I am a single parent, and I am struggling financially. Are there any insurance tips I should know about?
Being a single parent is difficult, especially when not making enough money to support both yourself and your child. However, keep in mind that you aren't the only one who struggles financially. There are always tips and advice that you can use in order to make your job easier. Being concerned about your insurance needs is crucial. Since you are now a single parent, life insurance becomes an even more important priority. Here are some tips that will help you along the way:
Update your estate plan: Having an estate plan is always important, and making sure that it is updated is crucial. The estate plan that you will create can make sure that your wishes for the future are followed. Additionally, an estate plan is able to provide financial security for families, avoid disputes in families and make sure that your property will be preserved and passed on to your beneficiaries. Purchase disability insurance: When you're a single parent, disability insurance is usually a necessity. If you get very ill and won't be able to go to work for a month or more, your financial stability might be hardly shaken. That's where your disability insurance will come in. It will basically pay your salary, even when you are sick.
Consider saving money on your taxes: Unless you have agreed to let your child's non-custodial parent claim child dependency, you might also be able to take the child dependency exemption on each your kids. You might want to contact a tax specialist who will be able to assist you further.
Reorganize your finances: When being a single parent, it is important to organize your finances and make sure that you are stable. Here are some things you can do in order to thoroughly reorganize your finances: update your beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, etc..., make sure that your credit report is clean by getting a copy of it, re-title the ownership of your assets, set aside a savings account in case of an emergency and contribute as much as you can to your IRA accounts
If you can, change your work schedule: Never miss the chance of taking advantage of flexible work hours! They will be able to provide more time for your child, or maybe even a second job. Make sure that you have proper life insurance: Many people don't realize that life insurance is a serious matter. Make sure that you have enough coverage, enough protection, and make sure that you are paying accordingly. Depending on your personal circumstances, look for how much coverage you need. You never want to have too much or too little, make sure you have just the right amount. If you are unsure of how much life insurance you need, consider getting a quote and speaking to an insurance agent. |