Is it your mom? Your best friend? Or do you have an insurance agent you go to for all your insurance questions? Because there are so many car insurance and life insurance options out there, and lots to consider.
Right now, I am almost 29 years old. I have three children and want to be as financially responsible as I can be so that no matter what happens, they will not be thrown into financial ruin. This means I insure my car so I have something to fall back on in case of an accident. I even purchased life insurance now so that they won’t have to pay for my funeral. And I made sure to insure my house – living in Tornado alley I really don’t have much of a choice.
I tell ya, talking about life insurance sure brings up dark subjects! Car accidents, tornado damage, disability, death…fun times. But I want to talk about the preparing, the saving up money in a reputable company so that when something happens, at least the ones recovering won’t have to worry about money. One less thing.
I am blessed with a smart and helpful family. My mom is a saver and taught me the value of preparing for the best and worst of life. When her and my dad lived in a 2 bedroom apartment with 4 kids, she saved every single penny until she could afford the down payment on a 4 bedroom home. That act never left my memory and influences my decisions even today. Instead of spending money on impulses or things that will satisfy me temporarily, I save up for future needs.
That is what auto insurance and life insurance is all about – saving up for future needs. Redirecting spending from temporary thrills to forthcoming demands.
Then there are also other people that are super helpful with insurance questions – AARP, friends that in the business, and financial bloggers like Centsible Life. I always make sure that the people I ask for advice from have experience, knowledge, and have show responsibility in their financial habits. If I admire them, chances are I will accept advice from them.
So who do you go to? Who do you trust?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re really lucky that your mom instilled a good financial foundation for you. I didn’t learn the value of money because it came too easily. It wasn’t until I was out on my own and got into debt that I learned financial responsibility. Now I’ve been debt-free for 6 years, although I don’t have insurance. I lost that when I got divorced and can’t afford it anymore.
Thank you Liz, I know how lucky I am! She really taught me well. Oh my word….I don’t know how people survive without insurance. But then again…I have really small kids that get sick a LOT. As you kids get older, are they in the dr less often?
I love this post. Yes, it is so important. We have Northwestern Mutual for Life Insurance. Since I educate and have full responsibility for the kids, if something happens to me, my husband would have to leave his job for a while, find a nanny, find a good private school that they could attend through the rest of their school days, pay of the house so he wouldn’t have to worry about that aspect, etc.
Same goes for me, since he is our sole source of income.
Even though we don’t like thinking about these things – it’s important to plan for it, and then forgetaboutit.
Nice post Annie! I love it!
Thank you SO MUCH Lisa! You are right. We don’t LIKE talking about this stuff, but it is so important. Because we won’t be able to just ignore it when something happens.
Your mum rocks then! I was NOT taught saving money but I appreciated their value when got my first salary and had to spend 80% of it on my rent…Man, it hurt!
I guess thinking/talking about bad things that MAY happen to us is dreadful but it takes the pressure off of being unprepared.
My mom does!! And yup – you are right. When you have to start paying bills and you watch and see where that money is going, you (hopefully) start to appreciate it more.
I don’t really have anybody, other than my husband who I trust. We’ve just had to work with common sense, education, and research.
Seriously, it sounds so cliche, but good advice is so important!
I love the AARP for so many reasons!
My parents are very knowledgeable in the area of finances… they own an accounting company so i would hope so.
I am totally guilty of sticking my head in the sand on this one. I have to get it together. Thanks for the push, Annie!
My parents have a similar story; they saved and were very frugal for a long time in order to make sure there was enough money for a home, college, emergencies, retirement. I learned that value from them, but alas, I still get confused myself about all of the technical aspects that come along with being prepared. I actually worked at an insurance office, so I have some information up my sleeve, but I go to the parents for all financial advice.