InsurancePro – Page 11

May 2, 2016

30 and Thriving

Uh oh…is 30 quickly approaching or GASP – has it already arrived?
16, 18, 21, 20 40, and so on. These tend to be what many people consider to be major steps and age/birthday celebrations in life. Of course these are only few among numerous milestones, but you get what we are saying.
So many people that I know made and make a very big deal out of turning 30. I don’t personally see what the big deal is, but to each their own. I do however see and underst and the big deal behind making sure you have all your ducks in a row when it comes to insurance and finances at that age. I came across a great article with some very useful information that I wanted to pass along – focusing on personal finances.

1. When you reach 30 it is actually past time to start saving for retirement. Don’t ignore this! You REALLY do need to start saving!
2. Look into long-term investments
3. Check credit score, know your credit score, and know what’s on your credit report
4. Learn how to fix credit report errors – and FIX THEM!
5. Make/revise a budget and stick to it.
6. Build an emergency savings account that you never touch and don’t tell anyone about. Let it build and let it be!
7. Revisit your student loan status and see if you can consolidate, lower rates, or make bigger payments
8. Search for lower credit card interest rates or consider get rid of the cards all together
9. Meet with an agent and determine if you need life insurance
10. Stop working a ‘job’ and find your
11. Is it time to rent or to own?

This To-Do list could and should be significantly longer, but it is an excellent starting point to kick-off your 30’s with a string sense of you financial status and the direction to take in order to strengthen your status.
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April 25, 2016

Eat Fat – Well, at Least the Healthy Kind

Part of having a long life is incorporating healthy foods into your diet and making sure your body receives the nutrients it needs.
We like to promote health and wellness, because our hope is that while you already have your life insurance policy through Susman Insurance (we hope), you have a lifestyle that lends itself to the distribution of your policy is a long, long, long ways away!

Eating fat is an essential part of every diet. You want to make sure that you are consuming HEALTHY fats – not the fat from a donut!

Avocados are one of the healthiest fruits you can consume. They’re rich in monounsaturated fats, packed vitamin E, and chock-full of healthy protein.

Butter — preferably raw or from grass-fed, organic sources. The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids found in butter help your brain function properly and improve skin health. Butter’s rich in fat-soluble vitamins and trace minerals, including beneficial selenium. It’s lactose- and casein-free with high levels of vitamin K2.

Coconut Oil can be consumed and be used on your skin and hair. It’s rich in medium-chain fatty acids and high amounts of natural saturated fats. It increases good cholesterol, promotes heart health, is an anti-inflammatory, and helps reduce arthritis.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is great for heart health and helps improve memory and cognitive function, and works as an anti-inflammatory.

Omega-3s come in three different types: ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The preferred sources of omega-3s are DHA and EPA. The best omega-3 nuts to consume are walnuts while seeds with the most significant omega-3 nutrition include chia seeds and flaxseeds. Many green leafy ones veggies, are good sources of ALAs.

You can learn more about incorporating healthy fats into your diet by reading:

http://draxe.com/healthy-fats/

April 22, 2016

Best Face Forward

It seems like almost every day there is another celebrity revealing an update in their look. Sometimes this update involves a little nip and tuck. Whether you care for the celebrity or not, it is hard not to have an opinion when you see the changes and updates. Sometimes opinions turn into ridicule which can turn into extreme bullying. That’s unfortunate. However, in my opinion – if you are going to be in the public eye then you have to be prepared for harsh criticism when you change the structure of your face.

This leads me to think about plastic surgery. I am not against plastic surgery in any way, but like most things, it should be used carefully and in moderation. There are significant risks associated with plastic surgery – all of which should be research prior to going through any procedure. If you are considering plastic surgery, please make sure you sign-up for a life insurance policy or update your current one. We can’t control the outcome of your physical changes, but we can make sure you are covered just in case the unthinkable happens.

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April 18, 2016

Life’s Little Indulgences

Do you like to indulge? I do! Life is about balance, but there are times when you have to let go a little more and indulge. Perhaps you buy a second pair of new shoes or maybe a larger milk shake. Whatever it may be, you must know that it is OKAY!
On some recent travels I tried something new – and I loved it! I had this HUGE bowl of something amazing at a Mexican restaurant – chicken, steak, cheese, and I think a green chili base. It was easily one of the best things I have ever eaten. I took full advantage and gorged – it was awesome and IT. WAS. DELICIOUS.
Sometimes it is important to indulged and at times, even over-indulge. Yes, I know, it is better to live in moderation and to make safe and healthy lifestyle choices. You know what? That can get very routine and very boring, VERY fast. So whether it is a big bowl of Mexican food goodness, a rich dessert, a new adrenaline-style activity, or even indulging in laziness for a day, I say DO IT! Our lives are so busy and full of activities that cater to the needs of other people. It is important to take the time for ourselves and to enjoy life’s little indulgences.

10 Ways to Totally Self-Indulge

April 15, 2016

Coffee Addict

Our office has never hid the fact that we love coffee. Regular, decaffeinated, black, espresso, latte – whatever. It doesn’t matter. We are addicted! Addicted in the healthiest way, of course!
We consider our addiction to a good thing, because of the benefits associated with consuming coffee. There are numerous myths surrounding coffee and often times it is accused of causing some pretty serious health problems. Let’s investigate…
Coffee is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that can improve your health. Whether you drink regular or decaf, you get the same amounts of antioxidants. Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels. After you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream, travels into the brain, and blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine. After consumption, you are more alert.
It can also help you burn fat and improve physical performance. Caffeine is found in almost every commercial fat burning supplement and sends signals to the fat cells to break down body fat. It is even recommended that you drink a small cup of coffee 30 minutes prior to working out. Drink coffee and burn fat – we love it!
Coffee may lower your risk of Type II Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, liver disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke – meaning coffee can potentially help you live longer.
It is also known to assist with making you happier and fight depression.
So what does coffee have to do with insurance? EVERYTHING! Whether it’s coffee or something else, the more foods and beverages you consume that a healthy, the more your chances increase of having a longer life. Our goal is to serve all of your insurance needs, but I focus is making sure you have an amazing, long, and healthy life. You should have that life insurance policy now, but we don’t want your family having to deal with it until WAY into the future.

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April 11, 2016

Monthly Priorities

Okay…so I am going to pretend that all of you reading this do in fact have a life insurance policy. You planned accordingly and know what you final expenses will be and underst and the importance of providing for and protecting your loved ones after you are gone. From the day you signed up for the policy, you have made the payments accordingly and faithfully. Good for you!

Did you know that not everyone is like that? A friend of mine recently told me she was thinking about cancelling her policy, because she can’t afford the payment. She said he budget is too tight and she is living month-to-month on her paychecks.

I am no stranger to finances being tight. I too have lived month-to-month and barely squeaked by. The economy has been tough on all of us. However, life insurance is not something that you cancel or stop paying on. There is always another option to consider. For example, that fancy latte that you are buying everyday on the way to work. You spend more on that than the average monthly premium. Buy a coffee pot. Make coffee at home. Keep the premium. That is just one example. I am sure there are plenty of frivolous items we all could cut out of our spending.

Your life and the coverage of your loved ones is WAY more important that a foofoo latte or a new blu-ray.

Priorities people!

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April 8, 2016

Add to the Budget

Do you live beyond your means? Do live paycheck to paycheck? Is it a struggle to pay your bills?

I am not asking if you make enough money, I am wondering if the money that you are making is being allotted to the appropriate items. Yes, I underst and that there are a ton of people out there that struggle so badly and don’t make enough money to just scrap by. However, there is also a ton of other people that make a decent amount of money, but fail to properly budget and don’t stay on track with their financial responsibilities. I remember walking down the hallway of a college once and hearing a girl scream at her parents over the phone, dem anding that they give her money and help her with her bills. Meanwhile, she had a venti espresso in her h and and top-of-the-line purse, shoes, and sunglasses. It was SO irritating. Clearly, she was living beyond her means and wasn’t budgeting!

It is important to be financially responsible. It is important to create a budget and live within your means. It is also very important to make sure that within that budget, you add the monthly payment for your insurance policies. Yes, as in multiple policies- car, home, health, auto, life, etc…It is extremely import those items are added to your budget and that you don’t miss payments. They are your life lines in more ways than one. Don’t stress – we can help you fit all policies into your budget and make sure you are properly covered.

April 4, 2016

Allergic Reaction

top of that I have celiac, which means no wheat or gluten for me. Sounds terrible, I know, but have no fear – I still manage to live a fulfilling and adventurous life while filling my belly with allergy-proof foods!

I bring up the allergy issue, because I have had some pretty close calls. The problem with having such major reactions is you usually don’t know there is an issue until the IS an issue. I have asphyxiated to the point of needed medical revival. I have swelled up to the point that I couldn’t see. I have had such bad hives and rashes that you could not see a clean piece of skin.

Unexpected death from major allergic reactions isn’t at all unheard of. It happens more often than you think. People tend to focus on the more frequent and obvious causes of death, without paying attention to something like allergies.

Take a personal inventory of the items you are allergic to. Are they simple reactions or something major? These are things to consider in regards to your life insurance. Make sure the coverage is appropriate and includes the risks associated with such allergies. Be proactive!

April 1, 2016

It Won’t Hurt

Not every life insurance policy requires a medical exam. For example, the policy I get from work as a benefit didn’t require an exam. However, that isn’t the norm. The majority of life insurance companies require some type of exam.

Don’t freak out.

Worry about the medical exam is NOT a valid reason to skip out on getting a policy. In fact, the medical exam is pretty easy. While the steps and actually activities at the appointment may vary, they typically consist of the same tests.

You will first be asked to provide a detailed medical history. That means it is a good idea to know all of your doctor information and either have or know how to get your records. That will help the process go fast and smooth.

Just like with a normal check-up, you will have to get weighed (yuck) and then your height and blood pressure will be checked. Next you will donate some blood and probably some urine. The exceptions might include EKG, treadmill test, and some additional lab work.

That’s it. The end.

It is worse getting check for a cold!

There isn’t a reason to be worried. If anything, think of how great you will feel once it is over.

March 21, 2016

Protect What You Collect

Do you collect things?
Is your collection of Star Wars paraphernalia so massive and impressive that it would make George Lucas jealous? Do you have every Beanie Baby in existence? Perhaps your collection is a little more unique?

Check out some of these collections:
-Santa Clause – Sharon Badgley, is all about Santa Claus. Over the years she has amassed an impressive collection of Santa Claus dolls that number more than 6,000
-Happy Meal Toys – Luke Underwood was just 11 years old when he was able to boast a collection of over 7,000 promotional toys that were included with McDonald’s Happy Meals.
-Owls – Pam Barker of Leeds, Maine is happy to settle for owl dolls and other owl-themed novelty items. The collection of more than 18,000 owl-inspired items earned her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
-Beer Mugs – In Germany, Heinrich Kath is the collector of over 20,000 beer mugs does not drink beer
-Cigarette Boxes – A man named Wang Guohua in China has a collection of more than 30,000 cigarette boxes from more than 10 countries.
-Movie Cameras – Dimitris Pistiolas of Athens, Greece has more 930 vintage movie cameras and projectors.

For me, it is all about my book collection. I own over 3000 books. To say that I love to read is a MAJOR understatement. Saying that I love to collect books is always a MAJOR understatement. It is my favorite hobby and the easiest and fastest way for me to calm down and let go of a bad day. I love that even after reading just one paragraph, I am completely transported to another time and place. I love my book collection so much that I even have extra insurance on them. I rent, so I am required to have a specific amount of renter’s insurance for my apartment. I get extra insurance on top of that to specifically cover certain items – my books being part of that extra coverage. In the event of flood, fire, or whatever r andom accident may occur, I want to make sure that I will have the financial means necessary to replace all of those books. I keep a very detailed list, so I know what titles I would need to rebuild my personal library. Have you put the same time into protecting your own personal collection as you have building it?

Books may not be your collected item of choice, but I am sure something else is. In any case, be sure you have the right policy for the right items and people in your life.

Author: InsurancePro