We show our love and support in countless ways. Are you showing your loved ones how much they mean to you by protecting them with life insurance?
There are 5 ways you can show your closest that you’ve got their back:
Make time for them
Most of us are caught up in a hectic whirlwind of activities that start on Monday morning, end on Sunday night and then begin all over again. Time slips by as we rush to complete urgent tasks which relate to juggling jobs, running the household, chauffeuring our children, our parents, relatives, and spouses to work, school, appointments, and commitments. Yet, we all acknowledge, that spending quality time together is the best way we have to show each other that we care and that our families are important.
Some families solve this problem by organizing big family holidays together. This allows them to get away from the day-to-day distractions and interact by building new experiences together. However, whilst, this is a great option, daily habits can make a much bigger difference to your family relationships than “once-in-a-lifetime” events. In addition, specifically tailoring your daily interactions with different members of your family can be a very effective way to relate to them on a 1-on-1 basis.
Be an active listener
Listening is an important skill in all areas of life, whether you’re supporting a loved one through health problems, dealing with colleagues, or in family relationships. But most of us aren’t as good at listening as we’d like to think.
When we show we’re really listening, it’s much more rewarding for the person talking to you, and you’ll get more out of it too. This is called active listening, and it can help avoid misunderstanding and reduce the potential for conflict.
Put your phone down
While cell phones certainly keep us connected, it turns out they can be doing the opposite when it comes to your relationship. A new study from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business confirms that smartphones can actually damage things between you and your partner and make you more depressed. So, the next time you’re spending quality time with your partner, it’s worth it to put the smartphone in the other room. Your relationship may thank you for that one.
Secure an emergency fund
An emergency fund is a cash reserve that’s specifically set aside for unplanned expenses or financial emergencies. Some common examples include car repairs, home repairs, medical bills, or a loss of income. Being prepared for the unexpected – ensuring you’ve done what you can to protect yourself and the ones you love – is a good feeling. Many people at some time in life find they need to dip into savings during a rough patch, so make an effort to open an emergency savings account and try to make deposits on a regular basis.
Get life insurance
Bringing up life insurance with your family and loved ones is not fun or easy. It makes us confront our “favorite” topics: death, finances, taxes, estate planning, debts, health care. But getting life insurance is an expression of love that goes beyond words. It shows your loved ones—with certainty—that you care about protecting their future.
Whether you need to have a life insurance discussion with a spouse, parent or other important loved one, starting the conversation can be the hardest part.
