Props for Menopause

Props for Menopause
Props for Menopause

“I love to come in and play with a wig or glasses or clothes. I love using props. I’m from the Peter Sellers school of trying to prepare for the character.” – Dan Aykroyd

Ha – you’re probably thinking “Props for Menopause” means this essay is all about a big thumbs-up for this crazy change in women. Ummm – no. Far from it. It’s about props that one needs to survive this change of life.

Continue reading “Props for Menopause”

Hey ladies, are you covered?

Disclosure:  I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for Royal Neighbors of America. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with Royal Neighbors of America and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.

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One benefit of being a military family is that due to vocational circumstances, families must be prepared in all situations.

Life insurance, Power of Attorneys, guardianship paperwork and wills are all part of the process to ensure a family is ready for possible deployment.

It really is not easy to make the emotional decision to look into anything that confirms our mortality. To admit we have an expiration date is humbling and scary, especially if you have children.

My husband and I first met with a life insurance agent around 28 years ago, after our first daughter was born. I admit, I was nervous. A new mom in my early twenties – the last thing I wanted to think about was dying and leaving my family behind. We were advised on coverage for my husband, who was the only income-earner at the time. I figured we didn’t need insurance on me, as I wasn’t bringing home a paycheck.

Boy, was I wrong! Our agent asked how much it would cost my husband – who at the time was on active duty military service – to employ full-time childcare, assistance with housework, meal preparation and other expenses that we didn’t pay for because I was a stay-at-home mom. Additionally, how much would it cost him to fly one of our mothers out to where we were stationed for the 24-hour care of our daughter, should he leave for training – or be deployed?

As time sped forward, and I did start earning an income, we made sure we adjusted the life insurance coverage on me as needed. With our children getting older, my husband wouldn’t need childcare, but he would certainly need a replacement for my income, and any other expenses, if the worse were to happen.

September is National Life Insurance month, and statistics show that women are less apt than men to have life insurance. And, if they do have coverage, it usually isn’t in proportion to what their family needs.

“Women must protect their salaries,” says Cynthia Tidwell, President/CEO of Royal Neighbors of America, one of the largest and oldest women-led insurers in the United States. “Life insurance can replace your salary, cover childcare expenses, pay off a mortgage or protect college dreams.”

I found this statistic profound: the Life Insurance Market Research Association (LIMRA) reports that one in three U.S. households have no life insurance at all.

One of the biggest concerns most people have, is “how much coverage do I need?” Below is a list of questions to ponder:

  1. How much will it cost to pay off your debts such as a mortgage, credit card payments, auto or other loans, if you were to die prematurely?
  2. What are your ongoing expenses? Don’t forget daycare, tuition, grocery, and energy bills.
  3. Would your family be able to pay its bills?
  4. Do you have enough to pay for funeral expenses? The average funeral costs about $7,000, according to a 2009 estimate by the National Association of Funeral Directors.

Royal Neighbors has an insurance calculator to help give you an idea as to what coverage is needed. How much do you think would cover your family? Using the above questions as a guideline, grab a calculator and do some math. Check your guesstimate with the insurance calculator and see if you are correct. It only takes a few minutes.

How did you come out? Interesting, isn’t it?

In addition to offering life insurance coverage, Royal Neighbors of America offers insurance products to fulfill financial needs of growth, savings, and protection. Members receive valuable benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization’s local chapters to help make a difference in their communities.

The organization’s philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women’s lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. They are involved with Baskets of Hope (baby supplies for new mothers, filled backpacks for school children, baskets of financial education tools for women pursuing their careers, baskets of food for local pantries as well as supplies for soldiers overseas.  And with Join Hands Day, local partners dig in to plant neighborhood gardens and goodwill where communities need it most.

Trust me, I know how intimidating it is to approach this subject, and then how intimidating it is to look at your finances. But once you take the steps needed to insure your family’s well-being, you will feel much better having a plan of action in place. Want more info? Contact Royal Neighbors of America – life insurance with a difference.

Do you have the proper amount of life insurance coverage, or legal paperwork in place for an emergency? Let me know in the comments below.

© Lynne Cobb – 2013