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Month: October 2019

  • He Cut His Motorcycle Insurance IN HALF starting in 2021

    He Cut His Motorcycle Insurance IN HALF starting in 2021

    When it comes to riding on the open road, motorcycle enthusiasts take things seriously. However, a lot of insurance companies don’t treat bikes with that same seriousness, and it seems like they treat their motorcycle insurance as a spin-off of their auto insurance. However, choppers in cars don’t have a lot in common, so why should their insurance policies?

    Your bike is your baby. We get that. No one wants to think about their bike getting banged up, but on the chance it happens, you want to have only the best insurance on your side. You also don’t want to be spending an arm and a leg insuring the thing. To help you make a good call on who you go with for your motorcycle insurance, we’ve broken down a few of the best options on the market today.

    Markel

    When you need your motorcycle insured, it makes you feel a lot better if you’re going to people who specialize in just that. Markel’s been specializing in motorcycle insurance for over 40 years now, and they cover every type of bike, from dirt bikes and scooters to cruisers and touring bikes. Got a big old trike you need insured? They’ve got you. Maybe you’ve got a sport bike or a big twin you need insured? Markel insures it.

    Markel also offers a bunch of ways to get discounts on your policy by taking care of your bike. Since you already take care of your bike, this means you’re likely to get most, if not all, of these discounts. They include things like anti-lock brakes, anti-theft alarms, renewal, safe driver and the like. Essentially, if you’re treating you bike right and taking care of it, you’re going to see a lot of discounts. If you’re looking for the best overall insurance policy to protect you and your bike, Markel’s got what you need.

    Safeco

    If you’re looking to keep the costs down while still getting the best insurance for your bike, you’re looking for Safeco. If you think you haven’t heard of them, that’s probably not the case: they’re in the Liberty Mutual group, so you can trust their reputation. They cover bikes of nearly all varieties, much like Markel, from cruising bikes all the way to moped. Notably, they don’t cover racing bikes or bikes used in competitions.

    The best thing about Safeco, for the discerning customer, is that they offer very inexpensive coverage that helps you keep your peace of mind. You’re not sacrificing good coverage for a low price: they just have good prices. If you’re a Harley Davidson owner, they even offer new bike replacement in the event that your bike gets totaled. That’s a hard deal to pass up!

    Allstate

    If you’re a younger driver, or you’re insuring a younger driver in your house, Allstate is a great insurance company for motorcycles. They offer a few unique programs that make them ideal for younger riders. They have their Allstate Rider Protection Project, a safety training program that helps teach young riders about the safest ways to operate their bikes. This is a huge benefit, as a number of younger riders might not have access to the unique educational resources available through this course.

    Allstate also offers a First-Accident Waiver for motorcycle policies. This means that after your first accident on a motorcycle, they won’t raise your premiums. They also offer a wide variety of discounts for a number of behaviors. There’s discounts for safe driving, multi-policy discounts, discounts for belonging to approved motorcycle associations, and even discounts for completing motorcycle safety courses.


  • World’s BEST Travel Reward Card Luxury Perks

    World’s BEST Travel Reward Card Luxury Perks

    It’s October, a time for frights and things that go bump in the night. But there’s nothing scarier than missing out on great travel rewards because you don’t have the right travel credit card. We’ll review all the details, including bonus offers and travel perks, to bring you a list of the very best travel cards.

    While there are lots of great credit cards for travel out there, the reality is that the best one for you is the one that suits your specific travel needs.

    The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best total value

    The Platinum Card from American Express has some of the best membership benefits of any card, including:
    • Up to $200 in statement credits annually on incidental fees charged by one airline you select
    • Uber VIP status and up to $200 Uber credit split into monthly $15 credits for US rides plus a bonus $20 in December
    • $100 fee credit for Global Entry every five years or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every four years
    • $100 Saks credit split into two $50 statement credits for the two halves of the year
    • Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Airspace and Escapes lounges, along with Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta Air Lines
    • Complimentary Gold status at the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs
    • Complimentary memberships in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive
    • Access to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts

    Annual fee: $550

    With a hefty $550 annual fee, most people assume that that the Amex Platinum can only benefit first-class flyers, but that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, the standard welcome bonus offer for the Amex Platinum is 60,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. Amex Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, which makes this 60,000-point bonus worth $1,200. That is more than twice the $550 annual fee!

    Yes, the card offers quite a few luxury benefits, but those perks can also make the travel experience easier for families, backpackers and budget travelers. Families can easily take advantage of the $200 airline-fee credit to cover the cost of additional luggage and inflight food, and entertainment to keep kids happy while in the air. Lounge access with hot food and a clean shower can make all the difference after a backpacking trip.

    Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best for beginner travelers

    • Earn 2 points per dollar on travel
    • Earn 2 points per dollar on dining
    • Transfer points to 12 travel partners
    • Redeem points for 1.25 cents apiece through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Annual fee: $95

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred is designed to work for those who travel a lot, and for those who don’t travel as often. Win-win! It can benefit both the points and miles expert and the one just starting out. With a $95 annual fee, it’s not an expensive card, which makes it a good choice for a beginner. But since the card earns Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll also find this card goes a long way if you’re an experienced loyalty program whiz looking to get maximum value.

    If you want flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards, this is the best travel credit card around! You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States. For example, if you spend $5,000 internationally, you would avoid $150 in foreign transaction fees.

    Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for travel purchases and perks

    • Earn 3 points per dollar on travel (excluding $300 travel credit) and dining at restaurants and 1 point per dollar on everything else
    • Redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece
    • $300 annual travel credit
    • Priority Pass Select lounge access (valued by TPG at $99 annually)
    • Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Trip cancellation coverage
    • Primary car rental insurance

    Annual fee: $450

    Many people will balk at the Reserve’s $450 annual fee, and while that’s a valid concern, the $300 annual travel credit drops your real out-of-pocket cost to $150 a year. With the card, you’ll earn 3x points on all travel (excluding the $300 travel credit) and dining purchases worldwide and 1x points on everything else. What’s often not known is just how extensive the bonus categories are — ride-sharing services, food delivery, etc.

    The Sapphire Reserve also includes access to more than 1,200 airport lounges across the world. In addition, you can pay $75 to add each authorized user to your Reserve account, they’ll be able to take advantage of one of the card’s nicest perks!


  • Follow These Tips and Save Big on Your Next Vehicle Purchase

    Follow These Tips and Save Big on Your Next Vehicle Purchase

    Many people list car buying right under “dentist visits” on their list of things they would “rather not” do. But buying a car isn’t the same experience as it was 20, or even 10, years ago. We’re here to share the best tips for getting a great deal on your next vehicle purchase.

    What Kind of Deal?

    The most common types of deals you’ll see for holiday sales are “loyalty cash” and “conquest cash” types of deals. “Loyalty” cash refers to the discount you’ll receive if you already own a vehicle of the same maker as the dealership you’re shopping at. These are fantastic if you’re happy with your vehicle and are looking to upgrade.

    “Conquest cash” is the opposite: when a dealership offers this type of deal, it’s offering extra trade-in value for someone who trades in a vehicle of a different brand. Typically, the idea there is that, once you’re in their kind of car, you’re unlikely to want to switch brands in the future. As such, it’s a conquest.

    Find the Best Deal

    Make sure to do your research on specialty membership and career discounts. For instance, military veterans or personnel often get a discount at car dealerships, and that discount may be even greater around the holidays.

    Similarly, there could be increased discounts for teachers. Dealerships know that teachers don’t make the most money, so any extra discount you can squeeze out of them can go a long way! Another potential discount you should ask about is one for recent college grads. Often, dealerships will want to get recent grads into their ecosystem sooner rather than later, to get them used to the dealership experience.

    Make sure to check the website for the automobile manufacturer you’re looking to make a purchase or lease from. The websites will often list specific discounts they are offering on their vehicles. Measure those benefits against the deals your local dealership is offering. When you take a special dealership promotion, the fine print often notes that by taking their deal you’re forfeiting any and all manufacturer promotions.

    Coming in Armed with Knowledge

    Make sure you know your credit score and get a few quotes on financing before you come in. If you go to credit unions and ask them about what type of financing deals you could get, you’ll have a lot more cards to play when negotiating. Once you know what kind of financing you have on option, it’s much easier to get the dealership to work with you on price.

    The most important thing is putting the ball in the dealership’s court. When you know what the going rate of the car is, what kind of financing you can get and how much discount you can get. It’s on the dealership to offer you a better deal.

    Most importantly, don’t be afraid to walk away if the salesperson isn’t working with you. Don’t settle for a deal you don’t like. Take your money elsewhere!

    Buy or Lease?

    Lastly, you need to really consider whether or not you want to buy or lease your vehicle. There are a few reasons why you might go with either. Buying a vehicle ensures that you’ll have an actual piece of property when you’re done paying for it, meaning you can resell it later to recoup some of the value. Remember, however, that cars aren’t investments, and they only ever lose value over time. Not opting for a bevy of luxury interior options is one easy way to lower the sticker price of your vehicle purchase.

    If you’re just wanting to drive a new car and don’t want very high monthly payments, you can opt for a car lease. A lease allows you to pay less than a new car payment, on average, and still drive around a brand-new vehicle. However, you have to deal with mileage caps (and fees if you go over) and you won’t own the car at the end of the lease.


  • Trouble Sleeping? Try These Life-Changing Natural Sleep Aids!

    Trouble Sleeping? Try These Life-Changing Natural Sleep Aids!

    You’re finding it tough to get to sleep at a reasonable hour. Even when you do manage to get to sleep, you’re finding it difficult staying asleep for the full six to eight hours you need to get good rest. You’re sick of waking up groggy and tired and you’re looking for something to help you get some decent sleep. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of the best natural sleep aids to help you sleep soundly.

    Natural Sleep Aids

    Almost half of us are sleep deprived – but not because we don’t want to sleep. Sometimes we simply can’t fall asleep or stay asleep due to a range of biological forces and lifestyle choices. You know how it goes: You put your head on the pillow and it appears as though the mind suddenly goes into overdrive.

    Regularly sleeping fewer than seven hours per night increases the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, unhealthy eating habits that can lead to other chronic illnesses. Increased and better sleep, on the other hand, can lower levels of stress, and improve mental clarity and memory. Improved sleep also affects our immune systems, encourages better eating habits and weight management.

    Meditation for Sleep

    Healthy sleep has more to do with quality of rest than quantity of hours.Sleep meditations help create the inner conditions needed for a truly restful night. Because when we settle the mind, we rest the body—and that restfulness is what makes it easier to wind down and drift off. The mind’s tendency to get caught up in thoughts is perhaps strongest at bedtime, when we suddenly stop and be still. Meditation trains us to be less in our head and more aware of the present moment.

    Most Americans don’t sleep enough, and this can lead to fairly serious mental and physical health problems. Meditation for sleep is a specific, guided experience that offers a natural sleep aid all on its own, allowing us to let go of the day—everything that’s happened and everything that’s been said — so that we can rest the mind while simultaneously resting the body. That’s why using guided meditation apps, such as Headspace as a tool for better, deeper, longer sleep can be a game changer, especially if you’re someone who has insomnia. Try it, it can change your life!

    Exercise

    Our first natural sleep aid is really quite straightforward: get plenty of exercise throughout the day. Nothing can keep you awake quite like being full of restless energy and having no way to burn it off. When you’re feeling restless, anxious and full off too much energy, it’s time to hit the gym and burn those emotions along with some calories.

    Not only will this help you to feel better and burn off some anxiety, it’ll also help you sleep better. Your mental state is likely to improve just from a routine of exercise, along with your physique. When you’re constantly hitting the gym and getting into great shape, you’ll find it much easier to get to sleep and sleep through the night.

    Good Diet

    This one goes hand-in-hand with the exercise step. Get a better diet going! Try to eat bigger meals earlier in the day, and then taper down to a smaller dinner. If you can, try to not eat within four hours of when you’re trying to get to sleep. This keeps you from getting too stimulated before laying down for bed.

    Another thing to look out for is your caffeine intake. Make sure you’re not having caffeine within six hours of when you’re trying to sleep. If you drink energy drinks, stop! Those are terrible for you. Likewise, don’t drink sugary, caffeine-filled sodas all day, either. If you need a pick-me-up in the mornings, black coffee is a fine way to do it, but switch to tea later in the day to taper down your caffeine intake.

    Melatonin Supplement

    Alright, we’re certain you didn’t come to this article for us to tell you “eat better and work out,” so here’s something you might not have tried yet. Melatonin is a hormone your body creates when it’s later in the day and it’s time to get ready for bed. Often, insomnia is caused by a lack of this hormone in the body, so supplements can help regulate healthy sleep.

    Melatonin is also great for those who have to sleep during the daytime for work. While we don’t recommend shift work like this, it’s often hard to choose one’s own schedule. If you have to sleep during the day and work at night, melatonin supplements are a great way to pull that off.