Fabulous Finances Blog

Personal Finances for the Regular Person

Keeping the Family Pets safe with Pet Insurance Policies

Many people want to make sure that they have the right amount of protection for their pets.  There are so many choices for pet insurance that it can get confusing.  People who need to make sure that their pet is protected will easily be able to look through this guide to find out how to get the best policy.  Within a few minutes, the right insurance policy can be found and purchased.

Not too many years ago, pet insurance was unheard of. Now a lot of pet owners wouldn’t be without it. Think of all the times you’ve taken your pets to the veterinarian for regular checkups or when they were sick or injured. Have you ever had a pet that needed emergency surgery?  It’s critical to search out and buy a good pet insurance plan before your pet needs it. This way whatever happens, you’ll know that the vet bills are covered.  With a policy, pet owners get to have much needed peace of mind.

There is really no limit to what kind of pet can be covered by a pet insurance policy.  Dogs and cats are the most commonly insured pets, but if you have another type of pet, like a fish or a bird, you can find policies for them too.  Be sure to take the time to do the research and find out what is out there.  Every insurance company is going to offer a number of great policies for a number of different pets.

The internet is the best place to begin your search. Just by Googling pet insurance comparison, you’ll find a number of websites designed to help pet owners find exactly what they need.  The great aspect about this is the fact that the pet owner does not have to leave the home or office.  Take some time to get in connection with a company that is going to have everything that is needed for the pet.

This type of insurance is also going to be very affordable.  Many policies cost only around $20 a month. It typically costs more to insure dogs than cats, and more to insure purebreds than mixed breeds.  This is not going to be like the regular health insurance or car insurance policy that people might be expecting.  The payments are going to be very low as well as incredibly affordable.

Pet insurance policies typically cover bills for vet visits, surgeries and medications for your pet.  These policies will be great for those who want to save as much money as possible.  Before you sign up for a policy, make sure you know what is and isn’t covered. Pre-existing conditions and hereditary problems often surprise pet owners.

The point of buying pet insurance is to protect your pocketbook from unexpected and pricey vet bills.  If you get the right policy, you’ll be able to pay a set amount each month in return for knowing that veterinary costs will be covered when they come up.  Take time to compare policies and find the very best ones to work with.

Pet insurance is a very good investment for pet owners, especially for those who are willing to pay whatever they need to in order to make sure their beloved pets are taken care of.  It won’t take that long, so start now and you have pet insurance all lined up and ready to go.  Then you can sit back and relax, knowing that if anything happens to your pet, the finances are taken care of.

October 20, 2010 Posted by | Insurance | Leave a comment

Get The Right Motorcycle Insurance

Staying safe on the road is very important especially for those who are driving around on two wheels.  It is very easy to get in touch with the right amount of motorcycle insurance and save a great deal of money.  Those who are still looking for the very best policy to sign up for should seriously take a look at this great guide in order to discover more tips and tools that are needed to save and get the right amount of coverage.

In order to make sure you get the best policy for you, you will need to collect some information ahead of time.  Have the year, make and model of your motor bike handy. If possible, get the VIN too. This way the insurance company will know what kind of bike you want to insure.  You won’t be able to get an accurate quote without giving them this information.

From there, it is very important to sit down and think about the amount of coverage that is needed.  If the driver wants to make sure that they are covered at all times, they are going to need to shop around.  More coverage will cost more money in the form of insurance premiums. It’s also worth a little extra time to make sure you have the coverage you want at a good price.  Invest the time to learn about your options and get a motorcycle insurance policy that meets your needs.

Finding a company that can provide the right amount of coverage is not going to be very difficult. You should be able to find a company that offers the product that fits your needs.  Don’t rush this step. It may seem tedious, but it’s well worth your time to find the right insurer and policy.

Now it’s time to get some competing quotes.  All of the major auto insurance companies offer motorcycle insurance, and most of them make online quotes easily accessible.  Sign up for at least four or five quotes. Each company offers slightly different coverages, and sometimes very different premiums.
Now you have to compare motorcycle insurance quotes.  Comparing the prices is going to help enable drivers to get something that they know that they can afford each month. It should also connect the driver to a policy that is going to protect them at all times.  There are a lot of risks that can be taken when driving a bike so shop around.

If you’ve found an insurance policy that suits you, it’s time to enroll.  You can usually sign up online, saving time and money.  You can even set up automatic payments. This will avoid having your insurance canceled if you forget to pay the bill.  It only takes a few minutes to plug in the payment information. Be sure to print out your insurance card and tuck it away in your wallet. Put a copy of the whole policy somewhere safe – either print it out and keep it in a file cabinet, or save in on your hard drive.

In order to make sure that the driver is safe and legal at all times, the right motorcycle insurance policy needs to be located.  Start your search online to find the policy with the best coverage for your situation at the lowest price.  Once you have your insurance policy in place, you’ll be able to ride your bike without worrying.

October 19, 2010 Posted by | Insurance | Leave a comment

Starting Bank Accounts For Children, Open Their Eyes About The Value Of Money

When children see toys advertised on television, clothes in a store or candy on the shelf, they immediately want them. They have no understanding that those things cost money. And if a parent says well honey, that costs a lot of money, children think that parents have an endless supply of money that simply appears magically out of their wallets. That is why it is important to teach children early about the value of money by looking into bank accounts for children.

Teaching children about money will help them make smart buying decisions, develop strong savings habits and show them that they cannot always get everything they want the minute they want it. If they get a sense of the importance of buying things that you need, instead of things you want.

To begin your child’s education into the world of finance, it is wise to explain that money can not simply give to them, but earned by them. Setting up a list of chores for children to do around the house and paying them when they are completed helps them understand about earned income.

Using a ceramic or toy bank will help children learn about the importance of saving money. If they see a toy they want, you tell them that the can save up the money by putting a portion of their allowance in their bank every week, soon they will have enough money to buy the toy themselves.

When a child starts saving, together you can visit your neighborhood bank so they can open their first savings account. Most banks have children’s savings accounts which give them the opportunity to start an account with a low balance without penalties or fees.

You should open the first account using both your name and the child’s name, which indicates a custodial account. Make sure you provide the required forms of identification, as well as birth dates, both of your social security numbers and current address.

Go over the bankbook with your child and encourage the child to place the bankbook in a safe place. Many bank account representatives will take the time to go over all the steps with your child, such as the importance of accurately entering deposits and withdraws, as well as dates and explanations. It wouldn’t hurt to go over this information with your child again when you get home.

Most important, keep it simple. Your child is not starting a checking account and does not need to know all the details that are involved with maintaining this type of account, at least not yet. Your child will stay encouraged about saving money once the bank statements arrive and the child can see the bank account grow. This can also discourage unnecessary purchases, as he or she will want to accumulate more money. Opening a bank account for children can open their eyes to the importance of saving and managing money. All it takes is a little praise and encouragement from the parents to help build their kids financial future.

October 15, 2010 Posted by | Banking, Children and Money | , | Leave a comment

Children and Savings Accounts

You explained the value of money to your children. They’ve earned money at home by doing chores. They’ve learned something about how much things cost. They’ve even learned to save some of  their money rather than spending it immediately. Now it’s time to take that piggy bank to a real bank and open a savings account. They’ll deposit their money, watch it grow, and be able to purchase that special item they’ve been wanting.

You must choose a bank that will meet your needs, if the bank you do business with does not have a special children’s bank accounts, then you should check with a local credit union. Being member owned, most credit unions are able to offer lower fees than banks. You can also check out an online bank if you would rather teach your children about internet banking. This is one of the easiest methods of banking and you can keep an eye on the account from your own home.

You should make sure that the account you open for your child does not impose monthly fees or have minimum balance requirements. You should also make sure they do not charge fees for inactive accounts. You need to get your children’s savings account set up just the right way in order for them to learn what you hope to teach. There’s no substitute for reading all the terms and conditions associated with the savings account.

The age of your kids also determine which type of account you will need. For example, infant accounts will be a deposit only type account. Older children will most likely want to withdraw funds occasionally. This account will be with your child for a long time, so think about how it will be used over the years.

Basically there are two kinds of savings accounts that you should consider for your child. They are passbook accounts and statement accounts. With passbook accounts, the bank will provide your child with a booklet where every transaction is recorded. Whenever your child deposits money, that amount will be entered in the passbook and added to the account balance.

Statement accounts are when your child is provided with a monthly statement of all account activity. It will show money that has been deposited, as well as withdrawn, interest that has been accrued and any fees that may have been charged to the account. Statements can be paper or electronic.

Once your child has a savings account of his own, you will see his interest in banking and managing money grow. Some children will want to save every penny and not spend any of it. Some children will want to save up for a specific item they want to buy themselves. Many children, especially the younger ones, will withdraw money as quickly as they deposit it. However your child handles their savings account, they will learn a lot about how to manage the money they have.

Opening a savings account for children can give them a sense of responsibility. Make sure they have the opportunity to manage their account themselves. Don’t just handle it for them. They will love to look over their bankbook and watch how the numbers change. It’s also a good way to save money for the things that they can’t buy with just one week’s allowance or money from their birthday. Starting while they’re young will help kids develop financial responsibility. And that’s worth any price.

October 9, 2010 Posted by | Banking, Children and Money | Leave a comment