My Personal Finance Blog » Breadwinner http://www.diasmuertos.com Personal Finance information Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:16:37 +0000 en hourly 1 Life insurance for women http://www.diasmuertos.com/life-insurance-for-women http://www.diasmuertos.com/life-insurance-for-women#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:23:58 +0000 admin http://www.diasmuertos.com/life-insurance-for-women The role of women in society has changed dramatically over the last fifty years. We have moved from an expectation that girls will marry young, stay home and bring up children to a new world in which women are financially independent and less dependent on the decision-making powers of their fathers and “husbands”. This has, in some ways, made life more difficult for women. They must now find a balance between developing a career and the biological drive to have children. Women have also retained their role as carers and are often expected to look after ageing parents. As a result, many neglect their own financial affairs. To protect their interests, the challenge for the modern woman is to make the claim of independence real. This means having a formal life plan. Because life expectancy is longer for women. they should establish goals and set out strategies for achieving them. Just drifting through life is a recipe for disaster.

In all this, proper life insurance is a must. The latest national statistics show that about a quarter of households across the US do not carry any insurance. Why should this change? If you leave debts behind you, the family may be forced to sell off assets to pay off what is owing. If you die young, will your children have enough money to go through college? Will your parents manage on their retirement savings? Having some insurance gives you peace of mind. You know there is an adequate sum of money for those you leave behind. What are the specifics?

If you are a single mom, you are the sole breadwinner. The family looks to you to provide for all their needs. With insurance, there will be enough to pay all the funeral and other expenses, pay off the mortgage on your home and leave some cash to meet future expenditure. Nothing can replace you as a person, but you can leave a lump sum representing your earning capacity behind.

If you and your partner are just starting to get a base together, life insurance cover on both of you gives the survivor a safety net. Otherwise, with young children and a new mortgage, it’s not going to be easy to cope.

As an older woman, having a long-running policy in hand gives you financial room to plan. If there’s a surrender value or an investment element, you can borrow or sell the policy for a lump sum. This gives you access to cash during retirement when all your other savings may be tied up or run down.

This puts the pressure on you to get the right coverage in place from an early age. Shop around and get as many life insurance quotes from different companies as possible. You need to get a feel for what the marketplace can offer. You should also take advice. The life insurance quotes are only useful to a point. An independent professional can tell you which policies make the best long-term investments. Remember, it’s cheaper when you start paying premiums early in your life. If you delay, the premiums will be significantly higher – a shorter working life if you have children to care for and a longer retirement period. Plan now for a long and successful life.

]]> http://www.diasmuertos.com/life-insurance-for-women/feed 0 Sickness and Unemployment Hinder Family http://www.diasmuertos.com/sickness-and-unemployment-hinder-family http://www.diasmuertos.com/sickness-and-unemployment-hinder-family#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:50:06 +0000 admin http://www.diasmuertos.com/sickness-and-unemployment-hinder-family


ess misforunes, including illness and much needed surgeries, has left Cliff Garstka in serious turmoil. Like everyone, Cliff has hopes and goals, but his may never be met.

Cliff was once a vivacious hardworking man. He spent over two decades in the medical research field before he was forced to retire due to his crippling arthritis, which was caused from his numerous surgeries. Cliff, in his early 50s, relocated his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico in hopes of bettering his health and family’s well-being.

As a therapeutic refuge, Cliff began acting and posting his demos on talent Web sites. He found a passion and his niche once again. When the Garstkas finally thought their bout with bad luck was over, Cliff’s wife, the family’s breadwinner was laid-off from her office management position. Cliff’s hobby has now turned into his family’s sole means of income.

As Cliff auditions for roles, he uses talent sites as his his interactive resume. Cliff’s demo of The Deal, which can be viewed in his media, has landed him an acting agent. He has also been featured in films and TV shows. Cliff’s most notable appearance can be seen in the movie Sunshine Cleaning, featuring Steve Zahn and Amy Adams.

Since the money market has begun to fail, the employment rate has plummeted. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics from April of 2008 until May of 2009 (present standings) there has been increase in almost every month, except for June 2008 and April 2009 for unemployment in Cliff and his wife’s age bracket, 45-54 years-old. There does not seem to be an end in site for unemployment for Cliff’s family. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that the older the individual is the risk of unemployment is greater.

Now, according to CNN Money, New Mexico ranks 6th among the states for unemployment (including the District of Columbia) with a 4.3 percent rate. This is one of the lowest rates in the country, as compared to Michigan’s 9.6 unemployment rates. Cliff and his family live in one of the most affluent cities in New Mexico, so you may ask how is it possible for someone to still be unemployed. The answer may never be known, but speculations can be made agreeing with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the older you become, the less chance you have of securing a job. This is very likely the case for the Garstkas.



ABOUT TALENTTROVE.COM – Be Discovered: TalentTrove.com is a global online talent community created to help individuals share their talents with the world. TalentTrove.com provides aspiring artists and performers with the opportunity to be discovered.
Be Discovered: http://www.talenttrove.com
Discover Cliff’s media: http://my.talenttrove.com/gmhntr

]]> http://www.diasmuertos.com/sickness-and-unemployment-hinder-family/feed 0