specific applications such as vacations, a new car, vehicle maintenance, home maintenance or a special purchase, they can have a more focused and tangible impact.   

If you are not hindered by excessive credit debt or a budget-deficit situation, use this opportunity to build your savings opportunities.   For additional suggestions about SAVING, ask your counselor for a copy of the FamilyMeans Financial Solutions - Savings Booklet.

Prepare for catastrophe

It’s important to prioritize your living expenses and plan for a certain amount of hardship or catastrophe.   If you are concerned your income might reduce or layoffs are imminent, consider focusing a tax refund or cash windfall on your priority obligations, such as mortgage payments, vehicle loans or insurance premiums. By paying these items in advance 1, 2 or 3 months, you will reduce financial stress and immediate concerns about basic needs if the worst occurs.

Paying in advance

To pay in advance on some loans or accounts, you may need to include monthly payment coupons or specify your request to ‘advance the payments’ with a company representative. Sending a lump sum payment without instructions to ‘advance the due date’ may simply reduce the principal balance of the debt, and the monthly payment would be expected the following month.

Not sure where to start budgeting? Contact FamilyMeans today and set-up an appointment with a Financial Solutions Counselor by calling 651-789-4014 or visiting www.familymeans.org.