What Is Term Life Insurance? – Your Guide To Term Insurance
Term life insurance is, put simply, a financial package designed to protect those who depend upon you for monetary support in the event of your passing. Term insurance is guaranteed level-premium insurance, where the premium you pay is guaranteed to be the same for a given period of years. Term life coverage is the least expensive insurance policy available. It allows you to spend a lot less on your monthly insurance premiums and use the extra funds in another investment. Term life does not build up cash value the way a whole life policy does, and the insurance premium normally increases as the policyholder grows older upon each renewal.So how does this compare to whole life insurance? A term life policy is taken out to cover the event of the insured’s death. Term life is exponentially cheaper than whole life insurance. Unlike whole life, term coverage is relatively inexpensive. If you’re on a tight budget, you may still be able to afford all the insurance coverage you actually need.Term insurance rates are fairly simple to understand. Term life offers lower premiums than other types of life insurance, and this is the most tangible benefit. Since term insurance policies are for a specified period only, they must be renewed when each term ends. Before buying a term insurance policy, you should investigate the renewal provisions for the protection of your future insurability.One type of term insurance is referred to as level term, where the premium being paid is the same for a specified period of years. Common durations for level term insurance policies are ten, fifteen, twenty, also thirty years. The amount of money to be paid each year is the same. The longer the term, the higher the premium that has to be paid, since premiums are more expensive as you get older.Another kind of term insurance is the annual renewable term. This is a one-year policy where death benefits are paid to the beneficiaries by the insurance company if the insured dies within the period of one year. Death benefits will not be paid, however, if the insured dies after the last day that the one year term expires. However, the certainty of anyone dying in the period of one year is low. This means that purchasing a single year of coverage is not usually done because it’s not cost effective.A term life policy is a legal contract, and it specifies the terms and conditions of the risks assumed and the benefits offered. Any misrepresentation by the policyholder or the insured will be grounds for nullification of the insurance. Also, before you engage in any insurance policy, you should be aware of any part of the insurance policy that levies fees when you cancel.Rising costs for food, shelter and other necessities have led to a decline in insurance coverage for many families. USA Today estimates that as many as 11 million households in the United States do not have life insurance coverage for the primary wage earner. In fact, just slightly more than 40% of all households have life insurance covering the wage earner, leaving a coverage gap of a whopping 60%. The lack of adequate life insurance has resulted in some tragic consequences for families in all walks of life. Term life insurance is one hedge against rising costs that will protect your family even when you are no longer around. What is term life insurance? It’s a necessity.
What All Tax Provisions Are New for the Year 2011?
Most of us consider ourselves veterans when it comes to filing tax returns. But even veterans need to keep themselves updated on the current and latest provisions of the Internal Revenue Service department. Based on government policies of state of affair of the economy certain changes are prescribed in the tax provisions to maintain the equilibrium in real income of taxpayers. We all need to keep ourselves updated with these changes in order to take advantage of them and file correct income tax returns. Let us further study few main changes that would be applicable in year 2011.Change in provisions related to Income Tax Preparers: Each year hundreds and thousands of taxpayers use services of income tax preparers for preparing and filing their income tax returns. It is very important to control these preparers so that taxpayers can be assured of their ability to help them. For this in 2011 all the tax preparers must be registered under the new scheme of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) department and must obtain new TPINs. Only the preparers with new TPIN are authorized to file income tax returns on behalf of their clients. Also Tax preparers will only be authorized to file returns online. From 2011 onwards tax preparers cannot file paper returns.Obsolete Debt Indicator Discontinued: Debt indicator tool was primarily used for finding out the tax refunds. Now with majority of taxpayers using the e-file system to submit their tax returns the very purpose of Debt Indicator is defeated. While filing tax returns electronically you receive your tax refunds within 8-10 of processing your return by IRS, so there is actually no need for a Debt Indicator tool now. Year 2011 wishes good bye to Debt indicator.Extension of First Time Home Buyer Credit scheme: The credits under First time home buyer scheme can still be availed by eligible taxpayers. According to the new deadline of September 20th 2010 if you have finalized you biding contract for you home you can claim for credits while filing your return in year 2011.Introduction of New Tax Form: New Tax forms and statements are introduced in year 2011. Now if you have business purchases beyond $600 you will need to fill Form 1099. Also IRS has instructed all the companies involved in credit or debit card business to send year end statements to all its clients showing details of yearly transaction. This is done with a purpose to crack down on people those who do not report their full income.
Are These Key Spokes Missing From Your Business Cycle?
Have you ever ridden a unicycle? I tried one as a kid, and remember how wobbly that first ride was. The cycle had one wheel, one rider, no handlebars for support. All it took to navigate it was a strong set of legs and a good sense of balance. I remember how exhilarating it was to stay upright, and the humility when I realized there was no one but myself to blame when I fell.Some equate business ownership to walking a tight line or being on a unicycle. “It’s lonely at the top,” one business owner told me. And yes, keeping everything in balance, leading, managing, hiring, firing, tracking is a lot to juggle. But being alone is not one of the rules of business or leadership. Being on top of things, aware of trends, educated, and involved is. Getting help is an admirable trait, not a fault.Business is a very unique game. Imagine making the decision to go into sports without knowing anything about the game.Like tennis.If you know nothing of the sport, then court is a place you go to pay tickets, and a racquet is what the kids were making when you were trying to get to sleep. And “Love alll?” Isn’t that a common phrase from the 60s?Sports teams have coaches. Business owners have business coaches. Why? Because, like sports, business is a game – a very strategic game with very specific rules, processes, and systems. The playing field might be different than a tennis court, football field, baseball diamond, bowling alley, but there are specific things found in both sports and business that are similar and imperative. These include:* Rules. In sports, the rules are the specific guidelines that must be adhered to. In business, these are the policies, systems, and regulations you put into place that are not to be broken.* Connection. To get home, you have to hit the ball. In business, you have to connect. It’s great to have a product or service, but if you can’t get it to the customer, you’re not in the game.* Systems. Imagine if you orchestrated the same play, play after play. There’s arguments for consistency, but there are arguments for switching things up; when one play doesn’t work, try another. There are some systems that are set, but within those systems are options to magnetize efficiency. Those options are called strategies.* Team. Clearly if the team is not on the same page as you or each other, things will fall apart. It’s no different in business. I’m sure you can come up with more parallels, the point is business owners wouldn’t think of having a sport that didn’t have these key “spokes” in place, yet often don’t equate the same importance with running a business.Rules are pretty straight forward. What do you accept and not accept as permissible in your place of business? What do you need to make clear to employees so that they are clear on what is acceptable and what isn’t? Don’t chalk good behavior up to common sense. You’d be surprised at how many employees don’t share the same values. Clue them in.Connection is all part of the business cycle. The business owner supports the team. The team supports the customer. The customer supports the business. The business supports the business owner and round and round it goes.Systems in sports are well laid-out and practiced plans of action. In business, systems are applied to each department and to each project. The areas to systemize are:* People and training/education* Delivery and distribution* Testing and Measuring* Technology and processesWhat’s better? To train and then retrain employees or to put effective training manuals in place so that training is systemized?What’s better? To reinvent the wheel every time something needs to be delivered and distributed, or to have a system in place to automate delivery and distribution?What’s better? To guess on numbers and hope traffic converts, or to have a system in place to test and measure everything, giving you real numbers in real time with real results to work with?What’s better? Is it more effective and efficient to cut corners and keep ancient equipment and outdated processes in place, or to keep up with software and technology and keep current with modern forms of communication?While the answers may seem clear, you’d be surprised at how many business owners don’t have employee handbooks or manuals in place, don’t have a delivery and distribution system in place, don’t test and measure anything in place, and barely know how to do basic computer navigation, let alone tackling anything dealing with social media. In a short amount of time, they burn out, and burnout is the #1 cause of businesses failing.Ultimately, the daily cycle of business may leave you feeling like you’re all by yourself, but you’re not alone.Business Coaches are business owners themselves. They know what goes into running businesses, systemizing, testing and measuring, and staying current with technology, and they can help you get in the game. After all, isn’t that what a coach is for? To teach, train, encourage, help, and hold you accountable for reaching the goals set forth?Okay! Ready for the triple play? Remember that business cycle? Let’s add a key spoke. In this new cycle:The business coach supports the business owner. The business owner supports the team. The team supports the customer. The customer supports the business. The business supports the business owner. The business owner is supported by the business coach and round and round it goes.Business is not a unicycle. It’s not a tight rope. It’s not even a juggling act, though it might at times feel like all of these. Business is business.A unique game. Complete with:Rules.Strategies.Goals.And, ultimately:Results.Business coaches help business owners strategize, implement, and profit. Let’s get the dream team in place and “go for the goal”.
5 Empowering Tracks From Female Icons To Make You Feel Inspired
Sometimes we all need a little lift. Whether you’ve had a recent knock to your confidence, have been going through stress in your personal or professional life, or have always struggled with your self-esteem, music is an essential tool for lifting your spirits and making you feel better about yourself.
According to a study by Heriot-Watt University, the type of music you listen to not only influences your mood, but also your personality, with indie and rock/heavy metal fans reporting the lowest levels of self-esteem, while fans of jazz, blues, opera, classical, pop, rap and soul all reported high levels of self-confidence.
So if you’re having a ‘down day’, why not boost your spirits by listening to some powerful, uplifting tracks? Here are five perfect confidence boosters.
Britney Spears – Toxic
Britney’s own struggles with her mental health and conservatorship have made her an inspiration for many people across the world.
This classic song is timelessly sensual, and the heavy beats throughout make it impossible not to dance to. A welcome blast of nostalgia, this tune has filled dance floors across the globe with fans old and new.
The video features Britney as a female spy playing the sexy flight attendant, seducing her passenger before she makes her escape on a motorbike and breaks into a high-security facility guarded by a laser security system.
This track and video is a guaranteed way to feel invincible, and deserves a place on your playlist no matter your mood.
Kelis – Milkshake
A cheesy classic that is guaranteed to make you feel all warm and gooey inside, Kelis pumps up the heat in this 00’s RnB track. Underpinned by intricate drum beats and electric elements, Kelis’ self-confidence is infectious, and it’s hard not to find yourself smiling at the lyrics.
This track is a great way to get into a flirtatious mindset, making it a great choice before going on a date or heading out for the evening.
And if you’re staying in? It’s a great mood lift. But beware! You may find yourself craving a sweet treat.
Eve (ft. Gwen Stefani) – Let Me Blow Your Mind
This RnB classic will capture your attention with its assertive rhythm and powerful vocals from 00’s icons Eve and Gwen Stefani. Featuring a laid-back – yet self-assured – beat, and catchy guitar riff, this is a great track for driving, and its empowering feel is sure to help you feel motivated.
Got a job interview lined up, or thinking of asking for a raise? This anthemic number is a quick way to feel positive and more assertive.
The video features Eve and Gwen Stefani crashing an exclusive event on quad bikes, causing a stir among the privileged attendants, and shoving the performer off stage to perform their own music, before finally being arrested and taken to the station in a police van.
This ‘baddie’ track helps you to tap into the hidden ‘bold’ side of your personality, and lifts your mood while keeping you feeling calm and cool.
Fergie – MILF$
If you have kids, it can be difficult to feel sexy. When you’re running around cleaning the house, changing nappies, or up to your elbows in dishwater, you can easily forget your sensual side – leaving you feeling frumpy and lacking in confidence and motivation.
Thankfully, Fergie’s comeback track is a quick remedy to your low mood and lethargy.
Featuring attractive mothers dressed in curve-hugging latex and silky lingerie going about their daily life in a dreamy, colourful suburbia, this track is a quick way to transform your self-esteem and transport you to a world where you are not just a mother, but a goddess too.
Why not shake off the day and tap into your feminine energy with Fergie, your sexiest PJs, and a bottle of your favourite wine?
Marina And The Diamonds – How To Be A Heartbreaker
Low confidence after a breakup? You’re not alone. Having your heart broken can leave you feeling depressed, undesirable, and unmotivated. So flip the tables on your ex and become a heartbreaker with Marina’s catchy club classic.
This empowering dance track will make you want to move your body and get in touch with your bad girl side, with its heavy beat and pounding rhythms.
Plus, if your libido has suffered as a result of your low mood, take a sneaky peek at the video – it will get your blood pumping with its steamy shower shots and smoking hot male models.