Gold Bullion: An Insurance Policy For Uncertain Times by Christina Goldman

Your financial advisor has warned you against buying gold bullion! It's a a terrible investment, you've been told. Gold has a real rate of return of practically zero over the past one hundred years! It's midnight cable tv's investment "snuggie!"
Investment advisors, who are ignorant of or dismiss the value of investing in gold are known for making assertions like the ones above.

Let's look at the metal from the perspective of an insurance policy against the loss of purchasing power and not as simply an investment that has appreciated substantially against all of the world's currencies as well as tripled in price over the past six years.

Think about this for a moment.

To protect your home against destruction, you purchase an insurance policy, right? Gold bullion is a form of financial insurance and should be regarded as so. Not as an investment but as insurance against the erosion of purchasing power caused by the declining dollar.

Dollar convertibility into gold ended on August 15th 1971, when President Richard Nixon forever closed the gold window. No longer tied to the gold standard, the U.S. dollar could be printed in unlimited quantities or in other words just 'float.'

Today, after 38 years of being backed by absolutely nothing but the full faith and credit of our U.S. government, our beloved dollar is worth a fraction of what it used to be. If you compare the buying power of that one dollar bill in 1971 versus today, you would be able to buy only EIGHTEEN CENTS, after adjusting for inflation.

Why The Dollar Will Lose Even More Value

The government put its printing presses into turbo drive to counteract the financial crisis that struck last year. The United States monetary base ballooned from $800 billion in August of 2008 to $1.7 trillion as a result. That means that there are now more than two dollars in existence for every one dollar that existed a year ago. Never before in monetary history has the money supply increased at such a sharp rate.

Our federal budget shortfall has now increased to a new record high of $1.42 trillion dollars, thanks to our government's massive spending fling in their endeavor to steady the financial system and jump start the economy.

If that wasn't deplorable in itself, our national debt is at present over $11 trillion dollars. And unfunded liabilities like programs such as Medicare and Social Security stand at an astonishing $58 trillion.

In order to ante up for all of this, the government is either going to have to trim down spending (not likely), increase taxes (very likely) or crank up the printing presses a lot more and attempt to print their way out of this jam. And that deficit is calculated to climb to $9.1 trillion over the next ten years.

The dollar simply cannot maintain it's value when a country participates in the unrestrained printing of money. Inflation will climb higher the more the dollar is debased. It is for this reason that you must own gold. As an insurance policy to ensure the value of your savings is maintained.

Since 1971, the purchasing power of gold has endured and increased. History books are ladened with instances of paper money whose value has been annihilated. But not gold. Gold has endured through wars, inflation, hyperinflation, recession and depression.

Gold bullion is the ultimate store of value and protection of wealth. The value of gold has never been ZERO. Never. It could very well be the most important insurance policy you'll ever purchase.

No Medical Exam Life Insurance: The Instant Insurance by Joseph Benjamin

No medical exam life insurance is a very popular choice in today's "popcorn" world, where things are expected to "pop-up" whenever we want and where we hate to wait on anything. With the times that we live in today, most of us are extremely busy working at different jobs, taking care of our families, and etcetera, but with life insurance like this, we no longer have to spend all day getting a physical (at the doctor's office), and neither will we have to meet up with the local insurance agent.
For those of you who want life insurance right now, without waiting for any underwritten policies, then coverage protection like this can be an immediate blessing to you.
With the life insurance coverage that no medical exam life insurance will give to you, telling the insurance company your medical history will be a thing of the past, and you will also not have to answer a verbal questionnaire nor take a blood pressure test. Also, for those of you who hate giving either blood and/or urine samples, this form of insurance just might be the right pick for you.
The many different reasons why insurance coverage providers will have you go through the processes listed above is because they want to protect themselves, because if you have any health problems that are considered a "risk" to them, they hope that you do not die before you can consistently pay for any coverage. The coverage providers like to "cover their assets", so to speak, so if you are somebody who has serious health illnesses, you will definitely want to check-out life insurance that does not require any physical examination.
No medical exam life insurance providers will give you just a minimal amount of questions, in regards to your health, as well as a few about your background throughout the years. Whenever you receive the approve of the life insurance coverage provider, you will normally receive a call or e-mail from them that will let you know what you will have to pay, should you accept their offer in the first place. After this, you can pay for your protection with a credit card or e-check, which promises you that you will not have to meet anybody from the insurance company.
Always know that you should tell the truth as much as you can, when it comes to the insurer asking you any questions. Coverage providers have a policy that is known as "contestability", which is a 2-year period of time where you cannot give any "material misrepresentation" of your health, lifestyle, and/or driving records can make in-validate your policy, which will hurt you and your beneficiaries. If you choose to lie and not answer those questions honestly, then it's recommended that you not sign-up for insurance such as this.
Another thing you need to know is that when you choose to sign-up for life insurance of this form, the odds of you paying high premiums will go up, since those who typically pay for this coverage usually do not have good health. If your health is considered to be great, however, then I would recommend that you not pick this insurance, since you will have to pay a higher premium, which usually pertains to those who are "at risk", but you are not risky since your health is great.
No Medical Exam Life Insurance should not be a worrisome process, especially with online sites that can give you a quote instantly. As long as you talk to reliable insurance providers, you should not have anything to worry about. Thanks to sites such as Free Life Insurance Quotes Online, all it takes is a few minutes and seconds to find an affordable quote that is pleasing to your wallet/purse!

Life Insurance for Diabetes: What do I do Next? by Joseph Benjamin

Signing-up for life insurance for diabetes coverage is usually a hard task, but it is still worth searching for. Don't worry however, because even though there are many companies that charge an "arm and leg" to diabetics, there are also those who will take it easy on you, to the point of offering you the same rates as a non-diabetic would be offered.
These are the 3 questions that you will be asked, at least by most insurance providers:
1. "When was the last time you had an insulin shock, and did you go into a coma after it"? 2. "Have you had any arms or legs amputated/removed as a result of diabetes"? 3. "What supplements, if any, do you take to manage your diabetic complications"?
For those of you who are actively seeking life insurance for diabetes, those kind-of questions are the ones that insurance companies need to know the answers for. If the answer to each of the three questions is "no", then you are one of the lucky ones who will be given the "first day full benefit" coverage, which also means that you will pay the same premium price that a non-diabetic would pay.
However, unfortunately, you may have to wait for the "full death" option for awhile, because most term life carriers will make you wait for a very long time, since you are looked at as a "risk" to them. The average diabetic patient will not enjoy waiting for the "full death" choice, since they want the type-of coverage that will protect them while they are still alive here on Earth.
Life insurance coverage companies will also ask you a few more questions about your insulin levels, including questions about whether it has caused you any other problems besides diabetes complications.
Normally, if you search for life insurance for diabetes, you will find that most companies who specialize in this field also specialize in life insurance for seniors as well. As the phrase, "life insurance for elders" implies, this is dealing with those who are older than 50 years "young", I mean "old".
For those of you who did not know, Type-1 diabetic patients will find it much harder to find an affordable policy than those who are Type-2 diabetics. Unfortunately, this is because the coverage carriers know that you can suffer from "end organ" diseases at a higher chance than those who have Type-2 diabetes. "End organ" diseases are those that attack the kidneys and liver, and they result from having diabetes for a long number of years. To make things short, you can definitely expect to be looked at as a "risk" to most life insurance providers, and this will make your payments extremely expensive.
Life Insurance for Diabetes doesn't have to be tedious any longer, especially since there are online quotes that can give you everything that you need to know without actually signing-up for an insurance provider. With the creation of internet insurers like Free Life Insurance Quotes Online, everything you need can be given to you within a few clicks of your mouse. In the end, I want you to understand that when you take control of your life (and blood sugar) now, you will not have to worry about paying an expensive premium then, and since you probably like saving money, this is something that you seriously need to be thinking about in the present, and in the future...

The Consequences of Avoiding the IRS by Jeff Parrack

Let's face it: no one likes filing and paying taxes, but it's a necessary evil every year. Unfortunately, sometimes it's hard to come up with the funds to pay the taxes you owe because real life got in the way. This may tempt you to avoid contacting and dealing with the IRS completely, hoping the problem might just go away. It won't go away. If you avoid the IRS you are going to have to be prepared to deal with some very strong repercussions that could affect your credit rating, net worth and family's future.
Receiving a Notice of a Federal Tax Lien
If you are simply late paying your taxes, typically you will be charged penalties and late fees, including interest, until the amount is paid in full. If you fail to work out some kind of payment plan with the IRS, or if you receive a Notice and Demand for Payment and fail to pay the tax debt within 10 days, you'll most likely receive a Notice of Federal Tax Lien.
This type of lien means that the federal government now has a legal claim against your property as payment for your debt, and it cannot be released until you pay your debt in full. After the lien is filed, your creditors will be notified, and your credit report will reflect the amount you owe the government. What many taxpayers don't realize is that this federal lien gives the government claim to all property currently owned as well as property acquired in the future as security for your debt. If the lien is placed against a business, accounts receivable may also have a lien placed against them.
Effects to Your Credit Rating
If you let the situation continue until a federal tax lien is actually filed against you, your credit rating will most likely be negatively impacted. This means your future ability to purchase a home, or car, or anything else requiring credit will be greatly hindered for at least several years.
Releasing a Federal Tax Lien: Additional Charges to You
If you have already had a tax lien filed against you, the best thing to do is act immediately to resolve the problem. The federal government will release your tax lien 30 days after you pay the full amount owed or submit a bond that guarantees the payment of the debt. In addition, you will be required to pay any and all fees associated with releasing the lien. Even after paying your debt, the tax lien will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, negatively affecting your credit score.
Your Debt: A Matter of Public Record
If you don't want the entire town knowing you business, it's best not to avoid the IRS and any collection efforts. As soon as a Notice of Federal Tax Lien is filed, this is considered a matter of public record and may be viewed by anyone. Sometimes, your local paper may even print this notice in a regular issue where everyone can see. These announcements include the type of lien filed and the amount it is for.
Discharging a Tax Lien
When a tax lien is filed against you and your property, it affects any and all transfers or sales made by you until the lien is satisfied. Selling financial investments or closing accounts may result in being required to use the resulting funds to satisfy your debt to the government. If you decide to sell your home or car, you'll have to either satisfy the debt in order to release the lien, or apply for an official discharge. Potential buyers will view this as a negative aspect to doing business with you, as it can cause delays in the process of transferring the property.
Tax Levies
In addition to filing a lien against you, the IRS may also file a levy against your property and subsequently seize it to satisfy your tax debt. The difference between a lien and a levy is that a levy allows the IRS to take your property outright. This could include your home, car, recreational vehicles and boats, jewelry and other valuables, investment and bank accounts, wages and even the cash value of your life insurance. Often, these are sold at public auction to raise funds and cover your IRS debt.
As you can see, avoiding the IRS and failing to pay your taxes does not make the problem go away. It's always best to try to work with them as soon as possible to prevent any liens or levies that will negatively affect your lifestyle and credit rating for many years to come.

Rising Health Insurance Costs by Adam Kerr

Florida is experiencing huge increases in health insurance costs, but average wage increases are not keeping up. Health insurance premiums in Florida have increased over 98 percent in the past nine years, but average wages have only increased by just over 26 percent. The increases in deductibles, co-payments and other medical costs are setting Floridians back financially.
It is important to protect yourself against the rising cost of health insurance. There are several ways to keep your health costs down. Keep the following in mind and protect yourself:
Compare Health Insurance Plans
Health insurance costs can vary even between very similar plans. You can save up to 50 percent just by comparing similar plans. Check the monthly premiums and the benefits of each plan before choosing your insurance plan.
Choose a Higher Deductible Amount
A higher deductible means a lower monthly premium, which saves you money each month. Don't forget that, in case of an emergency, you must meet the deductible amount before the insurance company will begin coverage.
Learn about COBRA Alternatives
If you have recently become unemployed and are using COBRA continuation coverage, learn about your other options. An individual or family plan may be less expensive, or you may just need a short-term insurance plan.
Save Money with an HSA
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are tax-free savings accounts designed to help consumers pay for their health insurance. You can use funds in your HSA to pay for certain qualified medical expenses.
Get a Discount Card
Discount cards are not health insurance plans, but they can save you up to 60 percent on prescriptions, dental, vision, and some orthodontia services. You can use the discount card as many times as you need to each year, as long as your medical provider accepts them.
These are all ways in which you can help fight against the rising costs of health care in Florida. Protect yourself and your family and learn about all your money-saving options.

Direct Auto Insurance Can Save You Premiums by Joyce Racette on

One of the best ways to cut down on car insurance premiums is to opt for direct auto insurance rather than buy through an agent or broker. Aside from the actual cost of an insurance policy, car owners are also paying for the commissions given by insurers to their respective agents. Going directly to the insurer eliminates the need for a middleman, which merely drives up costs of auto insurance.
The Internet is the most cost-effective way to compare quotes and coverage from multiple insurers. By going online and getting a direct auto insurance quote, car owners can easily choose which insurer has the right product that suits their needs. Though many of sites are run by insurance brokers, there are also a number of companies that directly provide such online quotes. Direct auto insurance has become more convenient with the advent of online quote platforms. With online quotes, even insurance companies themselves save on costs since there is less need for in-house agents to process and review applications.
Other Ways to Lower car insurance Premiums
Aside from direct auto insurance purchases, car owners can save on auto insurance by negotiating for better rates based on the following factors:
* Driving and payment history. Drivers with no history of traffic violations or reckless driving warrant lower premiums. Also remember that your present insurance rate could increase if you let your insurance lapse for years.
* Age. Younger drivers or those below 25 usually get higher insurance rates since they have less driving experience and are more likely to experience accidents than older or more experienced drivers.
* Car model. Insurance premiums are also determined by the purchase price of the car and costs of maintenance and repair. Moreover, expect higher premiums if your car is among models that are most frequently stolen.
* Location. Rate of vehicular accidents, car theft, lawsuits, car repair, and medical costs in the location of the insurance buyer are also taken into account when calculating premiums.
* Distance traveled per year. Insurers charge higher premiums on cars that travel longer distances annually. Expect lower premiums if your annual mileage is less than 10,000. Lower mileage means a lower of theft and accidents, thus translating to lower premiums.
* Type and amount of coverage. Larger coverage means higher premiums, though discounts may be available to some candidates depending on the number of vehicles to be insured and deductibles.
* Equipping cars with anti-theft devices. Buying anti-theft devices is worth your money as car insurers generally lower premiums in exchange for any precaution that minimizes risk of theft.

Insurance For Your Motorcycle by Jason Furrow

An open road. A beautiful landscape out in front of you. Your gas tank is full and the wind is at your back. This scenario is why millions of people around the world enjoy motorcycles as not only a means of transportation, but as a hobby as well.
The scenario pictured above does not have to be spoiled by the not so fun idea of finding the right coverage for your bike. If anything, it should put your mind at ease knowing that you don't have to worry should your motorcycle or someone's personal property be damaged.
Some insurance companies sell motorcycle specific policies while others offer the coverage as part of your auto policy. You should check your options when shopping for motorcycle insurance. Many insurance providers give discounts for bundling a bike on your current policy. That translates to more money for gas!
The very first thing you should do is get familiar with the laws in your particular state. Most require at least liability, but there is some difference between what certain states require to be within the law when it comes to motorcycles. You can find information about your state by contacting your state's department of insurance.
Types of Motorcycle Coverage
Even though you may be familiar with the following terms, we'll take another look to make sure that you are familiar with the various types of coverage. They are similar to the terms you go over with auto insurance policies.
Liability
Liability will cover bodily injury and any damage to someone else's property. You will be left with the financial burden of your own injuries and damage to your property if this is the only coverage you have.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist
If you are involved in an accident and the other party involved does not have insurance, or does not have enough, this coverage will protect you from medical bills, lost wages, and sometimes property damages.
Collision
Collision coverage will cover damage to your ride if you wreck your bike. Most insurance companies will cover the book value of your bike. You just have to choose the deductible you are comfortable with.
Comprehensive
This type of coverage will pay for the loss or damage of your motorcycle due to many factors beyond your control. Once again, you will be paid the book value and you must choose a deductible that you are comfortable with.
Factors That May Affect Your Rates
Type of Motorcycle
A sport bike will likely cost you more to insure than a cruiser. A sport bike is considered more risky to insure because of the high performance. Your inusurer will take a look at the engine size when determining your rates.
Intended Use
If you are lucky enough to live where you can and plan on using your motorcycle as your daily driver year round, be ready for a higher premium. Many insurers will cut your rates if you agree not to ride during the winter months.
Storage
If you plan on leaving the bike out in the elements or just throwing a tarp over it, be prepared to pay a higher premium. It will be cheaper on your insurance rates to have it stored indoors in a garage or storage facility.
Last But Not Least, Your Driving Record
Just like your auto insurance policy, you will have to pay a higher premium if you have violations and/or accidents on your record. Keep a clean record and you will be rewarded with lower rates. There are sometimes discounts available for completing safe riding courses.