August 31, 2020

Hit the accelerator on your mortgage


If you have a mortgage loan, chances are you plan to pay it off long-term—often over 20 to 30 years. Over this time, you’ll likely pay tens of thousands toward interest alone. But if you pay extra on your mortgage bi-weekly, monthly, or annually, you can pay off your mortgage early. Plus, you’ll save big money otherwise spent on interest paid to your lender.

But making accelerated payments to achieve these goals isn’t for everyone. Check the math and figure out how much you shave off your repayment timetable and save versus investing that extra money elsewhere or refinancing.

Read my latest article for The Mortgage Reports and learn three key strategies for prepaying your mortgage.

August 23, 2020

Calling Dr. Zoom

Seeing a doctor or other health care provider doesn’t always require visiting an office or hospital in person. Instead, your provider may be able to evaluate, diagnose or consult with you remotely using videoconferencing, phone, an app, or another secure electronic means. This flexibility is particularly appreciated during the current pandemic, when many patients seek to avoid coronavirus transmission risks.

Eager to schedule a telehealth session with your provider? It’s important first to understand how telehealth works, state laws and restrictions, to what extent telehealth is allowed by your private health insurance plan, Medicare or Medicaid, and your options if a telehealth claim is denied. Remote doctor visits are likely to increase in the times ahead, but your current ability to take advantage of telehealth benefits may be limited.

Get the 411 on telehealth and if/how it works with your health insurance plan by reading my newest article for Insurance.com, available here.

August 16, 2020

Suffrage sisters

This year marks the centennial of American women earning the right to vote, thanks to ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920.

One hundred is a big, memorable number worth celebrating. But it’s far from the most astounding number related to the suffrage movement. Consider that, for most of our nation’s history—144 years—females were denied this crucial right. Moreover, it took the suffragists 72 years before the women’s right to vote became law and, despite being passed by Congress a year earlier, 13 months passed before enough states ratified the 19th Amendment and made it effective nationwide.

Many important figures paved the path to the ballot box for women. Some are well represented in history books and museums. Others have been overlooked and underappreciated. But all are deserving of praise and recognition. Read my newest article for CTW Features and learn about some of these pioneering females in the suffrage movement by clicking here.

August 13, 2020

A film about lies that speaks the truth turns 70

For Cineversary podcast episode #26, host Erik Martin treks back 1,000 years to Japan, accompanied by Akira Kurosawa expert Stephen Prince, a film professor at Virginia Tech; together, they honor the 70th birthday of a milestone work of world cinema, "Rashomon," directed by Kurosawa. Erik and Stephen explore why this movie is worth honoring all these years later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the film today, how it has stood the test of time, and more.
Stephen Prince
To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast using Apple PodcastsStitcherSpotifyGoogle PodcastsBreakerCastboxPocket CastsGoogle Play MusicPodBeanRadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at tinyurl.com/cineversarypodcast and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

August 9, 2020

Speech teach

At a time when Chromebooks are replacing textbooks and digital assistants are often more of a go-to resource than human instructors (especially during this COVID-19 crisis), it’s hardly a shock to learn that 95 percent of teachers employ technology in schools today, according to a Common Sense Media study.

But many are surprised at the speed and degree to which one branch of innovation has grown in the field of education: speech technology, which is commanding an increasingly larger voice in classrooms and homework zones. From smart speakers and voice dictation software to text-to-speech apps and cutting-edge devices used by the disabled, students and educators are turning to a growing array of impressive tools and resources that can significantly aid learning.

Learn more about how speech technology has infiltrated the classroom and improved learning for students and educators alike by checking out my newest story for Speech Technology magazine, available here.

August 2, 2020

What to expect when you're expecting a baby room

Few events in life are as joyous and anticipated as the day you bring your new baby home from the hospital. You want that time—and the days and memories that follow—to be perfect and peaceful. That’s why carefully prepping the room you and your newborn will retreat to can make a big difference.

In short, a well-planned nursery matters. And this labor of love endeavor doesn’t have to be overly complicated—especially if you give yourself plenty of time. Learn more about how to create a non-cursory nursery by reading my latest article for The Costco Connection, available here.