Everyone seems to be “going green” these days, but it’s not just a trend that will pass. It’s a choice that not only helps the environment, but helps you save money too. And who doesn’t like to save money?

Reducing energy use is one of the best ways to go green and save money. According to the RenewablePlanet.com, there are 10 easy ways to reduce energy use:

1. Insulate and Ventilate – Properly installed insulation can keep in heat during winter months and air conditioning during hot summer days.
2. High-efficiency appliances – These appliances use significantly less electricity. They cost more at first, but in the long run they’ll save you a lot of money.
3. Fluorescent lighting –This kind of lighting uses much less electricity than traditional lighting and it lasts much longer.
4. Reduce phantom power – When items such as your TV, computer and lamps are not being used, they should be turned off to reduce energy waste. Wasted energy can total almost 25 percent of a home’s energy bill.
5. Reduce home temperature – Lower your home’s temperate by a couple degrees. This will ensure that little heat is wasted.
6. Use water efficiently – Cut back on wasted shower/bath time, and use a low-flow shower head. This can cut water consumption almost in half.
7. Change furnace filters – A clean furnace filter will allow the furnace to operate more efficiently.
8. Avoid batteries – Only use batteries when you have to. When you do, it’s best to use rechargeable batteries that can be recharged by the sun.
9. Buy items locally – The further a product has to travel before it gets to you, the more energy it has consumed along the way.
10. Walk, bike, use public transportation – Reducing the amount of time you spend driving you car, reduces the amount of gas you use.

We love providing tips to help you save money. So if you like what you see, keep checking AccuQuote’s blog, become a fan of AccuQuote on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter for more valuable money saving tips. And don’t forget to check here first to learn about the benefits of term life insurance coverage. By shopping online for free term life insurance quotes, you may be able to save up to 70% on your term life insurance cost!

In today’s economy, saving is a much harder task to achieve. Whether it’s adding money to an emergency account or saving for retirement, the fact is you’re money probably isn’t growing as fast as you would like.

And the disturbing and dramatic drops in the stock market, interest rates and home values, don’t make this reality any easier to face. In an effort to minimize losses, many people have wisely moved some of their money into investments that aren’t subject to stock market fluctuations. These investments include certificates of deposit (CDs), savings accounts and money markets.

Unfortunately the interest rates on these investments (that many people call “safe” money) are extremely low. Some are currently earning less than 1% interest. And that 1% is fully taxable.

That’s why I want to let you in on an amazing financial instrument called an annuity. Annuities allow you to earn more and keep more, without taking needless risks. Some of them are currently earning 3 to 4 percent interest for as long as 5 years.

And unlike, CDs, savings accounts and money markets, annuities earn interest on a tax-deferred basis, which means you don’t have to pay taxes on the interest you earn until you withdraw the money. Why does this matter? Tax-deferral helps your money grow a lot faster.

Conveniently, annuities are issued by the same companies that issue term life insurance. These are some of the strongest, most stable financial institutions in the world.

For more information about annuities and how they can help you keep your money safe, contact AccuQuote. We can answer your questions and give you a free annuity quote. Alternatively, if you’re interested in learning more about term life insurance or to compare life insurance rates, get a free term life insurance quote.

November 4, 2009

What to look for in a policy illustration

Description:

When purchasing a life insurance policy there are so many things to consider, such as the price and features of the policy. However, before purchasing a policy, you should take a close look at the policy illustration. In this podcast, Byron Udell, a life insurance and annuity industry expert talks about what you should look for in a policy illustration.

Size: 5.02 MB

Length: 5:29

Click here to download

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Did you know that there’s a great type of life insurance available right now that’s slowly being discontinued? It’s called Return of Premium (ROP) term life insurance and there’s no better time to take advantage of this type of life insurance. ROP is a type of life insurance that pays you back 100 percent of your premium payments if you outlive the length of your term. It offers the same amount of peace of mind as traditional life insurance coverage but with a money back guarantee.

How does it work? During the term of the ROP term life insurance policy, insurance companies invest the extra cost of the premium payments for capital growth. As a result, consumers are able to receive a full refund and life insurance companies still make a profit. For example, a 35-year-old healthy male (non-smoker) will pay about $725 annually for a 30-year $500,000 return of premium term life insurance policy. However, if he outlives his policy, he’ll get his entire $21,750 back. Keep in mind that ROP typically costs 25 to 50 percent more than traditional coverage, but if you can afford it, it’s definitely worth considering when shopping for the best term life insurance for your family.

But if this type of life insurance coverage interests you, hurry fast! So far this year, several top-rated life insurance companies have raised their rates and some companies have discontinued their ROP policies altogether.

The window may soon close forever, so lock in low rates while you still can now!

For more information on ROP term life insurance and how to apply, contact AccuQuote today. Our licensed life insurance agents will provide free life insurance quotes and answer all of your questions.

Every year Inc. magazine honors entrepreneurial companies that have shown evidence of significant accomplishments. This year, AccuQuote is represented among some of the most successful businesses in America.

At AccuQuote, we’re honored to receive this recognition and owe it to you, our customers, for our continuing success. And because we’re passionate about providing you and your family with financial protection for the future, we’ll continue working hard to serve your term life insurance needs.

Thank you for your business and continued support.

We enjoy helping you learn about ways to protect your family, so keep checking AccuQuote’s blog, become a fan of AccuQuote on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter for more valuable financial planning advice. And don’t forget about our money saving tips every Friday.

Dining out often at restaurants, preparing too much and wasting leftovers are just some of our flaws when it comes to feeding our families. But thanks to CookingLight, I’ve discovered five great ways to stretch your family’s food budget!

Check out the tips below:

1. Eat more meatless meals – Meat is the most expensive item you’ll buy at the grocery store, so try making one or two vegetarian meals a week, or just use less meat in meals. And according to health experts, eating more plant-based foods can lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer (you’ll also save on your term life insurance coverage the healthier you are.)
2. Make a meal plan – Before you go to the grocery store, map out your daily meals for that week. Then only buy those items you need. By doing this, you’ll avoid buying items you don’t need and you’ll probably waste less.
3. Do it yourself – Avoid buying prepared items like frozen pizza crust, and make things from scratch.
4. Learn to stretch meat, poultry and fish – Rather than making protein the center of the plate, use it sparingly for flavor and texture.
5. Eat in season – Out of season produce is costly, and it usually doesn’t taste as good as fruits and vegetables that are in season. Try eating in season produce, when it can usually be found for a great bargain.

If you like our money saving tips, keep checking AccuQuote’s blog, become a fan of AccuQuote.com on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter for more valuable ways to make the most of your money. And be sure to shop online to get free term life insurance quotes. You may be able to save up to 70% on your term life insurance cost!

Life insurance is one of the most important purchases you’ll make to protect your family’s financial future. So naturally, there are some things you need to consider to be sure you’re adequately covered. Some of the things you should look for in a policy include riders. What are they? Riders are additions to a life insurance policy that provide extra coverage for specific circumstances.

Riders usually cost an additional amount, depending on what type and how much they cover. And although you can do without some riders, there are some that you should definitely consider adding on to your existing life insurance policy.

Following are common life insurance riders that may enhance your existing coverage:

1. Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) – In a previous post, we talked about the benefits of having an AD&D policy, especially if you’ve been labeled “uninsurable” by a life insurance company. But as a rider to a life insurance policy, it provides additional coverage if you were to die accidentally. It may double the amount of the original death benefit.
2. Waiver of Premium – If you become disabled, this rider allows you the flexibility to waive your premium payment during the entire time you’re disabled. With this rider, your life insurance policy will remain in force if you’ve experienced a loss of income due to a new disability.
3. Accelerated Death Benefit – If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness while your life insurance policy is still in force, this rider gives you the option to collect all or part of the death benefit while you’re still alive. This may take away some of the financial burden of paying unprecedented medical expenses.
4. Guaranteed Insurability – For term life insurance, this rider guarantees your policy’s insurability at the end of its term. In some cases, you may not even be required to take an additional medical exam. This rider is worth considering if you think your term life coverage will expire before you die.
5. Family income benefit – When you die, this rider provides your beneficiary with a continuous monthly payment for a specific amount of time.

Fore more information about what riders you can add to you existing life insurance policy, talk to a life insurance agent at AccuQuote. By providing them with some general health and lifestyle information, you’ll receive a free life insurance quote and be able to discuss affordable rider options.

October 28, 2009

How to find the right life insurance professional

Description:

When shopping for life insurance, it’s important to trust your agent. In this podcast, Byron Udell, a life insurance and annuity industry expert, talks about how to find the right life insurance professional.

Size: 3.47 MB

Length: 3:47

Click here to download

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If you were denied term life insurance coverage due to a severe medical condition or other lifestyle factor, you may want to consider purchasing an accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) policy. This type of policy is extremely affordable and offers protection for your family if you were to die accidentally. In addition, if you become injured or disabled due to an accidental cause, you’ll collect a lump sum that can help pay for medical expenses or make up for lost income if you’re no longer able to work.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidents (unintentional injuries) are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. That statistic is even higher for people under age 45. In fact, if you’re under age 45, you’re almost twice more likely to die in an accident than from a natural cause. In 2006 alone (most recent statistic available), 121,599 people died from unintentional injuries.

So if you’ve been labeled “uninsurable” by a life insurance company, don’t think you’re out of options when it comes to protecting your loved ones. You can typically get up to $500,000 in AD&D coverage that will give your family a financial cushion if you die accidentally.

For more information about AD&D insurance, talk to a licensed life insurance professional at AccuQuote.com. You can discuss your coverage options with them and receive free life insurance quotes from the best term life insurance companies. Remember, having some life coverage is better than having nothing at all.

If you need to double your existing life insurance coverage, now is the time. American General Life Insurance Company (AIG) is offering a limited-time opportunity for you to increase the life insurance coverage you already have with them. And guess what? There are no exams, no labs and minimal paperwork!

Why would you need to increase your coverage? If events in your life have changed since you first purchased your policy such as, getting married, buying a house or having a child, you may find yourself in need of additional coverage. And now you can increase your current policy by as little as $100,000, or as much as double your existing policy.

This opportunity is only available for a limited amount of time. But keep in mind – You must have an existing policy with AIG that was purchased within the past three years to take advantage of this offer. So if you’re interested in this chance to provide your loved ones with additional financial protection, call us today at 888-592-5566 to increase your current coverage amount.

For more information about this opportunity or for a free term life insurance quote, contact an experienced life insurance agent at AccuQuote. They’ll compare life insurance rates with top-rated life insurance companies to find you inexpensive life insurance coverage.