More people are concerned about their financial future: 4 steps to protect yours(BPT) - Finances are consistently a top concern for many Americans, with “saving money” a top-10 most common New Year’s resolution. This year, Americans are more concerned than ever before due to the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. USE Credit Union reported that more than 75% of non-transactional calls received since the start of the pandemic were from members concerned about their financial future, citing economic hardship as the primary reason for concern. The economy and job market remain in a state of constant flux, which is causing many families to worry about their ability to pay an unexpected bill, continue to pay off student loans, mortgages or credit card debt, or save money for the future. “Saving money is more than just putting spare change into a coffee can, or simply ordering takeout less often,” said Jeff Schroeder, vice president and chief product officer at Mercury Insurance. “Sure, those things can add up over time, but people may find that their greatest savings can come from taking a look at the necessary expenses they pay for every month, such as insurance.” Schroeder recommends these four tips to help protect your finances in the coming year: 1) Check your auto insurance coverages. There’s no reason to pay for more coverage than you need, but being underinsured can leave you exposed. “The cost of repairs after a collision has grown in recent years, as a result of more crossovers and SUVs on the road, and more technologically advanced vehicles,” said Schroeder. “Beyond paying for more expensive repairs if your insurance doesn’t cover it, if you’re underinsured, you may also be responsible for paying out of pocket for medical bills, which could potentially devastate savings for a down payment on a house, your child’s college tuition or a future vacation. It’s vitally important to make sure you have the right amount of auto insurance coverage to protect against unforeseen events.” 2) Know what your homeowners insurance covers. First and foremost, be sure to read your policy so you’re clear about what it does and doesn’t cover. It’s a good idea to check in with your insurance agent each year to ensure you have adequate coverage, especially if you’ve made renovations, own collectible or valuable items, or live in an area that’s prone to flooding or earthquakes, as standard homeowners insurance policies typically don’t cover these situations. Also, maintain a home inventory to make sure to have an accurate record of your belongings and property. 3) Be aware of potential gaps in coverage. A standard homeowners insurance policy often doesn’t cover mechanical failures to your home’s appliances, HVAC or other essential systems, nor does it cover a break to service lines on your property that supply your home with electricity, gas or sewer functions. In either of these scenarios, this means you would be responsible for writing a big check to a repair company or having to purchase a pricy replacement. However, adding home systems protection and service line protection endorsements can help provide coverage for costly repairs and replacements, saving money and your peace of mind. Pennies spent now can save you thousands of dollars later. 4) Regularly shop for the best coverage and price. Insurance prices can vary significantly from company to company, so it’s a good idea to take a few minutes to see if you’re getting a good deal. Shop around at least once a year — making sure to look for the exact same coverage limits — to see if you can find a more affordable rate. “Often, regional insurers like Mercury Insurance are more attuned to their policyholders' needs and can offer better rates,” Schroeder added. The most effective way to make sure your finances are minimally impacted by insurance costs this year is to speak to an independent insurance agent. They can help make sure you have the proper amount and type of coverage to keep yourself, your family and property protected. Tips to help make the most of your health plan in 2021(BPT) - Last year was a difficult year as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through our country, impacting families and communities nationwide. The health challenges of the pandemic also provided a crucial reminder about the importance of health care. For many Americans, new health plan benefits began in January. If this is your situation, now is the perfect time to learn how to maximize this year’s health benefits, which may help improve your health — and possibly save money too. Ann Marie O’Brien, R.N., national director of health strategies at UnitedHealthcare, provides the following tips to help you take charge of your health and get the most out of your plan in 2021:
Becoming familiar with your new health plan — especially at the start of a new year — is one way to help you be proactive when it comes to your health. For more health and wellness information, visit UHC.com. Most Americans say they're optimistic about a brighter financial future in 2021(BPT) - As we enter 2021, here’s one more essential item to put on your list in addition to canned goods and masks: a financial checkup. According to Fidelity Investments’ 2021 New Year Financial Resolutions Study, more than two-thirds of Americans experienced financial setbacks in 2020, often from the loss of a job or household income or another emergency expense. Even those lucky enough to maintain their income still may have had to tap savings to help others, as nearly one in five attribute their financial setback to providing “unexpected financial assistance to family members or friends.” Despite this, many Americans remain optimistic and determined to make their money work harder in the New Year, with 72% confident they’ll be in a better financial position in 2021. “Americans are clearly ready to leave 2020 behind and start 2021 off on the right foot, including when it comes to their finances,” said Stacey Watson, senior vice president with oversight for Life Event Planning at Fidelity Investments. “This year’s top financial resolutions are consistent with what we’ve seen in the past, however, what makes 2021 unique is how people will achieve them, given the financial pressures and major life events many continue to experience throughout the pandemic.” This year, 65% of Americans are considering a financial resolution for 2021, which is down marginally from last year (67%), but still quite strong given the headwinds experienced by so many families. Younger generations appear to be more committed to actively improving their finances in the new year, with 78% of all Gen Z and Millennial respondents considering a financial resolution compared to 59% of all Gen X and Boomers. “Younger generations are building up their careers, families and finances, so it makes sense they have important financial resolutions to make. Still, Gen-X-ers and Boomers also experienced significant financial challenges in 2020 and may want to consider making some resolutions of their own to build a stronger financial future particularly when it comes to retirement readiness,” continued Watson. Making a resolution, and checking it twice Resolutions are an important start, but the key is to keep good financial routines going strong well beyond January — and ultimately have them become life-long habits. The study reveals the key to a successful resolution is the good feeling of making progress and setting clear and specific financial goals. Having someone to help keep you on track and hold you accountable also plays a role, as nearly one-in-five indicated this was a major reason they were able to stick to a financial resolution last year. In fact, more than three-quarters (77%) of people working with a financial professional were able to stick to their financial resolution in 2020, compared to just half (50%) of those who did not work with one. Putting 2020 in the rearview To help build a better financial future, consider these three things you can do to move forward:
To get more tips for making and keeping your financial resolutions, visit Fidelity.com. This study presents the findings of a national online survey, consisting of 3,011 adults, 18 years of age and older. The generations are defined as: Baby Boomers (ages 56-74), Gen X (ages 40-55), millennials (ages24-39), and Gen Z (ages 18-23; although this generation has a wider range, we only surveyed adults for the purposes of this survey). Interviewing for this CARAVAN® Survey was conducted October 14-21, 2020 by Engine Insights, which is not affiliated with Fidelity Investments. The results of this survey may not be representative of all adults meeting the same criteria as those surveyed for this study. Margin of error is +/- 1.79% at the 95% confidence level. Smaller subgroups will have larger error margins. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 Financial anxiety weighing on your mental health? Try these 3 tips to cope.The global coronavirus pandemic has caused emotional distress and financial upheaval for people around the world. Many Americans are dealing with daunting issues that could jeopardize their financial future, whether it’s unexpected health care costs, unemployment and loss of income, the market’s impact on 401(k)s and other investments, or the need to postpone retirement plans. With these COVID-19 disruptions come financial anxiety and increased emotional concern that can become all-consuming and greatly impact your mental health.
Learn how to cope by reading the full article here. When you made your resolutions at the start of the year, was saving money one of them? How’s that going? Here are 6 ways to save more by saving smarter.
For a good portion of Americans, life insurance is a critical component of financial planning. However, when a life insurance policy becomes too expensive to maintain due to premium increases, the owner can be faced with some difficult decisions.
Most people wish they had more money. However, too many of these people don’t have enough financial literacy to make this a reality. If you’re among them, then you know the frustration. Fortunately, obtaining financial wellness requires knowledge and discipline more than anything. Here are a few things you can do to improve your financial health. Don’t Agree to Anything Too QuicklyMost people can get caught up in the moment when they’re out shopping, and many will agree to deals that aren’t so great for them because of it. This is why it’s important for you to have some discipline when it comes to impulse spending, particularly when you’re making big purchases. Shopping around ensures that you get the best deal. It’s okay to not buy something until you have all of the facts laid out before you. At the End of the Day It’s Your MoneyIf you live in the modern world, then it’s likely that you feel like everyone wants a bit of your money. However, when financial difficulties arise, the people asking you for money aren’t going to be the ones to bail you out. That’s why it’s important to remember that it’s your money. You can spend it (or not) any way you choose. Learning to say “No, thank you” is also important. Here’s an example. Say you’re working with a real estate agent to buy a home and need financing. You should know how to break it to them if your agent was the one trying to find you a lender, but you found a better one. It may make the transaction a bit uncomfortable in the short-term. However, not honoring your financial wellness will have detrimental effects for you long after your real estate agent goes away. Learn to BudgetIt turns out that one of the secrets to financial wellness isn’t such a secret at all: budgeting. However, most people detest budgeting,which is why so many people have trouble with their finances. They don’t know how much they bring in nor what they spend their money on. This leads to overdrafts, excessive credit card uses and other financial mishaps. Don’t be one of those people. It’s important to learn how to budget and commit to keeping your spending within the limitations of your budget. Budgeting is the key to having more money and more financial wellness in the end. Getting control of your finances is a key component of financial wellness. However, that may be easier said than done. It doesn’t have to be this way. Once you realize that it’s your money and what happens to it has a direct effect on you, it becomes easier to take care of it and yourself in the process. Practical advice to get started making your financial future better - read the full Medium article here.
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