The topic of health care reform is everywhere. It’s on the TV, the radio and the conversation is even happening in your living room. We’re in for some big changes…maybe.

Personally, I think it’s a good idea to look for ways to improve the system. This weekend I was talking about health care reform with an older man that I know. Before he was old enough for Medicare coverage, he didn’t have any health insurance. Because he had no health insurance, he lived in terrible pain every day because he needed knee replacement surgery, but couldn’t afford the price tag: $30,000 per knee. When he turned 65 he had the surgery and now he’s a new man – mobile, productive, pain free. So he’s one person, but don’t we all know someone who has suffered either physically or financially?

I’m lucky because my employer helps with heath insurance costs. I still pay a lot for health insurance each month, but I’ve got it good compared to so many people in this country.

Here’s my biggest concern about health care reform – I’m afraid that the voices of the people won’t be heard - so speak up. If you think we need health care reform in our country, let the President know. Share your story and ideas for improving our health care system with the Department of Health and Human Services and also contact your representatives in congress and tell them how they can reform the health care system to better serve you.

When I first graduated college my #1 concern was getting a job. For one thing, my mother was utterly confused as to why she'd bothered to send me to school when I was back in her house, instead of instantly employed upon receiving my diploma. Many an uncomfortable family dinner did this make.

As for me, I was well aware that come January, I was getting booted from my Dad's health insurance plan—and I was one of the lucky ones. Most of my friends got the heave-ho the second we moved our tassels in May. Seeing as I am fairly accident-prone and enjoy having my teeth cleaned, making sure I was covered was a priority.

Now, given the state of the economy, many families are faced with the same concern. Not only is income an issue when losing a job—health insurance and coverage is also a major factor.

Should you lose your job, you do have some options:

• Special Enrollment in Another Group Plan: This option allows an individual and possibly your family to enroll in a spouse's plan regardless of enrollment periods. Be sure you request the special enrollment within 30 days of losing eligibility for other coverage.
• COBRA Continuation Coverage: If your employer continues to operate and offer a group plan, COBRA continuation coverage may be available. It may be more expensive than what you were paying while employed, but it's likely to be cheaper than private, individual coverage. COBRA coverage usually lasts 18 months, but may last longer. The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) certain individuals will be eligible for COBRA coverage at a discounted rate.
• Health Coverage through a Government Program: Medicaid, Sate Children's Health Insurance Program, and Medicare are available through your state insurance department of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Private, Individual Health Insurance: Is an option if you had health coverage for at least 18 months without a significant break in coverage and were part of a group plan, your coverage was not terminated because of fraud or failure to pay premiums, and you are not eligible for COBRA or other health coverage.

While none of these options may be ideal, it's at least something. Have you ever lost healthcare coverage? What have you done in between plans?

This Sunday is the 30th annual National Grandparents Day. I kind of figured it was a holiday invented by the greeting card companies and florists. But to my shame, it's real. It was started by a West Virginia lady named Marian McQuade, who wanted to draw the younger and older generations closer together.

As I was looking into what government resources there were online for grandparents, I was shocked by a set of statistics from the US Census Bureau: 2.4 million grandparents are their grandchildren's main caregivers and providers. And a majority of those grandparents are under the age of 55. If you're involved in raising or caring for your grandkids or other young relatives in your home, the government has lots of information to help.

You know from bringing up your own children: kids are expensive! If you're financially responsible for your grandkids, check out these tips for making the most of the tax credits you're entitled to if your grandchildren are your dependents. Find out how to pay for their health care and how to be sure they're properly immunized.

If you have young grandkids in your home, childproofing's a must, as is making sure, when you go out, that car seats are the right size and are installed correctly.

USA.gov's Grandparents Raising Grandchildren section is full of even more links from around the government and other sources you can trust, like AARP, for help on everything from finding childcare options to making sure the toys you give your grandkids are safe to helping them as they adjust to moving in with you or your moving in with them.

Got a minute to get sentimental? I'd love to hear some stories about your grandparents or your grandkids. Brag on them a little—what makes your "grands" so grand to you?

Two weeks ago, my neighborhood was torn up by an "unconfirmed" tornado. Roofs ripped off. Trees through homes. I got off easy, only losing power for three days and having to chuck most of the food in my fridge. But my neighbor two houses down also lost her deck, her new fence and the front of her car when a huge oak tree took them out—along with all the power lines.

Two days ago, the back of my car was torn up in a parking lot by a very contrite lady who got her brake and gas pedal mixed up. My poor old car's bumper is smashed and hanging. The liftgate is dented. And I had to secure the tailpipe with a wire hanger to keep it from dragging. Again, I got off easy; the other car has a crushed hood, fender and headlight and a jammed-shut driver's side door.

The most important thing is that nobody got hurt in either event. People are infinitely more important than "stuff." But times like these are good reminders to review the insurance policies that protect your “stuff” and ask yourself some questions.

Does your homeowner’s policy cover the current cost of rebuilding your home? If your house is a total loss, will your insurance pay for complete rebuilding or only give you a limited amount of money toward it? Find out from a local realtor or builder how much rebuilding your home would cost and make sure your insurance coverage is in line with that estimate.

How about what’s inside? Your premium will be less if you're insured for only the depreciated value of your possessions. But then you'll have to make up the difference yourself when you shop for replacements. Consider getting insured for the full replacement value of what you own and be sure to keep your home inventory up-to-date.

What about flooding? Most homeowner’s policies don’t cover it, as so many people in the Midwest and South are tragically finding out. Consider separate coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program.

How high should your car insurance deductibles be? The higher your deductible on things like collision or comprehensive coverage, the more you save on premiums, but the more you'll have to pay out of pocket for repairs before insurance kicks in. How much coverage you want to get also depends on you car’s age, condition and value.

I’m glad the lady who crashed into my car was covered. Her insurance is paying for everything, including the rental car that will be waiting for me next week at the body shop when I take my baby in for a new bumper.

What have been some of your more memorable insurance claim stories?

Now is the perfect time to prepare a home inventory. It can help you when planning for replacement of furnishings and equipment, purchasing insurance, filing insurance claims, determining your net worth, planning your estate, and more.

If, like me, you’ve never created a home inventory it sounds like a pretty overwhelming task, doesn’t it? There’s good news – you’ll only have to do it once! In the future, you’ll just have to update your inventory when you purchase new and discard old possessions. If you’d rather hire someone to do an inventory for you, the National Association of Home Inventory Professionals can help you find a professional.

So, where to start?  You can take several different approaches to the inventory like going room-by-room, categorizing your possessions (electronics, furniture, appliances, etc.), newest to oldest, or most to least expensive.  Next, choose the method you’ll use to record all the information.  A simple notebook will suffice, or, you can download a worksheet, take photos, make a video, or even use a computer program.

Regardless of which method you choose, record information such as brand or manufacturer, date purchased, serial number, purchase price, and estimated replacement value.  You can also check with your insurance company to see what information they'll need about your property in the event you have to file a claim.  If you’re a receipt saver like me, now’s the time they’ll come in handy.

Record information about the following items:

• furniture, carpets, and drapes
• antiques, artwork and collectibles
• appliances
• clothing and other closet contents
• computer equipment and electronics
• musical instruments
• sports equipment
• garage, attic, and tool shed contents
• toys, books, and CDs
• silver and china
  
• jewelry and any other valuable items

Once you’ve completed the inventory, keep it in a safe place like a safety deposit box or a fireproof box.  It's a good idea to make a couple copies of the inventory and keep them in different locations. 

Post your stories about how having a home inventory (or not having one) affected your life.  They’ll help light a fire under me (and maybe others) to get one done!