After my last blog post about my quest to manage Dad’s finances, I heard from many of you that you have been praying for me and my Dad.  Your prayers are being heard.  God is showing up in the midst of my quagmire!  It seemed appropriate to dedicate a post to brag on God and the victories He has brought so far because of your prayers: 

1.   I was able to file claims on Dad’s two hospital indemnity plans.  By God’s grace, I managed to file them three days before the deadline.  Within two weeks we received a reimbursement check for $2,334.  The second insurance carrier sent me two checks today totaling $6,688.  This is enough to pay off at least two of Dad’s credit cards.  Ka-Ching!  Thank you, Lord. 

2.   My Dad had a 900-minute cellphone plan when he averaged only 550 minutes per month.  Changing his plan to mirror his usage translated to a savings of $50/month.  Ka-Ching!  Thank you, Lord. 

3.   Dad’s military insurance company (USAA) was deducting $88.52/month for “Property & Casualty.” Upon further investigation I discovered it was a bundled premium comprised of an umbrella policy, an auto policy, and renters insurance.  Dad hasn’t driven a car for over two years because he is not medically able. He lives in a small assisted living apartment with very old, 4-drawer lateral files, an old desk, and a bed/chest of drawers. We don’t need renters insurance. I cancelled these policies, saving Dad an additional $89/month.  Ka-Ching!  Thank you, Lord. 

4.   I called USAA because Dad was being charged for auto insurance while he hasn’t been driving.  I explained that he was on painkillers for his open ulcers, which made it unsafe for him to drive.  Though it is ultimately Dad’s responsibility to notify USAA that he would no longer be driving a car, his memory was not functioning because he was so drugged up.  Dad was just not in a position to recognize that he was still paying auto insurance when the premium was blended in with two other policies.  Since Dad has given USAA business for many years, USAA was willing to work with me.  With a note from his physician vouching for his inability to drive, USAA issued a credit of $718.  Ka-Ching!  Thank you, Lord. 

5.   Getting Dad enrolled in the VA medical system for free care is a top priority.  Especially when the day comes when he will most likely need around-the-clock care.  I needed to complete a VA enrollment application, but that task seemed overwhelming given that I had no idea how to get started.  It was no coincidence that God placed in my Sunday School Class a woman who is a VA trained peer counselor and knew all about the enrollment process!  She was a tremendous help, and because of her assistance, I completed Dad’s application with the right military paperwork to send off to the VA by August 4^th.  That was a victory in my book.  Thank you, Lord, for how you raised up the right person to assist me and for helping Dad find his Discharge Summary in his file. Would you please pray that God would grant my Dad favor in the eyes of the VA to receive an acceptance letter? (Potential Ka-Ching!) 

6.   I discovered Dad was paying $22/month for backup services for his computer files, when he had already subscribed to a three-year, online backup service.  He just didn’t remember having done that.  Thus, I got to cancel $22/month for additional savings to the bottom line.  Ka-Ching!  Thank you, Lord.

7.   Remember all of his charitable giving via credit cards and his bank account that I had to unhook?  That was a savings of $650/month.  Ka-Ching!  Thank you, Lord. 

8.   Dad is a big believer in tithing to the Lord.  I am too.  It is not an option to not tithe!  It’s a victory to be able to write the Lord a “thank you note” for His provisions and not be in the red. 

God hears the prayers of His children, and so I am sharing these victories with you!  These victories are ours, not mine alone.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many prayer warriors.   Matthew 18:19-20 gives us Jesus’ promise, “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”  God has honored our prayers that have been uttered in agreement.  But there are still unresolved issues that are deeper than saving money.  I will be sharing the more difficult issues in my next post. 

Blessings,

Lee Ann