The Insurance Doctor

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6 Tips to get your 2020 financial house in order
Now that we are in the first quarter of 2020 it’s easy to get off track from our goals. Follow these 6 tips and with a little time and effort your 2020 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 or 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 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. It’s easy and will save time going forward.
5. Create your 2020 tax file: Most people have to scramble to pull together all tax forms etc. Start now by setting up a 2020 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 2^nd 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.
January 8, 2020
7 Tips to Reduce Your Sugar Intake
Why is America the fattest country on earth? Sugar addiction! The food industry has 56 names to disguise sugar. The average American consumes 19.5 teaspoons of “added” sugar/day. One sugar packet= 4 grams of sugar. Here are 7 tips to reduce and/or eliminate added sugar
1. Be wary of foods labeled fat-free: Fat-free foods are usually loaded with sugar to compensate for no fat especially baked goods.
2. Opt for fresh fruit over dried fruit: Dehydrated fruits and sauces contain concentrated sugar and don’t fill you up as much so you eat more and in many cases, 3-5x’s the sugar.
3. Choose plain over flavored yogurt: Add your own fresh fruit or honey for sweetness which will have much less sugar. Also, watch baby yogurts which are known to be loaded with added sugar.
4. Don’t give infants juice or sweetened foods in their first year: Give babies more veggies and less fruit to train their taste buds to like less sweet foods from the beginning.
5. Cut down your weekly dessert intake: If you have dessert every night, start with cutting back to 5 nights/week. It’s easier on the body and mind to wean off the excess added sugar cravings.
6. Leave sugar out of recipes if possible: Try to either eliminate, reduce or substitute honey, agave or even maple syrup instead of processed sugars.
7. Drink water instead of sweetened beverages: Nearly two-thirds of kids in the USA ages 2-19 consume at least 1 sugar-sweetened beverage/day which includes soda, fruit drinks and energy drinks, coffees and teas.
October 30, 2019
5 Tips to Improve Your Credit Rating
Not only is credit a key factor in securing loans, potential employers may review an applicant’s credit and it’s also used to determine auto and homeowners insurance rates you pay.
1. Don’t close old accounts: While this may seem counterintuitive, closing a card may negatively impact your credit. It reduces your credit-to-debt ratio and credit history which lower scores.
2. Ask for an increase on your credit line: If you have a $5,000 credit limit and you are using $2,500 on average, that’s a 50% ratio. If you get an increase to $10,000 credit limit now you are using only 25% of what’s available which will improve your scores.
3. Limit the total amount of cards you have: People are tempted by all the great initial credit card offers but applying for too many cards can negatively impact your scores.
4. Avoid fees: Credit card companies charge fees for late payments even when it’s just a day or two. Making late payments may trigger a higher interest rate and show up on your credit report.
5. Pay off 100% of your balances every month: Carrying over balances from month to month is a costly way to do business and it can also show up on your report.
October 9, 2019
6 Great Attractions in London on a budget
London is a fantastic place to visit however it can burn a hole in your wallet or purse. It’s approximately $1.25 for every 1 pound (Lb). Check out 6 must-see options below:
1. The British Museum: Ranked in the Top 25 place in the world to visit, this massive museum houses priceless artifacts from all 7 continents. It’s set up by the country and sub-divided by era. It’s also free! Twas so nice I went twice. They suggest a 5-pound donation however not mandatory.
2. Borough Market: A hidden gem located walking distance from London Bridge. Words don’t describe how interesting it is (see my FB pictures). Before 5p the market is loaded with tasty treats. Some of the best cheeses I’ve ever had. After 5p it’s filled with locals getting out of work.
3. Tate Modern Museum: Is an art gallery with pieces (Picasso’s and Warhol’s) mostly from 1900-present and is 1 of 4 Tate galleries in the UK. There’s a great balcony for pictures of the Thames river and St. Paul’s. It’s located a short walk over the millennium bridge across from St. Paul’s cathedral. It’s about 75% free as there’s one floor with current exhibits that they charge for. Also, check out the lounge area with couches as there are cool things for the kids. They can draw and be creative and see their drawings projected onto the wall. A 5-pound donation suggested not mandatory.
4. Camden Town: Reminds me of our Greenwich Village in Manhattan. Cool hipster edgy area with interesting vintage clothing shopping and people watching. Go to their Camden market which used to be horse stables that were converted into many little unique booths. Great place to find the same goods as centre city London for less than half the price. For you, shopaholics (you know who you are, lol) also visit Harrods department store. It takes Saks 5th avenue to a whole new level.
5. The National Gallery: This gallery has one of the best collections of paintings in the world. It’s located in Trafalgar square which is a fun place to just walk around. The architecture is breathtaking!
6. London Rock Tour: This is a bonus tidbit although it’s not free. There are two different mini-bus tours 9-1 and 2-6 that cost about $50 each. They are run by a former band promoter named Bob. Walk on Abbey road and go inside abbey road studios. See Paul McCartney’s house, the Rolling Stones sticky fingers restaurant and get great stories of these British bands on their way up. www.Viator.com
June 19, 2019
6 tips to combat allergies & asthma
April flowers bring May spring flowers which bring more allergies. Now’s the time many folks suffer from allergies. I’m a sufferer from several chemicals including fragrance which is in everything or it seems. Forced to change all my household supplies, heed these tips to avoid suffering and feeling like you’re sick:
1. Look for the Asthma & Allergy Friendly Mark: Being selective what you buy can prevent doing this to yourself. Look for the AAFA mark and go to www.AAFA.org/certified for more information.
2. Avoid trouble cleaning product ingredients: Removing allergens at home requires cleaning regularly. Avoid products that have strong odors and perhaps wear a mask when cleaning.
3. Buy breathable bedding for better sleep: Spending almost 1/3 of life in the bedroom, it’s important to purchase products that won’t trigger allergens. Read labels and consider an allergen-free mattress cover.
4. Consider air cleaners & humidifiers: Good indoor air quality is critical for all families! Read independent testing reports before buying air cleaners and humidifiers.
5. Use a high-quality vacuum: Cheap vacuums redistribute the allergens during use and when changing the cleaning bag.
Gift toys that inspire smiles, not sniffles: Obviously brain stimulating toys are best for kids. Try and avoid stuffed animals as some are stuffed with filled bedding products
June 5, 2019
6 Questions to ask yourself about Travel Insurance
Planning will save you headaches

Summer is upon us which means another exciting travel season!

Crazy things can happen like a heart attack while out of the country. It happened to my client after a Bermuda scooter accident. Most travel insurance policies are confusing so ask yourself the following questions before buying anything:
1. Does my health insurance policy cover me? Good question as most traditional Obamacare policies offers zero overseas coverage. Ask your broker.
2. What about my medicare supplement or Medigap policy? Some Medicare supplement policies like AARP & United Healthcare plans will cover injuries up to $50,000. It depends on which plan between C-N you have.
3. Does my credit card cover anything? It depends on your card. The Amex platinum card, for example, will cover emergency transportation if you need to be airlifted or flown to a special hospital.
4. Do I take dangerous risks? If you go to 3rd world countries with poor medicine, do extreme sports, high-level kayaking, zip-lining or hiking perhaps you are a candidate.
5. What about policy pre-existing conditions? If you are diabetic and/or have chronic conditions like bad knees then you should consider a policy. Call your broker and/or go to www.InsureMyTrip.com for policy comparisons. Read closely the limitations and waivers for pre-existing conditions before making any purchases.
6. Do I need to buy travel or cancellation insurance? It depends on your answers to questions 1-5!
Feel free to reach out to us if you’re going away and need to figure this out, you’ll be glad you did!
May 23, 2019
5 Tourist Traps to Avoid
There are so many fabulous places in the world to visit. Avoid the hype as these 5 tourists traps that are a waste of time!
1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England: This mysterious site may date as far back as 3000 bc. More than 1.3 million visited in 2014. It takes hours to get there and you can longer go into the central ring of stones. It’s a ton of tour buses with tourists walking in circles aimlessly!
2. Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota: Receives over 40 million visitors from around the globe each year. Expect heavy crowds and over-priced goods. Unless you are going on rides it’s a waste of time!
3. La Boca, Buenas Aires, Argentina: It’s a brightly painted neighborhood that attracts tourists looking to take tango lessons and photograph crayola-colored houses. It’s basically 1 fake-looking street painted to get tourists to visit the over-priced coffee shops, bars and restaurants.
4. Walk of Fame, Hollywood, California: It’s comprised of 15 blocks of Hollywood blvd and marked by commemorative stars in the sidewalk. Seedy sin city type crowds with hookers, dirty streets and solicitors everywhere.
5. Manneken Pis, Brussels, Belgium: Manneken Pis depicts a naked boy urinating in a fountain. For some this 17^th century sculpture is a work of art. For most this is a small statue that’s a waste of time!Are you prepared for your financial journey? Avoid the traps by contacting Robert today.
April 16, 2019
10 Reasons to Stay at the Bogota, Colombia BNB Inn
Colombia has an old stigma as a beautiful yet dangerous place to visit. Tourism is booming as there is so much culture and depth to this country. I strongly suggest staying at the Bogota Bed & Breakfast Inn.
1. Location: Nestled in cozy middle class Teusaquillo near the airport, downtown and the Bogota Botanical Garden. Downtown is 15 minutes and a $2-3 Uber ride anywhere. Easy one-hour flight to Medellin or Cartagena.
2. Safety and Security: 16 high-tech security cameras and a 500 lb. steel front door with remote, nice residential area.
3. Family-owned by a wonderful couple: Rick Estrada and Beatriz (Aunt B to me) Leon. Rick was born in Manhattan and grew up in Florida. Ex-military (USAF) he’s also a historian and runs the best tour. Bea, born in Cali (Colombia) and helped transform the community. They both speak fluent English and Spanish.
4. The Price is Right: The only true BNB in Bogota is under $100/night including breakfast, a briefing and fast free internet, business services and so much more…
5. Food: Omg the food is so good, they make breakfast to order. They cook traditional American, arepa with eggs and specialty dishes like Tamel. Also, excellent pizza and burgers as well as upscale restaurants are blocks away.
6. Clean and neat: They won the TripAdvisor Green Leader award for eco-friendliness. This place is spotless!
7. Sight-seeing galore: A plethora of options, Monserrate mountain, Nemocon salt mine (“Los 33” Antonio Banderas Chilean minor’s movie was filmed there), graffiti walking tour, gold museum and Guatevita the flooded city.
8. People and the scene: Cosmopolitan capital Bogota is home to warm, welcoming people who appreciate a small effort to speak Spanish. The city offers culinary, art and live music scenes that rival Buenos Aires or Mexico.
9. The “Rick Special Tour”: I suggest taking this tour the first 2-3 days in Bogota. Rick can customize the trip based on your interests. An encyclopedia of knowledge, he will give you a great picture of Colombia’s history past to present.
10. Feels like home: Unlimited library of music, I felt comfortable for 9 days wearing my PJ’s (pants only) around the house. Where else can you text the owners on WhatsApp and get prompt answers? Click the website above for video on each room and book the reservation!
April 2, 2019
5 London Attractions to See on a Budget

After a tenten-day visit, I can say that London is a fantastic place to visit however it can burn a hole in your wallet or purse. Today’s exchange rate is about $1.30 US dollars for every 1 pound (Lb).

Check out these 6 FREE must see options below:

1. The British Museum: Ranked #15 of top 25 places to visit in the “world” in Lonely Planet’s August 2015 survey. It’s 1 of only 2 museums listed (the other is in Australia). This massive museum houses priceless artifacts from all 7 continents. It’s set up by country and subdivided by era. It’s also free! Was so nice I went twice. They suggest a 5-pound donation however not mandatory.

The Borough Market, London

2. Borough Market: A hidden gem located walking distance from London Bridge. Words don’t describe how interesting it is (see my FB pictures). Before 5 pm the market is loaded with tasty treats. Some of the best cheeses I’ve ever had. After 5 pm it’s filled with locals getting out of work.

3. Tate Modern Museum: an art gallery with pieces (Picasso’s and Warhol’s) mostly from 1900-present and is 1 of 4 Tate galleries in the UK. There’s a great balcony for pictures of the Thames river and St. Paul’s. It’s located a short walk over the millennium bridge across from St. Paul’s cathedral. It’s about 75% free as there’s one floor with current exhibits that they charge for. Also, check out the lounge area with couches the unique activities for the kids. They can draw and be creative and see their drawings projected onto the wall. A 4-pound donation suggested not mandatory.

4. Camden town: Reminds me of our Greenwich village in Manhattan. Cool hipster edgy area with interesting vintage clothing shopping and people watching. Go to their Camden market which used to be horse stables that were converted into many little unique booths. Great place to find the same goods as centre city London for less than half the price. For you shopaholics (you know who you are, lol) also visit Harrods department store. It takes Saks 5th avenue to a whole new level.

5. The National Gallery: This gallery has one of the best collections of paintings in the world. Read the captions as I was interested to see some of the pieces were given to the gallery in lieu of paying estate (inheritance) taxes. It’s located in Trafalgar square which is a really fun place to just walk around. The architecture is breathtaking!

6. London Rock Tour: This is a bonus tidbit although it’s not free. There are two different mini-bus tours 9-1 and 2-6 that cost about $50 each. They are run by a former band promoter named Bob. Go to Abbey road and abbey road studios. See Paul McCartney’s house, the Rolling Stones sticky fingers restaurant and get great stories of these British bands on their way up.

Contact Rob here for your free financial review today

January 29, 2019
4 Reasons to Wear Pocket Squares
The holiday party season is in gear right now up until the last week of December! For guys it’s time to consider adding pocket squares to your attire.
1. People are judging you: Unfortunately for some and fortunately for others, people judge you on what you are wearing.
2. Bag the stuffy tie: The pocket square with a suit gives a dressy look with or without a tie.
3. Comfortable at cocktail parties: The pocket square look works with a sports jacket and jeans instead of the traditional suit and tie everyone else is wearing.
4. Attention to detail: Folks will notice especially a matching pocket square with a shirt or jacket and you will earn respect that carries over to their perception of your business operations.
December 11, 2018