Marisa, a client, contacted me with
an urgent tone in her voice.

“Should I get funeral insurance? I
really want to sort my funeral out, but this is a big stumbling block for me. I
just can’t decide, and it’s keeping me awake at night.”

Aged 68, Marisa was aware she needed
to take care of a few things so her children would not have a great big muddle
to sort out after she had gone. This was the latest in a series of challenges
she had had around the whole topic, but it is in fact one of the most common questions I get asked.

The answer is simple – it depends.

That’s probably not what you want to
hear, but it’s true nevertheless! Think about it as if you were engaging a
plumber.

You wouldn’t just take on any old
person to sort out your plumbing, would you? It’s much more likely you’d get three
quotes for the same job, compare them, and then choose who you feel would do
the best job.

You can do the same thing with
funeral insurance.

10 Things
to Pay Attention to When Shopping for Funeral Insurance

It’s not that difficult to get 3
quotes from different funeral insurers. More important is to pay attention to
what they actually say, so:

• Check the small print to see exactly what you
  are paying for.
• Make sure which terms apply to where you are
  based.
• Ensure their offer is in line with what you
  want.
• Make sure you know which funeral director
  they will be employing, and that you want that particular firm/person.
• Check the costs and offerings of the
  different plans.
• Ask whether the plans cover the transport of
  the body, and if this is limited in any way.
• Make sure you are protected against any
  increase in funeral costs.
• If you have life insurance already, check if
  it covers funeral costs and what it actually does include.
• Check if there is an age limit to any
  insurance, and if not pre-paying, whether premiums go up as you age.
• Ask what happens if you move state or county,
  and if you want to opt out at any point.

Insure or Save?

Decide whether you would rather save
into a separate account instead. Banks will usually release money early from an
estate to pay for funeral costs if you provide a copy of the death certificate
and an itemised account from a funeral director. 

Preferences
Change

Be aware that what you want may
change as you age. If the insurance plan is fixed in its terms, then you may
not be able to change the specifics.

This happened to my Mum. Looking into
the matter, we discovered that what her pre-paid plan dictated was no longer
what she wanted.

When she considered what she was now
keen to have, it became obvious that the best way out would be to get
reimbursed from the organisation, even with paying their cancellation fee.

It had become of particular
importance to have a funeral director she had already met and with whom she
felt she had a connection, rather than the impersonal nature of the funeral
director stated in her plan.

Plus, she wanted flowers from her own
garden, and various other things that had been included in the original plan
were now superfluous.

What would be important to you in a
funeral insurance? Have you purchased one? Do you have any tips for our
community? Please share them!

Kristin Cavallari’s Black And Gold Sunglasses Preparing for the Emmy’s

Very Cavallari Season 3 Episode 7 Fashion

Kristin Cavallari looks California cool on tonight’s Very Cavallari in her black and gold sunglasses while prepping for the Emmy’s. And while it looks like all fun and games I know first hand that it can be hard to leave your kids for work—although my kids seem to not miss me as much as Kristin’s miss her, which I’ll be reporting to Santa— but if you have to, the Emmy’s red carpet would be the reason to. Although remembering everyones name would totally stress me out TBH.

I love the team of Nina Parker, Brad Goreski and Kristin and there’s nothing better than awards show fashion, especially when it’s seen through the eyes of these three. And while we’re used to Kristin’s hubby Jay Cutler throwing the most shade, this time he’s standing behind the camera and letting Kristin (and her sunglasses) do that work.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Quay Evasive Sunglasses

Click Here for Additional Stock

Originally posted at: Kristin Cavallari’s Black And Gold Sunglasses

Kristin Cavallari’s White Ribbed Henley Top

Very Cavallari Season 3 Episode 7 Fashion

Kristin Cavallari knows a good basic and since she has this white ribbed henley top in two colors I have to believe it’s pretty legit. And also that her husband /  honorary stylist Jay Cutler approves. She really does know how to make casual style look more pulled together than anyone else I’ve seen, which is pretty perfect for life when you’re a hot mom like she is.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Enza Costa Top

Click Here for Additional Stock

Originally posted at: Kristin Cavallari’s White Ribbed Henley Top

Kristin Cavallari’s Black Lace Jumpsuit in LA

Very Cavallari Season 3 Episode 7 Fashion

And the Emmy goes toooooooo…….Kristin Cavallari’s black lace jumpsuit for being in stock in sizes 0-14 (*at the time of this post). And Best Supporting Retailer totally goes toooooooo…..Shopbop, who has the jumpsuit pictured on a model that looks to be about a size 2 and then another model who is probably closer to an 8, which is closer to my size. It’s nice to be able to see something might look on me when it arrives so was a cool surprise to see they added that, which will make adding it to my closet that much easier.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Fame and Partners Millie Jumpsuit

Click Here to Shop her Quay Sunglasses

Originally posted at: Kristin Cavallari’s Black Lace Jumpsuit

My 87-year-old aunt is
an inspiration. She’s no Iron Nun, she doesn’t
run marathons on the weekend, and thru-hiking isn’t her idea of fun. Aunty
Margaret is just a regular old lady who lives her life with purpose.

Though nobody tells her, I called her old.

In addition to volunteering with the local hospice three times a week, she also cooks her own meals, cleans her own house, and drives her own car (well). My aunty walks like a woman who has somewhere to go. She’d be right at home in any one of the five Blue Zones.

Getting old doesn’t have
to be a downhill slide to decrepitude. You can’t predict the future, but if you
follow these healthy aging tips you’ll at least
be tipping the odds in your favor.

Take the Stairs

Our gym is on the first
floor. I’m always gobsmacked by how many people (especially those who are young
and in good shape) make a beeline for the elevator.

Taking the stairs has
been our m.o. for years. Even when we lived in a high rise, my spouse and I
would routinely walk up the 12 flights to our apartment. We did it because the
elevator kept breaking down, but also to stay fit and active.

There are lots of
benefits to taking the stairs besides not getting stuck in a small space with a
group of strangers. Among other things, it leads to stronger joints and
muscles, aids weight loss, and helps our bodies produce endorphins.

Train yourself to always
take the stairs. That way, if you’re ever faced with an ‘out of order’ sign on
the elevator you’ll still be able to get where you’re going. You could also
view stair climbing as an opportunity to have a mini workout.

If you have health
issues, try walking one flight and then riding up the rest of the way. Approach
it mindfully, and talk to your doctor if you’re unsure, but don’t underestimate
your body’s ability. We’re often capable of much more than we give ourselves
credit for.

Stay Aware

The great thing about
growing older is that other people’s opinions don’t matter as much. With the
angst of our younger years in the rear view mirror, being comfortable in our own
skin is easy.

Unfortunately, elderly
folks can take this a bit too far. They’ll interrupt, gossip too loudly, and
forget their table manners. While this could be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s, people often
view growing older as an excuse to behave poorly.

Take note of how you
show up in the world. Question yourself constantly. Are you courteous,
compassionate, and mannered? Do you treat others respectfully, regardless of
their place in society?

The more you think about
these things, the longer they’ll remain front-of-mind. Staying aware may not
contribute directly to your physical health, but aging gracefully definitely
plays a role in healthy aging.

Eat Your Beans

The Blue Zones Diet, which
comprises health secrets of the world’s longest-lived people, is big on beans.
According to Dan Buettner, the cornerstone of every longevity diet in the world
is about a cup of beans per day.

Instead of looking for a
longevity supplement, he recommends buying beans. With good reason, too. Beans
offer an array of health benefits and are
especially beneficial if you’re focusing on after-40 nutrition.

They’re high in fiber, a
good source of protein, packed with antioxidants, and low in fat. Beans are
also inexpensive and extremely versatile, which makes them easy to incorporate
into your budget as well as your diet.

Stay Socially Active

Seniors often struggle with loneliness. Sadly, this is
a symptom of old age. Your peer group, spouse, and older family members begin
passing away. It’s the cycle of life. We often get complacent as we grow older,
relying on our current social circle for company.

This is one of the
reasons my aunt is still so sprightly. She’s very active in her community and
makes a point of engaging with people on a regular basis. There’s a tendency
among older people to not want to go out as much. They prefer to stay home and
watch TV.

This is problematic on
two levels. Firstly, it reduces your contact with the outside world, which in
turn diminishes your ability to stay aware. If you never interact with people,
how will you know if you’re behaving well?

Secondly, if you rarely
go out, you won’t meet new people or make new friends. You lose the
ability to hold a decent conversation. Even small talk becomes challenging.
When your only point of reference is what you see on television, you quickly
lose grip on reality.

Take Charge of Your Health

In his latest book, The Blue Zones of Happiness, longevity expert Dan Buettner says the world’s happiest people all share a number of traits, one of which is visiting the doctor and dentist for regular checkups.

Proactively managing
your health is a key part of aging well. It’s easy to
ignore when you’re younger and still in good shape, but that’s exactly when you
should be focusing on your health.

Keeping your body
healthy is easier and cheaper than trying to fix it when things start to go
wrong. Don’t underestimate the value of seeing a dental hygienist every six
months or testing for specific illnesses, such as breast cancer or diabetes,
especially if they run in your family.

Be Careful of Your Words

Don’t buy into the myths about aging. Yes, your
eyesight might deteriorate, your joints might stiffen, and sex may not be as
frequent, but none of that is necessarily a given.

Use your words wisely. Avoid saying things like “At my age, it’s no wonder I [fill in the blank].” Instead, don’t say anything at all. Do daily eye exercises, take up Pilates or yoga, occupy your mind with brain games.

Maybe you’ll still end
up with reading glasses and creaky knees, but maybe you won’t. Healthy aging is a grand
adventure. You won’t avoid old age but getting there will be a lot more fun.

How do you feel about
growing older? Do you think healthy aging is in your hands or do you feel like
it’s out of your control? Let’s have a conversation!