(3526,1,'2023-10-01 03:21:36','2023-10-01 03:21:36','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3527,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-29-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3527\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Many small businesses utilize rental vehicles in their day-to-day operations. Some rent autos frequently while others do so only occasionally. In either case, businesses should make sure that rental is properly insured for auto liability under a commercial auto policy. They should also consider insuring rental vehicles for physical damage. In commercial auto insurance, rental vehicles are called <em>hired autos</em>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-2\">Hired Auto</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-3\">The standard ISO Business Auto Policy defines hired autos as only those autos you lease, rent, hire, or borrow. You refer to the named insured. Thus, the term&nbsp;<em>hired auto</em>&nbsp;means a vehicle leased, rented, hired, or borrowed by the person or entity listed in the declarations. Note that the term does&nbsp;<em>not&nbsp;</em>include any auto you lease, rent, hire, or borrow from an employee, partner, member (of a limited liability company), or a member of that person\'s family.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">Hired Auto Liability Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Whether hired autos are covered for liability under your commercial auto policy depends on the covered auto designation symbols that appear in the declarations next to liability coverage. If symbol 1 (any auto) or symbol 8 (hired autos) is listed next to liability coverage, hired autos are insured for liability.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">Hired auto liability coverage applies to you (the named insured) and to anyone else who is driving a hired auto with your permission. You are covered whether or not you are actually driving the hired auto when an accident occurs. This is important since you (the business entity) are vicariously liable for accidents caused by vehicles driven by employees or anyone else with your permission.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Most drivers of hired autos are employees of the business. For example, Susan is an employee of yours. You have asked Susan to represent your company at a convention in a town 250 miles from your office. Your company rents a car from an auto rental agency so that Susan can drive to the convention. Your firm is insured under a commercial auto policy that provides liability coverage for hired autos. While driving to the convention, Susan inadvertently rear-ends another auto. The driver of the other vehicle is injured in the accident. If the injured driver sues Susan, your firm, or both for bodily injury, your auto policy should respond to the suit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">Auto Rental Agreements</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">When you rent an auto on behalf of your firm, the rental agency will ask you to sign a rental contract. The contract will likely require you to assume liability for bodily injury or property damage sustained by third parties as a result of auto accidents you cause during the term of your rental agreement. This assumption of liability is covered under the standard auto policy with two exceptions. First, there is no coverage for any liability you assume for damage you cause to the rental vehicle itself. (As explained below, you may elect to insure hired autos for physical damage). Secondly, there is no coverage for liability you assume under a contract in which you rent a vehicle with a driver.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">Coverage is Excess</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">Hired auto liability coverage applies on an excess basis. This means that your commercial auto policy will apply&nbsp;<em>after</em>&nbsp;other collectible insurance has been exhausted. An example of \"other collectible insurance\" is&nbsp;liability coverage your rental agency is obligated to provide under state law. If you are involved in an accident while driving a hired auto, the coverage the rental agency provides will apply first. Your hired auto liability coverage will apply after that coverage has been used up. The rule regarding excess coverage for hired autos has one exception. A trailer you\'ve hired and attached to an auto you own is covered on a primary basis.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">Physical Damage Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">You may elect to insure hired autos (other than those hired with a driver) for physical damage under Comprehensive and/or Collision coverage. Hired autos are covered for physical damage if symbol 8 appears next to comprehensive and/or collision coverage in the declarations. A deductible will typically apply. Unlike liability coverage, physical damage coverage on hired autos is covered on a primary basis.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\">If a vehicle you hire is damaged in an accident, the rental agency will be unable to rent the vehicle to anyone else while the auto is being repaired. As a result, the rental agency may bill you for “loss of use”. Under the standard commercial auto policy, Loss of Use coverage is automatically provided if you purchase physical damage for hired autos. The policy provides up to $20 per day subject to a maximum of $600 (30 days). If the rental agency charges you more than $20 per day, you will be stuck paying the remainder as an out-of-pocket loss. Loss of Use coverage does not apply to autos rented with a driver.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-23\">Vehicles Rented in Employee\'s Name</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\">As noted above, the term&nbsp;<em>hired auto</em>&nbsp;means an auto rented by the named insured. Suppose that Susan (in the previous example) rents an auto for her business trip. When she fills out the rental agreement Susan lists herself as the renter instead of your company. While driving to the convention, Susan accidentally sideswipes another car. The driver of the opposing vehicle is injured in the accident and sues Susan and your firm. Will the lawsuit be covered under your hired auto coverage?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\">Technically, an auto hired in the name of an employee is a non-owned auto. Some insurers may cover the vehicle as a hired auto anyway, but others may be sticklers. If your policy covers non-owned autos, your company should be covered for the suit. However, your insurer may refuse to cover Susan. Under most commercial auto policies, employees are not insureds while driving non-owned autos. Fortunately, you can ensure employees who rent autos in their name under an endorsement called Employee-Hired Auto.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">Leased Autos</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\">ISO rules distinguish between leased autos and hired autos. The term <em>hired auto</em> means a vehicle rented or leased for a period of fewer than six months. Autos rented for six months or more are usually referred to as leased autos. Leased autos are typically added to the policy via an endorsement. They are insured for liability and physical damage in the same manner as owned autos (on a primary basis).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.thebalancemoney.com/insuring-hired-autos-462407\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Insuring Hired Autos for Liability and Physical Damage','','publish','open','open','','insuring-hired-autos-for-liability-and-physical-damage','','','2023-10-01 03:21:36','2023-10-01 03:21:36','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3526',0,'post','',0),(3527,1,'2023-10-01 03:20:37','2023-10-01 03:20:37','','My-project-1-29','','inherit','open','closed','','my-project-1-29-3','','','2023-10-01 03:20:37','2023-10-01 03:20:37','',3526,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-29.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3528,1,'2023-10-01 03:21:36','2023-10-01 03:21:36','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3527,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-29-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3527\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Many small businesses utilize rental vehicles in their day-to-day operations. Some rent autos frequently while others do so only occasionally. In either case, businesses should make sure that rental is properly insured for auto liability under a commercial auto policy. They should also consider insuring rental vehicles for physical damage. In commercial auto insurance, rental vehicles are called <em>hired autos</em>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-2\">Hired Auto</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-3\">The standard ISO Business Auto Policy defines hired autos as only those autos you lease, rent, hire, or borrow. You refer to the named insured. Thus, the term&nbsp;<em>hired auto</em>&nbsp;means a vehicle leased, rented, hired, or borrowed by the person or entity listed in the declarations. Note that the term does&nbsp;<em>not&nbsp;</em>include any auto you lease, rent, hire, or borrow from an employee, partner, member (of a limited liability company), or a member of that person\'s family.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">Hired Auto Liability Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Whether hired autos are covered for liability under your commercial auto policy depends on the covered auto designation symbols that appear in the declarations next to liability coverage. If symbol 1 (any auto) or symbol 8 (hired autos) is listed next to liability coverage, hired autos are insured for liability.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">Hired auto liability coverage applies to you (the named insured) and to anyone else who is driving a hired auto with your permission. You are covered whether or not you are actually driving the hired auto when an accident occurs. This is important since you (the business entity) are vicariously liable for accidents caused by vehicles driven by employees or anyone else with your permission.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Most drivers of hired autos are employees of the business. For example, Susan is an employee of yours. You have asked Susan to represent your company at a convention in a town 250 miles from your office. Your company rents a car from an auto rental agency so that Susan can drive to the convention. Your firm is insured under a commercial auto policy that provides liability coverage for hired autos. While driving to the convention, Susan inadvertently rear-ends another auto. The driver of the other vehicle is injured in the accident. If the injured driver sues Susan, your firm, or both for bodily injury, your auto policy should respond to the suit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">Auto Rental Agreements</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">When you rent an auto on behalf of your firm, the rental agency will ask you to sign a rental contract. The contract will likely require you to assume liability for bodily injury or property damage sustained by third parties as a result of auto accidents you cause during the term of your rental agreement. This assumption of liability is covered under the standard auto policy with two exceptions. First, there is no coverage for any liability you assume for damage you cause to the rental vehicle itself. (As explained below, you may elect to insure hired autos for physical damage). Secondly, there is no coverage for liability you assume under a contract in which you rent a vehicle with a driver.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">Coverage is Excess</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">Hired auto liability coverage applies on an excess basis. This means that your commercial auto policy will apply&nbsp;<em>after</em>&nbsp;other collectible insurance has been exhausted. An example of \"other collectible insurance\" is&nbsp;liability coverage your rental agency is obligated to provide under state law. If you are involved in an accident while driving a hired auto, the coverage the rental agency provides will apply first. Your hired auto liability coverage will apply after that coverage has been used up. The rule regarding excess coverage for hired autos has one exception. A trailer you\'ve hired and attached to an auto you own is covered on a primary basis.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">Physical Damage Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">You may elect to insure hired autos (other than those hired with a driver) for physical damage under Comprehensive and/or Collision coverage. Hired autos are covered for physical damage if symbol 8 appears next to comprehensive and/or collision coverage in the declarations. A deductible will typically apply. Unlike liability coverage, physical damage coverage on hired autos is covered on a primary basis.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\">If a vehicle you hire is damaged in an accident, the rental agency will be unable to rent the vehicle to anyone else while the auto is being repaired. As a result, the rental agency may bill you for “loss of use”. Under the standard commercial auto policy, Loss of Use coverage is automatically provided if you purchase physical damage for hired autos. The policy provides up to $20 per day subject to a maximum of $600 (30 days). If the rental agency charges you more than $20 per day, you will be stuck paying the remainder as an out-of-pocket loss. Loss of Use coverage does not apply to autos rented with a driver.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-23\">Vehicles Rented in Employee\'s Name</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\">As noted above, the term&nbsp;<em>hired auto</em>&nbsp;means an auto rented by the named insured. Suppose that Susan (in the previous example) rents an auto for her business trip. When she fills out the rental agreement Susan lists herself as the renter instead of your company. While driving to the convention, Susan accidentally sideswipes another car. The driver of the opposing vehicle is injured in the accident and sues Susan and your firm. Will the lawsuit be covered under your hired auto coverage?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\">Technically, an auto hired in the name of an employee is a non-owned auto. Some insurers may cover the vehicle as a hired auto anyway, but others may be sticklers. If your policy covers non-owned autos, your company should be covered for the suit. However, your insurer may refuse to cover Susan. Under most commercial auto policies, employees are not insureds while driving non-owned autos. Fortunately, you can ensure employees who rent autos in their name under an endorsement called Employee-Hired Auto.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">Leased Autos</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\">ISO rules distinguish between leased autos and hired autos. The term <em>hired auto</em> means a vehicle rented or leased for a period of fewer than six months. Autos rented for six months or more are usually referred to as leased autos. Leased autos are typically added to the policy via an endorsement. They are insured for liability and physical damage in the same manner as owned autos (on a primary basis).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.thebalancemoney.com/insuring-hired-autos-462407\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Insuring Hired Autos for Liability and Physical Damage','','inherit','closed','closed','','3526-revision-v1','','','2023-10-01 03:21:36','2023-10-01 03:21:36','',3526,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3528',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `smart_posts` VALUES (3529,1,'2023-10-01 03:25:33','2023-10-01 03:25:33','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3530,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-30-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3530\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A treehouse can be a fun addition to your backyard, and it will probably earn you some big brownie points with the kids. If you have a large, healthy tree in your yard, a treehouse can seem like a tempting proposition. But you should know that putting in a treehouse is not without its risks, and it may also affect your homeowners insurance coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Before you start construction on your new treetop hangout, it is important to think through potential insurance ramifications to understand where you may be at risk. Specifically, you need to know if your home insurance company offers coverage for treehouses, or if constructing one could lead to issues with your policy renewal.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does homeowners insurance cover treehouses?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your homeowners insurance is intended to step in when life presents unexpected losses. It helps you rebuild after a fire or replace belongings stolen by a thief, for example. It offers protections beyond that, as well — ones you may need to rely on if a guest gets injured in your treehouse.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Specifically, the personal liability coverage your policy offers may be able to help you cover a guest’s medical expenses or a resulting lawsuit after a treehouse-related injury. Additionally, the other structures coverage in your policy may help with repairs if the treehouse is damaged in a storm or fire.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>All of this depends on your insurance company offering coverage for treehouses, however. Some insurance companies extend protection to treehouses with no exclusions, while others will only do so if you put certain safety measures in place. You should also know that some insurance providers refuse to cover treehouses based on risk presented and may even deny your policy renewal if you put a treehouse on your property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Long story short, before you start building a treehouse, call your insurance company and ask how your policy might address treehouses. While it might seem perfectly acceptable to just build the treehouse and not inform your insurance provider about it, you might end up regretting that decision. If a treehouse-related incident occurs and your insurance company was unaware of the treehouse, the insurance company may deny your claim.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When are treehouses covered?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Assuming you have some degree of treehouse coverage through your home insurance policy, there are a couple of specific situations in which it can step in to help you with a loss.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treehouse damage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Consider one aspect of treehouses and insurance — damage to the actual treehouse. Does homeowners insurance cover tree houses if they get damaged by high winds, fire or a natural disaster? What about damage caused by vandals?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your homeowners insurance policy can extend to your treehouse, you can rest easy. Per the other structures portion of your policy, the same protections you have for your house should apply to your treehouse up to your policy limit. That is, it should be protected against fire, windstorms, hail, theft, vandalism or any other covered peril listed in your policy. Other structures coverage is generally capped at 10 percent of your dwelling limit, although you may be able to increase the coverage if you need to.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Treehouses are a bit of a unique case in the insurance world, though. Before you assume your home insurance will cover treehouse damage, call your insurance company to confirm.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treehouse injuries</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Liability for injuries is the primary concern associated with treehouses and insurance. The liability coverage portion of your home insurance does two things for you in the event that a guest gets injured on your property. First, it can help to pay for the resulting medical expenses if you are found negligent or liable. Secondly, if the guest decides to sue you for the injury, it can help with court costs and even cover the settlement, up to your policy limits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your home policy offers treehouse coverage, you may be able to turn to your liability coverage to help if a guest gets hurt while climbing around in your treehouse or falls from it. If you aren’t found liable for the injuries, your policy’s medical payments coverage may pay.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While your liability coverage and medical payments coverage may help if a guest gets injured in your treehouse, you may need to rely on your health insurance — or your health savings account, if you lack health insurance — if one of your family members gets hurt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treehouses vs. trampolines</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While the insurance considerations regarding treehouses may cause you to look elsewhere for a form of backyard entertainment, features like a trampoline or swimming pool present similar issues.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Insurance companies consider both treehouses and trampolines attractive nuisances, which means they may attract a child who can be injured on them. In either case, insurance companies may refuse to extend coverage to the trampoline or treehouse — or even refuse to renew the policy if the homeowner puts one on the property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In fact, trampolines are more commonly excluded from a home insurance policy’s protection. Call your insurance company to see where it stands on both before you decide which one (if any) to put in your yard.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does treehouse insurance cost?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Technically, treehouse insurance as a standalone policy does not exist. But your home insurance may be able to offer coverage to your new backyard addition under your other structures, liability and medical payments limits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you shop for insurance, you should expect a treehouse to make your home insurance costs go up, but that may not happen in every case. Not all insurance companies increase rates after a treehouse is added to a property, but some do as a way to cover the added risk that comes with the elevated hangout. If you need to increase your other structures, liability or medical payments coverage to account for the added risk, though, you’ll likely pay more. Ask your insurance provider if you would pay more for your policy if you put a treehouse in your yard so you can weigh the potential benefits versus the costs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Additionally, if you need your policy to pay for damage to the treehouse, be prepared to pay your deductible. Fortunately, the deductible does not apply to liability or medical payments claims, so you should not need to cover anything out-of-pocket for treehouse-related injuries any guest sustains.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you build a treehouse that is safe?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Keeping safety considerations top of mind is a best practice if you are thinking about adding a treehouse to your property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you do have a treehouse, you may want to add a few safety features to reduce the risks associated with it, such as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Cameras:</strong>&nbsp;If you build a treehouse, adding a camera or two may be a good idea. This can help you look out for potential safety hazards and eliminate liability in case of an accident. Cameras may also help you monitor the treehouse while you are away and can be a great tool in the event of a burglary.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Lighting:</strong>&nbsp;Another way to make a treehouse safer is to add lighting. This may help deter crime and reduce the risk of falls. If your treehouse is going to be in use all hours of the day and night, you may want to consider solar-powered lights.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Railings:</strong>&nbsp;Installing railings on a treehouse can help prevent falls. You can use railings inside and out and may also want to consider a railing along the ramp or ladder. While it will not help with liability, railings may help prevent a child from falling or getting hurt.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Gates:</strong>&nbsp;You can add a gate to the treehouse or around the tree to keep kids safe. This may also help reduce liability if a child tries to climb up to the treehouse.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Safety locks:</strong>&nbsp;Safety locks on the doors and windows of a treehouse can deter intruders and help keep the treehouse safe and secure.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Weather guards:</strong>&nbsp;If you live in an area that deals with a lot of rain, snow and ice, you may want to consider adding weather guards to the roof and walls of your treehouse. This will help keep the treehouse protected from severe weather and prevent leaks and water damage.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It may also be beneficial to talk with your local insurance agent about your treehouse plans. Your agent may be able to suggest a few ways to protect your treehouse and reduce liability and homeowners insurance costs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-treehouses/#safe\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does homeowners insurance cover treehouses?','','publish','open','open','','does-homeowners-insurance-cover-treehouses','','','2023-10-01 03:25:33','2023-10-01 03:25:33','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3529',0,'post','',0),(3530,1,'2023-10-01 03:23:56','2023-10-01 03:23:56','','My-project-1-30','','inherit','open','closed','','my-project-1-30-2','','','2023-10-01 03:23:56','2023-10-01 03:23:56','',3529,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-30.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3531,1,'2023-10-01 03:25:33','2023-10-01 03:25:33','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3530,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-30-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3530\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A treehouse can be a fun addition to your backyard, and it will probably earn you some big brownie points with the kids. If you have a large, healthy tree in your yard, a treehouse can seem like a tempting proposition. But you should know that putting in a treehouse is not without its risks, and it may also affect your homeowners insurance coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Before you start construction on your new treetop hangout, it is important to think through potential insurance ramifications to understand where you may be at risk. Specifically, you need to know if your home insurance company offers coverage for treehouses, or if constructing one could lead to issues with your policy renewal.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does homeowners insurance cover treehouses?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your homeowners insurance is intended to step in when life presents unexpected losses. It helps you rebuild after a fire or replace belongings stolen by a thief, for example. It offers protections beyond that, as well — ones you may need to rely on if a guest gets injured in your treehouse.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Specifically, the personal liability coverage your policy offers may be able to help you cover a guest’s medical expenses or a resulting lawsuit after a treehouse-related injury. Additionally, the other structures coverage in your policy may help with repairs if the treehouse is damaged in a storm or fire.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>All of this depends on your insurance company offering coverage for treehouses, however. Some insurance companies extend protection to treehouses with no exclusions, while others will only do so if you put certain safety measures in place. You should also know that some insurance providers refuse to cover treehouses based on risk presented and may even deny your policy renewal if you put a treehouse on your property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Long story short, before you start building a treehouse, call your insurance company and ask how your policy might address treehouses. While it might seem perfectly acceptable to just build the treehouse and not inform your insurance provider about it, you might end up regretting that decision. If a treehouse-related incident occurs and your insurance company was unaware of the treehouse, the insurance company may deny your claim.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When are treehouses covered?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Assuming you have some degree of treehouse coverage through your home insurance policy, there are a couple of specific situations in which it can step in to help you with a loss.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treehouse damage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Consider one aspect of treehouses and insurance — damage to the actual treehouse. Does homeowners insurance cover tree houses if they get damaged by high winds, fire or a natural disaster? What about damage caused by vandals?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your homeowners insurance policy can extend to your treehouse, you can rest easy. Per the other structures portion of your policy, the same protections you have for your house should apply to your treehouse up to your policy limit. That is, it should be protected against fire, windstorms, hail, theft, vandalism or any other covered peril listed in your policy. Other structures coverage is generally capped at 10 percent of your dwelling limit, although you may be able to increase the coverage if you need to.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Treehouses are a bit of a unique case in the insurance world, though. Before you assume your home insurance will cover treehouse damage, call your insurance company to confirm.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treehouse injuries</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Liability for injuries is the primary concern associated with treehouses and insurance. The liability coverage portion of your home insurance does two things for you in the event that a guest gets injured on your property. First, it can help to pay for the resulting medical expenses if you are found negligent or liable. Secondly, if the guest decides to sue you for the injury, it can help with court costs and even cover the settlement, up to your policy limits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your home policy offers treehouse coverage, you may be able to turn to your liability coverage to help if a guest gets hurt while climbing around in your treehouse or falls from it. If you aren’t found liable for the injuries, your policy’s medical payments coverage may pay.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While your liability coverage and medical payments coverage may help if a guest gets injured in your treehouse, you may need to rely on your health insurance — or your health savings account, if you lack health insurance — if one of your family members gets hurt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treehouses vs. trampolines</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While the insurance considerations regarding treehouses may cause you to look elsewhere for a form of backyard entertainment, features like a trampoline or swimming pool present similar issues.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Insurance companies consider both treehouses and trampolines attractive nuisances, which means they may attract a child who can be injured on them. In either case, insurance companies may refuse to extend coverage to the trampoline or treehouse — or even refuse to renew the policy if the homeowner puts one on the property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In fact, trampolines are more commonly excluded from a home insurance policy’s protection. Call your insurance company to see where it stands on both before you decide which one (if any) to put in your yard.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does treehouse insurance cost?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Technically, treehouse insurance as a standalone policy does not exist. But your home insurance may be able to offer coverage to your new backyard addition under your other structures, liability and medical payments limits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you shop for insurance, you should expect a treehouse to make your home insurance costs go up, but that may not happen in every case. Not all insurance companies increase rates after a treehouse is added to a property, but some do as a way to cover the added risk that comes with the elevated hangout. If you need to increase your other structures, liability or medical payments coverage to account for the added risk, though, you’ll likely pay more. Ask your insurance provider if you would pay more for your policy if you put a treehouse in your yard so you can weigh the potential benefits versus the costs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Additionally, if you need your policy to pay for damage to the treehouse, be prepared to pay your deductible. Fortunately, the deductible does not apply to liability or medical payments claims, so you should not need to cover anything out-of-pocket for treehouse-related injuries any guest sustains.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you build a treehouse that is safe?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Keeping safety considerations top of mind is a best practice if you are thinking about adding a treehouse to your property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you do have a treehouse, you may want to add a few safety features to reduce the risks associated with it, such as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Cameras:</strong>&nbsp;If you build a treehouse, adding a camera or two may be a good idea. This can help you look out for potential safety hazards and eliminate liability in case of an accident. Cameras may also help you monitor the treehouse while you are away and can be a great tool in the event of a burglary.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Lighting:</strong>&nbsp;Another way to make a treehouse safer is to add lighting. This may help deter crime and reduce the risk of falls. If your treehouse is going to be in use all hours of the day and night, you may want to consider solar-powered lights.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Railings:</strong>&nbsp;Installing railings on a treehouse can help prevent falls. You can use railings inside and out and may also want to consider a railing along the ramp or ladder. While it will not help with liability, railings may help prevent a child from falling or getting hurt.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Gates:</strong>&nbsp;You can add a gate to the treehouse or around the tree to keep kids safe. This may also help reduce liability if a child tries to climb up to the treehouse.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Safety locks:</strong>&nbsp;Safety locks on the doors and windows of a treehouse can deter intruders and help keep the treehouse safe and secure.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Weather guards:</strong>&nbsp;If you live in an area that deals with a lot of rain, snow and ice, you may want to consider adding weather guards to the roof and walls of your treehouse. This will help keep the treehouse protected from severe weather and prevent leaks and water damage.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It may also be beneficial to talk with your local insurance agent about your treehouse plans. Your agent may be able to suggest a few ways to protect your treehouse and reduce liability and homeowners insurance costs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-treehouses/#safe\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does homeowners insurance cover treehouses?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3529-revision-v1','','','2023-10-01 03:25:33','2023-10-01 03:25:33','',3529,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3531',0,'revision','',0),(3532,1,'2023-10-01 03:28:48','2023-10-01 03:28:48','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3533,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-31-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3533\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Repairing damaged sewer lines can be costly and time-consuming. Most repairs that involve plumbing are too complex for homeowners to DIY, and depending on how the damage occurred, home insurance might not cover sewer line repairs. Insurance coverage for sewer lines and sewer backup varies between policies and providers. Understanding how sewer line damage occurs, how to prevent it and when it might be covered on your homeowner insurance policy may keep you a few steps ahead and save you money down the road. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team has what you need to know about homeowners insurance and sewer lines.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeways</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Homeowners insurance may cover sewer line damage if the proximate cause of the damage is a covered peril.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Sewer line damage that is the result of wear and tear is excluded from home insurance coverage.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Preventive measures like properly disposing of grease and oils, using a drain catcher, and avoiding planting trees near sewer lines can help avoid drain clogs and sewer line damage.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your homeowners insurance policy may cover sewer line damage if the proximate cause of the damage is a covered peril. Proximate cause is the first peril or hazard that caused the damage to occur. However, most of the time, broken sewer lines and the resulting damage are from wear and tear or other causes that home insurance companies specifically exclude from coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When insurance does cover sewer line damage, the claim payout is usually from coverage B, other structures coverage. Many homeowners know that other structures coverage pays for damage to detached property, such as fences or sheds. Since sewer lines run below and away from the home, they are also considered separate from the dwelling.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dwelling and other structures coverage are both covered in the same way on a home insurance policy — on a named peril or open peril basis. The most common type of home insurance is an HO-3, which provides open peril coverage for both dwelling and other structures.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While open peril coverage means anything that happens to your property that is not excluded is covered, there are 16 perils that encompass the most common types of loss. Of those, the most common perils that cause damage to sewer lines are:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Collapse</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Explosions</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Falling objects</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Fire</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Lighting</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Vehicles</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Volcanic eruptions</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Windstorms</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sewer lines run fairly deep underground, so it can be challenging to envision a way for something like a falling object to cause damage. Here are a few examples claims that are typically covered:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Your home collapses under the weight of ice and snow, causing sewer lines to rupture.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>A windstorm knocks a tree down in your yard, causing the roots to bust open sewer lines.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Lighting strikes your home, causing an explosion, which also damages the sewer line.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When does homeowners insurance not cover sewer lines?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most of the time, the proximate cause of sewer backups and damaged lines falls under the standard cost of homeownership. The average lifespan of well-maintained sewer lines is between 50–100 years, depending on the material. While that is a long time, if you are the second or third owner of the home, the odds are the pipes will need repairing or replacing at some point in time. The most common reasons sewer lines fail and are not covered by your insurance policy are:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Age and deterioration</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tree root infiltration</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Ground settling</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Clogs</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Corrosion</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Extreme temperature</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can cause damage to your sewer line?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Several situations can cause sewer line damage. Aside from the physical sewer line rupturing, sewer water can back up into your home, damaging the dwelling and personal property. Some events that cause sewer line damage are:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Flooding:</strong> Flooding is one of the most common causes of sewer line damage and sewage water back up. Rising water can cause soil, sediment and debris to shift and break pipes. The pressure and overflow of flood waters can also force untreated sewage water back through the pipes and into your home.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Freezing temperatures:</strong>&nbsp;A sudden drop in temperature could cause the pipes in your home and sewer lines to freeze. Freezing water expands and cold pipes contract, leading to damage ranging from minor leaks to pipe bursts.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Tree roots:</strong>&nbsp;Roots from trees on or near your property could grow into your sewer line, causing the sewer pipe to break. This is especially true for older homes that still have ceramic sewer lines.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Clogged drains:</strong>&nbsp;Drain clogs not only cause drainage issues, but if not remedied, they could weaken the pipe. When the pressure from the clogs gets too high, the pipe can burst.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optional coverage for sewer lines</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thankfully, many of the best home insurance companies offer a solution to this problem by way of endorsement. When sewer lines fail, there may be damage from sewer water backing into the home and damage to the physical sewer pipe. Some insurance companies may provide limited coverage for water back up, but the cost to repair the sewer line itself is usually excluded. Seek your agent’s advice to determine how your insurance company handles these kinds of losses. If needed, you may want to consider one or more of the following:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Add a service line endorsement</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Service line endorsement can also be called sewer line replacement or something similar. Adding this coverage to your home insurance policy can provide coverage for repairing and replacing sewer lines from damage that is otherwise excluded. While coverage can vary, you can expect a deductible of around $500 and a coverage limit between $10,000 and $12,000.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This endorsement typically includes damage that occurs from:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Corrosion, decay, rust, or deterioration</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Mechanical or electrical breakdown</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Regular wear and tear</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tree or root damage</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Pest damage from rodents, vermin, insects, etc.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Damage caused by freezing temperatures</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Damage caused by pressure from heavy equipment, vehicles, etc.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Add a sewer backup endorsement</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some homeowners insurance companies may also offer sewer backup insurance as an additional endorsement. While this endorsement does not usually cover replacing or repairing the sewer line, it can provide coverage to replace flooring, drywall and other furnishings if sewage backs up the pipe into your home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consider a home warranty</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A home warranty may offer sewer line coverage and is different from homeowners insurance. It is a separate plan that can help cover certain appliance repairs and electrical systems costs. Some home warranties cover sewer line repairs and replacements, while others will not.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to prevent damage to your sewer line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Damage that happens over time, such as wear and tear, or resulting from natural hazards like flooding and earthquakes, are generally out of your control. As a homeowner, the best you can do is properly maintain your home to get the best life expectancy from your sewer line. There are many simple and affordable preventive measures you can take to help avoid drain clogs and sewer line damage, such as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Properly dispose of grease and oils</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Use drain catcher to prevent clogs</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Properly dispose of paper and hygiene products</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Avoid planting trees near sewer lines</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-sewer-line-replacement/#how-to-prevent-damage-to-your-sewer-line\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?','','publish','open','open','','does-homeowners-insurance-cover-sewer-lines','','','2023-10-01 03:28:48','2023-10-01 03:28:48','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3532',0,'post','',0),(3533,1,'2023-10-01 03:27:01','2023-10-01 03:27:01','','My-project-1-31','','inherit','open','closed','','my-project-1-31-2','','','2023-10-01 03:27:01','2023-10-01 03:27:01','',3532,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-31.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3534,1,'2023-10-01 03:28:48','2023-10-01 03:28:48','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3533,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-project-1-31-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3533\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Repairing damaged sewer lines can be costly and time-consuming. Most repairs that involve plumbing are too complex for homeowners to DIY, and depending on how the damage occurred, home insurance might not cover sewer line repairs. Insurance coverage for sewer lines and sewer backup varies between policies and providers. Understanding how sewer line damage occurs, how to prevent it and when it might be covered on your homeowner insurance policy may keep you a few steps ahead and save you money down the road. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team has what you need to know about homeowners insurance and sewer lines.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeways</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Homeowners insurance may cover sewer line damage if the proximate cause of the damage is a covered peril.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Sewer line damage that is the result of wear and tear is excluded from home insurance coverage.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Preventive measures like properly disposing of grease and oils, using a drain catcher, and avoiding planting trees near sewer lines can help avoid drain clogs and sewer line damage.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your homeowners insurance policy may cover sewer line damage if the proximate cause of the damage is a covered peril. Proximate cause is the first peril or hazard that caused the damage to occur. However, most of the time, broken sewer lines and the resulting damage are from wear and tear or other causes that home insurance companies specifically exclude from coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When insurance does cover sewer line damage, the claim payout is usually from coverage B, other structures coverage. Many homeowners know that other structures coverage pays for damage to detached property, such as fences or sheds. Since sewer lines run below and away from the home, they are also considered separate from the dwelling.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dwelling and other structures coverage are both covered in the same way on a home insurance policy — on a named peril or open peril basis. The most common type of home insurance is an HO-3, which provides open peril coverage for both dwelling and other structures.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While open peril coverage means anything that happens to your property that is not excluded is covered, there are 16 perils that encompass the most common types of loss. Of those, the most common perils that cause damage to sewer lines are:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Collapse</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Explosions</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Falling objects</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Fire</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Lighting</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Vehicles</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Volcanic eruptions</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Windstorms</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sewer lines run fairly deep underground, so it can be challenging to envision a way for something like a falling object to cause damage. Here are a few examples claims that are typically covered:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Your home collapses under the weight of ice and snow, causing sewer lines to rupture.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>A windstorm knocks a tree down in your yard, causing the roots to bust open sewer lines.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Lighting strikes your home, causing an explosion, which also damages the sewer line.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When does homeowners insurance not cover sewer lines?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most of the time, the proximate cause of sewer backups and damaged lines falls under the standard cost of homeownership. The average lifespan of well-maintained sewer lines is between 50–100 years, depending on the material. While that is a long time, if you are the second or third owner of the home, the odds are the pipes will need repairing or replacing at some point in time. The most common reasons sewer lines fail and are not covered by your insurance policy are:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Age and deterioration</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tree root infiltration</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Ground settling</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Clogs</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Corrosion</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Extreme temperature</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can cause damage to your sewer line?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Several situations can cause sewer line damage. Aside from the physical sewer line rupturing, sewer water can back up into your home, damaging the dwelling and personal property. Some events that cause sewer line damage are:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Flooding:</strong> Flooding is one of the most common causes of sewer line damage and sewage water back up. Rising water can cause soil, sediment and debris to shift and break pipes. The pressure and overflow of flood waters can also force untreated sewage water back through the pipes and into your home.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Freezing temperatures:</strong>&nbsp;A sudden drop in temperature could cause the pipes in your home and sewer lines to freeze. Freezing water expands and cold pipes contract, leading to damage ranging from minor leaks to pipe bursts.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Tree roots:</strong>&nbsp;Roots from trees on or near your property could grow into your sewer line, causing the sewer pipe to break. This is especially true for older homes that still have ceramic sewer lines.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Clogged drains:</strong>&nbsp;Drain clogs not only cause drainage issues, but if not remedied, they could weaken the pipe. When the pressure from the clogs gets too high, the pipe can burst.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optional coverage for sewer lines</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thankfully, many of the best home insurance companies offer a solution to this problem by way of endorsement. When sewer lines fail, there may be damage from sewer water backing into the home and damage to the physical sewer pipe. Some insurance companies may provide limited coverage for water back up, but the cost to repair the sewer line itself is usually excluded. Seek your agent’s advice to determine how your insurance company handles these kinds of losses. If needed, you may want to consider one or more of the following:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Add a service line endorsement</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Service line endorsement can also be called sewer line replacement or something similar. Adding this coverage to your home insurance policy can provide coverage for repairing and replacing sewer lines from damage that is otherwise excluded. While coverage can vary, you can expect a deductible of around $500 and a coverage limit between $10,000 and $12,000.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This endorsement typically includes damage that occurs from:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Corrosion, decay, rust, or deterioration</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Mechanical or electrical breakdown</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Regular wear and tear</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tree or root damage</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Pest damage from rodents, vermin, insects, etc.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Damage caused by freezing temperatures</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Damage caused by pressure from heavy equipment, vehicles, etc.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Add a sewer backup endorsement</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some homeowners insurance companies may also offer sewer backup insurance as an additional endorsement. While this endorsement does not usually cover replacing or repairing the sewer line, it can provide coverage to replace flooring, drywall and other furnishings if sewage backs up the pipe into your home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consider a home warranty</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A home warranty may offer sewer line coverage and is different from homeowners insurance. It is a separate plan that can help cover certain appliance repairs and electrical systems costs. Some home warranties cover sewer line repairs and replacements, while others will not.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to prevent damage to your sewer line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Damage that happens over time, such as wear and tear, or resulting from natural hazards like flooding and earthquakes, are generally out of your control. As a homeowner, the best you can do is properly maintain your home to get the best life expectancy from your sewer line. There are many simple and affordable preventive measures you can take to help avoid drain clogs and sewer line damage, such as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Properly dispose of grease and oils</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Use drain catcher to prevent clogs</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Properly dispose of paper and hygiene products</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Avoid planting trees near sewer lines</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-sewer-line-replacement/#how-to-prevent-damage-to-your-sewer-line\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3532-revision-v1','','','2023-10-01 03:28:48','2023-10-01 03:28:48','',3532,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3534',0,'revision','',0),(3537,1,'2023-10-13 16:33:46','2023-10-13 16:33:46','','Untitled-13','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-13','','','2023-10-13 16:33:46','2023-10-13 16:33:46','',3536,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-13.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3538,1,'2023-10-13 16:42:57','2023-10-13 16:42:57','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It can cost twice as much to insure a manufactured home as a traditional one. Here’s how to get a lower premium.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3537,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-13-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3537\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Last year when my friend Tami Crandall from Spearfish, S.D., renewed her home insurance on her 2,400-square-foot, 1913 two-story farmhouse with a detached garage, the price tag was about what she expected: $1,800 for the year. But Tami’s daughter and son-in-law, who live just a hundred feet away in a 1,500-square-foot manufactured home—a factory-built structure that rests on a permanent metal chassis as its foundation—had to pay more than twice that amount, almost $4,000, for similar coverage. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Manufactured homes, built in just a few facilities around the country and then shipped to a manufactured home park or land you own, are increasingly common. More than 22 million people in the U.S.—1 in 15—live in one, according to the Manufactured Housing Institute. In fact, since 2014, the number of new manufactured home shipments to homeowners nearly doubled. (Note that “mobile homes” are similar to manufactured homes but were built before 1976, when new building standards were introduced. Both are different from “modular homes,” which are more like traditional homes but built in a factory and shipped to your property to be placed on a foundation.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One attraction of manufactured homes: their relatively low cost. Single-wides average $86,400 for 1,064 square feet of space, while doubles run about $158,600 for 1,757 square feet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Amenities can include open configurations, quartz kitchen countertops, crown molding, guest bedrooms and bathrooms, attached decks, wrap-around porches, fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, spa showers, and walk-in closets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But where the math that doesn’t always work out is how much a manufactured home might cost to insure: Though a manufactured home averages nearly half the size of a traditional home, its homeowners insurance can be twice as expensive. Tami, who’s been an insurance agent for 17 years, wasn’t surprised by the high rates her daughter paid.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For example, in Houston it costs an average of&nbsp;$2,474 to get $100,000 of coverage on a manufactured home, according to figures by Value Penguin, an insurance aggregator website. But getting $250,000 of coverage for a traditional home in Texas costs an average of just&nbsp;$1,967, according to Bankrate. Similar figures apply to owners of traditional homes in Florida, who spend an average $1,981 for their policies, while owners of manufactured homes pay up to $2,400.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>So what gives?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The insurance industry points to a manufactured home’s greater susceptibility to wind, hail damage, tornadoes, fire, theft, and vandalism compared with a traditional home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But Douglas Heller, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit that advocates for consumer issues, says insurers are more likely to take advantage of “financially vulnerable” segments of the population, charging them higher premiums for policies with fewer benefits and less coverage compared with a larger home that’s insured next door.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Consumer advocates also say there may be outdated discrimination from the days when mobile home parks were mostly located in poor and crime-ridden ZIP codes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Owners of Manufactured Homes Might Pay More for Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Manufactured Housing Institute, a trade organization for the industry, says many manufactured homes today are located in resort-like communities with features like pools and tennis courts, and that the homes are as safe as traditional-built homes. For example, MHI points to a 2013 National Fire Protection Association report showing that manufactured homes experience up to 44 percent fewer fires than traditional “site-built” homes. In addition, the federal codes, to which manufactured homes must be built, require fire retardant materials and at least two exterior doors for an emergency exit. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Plus, MHI says manufactured homes perform as well as traditional, or “site-built,” ones during a storm—although the group acknowledges they are more commonly located in areas such as the Midwest or South where tornadoes and other severe storms can occur. They also point out that proper installation and anchoring of a manufactured home can keep it safe in severe weather.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“There are some differences between the construction materials of a manufactured home and a traditional home,” acknowledges Dave Anderson, executive director of the National Manufactured Homeowners Association.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Another difference: Some manufactured homes may be located in areas with higher risks for theft and vandalism. “But do those differences mean insurance costs would be a little higher? Maybe. But nearly twice as much? I don’t think so,” Anderson says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One problem for manufactured home insurance buyers could be lack of competition among companies, says Joseph Sullivan, executive director of the Manufactured Home Owners Association of New Jersey, who also sits on a manufactured home advisory committee at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While there are more than a dozen national companies that sell homeowners insurance policies (think Allstate, Farmers, Liberty Mutual, State Farm, USAA, for example), Sullivan points out that there are only a handful of companies that insure manufactured homes, including Allstate, American Modern, Assurant, and Farmers/Foremost. Less competition, Sullivan says, can mean higher rates for the consumer.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“If you go to, say, Geico, you’re going to get a policy through one of these companies,” Sullivan says. Indeed, Geico partners with Assurant, American Modern, and Foremost, among others.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Case in point: Tami Crandall, in S.D., had dozens of companies&nbsp;to choose from for her homeowners insurance; her daughter and son-in-law had only three.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Commonsense Suggestions</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To start with, yes, you should insure your manufactured home, even though most states don’t require it, says Anderson. For one thing, your bank or manufactured-home community will probably require it. For another, it’s a smart move to protect what is likely your most important asset from unforeseen circumstances. Home insurance also covers your liability if someone else has an accident on your property or in your home, Anderson points out. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When it’s time to shop around for a policy, consider working with a local independent agent, which can be more efficient than looking for yourself online. Not sure whether an agent is truly independent, or is actually a broker for just one or two companies? Just ask, Crandall says.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No matter which company you get your insurance from, here are a few tried-and-true suggestions to help you get the best deal.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Have the highest possible credit score.</strong> For nearly any kind of insurance, including manufactured home insurance, having the best possible score you can will help, says Chuck Bell, CR policy analyst who works on credit scores and insurance issues. Although CR advocates think it is unfair and potentially discriminatory to use credit history to set premium rates, for now your best course of action is to review your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, correct any errors you find with the credit bureaus, and deal with any debt collection notices on your report—both of which could easily raise your score once resolved.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Ask about bundling.&nbsp;</strong>It’s always worth asking for quotes from insurance companies where you already have a policy, and finding out whether there’s a discount for getting, say, your car and home insurance policies from the same company. You could save 10 to 15 percent, Crandall says. One example: American Family says bundling home and auto policies could save you up to 23 percent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Consider a higher deductible.&nbsp;</strong>Increasing your deductible—the amount you’ll first pay out of pocket before your insurance—from $500 to $1,000 or even $1,500 could save several hundred dollars off your premium.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Pay the premium in full.&nbsp;</strong>Doing so could save between 5 and 15&nbsp;percent, Crandall says. Also, ask whether using an electronic funds transfer could net you additional savings. Paying via EFT might save you around 3 percent of your monthly or annual premium.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7 Questions for a Lower Premium</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Manufactured homes have a few features and are subject to some requirements that are unique to the structure itself. As you shop around for insurance,&nbsp;ask these questions to see whether you could receive any discounts, which may vary by state.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>1. Are there discounts for security or smart home features?</strong> Any measures you take to deter vandalism or theft, such as having a security system or putting up fencing, could help lower your premium, Crandall says. American Family Insurance says it offers discounts for Smart home connections that can alert you to an emergency. Foremost says having a security alarm or central alarm could net you a discount in some states.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Anything that’s going to increase your safety, such as alarms or fencing, typically qualifies for some sort of discount,” says Scott Holeman, spokesperson for the Institute of Insurance Information, an industry research group.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>2. What about safety measures against extreme weather threats or fire?</strong> Crandall says to also mention to your broker whether you’ve installed fire or CO2 alarms or fire extinguishers, secured the home down with anchoring ties, or taken other steps such as installing heat tape around exposed pipes to avoid pipes bursting during cold weather. These may be required steps by the community you live in, and could save you money, Crandall says. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>3. What if you add wind-resistant features? </strong>Farmers Insurance says storm shutters and other hurricane-resistant components could net you a discount, which can vary by state. But in some states, like Florida, investing in wind-resistant shingles, carport materials, or doors might be required by the manufactured home community you live in, says Russell Watson, vice president for the southeast region for the National Manufactured Homeowners Association, and who runs a manufacturing home education program and sits on a HUD advisory committee. These can not only protect your property but also help you avoid damaging a neighbor’s home. Required or not, if you’ve taken these steps, mention it to your insurance agent in case a discount is available. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>4. What if the home is situated in a \"park\" community?&nbsp;</strong>These are communities&nbsp;for manufactured homes that generally have on-site management and provide maintenance<strong>.&nbsp;</strong>Although the amount may vary by state, insurers may provide discounts for homes in such places. If your home is located in one, you could save around 5 percent off your premium.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>5. Is there a discount for being the original owner, or being over the age of 55?&nbsp;</strong>Although not every insurer will offer these discounts, Allstate says it provides up to a 5 percent discount every year off your premium if you are the original title holder and up to 10 percent if you’re over age 55.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>6. Is there a discount for a newer manufactured home?&nbsp;</strong>American Family Insurance, for example, says it offers discounts to homes that are less than four years old. Foremost says it offers discounts in most states for newer homes and sometimes even for homes older than five years.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>7. Are there any price breaks for going multiple years without a claim?</strong> If you haven’t made a claim on a policy you’ve had for several years, ask whether you can get a discount. But if you’re shopping for a new policy, and have made claims in the past, don’t try to hide that information, Crandall says. Insurers use a central database lookup tool that tracks all consumer claims for up to about five years. So be honest when filling out your application forms or you may appear to be a potentially unreliable client. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Bonus: Are you, your spouse, or your parent a veteran?</strong> Join USAA for access to manufactured home insurance. Good to know: You can be divorced from a USAA member and not yet remarried, or widowed, and still be eligible for all USAA benefits (not just insurance).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/money/homeowners-insurance/how-to-save-on-insurance-for-a-manufactured-home-a7960045232/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Save on Insurance for a Manufactured Home','','inherit','closed','closed','','3536-revision-v1','','','2023-10-13 16:42:57','2023-10-13 16:42:57','',3536,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3538',0,'revision','',0),(3542,1,'2023-10-26 21:02:06','2023-10-26 21:02:06','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3543,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-14-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3543\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a cash deposit as collateral. This deposit amount is usually equal to the credit limit you\'ll receive.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Most credit cards are unsecured credit cards, which means you won\'t have to put down a deposit as collateral. Unsecured credit cards tend to come with better perks and rewards, lower fees and lower interest rates.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Secured credit cards are usually for people with poor credit or no credit history, whereas unsecured credit cards are usually for people with good credit or better.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Finding a credit card issuer who will approve you for one of its products can feel impossible when your credit score is in the fair or bad range (669 and below) or you don’t have an established credit history. Fortunately, there’s a type of credit card that almost anyone may be able to qualify for: a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, consumers with fair to bad credit or no credit history can get the chance to build a good credit history and prove their creditworthiness over time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"secured\">What is a secured credit card?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a cash deposit as collateral. This deposit is normally close or the same as the credit limit amount you’ll receive. For example, if you apply for a secured credit card and put down a $500 deposit as collateral, you’ll typically qualify for a $500 line of credit as a result.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With a secured credit card, consumers who need to work on their credit can secure a line of credit. And since their payments are reported to the credit bureaus, they’ll get the opportunity to build credit and improve their credit history over time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"unsecured\">What is an unsecured credit card?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most credit cards are unsecured. When a card is unsecured, this means you won’t have to put down a deposit as collateral. Unsecured credit cards tend to come with better perks and rewards, lower fees and lower interest rates. Generally speaking, unsecured credit cards are a better deal for consumers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may be wondering why anyone would want a credit card that requires a cash deposit upfront, but it’s not too difficult to understand why consumers with poor or no credit might be willing to apply. Qualifying for a traditional, unsecured credit card can be impossible when your credit score is poor or nonexistent, and you may not be able to improve your credit over time if you can’t find a lender to give you credit in the first place.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vs\">Secured vs. unsecured credit cards</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The following chart explains some of the biggest differences between secured and unsecured credit cards:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:table -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Card terms and features</th><th>Unsecured credit cards</th><th>Secured credit cards</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Deposit required?</strong></td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Minimum recommended credit score to qualify</strong></td><td>Usually 670 or higher</td><td>Usually available for no credit history or scores below 669</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Average APR</strong></td><td>Usually over 20 percent</td><td>APRs tend to be higher for secured credit cards</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Annual fee charged?</strong></td><td>Sometimes</td><td>Usually not; the security deposit is typically a one-time, refundable fee</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Helps you build credit by reporting to credit bureaus</strong></td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rewards available?</strong></td><td>Yes, with many rewards credit cards</td><td>Sometimes</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>\n<!-- /wp:table -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"applications\">Applying for a secured card vs. unsecured card</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Applying for a secured credit card is the same as applying for an unsecured credit card. You’ll start by comparing secured credit cards to find one that offers the benefits you really want, confirm that you qualify and then start an application.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In your secured credit card application, you’ll provide your name, birth date, address, Social Security number, employment information and income. Most secured credit cards will require you to pay your security deposit when you apply, which you can usually pay for with a debit card or a bank account. If your application for a secured credit card is not approved, the cash deposit you put down will be returned to you, usually within a few business days.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"building\">Building credit with a secured card vs. unsecured card</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When it comes to building your credit score, the process is the same with secured and unsecured credit cards. Both types of cards report your activity to the three main credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The bureaus collect information about your balances and credit card payments and use it to build a history of credit usage in your name.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your goal is building credit and keeping your score in the best shape possible, you should strive to pay your bill in full and on time each month and keep your credit utilization rate below 30 percent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"best\">Best secured credit cards for 2023</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Secured Credit Card: Best for everyday rewards</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the few secured credit cards that lets consumers earn rewards without charging an annual fee. You’ll earn 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1 percent back) and an unlimited 1 percent cash back on everything else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Discover it® Secured Credit Card also allows you to set your own line of credit between $200 and $2,500, depending on the deposit amount you put down. Additionally, as a welcome offer, Discover will match all of the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You’ll also get free FICO credit score access, which can help you monitor your credit progress over time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for travelers</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid option if you want to earn a flat rate of 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases — a fair rate even for an unsecured card. Plus, frequent travelers will earn an unlimited 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The minimum (refundable) security deposit is $200 (to secure a $200 credit line), and there’s no annual fee. Plus, Capital One makes it easy to work toward a better credit score. You can stay motivated by watching your credit score grow over time with CreditWise from Capital One, and you’ll be automatically considered for a credit line increase in as little as six months.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for low deposit requirements</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card lets you secure a $200 line of credit with a $49, $99 or $200 refundable deposit, which makes this card a good option for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of cash to put down. However, Capital One will oversee your account to check if you will be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You won’t earn any rewards with this card, but you won’t pay an annual fee to carry it, either. You’ll also get the chance to pick your own monthly due date, which can be convenient if you prefer to pay your credit card bill at the end of the month or around payday.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The bottom line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>So, should you get a secured card or an unsecured card? The answer generally depends on your credit score and credit history. If you’re in the market for a secured credit card because you’re new to credit or you have a bad credit history, make sure you take the time to compare all the top secured credit card offers to find one that fits your needs, preferably one with the best benefits and lowest fees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/secured-vs-unsecured-credit-cards/#best\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What’s the difference between secured and unsecured credit cards?','','publish','open','open','','whats-the-difference-between-secured-and-unsecured-credit-cards','','','2023-10-26 21:02:06','2023-10-26 21:02:06','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3542',0,'post','',0),(3543,1,'2023-10-26 21:00:40','2023-10-26 21:00:40','','Untitled-14','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-14','','','2023-10-26 21:00:40','2023-10-26 21:00:40','',3542,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-14.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3544,1,'2023-10-26 21:02:06','2023-10-26 21:02:06','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3543,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-14-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3543\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a cash deposit as collateral. This deposit amount is usually equal to the credit limit you\'ll receive.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Most credit cards are unsecured credit cards, which means you won\'t have to put down a deposit as collateral. Unsecured credit cards tend to come with better perks and rewards, lower fees and lower interest rates.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Secured credit cards are usually for people with poor credit or no credit history, whereas unsecured credit cards are usually for people with good credit or better.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Finding a credit card issuer who will approve you for one of its products can feel impossible when your credit score is in the fair or bad range (669 and below) or you don’t have an established credit history. Fortunately, there’s a type of credit card that almost anyone may be able to qualify for: a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, consumers with fair to bad credit or no credit history can get the chance to build a good credit history and prove their creditworthiness over time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"secured\">What is a secured credit card?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a cash deposit as collateral. This deposit is normally close or the same as the credit limit amount you’ll receive. For example, if you apply for a secured credit card and put down a $500 deposit as collateral, you’ll typically qualify for a $500 line of credit as a result.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With a secured credit card, consumers who need to work on their credit can secure a line of credit. And since their payments are reported to the credit bureaus, they’ll get the opportunity to build credit and improve their credit history over time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"unsecured\">What is an unsecured credit card?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most credit cards are unsecured. When a card is unsecured, this means you won’t have to put down a deposit as collateral. Unsecured credit cards tend to come with better perks and rewards, lower fees and lower interest rates. Generally speaking, unsecured credit cards are a better deal for consumers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may be wondering why anyone would want a credit card that requires a cash deposit upfront, but it’s not too difficult to understand why consumers with poor or no credit might be willing to apply. Qualifying for a traditional, unsecured credit card can be impossible when your credit score is poor or nonexistent, and you may not be able to improve your credit over time if you can’t find a lender to give you credit in the first place.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vs\">Secured vs. unsecured credit cards</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The following chart explains some of the biggest differences between secured and unsecured credit cards:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:table -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Card terms and features</th><th>Unsecured credit cards</th><th>Secured credit cards</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Deposit required?</strong></td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Minimum recommended credit score to qualify</strong></td><td>Usually 670 or higher</td><td>Usually available for no credit history or scores below 669</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Average APR</strong></td><td>Usually over 20 percent</td><td>APRs tend to be higher for secured credit cards</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Annual fee charged?</strong></td><td>Sometimes</td><td>Usually not; the security deposit is typically a one-time, refundable fee</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Helps you build credit by reporting to credit bureaus</strong></td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rewards available?</strong></td><td>Yes, with many rewards credit cards</td><td>Sometimes</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>\n<!-- /wp:table -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"applications\">Applying for a secured card vs. unsecured card</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Applying for a secured credit card is the same as applying for an unsecured credit card. You’ll start by comparing secured credit cards to find one that offers the benefits you really want, confirm that you qualify and then start an application.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In your secured credit card application, you’ll provide your name, birth date, address, Social Security number, employment information and income. Most secured credit cards will require you to pay your security deposit when you apply, which you can usually pay for with a debit card or a bank account. If your application for a secured credit card is not approved, the cash deposit you put down will be returned to you, usually within a few business days.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"building\">Building credit with a secured card vs. unsecured card</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When it comes to building your credit score, the process is the same with secured and unsecured credit cards. Both types of cards report your activity to the three main credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The bureaus collect information about your balances and credit card payments and use it to build a history of credit usage in your name.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your goal is building credit and keeping your score in the best shape possible, you should strive to pay your bill in full and on time each month and keep your credit utilization rate below 30 percent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"best\">Best secured credit cards for 2023</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Secured Credit Card: Best for everyday rewards</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the few secured credit cards that lets consumers earn rewards without charging an annual fee. You’ll earn 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1 percent back) and an unlimited 1 percent cash back on everything else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Discover it® Secured Credit Card also allows you to set your own line of credit between $200 and $2,500, depending on the deposit amount you put down. Additionally, as a welcome offer, Discover will match all of the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You’ll also get free FICO credit score access, which can help you monitor your credit progress over time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for travelers</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid option if you want to earn a flat rate of 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases — a fair rate even for an unsecured card. Plus, frequent travelers will earn an unlimited 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The minimum (refundable) security deposit is $200 (to secure a $200 credit line), and there’s no annual fee. Plus, Capital One makes it easy to work toward a better credit score. You can stay motivated by watching your credit score grow over time with CreditWise from Capital One, and you’ll be automatically considered for a credit line increase in as little as six months.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for low deposit requirements</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card lets you secure a $200 line of credit with a $49, $99 or $200 refundable deposit, which makes this card a good option for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of cash to put down. However, Capital One will oversee your account to check if you will be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You won’t earn any rewards with this card, but you won’t pay an annual fee to carry it, either. You’ll also get the chance to pick your own monthly due date, which can be convenient if you prefer to pay your credit card bill at the end of the month or around payday.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The bottom line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>So, should you get a secured card or an unsecured card? The answer generally depends on your credit score and credit history. If you’re in the market for a secured credit card because you’re new to credit or you have a bad credit history, make sure you take the time to compare all the top secured credit card offers to find one that fits your needs, preferably one with the best benefits and lowest fees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/secured-vs-unsecured-credit-cards/#best\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What’s the difference between secured and unsecured credit cards?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3542-revision-v1','','','2023-10-26 21:02:06','2023-10-26 21:02:06','',3542,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3544',0,'revision','',0),(3545,1,'2023-10-26 21:06:41','2023-10-26 21:06:41','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt relief can ease the burden of overwhelming debt, but it\'s not right for everyone. Here are options to explore.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3546,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-15-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3546\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Find that you\'re just not making progress on your debt, no matter how hard you try? If that\'s the case, you might be facing overwhelming debt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does debt relief work?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To break free of this financial burden, look into your debt relief options. These tools can change the terms or amount of your debt so you can get back on your feet more quickly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt relief could involve wiping the debt out altogether in bankruptcy; getting changes in your interest rate or payment schedule to lower your payments; or persuading creditors to agree to accept less than the full amount owed.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But debt-relief programs are not the right solution for everyone, and it’s important to understand what the consequences might be.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When you should seek debt relief</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Consider bankruptcy, debt management or debt settlement when either of these is true:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You have no hope of repaying unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) within five years, even if you take extreme measures to cut spending.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The total of your unpaid unsecured debt equals half or more of your gross income.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>On the other hand, if you could potentially repay your unsecured debts within five years consider a do-it-yourself plan. That could include a combination of debt consolidation, appeals to creditors and stricter budgeting.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Be aware of scams, debt relief downside</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The debt relief industry includes scammers who are eager to take what little money you have. Many people who enter debt relief programs fail to complete them. You could end up with debts that are even bigger than when you started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But debt relief may give you the new start or the breathing room you need to finally make real progress.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Be sure you understand — and verify — these points before entering any agreement:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What you need to qualify.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What fees you will pay.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Which creditors are being paid, and how much. If your debt is in collections, make sure you understand who owns the debt so payments go to the right agency.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The tax implications.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Debt relief through bankruptcy</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There’s little point in entering a debt settlement or debt management plan if you’re not going to be able to pay as agreed. We recommend talking with a bankruptcy attorney first, before you pursue any debt relief strategy. Initial consultations are often free, and if you don’t qualify, you can move on to other options.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The most common form of bankruptcy, Chapter 7 liquidation, can erase most credit card debt, unsecured personal loans and medical debt. It can be done in three or four months if you qualify. What you should know:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>It won’t erase taxes owed or child support obligations, and student loan debt is highly unlikely to be forgiven.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>It will hurt your credit scores and stay on your credit report for up to 10 years even as you work to restore your credit history. However, when your credit isn\'t favorable, a bankruptcy may allow you to rebuild your credit much sooner than continuing to try to repay. (Learn more about when bankruptcy is the best option.)</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>If you have used a co-signer, your bankruptcy filing will make that co-signer solely responsible for the debt.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>If debts continue to pile up, you can’t file another Chapter 7 bankruptcy for eight years.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>It may not be the right option if you would have to give up property you want to keep. The rules vary by state. Typically, certain kinds of property are exempt from bankruptcy, such as vehicles up to a given value and part of the equity in your home.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>It may not be necessary if you’re “judgment proof,” which means you don’t have any income or property a creditor can go after. The creditors can still sue you and get a judgment, but they won’t be able to collect.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Also, not everyone with overwhelming debt qualifies. If your income is above the median for your state and family size, or you have a home you want to save from foreclosure, you may need to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Chapter 13 is a three- or five-year court-approved repayment plan, based on your income and debts. If you are able to stick with the plan for its full term, the remaining unsecured debt is discharged. It will take longer than a Chapter 7 — but if you are able to keep up with payments (a majority of people are not), you will get to keep your property. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for seven years from the filing date.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relief through debt management plans</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A debt management plan allows you to pay your unsecured debts — typically credit cards — in full, but often at a reduced interest rate or with fees waived. You make a single payment each month to a credit counseling agency, which distributes it among your creditors. Credit counselors and credit card companies have longstanding agreements in place to help debt management clients.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your credit card accounts will be closed and, in most cases, you’ll have to live without credit cards until you complete the plan. (Many people do not complete them.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt management plans themselves do not affect your credit scores, but closing accounts can hurt your scores. Once you’ve completed the plan, you can apply for credit again.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Missing payments can knock you out of the plan, though. And it’s important to pick an agency accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Financial Counseling Association of America.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As always, make sure you understand the fees and what alternatives you may have for dealing with debt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relief through debt settlement</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt settlement is a last resort for those who face overwhelming debt but cannot qualify for bankruptcy or simply don\'t want to file bankruptcy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt settlement companies typically ask you to stop paying accounts you enroll in the plan and instead put the money in an escrow account. Each creditor is approached as the money accumulates in your account and you fall further behind on payments. Fear of getting nothing at all may motivate the creditor to accept a smaller lump-sum offer and agree not to pursue you for the rest.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Not paying your bills can result in collections calls, penalty fees and, potentially, legal action against you. Debt settlement stops none of that while you\'re still negotiating. It can take months for the settlement offers to begin. Depending on how much you owe, the process could take years and the continued late payments further damage your credit score.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may also face a bill for taxes on the forgiven amounts (which the IRS counts as income). Lawsuits can lead to wage garnishments and property liens.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can attempt to settle a debt yourself, or you can hire a professional. The debt settlement business is riddled with bad actors, though; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the National Consumer Law Center and the Federal Trade Commission caution consumers in the strongest possible terms.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some of those companies also advertise themselves as debt consolidation companies. They are not. Debt consolidation is something you can do on your own, and it will not damage your credit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do-it-yourself debt relief</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There’s nothing to say you can’t borrow from some of the above-listed debt relief options and create your own plan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can do what credit counselors do in debt management plans: Contact your creditors, explain why you fell behind and what concessions you need to catch up. Most credit card companies have hardship programs, and they may be willing to lower your interest rates and waive fees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can also educate yourself on debt settlement and negotiate an agreement by contacting creditors yourself. (Learn how you can negotiate a debt settlement on your own.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your debt isn’t unsurmountable, more traditional debt-payoff strategies may be available. For example, if your credit score is still good, you may be able to get a credit card with a 0% balance transfer offer. The interest-free period means your whole payment goes to reducing the balance, making faster progress. Or you may find a debt consolidation loan with a lower interest rate than you\'re paying now.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Those options won’t hurt your credit; as long as you make the payments, your credit score should rebound.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you go this route, however, it’s important to have a plan to avoid adding more credit card debt. It also can be hard to qualify for a new card or loan when you are deeply in debt, because that often leads to missed payments or high balances, and those hurt your credit standing.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What not to do</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes overwhelming debt comes with devastating swiftness — a health crisis, unemployment or a natural disaster. Or maybe it came a little at a time, and now creditors and collection agencies are pressing you to pay, and you just can’t.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’re feeling overwhelmed by debt, here are some things not to do:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Don’t neglect a secured debt (like a car payment) in order to pay an unsecured one (like a hospital bill or credit card). You could lose the collateral that secures that debt, in this case your car.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Don’t borrow against the equity in your home. You’re putting your home at risk of foreclosure and you may be turning unsecured debt that could be wiped out in bankruptcy into secured debt that can’t.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Don’t withdraw money from your retirement savings in order to repay unsecured debt. This cuts your chances of a financially secure retirement.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Think twice about borrowing money from workplace retirement accounts as well. If you lose your job, the loans can become inadvertent withdrawals and trigger a tax bill, which is the last thing you need.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Don’t make decisions based on which collectors are pressuring you the most. Instead, take time to research your options and choose the best one for your situation.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/find-debt-relief?trk=hub_featured_content&amp;trk_channel=web&amp;trk_element=hyperlink&amp;trk_elementPosition=0&amp;trk_location=FeaturedContent&amp;trk_sectionCategory=hub_featured_content&amp;trk_copy=Debt%20Relief:%20Understand%20Your%20Options%20and%20the%20Consequences\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Debt Relief: Understand Your Options and the Consequences','','publish','open','open','','debt-relief-understand-your-options-and-the-consequences','','','2024-12-10 21:09:16','2024-12-10 21:09:16','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3545',0,'post','',0),(3546,1,'2023-10-26 21:04:13','2023-10-26 21:04:13','','Untitled-15','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-15','','','2023-10-26 21:04:13','2023-10-26 21:04:13','',3545,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-15.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3547,1,'2023-10-26 21:06:41','2023-10-26 21:06:41','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt relief can ease the burden of overwhelming debt, but it\'s not right for everyone. Here are options to explore.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3546,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-15-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3546\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Find that you\'re just not making progress on your debt, no matter how hard you try? If that\'s the case, you might be facing overwhelming debt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does debt relief work?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To break free of this financial burden, look into your debt relief options. These tools can change the terms or amount of your debt so you can get back on your feet more quickly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt relief could involve wiping the debt out altogether in bankruptcy; getting changes in your interest rate or payment schedule to lower your payments; or persuading creditors to agree to accept less than the full amount owed.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But debt-relief programs are not the right solution for everyone, and it’s important to understand what the consequences might be.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When you should seek debt relief</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Consider bankruptcy, debt management or debt settlement when either of these is true:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You have no hope of repaying unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) within five years, even if you take extreme measures to cut spending.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The total of your unpaid unsecured debt equals half or more of your gross income.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>On the other hand, if you could potentially repay your unsecured debts within five years consider a do-it-yourself plan. That could include a combination of debt consolidation, appeals to creditors and stricter budgeting.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Be aware of scams, debt relief downside</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The debt relief industry includes scammers who are eager to take what little money you have. Many people who enter debt relief programs fail to complete them. You could end up with debts that are even bigger than when you started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But debt relief may give you the new start or the breathing room you need to finally make real progress.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Be sure you understand — and verify — these points before entering any agreement:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What you need to qualify.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What fees you will pay.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Which creditors are being paid, and how much. If your debt is in collections, make sure you understand who owns the debt so payments go to the right agency.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The tax implications.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Debt relief through bankruptcy</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There’s little point in entering a debt settlement or debt management plan if you’re not going to be able to pay as agreed. We recommend talking with a bankruptcy attorney first, before you pursue any debt relief strategy. Initial consultations are often free, and if you don’t qualify, you can move on to other options.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The most common form of bankruptcy, Chapter 7 liquidation, can erase most credit card debt, unsecured personal loans and medical debt. It can be done in three or four months if you qualify. What you should know:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>It won’t erase taxes owed or child support obligations, and student loan debt is highly unlikely to be forgiven.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>It will hurt your credit scores and stay on your credit report for up to 10 years even as you work to restore your credit history. However, when your credit isn\'t favorable, a bankruptcy may allow you to rebuild your credit much sooner than continuing to try to repay. (Learn more about when bankruptcy is the best option.)</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>If you have used a co-signer, your bankruptcy filing will make that co-signer solely responsible for the debt.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>If debts continue to pile up, you can’t file another Chapter 7 bankruptcy for eight years.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>It may not be the right option if you would have to give up property you want to keep. The rules vary by state. Typically, certain kinds of property are exempt from bankruptcy, such as vehicles up to a given value and part of the equity in your home.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>It may not be necessary if you’re “judgment proof,” which means you don’t have any income or property a creditor can go after. The creditors can still sue you and get a judgment, but they won’t be able to collect.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Also, not everyone with overwhelming debt qualifies. If your income is above the median for your state and family size, or you have a home you want to save from foreclosure, you may need to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Chapter 13 is a three- or five-year court-approved repayment plan, based on your income and debts. If you are able to stick with the plan for its full term, the remaining unsecured debt is discharged. It will take longer than a Chapter 7 — but if you are able to keep up with payments (a majority of people are not), you will get to keep your property. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for seven years from the filing date.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relief through debt management plans</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A debt management plan allows you to pay your unsecured debts — typically credit cards — in full, but often at a reduced interest rate or with fees waived. You make a single payment each month to a credit counseling agency, which distributes it among your creditors. Credit counselors and credit card companies have longstanding agreements in place to help debt management clients.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your credit card accounts will be closed and, in most cases, you’ll have to live without credit cards until you complete the plan. (Many people do not complete them.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt management plans themselves do not affect your credit scores, but closing accounts can hurt your scores. Once you’ve completed the plan, you can apply for credit again.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Missing payments can knock you out of the plan, though. And it’s important to pick an agency accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Financial Counseling Association of America.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As always, make sure you understand the fees and what alternatives you may have for dealing with debt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relief through debt settlement</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt settlement is a last resort for those who face overwhelming debt but cannot qualify for bankruptcy or simply don\'t want to file bankruptcy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Debt settlement companies typically ask you to stop paying accounts you enroll in the plan and instead put the money in an escrow account. Each creditor is approached as the money accumulates in your account and you fall further behind on payments. Fear of getting nothing at all may motivate the creditor to accept a smaller lump-sum offer and agree not to pursue you for the rest.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Not paying your bills can result in collections calls, penalty fees and, potentially, legal action against you. Debt settlement stops none of that while you\'re still negotiating. It can take months for the settlement offers to begin. Depending on how much you owe, the process could take years and the continued late payments further damage your credit score.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may also face a bill for taxes on the forgiven amounts (which the IRS counts as income). Lawsuits can lead to wage garnishments and property liens.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can attempt to settle a debt yourself, or you can hire a professional. The debt settlement business is riddled with bad actors, though; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the National Consumer Law Center and the Federal Trade Commission caution consumers in the strongest possible terms.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some of those companies also advertise themselves as debt consolidation companies. They are not. Debt consolidation is something you can do on your own, and it will not damage your credit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do-it-yourself debt relief</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There’s nothing to say you can’t borrow from some of the above-listed debt relief options and create your own plan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can do what credit counselors do in debt management plans: Contact your creditors, explain why you fell behind and what concessions you need to catch up. Most credit card companies have hardship programs, and they may be willing to lower your interest rates and waive fees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can also educate yourself on debt settlement and negotiate an agreement by contacting creditors yourself. (Learn how you can negotiate a debt settlement on your own.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your debt isn’t unsurmountable, more traditional debt-payoff strategies may be available. For example, if your credit score is still good, you may be able to get a credit card with a 0% balance transfer offer. The interest-free period means your whole payment goes to reducing the balance, making faster progress. Or you may find a debt consolidation loan with a lower interest rate than you\'re paying now.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Those options won’t hurt your credit; as long as you make the payments, your credit score should rebound.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you go this route, however, it’s important to have a plan to avoid adding more credit card debt. It also can be hard to qualify for a new card or loan when you are deeply in debt, because that often leads to missed payments or high balances, and those hurt your credit standing.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What not to do</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes overwhelming debt comes with devastating swiftness — a health crisis, unemployment or a natural disaster. Or maybe it came a little at a time, and now creditors and collection agencies are pressing you to pay, and you just can’t.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’re feeling overwhelmed by debt, here are some things not to do:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Don’t neglect a secured debt (like a car payment) in order to pay an unsecured one (like a hospital bill or credit card). You could lose the collateral that secures that debt, in this case your car.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Don’t borrow against the equity in your home. You’re putting your home at risk of foreclosure and you may be turning unsecured debt that could be wiped out in bankruptcy into secured debt that can’t.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Don’t withdraw money from your retirement savings in order to repay unsecured debt. This cuts your chances of a financially secure retirement.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Think twice about borrowing money from workplace retirement accounts as well. If you lose your job, the loans can become inadvertent withdrawals and trigger a tax bill, which is the last thing you need.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Don’t make decisions based on which collectors are pressuring you the most. Instead, take time to research your options and choose the best one for your situation.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/find-debt-relief?trk=hub_featured_content&amp;trk_channel=web&amp;trk_element=hyperlink&amp;trk_elementPosition=0&amp;trk_location=FeaturedContent&amp;trk_sectionCategory=hub_featured_content&amp;trk_copy=Debt%20Relief:%20Understand%20Your%20Options%20and%20the%20Consequences\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Debt Relief: Understand Your Options and the Consequences','','inherit','closed','closed','','3545-revision-v1','','','2023-10-26 21:06:41','2023-10-26 21:06:41','',3545,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3547',0,'revision','',0),(3548,1,'2023-10-26 21:17:54','2023-10-26 21:17:54','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you prefer black-and-white to color, here’s how to set it on your iPhone or Android phone.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"blob:https://smartinsurance.tips/7e4eea66-3e1c-462b-bad9-6fcd4f4b1c5a\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With the exception of old movies, most of us are used to seeing our screens in full color. However, grayscale — in which you see nothing but black, white, or shades of gray — can be useful, even when it comes to your smartphone.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To begin with, people who are intensely colorblind will find a screen that has been switched to grayscale much easier to work with (since otherwise, certain colors can be difficult to distinguish). It may be good for the rest of us as well because grayscale is said to be much easier on the eyes — so using it at night could give your optics a rest. (In addition, forcing all your videos to go grayscale might finally convince you to put down the phone and get some sleep). If used during the day, you might be less tempted to pick up your phone rather than pay attention to your work or other parts of your life.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here’s how to switch the displays on your iPhone, Samsung Galaxy phone, and Google Pixel to grayscale. (If you have an Android phone from a different manufacturer, the directions should be similar to that for the Pixel.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"m_Rn656\">Grayscale on an iPhone<a>↴</a></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Switching your screen to Grayscale on the iPhone is a very simple process. Currently, you can find it as a feature in the Accessibility section.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Accessibility &gt; Display &amp; Text Size &gt; Color Filters</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Toggle <strong>Color Filters</strong> on and select <strong>Grayscale</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3550,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3550\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are also various ways you can trigger grayscale on and off using your iPhone’s Shortcuts. To begin with, if you want to trigger it via a triple-click on your side (power) button:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Set grayscale as your color filter, as described above. (You don’t have to keep it toggled on; just make sure it is set as the color filter.)</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go back to the&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Accessibility</strong>&nbsp;page and select&nbsp;<strong>Accessibility Shortcut</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap on <strong>Color Filters</strong> so that it has a green checkmark.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3551,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3551\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To add a button to your Control Center, first set up the Accessibility Shortcut as described above. Then:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go to&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Control Center &gt; Included Controls &gt; Accessibility Shortcuts</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The button (the figure of a person within a circle) will then appear when you swipe down to access the Control Center; tap on it, and any options checked in the list of Accessibility Shortcuts will be available.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can also create a grayscale Shortcut, which you can then turn on at certain times, such as during Sleep mode or when you’re in Focus mode. To create the Shortcut:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Open the&nbsp;<strong>Shortcuts</strong>&nbsp;app and tap on the&nbsp;<strong>plus sign&nbsp;</strong>in the upper right corner.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap&nbsp;<strong>Add Action</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Type&nbsp;<strong>Set Color Filters</strong>&nbsp;in the search box until it is listed and select it. You will be brought back to the actions page, and you will see the action&nbsp;<strong>Turn color filters On</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>If you want, you can change&nbsp;<strong>Turn</strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>Toggle&nbsp;</strong>or&nbsp;<strong>Ask Each Time</strong>, and you can change&nbsp;<strong>On</strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>Off</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap <strong>Done</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3552,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3552\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want to automatically turn on grayscale at night or&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.theverge.com/23355242/ios-16-focus-modes-how-to-apple-iphone\">associate it with a Focus Mode</a>&nbsp;during working hours, then you can also do that via the Shortcuts app. For example, let’s say you want to create a Shortcut that will turn on grayscale at night when you’re supposed to be sleeping:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Open the&nbsp;<strong>Shortcuts</strong>&nbsp;app and tap the&nbsp;<strong>Automation</strong>&nbsp;icon at the bottom of the screen</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap&nbsp;<strong>Create Personal Automation</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap&nbsp;<strong>Sleep &gt; Bedtime Begins</strong>&nbsp;(or, if you prefer,&nbsp;<strong>Wind Down Begins</strong>) and select&nbsp;<strong>Next</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>Add Action</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Type&nbsp;<strong>Set Color Filters</strong>&nbsp;in the search box until it is listed and select it, then select&nbsp;<strong>Next</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The next screen will show that your new automation will begin when Bedtime starts and that it will set the color filters. You can toggle&nbsp;<strong>Ask Before Running</strong>&nbsp;on or off. When you’re satisfied, select&nbsp;<strong>Done</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can use the Shortcuts app to set all sorts of automations or other ways to enable or disable grayscale (or other conditions). Go ahead and experiment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"m_DhbUf\">Grayscale on a Google Pixel phone<a>↴</a></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you use a Pixel or other Android phone, you can have two different ways that you can adjust the screen to go to grayscale, depending on what you want to use it for.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want to go grayscale at night to relax your eyes (or discourage yourself from using your phone), you can use Android’s Bedtime mode to have your phone automatically go to grayscale at a specific time. (If you haven’t set up Bedtime mode yet, here are some instructions.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go to&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Digital Wellbeing &amp; parental controls &gt; Bedtime mode</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Scroll down to and select&nbsp;<strong>Customize &gt; Screen options at bedtime</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Toggle <strong>Grayscale</strong> on</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3553,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3553\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>What if you want the screen to be grayscale all the time — or if you want to be able to toggle it on and off any time you wish? This is possible as well by using the color correction feature in Android’s Accessibility toolkit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go to&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Accessibility &gt; Color and motion</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>Color correction</strong>, scroll down, and select&nbsp;<strong>Grayscale</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go back up to the&nbsp;<strong>Use color correction</strong>&nbsp;button and toggle it on.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want to switch to grayscale anytime you like but don’t want to go through all those menu choices each time, you can make it easier by using your Quick Settings menu or by adding a small “accessibility button” that will continuously float on your screen. In either case, keep in mind that grayscale isn’t the only type of color correction available, and so before you set either of these options, you need to go to the <strong>Color correction</strong> menu as described above and select <strong>Grayscale</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3554,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3554\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To add color correction to the Quick Settings menu:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Swipe down from the top of your display twice to show the&nbsp;<strong>Quick Settings menu</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap the&nbsp;<strong>small edit icon</strong>&nbsp;at the bottom right of the menu (it looks like a pencil)</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Find the&nbsp;<strong>Color correction</strong>&nbsp;tile and hold and drag it up to add it to your active tiles</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To create an accessibility button:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Follow the directions above to the&nbsp;<strong>Color correction</strong>&nbsp;page</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Scroll down to the bottom of the screen, and toggle on the&nbsp;<strong>Color correction shortcut</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>(Interestingly, I found that when I created the accessibility button, my Pixel 6 automatically added Color correction to my Quick settings menu.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.theverge.com/23637672/grayscale-iphone-android-pixel-samsung-galaxy-how-to\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Want to Use your Phone less?... Turn off the colors and you\'ll reduce your urge to use your phone.','','publish','open','open','','want-to-use-your-phone-less-turn-off-the-colors-and-youll-reduce-your-urge-to-use-your-phone','','','2023-10-26 21:17:54','2023-10-26 21:17:54','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3548',0,'post','',0),(3549,1,'2023-10-26 21:08:51','2023-10-26 21:08:51','','Untitled-49','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-49','','','2023-10-26 21:08:51','2023-10-26 21:08:51','',3548,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-49.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3550,1,'2023-10-26 21:09:47','2023-10-26 21:09:47','','image','','inherit','open','closed','','image-10','','','2023-10-26 21:09:47','2023-10-26 21:09:47','',3548,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3551,1,'2023-10-26 21:10:33','2023-10-26 21:10:33','','image-1','','inherit','open','closed','','image-1-6','','','2023-10-26 21:10:33','2023-10-26 21:10:33','',3548,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3552,1,'2023-10-26 21:12:03','2023-10-26 21:12:03','','image-2','','inherit','open','closed','','image-2-5','','','2023-10-26 21:12:03','2023-10-26 21:12:03','',3548,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3553,1,'2023-10-26 21:13:06','2023-10-26 21:13:06','','image-3','','inherit','open','closed','','image-3-4','','','2023-10-26 21:13:06','2023-10-26 21:13:06','',3548,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-3.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3554,1,'2023-10-26 21:14:03','2023-10-26 21:14:03','','image-4','','inherit','open','closed','','image-4-4','','','2023-10-26 21:14:03','2023-10-26 21:14:03','',3548,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-4.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3555,1,'2023-10-26 21:17:54','2023-10-26 21:17:54','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you prefer black-and-white to color, here’s how to set it on your iPhone or Android phone.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"blob:https://smartinsurance.tips/7e4eea66-3e1c-462b-bad9-6fcd4f4b1c5a\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With the exception of old movies, most of us are used to seeing our screens in full color. However, grayscale — in which you see nothing but black, white, or shades of gray — can be useful, even when it comes to your smartphone.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To begin with, people who are intensely colorblind will find a screen that has been switched to grayscale much easier to work with (since otherwise, certain colors can be difficult to distinguish). It may be good for the rest of us as well because grayscale is said to be much easier on the eyes — so using it at night could give your optics a rest. (In addition, forcing all your videos to go grayscale might finally convince you to put down the phone and get some sleep). If used during the day, you might be less tempted to pick up your phone rather than pay attention to your work or other parts of your life.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here’s how to switch the displays on your iPhone, Samsung Galaxy phone, and Google Pixel to grayscale. (If you have an Android phone from a different manufacturer, the directions should be similar to that for the Pixel.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"m_Rn656\">Grayscale on an iPhone<a>↴</a></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Switching your screen to Grayscale on the iPhone is a very simple process. Currently, you can find it as a feature in the Accessibility section.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Accessibility &gt; Display &amp; Text Size &gt; Color Filters</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Toggle <strong>Color Filters</strong> on and select <strong>Grayscale</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3550,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3550\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are also various ways you can trigger grayscale on and off using your iPhone’s Shortcuts. To begin with, if you want to trigger it via a triple-click on your side (power) button:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Set grayscale as your color filter, as described above. (You don’t have to keep it toggled on; just make sure it is set as the color filter.)</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go back to the&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Accessibility</strong>&nbsp;page and select&nbsp;<strong>Accessibility Shortcut</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap on <strong>Color Filters</strong> so that it has a green checkmark.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3551,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3551\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To add a button to your Control Center, first set up the Accessibility Shortcut as described above. Then:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go to&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Control Center &gt; Included Controls &gt; Accessibility Shortcuts</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The button (the figure of a person within a circle) will then appear when you swipe down to access the Control Center; tap on it, and any options checked in the list of Accessibility Shortcuts will be available.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can also create a grayscale Shortcut, which you can then turn on at certain times, such as during Sleep mode or when you’re in Focus mode. To create the Shortcut:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Open the&nbsp;<strong>Shortcuts</strong>&nbsp;app and tap on the&nbsp;<strong>plus sign&nbsp;</strong>in the upper right corner.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap&nbsp;<strong>Add Action</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Type&nbsp;<strong>Set Color Filters</strong>&nbsp;in the search box until it is listed and select it. You will be brought back to the actions page, and you will see the action&nbsp;<strong>Turn color filters On</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>If you want, you can change&nbsp;<strong>Turn</strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>Toggle&nbsp;</strong>or&nbsp;<strong>Ask Each Time</strong>, and you can change&nbsp;<strong>On</strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>Off</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap <strong>Done</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3552,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3552\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want to automatically turn on grayscale at night or&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.theverge.com/23355242/ios-16-focus-modes-how-to-apple-iphone\">associate it with a Focus Mode</a>&nbsp;during working hours, then you can also do that via the Shortcuts app. For example, let’s say you want to create a Shortcut that will turn on grayscale at night when you’re supposed to be sleeping:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Open the&nbsp;<strong>Shortcuts</strong>&nbsp;app and tap the&nbsp;<strong>Automation</strong>&nbsp;icon at the bottom of the screen</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap&nbsp;<strong>Create Personal Automation</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap&nbsp;<strong>Sleep &gt; Bedtime Begins</strong>&nbsp;(or, if you prefer,&nbsp;<strong>Wind Down Begins</strong>) and select&nbsp;<strong>Next</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>Add Action</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Type&nbsp;<strong>Set Color Filters</strong>&nbsp;in the search box until it is listed and select it, then select&nbsp;<strong>Next</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The next screen will show that your new automation will begin when Bedtime starts and that it will set the color filters. You can toggle&nbsp;<strong>Ask Before Running</strong>&nbsp;on or off. When you’re satisfied, select&nbsp;<strong>Done</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can use the Shortcuts app to set all sorts of automations or other ways to enable or disable grayscale (or other conditions). Go ahead and experiment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"m_DhbUf\">Grayscale on a Google Pixel phone<a>↴</a></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you use a Pixel or other Android phone, you can have two different ways that you can adjust the screen to go to grayscale, depending on what you want to use it for.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want to go grayscale at night to relax your eyes (or discourage yourself from using your phone), you can use Android’s Bedtime mode to have your phone automatically go to grayscale at a specific time. (If you haven’t set up Bedtime mode yet, here are some instructions.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go to&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Digital Wellbeing &amp; parental controls &gt; Bedtime mode</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Scroll down to and select&nbsp;<strong>Customize &gt; Screen options at bedtime</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Toggle <strong>Grayscale</strong> on</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3553,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3553\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>What if you want the screen to be grayscale all the time — or if you want to be able to toggle it on and off any time you wish? This is possible as well by using the color correction feature in Android’s Accessibility toolkit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go to&nbsp;<strong>Settings &gt; Accessibility &gt; Color and motion</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>Color correction</strong>, scroll down, and select&nbsp;<strong>Grayscale</strong>.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Go back up to the&nbsp;<strong>Use color correction</strong>&nbsp;button and toggle it on.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want to switch to grayscale anytime you like but don’t want to go through all those menu choices each time, you can make it easier by using your Quick Settings menu or by adding a small “accessibility button” that will continuously float on your screen. In either case, keep in mind that grayscale isn’t the only type of color correction available, and so before you set either of these options, you need to go to the <strong>Color correction</strong> menu as described above and select <strong>Grayscale</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3554,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3554\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To add color correction to the Quick Settings menu:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Swipe down from the top of your display twice to show the&nbsp;<strong>Quick Settings menu</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tap the&nbsp;<strong>small edit icon</strong>&nbsp;at the bottom right of the menu (it looks like a pencil)</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Find the&nbsp;<strong>Color correction</strong>&nbsp;tile and hold and drag it up to add it to your active tiles</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To create an accessibility button:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Follow the directions above to the&nbsp;<strong>Color correction</strong>&nbsp;page</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Scroll down to the bottom of the screen, and toggle on the&nbsp;<strong>Color correction shortcut</strong></li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>(Interestingly, I found that when I created the accessibility button, my Pixel 6 automatically added Color correction to my Quick settings menu.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.theverge.com/23637672/grayscale-iphone-android-pixel-samsung-galaxy-how-to\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Want to Use your Phone less?... Turn off the colors and you\'ll reduce your urge to use your phone.','','inherit','closed','closed','','3548-revision-v1','','','2023-10-26 21:17:54','2023-10-26 21:17:54','',3548,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3555',0,'revision','',0),(3556,1,'2023-10-26 22:34:01','2023-10-26 22:34:01','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3557,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-17-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3557\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes, you find yourself with spare time on your hands, and nothing pressing needs to be done. When you’re bored and not sure what to do, this can be a great moment to nurture your personal or professional development.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Remember being “productive” doesn’t always mean producing immediate output. We like to consider productivity author and speaker Chris Bailey’s definition of productivity:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“[Productivity is] accomplishing what we intend to.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“If our intention is to empty our email inbox, write a report, and update our budget in Excel, and we do, I would argue that we\'re perfectly productive. The same is true if we intend to rest and unwind on a beach with a piña colada, soak in the sun, or drink coffee all day. If that\'s our intention and we do that, we\'re perfectly productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“The key to productivity is in the decision that comes before our actions.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With this in mind, we’ve created a list of productive things you can do with your extra time. You can use these ideas to stay productive when you find yourself getting distracted or bored.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>22 Productive Things to Do When Bored</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are the 22 productive things you can do when you’re bored. We’ll cover things you can do for your mental health, for self-reflection, for learning, for work productivity, and for your personal life.We’ll get into the details of how these activities may benefit you and when you may want to do them. We’ll also cover the three traps you can fall into and want to avoid when you have too much time on your hands.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Your Mental Health</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In your day-to-day busy schedule, you may not have the time to think about mental health. People are now more prone to burnout than ever. When you have a freer moment, you may want to use it to relieve some stress.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Relax</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Doing nothing can be productive. We often feel the pressure to constantly be doing something. But sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do with your free time is to pause, relax, and focus on self-care. Taking breaks is key to staying productive long term and critical for your mental health. If you’ve been gifted with some downtime, take advantage of it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Take a Walk</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We’re big advocates of walking. Going for a morning walk improves your productivity. It helps you clear your head, get you away from a computer screen, and oxygenate your body. Walking helps to regulate stress levels and improve your overall health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Meditate</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Meditation is a powerful habit that has numerous benefits to your well-being and mood. Practicing mindfulness calms your mind, makes you more grateful, and leaves you calmer and more focused. If you don’t know how to meditate, you can use a mindfulness app, such as Calm or Headspace.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Read a Novel</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Pick up a good book and let yourself get lost in the story. Reading improves your cognition and vocabulary, makes you more empathetic, reduces stress, and aids sleep. Reading a novel is a fun escape from the responsibilities of work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Exercise</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Physical activity is amazing for your overall health and productivity. Exercise helps keep your weight under control, improves your heart health, boosts your mood, improves your ability to think and learn, and helps you get better sleep. And you don’t have to do it for a long time to reap benefits — even 10 minutes a day is enough to improve your health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Self-Reflection</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes, you can use your extra time for a self-review. Take a look at how you’ve been doing in a chosen area of life, and see if there’s something you’d like to change or improve.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Journal</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Self-reflection through journaling is a great way to stay productive. Look at lists of the best self-reflection questions and the best self-reflection quotes to inspire you to get started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Reflect on Your Habits</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Developing good habits is one of the most important things you can do to build a successful and fulfilling career and personal life. While building and sticking to good habits is key, reflecting on them is just as important to make sure you’re focusing on the right habits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take a look at your morning routine, work breaks, and planning habits. Are you happy with how you approach them?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. Reflect on Your Time Management</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Time is your most valuable resource. Understanding how you spend it is the best way to remain productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One way to do it is using a time tracker like Rize to automatically track your time and focus. If you have some spare time, you can then explore the dashboard and see how efficient you’re being. Is there anything distracting you? Where are you wasting time? What can you start or stop doing? These are the questions you can ask to reflect and improve upon your time management skills.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Learning</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One of the most productive things to do when bored is learning. In the digital age, accessing valuable learning resources online is a piece of cake. Here are a few ideas to get you started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. Practice a New Skill</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With an internet connection, you have so many amazing resources at your fingertips. If you find yourself having some extra time, learn a new skill. There are amazing articles and YouTube channels on everything from woodworking to playing an instrument to DIY crafts and more.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Expanding your skill set can lead to finding an exciting new hobby or starting a side hustle. But even if it doesn\'t, it stimulates your brain — and that’s productive enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. Watch an Educational Video</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you don’t have time to learn a skill, you can instead watch a video to get insight into a new topic. TED Talks or similar videos on YouTube are a great resource for this type of learning.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>11. Take an Online Course</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The internet is filled with high-quality free courses on every topic under the sun. You can start an online course from Udemy or even Harvard University to pick up anytime you find yourself with extra time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>12. Learn a New Language</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Is learning a new language on your bucket list, but you never feel like you have enough time to sign up for a class? Maybe you wanted to learn some Japanese before your trip to Tokyo? You can use your spare time to learn the basics. Products like Duolingo and Toucan can help you do that with just 10 minutes of spare time a day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>13. Listen to an Audiobook or a Podcast</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Kick back and enjoy a good novel or podcast during your downtime. You’ll unplug and learn something new in a fun way. Spotify or Audible are both good resources to check out — the more you listen, the more relevant recommendations you’ll get.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>14. Read an Interesting Article or Newsletter</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Bookmark interesting articles you come across throughout the week. You can use an app like Pocket to help you save them. Then, when you find yourself bored, you can go back to them and enjoy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Work Productivity</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you can afford to take a break from your main work tasks, it’s your chance to get to things that otherwise get neglected. Here are a few productive things to do when bored at work to help you stay organized for future productivity.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>15. Clean Your Workspace</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take some time to declutter your desk. Clearing your workspace can help you clear your mind as well. Having clutter-free space on the outside will help you feel similar on the inside.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>16. Look Up Productivity Tips and Habits</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This is the perfect time to look up the newest productivity hacks and daily habits. Work is continually changing and new insights emerge to match transforming work environments. You can be productive by researching ways to be more productive!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>17. Respond to Emails and Clean Up Your Inbox</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Go through your email inbox and respond to those emails you’ve been meaning to for the past few weeks. Take some time to unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t find relevant. Organizing your emails can give you lots of satisfaction and help you be more productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>18. Ask Your Teammates if They Need Help</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you have some downtime, your teammates might be finding themselves underwater. Take a moment to reach out to see if they need any help. They’ll appreciate it and may be more likely to help you out when you need it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Your Personal Life</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some productive things to do when bored can include those activities that support your personal life. These can bring mental health benefits, more satisfaction in your relationships, and a better work-life balance.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>19. Call Your Friends and Family Members</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take advantage of your free time and check in with family and friends. When you’re constantly busy, it’s easy to fall out of touch with your loved ones. Call your best friend or your mom — chances are they want to hear from you too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>20. Batch Cook</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Create a meal plan and batch cook a few meals for the week. This will save you a lot of time in your daily routine, and it’s healthier and less expensive than ordering food. This may be a good moment to get creative and try out a new recipe you’ve been meaning to test.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>21. Clean Your House</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Already cleaned your desk? Move on to the rest of your house or home office. You’ll be more productive in a clean and organized environment and enjoy the work more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>22. Go Grocery Shopping</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The middle of a workday is a good time to step outside and go grocery shopping. If you have some free time, slip away and buy your groceries for the week.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bonus: 3 Things to Avoid When You’re Bored</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While it may be tempting to indulge in them, certain activities aren’t great to fill up your spare time at work. When you find yourself with unexpected time on your hands, try to avoid these three things.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Using Social Media</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Social media is a notorious black hole where it’s easy to get lost. Before you realize it, you’ve burned up your free time and don’t feel any more productive or happy. So close Facebook, LinkedIn, and social media accounts as well as Netflix and even Amazon. There are better ways to spend time when you’re bored.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Forcing Yourself to Work on Unimportant Tasks</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you find yourself procrastinating and context switching, it may be that you subconsciously know you’re not working on an important task. If you’re bored and have a lot of time, don’t force yourself to work on unimportant tasks. It’s usually not a good use of your time and energy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impulsively Starting New Projects</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you’re feeling bored, your mind may think up great ideas. Before you know it, you’re creating a vision board for an exciting project and coming up with new challenges for yourself.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This is not to say that you shouldn’t have ideas. But make sure to check in with yourself before you commit to a new project. Do you actually have the time and energy for this, or are there higher priorities that need to be accomplished first?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://rize.io/blog/22-productive-things-to-do-when-bored\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','22 Productive Things to Do When Bored','','publish','open','open','','22-productive-things-to-do-when-bored-2','','','2023-10-26 22:34:01','2023-10-26 22:34:01','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3556',0,'post','',0),(3557,1,'2023-10-26 22:31:13','2023-10-26 22:31:13','','Untitled-17','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-17','','','2023-10-26 22:31:13','2023-10-26 22:31:13','',3556,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-17.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3558,1,'2023-10-26 22:34:01','2023-10-26 22:34:01','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3557,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-17-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3557\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes, you find yourself with spare time on your hands, and nothing pressing needs to be done. When you’re bored and not sure what to do, this can be a great moment to nurture your personal or professional development.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Remember being “productive” doesn’t always mean producing immediate output. We like to consider productivity author and speaker Chris Bailey’s definition of productivity:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“[Productivity is] accomplishing what we intend to.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“If our intention is to empty our email inbox, write a report, and update our budget in Excel, and we do, I would argue that we\'re perfectly productive. The same is true if we intend to rest and unwind on a beach with a piña colada, soak in the sun, or drink coffee all day. If that\'s our intention and we do that, we\'re perfectly productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“The key to productivity is in the decision that comes before our actions.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With this in mind, we’ve created a list of productive things you can do with your extra time. You can use these ideas to stay productive when you find yourself getting distracted or bored.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>22 Productive Things to Do When Bored</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are the 22 productive things you can do when you’re bored. We’ll cover things you can do for your mental health, for self-reflection, for learning, for work productivity, and for your personal life.We’ll get into the details of how these activities may benefit you and when you may want to do them. We’ll also cover the three traps you can fall into and want to avoid when you have too much time on your hands.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Your Mental Health</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In your day-to-day busy schedule, you may not have the time to think about mental health. People are now more prone to burnout than ever. When you have a freer moment, you may want to use it to relieve some stress.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Relax</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Doing nothing can be productive. We often feel the pressure to constantly be doing something. But sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do with your free time is to pause, relax, and focus on self-care. Taking breaks is key to staying productive long term and critical for your mental health. If you’ve been gifted with some downtime, take advantage of it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Take a Walk</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We’re big advocates of walking. Going for a morning walk improves your productivity. It helps you clear your head, get you away from a computer screen, and oxygenate your body. Walking helps to regulate stress levels and improve your overall health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Meditate</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Meditation is a powerful habit that has numerous benefits to your well-being and mood. Practicing mindfulness calms your mind, makes you more grateful, and leaves you calmer and more focused. If you don’t know how to meditate, you can use a mindfulness app, such as Calm or Headspace.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Read a Novel</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Pick up a good book and let yourself get lost in the story. Reading improves your cognition and vocabulary, makes you more empathetic, reduces stress, and aids sleep. Reading a novel is a fun escape from the responsibilities of work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Exercise</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Physical activity is amazing for your overall health and productivity. Exercise helps keep your weight under control, improves your heart health, boosts your mood, improves your ability to think and learn, and helps you get better sleep. And you don’t have to do it for a long time to reap benefits — even 10 minutes a day is enough to improve your health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Self-Reflection</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes, you can use your extra time for a self-review. Take a look at how you’ve been doing in a chosen area of life, and see if there’s something you’d like to change or improve.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Journal</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Self-reflection through journaling is a great way to stay productive. Look at lists of the best self-reflection questions and the best self-reflection quotes to inspire you to get started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Reflect on Your Habits</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Developing good habits is one of the most important things you can do to build a successful and fulfilling career and personal life. While building and sticking to good habits is key, reflecting on them is just as important to make sure you’re focusing on the right habits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take a look at your morning routine, work breaks, and planning habits. Are you happy with how you approach them?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. Reflect on Your Time Management</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Time is your most valuable resource. Understanding how you spend it is the best way to remain productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One way to do it is using a time tracker like Rize to automatically track your time and focus. If you have some spare time, you can then explore the dashboard and see how efficient you’re being. Is there anything distracting you? Where are you wasting time? What can you start or stop doing? These are the questions you can ask to reflect and improve upon your time management skills.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Learning</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One of the most productive things to do when bored is learning. In the digital age, accessing valuable learning resources online is a piece of cake. Here are a few ideas to get you started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. Practice a New Skill</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With an internet connection, you have so many amazing resources at your fingertips. If you find yourself having some extra time, learn a new skill. There are amazing articles and YouTube channels on everything from woodworking to playing an instrument to DIY crafts and more.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Expanding your skill set can lead to finding an exciting new hobby or starting a side hustle. But even if it doesn\'t, it stimulates your brain — and that’s productive enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. Watch an Educational Video</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you don’t have time to learn a skill, you can instead watch a video to get insight into a new topic. TED Talks or similar videos on YouTube are a great resource for this type of learning.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>11. Take an Online Course</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The internet is filled with high-quality free courses on every topic under the sun. You can start an online course from Udemy or even Harvard University to pick up anytime you find yourself with extra time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>12. Learn a New Language</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Is learning a new language on your bucket list, but you never feel like you have enough time to sign up for a class? Maybe you wanted to learn some Japanese before your trip to Tokyo? You can use your spare time to learn the basics. Products like Duolingo and Toucan can help you do that with just 10 minutes of spare time a day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>13. Listen to an Audiobook or a Podcast</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Kick back and enjoy a good novel or podcast during your downtime. You’ll unplug and learn something new in a fun way. Spotify or Audible are both good resources to check out — the more you listen, the more relevant recommendations you’ll get.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>14. Read an Interesting Article or Newsletter</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Bookmark interesting articles you come across throughout the week. You can use an app like Pocket to help you save them. Then, when you find yourself bored, you can go back to them and enjoy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Work Productivity</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you can afford to take a break from your main work tasks, it’s your chance to get to things that otherwise get neglected. Here are a few productive things to do when bored at work to help you stay organized for future productivity.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>15. Clean Your Workspace</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take some time to declutter your desk. Clearing your workspace can help you clear your mind as well. Having clutter-free space on the outside will help you feel similar on the inside.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>16. Look Up Productivity Tips and Habits</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This is the perfect time to look up the newest productivity hacks and daily habits. Work is continually changing and new insights emerge to match transforming work environments. You can be productive by researching ways to be more productive!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>17. Respond to Emails and Clean Up Your Inbox</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Go through your email inbox and respond to those emails you’ve been meaning to for the past few weeks. Take some time to unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t find relevant. Organizing your emails can give you lots of satisfaction and help you be more productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>18. Ask Your Teammates if They Need Help</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you have some downtime, your teammates might be finding themselves underwater. Take a moment to reach out to see if they need any help. They’ll appreciate it and may be more likely to help you out when you need it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to Do for Your Personal Life</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some productive things to do when bored can include those activities that support your personal life. These can bring mental health benefits, more satisfaction in your relationships, and a better work-life balance.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>19. Call Your Friends and Family Members</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take advantage of your free time and check in with family and friends. When you’re constantly busy, it’s easy to fall out of touch with your loved ones. Call your best friend or your mom — chances are they want to hear from you too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>20. Batch Cook</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Create a meal plan and batch cook a few meals for the week. This will save you a lot of time in your daily routine, and it’s healthier and less expensive than ordering food. This may be a good moment to get creative and try out a new recipe you’ve been meaning to test.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>21. Clean Your House</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Already cleaned your desk? Move on to the rest of your house or home office. You’ll be more productive in a clean and organized environment and enjoy the work more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>22. Go Grocery Shopping</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The middle of a workday is a good time to step outside and go grocery shopping. If you have some free time, slip away and buy your groceries for the week.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bonus: 3 Things to Avoid When You’re Bored</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While it may be tempting to indulge in them, certain activities aren’t great to fill up your spare time at work. When you find yourself with unexpected time on your hands, try to avoid these three things.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Using Social Media</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Social media is a notorious black hole where it’s easy to get lost. Before you realize it, you’ve burned up your free time and don’t feel any more productive or happy. So close Facebook, LinkedIn, and social media accounts as well as Netflix and even Amazon. There are better ways to spend time when you’re bored.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Forcing Yourself to Work on Unimportant Tasks</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you find yourself procrastinating and context switching, it may be that you subconsciously know you’re not working on an important task. If you’re bored and have a lot of time, don’t force yourself to work on unimportant tasks. It’s usually not a good use of your time and energy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impulsively Starting New Projects</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you’re feeling bored, your mind may think up great ideas. Before you know it, you’re creating a vision board for an exciting project and coming up with new challenges for yourself.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This is not to say that you shouldn’t have ideas. But make sure to check in with yourself before you commit to a new project. Do you actually have the time and energy for this, or are there higher priorities that need to be accomplished first?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://rize.io/blog/22-productive-things-to-do-when-bored\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','22 Productive Things to Do When Bored','','inherit','closed','closed','','3556-revision-v1','','','2023-10-26 22:34:01','2023-10-26 22:34:01','',3556,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3558',0,'revision','',0),(3559,1,'2023-10-27 00:08:40','2023-10-27 00:08:40','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want to have a good retirement, you need to figure out what that means to you. Do some life planning for retirement, set goals, and use these retirement tips to create a plan that allows you to achieve exactly what you want. What do most of us want? It is usually pretty simple, we want a happy, wealthy, and happy retirement.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3560,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-18-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3560\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A happy retirement is no longer really about sitting with your feet up and watching the rest of the world whiz by. Many people now think that retirement is a time for embarking on one of life’s greatest adventures. This is the time to do what you want with the experience-laden good sense to appreciate it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How to be happy in retirement? Here are 98 retirement tips that can help you have a really good retirement. Make this the best time of your life!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Browse below and&nbsp;<strong>share this article with friends and family</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-have-a-sense-of-purpose-and-meaning\">1. Have a Sense of Purpose and Meaning</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Make every day meaningful. Oxford University suggests that a meaningful life lessens the effects of aging. And, research from Patrick Hill and Nicholas Turiano found that people who have a sense or purpose or direction in life outlive their peers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In fact, people with a sense of purpose had a 15 percent lower risk of death, compared with those who said they were more or less aimless. And it didn’t seem to matter when people found their direction. It could be in their 20s, 50s, or 70s – even when controlled for other factors that affect longevity like age, gender, and emotional well-being.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-create-the-most-complete-retirement-plan-possible\">2. Create the Most Complete Retirement Plan Possible</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most people have lived their lives day to day, month to month, year to year.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>However, retirement is the time to have the best and most complete plan possible. You want to spend this time of your life doing what you want to do and you want to make sure you have the finances and wherewithal to achieve what is important.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Online retirement planning tools like the NewRetirement Planner can help you plan. However, be careful of simple retirement calculators. Those can be good for quick answers, but aren’t reliable enough for financial security. Working with a financial advisor is another excellent way to achieve your goals.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Overcome the Terror of Spending Your Nest Egg</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Terror about retirement spending is not uncommon. In fact, most people are worried about spending their nest egg and running out of money. After all, you have been conditioned for decades to earn, not spend.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Worried? Get Reassurances</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is perfectly normal to feel worried about your retirement plans. You don’t want to retire and only later discover that you overlooked something or made a mistake.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The NewRetirement Planner is a DIY system that is designed to give you confidence about your future, but there is a lot that goes into a plan. We have options for getting additional help.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-imagine-your-future\">5. Imagine Your Future</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Perhaps the best way to plan for retirement is to visualize your future — really think about the details of who you will be, where and why. Being able to imagine now who you will be in the future and what your needs and desires will be at that time is perhaps the most important aspect of planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Make Friends with Your Future Self</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hopefully you like the person you are now. And, if all goes well, you will like the person you’ll be in the future.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Cultivating a friendship with a version of who you will be as you age, helps you gain a sense of direction, motivation, and accountability. Furthermore, you can tap into their wisdom and resilience, enabling you to overcome challenges and make more informed decisions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-think-health-not-wealth\">7. Think Health Not Wealth</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to an AgeWave study, more than 80% of today’s retirees say health is the most important ingredient for a happy retirement, meaning that the majority value good health even over financial security.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>So, the best retirement plan involves not just your finances but also ways to stay mentally and physically healthy. Gardening, walking, joining a gym, and eating healthy are all proven ways to stay physically healthy. Staying vital, having a purpose, and challenging yourself mentally are great ways to maintain your mental health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Additionally, it is important to plan for how to fund healthcare costs. Americans age 50+ cite health care costs in retirement as their greatest financial concern, regardless of their wealth level. Yet the vast majority of people have not factored these costs into their retirement planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-trade-time-for-money\">8. Trade Time for Money</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you can live on a little less than you have been planning, then retirement can be a lot closer than you might have thought possible. Cut expenses dramatically and the time to retire might be tomorrow.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How you spend your time is probably more important to your retirement happiness and before as how much money you save and earn. Don’t overlook the value of your time – how you spend it, where, and with whom – in your retirement planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9-volunteer-and-feel-great\">9. Volunteer and Feel Great</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you are looking for meaning in retirement, volunteering might be something to try.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to an Encore.org study, 55% of Americans believe that putting skills and expertise to use in some fashion to help others is an important part of how they view retirement. And 28% put post-midlife work with real social impact at the center of their planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-want-health-in-retirement-make-exercise-fun\">10. Want Health in Retirement? Make Exercise Fun</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Try making exercise something you look forward to instead of something you have to do. Instead of walking (trudging) on a treadmill, take walks through the park or go for mini hikes. Still does not appeal to you? Why not listen to music or, better yet, bring a friend along and talk and laugh as you get the heart rate going.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Best of all, there is a bonus to the fun! Research from Cornell Food and Brand Lab found that those who think they are having fun while exercising end up eating less than those who are doing it for exercise.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-11-and-if-walking-is-your-exercise-walk-fast\">11. And, If Walking Is Your Exercise, Walk Fast</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Many research studies have found that how fast you walk after age 60 is a good gauge of longevity. Apparently, your walking speed can predict dementia, shorter life spans, and depression.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In one study, published in Neurology, researcher Dr. Joe Verghese says “As a young researcher, I examined hundreds of patients and noticed that if an older person was walking slowly, there was a good chance that his cognitive tests were also abnormal.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-12-think-income-not-investments\">12. Think Income Not Investments</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Esteemed economists like Nobel Prize winner Robert Merton believe that it is more important to estimate and plan for your retirement income needs than worry about investments and how much you need for retirement. He recommends dividing your income needs into three categories:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Minimum guaranteed retirement income – This category is for how much income you need to maintain your life at the bare minimum. Your retirement assets should be allocated to guarantee this income for as long as you live. Social Security and lifetime annuities are two common guaranteed income sources.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Flexible income – This category is for how much income you would like to live at your desired lifestyle. Income for this category should come from conservatively invested assets.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Nice to haves – You can take some risks with investments in this category.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-13-leave-behind-more-wealth-than-you-had-when-you-first-retired\">13. Leave Behind More Wealth than You Had When You First Retired</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Retirement is not always about scrimping and saving. Many people are lucky enough to be able to increase their wealth throughout retirement. Bud Hebeler was one such guy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-14-create-and-maintain-a-comprehensive-investment-strategy\">14. Create and Maintain a Comprehensive Investment Strategy</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Perhaps too much emphasis has been put on retirement investments, but it is not something you want to get wrong.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Creating an investment policy statement could be the secret weapon your retirement needs. An investment policy statement defines your investment goals, strategies for achieving those objectives, a framework for making changes to your plans, and options for what to do if things don’t go as expected. This type of document can help you make more rational decisions about your money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-15-don-t-overlook-taxes\">15. Don’t Overlook Taxes</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When it comes to your retirement planning, saving, investing, and plotting how to spend your free time are at the top of the list. How much you will have to pay in taxes after retirement may be the last thing on your mind, but taxes can be a bigger swing in your wealth than investment returns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-16-keep-a-schedule-and-follow-7-other-overlooked-retirement-skills\">16. Keep a Schedule and Follow 7 Other Overlooked Retirement Skills</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It can be difficult figuring out just what to do with your time once the 9 to 5 is over and done. Retirement is a major life change, and not all of it is fun. But with a schedule, you can help avoid the boredom and restlessness that comes with switching from a busy life to one where busyness only happens because you want it to.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Studies have shown that a structured life is one of the keys to happiness. Work usually imposes a schedule and structure on your life. When you retire, you are faced with days and evenings at your leisure. While you may find this novel and a bit exciting, you may want to define some specific routines to maintain order and structure.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-17-research-the-best-places-to-retire-and-go-there\">17. Research the Best Places to Retire and Go There</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>New lists about the best places to retire are common. While it is possible that you already live in the best place for you, it is also possible that there is a better place for your retirement. Best of all, relocating may give you more money for retirement expenses if you manage to downsize or move to a more economical location.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Retirement doesn’t have to mean that you’ll stay in the same house where you’ve always lived. Downsizing can free up your time. And moving to a 50+ community can surround you with like-minded people with similar interests. There’s less home maintenance, too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-18-make-your-travel-dreams-a-reality\">18. Make Your Travel Dreams a Reality</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to surveys of NewRetirement users, knowing how to have a happy retirement typically involves figuring out how to travel. Travel is clearly the most popular and desired pursuit for this phase of life. From day trips by car to round the world journeys, retirees have wanderlust!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Achieving what you want out of retirement can be a matter of setting a goal and then prioritizing that goal above everything else. Using a the Retirement Planner can help you visualize what you need to do to achieve whatever is important to you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-19-think-positively-about-aging\">19. Think Positively About Aging</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“<em>There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age</em>.” ― Sophia Loren</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Really interesting retirement happiness research from Becca Levy, an associate professor of epidemiology and psychology at Yale University, shows that Sophia Loren was onto something.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Levy has found that when older adults think of getting old as a positive experience – being about wisdom, self-realization and satisfaction – they then.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Function at a higher level</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Live 7.5 years longer</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Are more likely to eat well, exercise and avoid vice</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-20-some-researchers-think-aging-is-optional\">20. Some Researchers Think Aging is… Optional…?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>David Sinclair is a Harvard professor who made Time Magazine’s list of of the 100 most influential people in 2014. He argues that aging is… optional.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>He believes that growing old is not a natural part of life but rather a disease that needs a cure. The bad news is that, yes, everyone does need to die at some point, but he says that we can double our life expectancy AND live healthy active lives right up until the end.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-21-avoid-retirement-depression-it-is-more-common-than-you-might-think\">21. Avoid Retirement Depression (It is More Common Than You Might Think)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A study published in the Journal of Population Ageing found that those who were retired were about twice as likely to report feeling symptoms of depression than those who were still working. And, research from the London-based Institute of Economic Affairs found that the likelihood that someone will suffer from clinical depression actually goes up by about 40% after retiring.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-22-spend-time-with-the-grandkids\">22. Spend Time with the Grandkids</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Research from the Institute on Aging at Boston College found that grandparents who were able to both give and receive support from grandchildren are less likely to be depressed. In fact, “the greater emotional support grandparents and adult grandchildren received from one another, the better their psychological health,” said Sara M. Moorman, an assistant professor at Boston College.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you have grandkids, spending active play time with them can help you stay healthier. Active play doesn’t have to mean that you’ll climb a tree, but you can play other games and go on outings together. The National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) says spending time with the little ones you love is also great for bonding.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-23-have-you-found-your-ikigai\">23. Have You Found Your Ikigai?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The residents of the Japanese island of Okinawa have discovered three proven concepts for happy longevity: ikigai, moai, and hara hachi bu.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-24-make-sure-your-retirement-planning-includes-your-spouse-and-loved-ones\">24. Make Sure Your Retirement Planning Includes Your Spouse and Loved Ones</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It may seem obvious, but it is actually important to remember to include loved ones — especially spouses — in your retirement planning. A survey by Fidelity Investments found that finances and retirement planning are extremely difficult subjects for married couples.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Going through a retirement calculator can be an excellent way to really get into the details with your loved one(s). Just make sure you use a retirement calculator for couples.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-25-single-here-are-tips-for-you\">25. Single? Here Are Tips for You</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether by circumstances or choice, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that almost a third of men (31%) and more than half of women (55%) are unmarried at age 65 or older, most often due to the death of a spouse. These aging adults are often referred to as elder orphans or solo seniors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are some challenges to retiring alone.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-26-if-you-have-a-health-setback-adopt-a-positive-outlook\">26. If You Have a Health Setback, Adopt a Positive Outlook</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Much new research indicates that you are who you think you are. The power of positive thinking is turning out to be very true.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that seniors with a positive bias toward themselves and life are 44 percent more likely to fully recover from a bout of disability than someone with a negative outlook.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-27-find-a-motto-for-your-retirement-put-it-on-your-refrigerator\">27. Find a Motto for Your Retirement – Put it On Your Refrigerator</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Keeping your retirement goals front and center is important. Some people write down their goals, keep a budget or plan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Other ideas include creating a Pinterest board with your retirement goals or finding a famous retirement quote, a funny and inspirational quote about retirement and aging or a quote about the pros or cons of retirement and putting it up on your refrigerator.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Maybe you could write your retirement manifesto.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-28-protect-yourself-from-fraud\">28. Protect Yourself from Fraud</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Seniors are an all too common target of fraud. According to the National Council on Aging, “approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-29-stay-married-especially-if-you-are-a-man\">29. Stay Married – Especially If You Are a Man</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Marriage is good for you, and so are long-term relationships. This Psychophysiology study points out that while stressful marriages are detrimental as we age, strong relationships with a partner help in nearly every aspect of life.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Additional research from Harvard Medical School found that men who have marital partners live longer than men without spouses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Even though you might spend every day together once you retire, date night is something different and special.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-30-devote-time-to-retirement-planning-even-after-you-retire\">30. Devote Time to Retirement Planning – Even After You Retire</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Research shows that most people spend more time buying a TV, making a restaurant reservation, and planning a vacation than they do planning their retirement.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Planning, assessing, and updating your retirement plans should be on your monthly checklist – even after you retire. It is important to check in with your budget and investments and adjust as necessary. Online tools like the NewRetirement Planner can help.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-31-don-t-let-retirement-taxes-get-you-down\">31. Don’t Let Retirement Taxes Get You Down</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For most people, taxes are the opposite of a happy retirement. In fact, according to Pew Research, 56% of Americans hate or dislike doing taxes. (Although, there are actually 5% of people who love it. Who are these crazy people?)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you would rather spend less money on retirement taxes, it is a good idea to plan ahead to minimize this expense.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-32-spend-your-savings-safely\">32. Spend Your Savings (Safely)!</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You want to have a clear plan in place for making your savings last, but experts are finding that many of today’s retirees simply aren’t spending enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are so many questions. Good news: the Stanford Center on Longevity in collaboration with the Society of Actuaries (SOA) has some answers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-33-adjust-to-turning-your-perspective-upside-down\">33. Adjust to Turning Your Perspective Upside Down</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Retirement is a big deal. Both your lifestyle and your finances do an almost 180 when you retire. Your time is suddenly spent in leisure not work and you go from earning money to spending. It can be challenging to go from a focus on accumulation (saving, saving, saving) to spending (efficient use and drawdown of your assets).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-34-be-social\">34. Be Social</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may be retired, but working on creating and maintaining friendships is one of your most important “jobs” as a retired person.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Research abounds on the benefits of being social as we age. The links between healthy social relationships and better health are well established. One study from the Pennsylvania State University found that when the social activities are linked to physical exercise, even more benefits are achieved.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>And, it turns out that the opposite is also true. Researchers found that loneliness in older people may significantly increase the chance of death. Psychologist John Cacioppo says that loneliness may have twice the impact on early death as obesity and is as damaging as disadvantaged socioeconomic status.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, maintaining friendships is actually critical to your health and well-being.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You need people you can rely on emotionally and for real life help. And, believe it or not, science says that you are way better off when you have people who rely on you!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-35-be-social-with-people-outside-your-age-group\">35. Be Social with People Outside Your Age Group</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It turns out that there are some powerful benefits to have younger (and older) pals — a sense of vitality, energy, different perspectives and more. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-36-choose-the-right-time-to-start-social-security\">36. Choose the Right Time to Start Social Security</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The later you start Social Security, the more monthly income you will receive. You might be eligible to begin benefits at 62, but delaying the start of benefits can reap big rewards.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-37-buy-happiness\">37. Buy Happiness</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yep. Money actually can buy happiness.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>From buying time to investing in experiences, there are multiple ways that you can spend money to achieve retirement happiness.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-38-know-your-best-years-may-be-yet-to-come\">38. Know Your Best Years May Be Yet to Come</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This is likely to surprise you. I was kind of shocked. But, a few years ago researchers identified the two ages in an adult’s life when you are likely to be at your happiest.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Experts from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences found that happiness peaks at the ages of <strong>23</strong> and <strong>69.</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whoa! <strong>Sixty-nine!</strong> That is older than many of us.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-39-are-you-a-family-caregiver-be-careful-to-keep-your-own-retirement-on-track\">39. Are You a Family Caregiver? Be Careful to Keep Your Own Retirement on Track</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The costs of being a caregiver can be overwhelming. There is the extreme emotional turmoil but there are also serious financial concerns — from money spent out of pocket and from time spent caregiving instead of earning income.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While you may only be able to think about how to help the person you are caring for, there are steps you can take to protect your own retirement. You deserve the time it takes to care for your own self, too. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-40-get-a-dog\">40. Get a Dog</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The research on the benefits of owning a dog is pretty overwhelming. Beyond emotional benefits like their unconditional love of us, one study found that dog owners need fewer doctor visits. Another study from Australia found that pet owners had lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and a lower heart attack risk than people without pets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Other research has suggested that caring for a dog, in particular, is healthful in that it keeps us vital and generally insures that we get a walk every day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-41-don-t-stop-budgeting\">41. Don’t Stop Budgeting</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’ve saved well, you’ll want to be sure that your retirement funds last as long as you need them to. And if your finances are less-than-stellar, it’s even more important to budget, since you won’t have next week’s paycheck to supplement financial mistakes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Willingness to be flexible with spending is “absolutely key” both before and during retirement, says Jon R. King, certified financial planner with Austin, Texas-based Pegasus Financial Solutions, LLC. “Spending before retirement is important because the less you spend, the more you save,” he says. “Cutting spending after retirement makes [your money] last longer.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-42-keep-learning-about-finances\">42. Keep Learning About Finances</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A recent survey suggests that financial literacy is lower than even most people might expect. Fidelity asked more than 2000 people — half who were between the ages of 55 and 65 and not retired — questions in eight different retirement categories. The average that people got right was a mere 30 percent. Absolutely nobody got all the questions correct and the highest overall grade was 79 percent. Can you do better?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Resources for learning:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Books about retirement, aging, and personal finance</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Subscribe to the NewRetirement newsletter</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Watch relevant Ted Talks</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Follow trusted YouTube retirement experts like Joe Kuhn and Rob Berger</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Attend a class. Check out the NewRetirement classroom.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Join a group. Try the NewRetirement Facebook or Reddit group. (Even if you don’t ask a question or comment, you’ll learn by hearing what other people have to say.)</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Listen to a Podcast. The NewRetirement Podcast has a variety of guests including Noble Prize Winners, authors, and regular people who have retired early and have tips to share.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-43-be-sure-to-plan-your-next-big-financial-goal-your-estate\">43. Be Sure to Plan Your Next Big Financial Goal: Your Estate!</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A big part of retirement planning is figuring out how much you can and want to leave behind to heirs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Do you know what your estate is likely to be? And, have you created all the recommended documents and kept your paperwork up to date? Find out by using the Retirement Planner! This is critically important.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-44-know-your-money-personality-type\">44. Know Your Money Personality Type</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For better and worse, your genes and your circumstances have conspired to create a money personality type.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Understanding your money attitudes and habits can be useful to creating a stronger financial future.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-45-be-realistic-about-what-retirement-will-mean-to-your-lifestyle\">45. Be Realistic About What Retirement Will Mean to Your Lifestyle</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While many things are fairly universal for retirees, such as having lots of time to do what you want, some things might surprise you. Boredom can be a big problem, especially for someone who is used to a busy pre-retirement life. Time isn’t necessarily fun when it’s spent in front of the TV wishing you had something to do.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-46-continually-optimize-your-health-insurance\">46. Continually Optimize Your Health Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is important to re-evaluate your supplemental Medicare coverage every year. Insurance companies change policies and your health changes too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Shopping for the best supplemental coverage can really save you money and improve your benefits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-47-don-t-forget-to-plan-for-a-long-term-care-need\">47. Don’t Forget to Plan for a Long-Term Care Need</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You also want to look at ways to fund long-term care costs. Long-term care is not covered by Medicare or Medicare supplemental insurance. And, research suggests that at least 52% of people turning 65 today will need long term care at some point.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You need to plan for it!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The NewRetirement Planner allows you to try out different strategies for planning for long term care as part of your overall plan.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Discover how much long term care insurance costs.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Explore creative or unexpected ways to cover long term care.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What are the pros and cons of long-term care?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-48-prepare-for-the-awful-things-that-are-likely-to-happen\">48. Prepare for the Awful Things that Are Likely to Happen</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We all want a happy, healthy and wealthy retirement. But the reality is that awful things are probably going to happen.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-49-throw-a-retirement-party\">49. Throw a Retirement Party</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Retirement really is something to celebrate. And, if you have a good retirement plan, that is a major achievement — something to be really proud of!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-50-will-a-retirement-survival-pack-help-you-have-a-happier-retirement\">50. Will a Retirement Survival Pack Help You Have a Happier Retirement?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>From calendars to help you maintain a schedule to replacements for what you will miss from work plus books, apps and tools for staying physically and mentally healthy, discover a retirement survival pack.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/retirement-tips-healthy-wealthy-happy-retirement/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','98 Tips for a Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy Retirement!','','publish','open','open','','98-tips-for-a-healthy-wealthy-and-happy-retirement','','','2023-10-27 00:08:40','2023-10-27 00:08:40','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3559',0,'post','',0),(3560,1,'2023-10-26 22:35:30','2023-10-26 22:35:30','','Untitled-18','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-18','','','2023-10-26 22:35:30','2023-10-26 22:35:30','',3559,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-18.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3561,1,'2023-10-27 00:08:40','2023-10-27 00:08:40','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want to have a good retirement, you need to figure out what that means to you. Do some life planning for retirement, set goals, and use these retirement tips to create a plan that allows you to achieve exactly what you want. What do most of us want? It is usually pretty simple, we want a happy, wealthy, and happy retirement.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3560,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-18-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3560\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A happy retirement is no longer really about sitting with your feet up and watching the rest of the world whiz by. Many people now think that retirement is a time for embarking on one of life’s greatest adventures. This is the time to do what you want with the experience-laden good sense to appreciate it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How to be happy in retirement? Here are 98 retirement tips that can help you have a really good retirement. Make this the best time of your life!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Browse below and&nbsp;<strong>share this article with friends and family</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-have-a-sense-of-purpose-and-meaning\">1. Have a Sense of Purpose and Meaning</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Make every day meaningful. Oxford University suggests that a meaningful life lessens the effects of aging. And, research from Patrick Hill and Nicholas Turiano found that people who have a sense or purpose or direction in life outlive their peers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In fact, people with a sense of purpose had a 15 percent lower risk of death, compared with those who said they were more or less aimless. And it didn’t seem to matter when people found their direction. It could be in their 20s, 50s, or 70s – even when controlled for other factors that affect longevity like age, gender, and emotional well-being.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-create-the-most-complete-retirement-plan-possible\">2. Create the Most Complete Retirement Plan Possible</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most people have lived their lives day to day, month to month, year to year.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>However, retirement is the time to have the best and most complete plan possible. You want to spend this time of your life doing what you want to do and you want to make sure you have the finances and wherewithal to achieve what is important.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Online retirement planning tools like the NewRetirement Planner can help you plan. However, be careful of simple retirement calculators. Those can be good for quick answers, but aren’t reliable enough for financial security. Working with a financial advisor is another excellent way to achieve your goals.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Overcome the Terror of Spending Your Nest Egg</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Terror about retirement spending is not uncommon. In fact, most people are worried about spending their nest egg and running out of money. After all, you have been conditioned for decades to earn, not spend.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Worried? Get Reassurances</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is perfectly normal to feel worried about your retirement plans. You don’t want to retire and only later discover that you overlooked something or made a mistake.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The NewRetirement Planner is a DIY system that is designed to give you confidence about your future, but there is a lot that goes into a plan. We have options for getting additional help.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-imagine-your-future\">5. Imagine Your Future</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Perhaps the best way to plan for retirement is to visualize your future — really think about the details of who you will be, where and why. Being able to imagine now who you will be in the future and what your needs and desires will be at that time is perhaps the most important aspect of planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Make Friends with Your Future Self</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hopefully you like the person you are now. And, if all goes well, you will like the person you’ll be in the future.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Cultivating a friendship with a version of who you will be as you age, helps you gain a sense of direction, motivation, and accountability. Furthermore, you can tap into their wisdom and resilience, enabling you to overcome challenges and make more informed decisions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-think-health-not-wealth\">7. Think Health Not Wealth</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to an AgeWave study, more than 80% of today’s retirees say health is the most important ingredient for a happy retirement, meaning that the majority value good health even over financial security.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>So, the best retirement plan involves not just your finances but also ways to stay mentally and physically healthy. Gardening, walking, joining a gym, and eating healthy are all proven ways to stay physically healthy. Staying vital, having a purpose, and challenging yourself mentally are great ways to maintain your mental health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Additionally, it is important to plan for how to fund healthcare costs. Americans age 50+ cite health care costs in retirement as their greatest financial concern, regardless of their wealth level. Yet the vast majority of people have not factored these costs into their retirement planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-trade-time-for-money\">8. Trade Time for Money</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you can live on a little less than you have been planning, then retirement can be a lot closer than you might have thought possible. Cut expenses dramatically and the time to retire might be tomorrow.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How you spend your time is probably more important to your retirement happiness and before as how much money you save and earn. Don’t overlook the value of your time – how you spend it, where, and with whom – in your retirement planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9-volunteer-and-feel-great\">9. Volunteer and Feel Great</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you are looking for meaning in retirement, volunteering might be something to try.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to an Encore.org study, 55% of Americans believe that putting skills and expertise to use in some fashion to help others is an important part of how they view retirement. And 28% put post-midlife work with real social impact at the center of their planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-want-health-in-retirement-make-exercise-fun\">10. Want Health in Retirement? Make Exercise Fun</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Try making exercise something you look forward to instead of something you have to do. Instead of walking (trudging) on a treadmill, take walks through the park or go for mini hikes. Still does not appeal to you? Why not listen to music or, better yet, bring a friend along and talk and laugh as you get the heart rate going.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Best of all, there is a bonus to the fun! Research from Cornell Food and Brand Lab found that those who think they are having fun while exercising end up eating less than those who are doing it for exercise.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-11-and-if-walking-is-your-exercise-walk-fast\">11. And, If Walking Is Your Exercise, Walk Fast</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Many research studies have found that how fast you walk after age 60 is a good gauge of longevity. Apparently, your walking speed can predict dementia, shorter life spans, and depression.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In one study, published in Neurology, researcher Dr. Joe Verghese says “As a young researcher, I examined hundreds of patients and noticed that if an older person was walking slowly, there was a good chance that his cognitive tests were also abnormal.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-12-think-income-not-investments\">12. Think Income Not Investments</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Esteemed economists like Nobel Prize winner Robert Merton believe that it is more important to estimate and plan for your retirement income needs than worry about investments and how much you need for retirement. He recommends dividing your income needs into three categories:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Minimum guaranteed retirement income – This category is for how much income you need to maintain your life at the bare minimum. Your retirement assets should be allocated to guarantee this income for as long as you live. Social Security and lifetime annuities are two common guaranteed income sources.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Flexible income – This category is for how much income you would like to live at your desired lifestyle. Income for this category should come from conservatively invested assets.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Nice to haves – You can take some risks with investments in this category.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-13-leave-behind-more-wealth-than-you-had-when-you-first-retired\">13. Leave Behind More Wealth than You Had When You First Retired</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Retirement is not always about scrimping and saving. Many people are lucky enough to be able to increase their wealth throughout retirement. Bud Hebeler was one such guy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-14-create-and-maintain-a-comprehensive-investment-strategy\">14. Create and Maintain a Comprehensive Investment Strategy</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Perhaps too much emphasis has been put on retirement investments, but it is not something you want to get wrong.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Creating an investment policy statement could be the secret weapon your retirement needs. An investment policy statement defines your investment goals, strategies for achieving those objectives, a framework for making changes to your plans, and options for what to do if things don’t go as expected. This type of document can help you make more rational decisions about your money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-15-don-t-overlook-taxes\">15. Don’t Overlook Taxes</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When it comes to your retirement planning, saving, investing, and plotting how to spend your free time are at the top of the list. How much you will have to pay in taxes after retirement may be the last thing on your mind, but taxes can be a bigger swing in your wealth than investment returns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-16-keep-a-schedule-and-follow-7-other-overlooked-retirement-skills\">16. Keep a Schedule and Follow 7 Other Overlooked Retirement Skills</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It can be difficult figuring out just what to do with your time once the 9 to 5 is over and done. Retirement is a major life change, and not all of it is fun. But with a schedule, you can help avoid the boredom and restlessness that comes with switching from a busy life to one where busyness only happens because you want it to.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Studies have shown that a structured life is one of the keys to happiness. Work usually imposes a schedule and structure on your life. When you retire, you are faced with days and evenings at your leisure. While you may find this novel and a bit exciting, you may want to define some specific routines to maintain order and structure.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-17-research-the-best-places-to-retire-and-go-there\">17. Research the Best Places to Retire and Go There</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>New lists about the best places to retire are common. While it is possible that you already live in the best place for you, it is also possible that there is a better place for your retirement. Best of all, relocating may give you more money for retirement expenses if you manage to downsize or move to a more economical location.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Retirement doesn’t have to mean that you’ll stay in the same house where you’ve always lived. Downsizing can free up your time. And moving to a 50+ community can surround you with like-minded people with similar interests. There’s less home maintenance, too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-18-make-your-travel-dreams-a-reality\">18. Make Your Travel Dreams a Reality</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to surveys of NewRetirement users, knowing how to have a happy retirement typically involves figuring out how to travel. Travel is clearly the most popular and desired pursuit for this phase of life. From day trips by car to round the world journeys, retirees have wanderlust!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Achieving what you want out of retirement can be a matter of setting a goal and then prioritizing that goal above everything else. Using a the Retirement Planner can help you visualize what you need to do to achieve whatever is important to you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-19-think-positively-about-aging\">19. Think Positively About Aging</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“<em>There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age</em>.” ― Sophia Loren</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Really interesting retirement happiness research from Becca Levy, an associate professor of epidemiology and psychology at Yale University, shows that Sophia Loren was onto something.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Levy has found that when older adults think of getting old as a positive experience – being about wisdom, self-realization and satisfaction – they then.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Function at a higher level</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Live 7.5 years longer</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Are more likely to eat well, exercise and avoid vice</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-20-some-researchers-think-aging-is-optional\">20. Some Researchers Think Aging is… Optional…?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>David Sinclair is a Harvard professor who made Time Magazine’s list of of the 100 most influential people in 2014. He argues that aging is… optional.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>He believes that growing old is not a natural part of life but rather a disease that needs a cure. The bad news is that, yes, everyone does need to die at some point, but he says that we can double our life expectancy AND live healthy active lives right up until the end.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-21-avoid-retirement-depression-it-is-more-common-than-you-might-think\">21. Avoid Retirement Depression (It is More Common Than You Might Think)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A study published in the Journal of Population Ageing found that those who were retired were about twice as likely to report feeling symptoms of depression than those who were still working. And, research from the London-based Institute of Economic Affairs found that the likelihood that someone will suffer from clinical depression actually goes up by about 40% after retiring.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-22-spend-time-with-the-grandkids\">22. Spend Time with the Grandkids</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Research from the Institute on Aging at Boston College found that grandparents who were able to both give and receive support from grandchildren are less likely to be depressed. In fact, “the greater emotional support grandparents and adult grandchildren received from one another, the better their psychological health,” said Sara M. Moorman, an assistant professor at Boston College.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you have grandkids, spending active play time with them can help you stay healthier. Active play doesn’t have to mean that you’ll climb a tree, but you can play other games and go on outings together. The National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) says spending time with the little ones you love is also great for bonding.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-23-have-you-found-your-ikigai\">23. Have You Found Your Ikigai?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The residents of the Japanese island of Okinawa have discovered three proven concepts for happy longevity: ikigai, moai, and hara hachi bu.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-24-make-sure-your-retirement-planning-includes-your-spouse-and-loved-ones\">24. Make Sure Your Retirement Planning Includes Your Spouse and Loved Ones</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It may seem obvious, but it is actually important to remember to include loved ones — especially spouses — in your retirement planning. A survey by Fidelity Investments found that finances and retirement planning are extremely difficult subjects for married couples.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Going through a retirement calculator can be an excellent way to really get into the details with your loved one(s). Just make sure you use a retirement calculator for couples.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-25-single-here-are-tips-for-you\">25. Single? Here Are Tips for You</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether by circumstances or choice, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that almost a third of men (31%) and more than half of women (55%) are unmarried at age 65 or older, most often due to the death of a spouse. These aging adults are often referred to as elder orphans or solo seniors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are some challenges to retiring alone.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-26-if-you-have-a-health-setback-adopt-a-positive-outlook\">26. If You Have a Health Setback, Adopt a Positive Outlook</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Much new research indicates that you are who you think you are. The power of positive thinking is turning out to be very true.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that seniors with a positive bias toward themselves and life are 44 percent more likely to fully recover from a bout of disability than someone with a negative outlook.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-27-find-a-motto-for-your-retirement-put-it-on-your-refrigerator\">27. Find a Motto for Your Retirement – Put it On Your Refrigerator</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Keeping your retirement goals front and center is important. Some people write down their goals, keep a budget or plan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Other ideas include creating a Pinterest board with your retirement goals or finding a famous retirement quote, a funny and inspirational quote about retirement and aging or a quote about the pros or cons of retirement and putting it up on your refrigerator.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Maybe you could write your retirement manifesto.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-28-protect-yourself-from-fraud\">28. Protect Yourself from Fraud</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Seniors are an all too common target of fraud. According to the National Council on Aging, “approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-29-stay-married-especially-if-you-are-a-man\">29. Stay Married – Especially If You Are a Man</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Marriage is good for you, and so are long-term relationships. This Psychophysiology study points out that while stressful marriages are detrimental as we age, strong relationships with a partner help in nearly every aspect of life.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Additional research from Harvard Medical School found that men who have marital partners live longer than men without spouses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Even though you might spend every day together once you retire, date night is something different and special.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-30-devote-time-to-retirement-planning-even-after-you-retire\">30. Devote Time to Retirement Planning – Even After You Retire</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Research shows that most people spend more time buying a TV, making a restaurant reservation, and planning a vacation than they do planning their retirement.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Planning, assessing, and updating your retirement plans should be on your monthly checklist – even after you retire. It is important to check in with your budget and investments and adjust as necessary. Online tools like the NewRetirement Planner can help.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-31-don-t-let-retirement-taxes-get-you-down\">31. Don’t Let Retirement Taxes Get You Down</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For most people, taxes are the opposite of a happy retirement. In fact, according to Pew Research, 56% of Americans hate or dislike doing taxes. (Although, there are actually 5% of people who love it. Who are these crazy people?)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you would rather spend less money on retirement taxes, it is a good idea to plan ahead to minimize this expense.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-32-spend-your-savings-safely\">32. Spend Your Savings (Safely)!</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You want to have a clear plan in place for making your savings last, but experts are finding that many of today’s retirees simply aren’t spending enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are so many questions. Good news: the Stanford Center on Longevity in collaboration with the Society of Actuaries (SOA) has some answers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-33-adjust-to-turning-your-perspective-upside-down\">33. Adjust to Turning Your Perspective Upside Down</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Retirement is a big deal. Both your lifestyle and your finances do an almost 180 when you retire. Your time is suddenly spent in leisure not work and you go from earning money to spending. It can be challenging to go from a focus on accumulation (saving, saving, saving) to spending (efficient use and drawdown of your assets).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-34-be-social\">34. Be Social</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may be retired, but working on creating and maintaining friendships is one of your most important “jobs” as a retired person.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Research abounds on the benefits of being social as we age. The links between healthy social relationships and better health are well established. One study from the Pennsylvania State University found that when the social activities are linked to physical exercise, even more benefits are achieved.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>And, it turns out that the opposite is also true. Researchers found that loneliness in older people may significantly increase the chance of death. Psychologist John Cacioppo says that loneliness may have twice the impact on early death as obesity and is as damaging as disadvantaged socioeconomic status.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, maintaining friendships is actually critical to your health and well-being.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You need people you can rely on emotionally and for real life help. And, believe it or not, science says that you are way better off when you have people who rely on you!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-35-be-social-with-people-outside-your-age-group\">35. Be Social with People Outside Your Age Group</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It turns out that there are some powerful benefits to have younger (and older) pals — a sense of vitality, energy, different perspectives and more. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-36-choose-the-right-time-to-start-social-security\">36. Choose the Right Time to Start Social Security</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The later you start Social Security, the more monthly income you will receive. You might be eligible to begin benefits at 62, but delaying the start of benefits can reap big rewards.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-37-buy-happiness\">37. Buy Happiness</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yep. Money actually can buy happiness.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>From buying time to investing in experiences, there are multiple ways that you can spend money to achieve retirement happiness.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-38-know-your-best-years-may-be-yet-to-come\">38. Know Your Best Years May Be Yet to Come</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This is likely to surprise you. I was kind of shocked. But, a few years ago researchers identified the two ages in an adult’s life when you are likely to be at your happiest.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Experts from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences found that happiness peaks at the ages of <strong>23</strong> and <strong>69.</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whoa! <strong>Sixty-nine!</strong> That is older than many of us.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-39-are-you-a-family-caregiver-be-careful-to-keep-your-own-retirement-on-track\">39. Are You a Family Caregiver? Be Careful to Keep Your Own Retirement on Track</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The costs of being a caregiver can be overwhelming. There is the extreme emotional turmoil but there are also serious financial concerns — from money spent out of pocket and from time spent caregiving instead of earning income.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While you may only be able to think about how to help the person you are caring for, there are steps you can take to protect your own retirement. You deserve the time it takes to care for your own self, too. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-40-get-a-dog\">40. Get a Dog</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The research on the benefits of owning a dog is pretty overwhelming. Beyond emotional benefits like their unconditional love of us, one study found that dog owners need fewer doctor visits. Another study from Australia found that pet owners had lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and a lower heart attack risk than people without pets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Other research has suggested that caring for a dog, in particular, is healthful in that it keeps us vital and generally insures that we get a walk every day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-41-don-t-stop-budgeting\">41. Don’t Stop Budgeting</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’ve saved well, you’ll want to be sure that your retirement funds last as long as you need them to. And if your finances are less-than-stellar, it’s even more important to budget, since you won’t have next week’s paycheck to supplement financial mistakes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Willingness to be flexible with spending is “absolutely key” both before and during retirement, says Jon R. King, certified financial planner with Austin, Texas-based Pegasus Financial Solutions, LLC. “Spending before retirement is important because the less you spend, the more you save,” he says. “Cutting spending after retirement makes [your money] last longer.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-42-keep-learning-about-finances\">42. Keep Learning About Finances</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A recent survey suggests that financial literacy is lower than even most people might expect. Fidelity asked more than 2000 people — half who were between the ages of 55 and 65 and not retired — questions in eight different retirement categories. The average that people got right was a mere 30 percent. Absolutely nobody got all the questions correct and the highest overall grade was 79 percent. Can you do better?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Resources for learning:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Books about retirement, aging, and personal finance</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Subscribe to the NewRetirement newsletter</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Watch relevant Ted Talks</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Follow trusted YouTube retirement experts like Joe Kuhn and Rob Berger</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Attend a class. Check out the NewRetirement classroom.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Join a group. Try the NewRetirement Facebook or Reddit group. (Even if you don’t ask a question or comment, you’ll learn by hearing what other people have to say.)</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Listen to a Podcast. The NewRetirement Podcast has a variety of guests including Noble Prize Winners, authors, and regular people who have retired early and have tips to share.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-43-be-sure-to-plan-your-next-big-financial-goal-your-estate\">43. Be Sure to Plan Your Next Big Financial Goal: Your Estate!</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A big part of retirement planning is figuring out how much you can and want to leave behind to heirs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Do you know what your estate is likely to be? And, have you created all the recommended documents and kept your paperwork up to date? Find out by using the Retirement Planner! This is critically important.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-44-know-your-money-personality-type\">44. Know Your Money Personality Type</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For better and worse, your genes and your circumstances have conspired to create a money personality type.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Understanding your money attitudes and habits can be useful to creating a stronger financial future.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-45-be-realistic-about-what-retirement-will-mean-to-your-lifestyle\">45. Be Realistic About What Retirement Will Mean to Your Lifestyle</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While many things are fairly universal for retirees, such as having lots of time to do what you want, some things might surprise you. Boredom can be a big problem, especially for someone who is used to a busy pre-retirement life. Time isn’t necessarily fun when it’s spent in front of the TV wishing you had something to do.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-46-continually-optimize-your-health-insurance\">46. Continually Optimize Your Health Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is important to re-evaluate your supplemental Medicare coverage every year. Insurance companies change policies and your health changes too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Shopping for the best supplemental coverage can really save you money and improve your benefits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-47-don-t-forget-to-plan-for-a-long-term-care-need\">47. Don’t Forget to Plan for a Long-Term Care Need</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You also want to look at ways to fund long-term care costs. Long-term care is not covered by Medicare or Medicare supplemental insurance. And, research suggests that at least 52% of people turning 65 today will need long term care at some point.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You need to plan for it!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The NewRetirement Planner allows you to try out different strategies for planning for long term care as part of your overall plan.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Discover how much long term care insurance costs.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Explore creative or unexpected ways to cover long term care.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What are the pros and cons of long-term care?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-48-prepare-for-the-awful-things-that-are-likely-to-happen\">48. Prepare for the Awful Things that Are Likely to Happen</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We all want a happy, healthy and wealthy retirement. But the reality is that awful things are probably going to happen.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-49-throw-a-retirement-party\">49. Throw a Retirement Party</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Retirement really is something to celebrate. And, if you have a good retirement plan, that is a major achievement — something to be really proud of!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-50-will-a-retirement-survival-pack-help-you-have-a-happier-retirement\">50. Will a Retirement Survival Pack Help You Have a Happier Retirement?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>From calendars to help you maintain a schedule to replacements for what you will miss from work plus books, apps and tools for staying physically and mentally healthy, discover a retirement survival pack.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/retirement-tips-healthy-wealthy-happy-retirement/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','98 Tips for a Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy Retirement!','','inherit','closed','closed','','3559-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 00:08:40','2023-10-27 00:08:40','',3559,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3561',0,'revision','',0),(3562,1,'2023-10-27 15:57:31','2023-10-27 15:57:31','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3563,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-19-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3563\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start thinking about your next home upgrade – whether you’re prepping the house for company, making it easier to cook a large meal, or performing routine maintenance ahead of the winter weather. Check out these 11 projects to help make this Thanksgiving your best yet.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) Upgrade your insulation</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Before the weather cools down completely, think about sealing the gaps around your doors and windows and upgrading your insulation. A local handyman should be able to help you do some quick weather-stripping and caulking. For a more permanent solution, like blown-in insulation, talk to a professional.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The average cost to upgrade your insulation ranges from <strong>$930 to $2,020</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Do a deep clean</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you have family coming into town, make sure your home looks it’s best and give it a deep clean. Tidy up clutter, mop the floors and make sure your guest bedroom is spick-and-span. If you don’t have time to devote to this project, think about calling a professional cleaning service to help scrub the house from top to bottom.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hiring a professional cleaning service costs between <strong>$120 and $240</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) Get a chimney inspection</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Before you heat up the hearth this season, hire a local chimney sweep to inspect your fireplace, as well as clean it and make any necessary repairs. Not only will this help your fireplace function more effectively, it will also help prevent a serious fire hazard.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The average price to hire a chimney sweep ranges from <strong>$130 to $360</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) Fix any broken appliances</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’ve been putting off repairing your appliances, now’s the time to get them fixed! Whether your oven could use a tune-up, or your laundry machine is on the fritz, call a repairman <em>now</em> before a minor problem turns into a major holiday disaster.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The cost to repair an appliance usually runs between <strong>$110 and $240</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5) Seal your countertops</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your kitchen features natural stone countertop materials like granite, marble or slate, check to see if they should be resealed before turkey day arrives. These materials are prone to staining and sealing them will protect your countertops from absorbing dangers like cranberry sauce, red wine or tomato paste.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Repairing countertops typically costs from <strong>$210 to $500</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6) Invest in a programmable thermostat</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you haven’t already, consider installing a programmable thermostat to stay cozy this season and make sure your home is at the right temperature at the right time of day. Simply set it up to adjust the temperature of your home while you’re away (and don’t need the HVAC working at full blast) and enjoy a lower energy bill each month!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The price to install a programmable thermostat averages from <strong>$120 to $250</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7) Winterize your lawn</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Don’t save this step to stress about over the holidays! If you haven’t already, now is the time to winterize your lawn. Hire a pro to blow out your sprinkler system and shut off water to exterior hoses to prevent damage to your irrigation system in the cool weather.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Winterizing your lawn costs from <strong>$55 to $115</strong> on average.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8) Improve your siding</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Check to make sure your siding is ready to withstand any upcoming winter weather and ask a pro to repair any damaged areas that need more TLC. Not only will this project help prevent any existing problems from worsening, but it will also help to increase your home’s curb appeal before company arrives.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The price to repair siding typically runs from <strong>$320 to $1,150</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9) Clear out gutters and downspouts</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and debris before the winter freeze comes along. While you can DIY this project, it does require the use of a ladder, so calling a pro is likely your safest bet.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Cleaning gutters costs from <strong>$120 to $230</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10) Replace old windows</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Think about upgrading your old windows to double-pane glass or another energy-efficient option to keep warm air in and cold air out! This will help keep your home well-insulated and toasty for the chilly months. Plus, you may see a return in the form of a lower energy bill.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Replacing your windows costs between <strong>$200 and $1,800</strong> on average.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11) Hang your holiday lights</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take a moment to enjoy the season (and take advantage of any remaining warm-weather days) and start putting up your holiday lights to welcome your seasonal guests. If your lighting job involves a ladder or climbing on the roof, consider hiring a pro to come help out. And book ahead of time – since their schedules fill up quickly!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The price of Christmas light installation typically runs from <strong>$205 to $610</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/thanksgiving-home-maintenance/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','11 Thanksgiving Home Upgrades You’ll Want to Gobble Up','','publish','open','open','','11-thanksgiving-home-upgrades-youll-want-to-gobble-up','','','2023-10-27 15:57:31','2023-10-27 15:57:31','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3562',0,'post','',0),(3563,1,'2023-10-27 15:55:36','2023-10-27 15:55:36','','Untitled-19','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-19','','','2023-10-27 15:55:36','2023-10-27 15:55:36','',3562,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-19.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3564,1,'2023-10-27 15:57:31','2023-10-27 15:57:31','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3563,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-19-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3563\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start thinking about your next home upgrade – whether you’re prepping the house for company, making it easier to cook a large meal, or performing routine maintenance ahead of the winter weather. Check out these 11 projects to help make this Thanksgiving your best yet.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) Upgrade your insulation</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Before the weather cools down completely, think about sealing the gaps around your doors and windows and upgrading your insulation. A local handyman should be able to help you do some quick weather-stripping and caulking. For a more permanent solution, like blown-in insulation, talk to a professional.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The average cost to upgrade your insulation ranges from <strong>$930 to $2,020</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Do a deep clean</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you have family coming into town, make sure your home looks it’s best and give it a deep clean. Tidy up clutter, mop the floors and make sure your guest bedroom is spick-and-span. If you don’t have time to devote to this project, think about calling a professional cleaning service to help scrub the house from top to bottom.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hiring a professional cleaning service costs between <strong>$120 and $240</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) Get a chimney inspection</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Before you heat up the hearth this season, hire a local chimney sweep to inspect your fireplace, as well as clean it and make any necessary repairs. Not only will this help your fireplace function more effectively, it will also help prevent a serious fire hazard.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The average price to hire a chimney sweep ranges from <strong>$130 to $360</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) Fix any broken appliances</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’ve been putting off repairing your appliances, now’s the time to get them fixed! Whether your oven could use a tune-up, or your laundry machine is on the fritz, call a repairman <em>now</em> before a minor problem turns into a major holiday disaster.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The cost to repair an appliance usually runs between <strong>$110 and $240</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5) Seal your countertops</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If your kitchen features natural stone countertop materials like granite, marble or slate, check to see if they should be resealed before turkey day arrives. These materials are prone to staining and sealing them will protect your countertops from absorbing dangers like cranberry sauce, red wine or tomato paste.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Repairing countertops typically costs from <strong>$210 to $500</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6) Invest in a programmable thermostat</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you haven’t already, consider installing a programmable thermostat to stay cozy this season and make sure your home is at the right temperature at the right time of day. Simply set it up to adjust the temperature of your home while you’re away (and don’t need the HVAC working at full blast) and enjoy a lower energy bill each month!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The price to install a programmable thermostat averages from <strong>$120 to $250</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7) Winterize your lawn</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Don’t save this step to stress about over the holidays! If you haven’t already, now is the time to winterize your lawn. Hire a pro to blow out your sprinkler system and shut off water to exterior hoses to prevent damage to your irrigation system in the cool weather.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Winterizing your lawn costs from <strong>$55 to $115</strong> on average.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8) Improve your siding</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Check to make sure your siding is ready to withstand any upcoming winter weather and ask a pro to repair any damaged areas that need more TLC. Not only will this project help prevent any existing problems from worsening, but it will also help to increase your home’s curb appeal before company arrives.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The price to repair siding typically runs from <strong>$320 to $1,150</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9) Clear out gutters and downspouts</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and debris before the winter freeze comes along. While you can DIY this project, it does require the use of a ladder, so calling a pro is likely your safest bet.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Cleaning gutters costs from <strong>$120 to $230</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10) Replace old windows</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Think about upgrading your old windows to double-pane glass or another energy-efficient option to keep warm air in and cold air out! This will help keep your home well-insulated and toasty for the chilly months. Plus, you may see a return in the form of a lower energy bill.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Replacing your windows costs between <strong>$200 and $1,800</strong> on average.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11) Hang your holiday lights</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take a moment to enjoy the season (and take advantage of any remaining warm-weather days) and start putting up your holiday lights to welcome your seasonal guests. If your lighting job involves a ladder or climbing on the roof, consider hiring a pro to come help out. And book ahead of time – since their schedules fill up quickly!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The price of Christmas light installation typically runs from <strong>$205 to $610</strong>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/thanksgiving-home-maintenance/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','11 Thanksgiving Home Upgrades You’ll Want to Gobble Up','','inherit','closed','closed','','3562-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 15:57:31','2023-10-27 15:57:31','',3562,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3564',0,'revision','',0),(3565,1,'2023-10-27 16:18:00','2023-10-27 16:18:00','<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Find Free Funding</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Federal and state agencies, as well as private companies, offer small-business grants. Here\'s a list of resources.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3566,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-20-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3566\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Small-business grants provide free money for startups and existing businesses, including those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic or other hardships.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It takes time and effort to research and apply for funding, but the payoff can be worth it if you secure a grant for your small business. To help you get started, here’s a list of federal, state and private small-business grants and resources.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Federal small-business grants</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Government agencies are among the biggest distributors of business grants, supporting a range of enterprises from environmental conservation to child care services. Applying may seem intimidating, but federal grants are great opportunities for small-business owners looking to grow.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grants.gov</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Grants.gov is a comprehensive database of government small-business grants administered by various federal agencies, such as the departments of Education and Veterans Affairs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The SBIR and the STTR grant programs focus on research and development for technology innovation and scientific research. The programs help connect small businesses with federal grants and contracts from 12 government agencies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To qualify, you must operate a for-profit business, have no more than 500 employees and meet other eligibility requirements.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">USDA Rural Business Development Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Rural Business Development Grant program, which provides financing to strengthen and grow small businesses in rural communities.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Businesses must have fewer than 50 new employees, less than $1 million in gross revenue and be located in an eligible rural area to qualify. Applications are accepted once per year through the USDA Rural Development’s local or state offices.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Small Business Administration doesn’t typically offer grants directly to small businesses. The Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME), however, offers federal grants to microenterprise development organizations so that they can provide assistance to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>These organizations, such as the Washington Area Community Investment Fund and PeopleFund, both of which were awarded funding in 2023, can be private nonprofits, or run by state, local or tribal governments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">State and regional grants for small businesses</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Because federal grants can be particularly competitive — and limited in number — you might also look into government small-business grants at the state and local levels. Start your search with options like these:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Economic Development Administration</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The U.S. Economic Development Administration provides business grants, resources and technical assistance for communities to support economic growth and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Each state’s agency helps small businesses find financing (including state or regional grants), secure locations and recruit employees. You can search the economic development directory for regional offices and local resources.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Business Development Center</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides support for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. They’re often associated with local universities or a state’s economic development agency, and many can help connect you with small-business grants, as well as other business financing opportunities — plus, counseling, training and technical assistance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minority Business Development Agency centers</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The MBDA runs a national network of business centers dedicated to growing and promoting minority-owned small businesses. These centers help business owners access capital, secure contracts and compete in emerging markets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your local MBDA center can help you apply for debt-based financing as well as federal, state and local business grants. The agency usually holds an annual small-business grant competition and provides contest updates on its website.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">State Trade Expansion Program</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The SBA funds state governments to implement the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, which helps small businesses cover costs to start or expand into international markets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The available funding amounts and eligibility criteria of these government small-business grants vary based on your state, but capital can be used to participate in export trade shows, design international marketing products, support website globalization and more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Corporate small-business grants</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Many corporations and large companies have a philanthropic component that includes small-business grants. While some provide grants to nonprofits servicing specific industries only, some also give to for-profit companies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grant<strong></strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>NASE members can apply for monthly small-business grants worth up to $4,000, as well as an annual $3,000 college scholarship for members’ dependents. Grants are awarded year-round, with completed applications reviewed quarterly in January, April, July and October.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Verizon Small Business Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Verizon’s Digital Ready program gives business owners the opportunity to access free courses and educational materials, as well as apply for grant funding. To be eligible for a $10,000 small-business grant, entrepreneurs must register through the Verizon website and complete at least two of the following: courses, live coaching or community events.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Once these tasks are completed, you can submit a grant application. Verizon is offering a total of $500,000 in grant awards for 2023. The latest round of funding is open from October 12 - December 20, 2023.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Business Growth Fund</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Small Business Growth Fund, a partnership between the Global Entrepreneur Fund and Hello Alice — funded by Etsy and Progressive — is an annual program designed to help entrepreneurs grow their operations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This year, the program will award grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to for-profit U.S.-based businesses that had less than $1 million in gross revenue in 2022. Applications for the latest round are open from September 18 - October 27, 2023. Winners will be announced in November.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FedEx Small Business Grant Contest</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The company’s annual grant competition awards over $300,000 to 10 small businesses, including a $30,000 grant and $1,000 in FedEx print credits to its grand prize winners.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The contest is for U.S.-based, for-profit small businesses with fewer than 99 employees. You must also have a valid FedEx business shipping account number and currently ship with FedEx to apply. The next cycle will open in early 2024.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Venmo Small Business Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Venmo Small Business Grant program awards 20 eligible small businesses with $10,000 in free funding. It also offer public promotion on the Venmo website and social media accounts, as well as mentorship from industry leaders.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To qualify, you must have a U.S. Venmo account and a valid business profile on Venmo in good standing. You also must have less than $50,000 in annual sales and 10 employees or fewer. Applications for the 2023 cycle closed in August, and winners were announced in October.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amazon Small Business Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The annual Amazon Small Business Grant program offers free grants to small businesses that have an Amazon Business account and $1 million or less in annual revenue. The program offers grants to 15 businesses, ranging in amounts from $15,000 to $25,000.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Winners can also receive a one-year membership to Business Prime and free products from eero Wifi and Kindle Scribe. Recipients for the 2023 cycle were announced in July.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">U.S. Chamber of Commerce Top Small Business Awards</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>America’s Top Small Business Awards recognizes a small business for its contributions to the U.S. economy and offers a grant of $25,000. The competition also gives awards to businesses in a variety of categories, such as emerging business and green/sustainable business, with associated prizes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Although you must have an existing business to qualify, you need to have been in operation for only one year. Applications for the 2023 cycle closed on July 21. Finalists were announced on October 4, and the grand-prize winner will be announced on October 19 at the America\'s Top Small Business Summit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Visa Everywhere Initiative</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Visa Everywhere Initiative is a grant competition that offers funding to tech-forward startups across five different regions around the globe. Applicants must show how they’ve developed a product or service that creatively involves Visa’s products.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Visa will select the top five finalists in each region, and these businesses will move forward to a global finals event. The overall winner of the competition is awarded a $50,000 small-business grant. Additional grants are awarded to second- and third-place finalists, audience favorites, as well as regional and local winners. Applications for the North America region closed on June 26, 2023, and the global finals were held on Sept. 19 at TechCrunch Disrupt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lenovo Evolve small-business grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Lenovo Evolve Small initiative is a program designed to support small businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada by offering grants and technology donations. This year, the Lenovo Evolve Grant provided 30 small businesses with $10,000 in funding, a Lenovo laptop and business support. The 2023 cycle winners have been announced.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grants to start a business</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’re looking for startup business grants, you may have more difficulty finding available federal grants. Some state and local governments, as well as private companies, however, offer startup grants for small businesses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Incfile Fresh Start Business Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Incfile’s Fresh Start Business Grant offers a grant of $2,500 to help new entrepreneurs cover startup costs. The winning business owner will also receive free formation services in their state, free registered agent services for a year and a free tax consultation from Incfile.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To qualify, you must be planning to start a new business or grow an existing business. Incfile also offers a Young Entrepreneur Grant for students interested in starting their own businesses. The next cycle will be held in 2024.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hello Alice grant platform</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hello Alice partners with a variety of companies, such as Progressive and DoorDash, to offer different grants for small businesses, including startups. You can create an account to receive notifications about new opportunities and apply for the grants that are relevant to your business.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amber Grant for women</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>WomensNet offers the $10,000 monthly Amber Grant and awards two $25,000 grants on an annual basis. The foundation also gives additional funding throughout the year. To qualify for any of the grants offered by WomensNet, businesses only have to fill out a single application. Startups and existing women-owned businesses are eligible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SubSummit Pitch Competition</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Subscription-based businesses that are less than two years old can apply to participate in the SubSummit Pitch Competition. The winner of this annual event receives a $10,000 small-business grant and $40,000 worth of business services.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To apply, you have to send in a short video describing your business, the inspiration behind your brand — and if you want — what you plan to do with the grant funding. Semi-finalists will compete virtually and finalists will compete for the grand prize at a live event. The 2023 cycle for this competition concluded in May.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small-business hardship grants</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Small-business hardship grants can help you recover after an emergency situation, like a natural disaster or public health crisis. These grants may be available from the government, nonprofits or corporations, among other sources.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Depending on the emergency, certain business hardship grants may only be available within a specific time frame, so it’s particularly important to check funding deadlines.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are some options to consider:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">State and local small-business recovery grants</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your state and local governments can be great places to find small-business hardship grants, as well as emergency business loans and other options for financial relief and assistance. In the wake of a crisis — like the COVID-19 pandemic, for example — states and cities often create grant programs specifically to help small businesses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some states and cities also run ongoing small-business grant programs to assist business owners when they suffer from damages as the result of fires, floods and hurricanes, among other disasters.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Etsy Emergency Relief Fund</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Etsy partners with the nonprofit organization, CERF+, to provide its sellers with financial relief after they’re affected by a disaster. To qualify for this small-business hardship grant, you’ll need to have experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the last year, as well as have had an active Etsy seller account in good standing for at least one year.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Etsy Emergency Relief grants are available in amounts of $2,500. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and funds are issued quarterly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Restaurants that have experienced a natural disaster may be able to get a small-business recovery grant from the DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. This program offers $10,000 business grants to brick-and-mortar restaurants that have been impacted by a federally or state-declared disaster, such as a wildfire, hurricane or earthquake.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To qualify, you’ll also need to have three restaurant locations or fewer, 50 or fewer employees, been in business for at least six months and made $3 million or less per location in the last year.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis but they must be submitted within 12 months of the declared disaster. Recipients will be notified within 30 days after the application period closes. The current application cycle runs until December 31, 2023.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Program is a two-part initiative that strives to help businesses prepare for and recover from unexpected disasters. To participate in the program, you must complete a preparedness checklist (which includes an emergency action plan), register in the R4R database — and then, in the event of a disaster, you can apply for grant eligibility.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Emergency relief funding is issued in amounts of $5,000 and you must be able to show that you incurred disaster-related damages or losses that equal or exceed that amount. You’ll also need to have fewer than 500 employees, among other requirements, to qualify for this small-business hardship grant.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/small-business-grants?trk_channel=web&amp;trk_copy=Small-Business%20Grants%3A%20Where%20to%20Find%20Free%20Funding&amp;trk_element=hyperlink&amp;trk_elementPosition=2&amp;trk_location=PostList&amp;trk_subLocation=next-steps\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Small-Business Grants:','','publish','open','open','','small-business-grants','','','2023-10-27 16:18:00','2023-10-27 16:18:00','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3565',0,'post','',0),(3566,1,'2023-10-27 16:00:19','2023-10-27 16:00:19','','Untitled-20','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-20','','','2023-10-27 16:00:19','2023-10-27 16:00:19','',3565,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-20.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3567,1,'2023-10-27 16:18:00','2023-10-27 16:18:00','<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Find Free Funding</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Federal and state agencies, as well as private companies, offer small-business grants. Here\'s a list of resources.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3566,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-20-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3566\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Small-business grants provide free money for startups and existing businesses, including those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic or other hardships.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It takes time and effort to research and apply for funding, but the payoff can be worth it if you secure a grant for your small business. To help you get started, here’s a list of federal, state and private small-business grants and resources.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Federal small-business grants</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Government agencies are among the biggest distributors of business grants, supporting a range of enterprises from environmental conservation to child care services. Applying may seem intimidating, but federal grants are great opportunities for small-business owners looking to grow.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grants.gov</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Grants.gov is a comprehensive database of government small-business grants administered by various federal agencies, such as the departments of Education and Veterans Affairs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The SBIR and the STTR grant programs focus on research and development for technology innovation and scientific research. The programs help connect small businesses with federal grants and contracts from 12 government agencies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To qualify, you must operate a for-profit business, have no more than 500 employees and meet other eligibility requirements.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">USDA Rural Business Development Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Rural Business Development Grant program, which provides financing to strengthen and grow small businesses in rural communities.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Businesses must have fewer than 50 new employees, less than $1 million in gross revenue and be located in an eligible rural area to qualify. Applications are accepted once per year through the USDA Rural Development’s local or state offices.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Small Business Administration doesn’t typically offer grants directly to small businesses. The Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME), however, offers federal grants to microenterprise development organizations so that they can provide assistance to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>These organizations, such as the Washington Area Community Investment Fund and PeopleFund, both of which were awarded funding in 2023, can be private nonprofits, or run by state, local or tribal governments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">State and regional grants for small businesses</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Because federal grants can be particularly competitive — and limited in number — you might also look into government small-business grants at the state and local levels. Start your search with options like these:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Economic Development Administration</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The U.S. Economic Development Administration provides business grants, resources and technical assistance for communities to support economic growth and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Each state’s agency helps small businesses find financing (including state or regional grants), secure locations and recruit employees. You can search the economic development directory for regional offices and local resources.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Business Development Center</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides support for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. They’re often associated with local universities or a state’s economic development agency, and many can help connect you with small-business grants, as well as other business financing opportunities — plus, counseling, training and technical assistance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minority Business Development Agency centers</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The MBDA runs a national network of business centers dedicated to growing and promoting minority-owned small businesses. These centers help business owners access capital, secure contracts and compete in emerging markets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your local MBDA center can help you apply for debt-based financing as well as federal, state and local business grants. The agency usually holds an annual small-business grant competition and provides contest updates on its website.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">State Trade Expansion Program</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The SBA funds state governments to implement the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, which helps small businesses cover costs to start or expand into international markets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The available funding amounts and eligibility criteria of these government small-business grants vary based on your state, but capital can be used to participate in export trade shows, design international marketing products, support website globalization and more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Corporate small-business grants</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Many corporations and large companies have a philanthropic component that includes small-business grants. While some provide grants to nonprofits servicing specific industries only, some also give to for-profit companies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grant<strong></strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>NASE members can apply for monthly small-business grants worth up to $4,000, as well as an annual $3,000 college scholarship for members’ dependents. Grants are awarded year-round, with completed applications reviewed quarterly in January, April, July and October.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Verizon Small Business Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Verizon’s Digital Ready program gives business owners the opportunity to access free courses and educational materials, as well as apply for grant funding. To be eligible for a $10,000 small-business grant, entrepreneurs must register through the Verizon website and complete at least two of the following: courses, live coaching or community events.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Once these tasks are completed, you can submit a grant application. Verizon is offering a total of $500,000 in grant awards for 2023. The latest round of funding is open from October 12 - December 20, 2023.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Business Growth Fund</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Small Business Growth Fund, a partnership between the Global Entrepreneur Fund and Hello Alice — funded by Etsy and Progressive — is an annual program designed to help entrepreneurs grow their operations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This year, the program will award grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to for-profit U.S.-based businesses that had less than $1 million in gross revenue in 2022. Applications for the latest round are open from September 18 - October 27, 2023. Winners will be announced in November.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FedEx Small Business Grant Contest</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The company’s annual grant competition awards over $300,000 to 10 small businesses, including a $30,000 grant and $1,000 in FedEx print credits to its grand prize winners.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The contest is for U.S.-based, for-profit small businesses with fewer than 99 employees. You must also have a valid FedEx business shipping account number and currently ship with FedEx to apply. The next cycle will open in early 2024.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Venmo Small Business Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Venmo Small Business Grant program awards 20 eligible small businesses with $10,000 in free funding. It also offer public promotion on the Venmo website and social media accounts, as well as mentorship from industry leaders.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To qualify, you must have a U.S. Venmo account and a valid business profile on Venmo in good standing. You also must have less than $50,000 in annual sales and 10 employees or fewer. Applications for the 2023 cycle closed in August, and winners were announced in October.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amazon Small Business Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The annual Amazon Small Business Grant program offers free grants to small businesses that have an Amazon Business account and $1 million or less in annual revenue. The program offers grants to 15 businesses, ranging in amounts from $15,000 to $25,000.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Winners can also receive a one-year membership to Business Prime and free products from eero Wifi and Kindle Scribe. Recipients for the 2023 cycle were announced in July.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">U.S. Chamber of Commerce Top Small Business Awards</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>America’s Top Small Business Awards recognizes a small business for its contributions to the U.S. economy and offers a grant of $25,000. The competition also gives awards to businesses in a variety of categories, such as emerging business and green/sustainable business, with associated prizes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Although you must have an existing business to qualify, you need to have been in operation for only one year. Applications for the 2023 cycle closed on July 21. Finalists were announced on October 4, and the grand-prize winner will be announced on October 19 at the America\'s Top Small Business Summit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Visa Everywhere Initiative</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Visa Everywhere Initiative is a grant competition that offers funding to tech-forward startups across five different regions around the globe. Applicants must show how they’ve developed a product or service that creatively involves Visa’s products.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Visa will select the top five finalists in each region, and these businesses will move forward to a global finals event. The overall winner of the competition is awarded a $50,000 small-business grant. Additional grants are awarded to second- and third-place finalists, audience favorites, as well as regional and local winners. Applications for the North America region closed on June 26, 2023, and the global finals were held on Sept. 19 at TechCrunch Disrupt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lenovo Evolve small-business grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Lenovo Evolve Small initiative is a program designed to support small businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada by offering grants and technology donations. This year, the Lenovo Evolve Grant provided 30 small businesses with $10,000 in funding, a Lenovo laptop and business support. The 2023 cycle winners have been announced.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grants to start a business</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’re looking for startup business grants, you may have more difficulty finding available federal grants. Some state and local governments, as well as private companies, however, offer startup grants for small businesses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Incfile Fresh Start Business Grant</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Incfile’s Fresh Start Business Grant offers a grant of $2,500 to help new entrepreneurs cover startup costs. The winning business owner will also receive free formation services in their state, free registered agent services for a year and a free tax consultation from Incfile.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To qualify, you must be planning to start a new business or grow an existing business. Incfile also offers a Young Entrepreneur Grant for students interested in starting their own businesses. The next cycle will be held in 2024.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hello Alice grant platform</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hello Alice partners with a variety of companies, such as Progressive and DoorDash, to offer different grants for small businesses, including startups. You can create an account to receive notifications about new opportunities and apply for the grants that are relevant to your business.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amber Grant for women</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>WomensNet offers the $10,000 monthly Amber Grant and awards two $25,000 grants on an annual basis. The foundation also gives additional funding throughout the year. To qualify for any of the grants offered by WomensNet, businesses only have to fill out a single application. Startups and existing women-owned businesses are eligible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SubSummit Pitch Competition</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Subscription-based businesses that are less than two years old can apply to participate in the SubSummit Pitch Competition. The winner of this annual event receives a $10,000 small-business grant and $40,000 worth of business services.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To apply, you have to send in a short video describing your business, the inspiration behind your brand — and if you want — what you plan to do with the grant funding. Semi-finalists will compete virtually and finalists will compete for the grand prize at a live event. The 2023 cycle for this competition concluded in May.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small-business hardship grants</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Small-business hardship grants can help you recover after an emergency situation, like a natural disaster or public health crisis. These grants may be available from the government, nonprofits or corporations, among other sources.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Depending on the emergency, certain business hardship grants may only be available within a specific time frame, so it’s particularly important to check funding deadlines.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are some options to consider:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">State and local small-business recovery grants</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your state and local governments can be great places to find small-business hardship grants, as well as emergency business loans and other options for financial relief and assistance. In the wake of a crisis — like the COVID-19 pandemic, for example — states and cities often create grant programs specifically to help small businesses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some states and cities also run ongoing small-business grant programs to assist business owners when they suffer from damages as the result of fires, floods and hurricanes, among other disasters.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Etsy Emergency Relief Fund</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Etsy partners with the nonprofit organization, CERF+, to provide its sellers with financial relief after they’re affected by a disaster. To qualify for this small-business hardship grant, you’ll need to have experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the last year, as well as have had an active Etsy seller account in good standing for at least one year.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Etsy Emergency Relief grants are available in amounts of $2,500. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and funds are issued quarterly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Restaurants that have experienced a natural disaster may be able to get a small-business recovery grant from the DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. This program offers $10,000 business grants to brick-and-mortar restaurants that have been impacted by a federally or state-declared disaster, such as a wildfire, hurricane or earthquake.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To qualify, you’ll also need to have three restaurant locations or fewer, 50 or fewer employees, been in business for at least six months and made $3 million or less per location in the last year.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis but they must be submitted within 12 months of the declared disaster. Recipients will be notified within 30 days after the application period closes. The current application cycle runs until December 31, 2023.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Program is a two-part initiative that strives to help businesses prepare for and recover from unexpected disasters. To participate in the program, you must complete a preparedness checklist (which includes an emergency action plan), register in the R4R database — and then, in the event of a disaster, you can apply for grant eligibility.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Emergency relief funding is issued in amounts of $5,000 and you must be able to show that you incurred disaster-related damages or losses that equal or exceed that amount. You’ll also need to have fewer than 500 employees, among other requirements, to qualify for this small-business hardship grant.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/small-business-grants?trk_channel=web&amp;trk_copy=Small-Business%20Grants%3A%20Where%20to%20Find%20Free%20Funding&amp;trk_element=hyperlink&amp;trk_elementPosition=2&amp;trk_location=PostList&amp;trk_subLocation=next-steps\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Small-Business Grants:','','inherit','closed','closed','','3565-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 16:18:00','2023-10-27 16:18:00','',3565,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3567',0,'revision','',0),(3568,1,'2023-10-27 16:24:51','2023-10-27 16:24:51','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The holidays can be a hectic time of year – buying gifts online, making travel arrangements and wanting to give back to charitable organizations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It’s also a busy time for cybercriminals who are trying to take advantage of you. But you can fight back against thieves and better protect your personal information.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3569,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-21-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3569\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Safety Tips for Shopping Online</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to the National Retail Federation, 73% of consumers plan to use their smartphone or tablet to research or make a purchase in the 2019 holiday season. Follow these simple cybersecurity tips and practices before and while shopping online.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Keep a clean machine.&nbsp;</strong>Before picking out that perfect gift, be sure that all internet-connected devices ‒ including PCs, smartphones and tablets ‒ are free from malware and infections by running only the most current versions of software, web browsers and other apps.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Use secure Wi-Fi.&nbsp;</strong>Using free public Wi-Fi to shop online while at your favorite coffee shop is tremendously convenient, but it is not cyber safe. Don’t make purchases while connected to public Wi-Fi; instead use a virtual private network (VPN) or your phone as a hotspot.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Lock down your login.&nbsp;</strong>Create long and unique passphrases for all accounts and use multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Multi-factor authentication will fortify your online accounts by enabling the strongest authentication tools available, such as biometrics or a unique one-timecode sent to your phone or mobile device.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Resist the urge.&nbsp;</strong>Be wary of offers too good to be true – no matter how tempting they might be. Buy only from trusted and established online retailers and avoid websites of retailers you’ve never heard of.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Think before you click.&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Pay attention to emails you receive. Don’t open emails from unknown senders or click on links in suspicious messages.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Shop securely.&nbsp;</strong>Not only should you make sure your internet connection is secure. Check to make sure you’re shopping on a site that uses SSL protection. The easiest way to tell is to check your browser’s address bar. Look for https is the URL. Sites without the s are not safe to submit payment information or other personal details.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Pay wisely.&nbsp;</strong>Use a credit card or pre-paid debit card instead of a debit card linked to your bank account. Or, use a reliable, established third-party payment service, such as Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Monitor your accounts. </strong>Check your online financial accounts regularly for suspicious spending. Also, take advantage of text and email alerting services that many banks and credit card companies now offer.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Safety Tips for Giving Online</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Online thieves know the holidays spark the desire to give back, making charity donations a hot target.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Do your research first.  Never feel pressured to give on the spot. Visit the website of the Internal Revenue Service\'s website to learn more about what types of organizations can get tax-deductible donations. Also, use other online resources, such as Charity Navigator, CharityWatch or GiveWell, to learn about charities and how they spend the money they receive. money.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Ignore unsolicited requests. Be wary of emails and phone calls asking for donations, especially from organizations unfamiliar to you. If you want to donate, visit their websites directly or call to donate.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Think before you pay. Never wire money or send cash. When writing a check, make it payable to the organization or pay via credit card. If you donate online, make sure the website is secure by looking for the&nbsp;<strong>s</strong>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<strong>https</strong>&nbsp;at the beginning of the URL.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Doublecheck the website. Check website URLs carefully since cybercriminals often create websites and names that are very similar to legitimate, reputable organizations. Check the spelling of the organization\'s name and the URL very closely for discrepancies.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Safety Tips While Traveling</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No one is exempt from the threat of cybercrime, at home or on the go, but you can follow these simple tips to stay safe online when traveling.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Avoid free Wi-Fi.</strong>&nbsp;Although connecting to free public Wi-Fi sounds great, it is often unsecure and can expose your devices and personal information to hackers. Instead, use a VPN or your mobile phone as a hotspot when going online.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Confirm your network.&nbsp;</strong>If you do connect to public Wi-Fi, be sure to confirm the name the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Disable auto-connect on your devices.&nbsp;</strong>If your mobile phone or table automatically connect to wireless networks or Bluetooth devices, disable those features and connect manually only when you want to.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Secure your devices.</strong>&nbsp;Keep track of your laptop, smartphone, tablet and even accessories such as USB drives – especially while on the go, and don’t leave your devices unattended in public places.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Avoid shared computers. </strong>If using computers at hotel business centers and other places that offer shared systems, avoid making purchases or logging into email. You don’t know if the systems are up to date with the latest security software or if the machines are safe.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://it.nc.gov/resources/online-safety-privacy/tips-guidance/holiday-cybersecurity-tips#SafetyTipsWhileTraveling-1641\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Holiday Cybersecurity Tips','','publish','open','open','','holiday-cybersecurity-tips','','','2023-10-27 16:24:51','2023-10-27 16:24:51','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3568',0,'post','',0),(3569,1,'2023-10-27 16:22:58','2023-10-27 16:22:58','','Untitled-21','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-21','','','2023-10-27 16:22:58','2023-10-27 16:22:58','',3568,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-21.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3570,1,'2023-10-27 16:24:51','2023-10-27 16:24:51','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The holidays can be a hectic time of year – buying gifts online, making travel arrangements and wanting to give back to charitable organizations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It’s also a busy time for cybercriminals who are trying to take advantage of you. But you can fight back against thieves and better protect your personal information.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3569,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-21-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3569\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Safety Tips for Shopping Online</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to the National Retail Federation, 73% of consumers plan to use their smartphone or tablet to research or make a purchase in the 2019 holiday season. Follow these simple cybersecurity tips and practices before and while shopping online.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Keep a clean machine.&nbsp;</strong>Before picking out that perfect gift, be sure that all internet-connected devices ‒ including PCs, smartphones and tablets ‒ are free from malware and infections by running only the most current versions of software, web browsers and other apps.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Use secure Wi-Fi.&nbsp;</strong>Using free public Wi-Fi to shop online while at your favorite coffee shop is tremendously convenient, but it is not cyber safe. Don’t make purchases while connected to public Wi-Fi; instead use a virtual private network (VPN) or your phone as a hotspot.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Lock down your login.&nbsp;</strong>Create long and unique passphrases for all accounts and use multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Multi-factor authentication will fortify your online accounts by enabling the strongest authentication tools available, such as biometrics or a unique one-timecode sent to your phone or mobile device.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Resist the urge.&nbsp;</strong>Be wary of offers too good to be true – no matter how tempting they might be. Buy only from trusted and established online retailers and avoid websites of retailers you’ve never heard of.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Think before you click.&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Pay attention to emails you receive. Don’t open emails from unknown senders or click on links in suspicious messages.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Shop securely.&nbsp;</strong>Not only should you make sure your internet connection is secure. Check to make sure you’re shopping on a site that uses SSL protection. The easiest way to tell is to check your browser’s address bar. Look for https is the URL. Sites without the s are not safe to submit payment information or other personal details.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Pay wisely.&nbsp;</strong>Use a credit card or pre-paid debit card instead of a debit card linked to your bank account. Or, use a reliable, established third-party payment service, such as Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Monitor your accounts. </strong>Check your online financial accounts regularly for suspicious spending. Also, take advantage of text and email alerting services that many banks and credit card companies now offer.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Safety Tips for Giving Online</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Online thieves know the holidays spark the desire to give back, making charity donations a hot target.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Do your research first.  Never feel pressured to give on the spot. Visit the website of the Internal Revenue Service\'s website to learn more about what types of organizations can get tax-deductible donations. Also, use other online resources, such as Charity Navigator, CharityWatch or GiveWell, to learn about charities and how they spend the money they receive. money.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Ignore unsolicited requests. Be wary of emails and phone calls asking for donations, especially from organizations unfamiliar to you. If you want to donate, visit their websites directly or call to donate.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Think before you pay. Never wire money or send cash. When writing a check, make it payable to the organization or pay via credit card. If you donate online, make sure the website is secure by looking for the&nbsp;<strong>s</strong>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<strong>https</strong>&nbsp;at the beginning of the URL.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Doublecheck the website. Check website URLs carefully since cybercriminals often create websites and names that are very similar to legitimate, reputable organizations. Check the spelling of the organization\'s name and the URL very closely for discrepancies.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Safety Tips While Traveling</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No one is exempt from the threat of cybercrime, at home or on the go, but you can follow these simple tips to stay safe online when traveling.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Avoid free Wi-Fi.</strong>&nbsp;Although connecting to free public Wi-Fi sounds great, it is often unsecure and can expose your devices and personal information to hackers. Instead, use a VPN or your mobile phone as a hotspot when going online.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Confirm your network.&nbsp;</strong>If you do connect to public Wi-Fi, be sure to confirm the name the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Disable auto-connect on your devices.&nbsp;</strong>If your mobile phone or table automatically connect to wireless networks or Bluetooth devices, disable those features and connect manually only when you want to.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Secure your devices.</strong>&nbsp;Keep track of your laptop, smartphone, tablet and even accessories such as USB drives – especially while on the go, and don’t leave your devices unattended in public places.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Avoid shared computers. </strong>If using computers at hotel business centers and other places that offer shared systems, avoid making purchases or logging into email. You don’t know if the systems are up to date with the latest security software or if the machines are safe.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://it.nc.gov/resources/online-safety-privacy/tips-guidance/holiday-cybersecurity-tips#SafetyTipsWhileTraveling-1641\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Holiday Cybersecurity Tips','','inherit','closed','closed','','3568-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 16:24:51','2023-10-27 16:24:51','',3568,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3570',0,'revision','',0),(3571,1,'2023-10-27 20:21:50','2023-10-27 20:21:50','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3572,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-22-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3572\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There’s a difference between a manager and a leader. A manager’s responsibilities might include task delegation and approving timecards, but a leader focuses on the growth and well-being of your team members. The best managers know how to do both and can strategically incorporate the strengths of each employee to build a successful organization. Below, you’ll find what you need to do to be a good leader and how best to manage the most common types of employees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to be a good manager</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Being a good manager means more than just completing administrative tasks; it’s also about how you support your team and get the most out of them. According to Deborah Sweeney, president and GM of online acquisitions at MyCorporation, good managers use emotional intelligence and soft skills to achieve this.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Traditionally, we have been taught to believe that the person with the highest IQ in the room is the smartest,” Sweeney said. “However, science is increasingly proving that individuals with emotional intelligence and its four core skills – which include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management – are actually the top performers within any company.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Work with your team, not above them.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":17866} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://images.businessnewsdaily.com/app/uploads/2019/11/20134654/work-with-your-team-not-above-them.png\" alt=\"Work with your team not above them\" class=\"wp-image-17866\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You might be accustomed to fully controlling your workload, but becoming a boss will force you to give up that control and delegate some responsibilities, said Ora Shtull, an executive coach and founder of Ora Coaching.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“If you don’t break the addiction to doing it all, you won’t have the capacity to step up and do more senior stuff,” she said. “Letting go involves delegating. But it’s important to note that delegating doesn’t mean deserting the team or sacrificing accountability.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As a manager, you have a different set of responsibilities from your entry-level team members, but you should still get your hands dirty. Additionally, you should include your team in decision-making processes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Get to know your employees.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Every employee has different strengths, weaknesses and ways of learning. As a manager, it’s your duty to really understand each person’s characteristics to effectively lead them, and to create a positive boss-employee relationship. This can be done by merely observing the work they produce, but asking simple questions periodically also provides details.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Consider questions like “What was the best day you’ve had at work in the last three months?” to get your employees thinking about the tasks and assignments they enjoy doing. According to their answers, you can then tailor how you delegate tasks to this employee to obtain the best possible outcome.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You could also ask the opposite: “What was the worst day you’ve had at work in the last three months?” Having conversations from questions like these help you to understand what is not working so that you can remedy the situation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Create a positive and inclusive work environment.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The example you set for your office can greatly impact the success of your organization. It is important to create a positive, fun work environment that makes team members feel included and respected. A happy employee is a more productive employee. You can create a diverse and inclusive work culture by exemplifying good behavior on a daily basis, as well as implementing occasional team bonding activities.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You should frequently provide recognition for team successes (even small ones). Great leaders recognize their employees and express their gratitude whenever possible. Employees want to feel appreciated and have their work noticed. When you credit them for a job well done, it motivates them to keep working hard.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Simply put, great bosses pause frequently to praise others and promote the positive, rather than harping on shortcomings and mistakes,” Shtull said.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Offering praise can boost team morale and build a positive work culture. If you fail to give positive feedback and recognition, employees may think their work is going unnoticed and start to care less. In addition to daily recognition, Leah de Souza, leadership communication coach and managing director of Trainmar Consulting, recommends motivating people through team bonding and celebration.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Communicate goals, expectations and feedback.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":31923} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://images.businessnewsdaily.com/app/uploads/2019/11/03073316/Communicate-goals-expectations-and-feedback.png\" alt=\"Colleagues sitting at a table having a discussion\" class=\"wp-image-31923\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One of the most important parts of being an effective manager is successfully creating goals and communicating expectations to team members. Managers should focus on creating SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound) goals for their teams. De Souza said the objectives that are set at an organizational level should also be translated into departmental and individual goals.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“There must be a transparent link between all goals set throughout the organization,” she said. “Goals must be set in agreement with team members.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>After setting goals, good managers are transparent with team members about their expectations. De Souza recommends reviewing goals on a structured basis. You can regularly check in with team members to ensure they are happy and feel challenged in their roles. Communication is not one-sided, though; you must listen as much as you talk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say, nothing to add,” Shtull said. “In addition to giving up control of all the work, as a boss, you’ll also have to break the addiction to being right all of the time. Don’t always promote your own view. If your own ideas sound set in stone, your team members won’t want to offer theirs.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Xan Raskin, founder and CEO of Artixan Consulting Group LLC, added that great leaders don’t just listen; they listen to understand. “Making sure your employees know you not only heard them but you understand – even if you disagree – goes a long way to building a long-term rapport with employees.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Coach your team members.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To create a valuable, dedicated team, you’ll have to advocate for them. Like good coaches, bosses should keep employees motivated and passionate about the work they do. This will help your team avoid burnout and enjoy delivering their best work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Effective managers coach by asking questions, empowering their team members to think deeply and generate solutions,” Shtull said. “In turn, team members gain confidence and grow, and ultimately become amazing bosses themselves.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Let employees know you care about their futures and careers. Provide them with the training and knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace. Good managers are not threatened by the growth and success of their employees; instead, they embrace and encourage change.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“I believe a great manager knows how to tap into the strengths of their team members and turn their unique abilities into strong performances,” Sweeney said. “A good manager is not threatened by change in the workplace – whether it’s a change in how certain processes are done or new leadership – and embraces and encourages new ideas and ways of doing things.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Practice self-awareness and grow your leadership skills.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Effective leaders know that managing others doesn’t mean they know everything. Managers should always be learning and growing alongside their team. There are several leadership skills that you can build upon, such as time management and delegation. Raskin said that managers can do this by learning how to conserve their energy for the most important tasks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Figuring out exactly how much effort, time and attention an issue needs before moving on to the next is a critical skill to get you through a workday and also make sure you have enough left for your personal life,” she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As the leader of the pack, you should practice self-awareness and understand how you personally relate to people. Be mindful of your behavior and the message it sends to your employees. Raskin said that recognizing both the intentional and unintentional impacts you have on others is a critical part of being a good manager, since you set much of the tone and culture for the organization. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“It will definitely take time and energy to get it right, even something as simple as how a manager conducts themselves at a meeting,” she said. “Do they pull out their phone during a presentation and start reviewing emails? Knowing the message that it sends to employees is critical – e.g., if the meeting isn’t important to the boss, why should it be important to me? Even these small things carry big meanings.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Successful management of a team has many moving parts, and it takes consistent self-reflection and change. Learn something new each day to work toward being the best leader you can be.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“It’s OK not to know everything; that’s actually not your job,” de Souza said. “Show your team that you are a normal human being who can mess up sometimes and laugh at a silly joke. Being a manager is not about becoming a faraway figure. Your job is to engage and guide.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Managing different types of employees</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":31924} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://images.businessnewsdaily.com/app/uploads/2019/11/03073348/Managing-different-types-of-employees-1.png\" alt=\"Group of colleagues standing in a line\" class=\"wp-image-31924\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No matter the size of your team, your employees will have all sorts of personalities. As a leader, it’s important that you learn to work with each person individually. You should not employ a one-size-fits-all managerial style, but instead find ways that best support your different employees so they do their best work. Here are some common types of employees and how best to manage them.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High-maintenance employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Employees may be considered high-maintenance if they take up a majority of a manager’s time. High-maintenance behaviors include constantly seeking affirmation, asking questions incessantly or having a hard time accepting criticism.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To manage an employee who requires a lot of attention, it’s important to create a dialogue to try to address the issue. Use this time to find out which of their needs are not being met. Also use this discussion to address the employee’s specific behaviors that could be improved, and offer ways to mitigate any issues. Above all, make sure you are tailoring your interactions to each individual.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Self-managing employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may feel you’ve hit the holy grail of employees when you hire a self-managing employee – even better when your whole team can be described as independent people who can manage themselves. You do, however, still have to be an effective leader, no matter how little guidance they need to do their jobs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your job as a manager is to ensure these employees continuously feel motivated and enthusiastic about their work. Regularly check in to discuss ways you can better support them through feedback, resources and clear communication about your team’s goals.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shy and introverted employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes you get a shy or introverted employee who exhibits reserved or timid behaviors. They may not engage much with others around the office or speak up during staff meetings, but they still may be a hard worker. Everyone has a different approach to assignments and culture. As a manager, it is your job to understand these behaviors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To ensure a shy or introverted employee feels safe and supported, give them space to work while letting them know that you’re available to help. You can also have regular one-on-one meetings that offer a more personal environment to comfortably discuss any issues. Find out which methods allow this employee to do their best work and minimize any day-to-day anxiety.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A team with different motivation levels</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No two employees are alike, and you’ll often end up with a team that has varying motivation levels. Some employees consistently go above and beyond with little guidance, while others might need more encouragement when completing their tasks. One size does not fit all in management, and each type of person requires a different kind of leadership style.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For example, high performers may require less attention, but managers should continue to set measurable goals and offer opportunities for these employees to learn and grow in their careers. On the other hand, low performers may require clear instructions, goals and expectations. It’s often not about their motivations, but rather a lack of confidence, so it’s important to highlight “teachable moments” for them to learn from and build up their confidence.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Older employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It can be intimidating to be a young manager with older employees who report directly to you. While you are qualified, you may feel your employees might not respect your authority when addressing conflicts or delegating tasks. Rather than forcing respect from your employees, it’s important to know and understand their individual strengths. Additionally, these employees may have key institutional knowledge that can add context when changing systems or strategy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>An age gap may also present some resentments, so it’s imperative to be supportive of this employee, showing that you’re invested in their successes and asking for their help. You should also be communicating and providing feedback in a manner that works best for each employee. For example, an older employee may prefer direct, face-to-face communication, while a younger employee may respond better to an IM or email.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Remote employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":17870} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://images.businessnewsdaily.com/app/uploads/2019/11/20134843/remote-employees.png\" alt=\"remote employee at a desk\" class=\"wp-image-17870\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Remote work has become far more common within the last few years due to COVID-19, and there are challenges to effectively managing employees from a distance. Remote workers can often feel less enthusiastic or connected with the rest of their team, and that can have an effect on productivity. Find ways to engage remote workers, like continuing to make them feel heard and understanding them on a personal level.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is especially important to ensure the employee has the technology and security they need to be productive. Think about the specific technology each employee requires for their respective job. For example, employees who rely on meetings should be outfitted with up-to-date tools for audio and video collaboration. Security should also be a major priority as employees take company laptops to public spaces, such as coffee shops and airports, with shared Wi-Fi connections. These places make it easy for their laptop to be compromised and your company’s sensitive data to be accessed. Invest in robust security measures to protect both your employee and your company.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A new team</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may find yourself managing a new team either within your existing company or when joining a new company. Start off right by making a good impression. One way to do this is by scheduling brief one-on-one meetings with your new employees to get to know them on an individual basis. This also allows you to introduce yourself on a more personal level.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>During this time, establish open communication to discover how each employee prefers to give and receive feedback. You’ll want them to feel comfortable enough to voice their concerns or ideas. From there, you can also address any previous or ongoing issues and offer solutions to make their work more manageable.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gen Z employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Generation Z, or those born between 1996 and 2015, are beginning to enter the workforce and, as the most diverse generation, they expect leadership to align with their values in terms of inclusion, the environment and social justice. This group brings distinct characteristics to the workplace, and it’s important to understand this in order to best manage them. For this tech-savvy group, career development is important, as is explicit instruction and goal clarification. Diversity is also a top priority. Generation Z is more likely to question everything, and they care deeply about their mental health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Leading by example is key to managing and retaining Gen Z employees, so ensure you are adopting the ideals and managerial styles that best appeal to them. Create a supportive yet challenging environment for your young employees, and make sure to listen to their concerns. Learn more about managing Gen Z in the workplace.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Employees respond to leaders who care</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>At the end of the day, your team are humans with their own personal lives, dreams and problems. As a manager, you need to do more than just get the most out of them at work, but show that you’re receptive to each of their unique experiences and willing to accommodate them when possible. When employees know a manager has their back and can help them reach their goals, that’s true leadership.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6129-good-manager-skills.html\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Be a Good Manager (and keep your employees)','','publish','open','open','','how-to-be-a-good-manager-and-keep-your-employees','','','2023-10-27 20:21:50','2023-10-27 20:21:50','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3571',0,'post','',0),(3572,1,'2023-10-27 20:19:13','2023-10-27 20:19:13','','Untitled-22','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-22','','','2023-10-27 20:19:13','2023-10-27 20:19:13','',3571,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-22.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3573,1,'2023-10-27 20:21:50','2023-10-27 20:21:50','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3572,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-22-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3572\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There’s a difference between a manager and a leader. A manager’s responsibilities might include task delegation and approving timecards, but a leader focuses on the growth and well-being of your team members. The best managers know how to do both and can strategically incorporate the strengths of each employee to build a successful organization. Below, you’ll find what you need to do to be a good leader and how best to manage the most common types of employees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to be a good manager</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Being a good manager means more than just completing administrative tasks; it’s also about how you support your team and get the most out of them. According to Deborah Sweeney, president and GM of online acquisitions at MyCorporation, good managers use emotional intelligence and soft skills to achieve this.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Traditionally, we have been taught to believe that the person with the highest IQ in the room is the smartest,” Sweeney said. “However, science is increasingly proving that individuals with emotional intelligence and its four core skills – which include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management – are actually the top performers within any company.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Work with your team, not above them.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":17866} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://images.businessnewsdaily.com/app/uploads/2019/11/20134654/work-with-your-team-not-above-them.png\" alt=\"Work with your team not above them\" class=\"wp-image-17866\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You might be accustomed to fully controlling your workload, but becoming a boss will force you to give up that control and delegate some responsibilities, said Ora Shtull, an executive coach and founder of Ora Coaching.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“If you don’t break the addiction to doing it all, you won’t have the capacity to step up and do more senior stuff,” she said. “Letting go involves delegating. But it’s important to note that delegating doesn’t mean deserting the team or sacrificing accountability.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As a manager, you have a different set of responsibilities from your entry-level team members, but you should still get your hands dirty. Additionally, you should include your team in decision-making processes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Get to know your employees.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Every employee has different strengths, weaknesses and ways of learning. As a manager, it’s your duty to really understand each person’s characteristics to effectively lead them, and to create a positive boss-employee relationship. This can be done by merely observing the work they produce, but asking simple questions periodically also provides details.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Consider questions like “What was the best day you’ve had at work in the last three months?” to get your employees thinking about the tasks and assignments they enjoy doing. According to their answers, you can then tailor how you delegate tasks to this employee to obtain the best possible outcome.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You could also ask the opposite: “What was the worst day you’ve had at work in the last three months?” Having conversations from questions like these help you to understand what is not working so that you can remedy the situation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Create a positive and inclusive work environment.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The example you set for your office can greatly impact the success of your organization. It is important to create a positive, fun work environment that makes team members feel included and respected. A happy employee is a more productive employee. You can create a diverse and inclusive work culture by exemplifying good behavior on a daily basis, as well as implementing occasional team bonding activities.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You should frequently provide recognition for team successes (even small ones). Great leaders recognize their employees and express their gratitude whenever possible. Employees want to feel appreciated and have their work noticed. When you credit them for a job well done, it motivates them to keep working hard.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Simply put, great bosses pause frequently to praise others and promote the positive, rather than harping on shortcomings and mistakes,” Shtull said.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Offering praise can boost team morale and build a positive work culture. If you fail to give positive feedback and recognition, employees may think their work is going unnoticed and start to care less. In addition to daily recognition, Leah de Souza, leadership communication coach and managing director of Trainmar Consulting, recommends motivating people through team bonding and celebration.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Communicate goals, expectations and feedback.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":31923} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://images.businessnewsdaily.com/app/uploads/2019/11/03073316/Communicate-goals-expectations-and-feedback.png\" alt=\"Colleagues sitting at a table having a discussion\" class=\"wp-image-31923\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One of the most important parts of being an effective manager is successfully creating goals and communicating expectations to team members. Managers should focus on creating SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound) goals for their teams. De Souza said the objectives that are set at an organizational level should also be translated into departmental and individual goals.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“There must be a transparent link between all goals set throughout the organization,” she said. “Goals must be set in agreement with team members.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>After setting goals, good managers are transparent with team members about their expectations. De Souza recommends reviewing goals on a structured basis. You can regularly check in with team members to ensure they are happy and feel challenged in their roles. Communication is not one-sided, though; you must listen as much as you talk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say, nothing to add,” Shtull said. “In addition to giving up control of all the work, as a boss, you’ll also have to break the addiction to being right all of the time. Don’t always promote your own view. If your own ideas sound set in stone, your team members won’t want to offer theirs.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Xan Raskin, founder and CEO of Artixan Consulting Group LLC, added that great leaders don’t just listen; they listen to understand. “Making sure your employees know you not only heard them but you understand – even if you disagree – goes a long way to building a long-term rapport with employees.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Coach your team members.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To create a valuable, dedicated team, you’ll have to advocate for them. Like good coaches, bosses should keep employees motivated and passionate about the work they do. This will help your team avoid burnout and enjoy delivering their best work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Effective managers coach by asking questions, empowering their team members to think deeply and generate solutions,” Shtull said. “In turn, team members gain confidence and grow, and ultimately become amazing bosses themselves.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Let employees know you care about their futures and careers. Provide them with the training and knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace. Good managers are not threatened by the growth and success of their employees; instead, they embrace and encourage change.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“I believe a great manager knows how to tap into the strengths of their team members and turn their unique abilities into strong performances,” Sweeney said. “A good manager is not threatened by change in the workplace – whether it’s a change in how certain processes are done or new leadership – and embraces and encourages new ideas and ways of doing things.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Practice self-awareness and grow your leadership skills.</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Effective leaders know that managing others doesn’t mean they know everything. Managers should always be learning and growing alongside their team. There are several leadership skills that you can build upon, such as time management and delegation. Raskin said that managers can do this by learning how to conserve their energy for the most important tasks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Figuring out exactly how much effort, time and attention an issue needs before moving on to the next is a critical skill to get you through a workday and also make sure you have enough left for your personal life,” she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As the leader of the pack, you should practice self-awareness and understand how you personally relate to people. Be mindful of your behavior and the message it sends to your employees. Raskin said that recognizing both the intentional and unintentional impacts you have on others is a critical part of being a good manager, since you set much of the tone and culture for the organization. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“It will definitely take time and energy to get it right, even something as simple as how a manager conducts themselves at a meeting,” she said. “Do they pull out their phone during a presentation and start reviewing emails? Knowing the message that it sends to employees is critical – e.g., if the meeting isn’t important to the boss, why should it be important to me? Even these small things carry big meanings.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Successful management of a team has many moving parts, and it takes consistent self-reflection and change. Learn something new each day to work toward being the best leader you can be.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“It’s OK not to know everything; that’s actually not your job,” de Souza said. “Show your team that you are a normal human being who can mess up sometimes and laugh at a silly joke. Being a manager is not about becoming a faraway figure. Your job is to engage and guide.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Managing different types of employees</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":31924} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://images.businessnewsdaily.com/app/uploads/2019/11/03073348/Managing-different-types-of-employees-1.png\" alt=\"Group of colleagues standing in a line\" class=\"wp-image-31924\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No matter the size of your team, your employees will have all sorts of personalities. As a leader, it’s important that you learn to work with each person individually. You should not employ a one-size-fits-all managerial style, but instead find ways that best support your different employees so they do their best work. Here are some common types of employees and how best to manage them.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High-maintenance employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Employees may be considered high-maintenance if they take up a majority of a manager’s time. High-maintenance behaviors include constantly seeking affirmation, asking questions incessantly or having a hard time accepting criticism.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To manage an employee who requires a lot of attention, it’s important to create a dialogue to try to address the issue. Use this time to find out which of their needs are not being met. Also use this discussion to address the employee’s specific behaviors that could be improved, and offer ways to mitigate any issues. Above all, make sure you are tailoring your interactions to each individual.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Self-managing employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may feel you’ve hit the holy grail of employees when you hire a self-managing employee – even better when your whole team can be described as independent people who can manage themselves. You do, however, still have to be an effective leader, no matter how little guidance they need to do their jobs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your job as a manager is to ensure these employees continuously feel motivated and enthusiastic about their work. Regularly check in to discuss ways you can better support them through feedback, resources and clear communication about your team’s goals.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shy and introverted employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes you get a shy or introverted employee who exhibits reserved or timid behaviors. They may not engage much with others around the office or speak up during staff meetings, but they still may be a hard worker. Everyone has a different approach to assignments and culture. As a manager, it is your job to understand these behaviors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To ensure a shy or introverted employee feels safe and supported, give them space to work while letting them know that you’re available to help. You can also have regular one-on-one meetings that offer a more personal environment to comfortably discuss any issues. Find out which methods allow this employee to do their best work and minimize any day-to-day anxiety.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A team with different motivation levels</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No two employees are alike, and you’ll often end up with a team that has varying motivation levels. Some employees consistently go above and beyond with little guidance, while others might need more encouragement when completing their tasks. One size does not fit all in management, and each type of person requires a different kind of leadership style.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For example, high performers may require less attention, but managers should continue to set measurable goals and offer opportunities for these employees to learn and grow in their careers. On the other hand, low performers may require clear instructions, goals and expectations. It’s often not about their motivations, but rather a lack of confidence, so it’s important to highlight “teachable moments” for them to learn from and build up their confidence.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Older employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It can be intimidating to be a young manager with older employees who report directly to you. While you are qualified, you may feel your employees might not respect your authority when addressing conflicts or delegating tasks. Rather than forcing respect from your employees, it’s important to know and understand their individual strengths. Additionally, these employees may have key institutional knowledge that can add context when changing systems or strategy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>An age gap may also present some resentments, so it’s imperative to be supportive of this employee, showing that you’re invested in their successes and asking for their help. You should also be communicating and providing feedback in a manner that works best for each employee. For example, an older employee may prefer direct, face-to-face communication, while a younger employee may respond better to an IM or email.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Remote employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":17870} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://images.businessnewsdaily.com/app/uploads/2019/11/20134843/remote-employees.png\" alt=\"remote employee at a desk\" class=\"wp-image-17870\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Remote work has become far more common within the last few years due to COVID-19, and there are challenges to effectively managing employees from a distance. Remote workers can often feel less enthusiastic or connected with the rest of their team, and that can have an effect on productivity. Find ways to engage remote workers, like continuing to make them feel heard and understanding them on a personal level.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is especially important to ensure the employee has the technology and security they need to be productive. Think about the specific technology each employee requires for their respective job. For example, employees who rely on meetings should be outfitted with up-to-date tools for audio and video collaboration. Security should also be a major priority as employees take company laptops to public spaces, such as coffee shops and airports, with shared Wi-Fi connections. These places make it easy for their laptop to be compromised and your company’s sensitive data to be accessed. Invest in robust security measures to protect both your employee and your company.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A new team</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may find yourself managing a new team either within your existing company or when joining a new company. Start off right by making a good impression. One way to do this is by scheduling brief one-on-one meetings with your new employees to get to know them on an individual basis. This also allows you to introduce yourself on a more personal level.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>During this time, establish open communication to discover how each employee prefers to give and receive feedback. You’ll want them to feel comfortable enough to voice their concerns or ideas. From there, you can also address any previous or ongoing issues and offer solutions to make their work more manageable.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gen Z employees</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Generation Z, or those born between 1996 and 2015, are beginning to enter the workforce and, as the most diverse generation, they expect leadership to align with their values in terms of inclusion, the environment and social justice. This group brings distinct characteristics to the workplace, and it’s important to understand this in order to best manage them. For this tech-savvy group, career development is important, as is explicit instruction and goal clarification. Diversity is also a top priority. Generation Z is more likely to question everything, and they care deeply about their mental health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Leading by example is key to managing and retaining Gen Z employees, so ensure you are adopting the ideals and managerial styles that best appeal to them. Create a supportive yet challenging environment for your young employees, and make sure to listen to their concerns. Learn more about managing Gen Z in the workplace.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Employees respond to leaders who care</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>At the end of the day, your team are humans with their own personal lives, dreams and problems. As a manager, you need to do more than just get the most out of them at work, but show that you’re receptive to each of their unique experiences and willing to accommodate them when possible. When employees know a manager has their back and can help them reach their goals, that’s true leadership.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6129-good-manager-skills.html\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Be a Good Manager (and keep your employees)','','inherit','closed','closed','','3571-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 20:21:50','2023-10-27 20:21:50','',3571,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3573',0,'revision','',0),(3574,1,'2023-10-27 20:46:42','2023-10-27 20:46:42','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3575,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-23-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3575\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Have you ever felt like everything was a struggle? Completing simple cognitive activities like reading a paper, responding to an email, or deciding what to have for dinner feel impossible and demand more energy than you seem to have.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue is an increasingly familiar feeling caused by chronic stress and uncertainty. Balancing work and home responsibilities bear heavily on many adults, creating mental exhaustion that impacts brain activity and well-being. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If left unchecked for a long time, mental fatigue causes declining productivity and mental health conditions. This article shares seven tips to overcome mental fatigue and maintain productivity when you\'re exhausted. We\'ll begin with the meaning of mental fatigue and its leading causes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Mental Fatigue?&nbsp;</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue is a feeling of your brain being exhausted, wiped out, and unable to function optimally. When you get to this state, you feel drained and struggle with cognitive abilities, like thinking, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving. You may find it hard to concentrate and complete tasks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue happens when you have a lot on your mind that you can\'t resolve. It is different from physical fatigue even though they share similar signs, including trouble sleeping, extreme tiredness, and lethargy in daily life. Although mental fatigue doesn\'t cause pain like physical sickness, it\'s advisable to get medical advice and visit a healthcare provider if your symptoms continue for long periods of time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Observe yourself for signs of mental fatigue, such as increased anxiety and lack of motivation, and use these as a cue for personal intervention and self-care.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Causes Mental Fatigue?&nbsp;</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue can stem from one or more factors. Key among them is having too much on your plate with little support to handle them and no end to the situation. Other causes of mental fatigue include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} -->\n<ol><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Procrastination:</strong> Procrastinating leads to having more to do in less time. Even worse, procrastinating on a task can be as mentally taxing as doing it. This means when you procrastinate, you\'re piling on work for later and worrying about it now, exacerbating mental fatigue.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Stress and uncertainty:</strong>&nbsp;Experiencing stress over a long period leads to mental fatigue. This occurs especially when you have no control over the stressors. The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example. Its effects changed life as we knew it, without our control, causing great stress and mental fatigue for many people.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>A demanding job:&nbsp;</strong>Working outside your zone of expertise or juggling too many work responsibilities can lead to stress and fatigue. If you\'re unable to switch off after work hours or be present with loved ones, you may be heading straight for mental exhaustion and burnout.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Health issues:</strong> Living with a mental or physical illness can take a toll on mental health and energy levels. An illness like fibromyalgia, for example, causes pain and emotional distress, making it tough to focus, sleep well, or perform at your peak. Mental illnesses, like anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders, may also cause and be aggravated by mental fatigue.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Difficult life events:</strong>&nbsp;Unexpected events can easily put a strain on mental health. In moments of doubt and uncertainty, you may enter into survival mode where you\'re only able to handle urgent or immediate responsibilities. You may find it hard to think about the future or see past the ongoing event.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Caring for others:</strong>&nbsp;After a full workday, many workers come home to caring responsibilities. Without support, these responsibilities cause mental and emotional fatigue as well as burnout, which can lead to strained relationships with loved ones.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Poor habits:</strong> Sleep deprivation and poor diet are a few bad habits that cause mental fatigue. While short-term lack of sleep and poor nutrition may only cause drowsiness, low energy levels, and the dreaded afternoon slump, long-term bad habits create severe effects, leading to poor reactivity, productivity, and decision-making.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ol>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7 Tips to Overcome Mental Fatigue&nbsp;</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61fc0c2112cbac7ae9d13e0a/6239aae9355f021e6478ce0a_tired-woman-resting-from-a-workout.jpeg\" alt=\"Mental fatigue: woman tired after working out\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Knowing the root cause of your fatigue is the first step to overcoming it. Reflect on your lifestyle and routine to discover what causes mental fatigue. You can then work with the best solution to regain clarity and energy. Remember to give yourself some time to heal and regain strength, as there is no quick-fix cure for mental fatigue. Here are seven tips to get you started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Get Active</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Physical and mental well-being are linked. When your body feels sluggish, your mind follows. Take regular breaks to incorporate movement into your workdays and get your heart beating faster. Stand up and stretch for a couple of minutes — neck, shoulders, waist, hips, and ankles. Move around. Try simple exercises.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Increasing your physical activity helps to lower stress levels and increases blood circulation. You feel stronger, lighter, and more energized when you move. Try taking short walks in the morning without your phone to create an interlude for your body and mind. Walking for just 15 minutes a day can help clear your mind and lower stress.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Go Outside</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Step outside and breathe in deeply. Sit or walk in the sunshine for a few minutes. Research shows that spending time outside increases the release of a mood-boosting hormone, serotonin, which can make you feel calm and focused. Daily exposure to sunlight can help relieve mental and emotional exhaustion. It doesn\'t matter what your view looks like. Look up at the sky and notice clouds, birds, bits of nature, or the city around you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Work in Short Bursts</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Workloads don\'t care whether you\'re mentally exhausted or not. You have to do your work so others can do theirs. The best way to work when you\'re low on mental energy is by sticking with a simple productivity system that works for you or trying the Pomodoro time management technique.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Pomodoro technique is excellent for dealing with mental fatigue because it only requires you to focus on a task for a short period of time and then rest.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Start with a time that works for you in the mental state you\'re in. If you can focus for 10 minutes, that\'s a start. You feel less drained when you break your work into short bursts.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Follow these rules to use the Pomodoro technique:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Set a timer and work for 25 minutes.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Focus on one task throughout this time.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Take a five-minute break when the 25 minutes ends.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Do this four times, i.e., for two hours.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Then, take a break for 15-30 minutes.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Repeat the cycle until your task is complete.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Play Your Favorite Music</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Listening to music soothes and perks up your brain, temporarily providing a reprieve from feelings of mental fatigue. A study published in the Neuroscience journal suggests that listening to your favorite music has a positive effect similar to exercising.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Turn on some good music to set the ambiance for work. Choose tracks that make you feel good, get into a flow state, and forget about surrounding worries. While many prefer lo-fi music when studying or working, you may go for something different. Play music that lifts your mood, helps generate positive thoughts, and isn’t distracting.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Clear Your Mind</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61fc0c2112cbac7ae9d13e0a/6239ab242f09e0ce8f0817ff_person-writing.jpeg\" alt=\"Person writing in a journal\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue is often a result of having too much on your mind. Clear your mind by writing down all that\'s bothering you. This may include tasks, responsibilities, ideas, and plans. Note your stressors in all aspects and also some possible solutions. Do this as a systematic review of your state of mind as you try to unwrap all it\'s trying to resolve.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Practice gratitude and mindfulness, reminding yourself of all you have accomplished, even if you have a lot more to do. You can also try short meditation breaks where you sit quietly, close your eyes, and focus on breathing. These practices help you feel more settled, positive, and able to carry on.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Eat Well</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue can be the result of poor nutrition. Whether your fatigue is caused by a vitamin deficiency or an unhealthy diet, there are certain \"brain\" foods you can eat to combat mental exhaustion. Add foods like avocado, eggs, and yogurt to your diet to stay mentally healthy.  </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Connect With a Friend</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Connecting with a good friend may provide a fresh perspective on your work or life and the things causing you stress. Plan a catch-up session — either in person or over the phone – with someone you trust. As you talk about what you have going on, actively listen to their take on the situation. Maintaining connections and good friendships helps develop work-life balance and objectivity to overcome mental fatigue.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://rize.io/blog/mental-fatigue\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What Is Mental Fatigue, and How Do You Overcome It?','','publish','open','open','','what-is-mental-fatigue-and-how-do-you-overcome-it','','','2023-10-27 20:46:42','2023-10-27 20:46:42','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3574',0,'post','',0),(3575,1,'2023-10-27 20:23:19','2023-10-27 20:23:19','','Untitled-23','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-23','','','2023-10-27 20:23:19','2023-10-27 20:23:19','',3574,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-23.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3576,1,'2023-10-27 20:46:42','2023-10-27 20:46:42','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3575,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-23-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3575\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Have you ever felt like everything was a struggle? Completing simple cognitive activities like reading a paper, responding to an email, or deciding what to have for dinner feel impossible and demand more energy than you seem to have.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue is an increasingly familiar feeling caused by chronic stress and uncertainty. Balancing work and home responsibilities bear heavily on many adults, creating mental exhaustion that impacts brain activity and well-being. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If left unchecked for a long time, mental fatigue causes declining productivity and mental health conditions. This article shares seven tips to overcome mental fatigue and maintain productivity when you\'re exhausted. We\'ll begin with the meaning of mental fatigue and its leading causes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Mental Fatigue?&nbsp;</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue is a feeling of your brain being exhausted, wiped out, and unable to function optimally. When you get to this state, you feel drained and struggle with cognitive abilities, like thinking, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving. You may find it hard to concentrate and complete tasks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue happens when you have a lot on your mind that you can\'t resolve. It is different from physical fatigue even though they share similar signs, including trouble sleeping, extreme tiredness, and lethargy in daily life. Although mental fatigue doesn\'t cause pain like physical sickness, it\'s advisable to get medical advice and visit a healthcare provider if your symptoms continue for long periods of time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Observe yourself for signs of mental fatigue, such as increased anxiety and lack of motivation, and use these as a cue for personal intervention and self-care.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Causes Mental Fatigue?&nbsp;</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue can stem from one or more factors. Key among them is having too much on your plate with little support to handle them and no end to the situation. Other causes of mental fatigue include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} -->\n<ol><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Procrastination:</strong> Procrastinating leads to having more to do in less time. Even worse, procrastinating on a task can be as mentally taxing as doing it. This means when you procrastinate, you\'re piling on work for later and worrying about it now, exacerbating mental fatigue.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Stress and uncertainty:</strong>&nbsp;Experiencing stress over a long period leads to mental fatigue. This occurs especially when you have no control over the stressors. The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example. Its effects changed life as we knew it, without our control, causing great stress and mental fatigue for many people.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>A demanding job:&nbsp;</strong>Working outside your zone of expertise or juggling too many work responsibilities can lead to stress and fatigue. If you\'re unable to switch off after work hours or be present with loved ones, you may be heading straight for mental exhaustion and burnout.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Health issues:</strong> Living with a mental or physical illness can take a toll on mental health and energy levels. An illness like fibromyalgia, for example, causes pain and emotional distress, making it tough to focus, sleep well, or perform at your peak. Mental illnesses, like anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders, may also cause and be aggravated by mental fatigue.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Difficult life events:</strong>&nbsp;Unexpected events can easily put a strain on mental health. In moments of doubt and uncertainty, you may enter into survival mode where you\'re only able to handle urgent or immediate responsibilities. You may find it hard to think about the future or see past the ongoing event.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Caring for others:</strong>&nbsp;After a full workday, many workers come home to caring responsibilities. Without support, these responsibilities cause mental and emotional fatigue as well as burnout, which can lead to strained relationships with loved ones.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Poor habits:</strong> Sleep deprivation and poor diet are a few bad habits that cause mental fatigue. While short-term lack of sleep and poor nutrition may only cause drowsiness, low energy levels, and the dreaded afternoon slump, long-term bad habits create severe effects, leading to poor reactivity, productivity, and decision-making.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ol>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7 Tips to Overcome Mental Fatigue&nbsp;</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61fc0c2112cbac7ae9d13e0a/6239aae9355f021e6478ce0a_tired-woman-resting-from-a-workout.jpeg\" alt=\"Mental fatigue: woman tired after working out\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Knowing the root cause of your fatigue is the first step to overcoming it. Reflect on your lifestyle and routine to discover what causes mental fatigue. You can then work with the best solution to regain clarity and energy. Remember to give yourself some time to heal and regain strength, as there is no quick-fix cure for mental fatigue. Here are seven tips to get you started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Get Active</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Physical and mental well-being are linked. When your body feels sluggish, your mind follows. Take regular breaks to incorporate movement into your workdays and get your heart beating faster. Stand up and stretch for a couple of minutes — neck, shoulders, waist, hips, and ankles. Move around. Try simple exercises.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Increasing your physical activity helps to lower stress levels and increases blood circulation. You feel stronger, lighter, and more energized when you move. Try taking short walks in the morning without your phone to create an interlude for your body and mind. Walking for just 15 minutes a day can help clear your mind and lower stress.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Go Outside</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Step outside and breathe in deeply. Sit or walk in the sunshine for a few minutes. Research shows that spending time outside increases the release of a mood-boosting hormone, serotonin, which can make you feel calm and focused. Daily exposure to sunlight can help relieve mental and emotional exhaustion. It doesn\'t matter what your view looks like. Look up at the sky and notice clouds, birds, bits of nature, or the city around you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Work in Short Bursts</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Workloads don\'t care whether you\'re mentally exhausted or not. You have to do your work so others can do theirs. The best way to work when you\'re low on mental energy is by sticking with a simple productivity system that works for you or trying the Pomodoro time management technique.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Pomodoro technique is excellent for dealing with mental fatigue because it only requires you to focus on a task for a short period of time and then rest.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Start with a time that works for you in the mental state you\'re in. If you can focus for 10 minutes, that\'s a start. You feel less drained when you break your work into short bursts.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Follow these rules to use the Pomodoro technique:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Set a timer and work for 25 minutes.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Focus on one task throughout this time.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Take a five-minute break when the 25 minutes ends.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Do this four times, i.e., for two hours.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Then, take a break for 15-30 minutes.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Repeat the cycle until your task is complete.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Play Your Favorite Music</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Listening to music soothes and perks up your brain, temporarily providing a reprieve from feelings of mental fatigue. A study published in the Neuroscience journal suggests that listening to your favorite music has a positive effect similar to exercising.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Turn on some good music to set the ambiance for work. Choose tracks that make you feel good, get into a flow state, and forget about surrounding worries. While many prefer lo-fi music when studying or working, you may go for something different. Play music that lifts your mood, helps generate positive thoughts, and isn’t distracting.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Clear Your Mind</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61fc0c2112cbac7ae9d13e0a/6239ab242f09e0ce8f0817ff_person-writing.jpeg\" alt=\"Person writing in a journal\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue is often a result of having too much on your mind. Clear your mind by writing down all that\'s bothering you. This may include tasks, responsibilities, ideas, and plans. Note your stressors in all aspects and also some possible solutions. Do this as a systematic review of your state of mind as you try to unwrap all it\'s trying to resolve.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Practice gratitude and mindfulness, reminding yourself of all you have accomplished, even if you have a lot more to do. You can also try short meditation breaks where you sit quietly, close your eyes, and focus on breathing. These practices help you feel more settled, positive, and able to carry on.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Eat Well</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mental fatigue can be the result of poor nutrition. Whether your fatigue is caused by a vitamin deficiency or an unhealthy diet, there are certain \"brain\" foods you can eat to combat mental exhaustion. Add foods like avocado, eggs, and yogurt to your diet to stay mentally healthy.  </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Connect With a Friend</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Connecting with a good friend may provide a fresh perspective on your work or life and the things causing you stress. Plan a catch-up session — either in person or over the phone – with someone you trust. As you talk about what you have going on, actively listen to their take on the situation. Maintaining connections and good friendships helps develop work-life balance and objectivity to overcome mental fatigue.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://rize.io/blog/mental-fatigue\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What Is Mental Fatigue, and How Do You Overcome It?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3574-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 20:46:42','2023-10-27 20:46:42','',3574,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3576',0,'revision','',0),(3728,1,'2023-12-28 01:49:45','2023-12-28 01:49:45','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3729,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Untitled-21-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3729\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Devastating and costly disasters can strike where you live at any time. That is why it’s important to purchase either homeowners insurance or renters insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Homeowners and renters insurance are similar. Both cover your personal property (your belongings) for problems like fire and theft. And they both cover you if you are responsible for damages to someone else. But there are some key differences.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Differs in Renters Insurance Coverage vs. Home Insurance Coverage?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The primary difference between homeowners insurance and renters insurance is that homeowners insurance covers structures—your house, a fence, a shed and other structures. This is not true of renters insurance. Your landlord’s insurance covers damage to the building.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For example, if you own a home and a fire damages your house, your homeowners insurance will pay to repair the building. But if you rent your home and fire damages your apartment, your landlord’s insurance policy would cover repairs to the building.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Homeowners Insurance vs. Renters Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you are considering purchasing either homeowners or renters insurance, keep the following in mind.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Needs it?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>If you own your house, you need homeowners insurance. It’s typically required if you have a mortgage.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>If you rent your home, you need renters insurance. Your landlord may require you to have it.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does it Cover?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Homeowners insurance</strong>&nbsp;covers your house, other structures, and accidental property damage and injuries to others. It also includes coverage for additional living expenses if you temporarily can’t live in your home due to a problem covered by the policy.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Renters insurance</strong>&nbsp;covers your personal belongings as well as accidental property damage and injuries to others. It also includes additional living expenses coverage if you temporarily can’t live at home due to a problem covered by your policy.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are Discounts Available?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You can often find homeowners insurance discounts like safety and security feature discounts, roof age discounts, and policy-related discounts such as bundling your home and auto insurance policies.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Renters insurance companies also offer multi-policy discounts, such as bundling auto and renters insurance. You can also find discounts such as home safety discounts and policy-related discounts, like going paperless or paying your premium in full.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Are the Premiums Paid?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can typically pay homeowners or renters insurance premiums online, by EFT payment or by mailing your insurer a check. Some homeowners pay their home insurance premiums through an escrow account.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Homeowners and renters insurance payments are typically made on a monthly, quarterly, semi annual or annual basis.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is There a Deductible?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Both home and renters insurance policies have a deductible for claims related to theft and property damage. There is no deductible on liability claims made against you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>An insurance deductible is the amount subtracted from an insurance check if you file a claim for certain coverage types, such as a stolen or damaged property claim. Common deductible amounts are $500 and $1,000. For example, if you file a home insurance claim for a burst pipe that destroyed a couch and you have a $500 deductible, that amount will be deducted from your claims check.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Homeowners Insurance vs. Renters Insurance: What Perils Are Covered?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Renters and home insurance policies cover what are known as “perils,” which is another word for problems. For example, a home insurance policy covers fire-related damage to your house and personal property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Personal property for both home and renters insurance covers 16 perils:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Aircraft, including spacecraft and self-propelled</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Civil commotion or riot</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Explosion</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Falling objects</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Freezing</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Hail or windstorm</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Malicious mischief or vandalism</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Lightning or fire</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Smoke</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Sudden and accidental tearing apart, cracking, burning or bulging</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Theft</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Vehicles</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Weight of ice, sleet or snow</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Volcanic eruption</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The most common type of homeowners insurance policy is an HO-3. An HO-3 is an “open-perils” policy for your house. It will cover any cause of house damage except for causes specifically listed as exclusions. Common exclusions include power failure, floods, earthquakes, negligence, normal wear and tear, pets and insects, and negligence. But an HO-3 policy typically covers your possessions for only 16 perils, which will be listed in the policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can upgrade to an HO-5 policy for the highest level of home insurance. It covers your house and personal property for all perils, except for those listed as exclusions (such as floods). It also includes replacement cost coverage for damaged or stolen items rather than actual cash value. By contrast, with an HO-3 policy you generally need to add a simple endorsement in order to get replacement cost coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Coverage Types in Homeowners and Renters Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Homeowners insurance and renters insurance share several types of coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal Property Coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Personal property coverage pays to repair or replace your possessions such as furniture, tools, clothing, electronics, toys, sports equipment and more. Your belongings typically are covered wherever you take them, including in your car or on vacations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The theft of high-value items such as jewelry is typically limited to a certain amount (such as $1,500). If you want more coverage for high-value items, you’ll want to schedule personal property. This means your valuable items will be insured separately from the rest of your belongings and will have full coverage for theft and damage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal Liability Coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Personal liability coverage pays for medical expenses, property damage and legal costs if you accidentally cause injuries or property damage to others. For example, if your dog bites someone at a park, your liability insurance can pay for their medical bills.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you want more liability coverage than your home or renters insurance provides, consider adding an umbrella insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Living Expenses</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Additional living expenses (ALE) coverage pays for temporary housing and other costs if you cannot live at home due to a problem covered by your policy (like a fire). It covers costs like hotel bills, takeout meals and services such as pet boarding and laundry.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medical Payments Coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Medical payments coverage pays for small medical expenses for a guest who is injured in your home or apartment, no matter who is at fault for the accident. This way, small medical bills can be paid quickly. It also covers small medical bills of others due to problems that happen away from your house, such as your dog biting someone in the park. This coverage is usually sold in small coverage amounts such as $1,000 to $5,000.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Is Homeowners Insurance More Expensive Than Renters Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The primary reason homeowners insurance is more expensive than renters insurance is because it covers the cost of rebuilding your house if a problem like a fire destroys it. Renters insurance does not pay to repair any structures. Landlord insurance covers the building if you are a renter.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A home insurance policy also covers other structures, like a deck, detached garage or fence. Renters insurance does not cover other structures—that’s also covered by landlord insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Renters Insurance Do I Need?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can figure out how much renters insurance you need by creating a home inventory. That will give you an idea of how much personal property coverage you’ll need in case your belongings are destroyed by a problem like a tornado or fire.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A home inventory can be as simple as using a pen and paper, or you can use your phone to take pictures or video. You can also use an app, such as the home inventory app provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. You’ll want to record a description of your items (or group of items, like dishes) and the estimated values. You can also include serial numbers and receipts if you have them.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But personal property coverage is just the starting point. Don’t overlook the importance of purchasing higher amounts of liability coverage, particularly if you have a high net worth. Typically, a renters policy might start with a minimum of $100,000 in liability protection, which is probably far too little for many people. You want to have enough liability insurance to cover what you could lose in a lawsuit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Finally, decide how much coverage you need for additional living expenses. Your insurance company will either offer you a flat amount of this coverage (such as $5,000) or base your coverage amount on a percentage of your personal property coverage. If you need more coverage, you can typically buy more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shopping for Homeowners or Renters Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether you’re shopping for a home or renters insurance policy, the process for getting insurance is similar. Here are some tips for finding the right policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Homeowners Insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Buying a home can be a daunting process, but it’s much easier to buy a home insurance policy. Here’s how to get homeowners insurance:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Determine how much homeowners insurance you need.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Gather information on your home, like the year it was built, number of rooms, square footage and the type of building materials.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Compare homeowners insurance quotes among several different insurers.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Progressive and Westfield have the cheapest home insurance, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis. Your home insurance costs will vary depending on where you live, the age of the house and other factors, such as the cost to rebuild your house.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Renters Insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The process of buying a renters policy is similar to a home insurance policy. Here’s how to get renters insurance:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Determine how much personal property coverage you need by creating a home inventory.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Estimate the amount of liability insurance you need based on your net worth.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Compare renters insurance quotes from several insurers.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>State Farm has the cheapest renters insurance, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis. Your renters insurance costs will vary depending on where you live and other factors, such as how much coverage you need.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Renters Insurance vs. Landlord Insurance: Are They the Same?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Renters insurance and landlord insurance are very different.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Renters insurance</strong>&nbsp;covers your belongings for problems like theft and fire. It also covers accidental injuries and property damage to others, plus your additional living expenses if you can’t live in your home due to a problem covered by your policy.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Landlord insurance</strong> covers the building and other structures for problems like fires, tornadoes and vandalism. It does not cover your belongings if they are damaged.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/homeowners-insurance/whats-difference-between-renters-insurance-and-homeowners-insurance/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Homeowners Insurance Vs. Renters Insurance: What’s The Difference?','','publish','closed','closed','','homeowners-insurance-vs-renters-insurance-whats-the-difference','','','2023-12-28 01:49:45','2023-12-28 01:49:45','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3728',0,'post','',0),(3578,1,'2023-10-27 20:56:34','2023-10-27 20:56:34','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Extend your Thanksgiving feast and everyday meals.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3579,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-25-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3579\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For some people, Thanksgiving leftovers are as special as the main meal—maybe even more so. And it’s not just because eating them extends the holiday. Some foods just plain taste better a day or so after they’re made. Chemical reactions that continue after food is cooked can further develop flavor, making leftovers sometimes taste better than the original dish, according the Institute of Food Technology.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But when consuming leftovers, it’s important to be aware of food safety concerns, like making sure they’re stored properly and knowing how long they’re good for. Many people make significant errors when storing food, according to a survey published in the journal Foods. Some leave it on a counter too long before refrigerating it, or let it linger in the fridge longer than advised, for example. And that results in food that’s unappealing or just plain unsafe to eat.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>November and December are the peak months for food poisoning caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Called “the cafeteria germ,” it grows in cooked foods such as turkey and beef kept at room temperature. The CDC says it’s the second most common cause of food poisoning in the U.S.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But it’s possible to keep almost all of your leftovers tasty and safe to eat for at least a few days. And a majority of it can be frozen if you won’t eat everything within that time. The trick is to do it well. Poor storage can lead to less-than-tasty leftovers, but different kinds of food require different treatment. Here’s what you need to know.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consider Your Leftover Profile</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Are you someone who eats a big turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving and then quickly gets over the leftover thing? Or do you love to stretch out the feast as long as possible?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Think back to how much food you ended up throwing away last year,” says Amy Keating, RD, a Consumer Reports nutritionist. “Food waste is a big problem in this country every day, but especially on Thanksgiving.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), nearly 200 million pounds of turkey meat is tossed during the holiday week. And not everyone at the holiday table is going to have a serving of every side dish you prepare, Keating adds.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“You may need enough of the popular sides, such as stuffing or mashed potatoes, to serve everyone, but otherwise, count on about half of the people at your table eating each side,” she says. The NRDC’s Guest-timator calculator can help you figure out how much food you need, taking into account how long you’re willing to eat leftovers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As you make this year’s dinner, Keating also suggests taking notes on what you served, how many people were there, and how much food was left. “Keep the notes where you store your Thanksgiving recipes,” Keating says. “They’ll come in handy next year.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Think Ahead</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you figure out in advance what you’d like to do with your leftovers, you can minimize the waste. You might make a rice side dish for the holiday that would pair well with a piece of chicken or fish later in the week. And you can use up leftover turkey by making soup.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Follow the 2-Hour Rule</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In a USDA survey, nearly 80 percent of the respondents said they let leftovers cool down before refrigerating them. It might sound practical to wait until food isn’t steaming-hot to put it in your hardworking fridge, but it’s a bad idea. That leaves it in what’s known as the temperature danger zone, between 40° F and 140° F, where bacteria can thrive. Leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking—at most—regardless of their temperature. (And your fridge should be set to 40° F or lower; CR recommends 37° F.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Turkey carcasses in particular shouldn’t be left out. A whole turkey takes a long time to cool down, and its moist, warm interior is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Don’t just put the whole turkey in the refrigerator though. You can store wings or legs on the bone, but slice the meat off the breast.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Time in the danger zone is cumulative,” says Elizabeth Andress, PhD, a professor emerita and food-safety specialist at the University of Georgia and former director of the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Even if food is out for just 5 or 10 minutes at a time, once those minutes add up to a total of 2 hours in the zone, throwing it out isn’t waste—it’s protecting yourself from potential food poisoning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\'t Overestimate How Long Leftovers Are Good For</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Three to four days in the fridge—that’s the max for cooked foods. After that, their taste and safety may suffer. This is true of desserts, too, though in that 2016 study published in the journal Foods, nearly half of the respondents guessed closer to a week.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Know What Freezes Well</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you find you have more than you can possibly eat in four days, you can freeze many holiday staples. They’ll be good for two to six months. Some good options are stuffing or dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and, surprisingly, cooked turkey, according to Andress.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Freezing may make the onions, bell peppers, and celery in vegetable dishes a little softer than they would otherwise be, she says. “Creamed vegetables may lose flavor, so it’s best if they are frozen for short periods of time.” And, she adds, dishes with cream or creamy soup-based sauces may separate and be a little watery upon thawing, but they will still be usable. Note that for safety, most frozen leftovers should be reheated completely to at least 165° F before eating, according to the CDC.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Divide and Conquer</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether you’re putting leftovers in the fridge or freezer, break them down into portions of one or two servings each—about what you’d use for a single meal—and store them in shallow, covered containers. Or consider using silicone food storage bags, which can take up less room. Storing smaller portions in several containers helps ensure that the leftovers will cool more quickly, makes it easier when you’re reheating them, and means you don’t have to thaw more than you need.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wrap It Up Right</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Use air-tight, moisture-proof wrapping material, such as heavy-duty foil, freezer paper, or freezer-weight bags,” Andress says. Do your best to keep excess air out of the package. “Air around food in the freezer is an enemy of quality,” she says. “It promotes drying out as well as quicker flavor loss. With some light-colored fruits and vegetables, that retained air also causes some browning while the food is getting frozen, as well as during thawing.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\'t Refrigerate Every Pie</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’re planning to eat fruit pies, like apple or cherry, within the next couple of days, you can store them loosely covered on the counter.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But pies with a filling that contains dairy or eggs (like pumpkin) should be refrigerated. And for any pie, if you’re not planning to serve it in the next few days, it’s fine to freeze it. Just be aware that custard and meringue don’t freeze well, so you may be better off eating the dessert instead.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Freeze Within the 4-Day Window</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’ve put several portions worth of, say, stuffing in the refrigerator and later realize there’s no way your family is going to get through them all before the four-day fridge limit, you can still freeze them. If a food is safe to eat, it’s safe to freeze, Andress says. But food you’ve frozen after it has been sitting in the fridge for a while may not have the same quality it would if you froze it earlier.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\'t Assume You Need to Defrost</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It’s not necessary for safety, and Andress says it can sometimes be better in terms of quality if you don’t. “Plain or just-seasoned vegetables are best reheated without thawing,” she says. “Many other dishes that will be heated or cooked are best not thawed first, either.” These include casseroles, stuffing/dressing, baked beans, and lasagna.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you want to thaw leftovers, don’t place them on the counter; defrost in the fridge. For faster defrosting, you can put the food in a sealable, watertight bag and immerse it in a container of cold water. Change the water every half-hour. And finally, you can use a microwave following the defrosting directions in your owner’s manual.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Microwave With Care</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Heating in a microwave isn’t always even, which means that not every part of what you’re reheating may get hot enough to kill bacteria. The government site Foodsafety.gov recommends adding some liquid and putting the food in a microwave-safe dish with a cover to create steam. It also suggests rotating the food (if your microwave doesn’t already do that) and then letting it sit for several minutes before serving to allow the heat to distribute throughout. Using a food thermometer in several places will also help you make sure everything is thoroughly and evenly reheated. And don’t reheat turkey in the microwave; it may dry out. Use the stovetop instead, and warm it with a little broth or gravy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/how-to-keep-leftovers-delicious-and-safe-a3694574528/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Keep Leftovers Delicious (and Safe)','','publish','open','open','','how-to-keep-leftovers-delicious-and-safe','','','2023-10-27 20:56:34','2023-10-27 20:56:34','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3578',0,'post','',0),(3579,1,'2023-10-27 20:55:10','2023-10-27 20:55:10','','Untitled-25','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-25','','','2023-10-27 20:55:10','2023-10-27 20:55:10','',3578,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-25.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3580,1,'2023-10-27 20:56:34','2023-10-27 20:56:34','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Extend your Thanksgiving feast and everyday meals.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3579,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-25-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3579\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For some people, Thanksgiving leftovers are as special as the main meal—maybe even more so. And it’s not just because eating them extends the holiday. Some foods just plain taste better a day or so after they’re made. Chemical reactions that continue after food is cooked can further develop flavor, making leftovers sometimes taste better than the original dish, according the Institute of Food Technology.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But when consuming leftovers, it’s important to be aware of food safety concerns, like making sure they’re stored properly and knowing how long they’re good for. Many people make significant errors when storing food, according to a survey published in the journal Foods. Some leave it on a counter too long before refrigerating it, or let it linger in the fridge longer than advised, for example. And that results in food that’s unappealing or just plain unsafe to eat.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>November and December are the peak months for food poisoning caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Called “the cafeteria germ,” it grows in cooked foods such as turkey and beef kept at room temperature. The CDC says it’s the second most common cause of food poisoning in the U.S.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But it’s possible to keep almost all of your leftovers tasty and safe to eat for at least a few days. And a majority of it can be frozen if you won’t eat everything within that time. The trick is to do it well. Poor storage can lead to less-than-tasty leftovers, but different kinds of food require different treatment. Here’s what you need to know.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consider Your Leftover Profile</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Are you someone who eats a big turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving and then quickly gets over the leftover thing? Or do you love to stretch out the feast as long as possible?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Think back to how much food you ended up throwing away last year,” says Amy Keating, RD, a Consumer Reports nutritionist. “Food waste is a big problem in this country every day, but especially on Thanksgiving.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), nearly 200 million pounds of turkey meat is tossed during the holiday week. And not everyone at the holiday table is going to have a serving of every side dish you prepare, Keating adds.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“You may need enough of the popular sides, such as stuffing or mashed potatoes, to serve everyone, but otherwise, count on about half of the people at your table eating each side,” she says. The NRDC’s Guest-timator calculator can help you figure out how much food you need, taking into account how long you’re willing to eat leftovers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As you make this year’s dinner, Keating also suggests taking notes on what you served, how many people were there, and how much food was left. “Keep the notes where you store your Thanksgiving recipes,” Keating says. “They’ll come in handy next year.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Think Ahead</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you figure out in advance what you’d like to do with your leftovers, you can minimize the waste. You might make a rice side dish for the holiday that would pair well with a piece of chicken or fish later in the week. And you can use up leftover turkey by making soup.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Follow the 2-Hour Rule</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In a USDA survey, nearly 80 percent of the respondents said they let leftovers cool down before refrigerating them. It might sound practical to wait until food isn’t steaming-hot to put it in your hardworking fridge, but it’s a bad idea. That leaves it in what’s known as the temperature danger zone, between 40° F and 140° F, where bacteria can thrive. Leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking—at most—regardless of their temperature. (And your fridge should be set to 40° F or lower; CR recommends 37° F.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Turkey carcasses in particular shouldn’t be left out. A whole turkey takes a long time to cool down, and its moist, warm interior is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Don’t just put the whole turkey in the refrigerator though. You can store wings or legs on the bone, but slice the meat off the breast.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Time in the danger zone is cumulative,” says Elizabeth Andress, PhD, a professor emerita and food-safety specialist at the University of Georgia and former director of the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Even if food is out for just 5 or 10 minutes at a time, once those minutes add up to a total of 2 hours in the zone, throwing it out isn’t waste—it’s protecting yourself from potential food poisoning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\'t Overestimate How Long Leftovers Are Good For</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Three to four days in the fridge—that’s the max for cooked foods. After that, their taste and safety may suffer. This is true of desserts, too, though in that 2016 study published in the journal Foods, nearly half of the respondents guessed closer to a week.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Know What Freezes Well</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you find you have more than you can possibly eat in four days, you can freeze many holiday staples. They’ll be good for two to six months. Some good options are stuffing or dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and, surprisingly, cooked turkey, according to Andress.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Freezing may make the onions, bell peppers, and celery in vegetable dishes a little softer than they would otherwise be, she says. “Creamed vegetables may lose flavor, so it’s best if they are frozen for short periods of time.” And, she adds, dishes with cream or creamy soup-based sauces may separate and be a little watery upon thawing, but they will still be usable. Note that for safety, most frozen leftovers should be reheated completely to at least 165° F before eating, according to the CDC.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Divide and Conquer</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether you’re putting leftovers in the fridge or freezer, break them down into portions of one or two servings each—about what you’d use for a single meal—and store them in shallow, covered containers. Or consider using silicone food storage bags, which can take up less room. Storing smaller portions in several containers helps ensure that the leftovers will cool more quickly, makes it easier when you’re reheating them, and means you don’t have to thaw more than you need.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wrap It Up Right</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Use air-tight, moisture-proof wrapping material, such as heavy-duty foil, freezer paper, or freezer-weight bags,” Andress says. Do your best to keep excess air out of the package. “Air around food in the freezer is an enemy of quality,” she says. “It promotes drying out as well as quicker flavor loss. With some light-colored fruits and vegetables, that retained air also causes some browning while the food is getting frozen, as well as during thawing.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\'t Refrigerate Every Pie</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’re planning to eat fruit pies, like apple or cherry, within the next couple of days, you can store them loosely covered on the counter.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But pies with a filling that contains dairy or eggs (like pumpkin) should be refrigerated. And for any pie, if you’re not planning to serve it in the next few days, it’s fine to freeze it. Just be aware that custard and meringue don’t freeze well, so you may be better off eating the dessert instead.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Freeze Within the 4-Day Window</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’ve put several portions worth of, say, stuffing in the refrigerator and later realize there’s no way your family is going to get through them all before the four-day fridge limit, you can still freeze them. If a food is safe to eat, it’s safe to freeze, Andress says. But food you’ve frozen after it has been sitting in the fridge for a while may not have the same quality it would if you froze it earlier.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\'t Assume You Need to Defrost</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It’s not necessary for safety, and Andress says it can sometimes be better in terms of quality if you don’t. “Plain or just-seasoned vegetables are best reheated without thawing,” she says. “Many other dishes that will be heated or cooked are best not thawed first, either.” These include casseroles, stuffing/dressing, baked beans, and lasagna.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When you want to thaw leftovers, don’t place them on the counter; defrost in the fridge. For faster defrosting, you can put the food in a sealable, watertight bag and immerse it in a container of cold water. Change the water every half-hour. And finally, you can use a microwave following the defrosting directions in your owner’s manual.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Microwave With Care</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Heating in a microwave isn’t always even, which means that not every part of what you’re reheating may get hot enough to kill bacteria. The government site Foodsafety.gov recommends adding some liquid and putting the food in a microwave-safe dish with a cover to create steam. It also suggests rotating the food (if your microwave doesn’t already do that) and then letting it sit for several minutes before serving to allow the heat to distribute throughout. Using a food thermometer in several places will also help you make sure everything is thoroughly and evenly reheated. And don’t reheat turkey in the microwave; it may dry out. Use the stovetop instead, and warm it with a little broth or gravy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/how-to-keep-leftovers-delicious-and-safe-a3694574528/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Keep Leftovers Delicious (and Safe)','','inherit','closed','closed','','3578-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 20:56:34','2023-10-27 20:56:34','',3578,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3580',0,'revision','',0),(3581,1,'2023-10-27 21:20:22','2023-10-27 21:20:22','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The insurance can help pay for property damaged in a fire or stolen. And replacing clothes, furniture and electronic gadgets adds up.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3582,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-27-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3582\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>College students who are already shopping for laptops, textbooks and other campus gear may want to add something else to their list: renter’s insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The insurance can help pay for personal property that is stolen or damaged by accidents like fires from cooking. It offers liability coverage to help cover medical and legal costs if someone is injured at your place or someone’s belongings are damaged. And some policies pay for a hotel and meals, if a calamity leaves the property unlivable.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students may not think they have much gear, but replacing clothes, furniture and electronic gadgets adds up. A stolen backpack with a laptop, tablet and textbooks can easily total $3,000, said John Fees, co-founder and managing director with GradGuard, which markets student renter policies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students living in dorms may have partial coverage through their parents’ homeowner policies, said Loretta Worters, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group. This “off-premises” coverage, however, is often less than the homeowner policy’s benefit limit — say, 10 percent. If the policy covered belongings up to $100,000, the coverage for the dorm room would be $10,000.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“You may not have as robust coverage at a different location,” said Karen Collins, assistant vice president of personal lines at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, an industry group.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some homeowner policies don’t automatically include a student’s residence, so it’s best to confirm coverage, Mr. Fees said. Homeowner policies often have a higher deductible — an amount that is subtracted from a claim payment — than a renter’s policy, he said.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some colleges may require students to carry insurance as part of their campus housing contract. And many property owners who rent off-campus housing require students to buy coverage, said Alexandra Alvarado, director of marketing and education for the American Apartment Owners Association, which provides services to landlords.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“The landlord has insurance on the property itself,” she said, “but that doesn’t include the tenant’s property.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you have a renter\'s policy, your belongings are often covered even if they are stolen away from home. Ms. Alvarado recalled that when she was in college, her laptop was stolen from her car and her renter’s policy paid to replace it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A renter\'s policy doesn’t cover everything. The policy may shield you if someone trips and gets hurt in your apartment, but not if a guest intentionally punches a hole in the wall, Ms. Alvarado said: “That’s what the security deposit is for.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The average annual renter’s premium was $174 in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Some policies cost less. Lemonade, an online insurer, offers basic policies starting at $5 a month.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Coverage details can vary by state and by insurer. Make sure the policy’s maximum benefit is high enough to cover your belongings. Always check to see if the policy pays the replacement cost of damaged property rather than actual cash value, which may be less, and if it lists any exclusions. Policy language can be confusing, so ask if you don’t understand something.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students with items that exceed their policy’s coverage amount, like special computer equipment or musical instruments, may be able to add them at extra cost, Ms. Worters said.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A renter’s policy typically covers water damage caused by sprinkler systems that are accidentally set off or from rain entering through a damaged roof — but generally not from floodwater flowing in from the ground up. For that, you would need a flood insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How frequent is water damage from sprinkler system mishaps? “I wouldn’t describe it as common, but when it does occur, it’s significant,” said Josh Gana, facilities and physical environment director with the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students may mistakenly activate a sprinkler by knocking a ball around the room or by hanging something on a system fixture, he said. Water can soak a room quickly, and linked sprinklers may also damage other students’ belongings.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>After a fatal dorm fire in 2000 at Seton Hall University, more colleges installed fire suppression systems, Mr. Fees said. There were about 1,200 fires in on-campus housing in 2020, according to federal data.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are some questions and answers about insurance at college:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"link-5db5d1a6\">Will my renter’s policy cover my roommate’s stuff?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No. Some insurers may add a roommate to your policy for a slightly higher premium, Ms. Worters said. If not, your roommate would need a separate policy to have coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"link-583ac2c6\">Does renter’s insurance pay for repairs if I drop my laptop?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Not likely. Renter’s policies typically cover theft of a laptop as well as damage or destruction from fire or other “perils.” But knocking the device off a desk and cracking the screen doesn’t qualify. Special laptop plans offered by some insurers and device makers, or an extended warranty or service contract, can provide coverage. Consumer Reports found little benefit in extended computer warranties, however, because the cost is similar to the cost of a repair.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"link-7e69d252\">Can I get a discount on my auto insurance if my student is away at college?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Auto rates are typically higher for teenagers. But if your student is away and not driving your car, you may be eligible for a lower rate, so check with your insurer, said Robert Passmore, vice president of auto and claims policy with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/05/your-money/college-students-renters-insurance.html\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Why College Students May Need Renter’s Insurance','','publish','open','open','','why-college-students-may-need-renters-insurance','','','2023-10-27 21:20:22','2023-10-27 21:20:22','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3581',0,'post','',0),(3582,1,'2023-10-27 21:19:20','2023-10-27 21:19:20','','Untitled-27','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled-27','','','2023-10-27 21:19:20','2023-10-27 21:19:20','',3581,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-27.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3583,1,'2023-10-27 21:20:22','2023-10-27 21:20:22','<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The insurance can help pay for property damaged in a fire or stolen. And replacing clothes, furniture and electronic gadgets adds up.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3582,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-27-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3582\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>College students who are already shopping for laptops, textbooks and other campus gear may want to add something else to their list: renter’s insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The insurance can help pay for personal property that is stolen or damaged by accidents like fires from cooking. It offers liability coverage to help cover medical and legal costs if someone is injured at your place or someone’s belongings are damaged. And some policies pay for a hotel and meals, if a calamity leaves the property unlivable.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students may not think they have much gear, but replacing clothes, furniture and electronic gadgets adds up. A stolen backpack with a laptop, tablet and textbooks can easily total $3,000, said John Fees, co-founder and managing director with GradGuard, which markets student renter policies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students living in dorms may have partial coverage through their parents’ homeowner policies, said Loretta Worters, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group. This “off-premises” coverage, however, is often less than the homeowner policy’s benefit limit — say, 10 percent. If the policy covered belongings up to $100,000, the coverage for the dorm room would be $10,000.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“You may not have as robust coverage at a different location,” said Karen Collins, assistant vice president of personal lines at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, an industry group.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some homeowner policies don’t automatically include a student’s residence, so it’s best to confirm coverage, Mr. Fees said. Homeowner policies often have a higher deductible — an amount that is subtracted from a claim payment — than a renter’s policy, he said.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some colleges may require students to carry insurance as part of their campus housing contract. And many property owners who rent off-campus housing require students to buy coverage, said Alexandra Alvarado, director of marketing and education for the American Apartment Owners Association, which provides services to landlords.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“The landlord has insurance on the property itself,” she said, “but that doesn’t include the tenant’s property.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you have a renter\'s policy, your belongings are often covered even if they are stolen away from home. Ms. Alvarado recalled that when she was in college, her laptop was stolen from her car and her renter’s policy paid to replace it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A renter\'s policy doesn’t cover everything. The policy may shield you if someone trips and gets hurt in your apartment, but not if a guest intentionally punches a hole in the wall, Ms. Alvarado said: “That’s what the security deposit is for.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The average annual renter’s premium was $174 in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Some policies cost less. Lemonade, an online insurer, offers basic policies starting at $5 a month.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Coverage details can vary by state and by insurer. Make sure the policy’s maximum benefit is high enough to cover your belongings. Always check to see if the policy pays the replacement cost of damaged property rather than actual cash value, which may be less, and if it lists any exclusions. Policy language can be confusing, so ask if you don’t understand something.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students with items that exceed their policy’s coverage amount, like special computer equipment or musical instruments, may be able to add them at extra cost, Ms. Worters said.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A renter’s policy typically covers water damage caused by sprinkler systems that are accidentally set off or from rain entering through a damaged roof — but generally not from floodwater flowing in from the ground up. For that, you would need a flood insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How frequent is water damage from sprinkler system mishaps? “I wouldn’t describe it as common, but when it does occur, it’s significant,” said Josh Gana, facilities and physical environment director with the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students may mistakenly activate a sprinkler by knocking a ball around the room or by hanging something on a system fixture, he said. Water can soak a room quickly, and linked sprinklers may also damage other students’ belongings.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>After a fatal dorm fire in 2000 at Seton Hall University, more colleges installed fire suppression systems, Mr. Fees said. There were about 1,200 fires in on-campus housing in 2020, according to federal data.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are some questions and answers about insurance at college:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"link-5db5d1a6\">Will my renter’s policy cover my roommate’s stuff?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No. Some insurers may add a roommate to your policy for a slightly higher premium, Ms. Worters said. If not, your roommate would need a separate policy to have coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"link-583ac2c6\">Does renter’s insurance pay for repairs if I drop my laptop?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Not likely. Renter’s policies typically cover theft of a laptop as well as damage or destruction from fire or other “perils.” But knocking the device off a desk and cracking the screen doesn’t qualify. Special laptop plans offered by some insurers and device makers, or an extended warranty or service contract, can provide coverage. Consumer Reports found little benefit in extended computer warranties, however, because the cost is similar to the cost of a repair.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"link-7e69d252\">Can I get a discount on my auto insurance if my student is away at college?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Auto rates are typically higher for teenagers. But if your student is away and not driving your car, you may be eligible for a lower rate, so check with your insurer, said Robert Passmore, vice president of auto and claims policy with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/05/your-money/college-students-renters-insurance.html\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Why College Students May Need Renter’s Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','3581-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 21:20:22','2023-10-27 21:20:22','',3581,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3583',0,'revision','',0),(3584,1,'2023-10-27 21:26:25','2023-10-27 21:26:25','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3585,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/rsz_untitled_28_1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3585\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key points</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>A home insurance lawyer can help you resolve homeowners insurance claims.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Reasons for hiring a homeowners insurance attorney include delays, claim denials and large claims that are in dispute.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Hiring a public adjuster is another option for handling negotiations with your home insurance company to settle a claim.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Homeowners insurance is designed to protect your investment in your house but filing a claim isn’t always smooth sailing. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may need to hire a home insurance lawyer if you’ve hit a wall when negotiating the settlement of a claim with your insurance company. Working with a homeowners insurance lawyer could also make sense if you have a more complex claim or you simply need an expert opinion on how to proceed.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here’s how to decide when it makes sense to hire an attorney for a homeowners insurance claim and how to find the right one to work with. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When is the right time to hire a lawyer for a home insurance claim?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hiring a home insurance lawyer might seem like an extreme measure, but it could be a necessary step to settle a claim that’s in dispute.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In terms of the timing, it’s better to contact a home insurance attorney sooner rather than later if you think you’ll need one, said Christopher Roberts, a class action attorney with Butsch Roberts &amp; Associates in Clayton, Missouri.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Many people are concerned about hiring a lawyer because of the costs,” said Roberts, but that shouldn’t prevent you from seeking legal counsel if you believe you need it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Roberts noted that many home insurance attorneys will accept insurance claims cases on a contingency basis. That means they get paid based on a percentage of what’s recovered for the homeowner, rather than charging an upfront fee.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It’s possible to find home insurance attorneys who are willing to offer a free consultation for home insurance claims. That can help you determine whether you have the makings of a strong case before retaining an attorney.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reasons you may hire a home insurance lawyer</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Home insurance claims can be tricky and if your claim is denied, or you disagree with the settlement amount, you may want to hire a home insurance lawyer.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Insurance companies do not make money by paying out claims,” said Kelly McCann, a real estate attorney with Burnside Law Firm in Portland, Oregon.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may need the help of a homeowners insurance attorney if you believe your insurance company is maneuvering to try to deny your claim unfairly or shortchange you.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“A lawyer can help create risk for the insurance company, which increases the likelihood that it accepts your claim and pays you full and fair compensation,” said McCann.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Likewise, you might look to a home insurance lawyer for help when there’s a sizable amount of money at stake, unnecessary delays seem to be dragging the claims process out or you’ve run into obstacles proving who is at fault for damages to your home.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What type of lawyer to hire for an insurance claim</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether there’s a little or a lot of money at stake, it’s important to work with an attorney who has experience in handling home insurance claims.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>McCann said that includes coverage attorneys who specialize in representing homeowners in disputes with their insurance companies. These lawyers may also refer to themselves as insurance coverage lawyers or insurance law attorneys.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Asking friends and family for referrals can be a good place to start looking for a home insurance attorney. Even if they’ve never disputed a home insurance claim, their lawyer may be able to connect you with the right person.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Once you have a few names to work with, Roberts recommends digging into their background a little deeper. That includes checking their track record for cases involving insurance companies and asking the right questions.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some helpful questions to consider include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>How long has the home insurance attorney been practicing law?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What percentage of the cases they handle are real estate or insurance-related?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Has the attorney been the target of any ethical complaints or disciplinary actions?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>How do they charge for their services?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What methods of communication do they use and how often do they communicate with clients?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’ve hit a dead end in finding a home insurance attorney, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) are two additional resources you might use to connect with a qualified home insurance attorney.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to settle an insurance claim</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Understanding your home insurance policy and coverage can help you successfully resolve a claim and reach a settlement that you and your insurance company are satisfied with. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are the key steps to filing and settling home insurance claims.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Review your policy.&nbsp;</strong>The first thing you’ll need to do is read through your policy to make sure your damages are covered. Your insurance company should be able to answer any questions if you’re unsure what’s covered by the policy.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Document your damages.&nbsp;</strong>It’s very important to properly document damages to your home when filing an insurance claim. The more evidence you can provide through photographs, video or a detailed inventory of the damages, the more difficult it is for the insurance company to deny the claim.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>File the claim.&nbsp;</strong>It’s a good idea to file a home insurance claim as quickly as possible after damages occur. Once the claim is filed, you can continue the paper trail by maintaining receipts for any expenses you pay that are related to the damages. For example, if you need to stay at a hotel for an extended period, you’ll want to have receipts showing what you spent.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Review the adjuster’s report. </strong>Your insurance company will have a claims adjuster review the damages to your home in order to come up with a settlement amount. At this point, you’ll have to decide whether to accept the settlement or dispute it. </li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If the settlement is too low or the claim is denied outright, you may consider hiring a homeowners insurance lawyer or a public claims adjuster. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Public adjusters can be a great resource, but not for every claim,” said Roberts. They’re generally more useful for larger claims or situations in which the insurance company is not covering certain damages or attempting to lowball you.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Roberts says if you’re considering a public adjuster, it’s important to do your research to make sure they’re reputable. Also, keep in mind that public adjusters don’t work for free and you’ll pay a fee for their services (as you would for a home insurance attorney).&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to expect when settling an insurance claim</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Every insurance claim is different and Roberts says that what you can expect from the process ultimately depends on the insurance company, the issues presented by the case and the size of the loss.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Some insurance companies are more amenable to resolving disputes at an early stage,” said Roberts. “Others, however, may require a lawsuit to be filed and fight the case in court.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’re working with a home insurance lawyer, they’ll attempt to negotiate a settlement of the claim with the insurance company on your behalf. How much back and forth that requires can depend on how willing the insurer is to settle.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your attorney may decide it makes sense to sue your insurance company if it’s not budging on paying you a fair settlement amount. At that point, the insurance could make further attempts to settle the dispute to avoid going to court.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Keep in mind that if you believe your insurance company is engaging in fraudulent or deceptive practices, you can report them to your state insurance agency or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). That may not have any impact on the outcome of your claim but it does put the insurer on regulators’ radar. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/home-insurance/when-to-hire-lawyer/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','When to hire a lawyer for a home insurance claim','','publish','open','open','','when-to-hire-a-lawyer-for-a-home-insurance-claim','','','2023-10-27 21:26:25','2023-10-27 21:26:25','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3584',0,'post','',0),(3585,1,'2023-10-27 21:25:08','2023-10-27 21:25:08','','rsz_untitled_28_1','','inherit','open','closed','','rsz_untitled_28_1','','','2023-10-27 21:25:08','2023-10-27 21:25:08','',3584,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/rsz_untitled_28_1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3586,1,'2023-10-27 21:26:25','2023-10-27 21:26:25','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3585,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/rsz_untitled_28_1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3585\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key points</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>A home insurance lawyer can help you resolve homeowners insurance claims.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Reasons for hiring a homeowners insurance attorney include delays, claim denials and large claims that are in dispute.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Hiring a public adjuster is another option for handling negotiations with your home insurance company to settle a claim.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Homeowners insurance is designed to protect your investment in your house but filing a claim isn’t always smooth sailing. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may need to hire a home insurance lawyer if you’ve hit a wall when negotiating the settlement of a claim with your insurance company. Working with a homeowners insurance lawyer could also make sense if you have a more complex claim or you simply need an expert opinion on how to proceed.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here’s how to decide when it makes sense to hire an attorney for a homeowners insurance claim and how to find the right one to work with. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When is the right time to hire a lawyer for a home insurance claim?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hiring a home insurance lawyer might seem like an extreme measure, but it could be a necessary step to settle a claim that’s in dispute.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In terms of the timing, it’s better to contact a home insurance attorney sooner rather than later if you think you’ll need one, said Christopher Roberts, a class action attorney with Butsch Roberts &amp; Associates in Clayton, Missouri.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Many people are concerned about hiring a lawyer because of the costs,” said Roberts, but that shouldn’t prevent you from seeking legal counsel if you believe you need it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Roberts noted that many home insurance attorneys will accept insurance claims cases on a contingency basis. That means they get paid based on a percentage of what’s recovered for the homeowner, rather than charging an upfront fee.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It’s possible to find home insurance attorneys who are willing to offer a free consultation for home insurance claims. That can help you determine whether you have the makings of a strong case before retaining an attorney.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reasons you may hire a home insurance lawyer</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Home insurance claims can be tricky and if your claim is denied, or you disagree with the settlement amount, you may want to hire a home insurance lawyer.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Insurance companies do not make money by paying out claims,” said Kelly McCann, a real estate attorney with Burnside Law Firm in Portland, Oregon.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may need the help of a homeowners insurance attorney if you believe your insurance company is maneuvering to try to deny your claim unfairly or shortchange you.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“A lawyer can help create risk for the insurance company, which increases the likelihood that it accepts your claim and pays you full and fair compensation,” said McCann.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Likewise, you might look to a home insurance lawyer for help when there’s a sizable amount of money at stake, unnecessary delays seem to be dragging the claims process out or you’ve run into obstacles proving who is at fault for damages to your home.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What type of lawyer to hire for an insurance claim</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether there’s a little or a lot of money at stake, it’s important to work with an attorney who has experience in handling home insurance claims.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>McCann said that includes coverage attorneys who specialize in representing homeowners in disputes with their insurance companies. These lawyers may also refer to themselves as insurance coverage lawyers or insurance law attorneys.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Asking friends and family for referrals can be a good place to start looking for a home insurance attorney. Even if they’ve never disputed a home insurance claim, their lawyer may be able to connect you with the right person.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Once you have a few names to work with, Roberts recommends digging into their background a little deeper. That includes checking their track record for cases involving insurance companies and asking the right questions.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some helpful questions to consider include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>How long has the home insurance attorney been practicing law?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What percentage of the cases they handle are real estate or insurance-related?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Has the attorney been the target of any ethical complaints or disciplinary actions?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>How do they charge for their services?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>What methods of communication do they use and how often do they communicate with clients?</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’ve hit a dead end in finding a home insurance attorney, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) are two additional resources you might use to connect with a qualified home insurance attorney.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to settle an insurance claim</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Understanding your home insurance policy and coverage can help you successfully resolve a claim and reach a settlement that you and your insurance company are satisfied with. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are the key steps to filing and settling home insurance claims.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Review your policy.&nbsp;</strong>The first thing you’ll need to do is read through your policy to make sure your damages are covered. Your insurance company should be able to answer any questions if you’re unsure what’s covered by the policy.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Document your damages.&nbsp;</strong>It’s very important to properly document damages to your home when filing an insurance claim. The more evidence you can provide through photographs, video or a detailed inventory of the damages, the more difficult it is for the insurance company to deny the claim.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>File the claim.&nbsp;</strong>It’s a good idea to file a home insurance claim as quickly as possible after damages occur. Once the claim is filed, you can continue the paper trail by maintaining receipts for any expenses you pay that are related to the damages. For example, if you need to stay at a hotel for an extended period, you’ll want to have receipts showing what you spent.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Review the adjuster’s report. </strong>Your insurance company will have a claims adjuster review the damages to your home in order to come up with a settlement amount. At this point, you’ll have to decide whether to accept the settlement or dispute it. </li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If the settlement is too low or the claim is denied outright, you may consider hiring a homeowners insurance lawyer or a public claims adjuster. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Public adjusters can be a great resource, but not for every claim,” said Roberts. They’re generally more useful for larger claims or situations in which the insurance company is not covering certain damages or attempting to lowball you.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Roberts says if you’re considering a public adjuster, it’s important to do your research to make sure they’re reputable. Also, keep in mind that public adjusters don’t work for free and you’ll pay a fee for their services (as you would for a home insurance attorney).&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to expect when settling an insurance claim</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Every insurance claim is different and Roberts says that what you can expect from the process ultimately depends on the insurance company, the issues presented by the case and the size of the loss.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“Some insurance companies are more amenable to resolving disputes at an early stage,” said Roberts. “Others, however, may require a lawsuit to be filed and fight the case in court.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you’re working with a home insurance lawyer, they’ll attempt to negotiate a settlement of the claim with the insurance company on your behalf. How much back and forth that requires can depend on how willing the insurer is to settle.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your attorney may decide it makes sense to sue your insurance company if it’s not budging on paying you a fair settlement amount. At that point, the insurance could make further attempts to settle the dispute to avoid going to court.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Keep in mind that if you believe your insurance company is engaging in fraudulent or deceptive practices, you can report them to your state insurance agency or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). That may not have any impact on the outcome of your claim but it does put the insurer on regulators’ radar. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/home-insurance/when-to-hire-lawyer/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','When to hire a lawyer for a home insurance claim','','inherit','closed','closed','','3584-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 21:26:25','2023-10-27 21:26:25','',3584,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3586',0,'revision','',0),(3587,1,'2023-10-27 21:28:52','2023-10-27 21:28:52','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3588,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/High-value-home.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3588\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key points</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You may need high-value home insurance if your house would cost $1 million or more to rebuild from the ground up.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Insuring your house with high-value home insurance means that you’ll have the resources to repair and replace your house’s features and contents.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>High-value home insurance offers higher property coverage limits and better protection for your assets.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A high-value home insurance policy can address the coverage concerns of high-net-worth households and ensure owners are not left underinsured in the event of a loss or liability lawsuit.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a high-value home?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether or not your home needs high-value home insurance isn’t necessarily based on what you paid for it. “It’s not the value of the home but rather the replacement value,” said Loretta Worters, vice president of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute. “In other words, how much would it cost to replace your home?”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:quote -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Generally, homes that would cost $1 million or more to rebuild should be covered with a high-value home insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote>\n<!-- /wp:quote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How much dwelling coverage you need — the part of your home insurance policy that pays to rebuild the structure of your house and its attached structures — depends on how much it would cost to rebuild your home from the ground up to get it back to its prior state.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Worters noted that inflation, labor shortages and supply chain issues have driven up rebuild costs in recent years. And it might be especially difficult and expensive to replace custom fixtures or to find a qualified contractor to work on a historically significant house. That’s where high-value home insurance comes in.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is high-value home insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>High-value home insurance is a homeowners policy with higher coverage limits to replace and repair items and features with higher price tags. High-value homes are also more likely to have high-value contents that need expanded coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“The most important and common benefit of opting for high-value home insurance is that expanded coverage, both for your property as a whole and for individual items,” Worters explained. “Rare or expensive items like jewelry, art and other collectibles will also require higher coverage limits.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most high-value home insurance policies also offer higher liability limits to protect you if you’re sued — such as if someone falls on your icy sidewalk or if your dog bites someone at the neighborhood park.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“These policies will also include higher limits without any special endorsements required, including things like sewer back-up and landscaping coverage,” Worters noted.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does high-value home insurance work?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Filing a high-value home insurance claim looks a lot like filing a standard homeowners insurance claim — the difference is the coverage amount. High-value home insurance allows for larger payouts to enable you to make the expensive repairs needed to restore your home after a natural disaster or theft.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“There are companies that provide special services or connect you with experts,” Worters said. “For example, a lot of high-end homes have special moldings, so they will connect you with artesans to recreate some of those architectural details if your home has been damaged.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does it cost?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Much like a luxury home versus an average home, high-value home insurance costs quite a bit more. “It’s more expensive than a standard homeowners policy, maybe 20% more,” Worters explained. “It really depends so much on the size of the house and if you have wine or art collections,” among other factors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>However, you might be able to lower the cost by taking certain actions. Here are a few tips to potentially lower your rate:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You may qualify for a green-home discount if your home is LEED-certified.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You may get a discount if you haven’t filed a claim in the past few years.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You could qualify for a lower rate if you take steps to weatherproof your home against natural disasters common to your area.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You can usually lower your premium by increasing your deductible or bundling home and auto insurance.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/home-insurance/high-value-home-insurance/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What’s high-value home insurance?','','publish','open','open','','whats-high-value-home-insurance','','','2023-10-27 21:28:52','2023-10-27 21:28:52','',0,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3587',0,'post','',0),(3588,1,'2023-10-27 21:27:43','2023-10-27 21:27:43','','High-value-home','','inherit','open','closed','','high-value-home','','','2023-10-27 21:27:43','2023-10-27 21:27:43','',3587,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/High-value-home.webp',0,'attachment','image/webp',0),(3589,1,'2023-10-27 21:28:52','2023-10-27 21:28:52','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3588,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/High-value-home.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3588\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key points</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You may need high-value home insurance if your house would cost $1 million or more to rebuild from the ground up.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Insuring your house with high-value home insurance means that you’ll have the resources to repair and replace your house’s features and contents.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>High-value home insurance offers higher property coverage limits and better protection for your assets.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A high-value home insurance policy can address the coverage concerns of high-net-worth households and ensure owners are not left underinsured in the event of a loss or liability lawsuit.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a high-value home?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whether or not your home needs high-value home insurance isn’t necessarily based on what you paid for it. “It’s not the value of the home but rather the replacement value,” said Loretta Worters, vice president of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute. “In other words, how much would it cost to replace your home?”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:quote -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Generally, homes that would cost $1 million or more to rebuild should be covered with a high-value home insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote>\n<!-- /wp:quote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How much dwelling coverage you need — the part of your home insurance policy that pays to rebuild the structure of your house and its attached structures — depends on how much it would cost to rebuild your home from the ground up to get it back to its prior state.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Worters noted that inflation, labor shortages and supply chain issues have driven up rebuild costs in recent years. And it might be especially difficult and expensive to replace custom fixtures or to find a qualified contractor to work on a historically significant house. That’s where high-value home insurance comes in.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is high-value home insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>High-value home insurance is a homeowners policy with higher coverage limits to replace and repair items and features with higher price tags. High-value homes are also more likely to have high-value contents that need expanded coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“The most important and common benefit of opting for high-value home insurance is that expanded coverage, both for your property as a whole and for individual items,” Worters explained. “Rare or expensive items like jewelry, art and other collectibles will also require higher coverage limits.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most high-value home insurance policies also offer higher liability limits to protect you if you’re sued — such as if someone falls on your icy sidewalk or if your dog bites someone at the neighborhood park.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“These policies will also include higher limits without any special endorsements required, including things like sewer back-up and landscaping coverage,” Worters noted.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does high-value home insurance work?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Filing a high-value home insurance claim looks a lot like filing a standard homeowners insurance claim — the difference is the coverage amount. High-value home insurance allows for larger payouts to enable you to make the expensive repairs needed to restore your home after a natural disaster or theft.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>“There are companies that provide special services or connect you with experts,” Worters said. “For example, a lot of high-end homes have special moldings, so they will connect you with artesans to recreate some of those architectural details if your home has been damaged.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does it cost?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Much like a luxury home versus an average home, high-value home insurance costs quite a bit more. “It’s more expensive than a standard homeowners policy, maybe 20% more,” Worters explained. “It really depends so much on the size of the house and if you have wine or art collections,” among other factors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>However, you might be able to lower the cost by taking certain actions. Here are a few tips to potentially lower your rate:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You may qualify for a green-home discount if your home is LEED-certified.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You may get a discount if you haven’t filed a claim in the past few years.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You could qualify for a lower rate if you take steps to weatherproof your home against natural disasters common to your area.&nbsp;</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>You can usually lower your premium by increasing your deductible or bundling home and auto insurance.</li>\n<!-- /wp:list-item --></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/home-insurance/high-value-home-insurance/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What’s high-value home insurance?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3587-revision-v1','','','2023-10-27 21:28:52','2023-10-27 21:28:52','',3587,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3589',0,'revision','',0),