Debt Settlement

Planning to "Take Good Care of Yourself" - Mon, 13 Jul 2009
Is Long-Term Care Insurance right for you? If you have sizable assets to protect and desire to plan ahead in the event you need home care or the services of an assisted living facility, it is worth checking into this type of insurance Premiums may be tax-deductible and paid benefits are not counted as income. Planning to "Take Good Care of Yourself."

Age, the daily / monthly benefit amount, and the length of time benefits pay are a few of the factors that are consider to determine the premium amount, along with one's health rating. Long-Term Care is more expensive in latter years and not cost-effective for those with limited assets, receiving social security benefits, or about to receive Medicaid. Grown children, however, can pitch in together to purchase long-term care insurance for their parents.

When enough is enough - Wed, 08 Jul 2009
Every adult should have health insurance, personal property protection, vehicle insurance, and especially if a parent, life insurance. For other types of insurance, it's important to weigh the cost factor against the protection. Why add in-case-of-death-insurance to your mortgage loan if your life insurance would cover this expense? Credit card companies offer life, disability, & job- loss insurance to insure they will be paid.

Are the standard warranties enough coverage? An $1100 extended car warranty under a 5-year loan contract with interest... adds up to an astronomical amount. If you saved that amount for emergencies or your next car, you could earn interest, instead of paying it. Likewise, there may be no need to extend an appliance warranty if you already have a home-service repair contract. For electronics-computers, monitors, portable products, etc., extended warranties can be a wise choice. Take time to review the contract terms.

Not all Insurance is Created Equal - Tue, 07 Jul 2009
The most common thing about insurance is the wide variety of coverage and prices. Lifestyles affect insurance rates. Bad habits, like smoking, can affect not only health insurance, but auto, home / renter's, and life insurance, as well. Your credit score can also make a difference in the amount you pay for insurance. It's all about risk. The insurance companies want low-risk individuals; otherwise they will charge steeper rates to high-risk clients.

It pays to comparison shop for any type of insurance. Life insurance rates, for instance, can vary greatly according to age, length of insured time (term), and other factors. Ask your insurance agent if discounts are available for combining multiple types of insurance. Grouping vehicle, home, and life insurance with the same company can result in a sizable discount on all the products in the group. After comparing, thoroughly understand any policy terms and conditions before you sign your documents. Not all Insurance is Created Equal

Budgeting Tips - Thu, 02 Jul 2009
Take advantage of your company's 401(k) retirement plan. [This will reduce your taxes with every paycheck and your company may match a portion of the money that you contribute to your plan.]

Keep your family involved in the whole process of budgeting and reducing expenses, so that you all can plan and then take a pre-paid vacation of the money you saved.

Use coupons and check the bargain racks and tables especially during after-season sales. See how well you did month-by-month. Remember to as yourself, "Did I reach my monthly goals?"

Educational Tip - Mon, 29 Jun 2009
Papers, Papers, Everywhere!

Are your papers organized or are they located in various stacks, drawers, or boxes around the house? Find a system that fits your personal style; something you will use on a regular basis. Whether a fling box, cabinet, or perhaps an expandable accordion-style folder, keep your household and personal records in one handy place. If something breaks, you have the receipt. At tax time, no hunting here and there for your information. You know where to quickly find it. Also, promptly shred any junk mail containing personal information.

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