All Entries in the "Insurance" Category
Flexible Spending Accounts: Is a FSA Right for You?
Tweet Flexible Spending Accounts Provide an Easy Way to Save Money and Pay for Health Care Expenses One unfortunate result of rising costs associated with health care and health insurance is that employers are now looking for ways to trim employee health benefits. This usually includes increasing co-pays, out-pocket-costs, and deductibles. The good news is [...]
Health Savings Account (HSA) Basics
Tweet What is a Health Savings Account? Health savings accounts (HSAs) allow individuals to save money for health care expenses on a tax-deferred and tax-free basis. This law was signed into law on December 8, 2003 and became effective on January 1, 2004. The tax deferred money can be invested into mutual funds, stocks, cash [...]
How to Find the Best Car Insurance Policy
Tweet If you have a car, then you need auto insurance. There’s a good chance you’ll never need to file a claim, but car insurance is one of those things that you’re thankful you have if you do. Depending on many factors such as how many vehicles you have, your driving record, and age, auto [...]
Why You Might Not Want to Wait Until You’re Married With Children to Get Life Insurance
Tweet Should Singles Even Consider Life Insurance? Ask anyone if a single person without any dependents should get life insurance and you’ll almost certainly be told no. But like most financial decisions, it isn’t as black and white as that. Sure, if you’re just a single 30-something living alone without kids it would seem like [...]
How to Earn Income for the Rest of Your Life: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Annuities
Tweet It wasn’t long ago that employees were rewarded for their loyalty to a company with a pension. For you younger readers the word pension may seem like it’s from a foreign language. It’s true, and in recent years the classic pension plans have been dwindling. Pension plans had a very unique feature that most [...]
Should You Buy Disability Insurance?
Tweet I occasionally receive questions from readers that ask about a number of financial issues, and a recent reader asked: “Is is smart to buy disability insurance?” Of course, without understanding someone’s complete financial situation it is impossible to give a straight “yes” or “no” answer, but I can provide some insight as to when it [...]
8 Ways to Save on Auto Insurance
Tweet If there is one item in my budget I hate more than everything else it has to be auto insurance. If you think about it, you can go years or maybe even your entire life without ever having to make a claim so it feels like you’re throwing good money away. At the same [...]
How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits – Eligibility Requirements
Tweet While I’ve talked about the importance of having disability insurance in the past, a lot of questions still arise regarding Social Security disability benefits. Everyone seems to have a story, or know someone who’s receiving Social Security disability, so there is always some skepticism as to whether or not outside coverage is needed. Think of [...]
5 Tips to Help You Save Money and Protect Your Home With Homeowners Insurance
Tweet If you own a home, it’s almost certain that you have homeowners insurance. While insurance agents will help determine the kind of coverage you can buy, it is ultimately your responsibility to know what the policy covers. And remember, insurance agents are salesmen and typically work on commission. This isn’t a bad thing, but [...]
COBRA Changes – Premium Reduction Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Tweet New COBRA Changes Reduce Premiums by 65% The latest stimulus package, also referred to as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has included a provision that will reduce the COBRA health coverage premiums by 65% for those who qualify. With job losses mounting and many individuals relying on health insurance through their [...]
Comparing Deductible, Co-Pay, and Co-insurance When Looking at Your Health Insurance Benefit Options
Tweet If you’re covered by a health plan, you’ve probably encountered the words deductible, co-pay, and co-insurance a number of times when examining your bills, paying your doctor for a visit, or simply looking at the benefits package from your employer. These terms can be a bit confusing, and with all of the limits, maximums, [...]
5 Quick Homeowners Insurance Tips That Can Save You Money and Your Home
Tweet Your home is likely your most valuable asset–make sure it is properly protected. While insurance agents will help determine the kind of coverage you can buy, it is ultimately your responsibility to know what the policy covers. And remember, insurance agents are salesmen and typically work on commission. This isn’t a bad thing, but [...]
Is it Smart to Buy Disability Insurance?
Tweet I occasionally receive questions from readers that ask about a number of financial issues, and a recent reader asked: “Is is smart to buy disability insurance?” Of course, without understanding someone’s complete financial situation, it is impossible to give a straight “yes” or “no” answer, I can provide some insight as to when it [...]
Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits – Who’s Eligible and How it Works
Tweet While I’ve talked about the importance of having disability insurance in the past, a lot of questions still arise regarding Social Security disability benefits. Everyone seems to have a story, or know someone who’s receiving Social Security disability, so there is always some skepticism as to whether or not outside coverage is needed. Think [...]
One Critical Thing You Need to Know About Life Insurance
Tweet This is a guest post by Chris Smude. Chris is the President and Founder of Smude & Associates – an entrepreneurial intellectual capital organization with a specialization in the financial services industry. You can also find more posts on his blog. Heads up! A lady (not a client) called me last week about a [...]
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