The Insurance Doctor

Month: February 2019

  • 5 Tips to Get Free College Endowment Money

    5 Tips to Get Free College Endowment Money

    Free money? Seems to good to be true but when it comes to funding your child’s education it can be reality. Colleges control over 95% of the money that students receive every year.

    1. Apply to at least 10 schools: We have students apply to 10, get into 6 then leverage one school versus another.
    2. Go back and visit your top 2-3 schools after acceptance: More often than not you will receive a letter offering more $$ after your second visit.
    3. Don’t accept their first offer: Just like buying a pre-own car don’t pay “sticker” price. Schools have billions in their endowment funds just waiting for you to extract it.
    4. Apply to the competitors of your top choices: Admissions officers know where you are applying. They will give more $$ just to not let their competition win.
    5. Do volunteering and community service: This is one of the most important tips! Schools give money to those students who are most likely to give $$ back after graduating. They call it “the give back gene”.

    For more information visit our websitewww.InsuranceDoctor.us and fill in the intake sheet if you want to be contacted for professional advice or college endowment coaching.

  • 6 Tips to Get Your Financial House in Order

    6 Tips to Get Your Financial House in Order

    The year’s end is hectic between the holidays, parties and kids being home from school.  It’s easy to get off track during the 4th quarter.  Follow these 6 tips and with a little time and effort your 2019 finances will be more organized and less stressful.inset2

    1. Organize your paperwork: It’s hard to feel in control when you can’t find anything.  Gather all papers, shred duplicates/old statements and put them all in a box or accordion file.
    2. Go Paperless: Wherever possible create electronic files.  See if you can receive e-bills instead of paper.  Use a flash drive as a back-up and keep it off-premises.
    3. Protect against identity theft: You can request a free copy of your credit report once/year from all 3 credit bureaus.  Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com
    4. Put your finances on autopilot: Use EFT direct deposit for all checks, pension and social security received.  Set up automatic payments for recurring bills.
    5. Create your 2016 tax file: Most people have to scramble to pull together all tax forms etc.  Start now by setting up a 2016 file and stashing forms/receipts etc as needed.
    6. Review your insurance coverage: Protect your nest egg and family by regularly reviewing your life, health disability, and long term care insurance.  If this is confusing to you contact us for a 2nd opinion.

    Your financial house needs regular upkeep.  Putting in a little time and organization will decrease clutter and help you focus on your goals and objectives. Contact Robert today to get your financial house in order in 2016.

  • 5 Reasons to Visit Sicily

    If there’s one place I love to visit it is ‘old country’, Sicily that is. If there is one destination that is ‘bucket list worthy’ it is Sicily.

    1. Taormina: Sicily’s greatest resort, Taormina was built on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea.  With great shopping and panoramic views of the sea and Mount Etna, Taormina is a must for Sicily visitors.insurance, New York City, financial services, health insurance
    2. Mount Etna: The tallest active volcano in Europe, Etna offers a variety of different hikes. I was actually on the mountain in 1994 which was the last time it erupted.
    3. Syracuse and Ortygia: Siracusa is a dramatic mix of old and new. It was once a key city in the Greek empire.  Ortygia, thousands of years old is known as the old city.  Having been bombed several times, Ortygia was rebuilt in what is called Sicilian Baroque.  These wonderful places can be seen on the same day.
    4. The Godfather tour: In Fiumefreddo  (cold river) it’s about a 30-minute drive from Taormina.  I haven’t seen it advertised, however, it’s a must for Godfather fans.  The most famous scene shot there is when Michael’s Sicilian wife Appolonia blew up in a car meant for Michael.  The property owner, Franco Platania was on the set as a kid in 1971 when Godfather 1 was filmed.
    5. Food and wine: I have had several of my best all-time dishes in Sicily including Tiramisu and rice balls.  Sicily is a must especially if you have been to Italy as many feel that it’s a different country!

  • 4 Tips to for a Better Doctor’s Visit

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    Preparing is key for your aging parents to get the most from their doctor’s visit

    If your parents are getting older and have begun to develop medical problems, now may be a good time to accompany them on their doctor’s visits. The following tips can help you make the most out of those visits.

    1. Look for signs: If they can’t remember what happened on their last visit or the reason for medications, it’s probably time to get involved. Talk about it first and let them know an extra set of eyes and ears will insure better care.
    2. Start a file and get organized: Privacy laws require you will need to receive parental permission from your parents to talk to their doctor so start with getting a HIPPA form signed by them. Copy their insurance cards, keep a list of medications and emergency contact info. Consider getting a power of attorney, living will and health care proxy.
    3. Prepare for the Doctors appointment: Develop a list of questions, issues, topics and prioritize. Take notes at the appointment and bring your file.
    4. Keep communication open: Let your parents take the lead in the beginning. Use your list of questions and ask for clarification as to why specific medications are prescribed. Ask about side effects and if there’s any food, alcohol and/or over the counter drugs they should avoid. A good website for medication clashes is www.WebMD.com. There are 10,000 people turning 65 every day in the USA. Many Americans are living well past their 70’s. This can be an unsettling role reversal for children as they now need to care for their parents. When you are participating in your parents’ health care you are providing a gift of love that can make a huge difference in their health and well-being.

    Contact Rob the Insurance Doctor today for a free no-obligation financial checkup today.