If the Coronavirus’ effect on the markets has taught us anything, it’s that every single person reading this should start the process of creating an emergency fund. This is not just an idea, nor is it a savings account, but rather, it is a separate pool of money to only use in emergencies...

If you are at the point where you are asking how to buy a life insurance policy, then you have already made the most important financial decision, which is to take the steps to  insure your family’s or loved one’s financial security.  For many people, that is most likely a critical decision that has long been procrastinated.

Ask anyone and even if they don’t know a thing about investing they’ll say, “oh, real estate is a great investment!” Well, it can be if you approach it in a smart way that works for you and your financial situation.

Life insurance has existed for nearly two centuries as essential planning tool that protects dependents from the risk of a breadwinner’s untimely death. However, given the unique investment properties of life insurance, financial planners are finding a number of ways it can be used in other ways to enhance portfolio returns while reducing risk.

For some people, getting an auto insurance quote is a lot like spinning a roulette wheel; you don’t know what will come up, and each time you spin it (getting quotes from different companies) it’s always different. Worse, there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason for the quote.

If you haven’t reviewed your insurance coverage in a while, you might be surprised with how many ways you can save costs. Here are three tips for lowering your insurance costs while improving your coverage in the coming year.

Habits of a Savvy Saving Family

by Natalie Babik on

When people warn you that having kids is expensive, it’s no joke. From diapers to food, braces to sports activities the costs add up quick. For a middle-income family in the U.S. raising a child up until age 18, costs an estimated average of $245,340 (or $304,480, adjusted for projected inflation), according to the 2013 “Cost of Raising a Child” report from the U.S.

Imagine the following scenario: You run a successful business with your business partner of 20 years. Your business partner dies unexpectedly. After the funeral, your deceased partner’s spouse shows up at your office with her two grown children. They ask for the key to your partner’s office – not to clean it out, but to move in.

Investment to Watch: Smart Home Technology

by Natalie Babik on

The term “smart home” sounds like something out of a movie on Syfy or a place where intelligent people go to converge. Yet, the concept isn’t new by any means. John Chambers, CEO of Cisco, referenced the concept at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1999.

Because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan that could possibly fit the unique needs of every family, risk management is a process that focuses on the problem of risk at every level of a family’s lifestyle in order to ultimately arrive at a solution for each. Each risk calls for separate measures, which usually require separate forms of insurance.

A home is a place to rest your head, to create memories, and to cook dinner. It’s where your pets are—your family. What people most often forget about their home is that it’s also your most valuable financial asset. And, if one of your financial goals includes a testamentary gift to charity, while also receiving substantive income tax deductions, this asset is important.