We write often about the need to check the prices you are paying for insurance coverage annually to make sure you are not overpaying for needed coverage. It is amazing how prices can fluctuate for example, for auto insurance coverage from one carrier to the next. Some carriers rely heavily on your credit score in addition to other factors to set your premium costs while others use driving records and other data such as what city you live in, what kind of car you drive and other data and rely less on credit reports.

As your credit score improves, you should be eligible for lower insurance premiums but they won't call you. You will need to call them and ask for a lower rate.  

How much you can save will, of course, vary greatly between insurance companies. It takes some time on the telephone talking to agents and asking for quotes. The key is to compare the same coverage between companies. Getting a low price from a company that is offering fewer coverage benefits is not the same as finding a lower price on the exact same coverage you currently have.

Most importantly, never cancel insurance coverage until you are sure you are covered by a new policy. Canceling prematurely could leave you without needed coverage.

Have a money saving tip that you'd like to share? Send it to us for possible publication in this newsletter at:

By Kendal Perez

Whether you've seen all the Oscar nominated flicks or are more interested in independent films, a night at the movies can cost a pretty penny. In fact, the average cost of a movie ticket in 2012 was $7.96, an all-time high according to recent reports. Since this expense doesn't include 3D glasses, popcorn or Junior Mints, consider the following tricks to save at the movies this year.

Attend an Oscar Marathon
In anticipation of the Oscars, many theaters are offering discounted back-to-back showings of best picture nominees. Cinemark's marathon event features Argo, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty and Django Unchained for $30, plus discounts on popular concessions. If you want to catch all nine best picture nominees, hit up select locations of AMC Theaters for $60 of Oscar-worthy cinema.

Silence Your Phone
This standard pre-movie request can actually save you money at Cinemark. By downloading their Cinemode app to quiet your phone during a movie, you can earn rewards towards coupons for free candy or a small popcorn with concession purchase.

Join Reward Programs
Like your favorite froyo shop or clothing retailer, most movie theaters have a loyalty club where you can earn rewards. AMC's Stubs program costs $12 per year and offers a $10 credit for every $100 spent, plus free upgrades on concessions and waived online fees for Internet ticket purchases. Free programs like Carmike Rewards and Regal Crown Club offer free candy, soft drinks and movie tickets for accrued points.

Gift Yourself
There's no better present for a movie buff than a gift card to the local theater. However, you don't have to rely on subtle hints to get gift cards; you can pick up movie gift cards at a discount online from sites like GiftCardGranny.com. With an average discount of nearly 14 percent, you'll save instantly on tickets and concessions without ever touching your cash stash.

Buy in Bulk -- But Compare
Families and movie buffs can benefit from buying their movie tickets in bulk, but be sure to compare costs before you buy. For example, a 10-pack of AMC movie tickets from Costco will run you $86.99, or about $8.70 per ticket. This is a great deal for movie-goers in Riverside, Calif., who pay a regular-ticket price of $11.50; it's not a deal for people in Greeley, Colo., who can see an AMC flick for $8.50.

Select Your Showtime Wisely
Opting for a matinee over a Friday-night opening is an obvious way to save money at the movies. However, select theaters offer discounts on low-traffic days, like Cinemark's Discount Tuesdays or Regal Value Days.

Look for Coupons
Like anything, you can typically find a discount or coupon for concessions at your favorite movie theater.

Use Credit Card Perks
You can save on coffee, clothing, movie tickets and more when you shop through your credit card's online store. For instance, Visa Signature cardholders can save 20% on a $25 order of Fandango gift cards when they order the cards online. Some cards offer cash back on specific purchases.

Speak Up
Whether it's speaking up about an unsatisfying movie experience or asking for a specific discount, saying something is key. Some managers will offer vouchers to patrons who complain about screaming babies, rowdy teenagers or poor movie sound. Additionally, don't forget to ask for senior, student and military discounts if you have the ID to prove your status.

Kendal Perez is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money.

Key health insurance protections for all Americans moves forward

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule that implements five key consumer protections from the Affordable Care Act, and makes the health insurance market work better for individuals, families, and small businesses.

"Because of the Affordable Care Act, being denied affordable health coverage due to medical conditions will be a thing of the past for every American," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Being sick will no longer keep you, your family, or your employees from being able to get affordable health coverage."

Under these reforms, beginning in 2014 all individuals and employers have the right to purchase health insurance coverage regardless of health status.  In addition, insurers are prevented from charging discriminatory rates to individuals and small employers based on factors such as health status or gender, and young adults have additional affordable coverage options under catastrophic plans.

This final rule implements five key provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are applicable to non-grandfathered health plans:

Guaranteed Availability
Nearly all health insurance companies offering coverage to individuals and employers will be required to sell health insurance policies to all consumers. No one can be denied health insurance because they have or had an illness.

Fair Health Insurance Premiums
Health insurance companies offering coverage to individuals and small employers will only be allowed to vary premiums based on age, tobacco use, family size, and geography.  Basing premiums on other factors will be illegal.  The factors that are no longer permitted in 2014 include health status, past insurance claims, gender, occupation, how long an individual has held a policy, or size of the small employer.

Guaranteed Renewability
Health insurance companies will no longer refuse to renew coverage because an individual or an employee has become sick.  You may renew your coverage at your option.

Single Risk Pool
Health insurance companies will no longer be able to charge higher premiums to higher cost enrollees by moving them into separate risk pools.  Insurers are required to maintain a single state-wide risk pool for the individual market and single state-wide risk pool for the small group market.

Catastrophic Plans
Young adults and people for whom coverage would otherwise be unaffordable will have access to a catastrophic plan in the individual market.  Catastrophic plans generally will have lower premiums, protect against high out-of-pocket costs, and cover recommended preventive services without cost sharing.

From AARP

These days, $100 is little more than a week's worth of gas for an average American household. To help people get more bang for their buck, AARP The Magazine scoured the nation for value-minded experts to share their tips on the best ways to spend a single Ben Franklin. Whether it's cutting airport lines or playing the gift card game, here are easy ways to have some good frugal fun:

Play Your Gift Cards Right - check out gift-card exchange sites- which allow users to sell or buy unused gift cards at a discount. $100 could net a card worth $120 or more.

Snap Stars' Autographs Before Their Stars - Minor League Baseball could be your ticket to major-league profits. Buy 20 baseballs, a ballpoint pen, and two tickets to a nearby game. Go early, and, during batting practice, get the balls autographed by as many players as you can.

Take A Cheaper Shower - The easiest energy-saving fix? A low-flow showerhead. Most sell for $10-$30 and are easy to install.

Beat Airport Lines -Originally designed to speed Americans through immigration and customs, the "Global Entry card" program, which costs $100 for five years, now qualifies its members for TSA PreCheck, currently available in about 30 participating airports. http://www.globalentry.gov/about.html

Cut Your Gas Costs - 1 in 4 cars is driving around on underinflated tires, and for every pound-per-square-inch drop in pressure, fuel economy declines by 0.3%. To boost your mileage, invest about $20 in a digital tire-pressure gauge and $80 in quarters for air-filling machines at service stations.

Get A Light - Collectors covet vintage lighters, like Zippos, from the pre-disposable era and many are still hiding in the nation's attics. Some can go for as much as $2,000.

Just Call Me "Herb" - A kitchen garden can pay off with savings on fresh produce. With a $100 budget, your best cash crop is fresh herbs-which can give you a better product and offer financial return.   

For more ideas visit AARP.