manners

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Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with food, family, and football. It’s a time to relax and enjoy everything that we’re grateful for. But as we all know, it isn’t without its fair share of challenges. So whether you’re on the road or staying at home, here are three Thanksgiving survival tips.

1. Stay out of the kitchen

Unless you’re doing the cooking, get out of there. For starters, the oven is going to be very hot, as will be the stove top. Then you have the cook, who no doubt does not appreciate your unsolicited turkey cooking tips or your body being in the way of the spoon drawer. God forbid you knock a freshly baked pie onto the floor. Seriously, the kitchen is meant for cooks or for passing through. Linger and forever regret it.

2. Choose your seat at the table wisely

The dinner table—it can be your safe haven or your worst nightmare. After all, you’re there for the food and good conversation, not to get your ear talked off by a rambling relative.

Paying attention to when dinner will be served is a vital first step. If you’re away in a far off room staring single-mindedly at the football game, there’s a good chance by the time you get to the table you’ll have limited options.

Ideally when you arrive to the dining room there will be three seats open, giving you the opportunity to create a protective barrier. Consider gesturing to some easy-going relatives to sit to your right and left. You don’t want to come off as demanding, though, so don’t force it. If you can slip in between two friendly faces that are already seated, that’s even better. It’s not as easy to control who sits on the other side of the table, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying.

In the event that there are arranged seating positions, phrases like “That’s very interesting” and “I didn’t know that” are your friend.

Also, if it comes down to it, the kid’s table isn’t a bad option. Sure, their manners might not be the best, but they (most likely) won’t talk to you about politics or your relationship status.

3. Watch football

There are football games on at 12:30pm, 4:30pm, and 8:30pm. That’s basically the entire day. Not only will the conversation mostly be focused on the game, but you get to sit on a (hopefully) comfortable couch and relax. The only threat here is that someone is a fan of a rival team. Your best bet here is to offer up a sign of respect (e.g. “Well, your defense has played well this year.”), and hope that they return the favor.

Bottom line

Thanksgiving can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you follow the advice above, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is your food coma and when to eat the leftovers.

Carter Wessman

Carter Wessman is originally from the charming town of Norfolk, Massachusetts. When he isn’t busy writing about mortgage related topics, you can find him playing table tennis, or jamming on his bass guitar.

Source: totalmortgage.com

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Life insurance is an important component of most all financial plans. That’s because when you have life insurance, you can be much better assured that your loved ones and survivors will be able to go financially in case of the unexpected.

The proceeds from a life insurance policy can be used for many different things, including the payoff of final expenses or other large debts, as well as ongoing living expenses so that loved ones won’t have to drastically change their lives.

When purchasing a life insurance policy, it is important to review several factors before moving forward. Certainly, narrowing down the right type and the amount of life insurance that you are applying for is essential. This is because you don’t want loved ones to be underinsured.

However, it is also essential to review the insurance company through which you are purchasing the coverage. That is because the insurance carrier should ideally be strong and stable financially, and it should also have a good reputation for paying out its policyholder claims. One insurance carrier that has an excellent track record in the industry is AAA.

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The History of AAA Life Insurance Company

AAA Insurance Company has been in the business of helping its customers since 1902. The company began as The Automobile Club of St. Louis. The company grew very quickly over the next several years. And, after opening regional offices throughout the state of Missouri, the firm changed its name to the Automobile Club of Missouri (ACMO).

Still, in its early stage, the company hired a young Harry S. Truman, who sold many memberships prior to setting out to pursue his military and political career. AAA introduced many new ideas into the auto insurance world, including roadside service.

Over the next several decades, the company continued to grow and expand, absorbing many smaller auto clubs throughout the state and throughout the country. In 1969, AAA Life Insurance Company became a part of AAA. This company offers both life and annuity products. Today, AAA Insurance is a large and thriving insurer that offers a wide variety of both insurance coverage and other financial products to its customers.

AAA Life Insurance Company Review

AAA Life Insurance Company is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. Currently, the company has approximately 1.2 million policies in force. Not only does AAA Life Insurance Company help its customers to save and protect their financial assets, but the company is also very involved in community efforts. For example, over the past decade, AAA has supported various entities by raising money and / or serving in other manners. Just some of these organizations include:

  • American Heart Association
  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • American Red Cross
  • American Diabetes Association
  • American Cancer Society

The company also has an excellent reputation for providing outstanding customer service to its policyholders. The company provides information, including life insurance quotes, via the Internet, telephone, and / or through in-person visits with an agent.

Company Ratings and BBB Grade

AAA Life Insurance is considered to be financially strong and stable, and because of that, it is highly rated in the industry. The company has a rating of A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best, which is the fourth highest rating out of a possible 16.

The company is not an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), nor has it been provided with a letter grade between A+ and F. However, over the past three years, AAA Life Insurance Company has closed a total of 18 complaints through the BBB.

Of these 18 total complaints, eight had to do with problems with the company’s product and / or service, another five were regarding advertising / sales issues, and yet another five were in regard to billing and / or collection issues.

Life Insurance Products Offered By AAA

AAA Life Insurance Company offers several options for life insurance coverage. These include both term and permanent policies. The proceeds from these policies can be used by loved ones and survivors for any need that they see fit.

Term Life Insurance Coverage

With term life insurance coverage, the policy offers pure death benefit protection only, with no cash value or savings build-up in the policy. These policies are purchased for a set period, or “term.” There are several term life insurance options that are offered via AAA. These include:

Term with Return of Premium

The term with return of premium policy is offered for periods of 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Insured individuals can be covered for between $100,000 and over $1 million. With these plans, the insured is covered throughout the life of the policy. And, if he or she survives that time period, then the premiums paid into the policy will be returned. (There is an additional amount of premium that is charged for the return of premium option).

Traditional Term Life Insurance

With the traditional term life insurance product, coverage of up to $5 million (or more) is available, with a minimum death benefit of $100,000. Coverage terms can be chosen from 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, or 30 years. The premium payments are guaranteed to remain level throughout the life of the policy. Also, an insured may have the option to convert this term insurance over into a permanent form of life insurance coverage.

Express Term Life Insurance

Express term life insurance from AAA Life Insurance Company may be purchased via the Internet. These policies offer coverage of between $25,000 and $250,000 and the term lengths that can be chosen from are 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Those who are between the ages of 18 and 75 are eligible to apply.

Permanent Life Insurance Coverage

AAA Life Insurance Company also offers permanent life insurance coverage. With permanent insurance, the insured has both death benefit protection as well as a cash value component within the policy that can allow savings to build up. These savings can grow tax-deferred.

There are both whole life and universal life insurance policy options that are available through AAA. Whole life insurance offers long-term insurance coverage with fixed premiums for life. The whole life insurance plans that are offered via AAA include:

Simple Whole Life Insurance

The simple whole life insurance policy is easy to obtain. Coverage may be purchased between $5,000 and $25,000. There is no medical exam required to qualify for this plan. Rather, there are only just a few health questions to answer. An insured may also be able to obtain funds early if he or she is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Guaranteed Issue Graded Benefit Whole Life Insurance

For those who are between age 45 and 85, the guaranteed issue plan may be a good fit. This policy offers coverage without any medical exam or health questions. It also offers guaranteed premiums.

Universal Life Insurance Coverage

Universal life insurance is also a permanent form of coverage, except that it offer more flexibility that whole life concerning premium payment, as well as where the premium dollars go. AAA offers two universal life insurance policies. These include the Accumulator Universal Life and the LifeTime Universal Life policy.

Other Insurance and Financial Products

In addition to life insurance coverage, AAA Life Insurance Company also offers other products as well. These include annuities (both immediate and deferred), and accident insurance coverage.

Annuities can help individuals to both save for retirement in a tax-advantaged way, as well as to provide an income in retirement – and this income can last for the remainder of the annuity holder’s life, regardless of how long that may be.

With an immediate annuity, an individual deposits a lump sum. This can either be cash from a savings or investment account, or it can be through a “rollover” from an IRA account or a retirement plan such as a 401(k) account. The income stream from the immediate annuity will then begin right away, or within a very short time period.

A deferred annuity provides the ability to build up savings over time. Here, the funds that are within the annuity are allowed to grow on a tax-deferred basis – which can allow the money inside of the annuity to grow and compound exponentially over time. Then, at a point in the future, the income stream will begin. In many ways, an annuity is like a personal pension plan.

Accident insurance is also available through AAA Life Insurance Company. Because accidents can – and often do – occur unexpectedly, this coverage can help to provide financial support to an individual who is involved in an accident, or that person’s loved ones.

There are some key benefits that are offered through the AAA Life Insurance Company’s accident insurance coverage. These include the following:

  • Hospitalization – Accidents can be an expensive situation – and sometimes, the hospitalization that is received may or may not be covered via a regular health insurance policy. With the AAA plan, an insured individual can be covered for up to $375 per day for a covered non-travel related accident, and for up to $1,500 per day on travel-related accidents. These benefits can be paid for up to 365 days per occurrence.
  • Recuperation – Sometimes, even when a person is released from the hospital, they may or may not be ready to go back to work. The bills, however, for everyday living expenses will continue to come in. The recuperation benefit on the AAA accident plan can offer another $1,500 per day in benefits that will help with recuperating from a travel-related accident, or up to $375 per day on a covered non-travel related accident. These benefits can be paid for up to 365 days.
  • Emergency Room and Urgent Care – The cost of emergency room care can also be quite high – and there may be some benefits that are not covered via a regular health insurance policy. With the AAA accident policy, an annual benefit of $1,500 can be paid for ER and urgent care that is received for a travel-related accident, and up to $375 per year can be paid for a non-travel related event.
  • Accidental Loss of Life – Unfortunately, some accidents will result in the loss of life. If this occurs, a benefit of $500,000 can be paid for the loss of an insured’s life when he or she had been traveling on a regularly scheduled airline flight. A benefit of $250,000 can be paid for accidents that result in the loss of life when the insured is either riding in or driving a private car, truck, motorcycle, self-propelled motor home, or bicycle. This benefit can also be paid if the insured had been traveling as a fare-paying customer on public transportation such as a train, bus, airplane, or taxi. In addition, $250,000 can be paid out in benefits if the insured was struck by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian, and a benefit of $62,500 can be paid for death that is due to a non-travel related covered accident.

AAA members who are at least age 18 or older are eligible to apply for the Member Loyalty Accident Insurance plan. There is no medical exam required to qualify for this coverage.

How to Get the Best Life Insurance Premium Quotes

When seeking life insurance quotes,  it is best to work with an independent company that has access to multiple insurance carriers. That way, you will be more easily able to compare what is available to you.

If you are ready to move forward with getting life insurance quotes, we can help. We work with many top life insurance carriers, so can assist you with your needs. Term Life Insurance smoker applicants can find help and information here as well.   Just simply take a few moments to fill out the form on this page to begin.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

Earlier this week, I wrote about the problem with trying to buy the perfect gift. Sticking with that gift theme, there’s a question that’s been on my mind: If you’re invited to an engagement party, a bridal shower, and a wedding ceremony all for the same couple, and you attend all three, do you give a gift at each event?

See, I’ve been invited to a few weddings this year. And it seems like the etiquette “experts” all agree that each event requires a separate gift, according to tradition. Here are some examples from around the web:

“If I bring a gift to the bridal shower, should I still bring a gift to the wedding?” a question Peggy Post, co-author of the 18th edition of Emily Post’s Etiquette is accustomed to answering. Her advice is, basically, that a shower gift is not a wedding gift. “I know some of these shower gifts are expensive, but be smart so you don’t have to break the bank.”

“I’m going to both the wedding shower and the wedding. Must I buy gifts for both?” “Unfortunately, yes. ‘That’s part of the obligation you agreed to when you RSVPed for both,’ says [Mark] Kingsdorf,” bridal consultant at The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants — Real Simple’s The Essential Guide to Buying Wedding Gifts.

“According to custom, the answer to whether to give gifts for engagements, showers and weddings is: maybe, yes and yes.” — How Stuff Works.

Hmm, exactly how is one supposed to “be smart” about expensive gifts? And calling gifts an obligation? It kinda puts a bad taste in my mouth, like it’s sucking the joy out of giving a gift in the first place.

Guests Say, “Forget the Experts!”

A lot of wedding guests disagree with the expert advice. For a few examples, I did a very scientific poll (of Yahoo! Answers responses). Here are a few that say that multiple gifts are not an obligation:

“Do not feel obligated [to give a wedding gift after giving a shower gift]. You did give them a gift already, so if you do want to gift them something, you can, but you don’t absolutely have to.”

“There’s no definitive ‘proper’ way to do this, other than the etiquette stipulation that the shower is a gift-giving event, and the wedding is not. (Obviously, most people do want to give wedding gifts, but that’s tradition, not a requirement).”

“Etiquette says NOTHING about purchasing multiple gifts for one wedding. You gave a gift, that’s all that you need to concern yourself with. No more gift giving is necessary.”

I always thought that you give a separate gift for the shower and the wedding. As for engagement parties and bachelorette parties, I have no idea. None of my friends and family members have had either of those.

But when I got married, all of our friends and family members gave one gift, even if they attended the shower and the wedding. (This was definitely fine by me — I’m rather shy and I actually would’ve been embarrassed if people bought me multiple gifts. My aunt basically had to force me to register for gifts in the first place.)

And then, to confuse things even more, Miss Manners has a take that’s somewhere in between one-gift-only and gifts galore:

“Engagement presents were a rarity until a decade or two ago. Perhaps a favorite aunt might be so moved, or a prospective mother-in-law might give the bride a family bauble to wear at the wedding. But no one showed up with a present at an engagement party, because the purpose of the party was for the parents to announce the engagement as a surprise. Multiple showers are warranted only when the bride or the couple has more than one distinct set of intimate friends. They should not be catch-all occasions, and nobody should be expected to attend more than one. Anyway, shower presents should be charming but trivial, and not comparable to wedding presents.”

No one agrees! And basically, I just want to do what everyone else is doing. I’m not looking to take some kind of gift-giving stance at my husband’s coworker’s wedding. I also don’t want to be the lone weirdo giving multiple gifts.

So I’m simply wondering, what does everyone else do? If you’re invited to multiple events and you want to attend and celebrate with the bride and/or couple, when do you bring a gift?

Source: getrichslowly.org

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Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

Besides shedding those holiday pounds, what other goals top your New Year to-do list? (Personally, I’m pregnant and due in early March, so that means I’ll attempt to burn off those Christmas cookies in three, four months – or later.)

If you’re focused this year on saving more, investing wisely, buying something major or just becoming financially savvier, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ll continue to cater my blog here to helping you accomplish that and more. Got a money question for me? Remember you can always send me email.

Also, big announcement: the Mint team and I are dedicating the entire month of January to our top financial goals on Instagram. We want to help you make a stronger commitment to your bottom line and improve your money habits.

To that end, the kind folks here have allowed me to take over their Instagram feed (@mintapp) and their InstaStory feed to help inspire, motivate and drive all of us to accomplish our biggest money hopes and dreams in 2017. We think sharing our visuals on Instagram can be quite powerful.

We’re calling the campaign #SoMinty and we’d love for you to participate.

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What is #SoMinty?

It’s a four-week campaign with each week representing a new theme. I’ll be posting @mintapp daily and each week we’ll highlight some of our favorite posts from Mint’s Instagram followers.

Here’s what we’re planning:

Week 1

Theme: Establish Your Goal
What is the #1 financial shift or goal you want to make in 2017? Share it with us on Instagram and use #SoMinty in your post so we can find and possibly share it with our followers.

Week 2

Theme: Establish Intention
What is Fueling Your Goal? Again, show us! Maybe it’s a snap of your old car that needs replacing, your dream home, the inspiration for your new business and all the things that drive your desire to be #SoMinty.

Week 3

Theme: Establish Accountability
What are the apps, tools, people that will help you stay accountable and true to your goal? Instagram it! And use #SoMinty.

Week 4

Theme: Celebrate Your 1st Victory

Okay, we’re nearly a month in. What improvements or changes have you made towards achieving your goal? What baby steps have you taken? Do tell! And, as always, use #SoMinty in your post.

We hope you’ll join and share in the fun. Wishing you a #SoMinty year!

Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

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Source: mint.intuit.com

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A gym is a great perk of apartment living, adding to your quality of life in more than one way.  But your gym etiquette (or lack thereof) could make the wrong impression, turning off neighbors, potential friends and even management. Here are some tips so you make a good impression in your apartment community’s fitness center.

Dress appropriately

Workout clothes should be worn, not flip-flops or bathing suits. You never know who you’ll meet in your gym—a potential employer, a future date, or simply a new friend. It’s always beneficial to make a good impression, even when working out. Ripped or dirty clothes tell something about you, as does wearing something too revealing, provocative or downright offensive.

Leave Work Behind

You’ll want to be friendly at the gym, but the less you talk about work at the gym, the better. Most people go to the gym with one of two things in mind: getting a good workout, or decompressing from a stressful day. You certainly don’t want to be the one to wreck someone’s fitness regime or their chance at a little peace of mind.

Be Mindful of Conversation

If someone approaches you and starts a conversation, you may certainly oblige them. But if you’re short on time, do be honest and let them know. Tell them you’d love to talk more, and suggest another time. A nice, short friendly conversation is appropriate: just be sure to follow up.

The same goes if you don’t want to connect with a neighbor in the gym. Good etiquette includes being courteous and respectful. Perhaps you should bring your earbuds and music. It’s an easy signal that you want to work out without talking.

Great Gym Etiquette Guidelines

Follow these basic gym rules to avoid irritating anyone:

  •  return free weights where they belong
  • don’t hog the cardio machines
    (typically most machines have a 30 minute limit unless the room is empty)
  •  turn off lights, fans and TVs when not in use
  •  wipe off equipment after use

Besides boosting your health, an apartment community gym is a good place to meet your neighbors . . . so you’ll want to ensure you’re on your best behavior as you’re trying to get in your “best” shape. When you work on your manners and leave a good impression at the gym, it could pay off in more ways than just your physique.

Apache is functioning normally

One of the advantages of apartment living is the community grill. It’s a great place to meet others while you’re cooking out. With football season well underway, grilling out is a favorite weekend pastime.

While you’re meeting new neighbors at the grill, you certainly don’t want to do anything to tarnish your reputation or become known as the “bad guy / girl at the grill” in your building.

Here are a few guidelines to common courtesy at your apartment community’s common grill.

  1. Plan ahead

    Reserve the grill and stick with the timeframe assigned to you. It’s rude to reserve the grill at 3 p.m. and then not show up until 3:15.

  1. Don’t monopolize

    If it’s a big game day and you know everyone will want to grill at the same time, perhaps you can offer to share the grill. If it’s not large enough to share, then be sure to limit the amount of food you’re grilling. This isn’t the time to grill a month’s worth of meals, or hog all the available counter space.

  2. Clean up

    As soon as you’re finished, start cleaning. Another person could be eager to use the grill and they certainly would appreciate a clean grill. Even if another person isn’t waiting, it is your responsibility to clean the grill for the next person.

  3. Share the basics

    If you see that someone needs a little something you have – seasoning, foil, charcoal – by all mean, offer it to them if you can spare it.  This kindness goes a long way to making new friends or improving your reputation (and you may need the favor returned someday).

Related:  Four essential grilling tips

Related:  Barbecue like a pro

The grilling area in your apartments is an amenity that really boosts quality of life, while providing a way to meet your neighbors. Being kind and respectful at the grill is always a good idea.