Posts Tagged ‘advice’

Drinkers Exercise More than Non-Drinkers, Study Says

April 7th, 2010 by Iris | 1 Comment | Filed in health insurance

It’s no secret that healthy habits help you save money on health insurance, but did you know that that alcohol consumption is linked to those habits in ways most of us never considered?

There have been several clinical studies of the way alcohol consumption affects health, and one of them found that people who regularly drink alcohol also tend to exercise more than people who don’t, and a completely separate study discovered that drinkers are more likely to eat unhealthy foods.

A number of studies have been conducted about alcohol consumption and your health. One recently found that people who consume alcohol on a regular basis tend to exercise more than teetotalers. On the other hand, another recent study (conducted by a different organization) discovered that drinkers are more likely to eat unhealthy foods.

The first study, which was published late last fall in the American Journal of Health Promotion, said that heavy drinkers exercised almost 20 minutes more per week than people who didn’t drink at all, while moderate and light drinkers found time in their weeks for 10.1 and 5.7 extra minutes of exercise, respectively. Based on a phone survey of 230,000 Americans, conducted annually, the report cited a “strong statistical association” between alcohol use and moderate-to-vigorous exercise.

On the other hand, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has done some studies of their own, and with help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Cancer Institute, they took a look at the habits of about 15,000 American adults, and learned that exercise aside, drinkers tend to eat less fruit than non-drinkers. In addition, drinkers go for the fatty foods and, because of those foods, and the sugar content in alchoholic drinks, also tend to consume more calories than their teetotaling peers.

Does this mean everyone should immediately do an extra mile on the treadmill every time they have a glass of red wine with dinner? Probably not. But it does mean that even if we’re not trying to improve our insurance rates, we should all pay more attention to diet and exercise.

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Life Insurance Shopping 101

January 13th, 2010 by admin | Comments Off | Filed in advice and how-tos, life insurance

If you’re like most people, you see those television commercials selling life insurance to people between the ages of fifty and eighty and you pretty much blow them off. If you’re particularly technologically savvy, you might even use your DVR to watch all television, so you never have to see those commercials at all.

While it’s true that you shouldn’t buy insurance – any insurance – because of a television commercial, life insurance actually is a good idea, so here are some tips to help you shop for it:

  1. Time is Money: If you’ve ever wondered, When should I buy life insurance? Your answer is “Now.” Insurance companies round up your age – a 39-year-old will be priced as if she’s 40 – and premiums rise as you grow older, so it’s always the best plan to buy early – ideally in your late 20’s – to lock into the best possible rate.
  2. Research Counts: Before you ever speak with an insurance agent, do some research on the types of policies you’re considering, and on the companies you might want to buy from. Then ask for quotes from more than one company, and compare them closely – making sure you’re getting the coverage amounts you want for a price you’re willing to pay. Don’t let a pushy sales agent talk you into more coverage than you need, and be sure to ask questions if you have them.
  3. Pay Annually: If your finances allow it, try to pay your annual premium in one lump sum instead of making installments. You can save up to 20% by doing so. If this isn’t possible, opt for paying via EFT (electronic funds transfer) as many insurers offer a discount for electronic payments.
  4. Be Honest: No pun intended, but honesty really is the best policy. Yes, you’ll have to pay a higher premium if you haven’t kicked the smoking habit yet, but tell the insurance agent anyway – if you don’t you run the risk of having your policy canceled. If you have other health issues – high blood pressure, for example – be sure to visit a doctor and get it resolved before your medical exam. No-exam insurance is available, but it’s much more expensive.

If you’re really uncertain about whether or not you need life insurance, consider whether or not your family will be placed in financial jeopardy if you were to die. If the answer is yes, start shopping today.

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