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Ten Ways to Simplify Your Life and Lower
Debt
You should shop for quality insurance. Ask your friends for
their recommendations. Do they like their insurance
representative? Does the insurance agent seem to be responsive
to their needs? Is the agent easy to contact? How long have
they had this agent handling their insurance?
Determine your real needs. What types of insurance will you
need in retirement? Consider medical, dental, free or low cost
coverage. Look at your medical bills and see the types of
services you were charged for? Do you anticipate needing
surgery or more heath care?
Get several quotes. Even if a company is recommended by a
friend or relative, you might want to get at least three quotes
so you can make a comparison of the services and fees. Check
the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website for any complaint.
Also check the rating of the insurance company. Among the
commonly-known rating financial agencies are Moody’s and
Standard & Poor’s.
Be prepared to answer a long series of questions as they relate
to your health.
Ask about annuities, Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, prescription
drug payment assistance, long-term care insurance, travel
insurance, etc.
How stable is your current income flow? Do you currently own
financial products? Are you wondering whether you should cash
out any of your financial products? Ask your rep if you should
refinance your home or not.
There are many reasons to save money. One main reason is
retirement. Today you cannot live off of social security alone.
Another reason to save is because there are situations ahead.
Even if your children are still in high school, college is not
far away, and neither are cars and graduation parties. Another
good reason to save is because you know you’ll want bigger,
better things soon. You know soon you’ll want that bigger
house, or that better car, or that boat you’ve been dreaming
of. Save now so all of those are an option.
Another reason to save is because of the
unexpected things in life coming toward you. For example
there’s job less, illness, or home repairs. These are all
things you’ll need saved money for. According to
bankrate.com, “Americans today spend more than they earn.
Savings are less than zero. But you can break out of that
mold all on your own and reap the benefits of feeling
free and independent.”
Here are some real ways to save, and save aggressively. First
of all, pay off all of your credit cards. That credit being
open is an amazing opportunity, character uplift, and safety
net. Debt is suffocating. Next, make sure you budget your
income so your cost of living is as low as possible in contrast
to your income. That is, if you calculate your bills, your gas,
food, and extra spending, it is much less than what you’re
bringing in. With that extra money, you save. Put it in a
savings account and act like it does not exist. Another great
way to aggressively save is to have a roommate. If you are
single, this is a great way to literally split your bills in
half. Carpooling is also a great way to save money and split a
bill in half.
Lastly, when it comes to saving it is very important to
remember you’re spending and what is necessary and just a want.
For example, calculate how much money you are spending on going
out to eat and how much that would equate to for groceries.
You’d be surprised. Remember how much you’re buying that you
don’t need, that you won’t even use that often. Is it worth it
right now? Saving and not spending when it comes to wants is
exactly what makes it aggressive saving.
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