What You Need to Know If You Have Student Loans and Are On Public Loan Forgiveness Plan

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Any public servants out there? Any public servants with student loans and on the loan forgiveness train?
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From March 13, 2020 til Sept 30, 2020 your loans are in forbearance.
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What you need to know: do not pay during this time if you meet the criteria above (public service loan forgiveness)
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You will get credit for April, May, June, July, August, and September as if you paid but they have stopped auto withdrawal so 5 months of no payments & credit as if you paid!!
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You do not have this added to the 10 years – it is waived – thank you government.
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To recap: if you are on autopay, you do nothing – it stopped for you. Do not make payments because you are paying for nothing (overpaying) and that money can be saved to use later or a nice gift for you.
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So what if I have student loans but am not public service.. – so what does this mean? 0% during this time so if you pay – 100% goes to the principal which means you will see a drop in what you owe sooner …depending on your circumstance – you can pay it down, pay off some bills, or enjoy the 5 months of no payment.

COVID-19 Relief for Student Loan Borrowers

Last Updated: Friday, April 10, 2020

As we navigate the challenges posed by the spread of COVID-19, we remain committed to supporting borrowers.

We are working diligently to enact all benefits as provided by the CARES Act and will have customer accounts updated as soon as possible. No action is required on your part at this time. Should you have any questions, sign in to your online account or contact us for assistance.

0% Interest for Student Loans

The interest rate on all federally held student loans serviced by FedLoan Servicing will temporarily be reduced to 0% until September 30, 2020.
FedLoan Servicing will automatically adjust accounts so that interest doesn’t accrue (i.e., accumulate). The account adjustment will be effective March 13, 2020.
This 0% interest rate change will be applied to all federally held loans in any status (in school, in grace, in repayment, in deferment/forbearance, etc.).

Temporary Suspension of Payments

All borrowers will automatically be placed on an administrative forbearance which will temporarily suspend monthly payments.
The administrative forbearance will last from March 13, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020.
A borrower can request that this administrative forbearance be removed at any time. If the forbearance is removed, required payments will resume.

Payments (including Direct Debit)

Direct Debit payments are automatically suspended during the administrative forbearance.
Any payments (Direct Debit or otherwise) processed between March 13, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2020, can be refunded; refund requests can be made by contacting us.
Borrowers still have the option to make manual payments (i.e., via Account Access or mobile app) on their loans to make progress toward reducing their balance. Payments can be the full amount or a partial amount.

NOTE: If payments are made during the period of 0% interest (March 13, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020), the full amount of your payments will be applied to principal once all the interest that accrued prior to March 13 is paid.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) & Income-Driven Repayment (IDR)

Borrowers with a Direct Loan, whom are on a qualifying repayment plan prior to the suspension, and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the suspension, will receive credit toward PSLF for the period of suspension as though on-time monthly payments were made.
Borrowers currently on an IDR plan will have suspended payments count toward IDR forgiveness.

Questions please ask!

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-Heidi

April 17, 2020 By trendywithapassport

0 In Lifestyle

Tales of Coronavirus from the Lens of an Educator and a Physician: Part 3

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Anyone else losing track of time? I sit here writing and thinking of where the days are going…oddly enough – clicking on to May…..so I have gotten a lot of requests for the next update…so here you go..

B was working in the ICU and it was a busy week leading up to Spring Break. During an ICU rotation – he works Monday through Friday and works on the weekend. Many times there are 25 or more patients that he sees on a daily basis. I would classify his most recent ICU week as a bad flu week (similar stress, similar patient loads)

The past week was Spring Break and B had planned a week off – thankfully social distancing has helped keep the load at the hospital down and he was not called in. He spent a lot of time in online meetings but got a little bit of a break.

This week B is back working in the hospital and it is busy….not overwhelming but busy. There is still a shortage of PPE – they have new gloves per patient and they have masks but not a new mask per patient….still a major shortage. Thankfully Ohio is currently riding it out with uncertainty; uncertainty if the curve is flat, going to stay flat, or if it will change as things reopen. Happy that on this front, there is not a lot to report. Thankful and grateful….we all want everyone to be okay and for everyone to resume life but slow and steady will be imperative to not cause a major spike.

Life is definitely different. B goes to work, works, changes at work, comes home and leaves everything in the garage: scrubs, shoes, etc. Social distancing spaces are in existence at the home also. We have both been exposed and both could be asymptomatic so to keep the other safe – we treat each other like we have covid – it might be a bit weird but we take our own temperatures and do everything to stay safe and healthy.

We both know people who have Covid or know someone once removed who has been hospitalized. It is scary and doing our part to avoid it and stay safe.

On the news today – the conversation about Transparency-transparency is important and reports from hospitals and nursing homes of covid patients and infected workers – is important. Hopefully – this data will be shared.. On the news tonight, Ohio State reported 80 nurses have been infected – many are calling for all hospitals to report.

When you have Covid or you have been exposed – you should let people know and stay home – quarantine yourself and keep others safe. Companies should notify employees when employees have been infected.

Early and aggressive Ohio social distancing has played a huge part in keeping the health care system not overtaxed.

As things may open, it is important to keep social distancing, wear masks and follow the guidelines given. It is imperative that if you are sick, you stay home and seek help if needed but do not contaminate others and ignore it.

Testing is still a sore subject as there are still issues with getting a test- a few people have gotten the runaround …hopefully this will continue to improve. Emirates Air is now blood testing before you board a plane…

Stay safe friends – and Please Wash Your Hands

Thanks for reading!

– Heidi

April 16, 2020 By trendywithapassport

0 In Lifestyle

6 Ways to Stay Productive Working From Home

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Get Ready
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This is the new work routine. Be conscious and get dressed, makeup, and allows you to shift to work mode. Have space for you to work – @autonomousdotai has the best adjustable desk that allows me to stand as well as sit and work comfortably- see pics 😉
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Drink and Eat Well
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I did not start off well with this but having water and veggies to snack on has helped my energy.
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Avoid Netflix and TV
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It is appealing and many times might call your name to finish Tiger King or the new…..save it for later
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Chunk Your Projects
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I group by 1.5 hr blocks and if I don’t finish, I stay until it is completed. .
Do the most dreaded items first thing.
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Sounds counterproductive but schedule those meetings or projects in the morning so the rest of the day is joyful and you have accomplished your goal. There is nothing worse than draining your energy before you need it
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Remaining Grateful
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3 Years I received a wonderful gift – Happiness Journal where you write a sentence or a couple each morning and it has truly helped me be thankful and grateful instead of grumpy – focus is on what I have, we have, and reminder over 5 years of where I have come. .
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Make it a great day or not, the choice is always yours ❤️

April 16, 2020 By trendywithapassport

0 In Family/ Lifestyle

Tales of Coronavirus in Ohio From the Lens of an Educator and a Physician: Part 2: We Are Not Ready for the Impact of a Surge….

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I am proud to be in the great state of Ohio and could not be more proud of our Governor Mike Dewine and Ohio Director of Health, Dr. Amy Acton and Lt. Governor Jon Husted.

I say this to start because when chaos is around us, praise those who are leading and making difficult decisions. I believe the stay home order has made a huge difference is preventing a surge and has given us time to get supplies and given us precious time to learn and prepare.

Channel 10 headlines “OhioHealth employee sounds alarm about coming patient surge. ‘I don’t think we’re ready’

Throughout the article, it shows a glimpse of what is happening everywhere – shortage of PPE, not enough beds, and not enough vents. And not enough tests. It also appears a lack of consistency of care and allocation of resources for health care employees and patients.

Abc6 on your side, shares the article “Plane carrying medical supplies from China landing in Central Ohio” showed a plane carrying medical supplies from China landing in central Ohio. It is part of Fema’s supply chain – from Shanghai: gloves, gowns, and ventilators – 10,113 boxes of gloves.

By staying home and not overwhelming our health care system, Battelle has been able to get FDA approval on cleaning N95 masks, 160,000 masks can be sterilized per day.

Nbc4i reports “Grove City woman loses 3 family members to COVID-19” this lady also has a 4th member of the family on a ventilator.

Current state of the hospitals – everyone is in dire needs of PPe and everyone is scrambling.

Because Ohio has been vigilant:

1. Battelle will clean 160,000 n95 masks

2. At least 10,000 gloves arrived

3. Hydroxychloroquin is seemingly working in high doses

4. People are seeing the need for social distancing

Small blessings….each of the above things is a blessing….

As I have mentioned previously, my dad died of H1n1 and were given many blessings along his passing. Let me explain….Dad progressively got worse over time…he developed the cough, the fever, the difficulty breathing (Ards) same as Coronavirus (acute respiratory distress) and pneumonia – all of which are similar to Corona….but he was in the hospital for 3 days, intubated (ventilator) suffered 2 strokes, received ECMO (and most likely would have survived if it had not been for the strokes) – my point is…we were given 25 days to let go. To say what we wanted, to give hugs (even though he was in a coma), to hold his hand, to pray, and to come to terms.

Right now, families cannot get that closure or they may be given at the last moment a goodbye. One thing that was the best thing we did- my dad’s parents were living and did not make the trek to the last hospital for his final 72 hours but we called his parents and them talk with my dad and say goodbye. One can say – that is ridiculous but it was a gift for my grandparents but also a gift for my dad. As soon as his parents said goodbye on speaker phone, my brother, Mom, and I also said goodbye and my dad’s comatose state changed and immediately he started shutting down. Within 10 minutes, he passed. I still say that small gesture of letting go – gave everyone peace.

What are your loved ones requests?….where are the account information, passwords, retirements, insurance, disability, wills, power of atty, medical healthcare power of atty, and who gets your dog, etc. I think if you are prepared, it won’t happen…maybe it is silly but be prepared and have the conversations. After my dad passed, I made a folder of my requests – Costco Casket, Return to Sender Casket Cover, and all my documents, credit cards info, account info in a few spots but those who need to know – know. It is something that I was unsure of typing here but I am open about things that should be addressed. When are you okay if someone lets you pass? In this situation, the decision may be made without consent if you are failing and someone else has a chance…..everything changes with a surge….not everything will go as planned and a lot of people will not get the care needed- trust me, it will happen. Healthcare workers will be working 16 hours shifts, won’t have access to meds, won’t have vents, or proper PPe. First responders will all be in the same boat and will all be struggling – families will have to make decisions and stress levels go through the roof. Facts not Fear – this will impact someone you know…

While Coronavirus seems like it won’t happen to healthy people; It is making healthy young people sick. The daily report continually shows it does not discriminate – it is attacking children, adults, men, women, etc. The reality of care is when there is a surge- procedures of who will be taken care of and who will not receive support if resources are limited. Have discussions now – you may not be able to enter the hospital and your loved one may be unable to communicate.

The more you stay home – the greater your chance is of not getting Covid 19. In Ohio, we are not to surge levels – surge levels mean quality of care goes down, resources and people are thin, and mistakes happen. It is going to get bad. It is going to get scary. I am worried and I am scared.

The longer I go without getting Covid19- the better – the best case scenario is getting the vaccine before getting the virus. I hope I make it to see the vaccine before getting the virus but who knows…

I see concern on B’s face. He is confident and always humble and kind. I have seen the face of worry, the face of (this is going to get real – right away) and the consistent reminders to stay home, wash my hands, and go where I have to; not just to go out n about. I am a busy body and love to be doing something. I am limiting my trips outside the house. I am doing everything I can to social distance and avoid getting the virus. I pray for all families and friends. This virus is very dangerous, does not care who it hurts … it is just a sad reality.

Hugs and prayers,

May God watch over of each of you. May you be blessed with a good immune system, good support system when you get lonely, and do your part to stay home or work if you have to!

XOXO,

Heidi

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April 2, 2020 By trendywithapassport

0 In Budget/ Education/ Lifestyle

Why the Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback Should be Part of Your Next Shopping List

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In a time when the economy is unstable and shopping trips are limited; conscious shopping takes priority. Saving money with the Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback!

In order to be completely transparent, The post is sponsored by Gamma2 Vittles Vault but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

The Vittles Vault Outback was added to my shopping list for a few reasons:

1. Stores the entire 40 pound of dog food in a sealed convenient storage bin.

2. Can be stored inside the house, in the garage or even outdoors.

3. Prevents the smell of dog food outside the container.

4. Is stackable and comes with a scoop.

5. Keeps the food fresh and is BPA Free

6. The Gamma2 Vittles Outback Container can be flipped up or down depending on your needs. It can fit in a regular sized cabinet.

The Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback Container is a lifesaver. After getting a large bag of dog food; I dump the food into the container and spin on the lid. The scoop holds 1.5 cups. The Vault Outback can be stacked for food, snacks or different food for different dogs. There are different sizes and different shapes depending on your needs. It is reusable and no unwrapping a dog food bag daily. The food stays fresh, no waste, and no pests can get in so no wasted food. Feeding is easy – just grab the scoop and put in Coco’s bowl and we are off and running. Mealtime is a lot more organized and convenient.

Product Information if You Want to Buy:

More details located 👉https://ooh.li/c88f89f

Product Name: Vittles Vault Outback Stackable Food Storage Container

Description: https://www.petmate.com/vittles-vault-outback-stackable-food-storage-container/product/VV07

SKU: N/A

Value: $30.00 – $49.00

Product Name: Vittles Vault Outback Food Storage Container

Description: https://www.petmate.com/vittles-vault-outback-food-storage-container/product/VV05

SKU: N/A

Value: $30.00 – $49.00

Product Name: Vittles Vault Pawprint Outback Food Storage Container

Description: https://www.petmate.com/vittles-vault-pawprint-outback-food-storage-container/product/VV04