As a top-ranked Girl Guide with all the badges I knew that being prepared for a myriad of emergency events was money (or badges) in the bank. But later in life I never thought that being prepared could save me both from nature and from financial ruin — until now.

View of the BC Terrace Mountain Fire from Okanagan Lake

A water bomber helicopter works to contain the BC forest fires.

After taking the time to reflect, I’d like to share what I did to be financially prepared for a natural disaster. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list, but rather some emergency preparedness (and common sense) steps you can take today to help ease your financial losses if a natural disaster happens to you.

1. Do a Home Inventory

You count your money, right? Well it’s time to count all those pairs of shoes you own. Creating a home inventory is free and can help you strengthen an insurance claim in case of fire, robbery, or a natural disaster. It just makes good financial sense to have a record of your stuff so it can be replaced after the dust has settled. Download these free Home Inventory Worksheets to get you started.

Download:
15 Free Home Inventory Worksheets

I’ve kept a home inventory ever since being robbed decades ago. So when the fires in BC sparked, I was relieved to know that all of my belongings were cataloged on a CD and stored in a safe deposit box far away from my home. If you need some help putting together a home inventory, check out How to Make a Home Inventory to get started. It’s kinda fun, promise.

2. Update Your Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance Policy

Now that you’ve created a home inventory, it’s easy to call up your insurer and update your policy to reflect the value of your belongings. Besides, reviewing your policy every year is an excellent way to make changes to your coverage if you buy or sell some big ticket items. Be sure to get insurance for those natural disaster dangers in your area too. If you live in a hurricane, earthquake, or wildfire zone then get some level of coverage to protect yourself from a catastrophic loss.

If you’re currently without homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, consider getting yourself insured. Spending a few hundred bucks a year is well worth the expense if it means protecting yourself against losing everything. Here are 5 ways to cut your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance costs:

• Raise your deductible. A deductible is the amount of money you pay before the insurance company pays up. If you increase your deductible from a standard $250 to $500 or even $1,000, you could save up to 15% on your insurance premium.
• Get group coverage. If you work at a large company, have an alumni association through college or university, or are a member of a business association, then there are discounts to be had through group insurance plans. Just call up your group to discover your preferred rate and get a quote.
• Get a senior’s discount. Going gray has it’s privileges, and a discounted insurance premium is one of them. If you’re at least 55 years young or retired, you may qualify for an easy 10% discount.
• Get home and auto insurance from the same company. Depending on your country, state, or province of residence, many insurance companies offer a discount if you get both home and auto insurance with them. I’ve saved hundreds of bucks by bundling my policies while living in Ontario — but living in BC with public insurance I’m outta luck.
• Ask for a discount. Asking for a better deal is free. Just open your mouth and say, “Is this is the best rate you can offer me?” Be polite and you just may be surprised to save a few bucks on coverage.

3. Get a Safe Deposit Box

Opening a safe deposit box at your local bank is an inexpensive way to protect valuable documents (like stock or bond certificates), jewelry, your home inventory, and other non-replaceable items threatened by fire, water, or theft in your home. Smaller safe deposit boxes can cost around $50 per year while larger ones can set you back hundreds. Regardless of this fee, keeping certain items off-site and out of your home can prove to be priceless if you’re struck by a natural disaster. I’ve kept an updated home inventory CD in a safe deposit box for the last few years just in case.

If you live in the USA or Canada, you may be able to claim your safe deposit box fee as a tax deduction. Check out Overlooked Tax Credits for US Residents and Tips on Safe Deposit Boxes for Canadians to get all the details.

4. Check Emergency Preparedness Checklists

The type of natural disaster you should be prepared for depends on where you live. Those who live along the Cascadia Subduction Zone are more prone to earthquakes and tsunamis while those living in forested areas should be aware of wildfires or forest fires. If you live in a region prone to flash floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes, then you have concerns and emergency preparedness procedures unlike those who live in the Arctic.

To help you prepare for a natural disaster, it’s best to find an emergency supply or preparedness checklist specific to your region. These lists are also valuable to help your family plan an evacuation if required. Saving your finances is one thing, but saving lives and being in the know is golden. I’ve listed a few general emergency preparedness checklists and online sources to find one close to your home below.

United States

• FEMA | Emergency Preparedness Checklist
• California Emergency Services | Emergency Supplies Checklist

Canada

• Government of Canada | Emergency Preparedness at Home (for all provinces and territories)
• Emergency Management B.C. | Family Emergency Supplies Detailed Checklist

United Kingdom

• Directgov UK | Preparing for Emergencies
• Britsh Red Cross

World

• Google Listing | Emergency Preparedness Global Search

Not every area will face a Hurricane Katrina, California wildfires, or BC forest fires so get to know your region and find an emergency preparedness checklist that’s right for you. Just download and print.

5. Pack a Ready Bag

A Ready Bag is a fancy name for a knapsack or bag that contains your essential emergency items. It can be kept in a designated public shelter or taken along during an emergency evacuation. It sounds dire, but it’s a good idea to pack a Ready Bag during the high season for natural disasters in your area.

During the months of July and August I prepared my own Ready Bag and filled it with non-perishable food, warm clothing, toiletries, a blanket, and a few valuables. It’s doesn’t cost a cent to prepare a Ready Bag and it could help protect you from the weather elements if you’re stuck outside or waiting to find shelter. I also packed my pocket-sized SAS Survival Guide since it’s small and contains A LOT of handy and practical tips.

Ready Bag Essentials

• Phone Numbers: emergency and personal contacts
• Cash
• Flashlight
• Spare batteries
• Copies of important documents (passport, driver’s license)
• Essential medications or prescriptions
• First-aid kit
• Child care items
• Bottled water
• Energy bars or non-perishable foods
• Blanket
• Sleeping bag
• A set of spare clothing
• Favorite survival gear
• Small valuables (engagement ring)
• SAS Survival Guide Handbook (pocket Gem format)

Most of the items listed are compact and easy to carry. While it is tempting to pack cherished items like Grandma’s antique china, it’s probably a good idea to leave bulky things behind. Stuff that slows you down won’t keep you safe in times of danger. So stick to the essentials in your Ready Bag and keep yourself safe.

Bonus: Keep Your Car Fueled

Depending on where you live, it’s a good idea to keep your car fueled and ready to flee. I must admit that my dear hubby Carl was a little obsessive about checking the car over and keeping the tank full. Since we live on the outskirts of nowhere, it was imperative for us to get to a safe zone out of harm’s way if or when the forest fire blew our way. Knowing that our tires were pumped, the engine was checked, and our tank was full kept us a little bit safer.

It’s been a few weeks since the BC forest fires were contained in our area keeping us safe in our home. It’s a scary situation to face losing everything you own due to a natural disaster — but planning ahead and being prepared is sometimes the most sane thing to do to keep yourself and your finances as safe as possible. Scout’s honor!

Are you prepared if a disaster strikes your area? Been through an evacuation? Got something to add?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Taking simple steps like keeping an emergency preparedness kit can help you survive the aftermath of a fender bender or even something worse. A car crash sure isn’t my idea of fun, but through my own car accident ordeal I’ve found these 14 things to do before and after a car accident can help you get your motor running again – even if your car is a total write-off. Hugs.

1. Stay in Your Car and Stay Calm

Right after impact my “better half” swung open the door to “see” what was going on. I grabbed his leg and told him to sit still inside the car. I think I made the right decision. The number of cars rubber-necking at our accident or driving past at highway speeds was dangerous, and could have hit us if we walked about in a confused state. Sitting still and waiting for the airbag gas to clear (those things make a mess) gave us some time to collect our thoughts, thank a higher power for our teeth and toes, and discuss what to do next.

In our situation our wrecked car was on the side of the road after the engine cut out, so we weren’t in danger of being hit on the highway by oncoming traffic. If your vehicle is still operable and you don’t have any serious injuries after the car accident, it’s a good idea to drive your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid another crash. If your car cannot be moved, I think it’s safer to just remain in your car with seat belts fastened and hazard lights turned on until help arrives. At this point you may be in shock and unaware of any injuries, so sitting still could prevent further health issues. If your car is on fire, it’s probably safest to vacate that vehicle if you can.

2. Report the Car Accident

As soon as the airbag gas clears and you’ve located your cell phone, call the police and 911 – or your emergency assistance equivalent. After our accident I didn’t dial these essential digits since the fellow in the other vehicle was first to his cell phone – I was still chocking on airbag gas.

After the essential emergency digits have been dialed, do stay at the scene of the accident until the police have questioned and reviewed the incident getting your description of what happened. Be prepared to wait a bit for the emergency authorities to arrive, the real world isn’t as quick to respond as those on television dramas.

Soon after the accident be very cautious about your health as not all injuries can be seen. If you or your passengers are not feeling right then call for an ambulance right away.

3. Emergency Preparedness Kit

Planning for a car accident is not a lot of fun, but it could keep you safe. Before stepping into your vehicle today consider if you travel with the essential emergency tools that could keep yourself well in case of a car crash. Here’s a basic emergency car kit list:

Basic Emergency Preparedness Kit

• cell phone
• disposable camera
• pen and paper
• medical information card – detailing insurance numbers, allergies and conditions that may require special attention if you are not conscious.
• contact names and numbers: emergency numbers and relatives contacts
• first aid kit
• small road cones, emergency flares
• Mylar blankets

After a flying truck wheel hit our car, I quickly discovered I was not fully prepared for a car crash. I didn’t have my cell phone, we would have loved some small road cones to set around our car to alert passing drivers of the accident, and a Mylar “space” blanket would have kept me warm. After the accident my body temperature dropped drastically and I got very cold waiting for the police to arrive.

There are many companies who put together “Road Assistance Kits” boasting several pieces and gadgets. Many of these kits are pricey and contain cheaply constructed tools so beware if you’re looking for an all-in-one safety solution. A better approach may be to purchase only the items you need (like booster cables, LED flashlights, and bandages) and spend a bit more for quality tools. The last thing you want is an essential tool to break when you need it.

4. Exchange Car Insurance and Driver Details

After an accident, always exchange driver details and take some accident notes. Be sure to use your pen and paper (from your emergency kit) to gather the following:

• name
• address
• phone numbers
• driver license
• license plate number
• insurance company and policy number

In our situation the driver’s name was different than the name of the insured on the accident vehicle – so we had to take down the details for each of the driver and the car owner. My “better half” also wrote down a description of the truck, including: make, model, and color.

5. Locate Any Witnesses

Did someone see the accident happen? Get their name and number just in case you need a witness for the accident. It’s good to know someone can speak up for you in case of a dispute.

6. Don’t Admit Fault

When you come face-to-face with the driver of the other vehicle try not to assign blame or admit fault or liability, even if you think you made the mistake. Let the police and insurance companies do their jobs and use their tools to come to a conclusion. You don’t want to admit to something in a state of shock or sadness.

7. Don’t Share Injury Concerns

If someone asks, “How are you doing?” keep a low profile by saying, “I’m shaken up”. The truth of the matter is you don’t know what is or isn’t wrong with you at this early stage. Besides, you don’t want to make statements while in shock and later have to refute them after seeking the advice of a medical professional.

8. Know What Your Car Insurance and Health Insurance Covers

Knowing your car and health insurance details could save you a lot of grief when dealing with a car accident scenario. It’s always better to know BEFORE an accident that you’re fully covered for ambulance trips, tow trucks, or rental cars. Check your policies for specifics and get extra coverage today for those essentials you’ll need covered if you’re injured or your car cannot make the drive home.

9. Photograph and Document the Accident

Be sure to carry a disposable camera in your emergency kit to photograph the damage to all vehicles. If your cell phone has a built-in camera – then you’re good to go. Take photographs of the damage to your car, the other driver’s car, and the entire accident scene to give perspective of the event. Take wide shots of tire skid markings to show vehicle travel paths. Photographs showing the entire accident can help you make your case to claims adjusters if there is a dispute.

10. Seek Medical Attention

Luckily my “better half” and I didn’t require an ambulance after our accident. But after our car was towed away we did seek medical attention to check over our necks, backs, shoulders, and general health. As small as an injury might seem at the time, get all health concerns documented sooner rather than later. Many injuries will start off as minor pains (like whiplash) which if not taken care of properly could get worse over a few short days. Besides, getting a doctor to document EVERYTHING sooner can only help any insurance claims you need to make later.

11. Report Accident To Your Insurance Company

As soon as your stomach has settled and you’ve gone to the doctor to get checked over, call your insurance company to report the accident – even if the damage seems minor or the other driver wants to settle without making an insurance claim. Seemingly small fender-bender car accidents can reveal major damage later on – like a bent car frame – so get your insurance company in the know sooner or you might be without coverage when you really need it.

12. Call Your Lawyer

I squawk you not. While our car was sitting on the side of the road leaking some funky engine liquid stuff, my “better half” called his lawyer and asked specifically what else he should do before the car was towed. Many of the tips in this article are from that call. Getting your legal beagle in the know sooner may help you get the most from an insurance claim and help you see more clearly when everything seems a mess.

13. Remove Belongings from Car

If you’re well-enough to walk away from the wreck and it’s safe to do so, then don’t forget to remove your valuables from your vehicle before it’s towed. Rescue any driving gadgets, insurance papers, repair reports, receipts, purse, wallet, or music before leaving your keys with the tow operator.

14. Be Thankful

After our accident I was very thankful to still be alive with my “better half” in one piece. Sure, our car is a complete “write-off” but vehicles are just stuff. People are priceless. Try the best you can to be thankful for what you have today, not for what you lost.

Got anything else to add to this list? Your wise words may help thousands.

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Car safety is important stuff to think about during a car crash, but it’s probably more important to think about car safety BEFORE spending your hard-earned cash on a car. The price paid for a car with a high safety rating doesn’t necessarily mean a higher price tag. For example, let’s compare the price of two small cars rated the same by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

2009 Honda Civic & 2009 Toyota Corolla
Both are IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2009 and rate the same.

Similarly equipped (2009 4 door sedan, manual transmission), the MSRP of each vehicle in CDN is:

Toyota Corolla CE: CDN $14,835
Honda Civic DX: CDN $16,990
Difference: CDN $2,155

In the United States, the Corolla and Civic cost almost the exact same, so let’s consider another set of cars for an American example.

2009 Honda Civic & 2009 Subaru Impreza
Both are IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2009 and rate the same.

Similarly equipped (2009 4 door sedan, manual transmission), the MSRP of each vehicle in USD is:

Honda Civic DX: USD $15,505
Subaru Impreza 2.5i: USD $17,495
Difference: $1,990

Whatever your country or currency, the point is price is not the key factor when looking to purchase a safer car. There are savings to be found by looking under the hood, researching safety ratings, and finding the safest car for your family.

Finding Car Safety Ratings in Your Country

Sure, price is important. The car might be the right price and perfect size for you family’s needs, but are your car’s safety features likely to protect you and your passengers? Is your car likely to harm others on the road? Here are some key features to consider when looking to buy a new or used car:

• Your Country
• Driver Safety Features
• Passenger Safety Features
• Child Safety Features
• Driving Condition Features
• Class of Vehicle
• Year of Vehicle
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Crash Avoidance Features
• Crash Protection Features

… and the list goes on…

The “safety features” you choose when buying a new or used car depend on your personal and passenger needs. Because automobile safety features and ratings vary from country to country, I’ve rounded up a few sites to help you determine how safe is your car?

North America (United States and Canada)

• Insurance Institute For Highway Safety
• Safer Car
• United States Department of Transportation
• Partners for Child Passenger Safety (PCPS)
• Traffic Injury Research Foundation
• Transport Canada

Australia

• How Safe is Your Car?
• VicRoads Vehicle Safety
• Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety, Queensland (CARRS-Q)

United Kingdom and Europe

• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
• Department for Transport, United Kingdom
• Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

In hindsight, I’m happy my “better half’ did the car safety research before buying his 2005 Subaru Impreza. I’ve never been a huge fan of cars, but I’m thrilled to have walked away from my freak car crash just a few days ago. While I hope you never spend a holiday eating an airbag or watching rogue wheels spin into your direction, I do hope your car’s safety features protect you and the ones you love.

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

My “better half” has lost everything too. He watched his family home burn to the ground in a massive house fire. Both his belongings and family home were reduced to ash. Smoldering stuff is not sexy, delicious, or fun.

From my experience, making an insurance claim is a bit$h without knowing exactly what you own and how much you paid for it. Since stuff can be replaced in times of disaster, it just makes sense to create a home inventory listing all of your possessions.

The Printable Home Inventory Worksheet will help you to:

• List all your personal possessions in one convenient place.
• Organize your belongings room-by-room.
• Catalog, document, photograph, and describe valuable serial numbers, models, and receipts.
• Prove ownership of items if an insurance claim is required.
• Jar your memory when all seems lost.
• Strengthen and establish an insurance claim in case of fire, robbery, or a natural disaster.
• Determine how much insurance coverage is needed.
• Get enough coverage by totaling the cost of all your stuff.

1. How to make a home inventory.

There are several ways to create a home inventory. Pick the method you are most likely to embrace and update.

Notebook with photos.

Get a notebook. Make a section for each room in your house or apartment. Go through each room and document everything. Take photographs. Download the 15 Free Printable Home Inventory Worksheets (PDF) to help. These sheets are blank so just fill in the details! Don’t forget to list serial numbers, manufacturers, models, and price paid. Attach receipts. Using a spreadsheet and then attaching photos is also helpful.

Make a video.

You don’t have to be from the MTV generation to know the value of video. Creating a mini movie with a room-by-room playback is very valuable when making an insurance claim. Walk through each room and record your stuff. Be sure to shoot serial numbers and add commentary by reading out model numbers. Collect all receipts and store with the tape. Dubbing in your favorite theme music is totally up to you.

Use home inventory software.

Do the digital thing by finding free home inventory software (freeware) or by buying a trusted brand. Use home inventory software to document your stuff by room, upload photos, and make digital copies of receipts.

2. Reasons to store your home inventory off site.

Do not keep your home inventory at home. What use is a home inventory if it burns in a house blaze or gets whisked away in a whirling twister? None at all. So be sure to keep your notebook, video, or digital back up on CD and place it in a safe deposit box.

3. Should renters have a home inventory? Students?

YES! When I was a student renting a little apartment, I would have benefited greatly from having a simple catalog of all my stuff. When the time came to make a claim, I had no idea how many CDs I owned, or the worth of my wardrobe.

4. Update and repeat!

Be sure to update your inventory with each big purchase. Don’t let it get out of date.

A home inventory is a very valuable tool in times of theft or natural disaster. A listing of all your stuff can really help when dealing with the unpleasant task of making an insurance claim. I must admit, I never claimed my Chia Pet.

Other home checklists you may like:

• Printable First Apartment Essentials Checklist
• Printable Dorm Room Essentials Checklist
• Printable Moving Checklist and Planner

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Life insurance is a funny animal. This is a product which is more often sold than bought. Basically, the insurance industry is based on hefty commissions and perks which renders the policy peddlers biased towards their pocketbooks. This industry is a complex, weird, and wacky business. There are writers, underwriters, sales forces, brokers, and agents. When I started shopping around for my “better half’s” policy, I found myself wound in a tangled web of weirdness. I would call an “agent” and then get passed to brokers of brokers of agents of brokers.

Getting straight answers on what insurance to get and how much to buy was impossible. Everyone seemed to peddle the same policy s$it, and I trusted no one with this vital piece to my financial well-being. My “better half” and I spent weeks untangling the life insurance web, and I would like to share my findings with you.

Here’s how I bought life insurance without getting screwed:

1. Get Term Life Insurance

I’m about to save you billions of brain cells and thousands of dollars. Just buy term life insurance. The only exception is if you are an extremely high net worth individual, in which case you “have people” to discuss your privileged a$$ed-options and don’t need my blog anyways. Smile.

For the rest of us, there are two flavors in life insurance policies: Term Life and Cash Value.

Term Life: Is pure life insurance in that you pay a simple annual premium to receive a decided amount of life insurance coverage. Think of term life insurance as similar to how home or car insurance works. If the insured person perishes then the beneficiaries collect, otherwise the premium is gone.

Term insurance has no investment component. You’re buying life coverage that lasts for a set period of time provided you pay the monthly premium. An annual renewable term is purchased year-by-year and you don’t have to re-qualify by showing evidence of good health each year.

Cash Value: All other policies (whole, universal, variable) combine life insurance with a sneaky so called investment portion that builds a cash value. Basically, your premiums pay for the life insurance and some of the money is invested in various high priced vehicles, touted to grow over time.These investments are managed by the insurance company so they benefit from the fees charged to the account. If you miss paying a premium, then you pay penalties outlined within the policy terms. Most people think this sounds perfect – the notion of investing insurance dollars and not wasting premium dollars. But think again.

For the same amount of coverage (say $250,000), cash value polices cost up to 10 times more than similar term life policies. There are also significant penalties to ending a cash value policy early or missing premium payments. Your cash value policy is also invested with the insurance company, so the fees you pay are likely high and not competitive. Lastly, cash value policies are lucrative for agents and brokers as they pay commissions and bonuses. Buying a cash value policy lines the pockets of these people. Due to the expensive nature of this product, the sad scenario is most people end up being under insured.

By buying term life, you get more insurance for your beneficiaries for less bucks.

2. Do You Need Life Insurance?

You generally only need life insurance when other people depend on your income. If you have a spouse and/or children dependent on your income, then you should get life insurance. Those with mortgages and many years left to raising kids most certainly should get insurance. You are unlikely to need life insurance if you are single with no dependents, independently wealthy, retired and living off retirement investments, or a child (more on children later).

3. Calculate Coverage Needs

When buying life insurance make sure you’ve got enough. Deciding how much you need is both a subjective and quantitative decision. Since the main purpose of life insurance is to prove a lump-sum payment that replaces the deceased person’s income, the question you must consider is How much income do you need to replace? Also consider the following:

• Are there any outstanding debts to pay?
• Will the surviving partner have childcare expenses?
• Is there a mortgage to cover?
• Are there other assets on which to draw?
• Will your children leave home soon?
• Will there be education costs for college or university?

The answers to these questions can influence the decision on how much coverage you need. Be sure to consider all variables before deciding on your coverage needs.

4. Determine The Term

Insurance agents and brokers are huge fans of selling cash value policies you can keep throughout your life. These cash value (whole life) policies fatten their wallets with juicy fees and commissions. What agents tend to gloss over is you probably don’t need life insurance throughout your life. You generally only need life insurance when you have dependents (see #2).

Since you’re a smarty now and are thinking about Term Life insurance, here’s how to determine your term:

How often do you want your premium to adjust?

The cost of insurance goes up as you get older and your risk of dying increases. Sorry to be a downer. On the upside, term life insurance can be purchased so your premium adjusts (increases) annually, or every 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. The less frequently your premium adjusts, the higher the initial premium will be.

Advantages to longer terms: The advantage to locking in to a longer term policy (15, or 20 years) is you know how much you will be paying over that time. You also require fewer medical evaluations to qualify for the lower rates.

Disadvantages to longer terms: The disadvantage to a longer term policy is you will be paying more in the earlier years than you would on a policy that adjusts more frequently. You may also want to change the amount of insurance you need as your situation changes, so you are throwing away money by ending a longer term policy with a premium guarantee.

A happy balance are policies of terms 5 or 10 years. My “better half’s” term life policy is nicely set at 10 years.

Guaranteed Renewability

The better term life policies have this feature which guarantees a policy cannot be canceled because of poor health. Do not buy a life insurance policy without guaranteed renewability.

Guaranteed Renewal Rates

When comparing various policies, what really matters is the total overall amount you pay for your coverage for ALL the years you require life insurance. Be sure the premiums paid each time you renew are guaranteed and outlined term-by-term in your policy. To better evaluate various policies, have the agent do a present value comparison of the total. This figure represents the cost of a policy for all the years in a single payment, today.

5. Buy When You’re Healthy

The worst time to buy life insurance is when you need it. Older people and those not in the best of health pay steeply higher rates for life insurance, so buy as early as you can WHEN you have dependents.

6. Don’t Insure Children

I’ve seen this happen to many new parents. Some agent discovers you just had a baby, and sells you a baby food policy providing $5,000 of life insurance for kids. This is contrary to the logic of owning life insurance since you are NOT financially dependent on your children but rather your children are dependent on YOU. Don’t let these agents gain economically from your emotional attachment to your new baby. This is a lucrative cash value policy gone sour. Ohh, my dear mom bought one of these policies for me at four months old. I still shake my head about it. Rest assured I cashed that silly thing in years ago and bought myself a $250,000 Term Life policy for less than half the cost of the $5000 Cash Value baby policy premium. I’m no sucker.

7. Shop Around

Always invest some time in shopping around for the best term life policy at the best rate. It makes little sense to stop at the neighborhood insurance broker and expect the best rates without knowing more about what’s available. Here are some places to consider looking for low-cost term insurance:

• Are you a member of any Groups, Professional Associations, Business Organizations, or Alumni Associations? You can often find low-cost insurance by inquiring within your clubs and organizations.
• TermForSale: To get a sense of what your premiums will be with various companies, try this online quotation service.
• Blue Cross
• Automobile Associations
• RBC Insurance
• TD Insurance

8. Skip Mortgage Insurance

Do yourself a huge favor, avoid mortgage insurance policies. These policies only pay off the balance on your mortgage if you die. The problem with this insurance is you are paying the same premium for a steadily declining amount of coverage, as you pay down your mortgage. It’s best to skip this narrowly-focused policy and favor for a broader term life policy and include the mortgage payments in your calculations when determining how much coverage you need.

9. Tell The Truth

There is no sense in telling tales on your insurance application to get a lower rate. Be assured that insurance companies will investigate any claim made before paying out. Be sure to always tell the truth.

10. Getting Rid of Cash Value Insurance

So now you’ve gone though your paperwork and see you have an expensive cash value life insurance policy, now what? Do yourself a favor and don’t cancel it until you secure some affordable term life to replace it. The worse thing you could do is leave your dependents vulnerable while in between life insurance policies.

That’s my brain on life insurance. I hope you found this lengthly article helpful. I’m wondering how many of you have life insurance? Do you have cash value or term life? Have you ever felt screwed after buying a life insurance policy? Do tell!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Over the last week the local neighborhood bears have come out of hibernation and awoken from their seasonal slumber. The bears are hungry. The bears are grumpy. The bears want food. In their search for something tasty, the bears have feasted on our neighbor’s garbage, flipped our new freezer, and busted our barbecue. I would like to prevent the wildlife from destroying personal property and from becoming dependent on human food, especially since “a fed bear is a dead bear”. Sadly, the local authorities will remove or shoot any animal who insists on visiting humans.

The following covers how to insure against property damage, how to prevent property damage, what you should do when face-to-face with a black bears.

Should You Get Insurance?

In my search for property (and bear) protection advice, I have found these following insurance tips helpful.

Home Insurance:

Many home insurance policies will cover wildlife property damage. I checked my home insurance policy and found it had a little bit of coverage for deer run-ins and backyard bears. My issue with home insurance is the deductible, it’s outrageously high. The amount of property damage I have incurred is less than the insurance policy deductible. In my case, it’s not worth putting in a “flipped freezer” or “busted barbecue” claim against my home insurance policy. When insuring your home against wildlife damage, be sure the premiums and deductibles make sense given your actual wildlife exposure and property protection need.

Car Insurance:

Car insurance makes a lot more sense for those driving in the path of deer. I’ve know many a driver completely demolish their car or truck by striking a deer caught in headlights. Be sure to review your car collision insurance for deductibles and the amount of coverage in case of animal collisions. Hopefully, your policy replaces your car if destroyed or demolished by Bambi.

Life Insurance:

Getting the right life insurance policy makes sense to those living around wildlife. Besides, those without adequate disability insurance or life insurance leave themselves and their loved ones in financial uncertainty if injury or death occur. If you have dependents, consider getting Term Life insurance for their financial well-being, just in case the wilderness bites back.

How To Prevent Wildlife Property Damage:

Being well protected insurance-wise is always a good idea. However, preventing animals from wandering into your backyard is key. Animals want one thing really, they want food. Spending big bucks on insurance premiums, policy deductibles, and property damage can be avoided by animal proofing your home. Here how:

Stash Your Trash:

Bears and other animals are attracted to anything edible or smelly. Always store garbage in bear-proof containers or inside until pick-up. Bring freezers indoors since animals have a keen sense of smell and can track down even frozen foods.

Organize Orchards and Gardens:

Pick up fallen tree fruit or protect fruit trees with electric fencing. Orchards and gardens should be kept neat. Harvest fruits and vegetables as early as possible.

Consider Composting Inside:

Compost is a great way to keep solid waste and soil nutrients out of our landfills, but it can attract bears. Try composting kitchen waste indoors using worms. If you have a garden or orchard enclosure try putting your compost inside the fence.

Bring Pet Food Inside:

Feed pets indoors or feed only enough so that no food remains during the night. Clean bowls regularly.

Clean Barbecues and Grills:

Clean and cover barbecue grills constantly. Store grills in the basement or another secure location when not in use. Clean spilled or dripped grease from deck area. Do not leave food cooking outside unattended, bears love a picnic and have been known to steal steak hot off the grill.

Banish Bird Feeders:

A low hanging bird feeder can attract bears, especially in the spring. Seeds are high in calories and are a very good source of energy. Bears can climb to reach nearly any feeder. A feeder high up on the side of the house is likely safe from bears. Don’t let seeds accumulate under your feeder. Put out your feeders after the first snowfall (once the bears are safely in their winter dens) and take them down when spring arrives.

What should I do if I see a Black Bear?

In the past few weeks I have come face-to-face with several black bears. The meetings are always scary, but I have found some advice from our local Conservation Officer helpful.

To discourage a black bear:

• Carry registered bear pepper spray in an easily accessible location.
• Alter your route to avoid a bear in the distance.
• Never come between a mother bear and her cubs.
• If the bear continues to approach you, make yourself as large and imposing as possible. Stand upright and wave your arms. Make loud noises, yell, hollar, whistle.
• Do not run and never play dead with black bears.
• If the bear does not leave the area, stay calm, continue facing it, and slowly back away. Pick up young children.
• If a bear is in your yard, scare it away from inside the house, keeping the doors closed.

If you are in an emergency situation: Black bears usually avoid people, but if they start to associate people with food they may become aggressive. On the rare occasion that a black bear becomes aggressive, do the following:

• If a black bear attacks, fight back with all your power. Fight back with rocks, sticks, fists, arms, and bear spray.

Black bears should always be considered unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Unless the bear has been conditioned to people and their food, a black bear will usually detect you and leave the area before you notice. If you live in black bear country, keep safe by being responsible and not attracting them in the first place.

Do you have backyard bears? Do you insure against wildlife property damage? Have you come face-to-face with a bear?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor