Do You Need A Financial Planner?
No matter how much money you make, it pays to keep on top of money coming in and going out.
Even if you do a good job of that, there are important times in your life when talking with a professional adviser makes sense.Almost every major life event - finding or losing a job, getting married or divorced, having a baby, buying a home -- is likely to have a major impact on your finances.
A new job may mean you are making more money -- no problem there as long as you know the best way to invest it.
Getting married may mean you have a second income to count on, but now you have someone counting on yours as well.
Buying a house means you have to come up with a hefty sum of cash for a down payment, get used to monthly mortgage payments and meet the expense of house repairs.Let's look at what happens if a baby comes into your financial picture.
First, medical bills need to be paid, so having good medical insurance is important.
Few insurance plans cover everything, so you'll need to have a cash reserve to cover deductibles and extras, not to mention the furniture, clothing and sundries you'll need when the newborn comes home.With a new addition to the family, you'll want to make sure that the entire family (baby, too) is protected if something should happened to you -- that means reviewing life and disability insurance to be sure it's adequate for your new responsibilities.There's the future to start thinking about, too.
Will your child go to college?
If so, the College Board estimates that secondary education costs are rising 7% to 8% annually, a rate much higher than the rate of inflation.
To afford the average $7,000 total costs for a state university, you need to start saving $195 a month.
Wait until your child is 7 years old and the monthly amount jumps to $240!
So, it's smart to put away a little sum each month.What can you do to accommodate new strains on your paycheck?
How can you meet all of your new responsibilities?
With an important financial goal (such as educating a child) you'll want to work with a generalist -- a financial planner.
A lot of professionals specialize in areas such as taxes or stocks, but a financial planner helps you understand the "big picture."
A qualified financial planner can help you sort through your current financial situation, help you set short- and long-term goals and objectives, then present a "blueprint" designed to show you how you can meet your goals while staying within your means.There's nothing more certain than change.
And just as you learn to adapt to the changes life throws your way, you can count on things changing with your finances as well.
Trevor J. Wisniewski, MSFinancial AdvisorRaymond James & Associates, Inc..
How Your Swimming Pool Could Get You Sued
Installing a backyard swimming pool can make those hot summers a lot more fun and relaxing, but could it get you into a lot of financial trouble too?
The short answer is: yes.
If you're not properly insured, and someone gets hurt in your pool, you are inviting law suits.
I know what you're thinking: my friends and family are the only ones who use my pool... they're not going to sue me if anything happens.
Guess again.
It's not necessarily that people love to sue or even want to.
They may have to.
With the high costs of medical expenses today, a family that suffers a serious injury (or--god forbid--a death) probably can't afford not to sue.
And if a person was injured at your pool in your backyard, guess who's technically at fault?
If someone gets hurt, don't be surprised by a lawsuit: expect it.
And don't think you can watch the pool every moment to make sure nothing...
Insurance > How Your Swimming Pool Could Get You Sued
Australian First: New Website Compares up to 10 Car Insurance Quotes for Free
(ContentDesk) April 4, 2006 -- If shopping around for the best car insurance quote excites you as much as visiting the dentist, new Australian financial services company, ARTOG.com.au, have launched an Australian first service that will be music to your ears.
The company allows you to easily compare car insurance quotes from up to ten major insurers.
Not only will this service save you tedious hours on the phone and internet, it could potentially save you thousands of dollars each time you insure by identifying affordable insurance for your circumstances.
Everyone knows if you shop around and compare quotes, you will always get a better price, states ARTOG General Manager, Kevin Sherman.
Understandably, people are time poor and would rather spend their free time doing pretty much anything else other than shopping around...
Insurance > Australian First: New Website Compares up to 10 Car Insurance Quotes for Free
Is Renters' Insurance Really Necessary?
You and your landlord share a common goal: You both want to ensure the protection of your interests. Obtaining a security deposit from you -- usually ranging from $100 to a full month's rent, and averaging $250 -- is how your landlord obtains a degree of insurance from you. The deposit covers your landlord should you cause any damage to your apartment while you are a tenant. Your landlord, in turn, may keep the deposit if you fail to pay your rent or you leave before the end of your lease. However, if, as a tenant, you keep your end of the bargain -- following the terms of your lease and leaving your apartment in good condition when you leave -- the deposit is refundable.So how do you protect your own interests as a tenant? Renters' insurance.
If you're an apartment-dweller, you're probably accustomed to brochures dangling from your door that advertise various renters' insurance policies. And if you're like many renters, you probably disregard them. But you may want to consider...
Is Renters' Insurance Really Necessary?
Insurance > Is Renters' Insurance Really Necessary?
Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim
Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible. Step 1: Understand your policy Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.
Step 2: Exchange information If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver's name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer's phone number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers' telephone numbers on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle. Step 3: Identify witnesses Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone...
Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim
Insurance > Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim
A Different Light Shed on the Insurance Industry
There's a relatively unknown market in the insurance industry that consumers need to know about.
This is a market where a single agent can offer you multiple choices from multiple companies.
This is the independent insurance agency market.When you have an independent agent (IA) who you know and trust, you shouldn't have to find a new agent again.
As an IA you have the ability to "shop" a customer with numerous insurance companies, finding them the best rate and coverage, so they don't have to.
Imagine what happens the next time the renewal comes on your insurance and the premium is suddenly $500 higher than it was before.
With an IA, all you need to do is call.
They have the ability to try and find a similar policy with another company; you haven't changed agents, given personal information to strangers, or gone through the monotonous task of shopping your insurance.
Instead, you left it to an expert.Depending on the size...
Insurance > A Different Light Shed on the Insurance Industry
Life Insurance ? Wise Investment In Personal Finance Or Excessive Caution?
Life insurance is typically taken out to offer valuable financial protection for your family in the event of your death, upon which a payment is made to your financial beneficiaries, heirs or family members.
The extent of this payment will depend on your insured sum and earnings.
Life insurance and life assurance may be interlinked in advertisements, though bear in mind the two policies are different.
Life assurance is a form of financial protection which is also an investment, as you should always get a pay-out at the end of the term of the policy.
Life insurance on the other hand is simply financial protection for your family, avoiding the issue of debt in the event of your death.According to an article by the Fair Investment Company, the British life insurance industry shrank to almost half the size of the pensions industry last year and according to the Association of British Insurers, less than 50% of UK households hold a life insurance policy.In...
Insurance > Life Insurance ? Wise Investment In Personal Finance Or Excessive Caution?
Discount Shipping Insurance (DSI) Offers Instant Cargo Insurance Coverage
Tarzana, CA (ContentDesk) June 13, 2006 -- Discount Shipping Insurance (DSI), the leading provider of 3rd party shipping insurance, has added cargo insurance coverage to their online instant policy program. Users can visit www.dsiinsurance.com to purchase immediate cargo trip policies using their credit card for individual shipments while in transit with the major shipping carriers. Covered carriers include Roadway, R & L, SAIA, Watkins, and the thousands of other common LTL carriers.DSI has always offered open parcel and cargo coverage to the frequent shipper, but the need exists for covering the individual large, heavyweight freight shipment without obtaining an open policy. Through the DSI website, www.dsiinsurance.com, users can purchase full coverage for their cargo shipments that are sent within the U.S.A. and Canada.
Whether you are sending a piano to a relative...
Discount Shipping Insurance (DSI) Offers Instant Cargo Insurance Coverage
Insurance > Discount Shipping Insurance (DSI) Offers Instant Cargo Insurance Coverage
Insurance Leader Michael R. Slade Takes Worksite Benefit Communications High-tech with NaviTech
Atlanta (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) June 29, 2006 -- As the pioneer of the insurance industrys innovation of benefit communication to employees at the worksite, Michael R. Slade, CLU, turned to technology, taking this concept one step further with the introduction of his new company, NaviTech, Inc.
???? NaviTech, formerly SouthCorp HR Services, has developed one-of-a-kind tools, through The NavigatorTM software, designed to take advantage of professional technology and deliver customized benefit information and enrollment options through visual, verbal and interactive education. NaviTech is the first company to offer an easy-to-use, cost-effective technology solution to fill the education...
Insurance > Insurance Leader Michael R. Slade Takes Worksite Benefit Communications High-tech with NaviTech
Insurance
This page loaded in 0.02789 seconds.