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That jingling you hear may not be bells. Could be what’s left in your pocket.

Posted on December 13, 2019November 8, 2019 by Victor Varma

For those caught up in the buying frenzy of the holidays, Christmas Eve could find them with a handful of change in their pockets and little else.
Of course, every year you think you’ll avoid the rush by accumulating gifts throughout the year. That would be smart, but it doesn’t do much good in November and December and the shopping list looms.
A survey by The Wall Street Journal shows that more of us are controlling credit card debt by adopting new traditions that reduce the loot under the tree.
Women do most of the Christmas shopping, says Eileen Fischer of York University in Canada, who studies consumer behavior. They give gifts to reinforce relationships with spouses, kids, in-laws, co-workers, friends and helpers.
Here is some classic advice on keeping your holidays affordable:

If you have a multitude of relatives to buy for, talk with them about exchanging cards this year. They will be happy to do it in most cases.
Decide in advance how much you will spend on gifts.
Give gift certificates to teens. They keep you within your specific amount, and teens enjoy shopping.
Skip the stocking stuffers.
Shop with a specific list, especially online where easy clicks add up to big money.
Don’t buy for yourself at the same time. Stick to the project.
Financial advisor Jane Bryant Quinn says: Add up your consumer debt and write the number at the top of your shopping list or computer.
An advantage of buying less: Less time spent opening gifts. It can drag on and on for a large group.
The holidays are more joyful when you know you can pay the bills as they arrive in January.

Little shoppers learn realities of money

Posted on December 6, 2019November 8, 2019 by Victor Varma

Christmas shopping is here and your kids will want to be part of it. It’s a good time for a little value teaching.
Help your child make out a list of people and consider what gifts are within a budget you have set.
For younger kids, try shopping in real stores with real cash. One of the best ways to teach money management is to give them some money to handle. They can shop for gifts, while keeping track of the money left for the next gift.
It is never too early to start teaching your child about money. The best time to begin talking to children about money is when they start asking for things. Even a 5-year-old demanding a toy can be taught the value of money and the cost of things. He can also be taught that he has an option to save the money instead.
Your daily routine provides many opportunities for lessons. Talk about how you spend and save money. Show them your grocery list and explain why it is a good idea to make a list. Show
them how a debit card works, being sure to point out that the money is subtracted immediately from your bank account.
Linking an allowance to chores depends on parental goals. If the goal is to teach the child how to manage his money, it is best not to link the work with the money; if the goal is to teach that some things must be earned, an allowance paid for chores could help in that lesson.

Do I need motorcycle insurance in Cypress, TX

Posted on November 26, 2019November 26, 2019 by agentinsure

Cypress, TX is located just twenty-four miles northwest of Houston. Bikers have plenty of open roads to enjoy in this part of Texas. Like all vehicle owners in Texas, motorcycle owners need to carry a mandated amount of liability insurance. The answer to whether you need motorcycle insurance is yes, you do need to have basic coverage but is that enough? The experienced agents at InsureUS are happy to sit down with you and discuss what motorcycle insurance coverage is right for you.

If you have a loan or a lease on your motorcycle, your lender is going to require that you carry collision and comprehensive insurance to protect their investment in your bike. If however, you own your bike outright, you need to decide whether to carry the additional coverage. If you have an old beat-up motorcycle that you would not miss if it was gone or if you have the money to repair or replace your bike maybe you are fine with just having the basic liability coverage. However, if you have assets, basic may not be enough.

Let’s face it, most motorcycle owners love their bike and they treat it like their baby. Your baby needs protection and if it is damaged you are going to want to fix it. If you can afford to do that out of pocket then you don’t need collision or comprehensive coverage. But if it would put a dent in your savings to make the repairs then carrying additional insurance is important. Be sure to talk to your agent about any customizations that you have made to your bike that increased the value.

Motorcycle insurance is something that bikers in Cypress, TX need to seriously consider. The team at InsureUS is here to answer your questions and to make sure that your bike is as protected as it can be. Stop by too see us or give us a call to discuss the coverage that you need.

Is flood insurance part of regular homeowners insurance?

Posted on October 25, 2019October 25, 2019 by agentinsure

Cypress, TX has seen its share of flooding in recent times, and there is always a possibility there could be another natural disaster in the area. Unfortunately for homeowners who did not have flood insurance during the last flooding, this is not something that is covered in a standard homeowner’s policy.

Before you decide to purchase flood insurance, you need to understand the risk in your area and what kind of protection exists. At InsureUS, we can help you assess your future risks look through your options.

Do you live in a flood zone?

If you live in a designated flood zone, you will need to purchase flood insurance to even get a mortgage. Even if you aren’t close to a body of water, there could be other problems like drainage issues that make your area a flood zone.

Replacement cost or actual cash value?

When choosing a policy, you will need to decide how much insurance you need. That will be based on the value of your home and possessions, but you can also choose a policy that will rebuild your home as it was instead of just offering you the current market value.

Don’t wait

If you do experience flooding, your policy already needs to be in place. There is a 30-day period after you purchase flood insurance before it goes into effect.

Whether you own or rent your home in Cypress, TX, your standard homeowners or renters insurance will not protect you in case of flooding. You will need to have a policy that specifically covers your home during a flood. If you are interested in purchasing flood insurance, or if you just have any questions about it, please feel free to call InsureUS today.

Reasons Retiring to an RV is a Great Choice

Posted on September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 by agentinsure

If you live in Cypress, TX and have already just retired or retirement is right around the corner, you may be struggling with deciding where you want to retire. The quick and easy solution is to consider retiring to an RV. Spending your retirement in an RV means you go visit all those places you promised yourself you would visit after retiring, you can visit the grandkids anytime and you park your home near a beach during the winter. If you have been thinking about retiring to an RV, but aren’t sure if it’s good choice, InsureUs has put together a few of the benefits that come with RV living.

Save Money

One of the best benefits of retiring to an RV is that you will save money. There are campgrounds throughout the United States that offer special discounts to seniors and for those who choose to park in the campground during the off-season. You will no longer need to pay a high mortgage or expensive rent, you’ll need to ensure the RV, but you can drop your homeowner’s insurance and most campgrounds offer free WiFi and activities, so you’ll save money on bills as well as entertainment.

Downsizing

Retiring to an RV means you can significantly reduce the amount of stuff you have. Living in a traditional home means you typically have much more stuff than you really need, for instance, do you really need six skillets? Living in an RV means you can eliminate the clutter in your home and your life. It may take a minute to get used to living with only what you need, but in time, your life will be much happier. The less clutter there is your life, the freer you will feel, which means you will have the desire to get out, be adventurous and enjoy your retirement.

Make New Friends

All that traveling means you will be interacting with more people and if you tend to park in a campground that is senior-oriented, you will be amazed at how many people you meet that enjoy the same things as you. Many campgrounds offer a “get together” for their residents as well, which means you’ll have even more opportunities to develop lasting friendships with people.

These are only a few of the benefits that come with RV retiring. If you aren’t sure if it’s the best lifestyle for you, consider renting an RV for a few weeks to give it a try.

Residents of Cypress, TX that are interested in learning more about insuring their RV should contact InsureUs.

Frequent flyer plans can save on travel

Posted on September 27, 2019August 7, 2019 by Victor Varma

It’s easy to sign up for and use airline frequent flyer miles, but whether you will save money on travel depends, in part, on how much you travel.
A good rule of thumb is if you are expecting to make some major trips (or lots of small trips) in the next 18 months, frequent flyer miles might be the ticket to free air fare. But if you are not going to travel regularly, the miles might not do much good. Those miles (or points) usually expire over time.
Here is a primer on signing up for frequent flyer programs:
* Decide which airlines have a hub near you. These will be the airlines you will probably use most.
* Go to the airline’s website and sign up for its frequent flyer program.
* Book your next trip through the airline and give them your frequent flyer program number.
* When you have enough points, book a flight through the airline and the points will be credited to the cost of the ticket if you choose to use them.
You can also add up more points by using credit cards associated with the program. For example, American Airlines has two cards associated with their program and, with a substantial purchase on the card, you can get thousands of points. You can also get points for dining and shopping. Most programs offer a shopping portal to stores such as Target. If you are planning to buy something from Target, use the airline shopping portal and you get points.
One point is equal to about 1.3 to 1.4 cents, depending on the program.

Can I Have More Than One Boat Insured Simultaneously?

Posted on August 12, 2019August 5, 2019 by agentinsure

Cypress, TX – The Home Base Of InsureUS

We do like things big here in Texas but one thing that can stay slight is the amount of time spent worrying about insurance. When you are out on the water you just want to relax you don’t want to think about what’s covered by your insurance and what isn’t. If you’re fortunate enough to own more than one boat, you can insure more than one boat at the same time.

Though many homeowners insurance policies cover minimal damage to your boat, you want to have more extensive coverage.

If you have one boat docked and you’re using another boat there is a layup provision provided in the state of Texas which will suspend the insurance coverage when the boat is not in use. Speaking with an agent is the best idea as they will know the nuances of what is covered and what isn’t as well as what is beneficial and what is not.

There are various stipulations for boat insurance if the boat is used in ocean water. Again, speaking with your agent will clarify things for you and the more detailed you could be about how you’re going to use your boat the better. In this way, your agent will be able to craft a policy that will cover you and your needs.

Located in Cypress, TX 77429, you can come in today and speak with us about all your insurance needs. If you’d rather call, our telephone number is 281-640-8888. The agents at InsureUS want you to feel secure in your insurance agency choice. Just let us know how we can make this experience more beneficial to you and more customer-friendly today.

Earn high interest with online savings accounts

Posted on July 12, 2019June 10, 2019 by Victor Varma

You might love your local bank, but it isn’t necessarily the place to park money over the long term.
Today, online high-yield savings accounts offer dramatically higher savings rates than brick-and-mortar banks.
A typical savings account in a brick-and-mortar bank could pay .02% APY (annual percentage yield) compared to 2.25% or more with an online bank, according to Magnify Money.
What this means to savings really matters.
A $15,000 savings account at .02% yields about $3 per year — a whopping 25 cents a month. The same amount saved at 2.25%, yields about $337 per year, or about $28 per month.
Online banks are FDIC insured as is the local bank. But online banks have lower overhead with no buildings to worry about.
However, they also may not have ATMs, they might have fees, or require high minimum deposits. But not all do.
Synchrony Bank, for example, has no minimum deposit and no fees, but you are limited to six withdrawals or transfers per month. APY is 2.25%.
The low-interest account at your local bank will give you access to money at all times and likely include easy transfers. Still, these accounts are best reserved for merely separating money to be used for different purposes.
Search for high-interest online savings to compare features.

The etiquette of doing business abroad

Posted on May 24, 2019April 9, 2019 by Victor Varma

Every facet of U.S. business abroad depends upon its international relationships. As a result, it’s vital that business professionals understand what is expected of and from him or her when visiting a foreign country on business.
According to Business Etiquette International, research and retain as much as you can about the specific region of the country you are visiting. Learn the cultural nuances of the area, and–at a minimum–be able to use the local words for “Yes,” “No,” “Please,” “Thank you,” and “Help.” Clients truly appreciate the visitor who is trying to speak their language, if only in a few words or phrases.
Keep in mind that etiquette has no uniform set of standards around the globe. A gesture or remark in the U. S. may have the opposite meaning in other cultures and countries.
Business relationships cannot be overstated in international business etiquette. How you meet and greet residents in a foreign country is probably the most important part of your visit.
Behavioral studies show that, in the U.S. and abroad, most people judge your social position, economic, educational, and success levels within 30 seconds of introduction. In the next five minutes, they also form their opinions about your intelligence, reliability, friendliness, and compassion, among other traits.
Be sure to rehearse your meeting in advance and dress for it in a manner reflecting the culture and your client’s expectations. Establish clear objectives for your meeting, communicate politely, and be upbeat.
The more you know and understand about the nation’s culture–and local language–the deeper your relationships will become.

Some 401(k) fears valid, others not, experts say Fear: The boss might steal it.

Posted on May 10, 2019April 9, 2019 by Victor Varma

Somewhere on an assembly line is a young worker who once told a reporter: I wouldn’t put my money in a 401(k) because the boss could steal it.
Rest easy.
In average situations, there is very little chance the boss could steal the money from a 401(k), which would be a crime, probably involving fraud.
Contributions to a 401(k) go to a financial company. Maybe the boss picked the company, but the boss can’t access your money. The boss doesn’t own it and can’t spend it.
Fear: I can’t afford to contribute.
There are a lot of benefits to a 401(k). The money you put in isn’t taxed. It’s only taxed when you take it out at retirement.
If you took about $100 a week out of a paycheck every month for 15 years and put it in a 401(k), you would probably have more than $146,000 at the end of 15 years. At the end of 30 years, you’d have $611,729. This example by the Motley Fool assumes a return of 8 percent.
So, when you reach retirement, you might have your Social Security (depending on government future plans), and you’ll be able to add to it by taking 4 percent of your nest egg each month. You’ll be comfortable then if you sacrifice now.
Fear: I’ll lose all my money.
Over the long term, there is a 99 percent chance you will make money. But sometimes you won’t. Recently, retirement plans have racked up interest of 10 percent and higher. In 2008, during the housing crisis, people lost money…but not all of their money.
If you can’t stand losses, you usually can have your plan administrator put your money in highly conservative, safe investments. They don’t make as much money, but they don’t lose it either.
Fear: What if the company goes out of business?
Your money is safe because the company usually doesn’t manage retirement accounts. They have big financial companies like Fidelity, Vanguard, or Principal do that. Those companies manage millions of retirement accounts. Motley Fool says be skeptical if the plan administrator is “Scruffy’s Retirement and Fried Chicken.”