In about 90 seconds, industry-changing text-to-quote technology delivers car insurance quotes directly to buyers’ phones

It’s happening more and more: millennials are going into car dealerships to buy cars, without realizing they need insurance to drive them off the lot. Now RightSure, a trusted name in insurance technology, is introducing proprietary text-to-quote technology that will give them an auto insurance quote in about 90 seconds using their smartphones.

This twist introduces speed and smartphone convenience to auto insurance technology

For years, hundreds of dealerships have used RightSure’s RightRater.com to help tens of thousands of car buyers quickly find and purchase insurance at the lowest rates. “But our research shows that millennials don’t want to call our toll-free number. They don’t want to hop onto a desktop or laptop to access our website. They want to be on their phones,” says RightSure’s Jeff Arnold, author of the Amazon best-seller, “The Art of the Insurance Deal.”   [Read more…]

By Joan Tabb

Baby Boomers are heading into retirement in droves. Each day, about 10,000 close the door to their office for the last time. But, unlike generations before them, they can now look forward to potentially decades of vital life ahead of them. They represent the healthiest and longest living generation ever — translating to endless prospects for vivacity and opportunities in their next phase of life.

In this new era, it’s time to retire the word “retirement.” Its connotation of removing ourselves from the mainstream and biding time with card playing and porch sitting is a throwback. A better term for this stage of life is “ReVitalment” — reflecting a time of meaning, purpose and fun, and for activating the best part of you.

However, many in the 55-plus age range are daunted by the thought of 24-7 freedom. They can’t fathom how to replace the purpose and structure their careers offer. For these people who are about to exit the workforce, a process of self-inquiry and investigation can help in defining what will bring them the most satisfaction in this coming stage of life.  [Read more…]

The notion that money can’t buy happiness is true to some extent but for people in a relationship, having aligned financial goals will go a long way in reducing the constant conflicts. Besides communication issues, relationships have suffered from financial issues. In short, serious money fights are prevalent in most relationships.

To most couples, talking about money isn’t a pleasant encounter despite its high place in determining a healthy relationship as well as financial security. While this is the case, it’s possible to embrace your significant other when managing your finances. With the financial tips discussed below, you can improve and stabilize your relationship.

Identify the money personality traits in your partner

People are different, there is no denying that. The differences tend to influence how we handle the finances to some extent. For instance, if you have a partner who embraces frugal spending habits but you like spending liberally, you can bet that your money talks are more likely to get heated.

When you identify how your partner thinks about and handles finances, you are closer to understanding the reasons behind the personality. With this in mind, you can handle the money topics without being judgmental and be more open to putting yourself in your partner’s shoes. Once this is accomplished, it is quite easy to lay down workable plans adapted to the different personalities. [Read more…]

Americans are living longer than ever, which means retirement could last 20 to 30 years for some people – maybe even longer.

That’s great for those who remain in reasonably good health and retire with plenty of financial stability.

But lengthy life spans also increase the odds that many seniors will deplete their savings, face debilitating health problems and need to turn to their children for financial help or caregiving.

That’s a far cry from the kind of retirement they dreamt of over the years.

“I’ve done focus groups where one of the chief concerns that comes up is people don’t want to become a burden on their kids,” says Jeannette Bajalia, a retirement-income planner, president of Woman’s Worth® (www.womans-worth.com) and author of Retirement Done Right and Wi$e Up Women.

It’s really too late to do much, though, when you’re 80 and your life starts unraveling. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead to get your finances and health in the best shape possible, she says. Among some of the points worth thinking about: [Read more…]

What every consumer should know about overcoming a cash crisis

There’s been a dramatic reversal in spending behavior. People are borrowing more money and not paying down their debts. In the second quarter of 2015, there was a $28 billion increase in credit card debt. That’s a 66 percent increase over the same period last year. “What this means,” cautions National Debt Relief Consumer Advocate Adam Tijerina, “is that a lot of people may soon need help climbing out of debt.” He adds that should that happen to you, getting the right kind of help can make the difference between restoring your credit and falling further behind in your bills.

Financial hardships can strike anyone at any time. “Your work hours get reduced or you get laid off. Maybe you get divorced. Or, you may be making great progress on interest charges until medical expenses derail your efforts,” Tijerina explains. [Read more…]

By Michele P. Conti, Meyer, Unkovic & Scott 

For many people, their attitude about estate planning matches their attitude about fixing a squeaky hinge or submitting the warranty registration form that came with the refrigerator: You know you should probably get around to doing it at some point. People often have such a casual attitude toward estate planning because they believe some of the following myths about estate planning, which lead them to believe that estate planning isn’t necessary: 

Myth #1: Only rich people have an “estate” 

An estate is everything you own when you die – your home, personal property, vehicle, investments, bank accounts, retirement plans, life insurance, interest in a family business, ownership of oil and gas rights and even pets. Passing away without the proper documents in place may allow a relative you don’t know well or you don’t want to handle your property to inherit your belongings. Without a will or trust, Pennsylvania law dictates who will receive your belongings. 

Myth #2: Estate planning is mainly to avoid taxation upon death 

Some people think that estate planning is simply a complicated process to avoid paying death taxes. While tax savings are often helpful, an estate plan also helps people to preserve their assets while they are living. For example, an attorney can help explain the Medicaid or Medicare process and help elderly and terminally ill clients maintain their available assets that otherwise may be drained by the cost of a nursing facility.  [Read more…]