Whether we use it for working from home or doing our bills, many of us have a home office. And if you have a home office, you know how expensive supplies can be.

For just setting up or just starting to save, here are five tips to help you cut some of your home office costs:

1. Negotiate a lower cell phone bill – If you’re attached to your cell phone, which many of us are, you’re probably paying an arm and a leg each month. But by simply asking for a lower monthly rate, you might be pleasantly surprised at what some carriers will offer.
2. Ditch dwindling technologies – Things like a home landline and separate fax line can really add up. And the fact is, both of these technologies are hardly used anymore. Look for newer, similar technologies that cost a lot less. For example, there are devices that plug right into your computer to add an additional phone line, without a monthly bill.
3. Save your ink – Try not to print unnecessary documents. Ink is expensive, so the more you print, the more you spend. There are also alternative ways to print, such as sending documents to an online service or by recycling used ink cartridges.
4. Unplug and turn off the lights – Is your electric bill shockingly high? Well it shouldn’t be that shocking if you constantly leave everything in your home office plugged in. Whether they’re being used or not, leaving electronics plugged in can waste a lot of energy. When you’re done working, simply turn off and unplug everything.
5. Shop around – Instead of buying the “coolest,” most expensive computer on the market, shop around for a more economical one that has only the features you need. You’ll save a lot of money this way.

For more advice, check out Fabulous and Frugal.

If you like these tips, tips keep reading AccuQuote’s blog, become a fan of AccuQuote on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And don’t forget to check here first to learn about the benefits of term life insurance. By shopping online for free term life insurance quotes, you may be able to save up to 70% on your term life coverage!

A relationship with your life insurance agent is no different than any other personal relationship you have. Well it might be a little different, but there’s one common denominator…TRUST. You need to trust your life insurance agent if you want to get the most out of his expertise. So how do you let your guard down? Easy.

First of all, you should always feel that your life insurance agent has your best interest in mind. But, your agent also needs to trust you. Why? Because he or she needs to know that the information you provide is 100 percent accurate. They also need to believe that you are making the right financial decisions for your family.

Here’s some information to help your meeting run smoothly:

Be ready to answer a lot of questions. To conduct a thorough financial needs analysis, your agent will need to gather a lot of information on your financial situation and goals. Your agent will use this information to discuss your permanent and term life insurance options and set reasonable financial goals for you and your family.

Tell the truth. Expect detailed questions about your health. For example, you can expect questions about your age, medical conditions, personal and family health history, and personal habits, such as any risky hobbies you may have. Why? Because when you apply for permanent or term life insurance, you typically need to take a medical exam. The medical exam helps determine your life insurance rate.

Make sure you receive the attention and advice you deserve. You should feel satisfied that your agent is listening to you and doing all that he or she can to find you the right type and amount of cheap life insurance. Your agent should take the time to carefully assess your financial situation and explain in detail any recommendations that he or she makes. Never allow yourself to be rushed into a decision, especially if you don’t understand something your agent is trying to explain to you.

February 24, 2010

Online multi-carrier brokerage firms vs. local life insurance agents

Description:

When shopping for life insurance, it’s important to know the difference between buying from an online multi-carrier brokerage firm and a local agent. In this podcast, Byron Udell, the nation’s foremost life insurance and annuity industry expert, explains the pros and cons of each of your life insurance buying options.

Size: 3.32 MB

Length: 3:37

Click here to download

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By Amy Hoak, MarketWatch

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) — One possible reason he’s just not that into you: Your weak credit score.

One-third of people said they’d wait to marry someone until that person’s credit score improved, according to a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, commissioned by PayPal.

More than one-third said they would consider not marrying or moving in with someone unless he or she “makes a fair amount of money.” And 65% said they wouldn’t want to date someone with significant debt.

Personal Finance Minute

Lots of long-stemmed roses aren’t likely to sweeten financial troubles among couples. Heed these money tips.

“So many younger people have experienced difficulty with credit in the last year than they did before,” said Hillary Mendelsohn, money spending expert for PayPal. As people become more conscious of their money-related issues, they are also more likely to be on the prowl for people who have their own financial books in order.

That’s probably not a bad idea. In general, for married couples, financial stresses lead to marital stresses, said Lou Scatigna, certified financial planner and author of “The Financial Physician.”

“Let’s face it: Finances are extremely important,” he said. They determine “how you eat, where you live, what you do, whether you travel, whether you have entertainment.”

It’s highly likely that a diligent saver and a credit junkie are going to have a bumpy road ahead of them if they decide to marry — and attitudes about money are often engrained in people’s personalities and difficult to change, Scatigna said.

“Romantics will say you can’t let money affect love. But the marriage would be doomed if you’re not on the same financial page,” he said. “Rarely does the marriage last when you have financial opposites.”

Here are more findings from PayPal’s “Can’t Buy Me Love” survey:

• Money and finances are the No. 1 reason participants said they argued with their significant other.
• Forty-five percent of couples fight at least once a month about finances, and for those “traumatized by the current economy,” the arguments are more frequent.
• Forty-two percent feel that someone in their relationship is spending too much money.
• Eleven percent of participants have been on one end of a breakup caused by debts.

Continue reading “One reason he’s just not that into you: Your weak credit score”

Did you know that life insurance can help you plan for retirement? Actually there are a few ways life insurance comes in handy when you’re setting your retirement goals. Think about it…if you die before your spouse or other family members who depend on you for financial support, your retirement savings account may not be enough. That’s why it’s important to incorporate life insurance into your overall retirement plan.

Here are three ways life insurance can help you plan for retirement:

1. Prevent your retirement plans from dying when you do – If you die before retirement, your survivors would miss out on both your salary for living expenses and the money you were setting aside for the future. People who die prematurely haven’t had as much time to put together an investment program that can really pay off. If you have sufficient life insurance, it can help pay your family’s expenses and may still be there for your spouse’s retirement.
2. Supplement your retirement income – Suppose your circumstances change and you no longer have anyone who would need the proceeds of a death benefit. With a permanent life insurance policy, you have the flexibility to surrender the policy and supplement your retirement income with the funds that have accumulated in the policy’s cash value account.
3. Preserve your estate assets for your survivors – If you’ve accumulated a large estate, life insurance can help foot the estate tax bill from Uncle Sam, preserving assets for your heirs. Or, if your estate is more modest, life insurance can provide a legacy for your children and grandchildren even if you use up most of your assets during your retirement years.

Read more about how life insurance plays a role in all major life events at the LIFE Foundation.

For more information about permanent or term life insurance, and for a free term life insurance quote, contact one of AccuQuote’s licensed life insurance agents today. They can help you get your retirement plan started while term life rates are still near record lows!

No matter what I do, it seems like every month I have a new fee on my cell phone bill, whether it’s because I went over my minutes or because of some other unexpected cost. But I love my cell phone, so I put up with the extra fees month to month. But I seriously need to start saving, and I’m sure some of you do too. So here are a few tips I found that may help reduce some headaches when you open your cell phone bill.

ShopSmart magazine recommends the following 8 tips to cut cell phone costs:

1. Go easy on the minutes – Do a little cost-benefit analysis on your bills and figure out how many voice minutes you’ve used in the past six months and how many minutes were left over. You might save with a plan that has fewer included minutes, provided it offers the same free talk-time benefits.
2. Maximize family-plan calling – Call your spouse and kids on a family-plan cell phone instead of their landline home or work phones.
3. Use freebies to the max – If your carrier offers unlimited free minutes to designated calling-list phone numbers, register your most-called numbers but be sure to limit your list to landlines and cell numbers outside your network.
4. Bundle up those texts – The cost of text messaging adds up quickly if you’re paying àla carte at 15 to 20 cents a pop. If you’re a busy texter, think about a package of 200 to 1,500 messages per month for $5 to $15.
5. Don’t be afraid to complain – If you’re on the hook for an unusually gigantic bill, call customer service. Your carrier might cut you a break.
6. Get a data plan – E-mailing, surfing, and other types of data can really chew up your budget if you pay per megabyte. An “all inclusive” plan with unlimited Web and messaging on a smart phone should cost $10 to $60 per month.
7. Shop around or hire someone to do it for you – You can “hire” a service to sift through the major plans for you, factoring in your usage and other data, then recommend available phones with various plans and costs.
8. Avoid big termination fees – Make sure that you’re going to be happy with your cell plan because early termination fees can run as high as $350 per phone line. If you do choose to switch to a new carrier, be sure to give the phone and service a good test drive during the 15 to 30-day trial period.

Keep reading our blog every Friday for money saving tips like this one. And, if you’re interested in near record low term life insurance rates, contact us today for a free term life insurance quote. It’s never been easier to find cheap life insurance!

If you’re thinking about starting a family or if you’re already pregnant, you need life insurance. Why? Because starting a family is one of the most rewarding experiences many of us will have in our lifetimes. It’s our responsibility as parents and expecting parents to protect the ones we love, which includes protecting them financially.

If you’re looking for term life insurance and are pregnant or expecting to become pregnant here are some things to keep in mind…

• If you can, apply before you become pregnant – This will allow you to avoid admitting to health risks due to the pregnancy…and you’ll get a lower rate.
• Schedule a visit with your doctor before you plan to become pregnant – This will give the life insurance company a clear picture of your pre-pregnancy height and weight measurements.
• Get a cholesterol test early on – Doing this before you become pregnant or during the early stages of your pregnancy will give life insurance companies a good idea of where your health stands. Keep in mind that some insurers may postpone your application until after your child is born if the numbers are too high.
• Be aware of complications – It’s normal for woman to experience complications during pregnancy, but unfortunately some insurers will postpone your application until your child is born.
• Some life insurance is better than no coverage at all – Remember, because of the risks that pregnancy can cause, your life insurance rate may be higher than if you weren’t pregnant. However, even if you can’t afford the recommended 10 to 15 times your annual salary in life insurance coverage, having some protection is better than nothing at all. After your child is born, you can always re-apply for a lower term life rate.

If you need more information about applying for life insurance during pregnancy or for a free term life insurance quote, contact one of AccuQuote’s experienced life insurance agents today!

February 17, 2010

Group vs. individually underwritten term life insurance

Description:

If you’re employed you may have the option of receiving group term life insurance benefits, otherwise an individually underwritten term life insurance policy is available to you. In this podcast, Byron Udell, the nation’s foremost life insurance and annuity industry expert, explains both types of term life insurance so you can choose the one the fits your family’s needs.

Size: 5.34 MB

Length: 5:50

Click here to download

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Like most things, it depends on what the allergy is and how severe the reaction can be. Many insurance companies don’t even ask questions about allergies, except in the case of common respiratory diseases like asthma.

But even if the question isn’t asked directly, you still must reveal any treatments for allergic reactions you’ve had, such as the use of an epi-pen (epinephrine) or emergency room care. Omitting this information puts your family at risk. How? Because if an underwriter finds out that you lied about having a certain allergy and you end up dying from an allergic reaction, that life insurance company can deny your family the death benefit.

And although admitting that you have certain allergies can affect the rate you pay for life insurance, it probably won’t be that significant (if at all)…since allergies are so common. For example, if eating peanut butter causes you to break out in a rash, you most likely won’t see a rate increase. However, if just being near a jar of peanut butter causes you to have convulsions and seek emergency treatment immediately; you may have to pay more for your life insurance.

So don’t hesitate to apply for permanent or term life insurance if you have allergies. Your rate probably won’t be affected too much…if at all. And even if you have to pay a slightly higher premium, having some life insurance is better than having no coverage at all.

For a free term life insurance quote, visit AccuQuote.com today. Currently, term life rates are near record lows!

Most insurance companies offer you the right to choose among four payment plan options: Once a year (annually), twice a year (semi-annually), four times a year (quarterly), or twelve times a year (monthly). But did you know that paying your insurance premiums monthly can cost you a lot more in the long-run than paying annually or even semi-annually? It’s true! In fact…you could be paying as much as 29.7 percent interest by paying monthly. Here’s an example…

A 30-year-old male has the choice to pay either $500 annually for a $500,000, 30-year term life insurance policy OR make 12 monthly payments for $45 each totaling $540 a year. By choosing the monthly option, he’s paying an annual percentage rate of 17.2%!

That extra cash adds up over the years! Think about it…instead of paying monthly, you could put that extra money aside each month to save for a rainy day!

To see how you can save a significant amount of money on any of your term life or other insurance payments, check out our calculator at accuquote.com/modal.cfm. Who knows? Paying annually rather than monthly could be the greatest financial decision of your life.

If you’re interested in learning more about paying monthly vs. annually, call a licensed life insurance agent at AccuQuote. You can also contact us for a free term life insurance quote from one of the best term life insurance companies.