Teach your children well
As a parent, you take your role as primary educators of your children seriously. You learned 
You might think that tweens and teens are too young to learn about dollars and cents, that a lot of time for them to learn financial responsibility. But the following statistics on the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions website might change their minds:
- People in the age 18 to 24 spend nearly 30% of their monthly income just on debt repayment. (10% of net income is a recommended amount for a debt).
- US children, adolescents and young adults (ages 8-21) earned about $ 211 billion in 03 and rose to a rate of about $ 172 billion per year.
- average of 21 years in the United States will spend more than $ 2.2 million during his life.
they get it, they spend it and as far too many cases, exceed the amount they spend the amount they have. According to 05 figures Jump $ tart Coalition, 45% of students are in credit card debt, with an average of over $ 3,000. The Richmond program abuse of credit Resistant Education (CARE) noted that the number of 18 to 24 declaring bankruptcy has increased 96% in 10 years.
Where this future generation of debt ridden learn better money management and financial planning habits? Perhaps in school, although all 38 states have standards or guidelines of personal finances, only seven require students to take a personal finance course to graduate, according to the National Council of information on economic education.
The bullet money is back in the court of the parent, but help is available from your insurance advisor, financial planner and organizations such as LIFE. Here are some suggestions to start talking money with your children.
Share your sessions. make them part of your planning session with your professional financial adviser or insurance. A discussion of the different types of insurance and their role is critical, especially since statistics showed that although 70% of American adults say they personally need more life insurance, only 36% have a policy that they bought themselves, according to the Next Generation financial literacy Program of the lIFE LIMRA and life insurance Barometer 2011 study and person-level LIMRA Trends in life insurance of US study Property 2011.
Make it a play. (with materials available on DVD and online), were originally designed as a tool for educators to use in the classroom to cover the basics of risk management and financial planning, as well as life insurance, health and disability. But parents and children can learn many NextGen3, taking quizzes, playing the interactive game of Risk or get a history lesson on the concept of "pooling of risks."
Teach by example. to really make an impact, we must "walk the talk." engage your child in budget planning and investment discussions, or using them to participate in research on the best options to save money for family vacations or college funds. When they see the long-term ramifications of all the choices, they will be better able to make informed decisions when they are in charge of piggybank.
It is never too early to educate your children about the realities of life. And like most parenting experiences, you can end up learning a little more yourself!
Securing your retirement lifestyle
How often do you think of old? 
Some of us may try to avoid it, and it can definitely somewhat of a touchy subject for others. But as we all know, aging is inevitable, so why not embrace it?
It is exciting that we are living longer than ever, thanks to the amazing advances in medicine. For those considering or even close to retirement, you have a lot of life to live, which makes it all the more important to ensure that we all think about how we are aging.
The concept of aging well is causing people to place greater emphasis on continuing to stay active and engaged as they grow up in an effort to live longer, fuller lives . This can mean different things to many people-whether performing, traveling the country or the world, or stay involved in your community. However you define it, it is your lifestyle and you should be able to enjoy.
Unfortunately, fewer people who are approaching retirement age waiting to enjoy their later years or afford things they want to do in retirement, according to a recent AARP study because of the economy and uncertainty surrounding the decline of their personal finances. More people are also less confident in their ability saving for retirement and expect to have to reduce their lifestyle during retirement to make ends meet. That's why solutions such as long term care insurance can play a crucial role in helping people get older, and it should be part of your retirement planning list. That's why.
Many people think of the long term care insurance as a way to cover health care and other expenses should they need long-term care as they age. It is true that this does help you plan the financial risks and health, it also protects your "risk lifestyle" during your retirement years.
By covering the cost of unexpected care needs, long term care insurance can provide added confidence and peace of mind that your retirement income will be there for you and your family when in charge You need it. It can also extend your retirement savings so that it can cover the expenses of everyday life, holidays and family visits, and other activities that make up the lifestyle and quality of life you have spent years to prepare for.
In short, long-term care insurance can help preserve your independence, secure retirement you want, and give you a reason now to feel secure about your future. And if needed, the assurance of long-term care can also provide you the care you need in the setting you prefer.
Whatever your age, there's never too early to start planning for retirement. I encourage you to learn about the long-term care and other insurance solutions to see how they can help you and your family. By eliminating some of the problems that may surround your later years, you can focus on life and aging well.
3 silver tips to follow before the baby comes
I think the biggest mistake young families make no provision before the arrival of their children. The fact is, you better prepare 
New parents do not understand or fully appreciate how chaotic weeks, months and years will be after a little one arrives. Between feedings, attempts to sleep and jet lag, the opportunity to sit with a financial professional after the baby can feel almost impossible.
There are some new things families can do before the birth to get in good shape for baby.
1. Pay off debt.
The nine months before the baby is a great time to repay the debt. Typically costs are lower in the months before the baby is born, the costs of data diapers and baby food have yet to hit the wallet. Many customers looking to live on one income to increase their savings and pay down debt. If the debt is not a problem, use this time to increase your savings account to prepare for new spending as a car seat, crib, diapers and delivery costs.
2. Review your coverage.
New parents need to understand their current coverage and update and adjust if necessary. If the ins and outs of work benefits are currently a mystery, call Human Resources for an upgrade to understand what medical coverage and policies cover maternity leave.
Review your life insurance and disability insurance to make sure it meets the needs of a growing family. Life insurance can be an affordable option for most families and can be purchased for a certain period of time to help protect the financial well being of a family in the event of a premature death. Disability income insurance is designed to protect part of the income of an individual. The key is that the loss of the ability to earn an income, it can be difficult to make ends meet. Disability income insurance can be a practical solution to help protect the financial security of a family in the event of a disabling illness or injury.
As a parent, do not guess when it comes to amount of coverage, work with a financial professional you trust and can help you understand your needs if either the parents had become disabled or die.
3. Establish a budget.
Finally, to establish a clear budget before the baby arrives if you know how much money is being allocated to meet the financial needs. This will help you determine how much money you can allocate to new expenses such as diapers, formula, day care, baby clothes, etc., or if you need to reduce some expenses to prevent you from overspending .
taking the time to consider these important matters, you will remove the concern and anxiety that comes from not knowing what your family has set up. Instead, you are in a position simply enjoy special moments as a new parent knowing that you have taken steps to protect your family.
What about death by other means?
I recently read on a complaint filed by the widow of a well-known businessman in my hometown. The man died tragically in a car accident a few weeks ago. The story in the newspaper recounts the trial of $ 7.5 million filed by his widow against 16-year driver of the car that hit and killed the man.
In graphic terms, the trial for $ 7,500,000 describes all the losses of the widow and specifically stated in the filing, 
, I have now no idea how much life insurance man has or has not, but it brings a very interesting thought in mind and anyone should consider:
If you were to die because of the negligence of a third party, how much would you want your family to sue for?
If your family have not less if you were to die by other means?
says otherwise, if the deceased's family thinks his "economic value" of $ 7.5 million, it would be interesting to know if the gentleman had assured himself for anything near what amount.
"lost wages, loss of earning capacity, the current monetary value of the monetary value" ... This exactly this life insurance is
here's the reality: When you're here, your family or your business will likely have an economic loss due to the death if the amount they receive vary in the way. you die?
Think about it ...
While no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one, you need to ask yourself if your "economic value "your family is assured. Use this easy online calculator to make sure.
New taxes on your road
medical tax device - an increase of $ 20 billion tax: medical device manufacturers employ 409,000 people in 12,000 plants across the country
"special needs tax children " - a tax increase of $ 13 billion .: the 30-35 million Americans who use a flexible spending account (FSA) at work to pay for medical needs basic family will face a new government cap of $ 2,500.
surtax on investment income - a tax increase of $ 123 billion: This is a new 3.8% surtax on investment income earned in households making at least 250,000 $ ($ 0,000 for a single person)
"Haircut" for medical itemized deductions - a tax increase of $ 15.2 billion: at present, Americans face to high medical expenses are allowed a deduction to the extent that those expenses exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income
Medicare payroll tax hike - an increase of 86.8 billion tax $: the Medicare tax on salaries is currently 2.9% on all wages and self-employment profits. Under this tax increase, wages and profits exceeding $ 0,000 ($ 250,000 in the case of married couples) will face a rate instead of 3.8%.
The problem is, how do we pay for the new health care plan and reduce the national deficit at the same time? If the government could impose a 100% tax on all income from every person in America winner at least $ 250,000 per year, how much money would it take? The answer is $ 1.4 billion.
Given all the profits of the Fortune 500 would be about $ 400 billion. All profits of the Fortune 500 would be enough to run our government for 40 days. You can take all the income of all persons earning more than $ 250,000 per year, all profits of the Fortune 500 and all of the wealth acquired by billionaires from America, and that would not be enough money to fund our current federal government for eight months. If we can not even fund a full year of expenses, how can we reduce our deficit? If this does not hurt makes you comfortable on the current financial crisis in our country, it should.
Why should I put up all these taxes and the deficit? Because you have to take personal accountability for your financial well-being and that of your family. You can not rely on friends, family and the government to fill the financial gaps; but with proper planning, you can minimize the risk to you and your family.
Reach out to your agent or advisor today to begin the process.
Shedding Light on 7 Long Term Care Insurance Myths
Each November, supporters across the country use Long-Term Care Awareness Month as an opportunity to educate families about the importance of 
Myth 1: .. There is a government program that will care of me Medicaid is a government program that will pay for some long-term care services. However, Medicaid eligibility requires that you meet the guidelines of the specific poverty in the state. Medicare, on the other hand, is a health insurance plan for seniors that covers skilled care to improve the health status of an individual. It does not cover custodial care, which means the type of care you get when you need long-term care
Myth 2: .. I can save money I have for long-term care This is not a practical approach to most individuals. Pay out of your own pocket for a few years of long-term care can deplete a lifetime of savings and retirement threaten you spent building several decades. The national annual average costs for long term care services are: $ 21,840 for home care (on the basis of a visit of four hours, five times a week); $ 39.500 for care in an assisted living facility; and more than $ 83,000 for care in a nursing home, according to the National Center for Long Term Care Information. For this reason, many financial planners and advisors consider LTCI an integral part of the financial plan of an individual
Myth 3: .. LTCI is only for the elderly The sooner you start planning for your long -term care, the better. hedging demand at a younger age will help make LTCI more affordable and provide more coverage options (the average age for new LTCI applicants is 57). In addition, accidents and chronic illnesses can occur at any age and may include the need for prolonged custodial care
Myth 4: .. I do not need LTCI because I have the health insurance long long-term care is the help, care or services from a person needs when they are unable to perform basic activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing or eating -a need that often grows over time. This type of care is not covered by health insurance plans, which are designed to cover acute care skilled or someone you return to good health (think care vs cure ). Therefore, long-term care typically focuses more on care than on curing
Myth 5: .. I can not afford LTCI Without insurance, you may have a harder time providing care in the long term. Many plans LTCI can be designed to be compatible with a range of personal budgets and benefit levels to meet personal needs. Have some protection against the financial demands of long-term care is better than having none it does not have to be an all or nothing decision
Myth 6 :. LTCI covers the care for. a nursing home LTCI can provide benefits for care in the following settings: your own home, adult day care, hospice care, assisted living center or nursing home
Myth 7 :. We do not require LTCI because we each other. family and friends certainly play an important role in long term care situations according to AARP, more than 42 million Americans provide care to an adult with limitations in daily activities. This support, when prolonged, can cause high pressure on the caregiver-physically, emotionally and financially. LTCI can help support and supplement these informal care, and ensure care is received if a spouse or a family member are not physically able to provide care.
Waiting too long to meet your needs for long term care can have serious consequences. I encourage you to take the next steps to learn more about how LTCI and other resources can protect your finances, give you peace of mind, and if necessary, provide the care you need. Then begin the important discussion with your loved ones to see if LTCI is the right solution for you and your family.
Want to save "tens of thousands" year? Read This
Many people follow the advice of Suze Orman when it comes to making financial decisions. There is no surprise, however, it is not a "favorite daughter" among many insurance agents, mainly due to the fact that it is "buy term and invest the difference" school of thought . [While term life insurance is the right fit for many people, as this post shows, it’s not necessarily an all-or-nothing decision between term and permanent life insurance.]
But I digress.
The reason I am writing about Suze is that she actually wrote an article in the December issue of O, the Oprah Magazine support an insurance product that many people do not know or think is too expensive to pay attention to
this is what she said about the insurance long term care :. "I am blessed to be able to provide medical treatment for my mother, who lived to 97, whenever she needed it, but I wish we had bought there his long-term care insurance decades. "
she goes on to note that while the annual premiums (she cites $ 1,000- $ 2,000) are a big commitment, long term care insurance" can you potentially tens of thousands of dollars a year if you are unable to care to save you. "
And it also suggests that it is not for you, but something that you can help your Parents support payments to premiums if they are unable to afford it.
Suze says, "... it is a small price to pay to reap huge benefits for the people you love."
I think most would agree. What do you think the opinion of Suze?
Alphabet Soup
CPA, JD, MSFS, MSM, CLU, CHFC, CFP, RFC, CFA, SGCH, RHU, FSS, RICP, CASL, CAP, and the list RIA REBC keep on going. No wonder you (and me) are confused. So what should you look for designation when seeking to work with an agent or a professional counselor? It all depends on what you want to accomplish
Let's review some of the names most commonly recognized
CLU - Chartered Life: .. If you deal with life insurance and related products such as insurance for long term care, disability insurance or annuities, this is the only one looking. A CLU has completed a series of eight college courses requiring 16 hours of examinations on topics such as risk management and estate planning. A CLU is a specialist insurance
CFP - Certified Financial Planner: .. This specialist is trained in comprehensive financial planning, which requires a series of seven tests
ChFC - Chartered financial Consultant: This is similar to PCP with training in overall financial planning. This designation requires the same work that the CFP course and two choices as compensation or executive macroeconomics
Underwriter Training Council Fellow LUTCF- life. This certification, which requires the completion of six courses, combines the knowledge of essential products with the basic planning concepts
ULR - Registered Health Underwriter :. the RHU requires completion of four courses on group and individual health insurance. This designation is a first degree in the health insurance market. If you have questions about health insurance, the ULR is the professional expertise.
If you want to know more about these and other professional designations, go to the American College.
If you are looking for an agent or adviser to help you, you can start here, with the LIFE Locator agent. Everyone is listed members of their professional organization, the National Association of Insurance and Financial.
What you need to know about health care in retirement
It would be nice to believe that rising health care costs were a temporary phenomenon. Unfortunately, it is not the case. 
The decisions we make about how and where we live to retirement are unique to each individual or couple. The options open to us, however, are often determined by our financial resources, our ability to pay. Here are the different ways to pay for health care costs and long-term care in retirement, which can help you as you make decisions about your pension
insurance plans -health retirees. If your company provides retiree health benefits, make sure you know how much premium you will be required to pay and deductible and co-payment requirements. retiree health insurance plans are generally designed to coordinate with Medicare benefits. Warning:. Even if your employer is providing retiree health care benefits, there is no guarantee these benefits will be available when you retire
Medicare and insurance "Medigap" most people qualify for Medicare insurance when they turn 65. Medicare helps protect against the cost of medical care during retirement. One fact, however, is obvious: There is no free lunch. Have costs related to health care and the likelihood is that these costs will continue to rise each year
Medicaid. Medicaid is a federal program and the common state that helps medical costs for some people with low incomes and limited assets. Medicaid is essentially a safety net for those who did not provide enough for their financial needs in retirement, or who met unexpectedly large expenditures that drain their financial resources
long-term care insurance. long-term care insurance can put you in control, protecting your assets and dignity, while allowing you to select the type of installation and the setting in which to receive care services long duration, if necessary.
personal savings: Review your retirement plan to make sure it take sufficient account of the potential costs of health care and long-term care in retirement. If you find a shortfall, you can increase your personal savings now in order to have sufficient funds available after retirement
Home Equity :. Many retired people have accumulated a substantial net worth their homes. There are a variety of ways to use equity if needed to pay retirement health care costs
The return to work :. Regarding the planning of health care needs as we age, it is time for a reality check. How many 70+ year-old people with health problems really want to be looking for a job?
Do not wait until it rains to start building your ark. Plan ahead so that choices are always yours to make! Contact your agent or financial advisor for help with this type of planning.
Could you live on $ 1125 a month? If not, read this
You have become disabled, but you're not worried. Why? Because you think that social security disability benefits will "take care of you." Re 
If you make $ 50,000 per year, how long could you (and your family) survive a payment of $ 1125.10 per month disability? It is only $ 13,501 per year, or 27% of your income. This assumes that you qualify for benefits, not everyone does. And if you do, it may still be more than two years, yes, years-before starting to receive payments. What will you do in the meantime?
It's time for you to protect your paycheck.
What do I mean? You protect your home by ensuring against loss. You do the same thing for your car, boat, motorcycle, RV and personal property, but have you ensured your salary?
Yes, I speak of disability insurance. You protect your worldly goods with insurance, and you should also protect your income against loss. If you get sick or injured and are unable to work, you disability insurance pays a percentage of your income until you can return to work.
May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month, the perfect time to talk to your advisor or agent and learn how to protect your paycheck.