Moving on Out

Are you moving out? Finding your new apartment or moving up and renting a house? Once you have all your budget items laid out, think about adding one more – insurance.

 

Why buy renters insurance? You have clothes to insure and most people have furniture, even when renting a furnished apartment. If there is a fire or a burglary and your “stuff” is gone, would you have the money to replace everything? Even a gofundme page may not raise enough money to replace everything you own. 

There is a difference between actual cash value and replacement cost for your belongings.  Think of it this way, a ten year old chair you bought at target for $50 is worth maybe $3.00 but to replace it today at Target could cost $150.00.  If you pay extra for the replacement cost your coverage for that chair is $150.00 not $3.00.

 Another reason to have rental insurance is liability coverage; we have become a society that sues. You may not think you need it but you would be surprised by the crazy claims that occur. For example: a burglar breaks into the window of your apartment he gets cut on the glass you dropped that morning and did not have time to pickup before leaving for work. You left your apartment unsafe. The burglar sues you for the glass that cut him and the resulting stitches he needed. Now the case may get thrown out but in the meantime you will have to pay to defend the case. Your renters insurance would pay for the defense. 

 Suppose you are playing golf and your swing is off one day. The next thing you know the golf ball is soaring overhead into a car’s windshield.  Your renters insurance liability coverage would pay for the windshield.  If you own a pet, renters insurance will pay for the injury resulting from a cat scratch or a dog bite.   

Back to the budget.  The cost for renters insurance is surprisingly affordable.  It runs about $150 a year.  The cost depends on your coverage but $150.00 is an average premium.  Insurance companies usually have payment plans to make it easier on your monthly budget.  Adding one more line to your budget is easier than you think.

 

Fatalist or Realist?

The week before I travel I review my life insurance, will, documents noting websites and passwords along with any instruction I want either my husband or daughters to follow in case something happens to me.  Am I a fatalist or a realist?

The most recent incidents in Orland, New York and on board the plane from Paris to Cairo would validate my realist attitude.  While the plane crash has not been ruled an act of terrorism, plane accidents do occur. When I travel I take that into consideration and prepare as if I am not coming back.  Am I a fatalist or a pessimist?

There are famous songs and speeches discussing this very subject: Live like there is no tomorrow, If today was your last day, Someone should tell us right from the start that we are dying…there are only so many tomorrows.  Do we abandon all and do what we want, some say yes.  Are they fatalists or realists?

Realism tells us events happen and to be prepared; fatalism tells us it is going to happen and nothing you can do about it.  I believe in the good in the world, even when the bad is spotlighted.  I believe in the helpers and the love that most people have that calls out to help even at the risk of their own safety. I guess I am optimism with a dash of realism. 

I pray for us, as we are all affected by these tragedies.  I pray for peace and understanding.  I look at the bright sky realizing it does seem bluer on days when tragedy strikes while I and my loved ones are safe. I am grateful for what I have at this very moment.  Fatalists, realists, omptistics and all other personality types, We got to make this land a better land than the world in which we live. Yes we can, yes we can.

I still believe in Mr. Rogers and I hope you do too.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers--so many caring people in this world." Mr. Rogers