A Millennial's Thoughts on Saving Money

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I can bet that you hear "I don't sleep well" at least once a week from someone you know. Maybe you are the person saying it. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (

NINDS), approximately 60 million Americans a year report experiencing insomnia. So if you're tossing and turning at night, you are not alone.

Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep but with how busy the average American is from 9 hours at the office to rushing the kids to after-school activities, sleep can be hard to come by. Often times (I know this was true with me) as soon as you lay down in bed your mind starts going crazy with everything that you need to do the next day and as your mind is churning, it's suddenly 2 AM and you can't fall asleep. This can become dangerous if it's routine. Lack of sleep can pose serious health risks such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, depression, and poor cognitive function.

Getting better sleep is good for you and good for everyone around you. Here are 7 tips to sleeping better:

1. Don't eat dinner right before bed
Try and eat dinner 2 to 3 hours before bed. Dinner tends to be the largest meal of the day for most people and if you eat too close to bedtime, you may experience bloating and gastrointestinal reflux which will not help you fall asleep. If you know you will be busy and won't be home until late, plan ahead by bringing healthy snacks and eat something light when you finally get home. I know every Tuesday and Friday I am not getting home until 8:30 PM because of Animal Humane Society shifts so I plan ahead by bringing a hearty lunch to work and have a snack ready for 4 PM. This way I am not starving once I am finally home and I can settle for something simple like a bowl of Cheerios.

2. Hide your alarm clock
This one is important for two reasons: 1) if you can't see the clock, you can't keep checking it to see how many hours have gone by. 2) Hiding the clock eliminates harsh lighting preventing you from falling asleep. My alarm clock is right next to my bed, the simple thing I do is just angle a book against it to hide it once I am ready for bed.
3. Turn off all artificial light
Related to the alarm clock issue, studies have shown that artificial light disturbs sleep, especially the blue light that emits from electronics like laptops and tablets. So be sure to power off all televisions, computers, iPads, etc... in the bedroom before going to bed.

4. Prepare for the next day before bedtime
To help prevent our minds from running rampant as soon as we lie down, write down everything going through your head beforehand. Make a list of what you need to accomplish the next day. If there is anything you have to do right away in the morning, see if you can get a head start the night before so there is less to worry about. For example, I lay out what I am wearing to work the next day and put my lunch together before I go to bed. This way there are fewer things I need to do in the morning.

5. Don't go to bed until you're actually tired
If you know you need to sleep and try and force yourself to fall asleep early, sometimes the opposite can happen. The anxiety of not being able to fall asleep can contribute to insomnia. So, if you are lying in bed and can't fall asleep, open a book or go watch some television until you do get tired. Just don't lie there tossing and turning.

6. Adjust the thermostat
Experts from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend thinking of your bedroom as a cave: cool, dark, and quiet. Drop the thermostat a few degrees for bedtime, your body and energy bill will thank you!

7. Set a schedule
Try and go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even the weekend. Disrupting your schedule resets your internal clock and may lead to insomnia. It also makes it more difficult wake up early once the weekend is over.

I used to struggle falling asleep, and prepping for the next day before bed and hiding my clock are the two things that really helped me. If you are struggling getting enough sleep every night, hopefully these tips can help you too! Getting the right amount of sleep is important in staying healthy and we all know the benefits to staying healthy are plenty! The healthier you are, the cheaper your life insurance will be too; however, even if you do have a sleep disorder you can still get the insurance you need to protect your family. Get a term life insurance quote for an estimate on how little a life insurance policy would cost. Quotacy does not require any personal contact information just for you to run a quote. It's easy and anonymous.

Thanks for stopping by!

The commercial world now has drones delivering your packages to your door. It is because of technological advancements like this that I am shocked when I attempt to look up a person or company online and find no trace of them other than their name as part of the digital White and Yellow Pages. Researching and buying products and services online is the present and the future, and even for those whom still shop in-store

88 percent of these shoppers research online beforehand! If you do not have an online presence you are in danger of missing out on thousands of customers.

I am currently in the process of hiring a property management firm for my home and I automatically checked a company off the list when I could not find a profile for them online anywhere. How am I supposed to know I can trust you to take care of my home when there are zero online reviews? What if I need to contact someone, but don't have time to talk on the phone? Is there an e-mail I can use? If you don't have an online presence, I doubt you would respond to my e-mail in a timely fashion. They lost a customer. Meanwhile, a second company I talked to had a great website and many online reviews on Yelp and Google. Not to mention, the salesperson I talked to on the phone actually went and found me on LinkedIn a few days after our phone call and established a second connection! Fast forward a month or so of researching firms and I called this company back again and set up a meeting for them to see my home. Pending the meeting goes well this company gained a customer because of their awesome online presence.

An online presence in this modern world is essential. It is essential for businesses and for individuals. Have you applied to a job in the recent years? I'll bet you looked the company up online before applying. Guess what? That company is going to look you up online as well. If you have a LinkedIn profile, chances are that company will be more interested in you than in another applicant who does not. Taking the time to make a LinkedIn profile shows you are serious about being a professional; however, worse than not having a LinkedIn profile is having one, but it being bare boned. We all know those profiles. Someone heard that LinkedIn was important so they attempted to make a profile and only got as far as typing in their name and city. Put up a nice photo of yourself and let the working world know your skills.

Even if you are not job hunting right now, I'm sure someone will look you up for something in the future. Do you think you will ever want to sell anything online? A car maybe? Someone considering giving their hard-earned money over to you for a particular good will first search for you online to make sure you seem trustworthy and won't rip them off. If there is nothing available online about you, that will seem suspicious to them. Is John Doe your real name? It can't be if it doesn't exist online. Now, it may sound like I'm making the world out to be a very mistrusting place, but honestly it's more so that there are so many opportunities to gain more information about people and companies via the Internet that we have become spoiled by it. As soon as we hear about something, we have the luxury to go to the Internet to immediately learn more.

I'm a Millennial so I grew up using the Internet. I don't buy anything until I look it up online first. Are you the same way?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Here in Minnesota we are used to pretty rough winters, so you can imagine how ecstatic we all are to now being able to see grass and feel the sun on our face without the bitterly cold wind slapping us at the same time. Morning glory and hallelujah it's springtime!

Everyone knows the term "spring cleaning" and that it refers to thoroughly cleaning our homes now that we can open the doors and windows and shove out all that dust, dirt, and stale air. But why stop at just the house? Our finances are probably in need of a spring cleaning as well. Here are five steps you should take to clean up your finances.

1. The Tax Clean-Up
I am assuming many of you have already submitted your taxes and maybe were even fortunate enough to be able to get a refund. Do you feel that you got what you were expecting? Or maybe you had to pay in. Now is the time to double-check your withholding allowance on your paychecks. Did your marital status change in the past year at all or dependents to claim? Make sure you are claiming the right amount for your lifestyle. Update your W-4 form for your employer if necessary to ensure your tax filings next year are correct. Take a look at the

IRS Tax-Withholding webpage if you are unsure what you should be claiming.

2. The Auto-Pay Clean-Up
Are you still getting paper bills in the mail and sending out checks to pay for them? Why? Maybe now is the time to get all your payments on auto-pay so you never have to worry about forgetting to pay a bill or a check getting lost in the mail. If you do automate all your bill pay, check your bank statements regularly to ensure the right amount is being taken out.

3. The All-the-Extras Clean-Up
The sun is shining and the birds are chirping - are you really inside enough to justify that $100 cable bill? Maybe you want to consider dropping cable altogether. I offer up some cable-cutting tips in a previous blog if this is the route you want to go. Now is the time to go through all the extra indulgences and determine if they really are a value to you. Is that gym membership going to get any use when you can now go run through the iceless neighborhood? Go through all your typical monthly expenses and eliminate what you don't need to be wasting money on.

4. The Banking Clean-Up
What has your bank done for you lately? What is your interest rate? You didn't get hit with any unnecessary fees last year did you? Take a look at all your credit card, checking, savings, and investment accounts. It's time-consuming, but switch banks if your current one is not matching your needs. Maybe a credit union is a better option for you? Take a look at this informative article from MoneyCrashers.com that compares banks and credit unions.

Also, move your banking life online to reduce risk of identity theft and save a tree. Do you really need to be mailed a paper statement every month? However, if you do prefer it, be sure to destroy the documents when you're through with them versus just throwing them in the trash. Better safe than sorry!

5. The Life Goals Clean-Up
Are you still on track with your New Year's Resolution? Yeah, me either... but I recently went through my bank statements and consolidated a couple accounts and paid off my car loan. Small victories! Since I no longer have a monthly payment dedicated to my car, I put that amount into my savings account each month instead. I also am working on determining the right long-term investment for me. This is my Spring goal. What is your goal? Maybe you have been tossing around the idea of getting life insurance. What better life goal is there than to protect your family? Take a minute and use the quoting tool on Quotacy's website to see how little it may cost you to get term life insurance. Keep your phone number and e-mail address to yourself - it's not necessary to run a quote at that site!
I know how much you want to protect your loved ones, but also know how busy you are and that you want ensure your personal life stays private. Getting life insurance online in your own way and in your own terms is the easiest way to do it!

Thanks for stopping by, now go enjoy that spring air!

I bet if you were to survey people and ask them what thoughts come to mind when they hear the words "life insurance", the responses would vary quite drastically. For some their response may be the thought of death. For others it might be the thought of knowing their loved ones are protected. Others hear life insurance and think "money". Some might simply respond with "dreadful" referring to the long process of applying for a policy. The mystery of the life insurance application process itself is a big reason why some people avoid getting a policy when they know they need it to protect their loved ones. Many companies have taken out a lot of the road blocks and made the process much easier than in the past. But there are still a few things we cannot get around when applying for life insurance.

One of the biggest road blocks in applying for life insurance is the fact that almost all carriers require some sort of a medical exam before you are issued a life insurance policy. As with anything, the more prepared and informed you are, the easier it is to take the first step. So if you're about to apply for life insurance there are a few tips that can help you better prepare for what to expect during the life insurance exam.

These exams are very basic. They typically involve a blood draw, urine sample, blood pressure reading, and your height and weight measurements, as well as a few questions asked about your medical history. The good news is most companies will send someone out to visit you at your home or office rather than requiring you to take the time to go into a medical facility. So when you're ready to apply for life insurance, here are a few tips to help you prepare for and get the best results possible meaning the best price possible.

1. Schedule your exam to take place early in the morning
Even a piece of fruit can affect your blood pressure reading, so you should fast six to eight hours before an exam. Scheduling your exam early in the morning makes this task much easier so you're not starving all day.

2. Don't drink coffee or smoke beforehand
Skip your morning cup of coffee and cigarette because the caffeine and nicotine may elevate your blood pressure readings which could put you in a higher price group.

3. Avoid salts and fatty foods
Salty and fatty foods can also affect your cholesterol and blood pressure so avoid these a week before your exam if possible. If a week is too much to ask, at least shoot for eliminating fatty and salty foods 24 hours prior to your exam. Every little bit helps!

4. Drink lots of water
You want your exam to be done as quickly as possible right? Staying hydrated will make it easier to give blood, not mention your urge to urinate in that fancy little cup.

5. Don't drink or do drugs
It sounds like a Public Service Announcement, but seriously, do not drink or do drugs (including marijuana). Even though it may be legal in some states, marijuana can negatively affect your underwriting class since some carriers will consider you a "smoker" and price you the same higher rates as a tobacco user. Not to mention, alcohol dehydrates you which makes it hard to draw blood.

6. Prepare a list of any meds you are taking
Speaking of drugs, as mentioned already the examiner will ask about your medical history so have a list available of any medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Anything you can have prepared beforehand will make the exam go quicker.

7. Avoid working out
Hooray! Finally a time when we should avoid the gym! Exercise can raise your blood pressure and pulse. You can go on your evening walk, but avoid strenuous cardio the night before and the morning of your exam.

8. Don't schedule the exam during a menstrual period
Ladies, do not take the exam during your period. It can contaminate your urine sample and you would then have to schedule a redo. If this comes up after you've scheduled the exam, simply contact your agent or the exam company and ask to re-schedule for a later date. This will save you and the examiner the hassle of having to do it a second time.

9. Get plenty of sleep
When you are well-rested, your blood pressure will be lower. Sleep also helps offset anxiety and fear. All these factors help lead to better test results and a lower price.

10. Finally, let the examiner know if you have any fear of blood or needles.
If you are anxious about what may happen during the exam, talk to your examiner and explain your concerns. They may note your fears in your file and should your nervousness lead to unusually high blood pressure results these notes may be taken into consideration by the insurance company and underwriter.

I want you to get the best rates possible and leading a healthy life is the best way to do it. Don't wait to apply for life insurance either because the older you get, the more expensive the premium payments will be and the longer your loved ones go unprotected.

This is a story of two young girls who were best friends and did everything together until tragedy struck, changing their lives forever.

In a quiet neighborhood lived two girls named Cinderella, called Ella for short, and Snow White, called Snow. Their families lived next door to each other. The girls bonded instantly...

On a cool fall day in October, Snow and Ella were interrupted from exploring the forest (one of their favorite activities) by their fathers calling them to come home. They raced back finding their families outside. Their fathers wanted to say goodbye before heading out for their annual hunting weekend. After quick hugs and kisses, their fathers left together in Snow's dad's Jeep and the girls raced back to the forest, their stepmothers quickly retreating back into their respective houses away from the chill in the air.

The weekend passed quickly and Ella was sitting at the dining room table Sunday night doing her homework when she heard a knock at the door. Her stepmother came from the kitchen and answered it. Ella leaned back on her chair to try and catch a glimpse of the late night visitor. She was surprised to see a policeman. Then she witnessed something more shocking. Her stepmother fell to her knees in tears. Ella quickly got up and ran over to her asking what was wrong. Her stepmother was crying too hard to answer. As the policeman walked away, she noticed another policeman outside leaving Snow's house. In that moment, Snow suddenly ran in, also in tears.

"What's happened?" Ella asked.

Snow hugged Ella without answering.

Snow's stepmother then came in and said, "Ella, I'm so sorry. But there has been a car accident."

Ella knew then what happened and began crying as well.

Snow and her stepmother stayed for about an hour before finally going back to their house.

"What am I going to do?" Ella's stepmother asked herself aloud. "Your father... he must have planned for something like this. I'll call the lawyer tomorrow."

As it turned out, Ella's father had not planned for this. They had to sell her father's car to pay for his funeral. Ella had to drop out of school and began cleaning houses to help her stepmother pay the mortgage to keep living in their house. She had to work long days and was too exhausted each evening to spend time with Snow. Their friendship slowly ended.

Snow's father had planned for the unexpected. He purchased a life insurance policy a few years after his beloved daughter was born. And even though Snow took a leave of absence from school for a while to grieve, she was able to graduate and go to college. While in college Snow met a nice young man named Charming and after a year they were engaged. Snow's stepmother offered to pay for the wedding since she had put away some of her late husband's life insurance policy payout for this exact occasion. The wedding was the best day of Snow's life.

Ella also met someone. They took out a loan to help pay for their wedding. After a couple years though, they divorced. They fought too much about their finances. Cleaning houses did not bring home much income, and her husband was tired of trying to pay off all the bills, and Ella's debt she brought into the marriage, on mainly his income.

Through the years, Ella slowly paid off her debt, but in her forties she had to move back into her childhood home to take care of her aging stepmother. They eventually downsized into an apartment because of the high cost of her healthcare.

One day at the grocery store, Ella ran into Snow and her family. They were thrilled to see each other. Snow introduced Ella to her husband and three adult children who were home for the holidays. After going separate ways Ella couldn't help but think about how differently their lives turned out when they had been so similar as children. She wondered where she went wrong. It had been so many years since her father passed, and she had been so young, she did not remember that his lack of life insurance was the start of her difficult life.

Even though the unexpected can happen, it doesn't need to destroy lives. Don't let your loved ones risk having to live a life like Ella's. Get a

life insurance quote today. You won't regret it.

HBO recently announced that they will be offering a streaming service starting in April. Do you hear that? That's the sound of millions of cable subscribers jotting the note "cancel cable" into their 2015 planners. To follow this up, here's a tip: go get an antenna. No, not those contraptions with the bunny ears and tinfoil, but one of the new streamlined antennas that you can hide behind your TV. Unless you're living in an extremely remote area, you'll be able to pick up local HD channels like FOX, NBC, CBS, etc. for a one-time fee of about $40. This way when you cut the cable cord, you'll still be able to watch the news, sports, and your favorites like Modern Family and The Blacklist. It's a great way to save a few bucks every month.

Another way to save a few bucks is to shop with apps.

Target's Cartwheel app and Cub's Rewards app are my two favorites to grocery shop with. I basically take a few minutes before heading to the store to look at their featured coupons. I then plan my meals around the deals. (Not to mention the Holiday Station gas savings with Cub rewards points!) I know Costco and Sam's Club are also two places to save money when grocery shopping, but I'm a single woman with no children. I don't need to bulk grocery shop.

Amazon Prime. Do I need to say more? Okay, I will. Amazon Prime is a great tool to save money. An annual fee of $99 gets you a streaming TV/movie service, free (or discounted) Kindle books, free two-day shipping, and a free music streaming service (with no commercials!). Find a pair of jeans you like at the store, but they are just a little too expensive to justify buying? Look those up on Amazon - 90% of the time they are cheaper. Need a present for little Timmy this weekend, but don't have enough time to go to the store? Boom. Amazon will have it at your front steps in two days. Recently canceled your gym membership to save money and now want to buy a treadmill? Amazon will give you a deal and deliver it for free! Need to buy kitty litter but don't feel like straining your back trying to lift the 40 pounds into the trunk of your car? Amazon. Okay, that may make me sound lazy, but time is money. Also, I look like an idiot trying to lift those massive bags into my trunk. But think of it this way, you now can take the time to go for a walk around the block enjoying the spring weather instead of going to the store.

Summer is coming! As exciting as this is, summer can take a toll on the electric bill. Save some money and buy a programmable thermostat. You can easily program when you want your AC to kick in. Set it to 72 when you're home and 78 when you're at work. Your wallet will thank you!

The last money-saving tip I'll pontificate on is being a do-it-yourselfer. I'm the daughter of a plumber. He's been preaching to me since I could crawl on the importance of learning to fix things yourself, or at least try before calling a professional. A few weeks ago my vacuum stopped working. I started Googling the prices of vacuums and looked on Amazon at different reviews. I almost bought one, until I thought "You know what, let me first see if I can fix this thing before dropping 100 bucks." I Googled the make and model of my vacuum and watched a YouTube video on how to take it a part. In 20 minutes I had that thing working like it was brand-spankin' new. I immediately called my dad and told him all about it. So, not only did I save about $100, I also felt great about myself. You can find a video on how to fix pretty much anything on YouTube. And you can find a video on how to make pretty much anything on Pinterest. Last month I made a personalized jewelry box for my niece's third birthday. Had I bought it in the store, it probably would have cost over $40. And just let me say, I'm the last person you'd pick to be in a crafting club, so if I can do it anyone can.

All these dollars you save each month now can be put towards getting life insurance. As I said before, I am single and don’t have children; however, what I do have is a mortgage and student loans. If something should happen unexpectedly to me, the last thing I'd want for my grieving parents to deal with is all my debt. A simple term life insurance policy would take care of all that, along with the costs of my funeral. It's a grim topic, I'm not denying that, but it's an important one.

Let's quickly review.

Five Easy Ways to Save Money Each Month:

Cancel Cable, Get an Antenna

Use Grocery Apps

Amazon Prime

Programmable Thermostat

Be a Do-It-Yourselfer

Best of luck to you and your wallets!