Plan for the Wedding and for Life in any Economy

ARA) - Planning for a wedding can be tough, especially when money is tight. But as you make your way through the mile-long checklist of things for the big day, have you thought about life after the wedding? Whether this is your first or second wedding, your dream wedding or a spontaneous ceremony, the financial implications of sharing a lifetime with another person last long after the “I do’s.”

To ensure happiness and financial security in any economy, you should be thinking about your financial future today. And, the good news is that taking the necessary steps to a sound financial future is not as complicated as you might think. Here are some things to discuss as a couple, as suggested by financial experts at SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc:

1) Come up with a Budget
You may have your own budget, but now you are planning income and expenses for two. If you combine your income and expenses, you will need to combine your budgets as well.

Be prudent with your spending. Write down everything each of you spends per month and cut back on non-essentials. Take into account housing, food, utilities and transportation, as well as student loans, credit card balances, car payments, taxes and if applicable, alimony and child support. For further tips on creating a sustainable budget read “Become Your Own Financial Advisor: Tips on Planning a Budget and Sticking to It” at www.sbliusa.com.

2) Begin an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund helps ensure that you and your partner are secure should something happen, such as a job loss or serious health issue. You should agree on how much you want to save for a “rainy day.” It’s a smart idea to save between 5 and 10 percent of your salary in a joint savings account. To avoid the temptation to spend your savings, consider having the money automatically transferred from your checking accounts. Aim to save 3 to 6 months of living expenses.

3) Purchase Life Insurance
According to a study conducted by LIMRA International 48 million Americans either, don’t own life insurance and believe they should, or own life insurance and believe they need more. Purchasing life insurance will give you the peace of mind of knowing your loved ones will have money to help maintain their standard of living should anything happen to you. To access a variety of financial information and tools, as well as to learn more about life insurance and get a free quote, speak with the experts at SBLI USA.

4) Create a Plan for the Future
Take the time to create a written financial plan with clear goals. The plan should include specific and realistic steps to achieve your dreams, including buying a home, starting a family, taking vacations and retirement. Decide what additional investments you’d like to make apart from your regular savings such as maximizing your 401(k) or IRA contributions.

Using financial planning software, such as Quicken, can help with keeping track of your expenses and investments. Decide what your tax filing status will be for the year. Make sure you consider the difference between married filing separate versus joint filing, based upon your particular circumstances. Consult your tax advisor if you are unsure.

Buy Term Life Insurance

I bought term life insuarnce recently, through SBLI. 500,000, 30 years, about $530 a year.

My wife bought through another company. 400,000, 30 years, about $450 a year.

Usually, if you bought both from the same company, they will offer you a discount. But SBLI offers are unisexm which means sex does not play a role in determining the rate. Thus it is good for male, but not for female.

Why bother to buy life insurance if my employer offers me one?
First, the amount is not enough. Second, when you leave the company, you can not carry it any more. When you want to apply at that time, your rate will be much higher, becase you are older.

Why Term?
If you talk to insurance agent, they will recommend you to buy whole life. The point is if you die, no matter how old you are, you will get coverage. I talked to financial advisor, actually one of them was a insurance agent before. He said, always to buy term life insurance. First, the agent will not get much of your money. Second, term is much cheaper. If you have extra money, setup a separate investment account, the overall return will be much better.

Remember, insurance is insuarnce, it is not for investment.

Where to Buy?
The best is in your mail and on the web.

SBLI has a promotion. I received many mails from them. That's one of my options.

Also try to call the insurance companies you have relationship with, such as car insurance company. They may give you a discounted rate.

Also go to google.com to search for "Life Insurance", you will find many sites. Some of them can provide you with instance quotes.