Month: November 2017
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
You've read the books and articles where the poker reporters state the odds of making certain hands. For example: making an open end (outside) straight draw is 5 to 1, a flush draw is 4.2 to 1, and a gutshot (inside) straight draw is 11 to 1. Playing Texas Hold'em there are many variations in the odds To be learned such as what's the difference in the odds if the next card is the turn (4th card) or the river (5th card)?
But let's look at the logic and math behind these calculations to determine if they are of any value to us as poker players. How are the odds of 5 to 1 calculated for an open end straight draw? To successfully complete the straight we need one of eight cards, four on either end of our four-card straight. How many cards remain unseen? We started with 52, 8 of them are useful to us and we see four of them in our partially completed straight. So, the experts say 52 minus 8 minus 4 leaves us with 40 unseen cards, which are of no value to us. Therefore 40 failures to 8 successes works out to 5 to 1 odds. And I say GARBAGE. Your actual odds could be much higher or much lower.
Let's say you're playing in a ring game with ten at the table. That means that twenty cards have been dealt plus three for the flop and one has been "burned" by the dealer. If all of the eight cards you need to complete a straight have already been dealt to other players, your chances of making your straight are ZERO, and your odds according to mathematicians are infinite. On the other hand, what happens if all of your eight cards remain in the pack the dealer is holding? The dealer holds 52 less 20 dilet to the players less 3 for the flop less 1 burned or 28 cards. So now calculate your odds: 20 cards that will not help and 8 cards that will, which works out to 2.5 to 1. Quite a difference!
Instead of flatly assuming that our odds of completing an outside straight are 5 to 1, we gamblers should think that our odds are between 2.5 to 1 and infinity, or just plain unknown. So in my opinion it's of little use to spend a lot of time learning the odds of making straights, flushes, sets, or quads.
So what's a poker player to do, aside from praying for a lot of luck? One answer is to realize that making some hands will be more difficult than others. Obviously it's harder to make a gutshoot straight than an open ended straight. If we're going out on a limit to make a long-odd hand, we better be well rewarded if we make it. If there's not a lot of money in the pot, think twice about paying to draw to an inside straight.
Notice this analysis changes with head …
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
When my wife and I had our first child, we, like most parents, wanted to make sure that we taught and reinvented good financial habits in our children through their childhood and into adulthood.
We read many different articles and came to the conclusion that it would be a good idea to start giving our son an allowance at age 5 – at an age that we thought would be appropriate for starting to learn about money. We decided to give him a weekly allowance of an amount that equaled his age. At that time we wanted to teach him two important lessons: the habit of saving some of his money and the joy of spending some (not all) of his money. So, each week $ 2.50 went into his piggy bank and $ 2.50 went into his wallet. Everything went fine and dandy until one week when my son was 6 and I did not have the money ready for him on payday. I said I was sorry and that I'd go to the ATM machine in the morning and when I got some change I would pay him the money. Well, this did not sit well with him and he became rather upset with me for being late with his money.
The next day I did pay him the money like I promised, however, this was the defining moment that made me realize that I was not actually teaching and reinforcing good financial habits; I was actually teaching my son entitlement and to expect something for nothing. Well, I continued to pay my son his weekly allowance, but I was secretly looking for another way to undo the mess that I created while researching on how to really teach him some good financial lessons. Also, by this time, my second child was already two, and we wanted to make sure that we did not repeat the same mistakes with her.
So, three years ago, when my son was 7, I started what I thought was to be an experiment that is still going strong today; I helped my son start his own business. By starting his own business, he was going to learn some real-world lessons, like getting paid for results and not to just expect money for nothing. And, I am happy to say that once my son started making money with his business we immediately phased out the allowance. Incidentally, since this experiment went so well for my son, we never even started an allowance for my daughter. When she was 4, I helped her start her own business. And she has now had her business for 2 years and it's still going strong.
With my kids having their own business and making their own money my wife and I have been encouraging our kids over the years (instead of just dividing their money between spending and saving) to divide all of their money into four meaningful categories: Giving, Investing , Spending and Saving. This way …
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
Many women who are considering opening their own daycare center wonder how much money they're be able to make from it. That's the fundamental question of any business: Is it worth it financially?
The answer to that question is somewhat complex. Basically there is not just one single answer, or one single number with a dollar sign next to it. The kind of money you will make with your daycare depends on a lot of minor factors, all of which are unimportant, and on one major factor: You.
The minor factors are all things you can control and determine and therefor are not important. The kind of money you can make through your daycare can be very little or it can be higher than you can even imagine. It is all up to you.
What can you do to make the most money through your daycare?
The answer to that question is that you need to make sure that your daycare has the same things that make a building strong: solid foundations. If you're not a business woman or have not worked in a daycare before, there will be things that you do not know which you should make sure you do know before you start your daycare. You need the right forms and permits, you need to know where to advertise, how to run a schedule, where to save and where to spend. You need to invest in knowledge. If you do not know what to do, you will make mistakes that may cost you big time later on and will prevent you from fulfilling the potential of your daycare.
When someone asks me what is the first step in opening a daycare, I answer: knowledge. If you do not know what to do, invest some money in a daycare start-up guide. It can be worth it's weight in gold.
Some small daycares make $ 50,000 a year and more. If you expand your daycare you can make much more. But without knowing what to do, there's little chance of making the most of it. Make sure you have the knowledge before you begin. …
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
All of the major insurance companies compete with the smaller companies on the market today, and their main weapon is offering cheap auto insurance quotes to anyone seeking a new insurance policy. With the economy being in such a fragile state, and unemployment at record highs, it is essential that you make sure you find the best deals so you can save money on your insurance.
Finding cheap auto insurance quotes can be a bit of work, although it extremely pays out to you in the end. It is important that you are shopping around for all of the best deals, as companies are willing to fight for your business.
There are also a few steps you can take to maximize your appeal to the insurance companies so they will not only want your business, but also offer you lower rates.
First off, you should always be up front with the representative to what you are speaking. If you have any tickets, accidents, DUIs, and the like on your record, it is better that they know that in the beginning than have them find out through the check of your driving record. If it's the latter that happens, they will only end up very suspicious. After all, you should have informed them of any things of special note in your record.
Second, you should be sure to take traffic classes in your area if available, as they can help reduce the amount of points and tickets on your license. This will show the insurance company that you are a responsible driver, as well as lower the rate that the will initially offer you for your monthly premiums. Few people realize the impact that traffic classes make on their premiums. This is unfortunate because taking up such a class is helpful in two ways: it earns you brownie points with your insurer. At the same time, you really do get to work on your driving.
Third, determine the maximum coverage that you will need to have on your vehicle on a daily basis to cover yourself in case you should total it. For example, you probably do not need full coverage on a vehicle that is paid off and worth only 500 dollars, as your deductible alone will be near this amount.
These are only some of the things you can do to maximize your appeal to insurance companies. Try them! You will not be sorry you did once you start getting cheap auto insurance quotes. …
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
Finding the best Arizona homeowners insurance rates has never been easier. This southern state that according to the United States Census Bureau has approximately 6 million people has many home insurance companies offering their services to customers in the market. In the following article you will be able to understand the Arizona home insurance industry a little better and see the many ways in which you save money on your Arizona home insurance.
Arizona Home Insurance Rates
Before you determine which would be a good rate if you live in the state of Arizona it is important to know how much the people around you are paying for home insurance. People in Arizona rank 38 out of the 50 states in the United States when it comes to home insurance and average promotions, meaning that people in this state are in the lower rankings of home insurance rates.
According to a survey made by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in the year 2005 the people of Arizona spent an average of $ 635 when it came to home insurance policies. Keep in mind that the national average for a home insurance premium was an estimated $ 764. Although people in Arizona are below the national average there is more that they can do if they want cheap rates.
Shop Around To Find The Best Arizona Homeowners Insurance Rates
The most important thing in order to find cheap homeowners insurance rates in the state of Arizona is to shop around thoroughly. There are many ways in which you can shop around, but in this article we are going to discuss the two main ways people can find cheap insurance in today's market.
The first way involves you looking in your local yellow pages for home insurance companies in your local area. Once you find a few of them then you can go ahead and visit them personally. The good thing about doing this in person is that you will be able to see the company work as it is. Once you get in the local insurance agency you will be able to tell how knowledgeable the agent is about the industry. Ask the agent any questions you may have about the home insurance industry and see how well his customer service is. You can also ask him about the company's history and financial ratios which are very important in determining the company's future.
The second way in which you can check to shop around involves the use of a computer and the Internet. Nowadays most companies offer their website pages to customers that desire to get a quote or simply know more about them. If you shop for AZ home insurance online make sure you visit enough Arizona home insurance company websites and get quotes from each one. This will help you compare between them and see which one is best for you. You can also lean towards online comparison websites. What these websites offer is more quotes from dozens …
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
The Condition of the Home
Insurers factor in general wear and tear on your home when setting a premium. They will inspect such things as the condition of the roof, porches, decks, and the integrity of the home's wiring system. Because new homes tend to be in better condition than older homes, some insurers will offer up to a 15 percent discount if your home is new.
The Construction of the Home
Certain types of homes are less expensive to insure because they are more resistant to damage. For example, a brick home is preferred because of its resistance to wind damage.
Safety Factors
Many insurers also offer discounts of approximately 5 percent for safety features such as burglar alarm systems, deadbolts, window locks, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems. You may also receive a discount if your home is in close proximity to a fire department.
If There is a Smoker in the Home
Because smoking in the home greatly increases the risk of fire, some insurers will offer a discount of about 2-5 percent if no one in the home smoke.
Is the Home in a High Risk Area
Flood and earthquake damage is not covered by standard home insurance policies. Special supplemental catastrophic policies that cover these conditions are available, but can be quite costly. If you are currently covered against these catastrophes through a government plan, however, research coverage through a private insurer. It may actually be lower.
Type and Amount of Home Insurance Coverage Needed
Homeowner's insurance typically covers damage or loss to your home and its contents, but some packages also provide other benefits such as personal liability coverage if someone is injured on your property or theft insurance. Read the fine print. Prices and coverage can vary significantly between packages that appear similar. Make sure you get what you need and use what you get.
Your Desired Deductible
The deductible is the amount that you the policyholder must pay before your insurance company starts paying benefits. The higher your deductible, the lower your home insurance premiums. By raising the deductible, you can save up to 50 percent of the cost of your homeowner's insurance.
Loyalty to Your Company
Insurers will often reduce their rates if you buy more than one type of coverage such as auto and homeowner's from them or if you stay with them over a period of time.
Is There a Retiree Living in the Home?
If you are over the age of 55 and retired, check with your insurer to see if you qualify for a discount. Most insurance companies offer these discounts because retired people are home more and can spot fires sooner than working people and have more time for maintaining their homes. Some insurance companies will offer discounts of up to 10 percent to seniors who qualify. …
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
If you are a homeowner, you may need home warranty services. Various home warranty companies provide service contracts that can help you pay for appliance repair or replacement. There are many things you should know before you sign your agreement:
What Do Home Warranty Services Protect?
Most standard policies cover repair costs of your HVAC system, plumbing, electrical wiring, garage doors, kitchen appliances, water heaters, and other major components of your home. If you have an in-ground swimming pool or sauna, you can purchase add-on coverage for the maintenance of these items. You can also buy additional coverage for a well pump or duplicate appliances.
What Is Not Covered?
Typically, pre-existing conditions are not protected by home warranty services. Neither items are still under a manufacturer's guarantee, repairs due to homeowner negligence, or problems caused by mold. In addition, repairs resulting from natural causes, such as storm damage, are not covered through this type of warranty. In general, these warranties are not meant to serve as additional homeowners insurance. Instead, they serve as a way to help with general wear and tear on your home, within the scope of the policy.
What Is A "Pre-Existing Condition?"
When the home is inspected before the purchase of the agreement, certain items will be checked to determine if they are in proper working order. The inspector will work with the home warranty services provider to decide what issues are pre-existing in your home. This could include a dishwasher that is not in working order or a plumbing system that has yet to be repaired.
What If Appliances Are Older?
In general, as long as appliances are in good working order, there is no age restriction for protection. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to take care and properly maintain appliances during the period of coverage.
How Is A Claim Filled?
This will depend on your individual provider, but you can typically call the toll-free number located in your service paperwork to file a claim. You should be assigned an account or agreement number that you will need to provide to the service company. Make sure you contact your provider before you begin work on your home to make sure that it is reimbursable. There may be times when your provider will want to discuss repair options with your contractor before the work begins.
As a homeowner, it is a good idea to look into companies that provide home warranty services. Warranties can be a great comfort to many homeowners. However, it is important to know what is and what is not handled in your agreement. It is important that you do all you can to maintain your home in order to get the most from your agreement. …
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
With Online Bill Pay, you can securely pay your bills whenever you want. No more writing checks. No more stamps and envelopes. Online Bill Pay with your credit union allows you to pay any bill, any person and any company, without ever touching a pen. It does not matter if your bills are paper or electronic. Online Bill Pay will make the payment for you. Best of all, it's fast, easy and free!
I love paying my bills online. In fact, I think I've only written three or four checks in the last year and they were all sent to individuals, not a company. I really love the convenience. So, besides the convenience of online bill pay, what are the other advantages of paying bills online?
Save Time . I can pay a stack of bills in less than 10 minutes and that includes signing in to my online account.
Save Money. Now that a first class stamp costs $ .49 it makes paying your bills the old-fashioned way pretty expensive. If you have 10 or more bills every month you will be spending approximately $ 5 per month. Online bill pay at most credit unions is free so that adds up to a savings of $ 60 per year.
Increase Security. Using online bill pay can help prevent identity theft and give you additional security to your transactions. Online bill pay at most credit unions use the latest technology and security to keep your financial information secure.
Support the Environment. It's amazing how much can be made if everyone makes an effort to improve the environment. Did you know reducing the amount of paper that is used saves forests and reduces greenhouse gasses and fuel emissions? Less paper means more green. Check out Pay It Green to find out other steps that can be taken to improve the environment by using online bill pay.
The benefits described above are the most obvious but there are many more:
- Pay bills from anywhere.
- Control when bills get paid to avoid late fees.
- Pay bills individually or in batches.
- Schedule one-time or recurring payments.
- Access your payment status and payment history.
- Only enter payee information once with convenient customizable payee list.
- View selected billing statements from payees online.
- Arrange e-mail alerts for bill arrivals, due dates and upcoming payments.
- Skip or modify a single instance of a recurring payment.
- Run payment reports and create custom reports.
- View your payments up to six months in advance with the payment calendar.
- View recently processed and pending payments on the main bill payment screen.
Mobile access to check balances, transfer funds and pay bills from your cell phone or other mobile device.
There has been a burst of technological advances over the past several years so it surprises me that more people have not started using online banking. I'm urging you to take advantage of online bill pay to save time and money, decrease clutter and most importantly improve your financial management. …
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
Travel insurance policies come in different types of packages, with all manner of options and choices. It is designed this way for a reason, of course. You would not want to pay for cover that you are unlikely to need, or skimp on cover you should have.
A basic policy may be adequate, or you may find you’ll be more comfortable paying a bit more to obtain higher levels of cover, as needed. It often depends on where you plan to travel. Let’s say you plan to travel to a destination such as Madagascar, which has limited medical facilities. In the case of a serious medical emergency you may have to be transferred by air ambulance to another country for treatment. Therefore, you would be wise to pick a policy that offers the maximum cover for medical emergencies. It should also include cover for air ambulance and medical repatriation. If you check you may find that a very cheap policy does not include this cover.
You will need to decide whether to opt for a Single Trip or Annual Multi-trip policy. If there is any possibility that you may take more than one trip in a year the Annual policy is normally the best value for money. On many policies children are included free – which is a major saving for family holidays.
Travel insurance premiums normally increase depending on where in the world you are travelling. For example, the cost of travel insurance for a British citizen travelling to Europe would be less than if they were flying long-haul to a destination such as North America or Australia.
Most travel insurance companies offer different levels of cover so that you can choose. Paying a bit more for the next level should affect the amount the insurer will pay on a claim, or increase the amount of items covered. Pay attention to the amount of Excess (Deductible) included as it may be much higher on a cheap policy. (This is the amount you have to pay towards a claim). To keep the premium very low it is often the case that levels of cover have been cut or the amount of Excess increased.
When it comes to pre-existing medical conditions the cost may increase dramatically for serious pre-existing conditions, or the insurer may not offer cover at all. Most often though the average company will agree to cover a specific condition for an extra premium, or with the understanding that any claims related to the condition are excluded. This can be a bitter pill to swallow for those that are affected.
Unfortunately, it is a fact that travel insurance for seniors is usually more expensive because of the assumed increased risk of a medical problem arising – despite the fact that our seniors are probably healthier these days than they have ever been!
Winter sports (skiing/snowboarding) insurance can be added to a typical travel insurance policy for an additional fee. Other add-ons may include cover for activities such as:
…
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
Self gratitude is the ability to appreciate self without the benefit of an outside influence and it is something that is very difficult for most people to do though without a doubt it is the most powerful thing any of us can learn to do.
There are so many different tools and systems to success that it could boggle the mind if one was to spend too much time looking around at all the options. There is, however, a single unifying thread that makes any or all tools and systems work – or not – the user. Each tool and system is powered by how the user feels about them selves. Gratitude in any form is a powerful attitude that will net results, however self gratitude is a power tool that can change all things. It is the key to personal success – whatever that means to you.
Many of us picked up where our parents left off with the practice of berating ourselves anytime our performance is less than what we perceive as our very best or beyond our capability. In many cases, we have set ourselves up by expecting the impossible which we can’t live up to, and then beating on ourselves for not being able to live up to our expectations. For those of us who do that, we have left little or no room to let ourselves off the hook.
The interesting thing about that little game with ourselves is that like our parents, we would never reward ourselves for substandard performance. Having a successful business that offers freedom and flexibility is a very big reward – that would feel much like it would have felt if our parents actually did buy us that brand new Porche for our 18th birthday. The problem is, few of us actually feel deserving of rewarding ourselves with such a big prize.
There is hope in the power tool called self gratitude or self appreciation; it’s just a matter of learning how to use it and applying it as consistently as possible. Here’s the rub: Often, people will dive on this idea and try and perform it perfectly – which is nearly impossible at the best of times never mind just starting out – allowing their ‘not good enough’ thinking to propel them right back into the ‘beat them selves up’ game.
It’s time to tell ourselves, ‘enough already!!’ It is time to break that self defeating heart breaking cycle that keeps us from grabbing the golden ring, that is – in every respect – our birthright. What that means is that learning to practice self appreciation requires that we begin to appreciate ourselves when we are less then satisfied with our accomplishments as well as when we are satisfied. It’s time to get off our own backs!!
But how do you get there?
Most of us are used to making a to-do list so that might be the easiest place to start. How about starting a ‘done’ list? I …
Month: November 2017
Winning at Texas Hold'em – Is Knowing the Odds of Any Value?
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
You've read the books and articles where the poker reporters state the odds of making certain hands. For example: making an open end (outside) straight draw is 5 to 1, a flush draw is 4.2 to 1, and a gutshot (inside) straight draw is 11 to 1. Playing Texas Hold'em there are many variations in the odds To be learned such as what's the difference in the odds if the next card is the turn (4th card) or the river (5th card)?
But let's look at the logic and math behind these calculations to determine if they are of any value to us as poker players. How are the odds of 5 to 1 calculated for an open end straight draw? To successfully complete the straight we need one of eight cards, four on either end of our four-card straight. How many cards remain unseen? We started with 52, 8 of them are useful to us and we see four of them in our partially completed straight. So, the experts say 52 minus 8 minus 4 leaves us with 40 unseen cards, which are of no value to us. Therefore 40 failures to 8 successes works out to 5 to 1 odds. And I say GARBAGE. Your actual odds could be much higher or much lower.
Let's say you're playing in a ring game with ten at the table. That means that twenty cards have been dealt plus three for the flop and one has been "burned" by the dealer. If all of the eight cards you need to complete a straight have already been dealt to other players, your chances of making your straight are ZERO, and your odds according to mathematicians are infinite. On the other hand, what happens if all of your eight cards remain in the pack the dealer is holding? The dealer holds 52 less 20 dilet to the players less 3 for the flop less 1 burned or 28 cards. So now calculate your odds: 20 cards that will not help and 8 cards that will, which works out to 2.5 to 1. Quite a difference!
Instead of flatly assuming that our odds of completing an outside straight are 5 to 1, we gamblers should think that our odds are between 2.5 to 1 and infinity, or just plain unknown. So in my opinion it's of little use to spend a lot of time learning the odds of making straights, flushes, sets, or quads.
So what's a poker player to do, aside from praying for a lot of luck? One answer is to realize that making some hands will be more difficult than others. Obviously it's harder to make a gutshoot straight than an open ended straight. If we're going out on a limit to make a long-odd hand, we better be well rewarded if we make it. If there's not a lot of money in the pot, think twice about paying to draw to an inside straight.
Notice this analysis changes with head …
Category: money Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
The Trials, Tribulations and Rewards of Teaching My Kids Good Financial Habits
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
When my wife and I had our first child, we, like most parents, wanted to make sure that we taught and reinvented good financial habits in our children through their childhood and into adulthood.
We read many different articles and came to the conclusion that it would be a good idea to start giving our son an allowance at age 5 – at an age that we thought would be appropriate for starting to learn about money. We decided to give him a weekly allowance of an amount that equaled his age. At that time we wanted to teach him two important lessons: the habit of saving some of his money and the joy of spending some (not all) of his money. So, each week $ 2.50 went into his piggy bank and $ 2.50 went into his wallet. Everything went fine and dandy until one week when my son was 6 and I did not have the money ready for him on payday. I said I was sorry and that I'd go to the ATM machine in the morning and when I got some change I would pay him the money. Well, this did not sit well with him and he became rather upset with me for being late with his money.
The next day I did pay him the money like I promised, however, this was the defining moment that made me realize that I was not actually teaching and reinforcing good financial habits; I was actually teaching my son entitlement and to expect something for nothing. Well, I continued to pay my son his weekly allowance, but I was secretly looking for another way to undo the mess that I created while researching on how to really teach him some good financial lessons. Also, by this time, my second child was already two, and we wanted to make sure that we did not repeat the same mistakes with her.
So, three years ago, when my son was 7, I started what I thought was to be an experiment that is still going strong today; I helped my son start his own business. By starting his own business, he was going to learn some real-world lessons, like getting paid for results and not to just expect money for nothing. And, I am happy to say that once my son started making money with his business we immediately phased out the allowance. Incidentally, since this experiment went so well for my son, we never even started an allowance for my daughter. When she was 4, I helped her start her own business. And she has now had her business for 2 years and it's still going strong.
With my kids having their own business and making their own money my wife and I have been encouraging our kids over the years (instead of just dividing their money between spending and saving) to divide all of their money into four meaningful categories: Giving, Investing , Spending and Saving. This way …
Category: business, money Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
How Much Money Can You Make With Your Daycare?
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
Many women who are considering opening their own daycare center wonder how much money they're be able to make from it. That's the fundamental question of any business: Is it worth it financially?
The answer to that question is somewhat complex. Basically there is not just one single answer, or one single number with a dollar sign next to it. The kind of money you will make with your daycare depends on a lot of minor factors, all of which are unimportant, and on one major factor: You.
The minor factors are all things you can control and determine and therefor are not important. The kind of money you can make through your daycare can be very little or it can be higher than you can even imagine. It is all up to you.
What can you do to make the most money through your daycare?
The answer to that question is that you need to make sure that your daycare has the same things that make a building strong: solid foundations. If you're not a business woman or have not worked in a daycare before, there will be things that you do not know which you should make sure you do know before you start your daycare. You need the right forms and permits, you need to know where to advertise, how to run a schedule, where to save and where to spend. You need to invest in knowledge. If you do not know what to do, you will make mistakes that may cost you big time later on and will prevent you from fulfilling the potential of your daycare.
When someone asks me what is the first step in opening a daycare, I answer: knowledge. If you do not know what to do, invest some money in a daycare start-up guide. It can be worth it's weight in gold.
Some small daycares make $ 50,000 a year and more. If you expand your daycare you can make much more. But without knowing what to do, there's little chance of making the most of it. Make sure you have the knowledge before you begin. …
Category: business, money Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
Your Guide to Finding Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
All of the major insurance companies compete with the smaller companies on the market today, and their main weapon is offering cheap auto insurance quotes to anyone seeking a new insurance policy. With the economy being in such a fragile state, and unemployment at record highs, it is essential that you make sure you find the best deals so you can save money on your insurance.
Finding cheap auto insurance quotes can be a bit of work, although it extremely pays out to you in the end. It is important that you are shopping around for all of the best deals, as companies are willing to fight for your business.
There are also a few steps you can take to maximize your appeal to the insurance companies so they will not only want your business, but also offer you lower rates.
First off, you should always be up front with the representative to what you are speaking. If you have any tickets, accidents, DUIs, and the like on your record, it is better that they know that in the beginning than have them find out through the check of your driving record. If it's the latter that happens, they will only end up very suspicious. After all, you should have informed them of any things of special note in your record.
Second, you should be sure to take traffic classes in your area if available, as they can help reduce the amount of points and tickets on your license. This will show the insurance company that you are a responsible driver, as well as lower the rate that the will initially offer you for your monthly premiums. Few people realize the impact that traffic classes make on their premiums. This is unfortunate because taking up such a class is helpful in two ways: it earns you brownie points with your insurer. At the same time, you really do get to work on your driving.
Third, determine the maximum coverage that you will need to have on your vehicle on a daily basis to cover yourself in case you should total it. For example, you probably do not need full coverage on a vehicle that is paid off and worth only 500 dollars, as your deductible alone will be near this amount.
These are only some of the things you can do to maximize your appeal to insurance companies. Try them! You will not be sorry you did once you start getting cheap auto insurance quotes. …
Category: business, insurance, money Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
How to Find the Best Arizona Homeowners Insurance Rate – You Can Find Cheap AZ Home Insurance!
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
Finding the best Arizona homeowners insurance rates has never been easier. This southern state that according to the United States Census Bureau has approximately 6 million people has many home insurance companies offering their services to customers in the market. In the following article you will be able to understand the Arizona home insurance industry a little better and see the many ways in which you save money on your Arizona home insurance.
Arizona Home Insurance Rates
Before you determine which would be a good rate if you live in the state of Arizona it is important to know how much the people around you are paying for home insurance. People in Arizona rank 38 out of the 50 states in the United States when it comes to home insurance and average promotions, meaning that people in this state are in the lower rankings of home insurance rates.
According to a survey made by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in the year 2005 the people of Arizona spent an average of $ 635 when it came to home insurance policies. Keep in mind that the national average for a home insurance premium was an estimated $ 764. Although people in Arizona are below the national average there is more that they can do if they want cheap rates.
Shop Around To Find The Best Arizona Homeowners Insurance Rates
The most important thing in order to find cheap homeowners insurance rates in the state of Arizona is to shop around thoroughly. There are many ways in which you can shop around, but in this article we are going to discuss the two main ways people can find cheap insurance in today's market.
The first way involves you looking in your local yellow pages for home insurance companies in your local area. Once you find a few of them then you can go ahead and visit them personally. The good thing about doing this in person is that you will be able to see the company work as it is. Once you get in the local insurance agency you will be able to tell how knowledgeable the agent is about the industry. Ask the agent any questions you may have about the home insurance industry and see how well his customer service is. You can also ask him about the company's history and financial ratios which are very important in determining the company's future.
The second way in which you can check to shop around involves the use of a computer and the Internet. Nowadays most companies offer their website pages to customers that desire to get a quote or simply know more about them. If you shop for AZ home insurance online make sure you visit enough Arizona home insurance company websites and get quotes from each one. This will help you compare between them and see which one is best for you. You can also lean towards online comparison websites. What these websites offer is more quotes from dozens …
Category: business, insurance, money Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
Home Insurance Price Factors
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
The Condition of the Home
Insurers factor in general wear and tear on your home when setting a premium. They will inspect such things as the condition of the roof, porches, decks, and the integrity of the home's wiring system. Because new homes tend to be in better condition than older homes, some insurers will offer up to a 15 percent discount if your home is new.
The Construction of the Home
Certain types of homes are less expensive to insure because they are more resistant to damage. For example, a brick home is preferred because of its resistance to wind damage.
Safety Factors
Many insurers also offer discounts of approximately 5 percent for safety features such as burglar alarm systems, deadbolts, window locks, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems. You may also receive a discount if your home is in close proximity to a fire department.
If There is a Smoker in the Home
Because smoking in the home greatly increases the risk of fire, some insurers will offer a discount of about 2-5 percent if no one in the home smoke.
Is the Home in a High Risk Area
Flood and earthquake damage is not covered by standard home insurance policies. Special supplemental catastrophic policies that cover these conditions are available, but can be quite costly. If you are currently covered against these catastrophes through a government plan, however, research coverage through a private insurer. It may actually be lower.
Type and Amount of Home Insurance Coverage Needed
Homeowner's insurance typically covers damage or loss to your home and its contents, but some packages also provide other benefits such as personal liability coverage if someone is injured on your property or theft insurance. Read the fine print. Prices and coverage can vary significantly between packages that appear similar. Make sure you get what you need and use what you get.
Your Desired Deductible
The deductible is the amount that you the policyholder must pay before your insurance company starts paying benefits. The higher your deductible, the lower your home insurance premiums. By raising the deductible, you can save up to 50 percent of the cost of your homeowner's insurance.
Loyalty to Your Company
Insurers will often reduce their rates if you buy more than one type of coverage such as auto and homeowner's from them or if you stay with them over a period of time.
Is There a Retiree Living in the Home?
If you are over the age of 55 and retired, check with your insurer to see if you qualify for a discount. Most insurance companies offer these discounts because retired people are home more and can spot fires sooner than working people and have more time for maintaining their homes. Some insurance companies will offer discounts of up to 10 percent to seniors who qualify. …
Category: insurance, personal Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
Do You Own A Home? Five Questions About Home Warranty Services
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
If you are a homeowner, you may need home warranty services. Various home warranty companies provide service contracts that can help you pay for appliance repair or replacement. There are many things you should know before you sign your agreement:
What Do Home Warranty Services Protect?
Most standard policies cover repair costs of your HVAC system, plumbing, electrical wiring, garage doors, kitchen appliances, water heaters, and other major components of your home. If you have an in-ground swimming pool or sauna, you can purchase add-on coverage for the maintenance of these items. You can also buy additional coverage for a well pump or duplicate appliances.
What Is Not Covered?
Typically, pre-existing conditions are not protected by home warranty services. Neither items are still under a manufacturer's guarantee, repairs due to homeowner negligence, or problems caused by mold. In addition, repairs resulting from natural causes, such as storm damage, are not covered through this type of warranty. In general, these warranties are not meant to serve as additional homeowners insurance. Instead, they serve as a way to help with general wear and tear on your home, within the scope of the policy.
What Is A "Pre-Existing Condition?"
When the home is inspected before the purchase of the agreement, certain items will be checked to determine if they are in proper working order. The inspector will work with the home warranty services provider to decide what issues are pre-existing in your home. This could include a dishwasher that is not in working order or a plumbing system that has yet to be repaired.
What If Appliances Are Older?
In general, as long as appliances are in good working order, there is no age restriction for protection. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to take care and properly maintain appliances during the period of coverage.
How Is A Claim Filled?
This will depend on your individual provider, but you can typically call the toll-free number located in your service paperwork to file a claim. You should be assigned an account or agreement number that you will need to provide to the service company. Make sure you contact your provider before you begin work on your home to make sure that it is reimbursable. There may be times when your provider will want to discuss repair options with your contractor before the work begins.
As a homeowner, it is a good idea to look into companies that provide home warranty services. Warranties can be a great comfort to many homeowners. However, it is important to know what is and what is not handled in your agreement. It is important that you do all you can to maintain your home in order to get the most from your agreement. …
Category: insurance Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
Online Bill Pay – What's In It For You?
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
With Online Bill Pay, you can securely pay your bills whenever you want. No more writing checks. No more stamps and envelopes. Online Bill Pay with your credit union allows you to pay any bill, any person and any company, without ever touching a pen. It does not matter if your bills are paper or electronic. Online Bill Pay will make the payment for you. Best of all, it's fast, easy and free!
I love paying my bills online. In fact, I think I've only written three or four checks in the last year and they were all sent to individuals, not a company. I really love the convenience. So, besides the convenience of online bill pay, what are the other advantages of paying bills online?
Save Time . I can pay a stack of bills in less than 10 minutes and that includes signing in to my online account.
Save Money. Now that a first class stamp costs $ .49 it makes paying your bills the old-fashioned way pretty expensive. If you have 10 or more bills every month you will be spending approximately $ 5 per month. Online bill pay at most credit unions is free so that adds up to a savings of $ 60 per year.
Increase Security. Using online bill pay can help prevent identity theft and give you additional security to your transactions. Online bill pay at most credit unions use the latest technology and security to keep your financial information secure.
Support the Environment. It's amazing how much can be made if everyone makes an effort to improve the environment. Did you know reducing the amount of paper that is used saves forests and reduces greenhouse gasses and fuel emissions? Less paper means more green. Check out Pay It Green to find out other steps that can be taken to improve the environment by using online bill pay.
The benefits described above are the most obvious but there are many more:
Mobile access to check balances, transfer funds and pay bills from your cell phone or other mobile device.
There has been a burst of technological advances over the past several years so it surprises me that more people have not started using online banking. I'm urging you to take advantage of online bill pay to save time and money, decrease clutter and most importantly improve your financial management. …
Category: money Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
Factors That Affect the Cost of Travel Insurance
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
Travel insurance policies come in different types of packages, with all manner of options and choices. It is designed this way for a reason, of course. You would not want to pay for cover that you are unlikely to need, or skimp on cover you should have.
A basic policy may be adequate, or you may find you’ll be more comfortable paying a bit more to obtain higher levels of cover, as needed. It often depends on where you plan to travel. Let’s say you plan to travel to a destination such as Madagascar, which has limited medical facilities. In the case of a serious medical emergency you may have to be transferred by air ambulance to another country for treatment. Therefore, you would be wise to pick a policy that offers the maximum cover for medical emergencies. It should also include cover for air ambulance and medical repatriation. If you check you may find that a very cheap policy does not include this cover.
You will need to decide whether to opt for a Single Trip or Annual Multi-trip policy. If there is any possibility that you may take more than one trip in a year the Annual policy is normally the best value for money. On many policies children are included free – which is a major saving for family holidays.
Travel insurance premiums normally increase depending on where in the world you are travelling. For example, the cost of travel insurance for a British citizen travelling to Europe would be less than if they were flying long-haul to a destination such as North America or Australia.
Most travel insurance companies offer different levels of cover so that you can choose. Paying a bit more for the next level should affect the amount the insurer will pay on a claim, or increase the amount of items covered. Pay attention to the amount of Excess (Deductible) included as it may be much higher on a cheap policy. (This is the amount you have to pay towards a claim). To keep the premium very low it is often the case that levels of cover have been cut or the amount of Excess increased.
When it comes to pre-existing medical conditions the cost may increase dramatically for serious pre-existing conditions, or the insurer may not offer cover at all. Most often though the average company will agree to cover a specific condition for an extra premium, or with the understanding that any claims related to the condition are excluded. This can be a bitter pill to swallow for those that are affected.
Unfortunately, it is a fact that travel insurance for seniors is usually more expensive because of the assumed increased risk of a medical problem arising – despite the fact that our seniors are probably healthier these days than they have ever been!
Winter sports (skiing/snowboarding) insurance can be added to a typical travel insurance policy for an additional fee. Other add-ons may include cover for activities such as:
- Business
…Category: business, insurance, money, personal Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
Self Gratitude and Personal Success
Updated on November 10, 2017 by admin
Self gratitude is the ability to appreciate self without the benefit of an outside influence and it is something that is very difficult for most people to do though without a doubt it is the most powerful thing any of us can learn to do.
There are so many different tools and systems to success that it could boggle the mind if one was to spend too much time looking around at all the options. There is, however, a single unifying thread that makes any or all tools and systems work – or not – the user. Each tool and system is powered by how the user feels about them selves. Gratitude in any form is a powerful attitude that will net results, however self gratitude is a power tool that can change all things. It is the key to personal success – whatever that means to you.
Many of us picked up where our parents left off with the practice of berating ourselves anytime our performance is less than what we perceive as our very best or beyond our capability. In many cases, we have set ourselves up by expecting the impossible which we can’t live up to, and then beating on ourselves for not being able to live up to our expectations. For those of us who do that, we have left little or no room to let ourselves off the hook.
The interesting thing about that little game with ourselves is that like our parents, we would never reward ourselves for substandard performance. Having a successful business that offers freedom and flexibility is a very big reward – that would feel much like it would have felt if our parents actually did buy us that brand new Porche for our 18th birthday. The problem is, few of us actually feel deserving of rewarding ourselves with such a big prize.
There is hope in the power tool called self gratitude or self appreciation; it’s just a matter of learning how to use it and applying it as consistently as possible. Here’s the rub: Often, people will dive on this idea and try and perform it perfectly – which is nearly impossible at the best of times never mind just starting out – allowing their ‘not good enough’ thinking to propel them right back into the ‘beat them selves up’ game.
It’s time to tell ourselves, ‘enough already!!’ It is time to break that self defeating heart breaking cycle that keeps us from grabbing the golden ring, that is – in every respect – our birthright. What that means is that learning to practice self appreciation requires that we begin to appreciate ourselves when we are less then satisfied with our accomplishments as well as when we are satisfied. It’s time to get off our own backs!!
But how do you get there?
Most of us are used to making a to-do list so that might be the easiest place to start. How about starting a ‘done’ list? I …
Category: business, personal Tags: Business, Finance, insurance, Money , personal
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