Single Parents - Dancing
While Wearing Your Life Preserver
But hey, that was a movie for Goodness sake; this is real life with precious cargo onboard. Just a few meters away was safe deep waters versus the treacherous rocky shallows the Captain decided to navigate; unsuccessfully. The cruise line owners are apparently not sparring the Captain either; instead they’re perplexed at how little caution their Captain exercised and claim human/pilot error as causing the ships sinking.
Unlike the Titanic, where the crew had hours to get off the doomed shipped after it hit the iceberg, the passenger of Costa Concordia had less than an hour to make way to safety. Still, the similarities between the two tragedies are stunning. Both were in extremely cold water and hit an avoidable large object, each tearing long gashes in the hull below the waterline. Both ships were thought very safe, “unsinkable” and too large to fail ocean liners. How unlikely did the tourists on those ships think such a catastrophe could occur?
And such is life. Two Americans are still missing after several days from the Italian cruise liner and many more deaths are confirmed. It is events such as these that remind us to have current valid Wills and sufficient life insurance. Insurance isn’t solely for the rich or wealthy. It is extremely affordable. Semi-perm automatic renewable 20 year Term insurance in the face amount of $1 million for a 44 year old healthy male cost less than a thousand dollars per year. For females, the cost of life insurance is generally much less. As little as $50 per month can by a non-smoking healthy mom in her thirties as much $1,000,000 of term coverage.
And converting the term to permanent coverage when financial conditions improve and you can afford more per month; or when an unexpected gain from an inheritance or settlement, can be protected from rising income taxes, predators and creditors. Why couldn’t anyone simply check into the cost and availability of life insurance; regardless of one’s perceived financial condition? A few dollars a day could mean the long term difference in tens of thousands or even millions of dollars tomorrow.
Do yourself and your family a huge favor; look into getting yourself and/or your spouse more life insurance. It’s never been more affordable and there’s never been a time when it’s needed more than today. Now get out and live life while the band is still playing!
- Tags: children of divorce, finances for single parent families, make the most of your money, single parent help, single parent raising children, single parents
About the Author
Michael Ham
BIO:
The year was 1967 and his Dad was in Vietnam. Since his birthday was September 11th, he wasn't old enough to go into first grade with most of his buddies. Suffering from timid shyness and a distinct stutter, Michael Ham burst into tears of terror at age six, when he learned he was selected as a weekly cast member of television's Romper Room series.
Obviously, Michael overcame these obstacles as he now speaks to thousands, confidently with a natural charisma that entertains and inspires.
From meager beginnings in South Dallas and the "baby and first in his absurdly large family (his mother was the eldest of 13 siblings) to attend and graduate from college. Michael has "wiz-dom" that is remarkably humorous and insightful in today's unique sales environment. After college, Michael Ham trained on Wall Street in 1988 with Smith Barney and built a Million Dollar book of business, while achieving honors, accolades and awards. He was the top new account opener his rookie year and worked the old fashioned way, by "earning" his way up to Executive Director with CIBC Oppenheimer.
His successful system is built around communication skills and simplicity in his marketing approach. The lion's share of his success was gleaned from making cold calls and learning how to use language via voice to disarm, charm and assuage his "audience of one."
Michael paints a flowing picture with visual images and relates how being "conscious" and in the moment when making a presentation; as if you're on a stage, prepare, perform and produce your product to your audience. He makes it simple. His stories of real life sales calls and experiences are hilarious and motivational. Following his instruction, you can't help but be amused, ready to rumble and not afraid to fail...
Michael ventured out after the World Trade terrorist attack and founded a successful business model for his independent practice. Almost ten years later his model is consistently profitable, viable and simple for others to follow. Layered in Michael's presentation are drills for skills in leadership, perseverance, memory retention and assertiveness learned from performing both athletically and musically on field and stage in his youth.
Learning how to "act" to attract is key to Michael's proven method of success. He has invested well over a Quarter of a Billion Dollars for his clients and has written over $150,000,000 in annuity premium in both fixed, variable and equity index annuities. Michael used life insurance as a tax free retirement plan for his own personal pension and has endorsed permanent life insurance for 20 years.
Like he was mentored by athletic coaches, music instructors, stage directors and a Fortune 500 CEO, Michael takes the practice of "paying it forward" to heart and to another level. He has trained and mentored hundreds of successful investment advisors and agents.
In addition to writing a monthly column for The Senior Market Advisor (a national magazine) Michael is also a published Author for the popular book, The Women's Investment Guide, a Member of MENSA since 1986, as well as the top producer at his broker dealer's firm the past two consecutive years.
Since his TV debut as a child, Michael has appeared on the Dallas, TX ABC, CBS and FOX television affiliates. He has been praised for his financial educational work by The Dallas Morning News and was the business reporter for KEWS, (the CNN Dallas radio affiliate.).
Michael's work earned the endorsement of celebrity William Shatner and he received the Keeping America Strong Award, presented by Navy Rear Admiral Kevin F. Delaney. Using his prospecting system for fund raising efforts, Michael earned the Platinum Award presented by the American Cancer Society and was named as one of Texas Monthly Magazine's Five star Wealth Managers in 2009 and 2010. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). Getting people and teams to work together in collaborative ways are truly a gift Michael possesses and passes on to his audience freelyThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | www.mymoneytrack.com
