Chris Sakelarios - The Spectrum Magazine
Chris Sakelarios - The Spectrum Magazine
Chris Sakelarios - The Spectrum Magazine
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Insurance Tips: Six Ways to Save Money on Life Insurance<br />
By Hector Flamenco, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
It’s very important to purchase a life insurance policy when you are young so that<br />
you can protect your as well as your family’s future. <strong>The</strong> policy gives you the<br />
opportunity to provide income for your family to meet their most essential<br />
needs when you will no longer be with them. By starting early, you realize the premium<br />
savings of those in good health and lock in that rate for the term of the policy.<br />
You buy a life insurance policy to secure the future of your family<br />
members and, at the same time, save money. <strong>The</strong>se six tips will help you save<br />
money when buying a life insurance policy.<br />
Shop thoroughly before buying a policy<br />
Different insurance companies charge different premiums on the same types<br />
of insurance policies. Take time to find out the most suitable insurance policy<br />
for your needs, with the most affordable premium you can pay. Thus, it is<br />
very important on your part that you shop around carefully before you decide<br />
to buy a life insurance policy.<br />
Buy an insurance policy only if you need it<br />
Buying a life insurance policy is important, but first you must understand<br />
your financial responsibilities to secure the future of your family members.<br />
Find out how much money your family would need to maintain their<br />
lifestyles in case you pass away. Consider carrying coverage that will pay off<br />
the mortgage on your home to relieve your spouse of that burden.<br />
Make your premium payments annually<br />
It is better to make the premium payments on your insurance policy on a yearly<br />
basis. Most of the insurers permit you to make monthly, quarterly, semi-annually<br />
or annual payments. It may sound suitable to pay your premiums on monthly<br />
basis, but you’ll end up paying an installment fee in addition to the premium.<br />
Try to improve your health<br />
If your health is not good, you will find it difficult to buy a life insurance<br />
policy. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure can<br />
make life insurance costly. <strong>The</strong> healthier you become, the lower your life<br />
insurance premium will be.<br />
Purchase life insurance as the need arises<br />
One good advantage to buying a life insurance policy at the earliest possible<br />
time is that you will have a low premium to pay on your insurance policy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> policy becomes more costly as your age increases. You will find that<br />
most of the insurance policies give you a choice to renew your coverage<br />
before the term of the policy ends without submitting to a medical exam.<br />
Request a reassessment in case your health improves<br />
Once you buy a life insurance policy, visit your doctor regularly and follow<br />
his advice. As your health improves, you can get quotes on another policy<br />
based on your new healthier lifestyle.<br />
Apart from this, it’s a good idea to get as much insurance as you can for as<br />
little as you can. Search for a policy that will provide you more coverage<br />
at low cost, such as term life. <strong>The</strong> cheapest option is usually no-load life<br />
insurance, where agents take a small fee for servicing the policy rather than a<br />
large commission.<br />
Editor’s note: This article is for general information only and is not a professional consultation.<br />
Always seek specific information from a licensed insurance professional. Hector Flamenco is<br />
an agent with State Farm Insurance. Visit his website at www.flamencoinsurance.com.<br />
Senior Activities<br />
<strong>The</strong> following activities are open to the public during the month of November<br />
at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City.<br />
Friday Movies for Everyone<br />
Every Friday, 1:15 p.m. (unless otherwise announced)<br />
Come to the Veterans Memorial Senior Center for a free feature movie in our<br />
state-of-the-art movie theater!<br />
Nov. 4: “Buck” (postponed from an earlier date)<br />
Nov. 11: Center closed for Veterans Day<br />
Nov. 18: “Water for Elephants”<br />
Nov. 25: Center closed for Thanksgiving<br />
Veterans Day<br />
Friday, Nov. 11<br />
<strong>The</strong> center will be closed for Veterans Day.<br />
Thanksgiving Gathering Luncheon<br />
Thursday, Nov. 17, noon, Redwood Room, $7<br />
We will serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal and musical entertainment<br />
will be provided. Please call 650-780-7259 for your reservations.<br />
West Bay Community Band Concert<br />
Friday, Nov. 18, 7:30–9 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., $10<br />
Ask anyone who has attended one of the concerts performed by the WBCB<br />
and they will tell you this is an event not to be missed! Come enjoy the music<br />
provided by these talented musicians! Call 650-780-7270 for more info.<br />
Thanksgiving Holiday<br />
Nov. 24 & 25<br />
<strong>The</strong> center will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.<br />
Senior Center Decorating Party<br />
Monday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m.–noon<br />
Get into the holiday spirit by helping to decorate the VMSC with your friends<br />
and family. A winter-themed extravaganza will take over the rooms and lobby<br />
of the center. A complimentary pizza lunch will be provided for those who<br />
sign up and come to decorate. To sign up, please call <strong>Chris</strong>tina at 650-780-7343.<br />
Save the dates:<br />
SamTrans Trip Planning Meeting<br />
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1:15 p.m., Goldstar Room<br />
A travel training meeting for a trip to Westfield San Francisco Centre on<br />
Wednesday, Dec. 14. Learn how to use the SamTrans KX bus for a round trip<br />
to San Francisco from Redwood City. Sign-ups for the San Francisco trip will<br />
be taken at the Dec. 6 planning meeting. Space is limited, so sign up early.<br />
Reservations are required. Call Donna at 650-369-6650 to sign up.<br />
Holiday Gift Bag Assembly<br />
Monday Dec. 5, 9:30–11 a.m., Redwood Room<br />
<strong>The</strong> VMSC is sponsoring our annual Holiday Giving Project. We will be<br />
providing gift bags to elderly Redwood City residents who are homebound<br />
and children in need. Join us to fill the gift bags. Please call <strong>Chris</strong>tina at 650-<br />
780-7343 to sign up.<br />
AARP Driver Safety Class<br />
Dec. 10 & 17, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., $12 AARP members, $14 non–AARP members<br />
This is an eight-hour class held over two Saturdays. Both sessions must be<br />
attended to obtain the insurance discount certificate. Enrollment is limited to<br />
20 people, so sign up early. Call 650-780-7270 and press option 2 to sign up.<br />
Leave your full name and phone number.<br />
To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, call 650-780-<br />
7270. Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department<br />
provides recreational facilities and activities for all ages and interests, and<br />
supplies building and custodial services for city buildings. Redwood City<br />
Parks also operates the Veterans Memorial Senior Center and the Fair Oaks<br />
Community Center, providing social, educational and cultural activities, as<br />
well as information, referral and counseling services to persons living in<br />
Redwood City and neighboring communities. Redwood City Parks is more<br />
than you think! Its website is located at www.redwoodcity.org/parks.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 23
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