Archive for December 27th, 2007
Investment or rental property is a great way to supplement your income and help solidify and diversify your retirement portfolio. The way you find the best investments is to find a professional real estate agent who puts your goals above everything else.
Absent that commitment, you are dealing with someone who is probably thinking about their bottom line first and your best interests second. On several occasions I have pointed out that the big on line brokerages aren’t real keen about quoting and selling Prudential. Prudential is always competitive and they have some of the most aggressive underwriting in the market today, so it all comes down to the bottom line. If the brokerage is going to make 20% more by selling you the second best deal, that’s where their interest will fall.
I am a big advocate of the idea that what goes around comes around. If you give the second best advice to try to make more money, clients will eventually catch on to the fact that you are a second rate agent or agency. You may be dumped for a more honest agent and you sure won’t be referred to any new business.
So, just like you would choose the best possible real estate professional, you should seek out the best possible life insurance professional. If you are looking at insurance coverage for investment or rental property, you will want an independent agent that is licensed in all states since you never know where you might find the right property. They should be licensed with multiple companies so that they can always nail down the best rate for you.
I’ve been particularly impressed just recently as my wife and I have been looking at property in our area. One real estate agent has really stood out as one that does her homework and has notably put our needs ahead of her own bottom line. If she was in life insurance, she would be someone I would recommend. I would highly recommend her for real estate needs.
Bottom line. Whether purchasing real estate or life insurance, the true professional you choose to represent you will stand out simply by putting you first.
December 27th, 2007
Guys, guys, guys, guys, guys! If we don’t pull it together soon, or cull out the stupid ones, women are going to start showing us what life insurance is really for.
I swear not a week goes by that I don’t have a conversation with a husband in which they honestly don’t get the fact that life insurance on themselves is not for them. No kidding! They will say, “So, let me make sure I’ve got this right. If I die before the end of the 20 year term I’ll get the full $500,000?” OKKKK! Not quite.
There are so many men out there that just can’t get their mind wrapped around the idea that they are doing this for their wife or their children. And I don’t think the sentence above is a matter of misunderstood semantics. Even though they know that there are beneficiaries, deep down they really still think it is all about them so surely they must be the ones that end up with the money.
So, a little flow chart for the guys.
1. Without life insurance you live…….you die…….your wife and children are left without your income or any way to replace it.
2. With life insurance you live……you die……your wife and children are left without your income, but with sufficient tax free life insurance proceeds to carry on.
Bottom line. I hate to pick on guys, but face it, as a subspecies of the human race, brilliance is the exception. With life comes responsibility, and if you have people in your life that are depending on you to be responsible, get your ducks in a row and do it.
December 27th, 2007
The last time I played tennis I remember it being a significant workout. That was especially true because I was on the losing end of the game, meaning I ran twice as far and hard as the person who knew how to play.
Bad news for those attempting to replace your daily recommended exercise with the new interactive video games. It seems that in spite of having the appearance of participating in sports and exercise, they don’t even come close to meeting the minimum recommended exercise regimens. So, that game of tennis in front of your TV may be fun, but isn’t going to keep you, or get you fit.
So, back to the good advice. Which ever regimen you buy into, 30 minutes a day 5 times a week, 60 minutes a day 3 times a week, 10 minutes 3 times a day every day……….which ever one you choose, the truth is that if you honestly exercise, get your heart rate up, sweat a little, theoretically you’ll be healthier and live longer.
Exercise helps control weight, and avoiding obesity can help you avoid diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. That’s all good stuff. Is it a pain in the rear to exercise regularly? I guess it can be, but there are so many things you can do, including just going for a walk like my 85 year old dad, that most anyone can find something that works and doesn’t drive them crazy.
Bottom line. Exercise pays off in so many ways. I know I feel better, more energized, after I go for a run. And if it beats back obesity and all of those related problems, it’s bound to be good news for your life insurance rates. Sorry to be the one to pass on the news about the video games. NOT!
December 27th, 2007
