5 Lifestyle Apps to Help you get cheaper Life Insurance- www.Forbes.com

5 Lifestyle Apps to Help You Get Cheaper Life Insurance-http://www.forbes.com/sites/moneywisewomen/2011/12/03/5-lifestyle-apps-to-help-you-get-cheaper-life-insurance/2/

5 Lifestyle Apps to Help You Get Cheaper Life Insurance

Jessica Bosari, Contributor

 

Image via CrunchBase

 Life insurance is necessary for every family. It can provide a sense of security as well as assure that your goals for your family can still be met even after you’re gone. Yet, for all these benefits, a good life insurance policy can be quite expensive. While you do not want to skimp now and leave your family vulnerable in the future, there are ways to lower your premium prices without sacrificing good coverage. Here is a list of lifestyle factors that you can improve to make your life insurance cheaper as well as apps that can help you achieve your goals.

1.) Quit Smoking
Smoking can lower your life expectancy by decades and makes you a higher risk for life insurance companies, resulting in higher premiums. To lower your costs and achieve a longer life span, quitting smoking is a great step. The Quitter app for iPad and iPhone offers smokers the opportunity to track how long they have gone without a cigarette. It also tracks the amount of money saved as an additional motivation.
2.) Lose Weight
Overweight and obese individuals are at higher risk for heart complications, diabetes, and certain types of cancers. All of these factors can have a detrimental result on your life insurance rates. Even just losing 10% of your body mass can have a profound effect on both your health as well as your insurance premiums. Lose It! is an app that allows you to set concrete weight loss goals and establish a daily calorie budget to keep you on track.
3.) Reduce Alcohol Intake
Not only can heavy alcohol usage cause problems with your liver and kidneys, it also puts you at greater risk for certain types of accidents as well. While small amounts of alcohol have proven health benefits, being a heavy drinker can make your life insurance premiums skyrocket. The iDrinkulator app tracks your alcohol intake and then tells you how much money and how many calories you are spending to drink. Seeing your alcohol consumption in solid numbers is a huge motivation to cut back.
4.) Improve Driving Habits
Simply getting behind the wheel of a car puts you at risk, but this is increased if you are an unsafe driver. The Driver Feedback app by State Farm Insurance records dangerous driving practices and plots them on a map to show you your weaknesses as a driver. You can even compare yourself against other profiles for even more tools to improve.
5.) Increase Credit Score
While it doesn’t seem like getting your finances in order can make a huge difference in your life insurance rates, studies have proven that those with lower credit scores are at greater risk for health complications. To get a handle on your finances and get your bills paid on time, apps like BillMinder can get you on the right track to a healthier credit score.
By making changes to your lifestyle habits, you can make a big difference in your term life insurance rates. Not only will you save money, but you will breathe easier and live better as well.
Thank you to:

Money Wise Women

A network of professional experts educating women to live financially healthy

Jessica Bosari, Contributor

 

How to Discuss Estate Planning with Aging Parents over the Holidays-

This article is from the USA, but interesting read on getting better prepared with aging parents!

How to Discuss Estate Planning with Aging Parents over the Holidays

by Matthew Karr, Esq. on December 1, 2011

The holiday season is here and now may be a good time to start conversations with loved ones about the future and their estate planning needs. As difficult as it may seem, having conversations early can help families work together and avoid crises down the road.
It’s very common for family members, especially those who live far apart, to notice changes in a loved one’s cognitive or physical capabilities when they get together for the holidays. The realization that Mom or Dad or Aunt Sally may need more help than they used to can cause a growing concern for the well-being of your aging parents or loved ones.
But what can you do? Where should you start? Here are a few pointers than can help start the conversation.
■ Begin by having short, informal conversations with your family members to explore what their concerns are.
■ Gather information about what help might be needed and contact an elder law attorney to learn about the available options.
■ Consider holding a family meeting to talk about the present and the future. Work with your family members to create a list of topics to discuss with your attorney, and get Mom and Dad – or Aunt Sally – involved, too. Once you figure out what’s important to everyone (for example, protecting the home or avoiding probate), set up a free consultation to have your concerns addressed.
Seem impossible or overwhelming? Seek some expert help. Below are some things to consider and questions to ask:
1. Not sure where to start? The best place is usually the basics: Do they have any estate planning documents? Where are they located? When was the last time they were reviewed? Estate planning documents should be reviewed bi-annually to ensure they are effective.
2. Are the seniors in your family prepared in case they or their spouse need long-term care? At $10,000 per month, long-term care costs can devastate a family’s resources if not planned for well ahead of time.
3. Has a healthcare proxy and durable power of attorney been named for each senior? This can be extremely important should an emergency require a family member to make important health and financial decisions for another.
4. If you have an estate plan, is it set up to maximize benefits and reduce or eliminate liabilities for your family? Avoiding the time and cost of probate, reducing or eliminating estate taxes, and ensuring a swift and orderly distribution to heirs can all be accomplished with an effective estate plan.
5. Dreading the conversation? What if family members disagree about next steps? Or maybe they don’t think anything needs to be done? Download one of our free reports to help guide the conversation. You could also invite an elder law attorney into the conversation to help mediate conflicting ideas. The main goal is to protect your family and once that is clear, other details can usually be ironed out once everyone is well informed.
The bottom line is – as difficult as it may seem, starting the conversation before a crisis will help everyone in the long run. Call the Heritage Law Center and let us help you start the new year on the right foot.
Thank you to :

by Matthew Karr, Esq. on December 1, 2011, Mass health and Planning Elder law

http://www.mamedicaidlawyer.com/how-to-discuss-estate-planning-with-aging-parents-over-the-holidays/

Anything left on the table where you could be saving money?

Saving money! is there anything left on the table that you don't know about?

Ask For a Cell Phone, Home Phone, Cable and Internet Audit

December 5th, 2011 | Author: paivik

Ask For a Cell Phone, Home Phone, Cable and Internet Audit

You can save $100 or more each month by having an audit done by your Cell Phone, Home Phone, Cable and Internet providers. These companies can usually reassess your bill and help you find less expensive plans or options to suit your needs. According to a recent study about 66% of cell phone customers never use all their minutes. An audit by your cell phone provider may reveal a cheaper plan with fewer minutes.
Please share this wealth protecting tip with your family and friends. For more tips visit our website and facebook pages regularly.
Thank you to Paivk, from Insurance Sales Support, http://insurancesalessupport.com/2011/12/

• 

Could you survive financially if you fell ill? - December - 2011 - Which? News

Could you survive financially if you fell ill? - December - 2011 - Which? News


New Unum app helps you work out protection needs
09 December 2011

An income protection insurance policy could help you survive financially if you're off work for a long period due to sickness or accident

Income protection provider Unum has launched a new app which enables users to calculate how long they'd be able to survive financially if they were unable to work due to illness or injury.
Nine out of 10 people don't have a back-up plan to support themselves if they lose their income due to illness or injury. Many will rely on credit cards, loans or support from family or friends and could benefit instead from buying an income protection insurance policy.
How the income calculator works
The online Facebook-based app uses average benefits and household expenses figures and asks for a few key personal facts and figures to provide a rough calculation of how long people would be able to stay afloat financially if they lost their income.
Which? protection expert Martyn Saville commented: 'This app really brings home just how quickly savings can be used up if you can't work for a sustained period of time. For example, if you have £3,000 in a savings account, pay rent or mortgage of £800 a month and have average household expenses each month, your money would last just one month, even after factoring in state benefits.
'In the current economic climate of rising prices and reducing state benefits, it's very difficult to build up a sufficient nest egg to see you through a prolonged period of illness or recuperation after an accident. Protection products such as short-term income protection and standard income protection policies could help see you through, avoiding the spectre of major debt.'
More on this...
Why don’t we take out income protection insurance? - Have your say with Which? Conversation
Understanding protection insurance - we explain the best ways to protect your life and income
Income protection - we review the best income protection products available in the UKRead more: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/12/could-you-survive-financially-if-you-fell-ill-273941/#ixzz1g6eOFXMr Consumer Champions Which? Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial
Thank you to : Which Works for You, some great information for anyone
http://www.which.co.uk/news

How do the Celebrity's Prepare?

Check out this blog by  US News Money, Alpha Consumer, about a new book out on Estate planning for the stars!
 Probate Wars of the Rich and Famous, by estate lawyer Russell Fishkind

Some tips:  Complicated family situations, guardians, not updating your estate, see it all from the Celebrities!

What does the summary say?

The lesson: “Plan, plan, plan,” he says.

Who would figure?

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/alpha-consumer/2011/12/06/6-celebrity-estate-planning-errorsand-tips

Cutting Life Insurance From Budget Is A Bad Idea

This is an American CBS Boston News article today.  Keep in mind it is US so there are different policies there than in Canada we have a different premium quoting website but interesting article or you can watch the news video on the link:

Cutting Life Insurance From Budget Is A Bad Idea

By Paula Ebben, WBZ-TV

October 10, 2011 2:25 PM

BOSTON (CBS) – Life insurance is something we should all have, but it often gets cut from the family budget when things get tight.

In fact, the number of families without a life insurance policy is at a 50-year low which can create a risky situation.

Many people question whether they really need to get a policy.

Financial advisor Ray Martin responds, “I think the way to think about it is, if I passed away, and my paycheck passed away, how would my family or the people who are dependent on me, and my paycheck, make it by every day?”

In a survey, 40-percent of households with children said they would have trouble paying their bills if the family’s primary breadwinner suddenly died.

Although life insurance can be confusing, there are a few basic guidelines for most people to follow.

The first challenge is to determine how much coverage to buy.

Martin said, “You want enough insurance to pay off all of your debts. That can be a mortgage, student loans, or car loans. Then you will also want an amount of money that can replicate your income.”

The policy should be large enough to cover future expenses, such as college tuition or retirement funds for a spouse.

Financial experts suggest you consider term insurance first.

Polices cover a set period of time, usually 10, 20, or 30 years. Term is the most affordable type of life insurance.

Martin explained, “If you are a male and you’re 35-40 years old, half a million term insurance policy, a 20-year term, can cost $400-$600 a year.”

Policy prices vary so it is wise to shop around for the best deals.

Sites like accuquote.com and insure.com can be very helpful. You can also ask an insurance agent to get quotes from several companies.

Keep in mind you will pay less if you are young and healthy.

Martin advises, “As soon as you are thinking about the topic, get on it and do it. Don’t wait because you are in a good health, because you’re life can change on a dime.”

Another type of life insurance is called whole.

It is considerably more expensive than term, but it is considered an investment because it builds equity.

The Rangers even have a PLAN B!

Newberry: Rangers' backup plans worked

• By Andy Newberry
• Times Record News
• Posted September 26, 2011 at midnight

In almost any walk of life, one of the most important things is Plan B.
The best-laid plans don't always work out perfectly. Sometimes you miss a turn and an alternate route is preferable to turning around.
When the Dallas Cowboys didn't call on draft day, we had to find another job. When my wife didn't land a rich movie star, I became a good Plan B.
Plan A may be better, but it's not often realistic.
The Texas Rangers on the surface had to have pitching ace Cliff Lee last winter. He pitched them past the Divisional round of the playoffs for the first time in their history. He helped them beat the hated Yankees.
There were no other aces available.
Plan A was obvious and all eyes were on Captain Cliff last winter. But Texas' money wasn't enough and he went to the Phillies. At least it wasn't to the Yankees.
My fear, drawn from many years of inept Texas management, was that Carl Pavano would be on the next plane to Arlington. Kind of like when Cy Young winners Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens didn't work out, the Rangers settled for Chan Ho Park.
That's Chan Ho as in Oh-No he's not pitching again tonight, is he?
But in the winter of 2010, Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels had a real Plan B. They saw the pitching market beyond Lee wasn't worth marrying, at least on those terms.
They had also watched Michael Young play third base. And unlike most of their fans who wouldn't know the difference between Young and Brooks Robinson, the Rangers had also seen Adrian Beltre play third.
So Beltre as one of the top free agents available, although far from a bargain, was brought in to help the offense and the defense. Check and check.
Beltre should have been Plan A for somebody (yeah, that's you Anaheim). He is by any standard the best defender at the hot corner once again and he blasted his 30th home run on Sunday. He's also got 101 RBIs and a .293 average.
So much for the fact that he couldn't hit except in contact years! Sure, he was injured again, but the Rangers wisely kept Young and had enough depth to overcome it.
The new Plan A for the starting rotation was Neftali Feliz. The Rangers' young closer gave it a shot in spring training, but just doesn't have enough, sometimes any, reliable pitches.
So Plan B, or maybe C, was Alexi Ogando moving to the rotation. That looks like pure genius now.
Ogando went 13-8 with a 3.54 ERA and made 29 starts.
C.J. Wilson filled the role of ace, even if he's not quite Cliff Lee or Justin Verlander. But with guys like Ogando and Matt Harrison stepping up, the Rangers didn't have to have the richest ace pitcher as their depth paid off for them.
Panic was not part of the equation when Lee left for Philly. And it wasn't an option when Michael Young asked for a trade.
Ron Washington may not always come across as having the sense of urgency that fans in a football state want to see. But his famous "that's how baseball go" plays well in a clubhouse and keeps the panic button away.
It's the kind of confidence that allowed them to jump at the chance to bring in Mike Napoli for a reliever with closing experience.
Somehow, some way the Rangers would find a Plan B in the eighth inning. That help arrived in July.
Signing Lee might have been easier, but Ryan and Daniels won this AL West title with a perfectly executed Plan B.

© 2011 Times Record News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Thank you to Times Record News- The Rangers even have a Plan B!


http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2011/sep/26/rangers-plan-a-b-c-worked/

Are You Ready If Disaster Were To Suddenly Strike?

Reported by: KPSP Local 2 News

Email: news@kpsplocal2.com

Print Story

Published: 9/21 5:16 pm

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Updated: 9/21 6:19 pm

These are few things that should be in an emergency kit

How ready would you consider yourself if disaster were to strike right this moment?
Many of us don't have a backup plan in case a disaster strikes. In fact, during the blackout a couple weeks ago, even some agencies weren't fully prepared.
"It was very scary. Especially because I have a 5-year-old and a 9-month old and I wasn't prepared at all- no emergency kit or anything like that," said Eva Ibaora of Thermal.
That's why agencies such as local fire departments, the Red Cross, and experts from Loma Linda University came together at the Rummonds Community Center in Thermal Wednesday to talk about disaster preparedness. It was the first meeting of its kind for the city.
Experts say remote areas such as Thermal have to especially be ready in case of a disaster.
"We're trying to target this area because it is a low priority area. In case of disaster, we would probably be the last community to get any type of response out here," said Mike Castaneda, President of the Thermal Chamber of Commerce.
That's why instead of packing enough food and water for three days, people living in areas like Thermal should pack for about 7 to 10 days.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it takes just four easy steps to be ready for a disaster. So, to learn more on how you and your family can be prepared, click here.

Copyright 2011 Desert Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Are You Ready If Disaster Were To Suddenly Strike?

Baa baa black sheep, are you in the will?

http://www.ctv.ca/generic/generated/static/business/article2172440.html

CTV.CA

Baa baa black sheep, are you in the will?

ROMA LUCIW - The Globe and Mail

It is the kind of estate-planning drama that regularly plays out in the office of lawyer Barry Fish: A mother has two grown children. The daughter is her “good child” while the son is insulting, uncaring and estranged.
Despite the son’s black-sheep status, the mother wants to make peace and won’t cut him out of her will. She agonizes, and eventually decides to leave 95 per cent of the estate to her “good” daughter, whom she makes executor, and the remaining 5 per cent to her “bad” son.
“The glitch is that the bad son, once he finds out that he has a piece of the action, drives the good daughter crazy,” says Mr. Fish, who has been practising estate law for 38 years in Thornhill, Ont.. “He demands a full accounting of the whole estate, challenges everything, and creates no end of difficulty for her.”
Mr. Fish says the mother would have been better off writing the son a cheque for $10,000 and leaving the estate to her daughter. The son “is not going to get far challenging that in court,” he says.
Estate planning is an emotionally charged process, but having a black sheep in the family makes it vastly more complicated.
With more money at stake, and a growing focus on proper estate planning, what was once only an issue for the well-off has extended to older Canadians of all financial backgrounds. A huge transfer of wealth is soon to occur in Canada, with one estimate projecting that baby boomers will inherit $1-trillion over the next 20 years.
“Think about 10 families you know, and there will most likely be at least one black-sheep child in one of these families,” says Mark Goodfield, a tax partner at Cunningham LLP in Toronto and author of the Blunt Bean Counter blog.
Some fall under the classic definition of black sheep – a son or daughter who has embraced values the parents don’t approve of. But for the purposes of estate planning, Mr. Goodfield says, there are other kinds: the person who is financially irresponsible; the drug or alcohol addict; the person who has a partner the parents strongly dislike.
“A black-sheep child can be one that just spends crazily so parents have to deal with them separately in their will,” he says.
When there’s a family business, a son or daughter who doesn’t work for it may be considered the odd one out.
There are a myriad of issues parents struggle with: Do they reward the “good” child with a bigger inheritance? Or do they leave more money to the “bad” child, since they will need it more? What if he or she is married to someone they don’t trust? Sometimes, the parents disagree between themselves.
Of course, there is no rule that parents have to include all or any of their children in their wills. In the case of estrangement, some parents choose to cut a child out completely.
(In that case, it is important to “bullet-proof” the will by officially verifying the parent’s medical capacity, Mr. Fish says. To avoid a challenge based on undue influence, the favoured child should not be present when the lawyer and parent are working on the will.)
“From what I have seen, people are emotional powder kegs,” Mr. Fish says.
In most situations, parents would like to be even-handed.
“As a starting point, most parents want to treat their children equally,” says Elaine Blades, director of fiduciary services at Scotia Private Client Group. “At the very least, they want to be fair. I tell clients that fair and equal are not always the same thing.”
The more marriages and children you throw into the picture, the more complicated it gets, she says.
One solution is to create a testamentary trust, which will ensure the black-sheep child will receive an inheritance once the parent dies. By placing specific conditions on the trust, parents can control how and when the money is spent.
“There are trusts that you can set up where the money can only be used to pay for education,” Ms. Blades says. “Or you can make sure that if the child files for bankruptcy, you will not end up paying the creditors.”
Sometimes parents choose to take into account that they have spent more on one child during their lifetime – as in the case of a professional student – and leave an unequal distribution at the time of death to make up for that.
Although parents have no obligation to treat their children equally, many feel guilty if they do not, says Ms. Blades. Some worry about the optics of giving one child their share outright while putting another’s in a trust.
One way around that is to put both children’s inheritance in a trust but place more stringent conditions on the black-sheep child’s access to the money.
“Parents don’t want to make it look like they love one child more than the other,” Ms. Blades says. “So this is a satisfying solution. At first glance the distribution looks equal, but the money in one child’s can in effect be a lot harder to get at.”
Some parents feel responsible for how their black-sheep child turned out. “There can be tremendous guilt from the parents. Sometimes they feel obliged to put something in the will saying why they included or excluded them,” Ms. Blades says.
Mr. Fish says parents can unknowingly create problems for the “good” child by favouring him or her in their will. “The biggest challenge is to create peace for the favoured child: to come away knowing you have made their position as free from conflict as possible.”
Making one child the trustee of the other’s inheritance, or the sole executor of the will, often ruins relations between brothers and sisters, he says.
“I have seen children beg their parents not to be harsh because they have to have a relationship with their sibling.”
One solution is for parents to “thin out” their estate, basically giving children some of their inheritance while still alive, Mr. Fish says.
Although minimizing the tax hit is a key consideration when estate planning, Mr. Fish cautions against emphasizing that alone. .
“Do not create a situation which is going to create turmoil for those who follow you by giving them a tax advantage,” he says. “The prevailing consideration should be how life will be for those you leave behind. I have seen people’s whole lives altered by a failure to address that.”

Roma Luciw is the web editor of the Globe Investor personal finance site and writes for the Home Cents blog.

Where there's a will, there's protection of your possessions

Please see this article in the Vancouver Sun in Aug 2011
Where there's a will, there's protection of your possessions

Sorry Creditors: I have a 13,500 loan on a car, and a mortgage that ...

Sorry Creditors: I have a 13,500 loan on a car, and a mortgage that ...

IT'S NOT ALWAYS AS YOU THINK

Check out this video- things aren't always as you think they are at first.  Be better prepared, and check out my website

  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=4meeZifCVro

How important is it to have your important documents locked away?

Your Backup Plan, helps you sort out what the important documents are to keep in a locked Fire proof safe so it's away from identity theft, fire, water damage and of course any tragedies that may occur. Your family members can then step in to produce any documentation ie. policy number.
Keep your documents away from any identity theft.
Check it out, new website coming soon with on-line ordering- "Your Backup Plan Workbook"

Your Backup Plan: When Life Interrupts Your Practice

Your Backup Plan: When Life Interrupts Your Practice

Click on the video above to read an article written by, Jenn Sommermann, LCMT in the Massage Today Publication April 2011.

What's your Backup Plan if you can't work?

Click on video with link below

http://www.linkto.tv/iframe/show/uuid/d4dVweCbXxo

Nice video from UK- same issues as in North America

By Female First Celebrity Gossip and Lifestyle Magazine 17 March 2011

Most people don't think about the reality of becoming ill and needing to protect their income if they can't work.

And most of us don't have a back-up plan in place to support us during a long period of sickness.

Research recently released from the independent Think Tank, Demos, has found that it’s the average two income family with children, earning between £16,000 and £50,000 per annum, which is the demographic most at-risk of serious financial hardship if one wage earner is forced to stop working due to long-term illness or disability.

People assume that the state will look after them, yet the support actually available is less than £5,000 a year. For someone on an average income of around £25,000, this would mean a massive 80% reduction in income.

Whilst many of us have life insurance, we are actually three times more likely to fall seriously ill during our working lives than die while in employment.

Yet just 1 in 10 people in the UK have their income protected in the event of a major illness, meaning millions of us are risking serious financial hardship for ourselves and our family if the worst was to happen.

In the following video, we hear from Kate, aged 35, who unexpectedly had to take long term sick leave last year and wasn’t protected, while Jack McGarry, CEO of Income Protection provider Unum, and Nick Cosh, broker at PMI Health Group, look at the implications and discuss what you can do now to protect financially against sudden illness.

Female First Celebrity Gossip and Lifestyle Magazine 17 March 2011

Smartphone pictures pose privacy risks

Please change your settings on all of your phones -

Are Families Prepared With Their BACKUP PLAN?

Are Families Prepared With Their BACKUP PLAN? Check out this new press release sent out today!

News Release

http://www.i-newswire.com/are-families-prepared-with-their/99022

The Best Motivation Video

Moving and buying a house

Just helped a young couple start their plan for their new move!
Looking at what their options are for buying insurance and what did they want for coverage when they are 50 and even 70.  They both said ~ they will want some at that time!  Put together a staggered amount for every 20 years so that they save money over the years! That's what it's all about isn't it???
Enjoy!

lifeins4life

What is the difference in life insurance? you ask

Well, I do know the differences but do you?  You will after you watch this clip.It will be the best 20 minutes you'll ever spend!  In my book, I ask you different questions of what type of insurance do you have and what is it that you want to have?  Isn't that an easy question?  Not really.  But, Joe says, " I just one that works."  Really............Here's an article that was close to my heart on why you need my book......

CBC.ca - Marketplace - In Denial

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/in_denial/

 

Marketplace

Setting up marketing for your new book

Ok there is alot to do.  Everyone has said something different to do but I think I'm going to start with setting up a Book Launch Event at a Cafe Bistro.  Then start some Press releases to put it in the papers and magazines, internet sites etc.  I would like to start booking some seminars and presentations for Getting prepared! Next step TV presentations.  I would like to find a good location for the event.  Somewhere fun and exciting.

I did it the workbook is finally here!

I finally received my books and I'm ready to go with them now.  What do you do?  Well, I guess I'll start with a Book Launch Event here in Delta BC and then on to Press releases.  You can read further on how to do the next steps. What's your Backup Plan?