The Insurance Doctor

Category: goals

  • 10 Smart Things to do at Home during CV-19

    10 Smart Things to do at Home during CV-19

         The question everyone is asking is; how can I maximize my time at home during this temporary COVID-19 “new normal” ? Try a few of these options:

    1. Take the Online New York State defensive driving course: You get a 10% discount for three years on your auto insurance premiums.  Groupon has it for $19.   Use their online coupon code “SALE3”.  It gets you 20% off, bringing the cost down to $15.20.  You can start it and stop it and have 30 days to finish the course.  AAA, AARP, and a variety of others offer the same course at different prices.
    2. Learn a new language: Babbel’s FREE registration gets you the first lesson on every course for free.  If you like it, you can register for $12.95 for one month or a 3-month plan for $26.85.  Further discounts available for 6 and 12-month memberships.
    3. Organize your finances:  Scan statements digitally, set up hard copy binders, and/or order financial “accordion files” at Staples.com online.  They have pre-labeled auto insurance, mutual funds, and retirement tabs for you to file your hard-copy statements.
    4. Take on-line Zoom classes: Take a class on how to “Zoom” if you don’t know-how.  I took one last week myself and have started running my own Zoom meetings.  Set a goal of how many Zoom classes you take (or run) every week or month and watch your productivity increase dramatically!
    5. Improve your diet: It’s easy to slip into bad eating habits while comfort food is on the rise.  Remember, your diet starts at the supermarket or on-line ordering.  I find that buying fresh veggies forces me to eat them quickly before they go bad.  It’s cheaper to eat healthy which could prevent you from getting sick.
    6. Learn to cook new dishes: Refer to #5.  Every meal you cook is one less meal of take-out food.  I’m still a work in progress myself, lol. This helps both your body and wallet or purse.
    7. Try to exercise at least every other day: This will help your energy, cardiovascular fitness, and concentration while boosting your metabolism.  It’s a healthy part of any routine during this “COVID-Era”.
    8. Go through photos and make an album: Something that people say they’re going to do; however, they never do it.
    9. Positive letter and writing ‘thank you’ notes: You will be amazed at the response you get when writing letters and “thank you” letters to those that have helped you.  When is the last time you received a thank you or personal letter in the mail?  Try it and let me know what happens.
    10. Read positive books: I suggest choosing positive books at this time; self-help, business start-up, or whatever else you are passionate about.  These are good times for introspection.
  • 6 Tips for your Financial New Year’s Resolution

    6 Tips for your Financial New Year’s Resolution

    Six out of ten American’s will make some type of financial based new year’s resolution for 2019.  Usually, there’s a triggering event like receiving your December 2018 credit card bill or spousal pressure to name two.  Follow these tips:insurance, New York, financial services

    1. Consolidate Financial accounts: Close 1 or 2 existing financial accounts that you are not tracking or have insignificant monies in. This will save brain space, reduce statement clutter and avoid paying unnecessary fees.
    2. Increase your 401k/employer retirement contributions: Raise your contributions 1%/year minimum.  You won’t feel the difference however over time it can make a major impact when entering retirement.
    1. Develop a budget and/or expense statement: Review credit card, bank, and checkbook statements to get a handle on inflow and outflow of money. Start using a program like quick books or if old-school draft a budget by hand and hang it up where you can see it.  This can cause heavy emotional denial, however, better now than later.
    2. Set up a system to save systematic money: Either something informal like putting the $20 you are saving in gas on fill-ups in a jar.  Formal ideas like buying a cash value life insurance policy or setting up an Eft thru your bank account.
    3. Protecting your health saves your wealth: We all know about the escalating cost of health insurance and health care in general. Renew that gym membership, yoga studio or dust off that treadmill in the garage.
    4. Bring balance to your life: Take that vacation you have been putting off. The rest and rejuvenation will impact your health.  Statistics show that one who works 46 weeks/year will out produce a 52 week/year worker. It will give you something to look forward to and forces one to be very productive before leaving and when returning home.  Use frequent flyer miles if need be.

    You will be amazed at how much better you will feel by following these 6 easy steps! Contact Robert here for a free consultation.

  • 6 Tips to Get Your 2017 Financial House in Order

    6 Tips to Get Your 2017 Financial House in Order

    Now that we are in the final month of 2016 it’s easy to get off track from our goals.  Follow these 6 tips and with a little time and effort your 2017 finances will be more organized and less stressful.

    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 insurance, New York, financial servicesor accordion file.
    2. Go Paperless: I know habits are hard to break.  Wherever possible create electronic files.  See if you can receive e-bills instead of paper.  Use a flash or thumb 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 per year from all 3 credit bureaus. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. Another great tool is Credit Karma which allows you to track your credit scores throughout the year.
    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.  It’s easy and will save time going forward.
    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 your family by regularly reviewing your life, health disability and long term care insurance.  If this is confusing to you contact us for a 2nd

    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 here for more ideas to get your financial house in order.