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Shopping for life insurance is not the way that you want to spend an evening. I know that nobody wants to sit around and think about his or her death, but you can’t avoid it. Not planning for your passing is one of the worst things that you can do for your loved ones.

When you start looking for the perfect life insurance plan, you can easily feel like you’re drowning in all of the options. There are hundreds of companies that you can choose from and several different types of life insurance policies.

Every insurance company is different. You’ll get different rates, benefits, and policy options depending on the company, and you could spend weeks trying to find the best policy. Luckily, I’ve done some of the dirty work for you. I’ve reviewed dozens of companies and outlined all of the advantages and disadvantages of the companies and the plans that they offer.

This post is going to look at Conseco.com and help you decide if they are the best fit for you and your life insurance needs.

The History of Conseco.com Life Insurance Company

CNO Financial Group was initially incorporated in 1979, and the company started its operations just a few years later in 1982. In 1985, the company went public and changed its name to Conseco, and then, in 2010, the company again changed its name to CNO Financial Group, Inc.

Since its initial inception, Conseco / CNO has grown and expanded considerably, and the company has several insurance and financial related subsidiaries that develop, market, and administer health insurance, life insurance, annuities, and other insurance products. These subsidiaries include the following:

  • Bankers Life and Casualty Company
  • Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company
  • Washington National Insurance Company

Today the company serves more than 4 million customers, who are primarily considered to be in “middle income working America.” The headquarters of CNO / Conseco is in Carmel, Indiana.

CNO Financial is ranked as one of the ten largest public companies in the state of Indiana. It currently possesses a market capitalization of approximately $3.5 billion. As of year-end 2016, CNO had roughly $4 billion in revenue and $263 million in operating income.

Over the past four years, CNO has had a total shareholder return of more than 115% – which makes it incredibly strong financially. Given its strong capital position, CNO Financial can withstand both up and down markets.

Conseco / CNO Financial, as well as its subsidiary companies, have earned numerous awards and accolades over the years, such as:

  • Ranking second in the 2016 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America due to its vision, leadership, and comprehensive wellness policies
  • Received Well-Being Top Honors for its ongoing commitment to promoting a healthy work environment and encouraging its workers to live more healthy lives
  • Received the highest level of recognition by the American Heart Association for being a Fit-Friendly Company
  • Bankers Life named as one of the U.S. top 50 performing life-health insurance companies in the 2013 Ward’s 50 – an honor that is typically bestowed to only 50 of the 800 life-health insurers that are analyzed.
  • Colonial Penn won the Pega 2012 Customer Experience Award

Insurer Ratings and Better Business Bureau Grade

Because of its strong and stable financial foundation, Conseco / CNO Financial and its subsidiaries have earned very high ratings from the insurer rating agencies. These include the following:

Subsidiary Claims-Paying / Financial Strength A.M. Best Standard & Poor’s Fitch Moody’s
Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company A- (Stable) BBB+ (Stable) BBB+ (Stable) Baa1 (Stable)
Bankers Life and Casualty Company A- (Stable) BBB+ (Stable) BBB+ (Stable) Baa1 (Stable)
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company A- (Stable) BBB+ (Stable) BBB+ (Stable) Baa1 (Stable)
Washington National Insurance Company A- (Stable) BBB+ (Stable) BBB+ (Stable) Baa1 (Stable)

Also, the subsidiaries of CNO Financial / Conseco also have been given top grades from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). For example, Bankers Life has been an accredited company through the Better Business Bureau since August 1, 2013, and the BBB has provided this company with a grade of A+ (which is on an overall grade scale of A+ to F).

Over the past three years, Bankers Life has closed out a total of 112 customer complaints (of which 39 have been closed within the previous 12 months). Of the 112 total, 73 were regarding problems with the company’s product and service. 15 had to do with delivery issues, 12 were concerning billing and collection issues, 11 were related to advertising and sales issues, and one had to do with the company’s guarantee issues.

Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company has an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau. Within the past 36 months, this CNO Financial subsidiary has closed out a total of five customer complaints. Four of these complaints dealt with problems with the products and services, and the other one was regarding billing/collection issues.

The subsidiaries of CNO Financial (Conseco) offer a wide variety of life insurance coverage. For example, Bankers Life Insurance Company offers both term and permanent life insurance products. With term life, insureds can choose a pre-determined number of years of coverage, such as 5, 10, or 20. The premiums on these policies will remain level throughout the life of the policy.

Bankers Life also offers both whole life and universal life insurance coverage in its permanent life coverage category. With whole life, the premiums will stay level and will never go up (if they are paid on time). The universal life insurance coverage that is offered by Bankers provides more flexibility regarding premium payment and amount. Both policy categories offer guaranteed cash value in the policies. And, this money may be borrowed or withdrawn by the policy holder for any need that he or she sees fit.

Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company has been offering life insurance coverage for more than 50 years. This Conseco / CNO subsidiary provides both term and permanent protection, too. And, with the company’s guaranteed acceptance life insurance, an applicant is guaranteed to be approved for coverage – and there are no medical exams or health questions required for approval. With these permanent life insurance policies, the premium rate will be locked in, and the plan will start to build up cash value after the first year.

The life insurance plans that can be purchased through Colonial Penn offer coverage of up to $50,000 (for both term and whole life coverage). And, individuals may apply for either a term or a whole life policy up to age 75.

Likewise, Washington Mutual Insurance Company also provides an extensive list of life insurance coverage options to choose from. These also include both term and permanent coverage options.

The term policies from Washington Nation can provide coverage for just a few years, or for many years. The monthly premiums will remain level throughout the life of the policy.

Regarding permanent life insurance coverage, Washington Mutual offers both whole life and indexed universal life insurance plans. Whole life policies offer a choice of having a level benefit (where the policy pays out the face amount and any rider benefits to a named beneficiary upon the insured’s death), or a graded benefit (where the policy will pay out a reduced amount of benefit if the insured’s death occurs for reasons other than an accident within the first two policy years).

With an indexed universal life insurance policy through Washington Mutual, there is a death benefit, as well as a cash value component. The growth of the cash inside the policy will have a return that is based on the performance of an underlying market index (such as the S&P 500). If the index performs well, the policy holder can obtain an excellent return for that period. However, if the underlying index performs poorly in a given year, the return will just be credited as a 0% for that time – which essentially allows the protection of the policy holder’s principal).

The indexed universal life policies at Washington Mutual Insurance Company may also allow the insured to access “living benefits” in certain situations. This means that he or she could access the policy’s death benefit proceeds, while still alive, for expenses that are related to a terminal illness diagnosis and confinement in a nursing home.

Burial Insurance

Even if you have all your finances in order, there may still be one area that has been left out – and because of that, it could leave those you care about vulnerable to future financial hardship. That is the payment of final expenses.

Today, the average cost of a funeral is between $8,500 and $10,000. This is especially true when you factor in the price of a memorial services, flowers, and transportation, along with other items such as a burial plot and headstone.

Rather than having your loved ones dip into their savings, or worse, put these expenses on credit when the time comes, you could provide them with the financial gift of a burial insurance policy.

Burial insurance is a type of life insurance that is specifically designed for paying one’s final expenses. Also, often referred to as funeral insurance or final expense insurance, these plans will typically have a benefit amount of between $5,000 and $25,000.

In some cases, an insured will add an amount of coverage so that other unanticipated expenses may also be covered, such as hospice care and end of life hospitalization that is not included in a regular medical insurance policy.

When you are seeking the best burial insurance policy for your needs, several factors should be considered. These include the type and amount of coverage, as well as the insurance carrier that you plan to purchase the coverage through. In this case, you will ideally want the company to be secure and stable financially, and to have a good reputation for paying out its policy holders’ claims. One insurer that meets these criteria is Conseco.

Other Products and Services Offered

In addition to life insurance protection, the Conseco / CNO Financial subsidiary companies also offer additional financial and insurance related products. These include the following:

Bankers Life

  • Medicare Supplement Insurance (the company offers several of the ten Medicare Supplement insurance plans)
  • Retirement Annuities (these products can provide a way to save money in a tax deferred fashion, and they can also provide a guaranteed lifetime income stream in the future)
  • Long Term Care Insurance (most long-term care insurance policies will pay out benefits if the insured is receiving qualified care in a facility or their own home)

Washington National Insurance Company

Washington National Insurance Company also offers a variety of different products. These include:

  • Health Insurance
  • Workplace Benefits (including term and universal life insurance, hospitalization and ICU coverage, cancer and critical illness insurance, and accident and disability coverage

How to Get the Best Premium Rate on Life Insurance Coverage

If you are seeking the best premium rate on life insurance coverage through the subsidiary companies of Conseco / CNO Financial – or from any insurance carrier – it is recommended that you work with an independent life insurance agency or brokerage. That way, you will be more easily able to compare numerous policy options side-by-side in an unbiased manner. You will then be able to determine which of the policies – and the premium prices – work the best for you, and for your budget.

When you are ready to start comparing the best life insurance coverage for your needs, we can help. We are an independent life insurance broker, and we work with many of the top life insurance providers in the market place today. We can assist you with getting all of the information that you need for making a well-informed buying decision. And, you won’t have to meet in person with a life insurance agent. If you are ready to begin the process, then just simply fill out our short quote form.

We understand how overwhelming it may seem when you are looking for the right life insurance protection. There are many different variables to consider – and you want to make sure that you are choosing the right policy – and the right insurance company – for your specific needs.

But the good news is that you don’t have to go through this process alone. Working with an expert can put you back in control. So, contact us today – we’re here to help.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

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Inside: Looking for some great Easter basket ideas for boys? Our list has you covered! They will love these easter gifts for guys.

Easter is just around the corner, and if you’re like most parents, you’re probably scrambling to put together Easter baskets for your kids.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve got you covered with 20 awesome boys Easter basket ideas that are sure to please any little guy.

From action-packed toys and games to sweet treats and everything in between, these ideas have something for everyone.

So what are you waiting for? Get started on your Easter shopping today!

What do boys like for Easter?

Your boy is likely curious, (very) messy, and probably not thrilled about the idea of matching Easter outfits.

Depending on the age will depend on what boys like for Easter:

  • Toddler: think of Easter activity sets with plush stuffed animals.
  • 5-7 year olds: a variety of gifts like Lego sets, slime kits, and games are a hit
  • 8-11 year olds: graphic novels and sports gear is always a great choice.
  • Teens: remember, this age group is too cool, so add in jelly beans, their favorite t-shirt, and a creative coupon book.

What do you put in a boy’s Easter basket?

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.

You can either put together an Easter basket on a theme.

Or you could use this fun method of including these items:

This way you can personalize the basket to the little guy in your life.

awesome Easter basket ideas for boys

If you are looking for some inspiration for what to put in your little guy’s Easter basket this year, look no further!

This is where you will find Easter basket ideas for teens.

We have gathered together 20 of the most awesome Easter basket ideas for boys.

Star Wars Easter Basket

Ingredients needed to make a Star Wars Easter Basket include:

  • Star Wars-themed gift baskets
  • Lego Set
  • Action figures
  • Mini light sabers

Additionally, it would be great to add some decorations to the basket such as Star Wars-themed ribbon, stuffed animals, and mini flags.

Slime Easter Basket

This is a great activity for boys. It can be used for making slime animals, slime balls, and slime gobs.

It is also a great way to teach children about science.

Mega Hand STEM Experiment Kit

Build-your-own robotic hand designed to provide tweens with a fun and educational project.

works like the arms of an octopus, with a flexible soft design that can pick up almost any object. When you pull the trigger, it activates the mechanisms that make the claw work.

To complete the basket, add pull-back vehicles and kinetic sand eggs to provide hours of fun.

Sports Helmet Basket

Do you have a sports player in your house? Then, fill up his new helmet filled with Easter goodies!

Great way to gift something you need to buy anyway!

Perfect for your baseball, football, or skateboard fan!

Kindle Paperwhite for Kids

This is something we have purchased before for our kids.

It is such a hit!!

We prefer the paperwhite version over the Kindle Kids.

Tackle Box Basket

Many boys love to fish and hunt.

What better way to show your love for the outdoors than to give them a tackle box filled with the necessary tools to have fun?

There are many different options for Easter baskets, and any boy would love one of these.

Game Easter Basket

Whether you’re giving a basket to a young boy or a teen, there are plenty of great card games or board games out there.

Personally, I am amazed at the creativity of these games! They are truly geared toward today’s children and teens.

Check out the latest games! Amazon has the best selection!

Marvel-themed Easter baskets

Marvel has become one of the most popular comic book franchises in history.

With movies coming out on a regular basis, it’s no surprise that there are a lot of great Marvel-themed gifts out there.

Whether you’re looking for a toy, a video game, or just a fun gift, these baskets are sure to please!

Nintendo Switch

With its powerful hardware and a vast library of games, the Nintendo Switch can provide hours of entertainment right at your fingertips.

It features both a powerful home console and a portable device, so you can access your games from any location.

Already have a Nintendo Switch, find plenty of games here.

Ultimate Flying Disc

This Easter, give your son the ultimate Easter basket experience by giving him a LED flying frisbee. Not only will he have a blast playing with it, but he’ll also get a good workout.

Flying discs are a great way to get your son and his friends moving, and they’re also a lot of fun.

Shape Shifting Box

The patented, award-winning Shashibo fidget box features 36 rare earth magnets for an innovative design that transforms into over 70 shapes. 

Unlike other puzzle box toys that turn out disappointing and boring, this one will be filled with hours of fun!

Playfoam Fidget Toy & Sensory Toys

Easter baskets are perfect for boys because they love to explore new things.

You can also add some fun sensory toys like Playfoam that never dries out! Just shape it however you like, then squash it back down and start all over again.

Under Armour Clothes

This is one of the hottest brands for guys.

Under Armour clothes are so cool because they are made of synthetic materials that are wind and water resistant.

This means that they can be wornand keep you dry.

Kids love all things UA!

Sports Themed Easter Basket

Photo Courtesy: Etsy

There are many sports themed Easter baskets that are perfect for boys.

You can stuff this adorable basket with balls, a baseball glove, and candy.

Sports themed Easter baskets are a great way to show your son how much you love and appreciate him.

Treasure Hunters

The Treasure Hunters basket is an awesome Easter basket idea for boys because it contains all the books in the Treasure Hunters series, written by renowned author James Patterson.

This basket provides an exciting mix of adventure and mystery that is sure to captivate tweens and keep them engaged in reading.

The books in the series follow a group of siblings as they travel the world in search of hidden treasure, encountering all manner of thrilling challenges along the way. This series also teaches valuable lessons about courage, family, and friendship, which makes it a great choice for young readers.

LEGO Creator 3-in-1 White Rabbit

The LEGO Creator 3-in-1 White Rabbit is a great Easter basket idea for boys because they can enjoy building the 258-piece rabbit, complete with a carrot!

Plus, the set is compact, making it easy to stow away for later use. Not to mention, it’s perfect for the Easter season, with its cute bunny and carrot design.

So, your little one can have fun building with their LEGO set and then decorate their room with the finished product!

NERF Vortex

This is the ultimate gift!

Highly popular throwing toy for all ages!

Plus it makes a high-pitched whistle when it flies through the air!

Adorable Bunny Stuffed Animal

Every little boy and toddler needs a stuffed animal in their lives.

This soft plush stuffed bunny is too cute to pass up!

Orange Carrot Teething Toy

For our infants and toddlers, this teether is perfect for little hands.

Candy Box Easter Basket

You have to include candy and snacks right?

Every boy will love a candy box – even though the parents may not be as keen on the idea.

FAQ

Finding the perfect Easter gift for a boy can be difficult, especially when you’re on a budget.

Whether you are shopping for a toddler, preteen, or teen, you don’t have to break the bank to put together an Easter basket he will love.

Find plenty of budget-friendly Easter gifts under $10 for boys of all ages.

For something extra special, consider adding a gift card, books, a cool t-shirt, or a creative coupon book.

This will be focused on their unique personality and interest.

For the 12-year-olds in your life, put together an Easter basket that’s fun and exciting.

Fill it with goodies that will spark creativity and keep them occupied long after the Easter bunny has come and gone.

No Easter basket is complete without treats, so add some chocolate eggs, marshmallows, or a batch of Easter-themed cookies.

Which Easter Basket Gift Set will you Choose?

Easter is a great time to celebrate Easter baskets for boys.

Our list of 20 fantastic options has everything from slime to sports gear to games!

Don’t forget ideas for Easter basket ideas for girls!

Now that Easter is just around the corner, so it’s time to start shopping for what to put in those baskets!

If you’re stuck on ideas, be sure to check out our list. We’ve got 20 great options that any boy is sure to love.

Oh, and don’t forget those Easter basket stuffers!

So what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Source: moneybliss.org

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What are the rules if you inherit a Roth IRA?

It’s important to know, because an inherited Roth IRA can trigger:

– Estate Taxes, and/or
– Income Taxes

Estate Taxes

Contrary to conventional wisdom, an inherited Roth IRA does not pass on to its heirs tax free, unless the sole heir is also the deceased owner’s spouse.

Just like any other asset, a Roth IRA is subject to estate taxes.

So if you inherit a Roth IRA as part of an estate large enough to be subject to inheritance taxes, you will likely owe inheritance taxes on the Roth IRA as well.

However, keep in mind that the deceased owner’s original after-tax Roth IRA contributions are NOT subject to estate taxes – only the tax-free earnings generated on those principal contributions.

The 10% Early Withdrawal Penalty

What happens if you inherit a Roth IRA and immediately withdraw some or all of the funds? Is your withdrawal subject to the early withdrawal penalty if you’re under age 59 ½?

According to the Roth IRA withdrawal rules outlined in IRS Publication 590, the 10% early withdrawal penalty is waived if “you are the beneficiary of a deceased IRA owner.”

So if you recently inherited a Roth IRA, you don’t have to worry about triggering a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Income Taxes

Nevertheless, you do need to worry about income taxes.

Generally speaking, the original tax-free contributions of the deceased Roth IRA owner are not subject to income taxes. But the earnings on those contributions are subject to income taxes if the account fails to meet the requirements of the Roth IRA 5 year rule.

So what are the requirements of the 5 year rule?

A Roth IRA meets the 5 year rule requirement on the first day of the fifth tax year after the Roth IRA was opened and funded.

For example, let’s say you opened and funded a Roth IRA on May 5, 2010. Under this scenario, when will your Roth IRA meet the requirements of the 5 year rule?

On January 2, 2015.

Why?

Because 5 tax years will have passed since the time the account was opened and funded – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Remember this rule, because it’s an important one to remember if you wish to minimize the tax liability of an inherited Roth IRA.

Also keep in mind that different rules apply to spousal and non-spousal beneficiaries.

Spousal Beneficiaries

If you inherit a Roth IRA from your spouse, you have two options:

  • Elect to treat the Roth IRA as your own, or
  • Delay your withdrawals until the time when your deceased spouse would have reached age 70 ½

If you elect to treat the Roth IRA as your own, it takes on all the characteristics of your own Roth IRA – the same as if you had opened and funded it yourself.

At this point, simply follow the normal Roth IRA rules, and you can avoid taxes altogether.

Non-principal withdrawals before age 59 ½, or before the requirements of the 5 year rule are met, will trigger an early withdrawal penalty and income taxes, but the original principal contributions can be withdrawn tax-free and penalty-free at any time.

In addition, you can make addition contributions to the inherited Roth IRA (assuming you qualify to make Roth IRA contributions), and you can allow funds to grow tax-free in the Roth IRA for as long as you wish (there’s no minimum distribution age).

Alternatively, you can elect to delay your withdrawals until the time when your spouse would have reached age 70 ½.

Under this scenario, you must begin making annual minimum withdrawals from the inherited Roth IRA starting in the year in which your spouse would have turned age 70 ½.

Essentially, the inherited Roth IRA will take on the same rules governing a Traditional IRA (except you won’t owe income taxes on qualified withdrawals).

Non-Spousal Beneficiaries

If you inherit a Roth IRA from someone other than your spouse, you:

  • Can’t treat the Roth IRA as your own
  • Can’t make new contributions to the Roth IRA
  • Must follow the minimum distribution rules

The first two points are self-explanatory, but what are the minimum distribution rules?

Under the minimum distribution rules, you have two options as a non-spouse beneficiary:

  • Take the entire distribution by December 31st of the fifth calendar year following the year of the Roth IRA owner’s death, or
  • Receive the entire distribution over a lifetime

Under the first option, you can withdrawal all the funds in the Roth IRA tax-free if you play your cards right.

For instance, assume you inherit a Roth IRA from your dad in 2012. He originally opened the account in 2010, and it’s composed of $10,000 in after-tax contributions and $2,000 in earnings.

You can immediately withdraw the $10,000 principal tax-free and penalty-free. But withdrawal of the $2,000 in earnings will trigger income taxes until the account meets the requirements of the 5 year rule.

On January 2, 2015, you’re free to withdraw the remaining $2,000 without taxes or penalties, because the account will meet the 5 year rule requirements, and you will have successfully withdrawn all of the funds in the account before December 31, 2017 (the fifth calendar year following your father’s death).

Under the second option, you can elect to receive an annuity which pays out over the course of your expected lifetime.

If you choose this option, the length of your expected lifetime is predetermined by IRS tables based on your current age and the current value of the account.

Conclusion

Unless you’re the spouse of a deceased Roth IRA owner who elects to treat the inherited Roth IRA as your own, the tax and legal implications of inheriting a Roth IRA can get extremely complicated.

Even if you manage to avoid inheritance taxes, certain types of withdrawals will be subject to income taxes. And certain actions on your part, such as making a contribution to an inherited Roth IRA as a non-spousal beneficiary, are strictly prohibited.

It is well worth your time and money to seek the guidance of a competent estate attorney, accountant, and/or financial advisor.

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Source: biblemoneymatters.com

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I can only imagine what would have happened if my parents would have given me access to a big chunk of money when I was still young.

I used to be really good at blowing my money on crap that I didn’t need, so I’m sure anything they would have saved would have been gone in an instant.

Sound familiar for any of you?

This is just one of the many reasons why custodial accounts were created.

If you’re scared that your child will blow through their savings, here’s what you need to know about custodial account rules.

Basically, a custodial account is established to protect the financial assets given to a minor child. In most cases, the account is created by the child’s parent or legal guardian for one of two functions.

Some custodial accounts can be established to make sure the child has sufficient resources throughout his or her adolescence. Other custodial accounts are created to cover educational expenses after high school graduations.

Additionally, the account can be established to provide a good financial foundation during the child’s adult life.

Custodial Account Rules

While there are multiple reasons that a parent or legal guardian may have to open a custodial account, the process to begin is the same. The account can be opened at a brokerage firm, a mutual fund company, bank or any other type of financial institution. An adult is assigned to manage the account until the child reaches the age requirement for to have full access to the account.

Depending on state legislation, the age range to grant access can be between 18 and 21 years. This is known as the age of majority and the age can be over 21 based on state legislation and specific circumstances.

Additionally, the custodian of the account must approve any transactions that the minor may want to conduct on the account. Investments are allowed but must be limited to mutual funds or similar financial products.

Role of the Custodian

Custodial accounts originated with the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) of 1956 where a custodian is designated to manage the account until the child reaches adulthood. The parent or legal guardian can act as the custodian or name another adult to serve in this capacity. Generally, the custodian’s role is to manage the assets of a custodial account to buy, sell and/or reinvest earnings. If necessary, the custodian can withdraw money from the account when it benefits the child.

The law requires that all assets in a custodial account be used only to benefit the minor child.

Clearly, the expectation is that the custodian will never use the money for personal interests. Paying expenses that are unrelated to the child’s interest is prohibited.

If the custodian is also the legal guardian or parent, they should get expert financial advice on the appropriate use of the funds. There are allowed distributions that may apply. In general, the account cannot be used to pay for daily expenses that the guardian or parent is legally obligated to cover.

What Happens to Investment Income?

The dividends, interest and earnings from investment income is considered income for the child, and the rules around this have recently changed. Currently, when the child is under 18, any unearned income over $2,200 is subject to the “Kiddie Tax”. This rule also applies if the child is under 24 and a full-time student.

Here’s how it breaks down. For the 2020 tax year, the child’s unearned income under $1,100 is not taxed; the next $1,100 is taxed at the child’s tax rate, which can be very low, and any unearned income in excess of $2,200 is taxed at the parents’ tax rate.

Ownership of the Custodial Account

The assets of the custodial account are owned by the child for whom the account was created. While it is true that the child does not control the account until he or she meets the age requirement, the child is the legal owner from the start. Typically, assets are placed into the account as a gift for the child.

Legally, this completes the transaction and a person cannot take the property back at a later date. The same rule applies to any income that generates from the assets, i.e. stocks, mutual accounts.

529 Plans Vs. Custodial Accounts

Establishing savings plans for your kids basically comes down to two options: custodial accounts or 529 plans.  There are many differences between the two, but here’s the main ones I point to people who are interested:

  1. With 529 plans, the owner (usually the parent) is always in charge of the money even after the child turns 18.  This is huge for a lot of parents.
  2. The 529 plans must be used for college or college related expenses (think room and board, books, supplies). Custodial account has no restriction on what the money can be used for.
  3. If the money inside the 529 plan is used for the above mentioned expenses, the owner will not have to pay any income tax when cashing out the funds.
  4. Custodial accounts offer a lot more flexibility with the investment choices (brokerage, high yield savings, etc.). 529 plans are usually mutual funds that are pre-selected by the states plan that you choose.

Overall, if saving for college is your prime goal, I would suggest the 529 plan over the custodial account.   If you don’t want your child to feel like the money has to be used for college, then go with the custodial account.

Termination of the Custodial Account

Custodial accounts terminate when the child reaches the specified age according to state law. The type of transfer may also determine when the account terminates. A parent or legal guardian could designate an age that is different from state law.

For example, state law may require account termination when the child turns 18 years old. However, the creator of the account may specify termination at age 21. Once the account terminates, the child has free reign on how to use the assets of the account.

There are also legal guidelines if the child dies before the account terminates. Typically, the custodian cannot allocate how the assets are distributed. The custodial account becomes part of the child’s estate and must be distributed according to estate laws.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

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There’s no easy answer to the question “Should I rent or buy a house?” It depends on so many factors: your age, your finances, your neighborhood, your future plans, the current real estate landscape, and the mortgage market, to name just a few.

Being a landlord requires a lot of responsibility and quite the investment. But it also comes with a great set of benefits, including becoming your own boss and gaining more control over your time — and earning.

If you’ve ever wondered if it would be worth it to become a landlord (and what exactly that entails), keep reading.

Entire books have been written about finding a good rental property. So much text has been dedicated to the topic because of its critical importance. Buy too expensive a place, and you’ll never make money. But trying to snag a bargain can be troublesome too.

Buying a fixer-upper requires that you have the skills, time, tools, and cash to make the necessary repairs and renovations. But here are some of the biggest concerns you should have before embarking on the journey to becoming a landlord:

Do you have enough in savings?

Let’s just say that your tenants can’t make the rent, but they are not going to move out without a fight.

Before you buy a rental, you need to amass an economic cushion amounting to at least six months of housing expenses, plus a few thousand dollars to pay attorneys. That gives you the staying power required to manage most worst-case scenarios. 

Are you handy?

If you’re a handy person who likes doing your own work around the house, light plumbing, perhaps some construction, yard work, and so on, you might be a good candidate for becoming a landlord.

If you’re just starting out, it may be too expensive to handle outside contractors if you expect to turn your rental income into profit. Doing the work yourself saves money.

Are you available for 24-hour responsibility?

Hiring a company to manage your properties is an expense that cuts into your profit. Depending on the location, you may be able to afford this from just your rental income. If that’s the case, work with a professional property management company who will answer the phone at any hour to fix any household problems that arise.

Otherwise, be prepared for calls in the middle of the night. If you’re starting your adventure with rental properties while working at another job, you will find yourself with competing priorities often. Usually, a good idea is to start out small, and see whether being a landlord truly is a good fit for you — before embarking on bigger projects, with many units.

Another question you need to answer is: Are you old enough? You can legally buy a house as young as 18. But bear in mind that, on top of the financial responsibility that comes with a purchase, you will also have to account for the property in the eyes of your renters.

Can you keep tenants happy?

Of all the costs associated with being a landlord, the biggest one is a vacancy.

Every time a tenant moves out, you’re going to spend money, probably quite a bit of it. That means finding and keeping good tenants is the heart of successfully investing long-term in real estate.

Happy tenants are critically important. They’re your customers. And the way you keep them happy is by keeping the property in good shape and treating them with respect.

This means being a landlord also comes with a great deal of hospitality and marketing tasks that you probably haven’t factored in before, but that are crucial to your long-term success.

More helpful tips

6 Smart Home Devices to Keep Your Pets Safe, Well Fed and Entertained While You’re Away
This Is How Real Estate Investors Use Interior Design to Make a Property More Appealing

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

Inside: Looking for some great Easter basket ideas for girls? Our list has you covered! They will love these easter gifts for special ladies in your life.

Easter is just around the corner and if you’re like me, that means it’s time to start thinking about Easter baskets!

I love putting together Easter baskets for my girl.

Girls love getting unexpected presents, and they love trying out new things. Plus girls are also often very creative, so they can come up with unique and interesting gifts.

It’s so much fun to pick out festive and colorful Easter fillers!

If you’re looking for some inspiration for what to put in your little girl’s Easter basket this year, look no further!

Here are 25 great ideas:

What do girls like for Easter?

Girls can enjoy a wide variety of Easter gifts and treats.

Thus, shopping for girls is so much fun!!

The love items such as jewelry, nail polish, art supplies, plush toys, beach towels, tote bags, backpacks, and notebooks. You can’t go wrong with any of our ideas below.

Find Easter gifts to show your little girl how special she is, while still being fun and age-appropriate.

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.

What can I put in my daughters Easter basket?

Looking for creative ideas to put in your daughter’s Easter basket?

From fun jewelry, nail polishes, and art supplies to sunglasses, we have plenty of ideas to keep you covered.

You need to consider her interests and personality to make her basket special.

The 25 Best Easter Basket Ideas for Girls

If you are looking for some inspiration for what to put in your little girl’s Easter basket this year, look no further!

This is where you will find Easter basket ideas for teens.

We have gathered together 25 of the most awesome girl Easter basket ideas

Pressed Flower Art Kit

A pressed flower art kit is a great Easter basket idea for girls of all ages, as it encourages creative exploration and allows for unique, handmade projects.

These tools can be used to create a variety of fun projects such as cards, bookmarks, trinket boxes, and more.

Moreover, the recommended age of 5 years and up means the kit is versatile enough to engage both younger and older girls.

Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Kit

The Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Kit for kids is packed with amazing features for young botanists to explore and enjoy! The kit includes everything you need.

Perfect opportunity to combine the fun of arts and crafts with science for creative and screen-free activity.

Cross Pendant Necklace

A cross pendant necklace is a popular and meaningful choice for faith-based Easter baskets.

It is a stylish and symbolic way to express one’s faith.

The simple design makes it a timeless item and is a popular choice for teens and adults alike. It is a great way to show your devotion to Christ and to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Kindle Paperwhite

This is something we have purchased before for our kids.

It is such a hit!!

We prefer the paperwhite version over the Kindle Kids.

Spot It Classic Card Game

The Spot It! Classic Card Game is a fun, engaging game for the whole family.

It works by having players search for matching symbols or pictures on cards.

It is an excellent option for an Easter basket for young girls because it encourages critical thinking, visual perception skills, and fine motor skills. It also develops quick reflexes and helps players hone their observational skills.

Squishies Squishy Toy

Squishies Squishy Toys are excellent stress relievers and are great for improving blood circulation in the hands.

These Squishies Squishy Toys make great Easter Basket ideas for girls because they are not only fun and cute to look at, but they are also very safe to play with.

Additionally, they are small enough to fit into Easter eggs and baskets without taking up too much space.

Butterfly Garden

This pop-up, reusable habitat is 11.5 inches tall and made of mesh to allow for easy viewing of butterflies as they go through the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. It also comes with a feeding dropper and instructions for setting up the habitat.

Watching the caterpillars grow and morph into butterflies is a fun and engaging activity that can teach children about the beauty of the natural world and the life cycle of butterflies.

Make sure to order caterpillars separately! https://amzn.to/3YIM2Uy

Easter Lego Set

The LEGO Creator 3-in-1 White Rabbit is a great Easter basket idea for boys because they can enjoy building the 258-piece rabbit, complete with a carrot!

Plus, the set is compact, making it easy to stow away for later use. Not to mention, it’s perfect for the Easter season, with its cute bunny and carrot design.

So, your child can have fun building with their LEGO set and then decorate their room with the finished product!

Fidget Toys

Easter baskets for girls can be filled with a variety of fidget toys

Girls will love the variety of sensory toys in the set and they can use them to reduce stress and anxiety.

Plus, they trade them all the time! So, it is better to buy a bigger set!

Beautiful Hearted Women of the Bible: A Creative Mother-Daughter Devotional 

This beautiful month-daughter devotional by Linsey Driskill is a creative and interactive way for moms to connect with their daughters ages 6-10 years old.

Simple step to help grow their relationship with God.

The bonus is quality time with your daughter digging into God’s word.

Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is a perfect Easter basket item for girls since it encourages them to explore their creative side and get outdoors.

As the chalk is washable, it’s also a safe and mess-free option to let kids express their creativity while having fun outdoors.

Furthermore, the vibrant colors of sidewalk chalk add a splash of color to any outdoor space and bring a lot of fun and excitement.

Temporary Henna Tattoos

Temp henna tattoos are an excellent addition to any Easter basket, as they are a fun, creative way for kids (and adults!) to add a special touch to their celebrations.

They’re great for adding a personal touch to gifts and can even be used to dress up Easter eggs or other decorations.

Plus, they are a safe and non-toxic alternative to permanent tattoos, meaning they won’t cause any lasting damage to skin.

Personalized Beach towels

Why not be in style with a personalized beach towel?

Choose your favorite design, add your own text, and let us do the rest.

You can be sure that your towel will make a statement at the beach this summer.

I Spy Easter Book

The I Spy Easter Coloring Book is a popular Easter basket idea for girls because it provides a fun and creative way to celebrate the holiday.

This book is packed with easy-to-color illustrations, featuring bunnies, eggs, chicks, and other Easter themed treats, on single-sided pages that prevent bleed-through.

With its inspiring Easter themes, this activity book is sure to spark creativity and imagination for toddlers.

Easter Bubble Bath Bomb

Bath bombs are a fun way to get clean and enjoy a spa-like experience at home.

They come in all different flavors, but the most popular is probably the bubble bath bombs. These bombs are filled with a variety of scents and ingredients, including bath salts, oils, and even toys.

When you drop them into a hot bath, they form small bubbles that burst and release.

Non-toxic Nail Polish

An Easter nail polish basket is a popular gift idea for girls.

Look for nail polishes that are usually free of harsh chemicals, vegan and cruelty-free, and eco-friendly, making them safe for all ages, including young children.

The Easter nail polish basket is a popular gift idea for girls because it provides them with a fun and safe way to express themselves and decorate their nails with vibrant colors and designs.

Facial Sheet Mask

Facial sheet masks are a popular Easter basket idea for girls because they are an affordable and easy way to enjoy a variety of skincare benefits.

A facial sheet mask is a skincare product that is made from natural ingredients such as shea butter, aloe, tea tree, peppermint, green tea, and lemon, among others.

Not to mention, they are a fun way to show your skin some love and pamper yourself.

American Girl Doll

There are many different American Girl Dolls to choose from, the options are endless.

You can fill the baskets with different types of clothes, shoes, and accessories. They can also be personalized with the child’s name.

Self Love Journal

Journaling is one of the best practices we can teach our girls.

Positive affirmations work wonders! Our brain is so powerful.

This is a gift you will not regret.

Glitter Double Line Outline Pens

The Glitter Double Line Outline Pens feature vivid metallic silver color surrounded by colored borders.

These pens have a unique technology that produces outlines for you automatically to create a beautiful dual-color effect.

The pigment ink is waterproof, chemically stable, and UV resistant, making them perfect for crafts, cards, and other creative projects.

The Armor of God – Teen Bible Study Book

This highly acclaimed bible study by Priscilla Shirer is what teen girls need today.

Learn how to overcome the war raging around you – in your mind, in your emotions.

Make an action plan for putting on your armor and developing a personalized strategy to secure victory against the enemy.

Selfie ring light

Yep, this is exactly what every teen wants!

A selfie ring light is a device used to take selfies, video chat, and live stream videos. I

It also comes with an adjustable phone holder and a weighted tripod, making it easy to take pictures no matter where you are.

Selfie ring lights are popular gifts for Easter baskets because they make it easier to take great selfies in dark areas or whenever natural light is not available.

Crossbody Purse

It is a popular Easter basket idea for girls because of its convenience and versatility.

The faux leather material and small size of the bag make it a stylish and comfortable accessory that can be worn with just about any outfit.

All in all, a crossbody purse is a great Easter gift idea for girls of all ages because of its stylishness, convenience, and versatility.

What stuffed animals can I include in a girls Easter basket?

A girls Easter basket should include an array of plush stuffed animals!!

Here are the most popular:

Personalized Hop ‘N Cuddle Plush Bunny

Squishmallow

Melissa & Doug Burrow Bunny Rabbit Stuffed Animal 

FAQ

Girls are more likely to want the frills and ribbons than boys!

A themed Easter basket is a great idea and there are so many fun and creative themes to choose from.

  • Consider a princess-themed basket with items like princess jewelry, nail polish, art supplies, and a unique tie-dye beach towel.
  • Or, think of a pool-themed basket with a beach tote, sand toys, and a colorful beach towel.

Make the basket even more special with a few extra touches like a colorful bow or ribbon, a few Easter eggs, or a special note.

With these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to create a custom Easter basket for your girl that she’ll love!

Are there any Easter basket stuffers specifically for girls that are non-candy items?

Indeed, there are!

From glitter and sparkles to fun friendship art, you can find a wide selection of unique non-candy Easter basket stuffers for girls.

There are so many little fillers you can choose from!

Easter baskets for girls come in a variety of styles and colors, from bright pinks and pastels to custom designs.

From cute gift baskets with lock and key to sporty sparkle backpacks, there is something for every girl.

No matter what kind of Easter basket she’s looking for, you’re sure to find something special for every girl.

Time to Shop for Easter Bunny Baskets

We hope this guide has given you some inspiration for the perfect Easter basket for the special girl in your life.

Shopping for Easter should be fun for your daughter, nieces, or granddaughter.

The ideas are endless and open to inspiration based on their personalities.

You can be sure you’ll find the perfect Easter basket for the special girl in your life.

Don’t forget ideas for boys’ easter baskets!

Happy Easter!

Oh, and don’t forget those Easter basket stuffers!

So what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

Social media marketing, a type of digital marketing, uses social media platforms to deliver online content to a business’s target audiences. Content is generally designed to build brand awareness and promote products or services, but it can also help a business increase visitors to its website and gather information about followers that can be used in email marketing and other campaigns.

Social media marketing allows you to engage in a more direct way with your target audience, even in one-on-one conversations in some instances. It can be less expensive than other forms of marketing, but it’s also highly competitive due to continuous streams of social posts vying for the attention of consumers. Creating an intentional social media marketing strategy can help you maximize your efforts and improve your return on investment.

How to create a social media marketing strategy

Social media marketing works like other forms of marketing as far as defining goals, identifying a target audience and creating content. However, to keep an active social media presence, a business will need to post regularly on their platforms of choice and regularly monitor brand mentions and customer comments.

Determine your social media marketing goals

Plotting out your goals from the outset will help guide you in the other decisions you’ll need to make, such as which social media platforms to use and the type of content to post.

Here are some general goals that are common to social media marketing:

  • Increase brand awareness.

  • Gain customer insights.

  • Increase sales.

  • Develop leads.

  • Increase website traffic.

  • Respond to customer complaints.

  • Retarget visitors to your website who don’t make purchases.

  • Get followers to share your content on promotional events.

  • Draw attention to a charity or nonprofit organization you support.

When possible, be specific when setting goals, but also keep in mind that the success of some of your efforts may be hard to document. For example, it can be more difficult to measure an increase in brand awareness, but the goal of higher website traffic can be documented through marketing tools such as Google Analytics.

Define your target audience

Knowing your customers is important to any marketing effort. Customer information, such as interests, buying behaviors, pain points and demographic details like age, gender and annual income, can help you create content that will interest your target audience.

Also, demographic details may influence your choice of social media platforms. For example, if your target audience is primarily women, you may want to market on a platform that has a higher percentage of women than men. Or, if your target audience is younger, you may want to use a platform that is popular with that age group.

However, with daily users numbering in the millions on many popular platforms, your target audience may be well represented on any platform. Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram are a few of the platforms that offer audience insights tools you can use to learn about the people using the platform. Talking directly to your customers about which platforms they frequent most can also help inform your social media strategy.

Pick your social media platforms

You may choose to target even more niche social platforms based on your type of business and customers, but here are some of the most popular and how they’re used:

  • Facebook: Text, image and video sharing. A Facebook business page can provide important information about your business and build community.

  • YouTube: Video sharing.

  • Twitter: This social networking platform is mostly used for text-based Tweets, but you can also incorporate images, videos and GIFs.

  • Instagram: Photo and video sharing.

  • TikTok: Video sharing. Compared to YouTube, this is best for shorter videos.

  • Pinterest: Image sharing.

  • LinkedIn: A professional networking platform, LinkedIn is primarily used to market to businesses rather than consumers, or to increase brand awareness by participating in industry-specific forums.

  • Snapchat. Instant messaging, image and video platform.

  • Reddit: Forum-style discussions.

Assess your content needs

The type of content you’ll post on social media will depend on your business, goals and which platforms you’re using. It can range from promotional to educational and should reflect the human characteristics and voice that best define your brand, or your brand personality. For example, if your business sells outdoor gear, your brand personality might be rugged and adventurous. Or, if your business sells products and services for small children, your brand personality might be playful but nurturing.

Social media content can include text, images and videos. You may also be able to link to other content you’ve created such as articles, blogs, e-books and videos. Depending on the platform, there may be limits to what can be included in posts. For example, on Twitter, a Tweet can contain up to 280 characters plus up to four images, videos and/or GIFs.

Your social media marketing efforts might also include the use of digital ads on multiple social media platforms and search engines such as Google and Bing. Each platform will have its own requirements for ads and typically offer content recommendations. For example, YouTube offers step-by-step instructions on creating video ads, with pre-made templates and other tools.

Post consistently

Posting consistently is an important factor in successfully promoting your business on social media. Each business’s posting cadence, whether it’s daily, a few times a week or weekly, will depend on its goals and audience. You’ll also want to factor in the time it takes to produce quality content — a video or high-quality photos may take longer than a text-only Tweet, for instance.

Creating a posting schedule can help your business post consistently — and marketing software can help automate the process. While you can post the same content on all your platforms, it’s better to customize the content for the audience of each individual platform. Plus, as discussed, each platform has unique requirements for postings.

Posting regularly can help a business to:

  • Increase brand authority, credibility and reputation.

  • Build followers.

  • Gain familiarity with the platforms and tools.

  • Establish its brand voice.

  • Improve content rankings on platform feeds.

  • Support paid advertising efforts.

Monitor mentions and respond quickly

It’s important to monitor the mentions of your brand and comments made on your posts. Customers frequently take to a business’s social media when they have customer service questions or complaints. In those instances, responding quickly and positively is key, but aim to resolve the issue privately, by encouraging them to direct message or email your business.

Monitoring mentions — and encouraging customers to post about your business (while tagging your account) — can also help you identify brand advocates and gather user-generated content to repost, which can ease the burden of content creation.

It may take months before you see noticeable progress toward your marketing goals, but social media management tools like Hootsuite, Zoho Social and Buffer can help you monitor your content as well as help with posting, scheduling and measuring results.

Source: nerdwallet.com