How to Organize Insurance Documents for Easy Access and Safety

September 10, 2025

Insurance papers have a sneaky way of vanishing. One day they’re on the desk. The next, they’re wedged behind a stack of bills nobody has touched in months, or stuffed into a drawer labeled vaguely “Important Stuff.” Most people think, “I’ll deal with it later.” And then life happens. A fender-bender in the rain, a surprise hospital visit, or a leaky pipe turning the living room into a swamp. Suddenly finding the right document is like searching for buried treasure. Who remembers which folder holds the car insurance from two years ago? Or the health policy hidden behind envelopes untouched since last spring? That’s exactly why InsureYouKnow.org exists. It keeps everything safe, organized, and ready exactly when it’s needed.

Quick Access When Stress Hits

Emergencies never arrive at convenient times. Picture this: rainy night, minor car accident, and the insurance card is nowhere. People start digging through drawers, piles of mail, or folders labeled vaguely, hoping to locate it. Classic mistake. With a secure online vault, all documents are accessible in seconds. No panicking. No frantic calls. Just calm access. That little sense of relief feels huge when stress is already sky-high.

Filing Claims Without Losing Your Mind

Claims are tricky. Forms, receipts, proof of loss. Lose even one, and hours of frustration appear out of nowhere. Even a tiny missing receipt can ruin the whole process. Digital organization keeps everything in one spot. Users can grab exactly what they need without running around like headless chickens. It’s like laying out all the puzzle pieces before trying to finish the picture. No guessing, no stress, no muttering under your breath.

Keeping Policies Up-to-Date

Insurance policies aren’t static. A new car, updated health coverage, or moving across town can change everything. Digital storage allows instant updates. Platforms like InsureYouKnow.org even send reminders for renewals or payments. It’s like having a tiny assistant who never forgets anything. Honestly, who wouldn’t want that?

Sharing Documents Safely

Sometimes family members, partners, or legal representatives need access to documents. But full access isn’t always safe. A secure vault allows selective sharing. Only authorized people see what they need. Sensitive information stays private. Confusion is avoided. One less thing to stress over when life is hectic. Trust me, that matters more than it seems.

Protecting Against Loss or Damage

Paper is fragile. Documents can be lost, stolen, or damaged by floods, fires, or even small accidents like spilling coffee on a stack of papers. Digital storage prevents all that. Even if life throws a mess your way, records remain safe. A few minutes of setup now can prevent hours of headache later. Classic mistake avoided.

How InsureYouKnow.org Helps

Binders, filing cabinets, or random computer folders are full of human errors. InsureYouKnow.org provides a secure online vault for insurance policies, banking info, retirement accounts, legal papers, and more. Everything is encrypted, password-protected, and easy to locate.

Getting started is simple:

• Sign up for an account.
• Upload all important documents.
• Set reminders for updates or renewals.
• Share selected documents only with trusted people.

Final Thoughts

Insurance isn’t just about paying premiums. It’s about being prepared. Disorganized documents increase stress and slow claims when time is critical. Organizing digitally saves time, reduces frustration, and ensures accessibility. Spending just a few minutes today uploading documents to InsureYouKnow.org can prevent hours of stress tomorrow. Small step, big peace of mind.

Digital Pet Records: Organize and Store Pet Documents Securely

September 3, 2025

Pet emergencies rarely arrive at the right time. A dog limps after a jump. A cat suddenly won’t breathe easily. Owners grab at folders, glove compartments, even the folded vaccination slip that’s been stuck under a fridge magnet for months, only to realize the insurance info or medical history is still missing.

The vet keeps asking questions. What shots were given? What allergies are known? Too much time slips away.

That’s why keeping pet records, health notes, policy papers, and vet numbers saved in one secure digital spot makes such a difference. Instead of chaos, the details are ready in seconds. And that can mean faster decisions and better care when pets need it most.

Why Digital Pet Records Matter

In a real emergency, minutes feel heavy. A vet may ask about past shots or allergies, but the papers are often buried, tucked in a kitchen drawer under receipts or lost in an old email. With digital pet records, the answers are ready in seconds, and treatment doesn’t have to wait.

The same holds true when care is handed off. A sitter, a family member, even a boarding kennel can check pet medical files online instead of relying on rushed notes over the phone.

The truth is, organized records bring peace of mind. Storing pet papers safely in one place removes clutter and helps ensure steady care, whether at home, traveling, or in an emergency room late at night.

What to Include in Your Digital Pet Emergency Kit

When something goes wrong, the last thing anyone wants is to dig through drawers for missing papers. A simple digital kit avoids that headache.

The basics come first: vaccination records and health notes. Vets usually ask for them before doing anything else.

If the pet has coverage, add the insurance policy number and provider. It saves phone calls later. Keep proof of ownership too, like microchip info, adoption papers, or even a vet’s ID slip.

An emergency contact list matters just as much. The family vet, a backup clinic, a sitter, and one relative who can step in should all be easy to reach.

Then there are the little things. Care notes about food, medicine, or allergies may sound small, but they help anyone give consistent care. Storing these pet papers online in one safe place means less panic and faster help when every minute counts.

How to Securely Store Pet Documents Using InsureYouKnow

InsureYouKnow makes it simple to keep pet papers in order. Snap a photo of a vaccine slip or scan an insurance form, then upload it with a clear label like “Bella – Shots” or “Max – Insurance.” No more shuffling through drawers when the vet is waiting.

The files stay safe with encryption, so medical notes and policy numbers are private but easy to reach. Reminders can be set for shots or policy renewals, which means nothing gets overlooked.

Sharing is easy too. A sitter, boarding place, or vet can be given access to just the records they need, making care smoother and less stressful.

With everything in one place, digital pet records stay organized, secure, and ready when pets need it most.

Organizing and Managing Pet Info

Saving files is just the start. How they’re organized matters. Clear labels like “Vaccination,” “Insurance,” or “Ownership” make documents easy to find.

Adding details like the pet’s name, birthdate, or microchip number helps avoid mix-ups, especially with multiple pets.

Updates are important too. After checkups, insurance renewals, or when a new pet joins, taking a few minutes to update records keeps digital pet documents accurate and ready when needed.

Emergency Scenarios Where This Helps

Imagine the dog collapses during an evening walk. Heart racing, the family grabs the leash and heads to the vet. They don’t have to dig through drawers or emails. Digital pet records are ready on a phone. Shots, allergies, medications, all visible in seconds. The vet can start treatment right away, and stress levels drop for everyone.

Not all emergencies are medical. Moving suddenly, last-minute boarding, or traveling with a pet can turn chaotic fast. Having pet papers stored securely online means sitters, boarding staff, or vets can see what’s needed without endless calls or searching.

A few organized files can turn panic into calm. Pet documents online make sure pets get the care they need, wherever and whenever an emergency strikes.

Conclusion

Just like people, pets have important papers that need care. The vet, insurance info, and vaccination slips all matter. If you’re running around during an emergency, it’s easy to lose track. That crumpled slip under the couch or buried email suddenly matters more than ever.

The truth is, digital pet records make life simpler. Snap a photo, upload it, and label it clearly. Share it with your vet, a sitter, or a boarding facility when needed. It’s quick, secure, and saves time when every second counts.

Take a few minutes today to set up your pet’s digital profile with InsureYouKnow. It’s simple, it’s safe, and it gives peace of mind knowing your furry friend’s records are ready when they’re needed most.

Pre-Accident Planning: Stay Ready for Emergencies and Save Time

August 27, 2025

Nobody wakes up thinking, “Today I’ll have an accident.” But they happen. Sometimes when you’re driving, sometimes when you’re just making dinner. Suddenly, paramedics are asking questions: Any allergies? Medications? Who do we call?

If that info isn’t handy, things slow down. And in a crisis, slow is the last thing you want. I’ve personally seen families scramble through wallets and phones looking for details. It’s stressful and avoidable.

That’s why it makes sense to set up your health and insurance info now, not later. It doesn’t take long, and it could make all the difference in a critical moment.

What is Pre-Accident Planning?

Most people don’t really think about pre-accident planning until something goes wrong. Honestly, you probably haven’t either. It’s basically just having your key health and insurance info ready before an emergency ever happens. Nothing fancy. Just the stuff that can actually save time.

So what should you have? Here’s the quick list:

• A short record of your medical history.
• The medicines you take and how often.
• Any allergies doctors should know about.
• Names and numbers of people you’d want called first.
• Your insurance info, so care isn’t delayed.

Imagine this: you’re in a minor car accident and can’t talk. Paramedics show up and need to know if you’re allergic to a medication. If that info isn’t ready, they’re guessing. But if you’ve planned ahead, it’s right there. Seconds matter. And really, that’s the whole point, making sure first responders and doctors can help you as fast as possible.

Using Digital Tools for Emergency Preparedness

You probably keep most of your important info scattered—papers, cards, maybe even a few notes on your phone. But when an emergency hits, digging through that stuff wastes precious time. That’s where digital tools come in. Secure online vaults let you store all your health and insurance details in one place.

The best part? Only authorized people, like family, doctors, or first responders, can access it when it’s needed. Even if you can’t talk or move, the right people can get the info fast.

Why use a digital vault? Well, there are a few big advantages:

• Quick access – no more shuffling through papers or cards.
• Less paperwork – everything is in one organized spot.
• Safe backup – your info is secure, and you won’t lose it.

Honestly, setting this up doesn’t take long, but it can save a lot of stress and make sure you or your loved ones get the right care right away.

Real-Life Examples

Emergencies can happen when you least expect them. I once read about someone in a car mishap who couldn’t speak. Luckily, their family had a digital vault with all the key info, medical history, allergies, and medications. Paramedics got it fast. No guessing, no delays.

Another story: a senior fell at home. Their family had health and insurance info ready. EMTs didn’t waste time searching. Care started right away, and things went much smoother.

Studies show having info ready can cut treatment delays by up to 30%. That means fewer mistakes, faster care, and less stress for everyone. Honestly, most of us forget to do this until it happens. Spending a few minutes now could save a lot of trouble later.

Steps to Get Started

Okay, honestly, starting with pre-accident planning isn’t rocket science. Most of us just forget about it until something happens. But if you take a few minutes now, it can save a lot of panic later.

First things first, grab all your important stuff. Your medical history, medications, allergies, emergency contacts, insurance info, just toss it in one place. Trust me, you don’t want to be hunting for papers or digging through apps in a rush.

Next, find a safe spot to store it. Could be a digital vault, an app, whatever works for you. Just make sure only people you actually trust can get to it.

Then, make it easy to read. Like, sections for meds, allergies, contacts, insurance, whatever makes sense to you. Don’t overthink it.

And hey, don’t forget to update it. New meds, changed contacts, insurance stuff, small tweaks make a big difference when time is ticking.

Honestly? It might feel like a tiny thing. But having this ready can make everything smoother if something goes wrong. A few minutes now could seriously save you a lot of stress later.

Conclusion

Okay, so pre-accident planning might sound small, but honestly, it can really matter when stuff hits the fan. Like, having your meds, medical history, allergies, emergency contacts, and insurance info all ready and easy to grab can save you a ton of stress. Maybe even a life, who knows.

And here’s the thing, you don’t need to wait. Just start. Grab your info, toss it somewhere safe, and make sure you can actually get to it. Peek at it every now and then, update stuff if things change.

And, well, emergencies don’t give warnings. Every second counts. Being ready can really make a difference. A few minutes now could save hours later, or worse. Seriously.

Digital Inheritance: Secure Your Online Legacy with InsureYouKnow

August 13, 2025

Think about how much of your life now lives online. Photos you never printed. Banking and insurance details you don’t keep in a filing cabinet. Emails, social media posts, maybe even a bit of cryptocurrency sitting in a digital wallet. It is all part of your story, and it does not just disappear when you do.

That is why digital inheritance matters. It is about making sure the people you trust can find and use what you leave behind, without having to play password detective or deal with frustrating account lockouts.

In the next few minutes, we will explore how to put a plan in place for your online life, and how a secure tool like InsureYouKnow.org can help you create a well-organized digital legacy your loved ones can actually access when it counts.

What Constitutes Digital Assets

When you think about what you own online, it is probably more than you realize. There are the obvious things like your insurance papers, bank records, medical files, and maybe a scan of your driver’s license sitting in a folder somewhere.

Then you have your accounts. Email, social media, streaming logins, and online banking all hold bits of your life, whether that is photos from years ago or details about your finances.

And do not forget the paid stuff. Cloud storage plans, memberships, crypto wallets, or payment apps like PayPal. Some of it has sentimental value, and some of it is worth real money.

Figuring out exactly what you have is step one in digital estate planning, and it makes life much easier for the people who will need to handle things later.

Risks of Digital Legacy Without Proper Planning

Not thinking about your digital stuff after you’re gone can really cause headaches. Sometimes you can’t get into accounts at all, and all those photos or important files? They might just disappear.

Hackers or scammers could also sneak in. They might use your info, drain money from digital wallets, or mess with accounts in ways that are hard to fix.

And honestly, it’s a lot for your family. They could spend hours digging for passwords, calling different companies, or trying to figure out what belongs where — all while they’re already dealing with grief.

Just taking a little time now to plan your digital estate can save a ton of trouble later and make sure the people you care about aren’t stuck sorting through a mess.

How InsureYouKnow.org Helps

Keeping track of all your digital stuff can be a pain, you know? InsureYouKnow.org makes it kind of simple. You just toss all your important docs, passwords, whatever, into one safe spot. You get to decide who sees what.

And if something happens, a family member can just log in and grab what they need. No digging through emails. No guessing passwords. Way less stress.

Honestly, it just makes your digital life easier and ready for your loved ones when it counts.

Best Practices in Preparing Your Digital Legacy

You know, getting your digital stuff in order now can save a lot of headaches later. Start by listing all your accounts and assets — emails, social media, bank stuff, subscriptions, crypto, everything.

Use password managers or secure lockers to keep logins safe. Also, jot down who should access what and how, and store it somewhere safe.

Finally, think about adding instructions in your will or estate plan. That way, your family can handle your digital life smoothly and without stress.

Step-by-Step Action Plan

Getting your digital stuff in order doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple way to do it.

1. Make a list – Write down all your accounts, subscriptions, documents, crypto wallets… basically everything. Group them so it’s easy to see.
2. Keep it safe – Store passwords and important docs in InsureYouKnow’s secure vault. That way, it’s all in one place and protected.
3. Pick someone you trust – Decide who can access what. Set clear permissions so they know what’s theirs to handle.
4. Check and update often – Things change, you know? Make a habit of reviewing your list regularly.

Doing this makes your digital life organized, safe, and way easier for your family when they need it.

Real-Life Scenario

Imagine this: Sarah had been using InsureYouKnow.org to organize her digital life. She had all her accounts, documents, and login info stored securely, and she’d assigned her brother as her digital heir with clear permissions.

When Sarah unexpectedly passed away, her brother didn’t have to hunt for passwords or guess what to do. He simply accessed the secure vault, grabbed the important files, and managed her online accounts without stress.

Thanks to pre-planning her digital estate, Sarah made things much easier for her loved ones. This shows how a little preparation can save a lot of headaches and ensure your digital legacy is handled smoothly.

Conclusion

Thinking about your digital stuff might feel a bit overwhelming, but honestly, getting it in order gives you peace of mind. Your loved ones won’t have to scramble or guess what to do.
Just start small. Make a list of your accounts and important files. Then use InsureYouKnow.org to keep everything safe and organized. A little planning now can make a huge difference later, and it keeps your digital life easy for your family.

Take Control of Your Health Data with a Digital Record Trust

July 31, 2025

Imagine having all your medical records in one place where you decide who gets to see them. That’s the idea behind a health record trust. Instead of hospitals or clinics controlling access, this system gives you full ownership of your health information.

In the traditional setup, your data is scattered across different providers. It’s hard to access quickly, and you often have to go through formal requests. A health record trust puts you in charge, making your records easier to manage, share, and keep safe.

Why Personal Ownership of Health Data Is Important

When people have control over their personal fitness statistics, they’re empowered to take rate in their care. Instead of counting on hospitals or clinics to manipulate the facts, people can access, update, and proportion their statistics when and how they pick.

This sort of ownership improves portability, permitting sufferers to hold their scientific history throughout providers and places. It also supports accuracy, considering that patients can correct mistakes and hold their data modern. Most importantly, it promotes transparency, making it easier to understand your very own health and make knowledgeable selections.

Personal fitness records possession is a key part of affected person-centered care, wherein the focal point shifts from structures to the character. It ensures your information works for you, now not the alternative way around.

Key Features of a Digital Health Record Trust

A Digital Health Record Trust offers you complete control of your scientific records with tools that keep it secure, private, and smooth to manipulate. Here’s what makes it work:

1. Secure Cloud Storage

Your information is saved within the cloud, in order that they’re usually backed up and to be had whilst you need them—on any tool, anytime.

2. Strong Encryption and Privacy Settings

All data is covered with encryption to hold your personal fitness info safe. You manipulate who sees what, and nothing is shared without your permission.

3. Controlled Sharing

You can provide get right of entry to your own family participants, caregivers, or doctors. This ensures the proper human beings assist you while wanted—specifically in emergencies.

4. Version History and Audit Trail

 Every replacement is tracked. You can see what modified, while it modified, and who accessed it, so your records live clear, accurate, and trustworthy.

How InsureYouKnow Supports These Core Principles

InsureYouKnow places you in control of your virtual health statistics. You can manage who sees your files with custom to get admission to permissions—whether or not it’s a circle of relatives, medical doctors, or caregivers.

All files are stored securely inside the cloud with sturdy encryption, preserving your touchy fitness statistics personal and protected.

Built-in reminders assist you hold the whole lot present day, so your facts are always updated while you need them maximum.

Real-Life Use Cases for Digital Health Record Access

1. Travel or Relocation

Whether you’re shifting to a brand new city or journeying abroad, having instantaneous admission to your virtual health facts guarantees docs can get the facts they need quickly—even if you’re a ways from home.

2. Transition of Care

As teens circulate from pediatric to adult care, a secure fitness document machine allows them to make that transition smoother. With all clinical records in a single location, new vendors get the entire image without delays.

3. Long-Term Caregiving

For caregivers coping with the fitness needs of a parent, spouse, or baby, digital access to scientific facts is crucial. It simplifies coordination, reduces stress, and ensures the proper decisions are made at the right time.

Simple Action Steps to Take Control of Your Health Records

1. Review How You Store Your Health Documents

Start by checking in which your scientific records, coverage papers, and emergency contacts are stored. Are they scattered across folders, emails, or physical documents? A short audit enables you to notice what’s lacking or old.

2. Choose Trusted People for Emergency Access

Think approximately who needs to be capable of viewing your information in case you’re ever in an emergency. It might be a partner, adult toddler, caregiver, or dependent on a pal. Make sure they know the way to get entry to what’s wished while time subjects most.

3. Set Up a Secure Digital Vault with InsureYouKnow

InsureYouKnow allows you to construct a non-public health record machine that acts like a virtual “relied on vault.” You can prepare your medical data set, get admission to permissions, and hold the whole thing competently stored in a single area with strong encryption and cloud safety.

Conclusion

Taking ownership of your health facts isn’t just about convenience—it’s about being organized, knowledgeable, and in control. When you control your own fitness records, you reduce the threat of delays throughout emergencies, enhance communique among vendors, and ensure nothing vital is misplaced or neglected.

By preserving your documents prepared, available, and steady in a relied on platform like InsureYouKnow, you create a machine that works for you and your family—each time and everywhere. It’s a simple step that brings lengthy-time period peace of mind and strengthens your potential to make informed selections approximately your care.

Now is the time to take control of your health statistics and construct a more secure, smarter future.

Scammer on the Rise: How to Protect Yourself in Retirement

June 1, 2023

A change in your retirement savings balance could be the result of recent stock market volatility, or because your account has been accessed by someone else and compromised. The National Association of Plan Advisors reported that hackers have been targeting retirement accounts, either through large-scale attacks on financial institutions or by using stolen personal information. Bryce Austin with TCE Strategy said that a hacker can get into your 401(k) two ways, either by “retrieving your credentials with the financial institution” and pretending to be you or by convincing you to do it “on their behalf.” Scammers have been known to contact people posing as the police, claiming that their funds are at risk and convincing them to transfer their retirement money into a “safer” account. If someone does so, then there’s no legal recourse, because they are doing so deliberately; the savings are “just gone,” Austin said. It’s important that retirees are aware of this trend and make sure that their accounts are secure.

Set Up Online Access to Your Accounts

First, make sure that you have online access to all of your retirement accounts. This will allow you to monitor your own accounts regularly. If you ever notice any unusual activity or changes that you have not made yourself, contact the institution immediately. Some firms will not reimburse account holders for fraudulent transactions if they aren’t reported during a certain time frame. Establishing online access also prevents someone else from doing so before you can, since thieves have been known to use stolen information to access and retrieve funds. Create your own Social Security account at ssa.gov while you’re at it, so that hackers don’t divert your Social Security benefits to their own accounts. When out and about, do not use public WiFi connections to check your accounts. Unfortunately, hackers can access these networks and steal your personal information by viewing your online activity.

Access your Accounts Safely

Once you have access to your accounts online, make sure you use a strong password and change it regularly. Your password should be something that a hacker cannot easily guess, such as your or a loved one’s birthday. Next, use multi-factor authentication if your institutions offer this step. Requiring multiple verifications to access your account can stop thieves in their tracks, as well as alert you if someone else is trying to access your account. If you are able to, financial author Cameron Huddleston suggests naming a trusted contact. A trusted contact cannot access your account, but your institution can contact them and make sure that it is actually you who is trying to access your funds.

Periodically Check Your Credit Reports

In addition to monitoring your own accounts, checking your credit reports regularly is one more easy thing you can do to catch any unusual activity on your accounts. A credit report shows all accounts that you have opened, balances, and can even find data breaches. A data breach can compromise your personal information and alert you to change your passwords or close a compromised account. A sudden fluctuation in your credit score can also be a sign that something isn’t right.

How to Recognize (and Avoid) a Scam

If you receive a suspicious phone call, text message, email, social media message, or letter that doesn’t seem right, then trust your gut. The caller or sender may not be who they say they are and it’s likely a scam. If you want to be sure, then you can call the company’s customer service line and verify that they meant to contact you. No matter how official the message may seem, that doesn’t mean it’s authentic. Many scammers pretend to be from the Social Security Administration, Medicare, IRS, or credit card companies. Lawyer and author Steve Weisman says, “The IRS and the SSA will never initiate contact with people through a phone call, so you can be sure that the person calling you is a scammer.” The same goes for Medicare. Your Medicare number is valuable and can enable a criminal to steal health benefits, so if anyone is asking you for your Medicare number, then this is a sure red flag that they are a scammer.

Perhaps the number one rule for protecting yourself against a scam is to never provide anyone with personal information without verifying their true identity. Again, this can be done by hanging up or ignoring the message and calling the company directly. Also, be mindful of your mail. Any documents with sensitive information should be shredded, and if anyone else is retrieving your mail, make sure they are someone you trust. Opting for paperless statements is another safeguard against anyone stealing personal information via your mail.

Anyone who is trying to rush you into making an important financial decision likely does not have your best interests at heart. It’s important to research any company that you plan to invest with. Before buying stocks, you can even check the SEC’s EDGAR database. Be especially skeptical of anyone who is pitching something in a time-sensitive manner, such as a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” A true financial advisor will respect your desire to think it over and even encourage you to do so. Before making any important financial decisions, it’s not a bad idea to refer to a trusted professional anyway. That being said, anyone telling you to “leave everything to me” may not deserve that much of your trust. At the end of the day, you should always be your own expert on your retirement and finances. 

Insureyouknow.org

The best defense against retirement theft is your willingness to take a few extra steps to protect your accounts, such as using multi-factor authentication and monitoring your own accounts on a regular basis. Most of all, remain diligent about who you’re providing sensitive personal information to. These are simple ways to protect your nest egg and gain valuable peace of mind. Insureyouknow.org can help you store all of your financial information in one place so that your retirement accounts and other finances are easy to monitor. Then you can get back to worrying about what’s really important, such as how you’ll be enjoying your retirement.

5 Retirement Myths Busted

May 2, 2023

Once you retire you assume that you will finally have all the time in the world. You’ll travel the globe, spend your days without a care in the world, and have enough income to support yourself in your retirement. The truth is, all of the above information can be false.

The American College of Financial Services Center for Retirement Income conducted a Retirement Income Literacy Survey to test consumer knowledge about retirement income concepts. Four out of five older Americans failed the survey. The following myths have people getting the wrong idea about how they’re going to live out their golden years.

Myth 1: Your Taxes After Retirement Will be Lower

Many aging individuals assume that their taxes will be lower after they retire because they will have a reduced overall income. However, this isn’t always true. The savings accumulated for retirement may be higher than your earnings during your working years. Additionally, sales and property taxes could also be more as well as the cost of living, further increasing spending.

Myth 2: Social Security Covers Your Expenses

Typically seniors rely on Social Security to cover any expenses they may have in a post-retirement world. Despite this, Social Security is not intended to be an individual’s primary source of income support. “Payroll taxes are expected to cover about 78% of scheduled benefits,” said Cameron Huddleston of Go Banking Rates. “If the funding gap isn’t filled, retirees could get lower Social Security payments.”

Myth 3: Health Issues Don’t Affect You Until Later in Life

There are many seniors who believe that they can work as long as they need to past the age of 65. However, most aren’t able to work as long as they need to or want to in order to accumulate sufficient savings. Some are forced into retirement because of medical problems that may affect their ability to work including arthritis, limited mobility, and hearing issues.

Myth 4: Medicare Will Cover Health Care Costs

Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed for U.S. adults who are 65 years of age or older intended to help meet health costs. Some older Americans assume that Medicare will be able to cover all health costs well into retirement. However, this program doesn’t cover several deductibles, copayments, and the cost of care for dental, vision, and hearing conditions. “Medicare does not cover the cost of long-term care, including extended stays at nursing homes and assisted living facilities,” Rachel Christian of RetireGuide added.

Myth 5: Retirement Planning Can Wait

One of the biggest mistakes to make is waiting to create a retirement plan at a later age. It is most efficient to start investing money in retirement at an early age so compound interest can increase your retirement accounts throughout your time in the workforce. Saving money in your 20s and contributing 15%-20% of your paycheck is key for ideal retirement savings. However, every decade an individual delays in saving requires them to save a greater percentage of their paycheck.

InsureYouKnow.org

It is important to know all the facts about retirement when starting to plan for your future. You need to take into account what is contributing to your retirement savings and what steps you need to take to ensure a comfortable living. With insureyouknow.org by your side, you can create an efficient retirement plan without misconceptions of retirement myths that may affect the process.

Jugging: The New Crime Trend

March 20, 2023

Everyone knows what it’s like to have your hands full. It takes special skills to juggle bags, briefcases, electronics, and to-go coffee containers all while trying to unlock your car door. It feels like a badge of honor is earned when you lug all those grocery bags inside in one trip. But all of these distractions can put you at risk of being the victim of a scary new crime trend called “jugging,” and gas station and c-store owners need to be aware of its dangers.

Jugging refers to a robbery that happens after a victim has withdrawn cash from a financial institution or ATM, and then is followed to a second location. It is a relatively new term that hasn’t caught on everywhere yet, but police departments across the United States, from Alabama to Hawaii, have started warning folks about the uptick in cases. Suspects tend to target certain demographics before choosing someone to follow. Women, the elderly, or people who seem to have their hands full are sought out for this type of crime.

“You go to a bank, you conduct business, you’re followed, and then you’re assaulted, or you lock your car and go into another business after the bank errand, and your car is broken into,” said Detective Matthew Judd, a detective in the robbery unit of the Austin Police Department (APD), in a recent press conference.

Avoid Becoming a Stat

On Saturday, Dec. 12, 2022, APD officers responded to a jugging case at a gas station located on East William Cannon Drive. The victim of the jugging had visited a bank and withdrawn cash before pulling over to refuel and purchase items inside. Three suspects followed him from the bank to the gas station, and violently robbed him while he was inside the store. They also assaulted the man who was working behind the counter when he tried to intervene and help the victim.

On Dec. 28, 2022, four people were arrested after a jugging incident at a Texaco on Cluck Creek Trail in Cedar Park. The victim had just withdrawn cash before stopping at the gas station, where they were attacked and robbed. Thanks to the victim’s descriptions of the attackers and their vehicles, police spotted them in Fayette County, where they were pulled over and arrested. Police believe these four suspects are connected to several other jugging incidents around Austin.

But it’s not just customers who are targeted. Gas station and c-store owners have been victims of juggings as well.

In 2018, a woman whose family owns a gas station and check cashing business in Houston was the victim of a violent jugging after she withdrew $75,000 in cash and took it back to her workplace. She was followed from the bank by two vehicles who were both monitoring her financial institution and working as a team. The men in the vehicles ambushed her once she was walking through the gas station parking lot. Her husband ran out to help her, but the assailants beat both victims and ran over the woman with their car. Both victims were hospitalized, and the suspects were arrested shortly after the robbery and charged with felony aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

The idea of jugging is scary, but officials have suggested many tips to keep it from happening to you:

Be aware of your surroundings

Police officers stress that simply being aware of your surroundings is the most important step you can take to preventing being the victim of a crime. If you see someone acting suspicious in or around a financial institution, either leave and come back at a later time, or tell a security guard. Make a mental note of anyone loitering near your bank or where you parked your car, as they may be scouting for potential victims. For example, if you enter a bank and see someone sitting in their car and they are still there when you exit and then follow you out of the parking lot, that’s a red flag.

If you think you’re being followed, get help

If a car pulls out of a parking lot after you, and you think they’re still trailing you after a while, drive to the nearest police or fire station or call 911. Do not drive home or stop anywhere. Try to get a good description of the vehicle and the person driving it, if you can.

“If they think you have cash, they’re going to follow you wherever you go,” said Sgt. Jennifer Taylor, who works in the APD robbery unit. “Our dispatch has been advised about the jugging problem. They are aware, and they should send an officer.”

Don’t be distracted

While you’re in the bank lobby or parking lot, stay off your phone and ditch your ear buds. Juggers tend to look for people they can take by surprise. Walk with your head up and make it obvious you are aware of your surroundings. Try to have your keys ready to unlock your car so you’re not digging through a bag or pockets looking for them – those few seconds are long enough for a jugger to catch you off guard.

Disguise your cash

Don’t make it obvious that you’re leaving the bank with cash. If you have a cash bag, put it in a different bag, like a briefcase or backpack. Even if you just have an envelope with bills in it, be sneaky. Slip it in an interior jacket pocket. Just make sure you do this before leaving the bank lobby.

Security is your friend

If you are withdrawing a large amount of money, ask your bank if they have a security guard who can safely escort you back to your car, or at least give the parking lot a once over. This should make anyone scouting out the parking lot nervous. Once you do pull out of the parking lot, keep glancing in your rearview mirror to ensure no one is following you.

Lock your doors as soon as you get back into the car

Press that lock button the second you’re sitting. Don’t wait to buckle your seatbelt or find what playlist you want to listen to – those are distractions, and a jugger just needs you to be distracted for a second to make their move. Your car door being locked will buy you time to drive off if someone tries opening it from the outside.

“Sometimes in these juggings, the suspect will just run up, open the passenger door, grab the bag, and leave,” says Taylor. “Lock your doors all the time, even if you’re inside.”

Don’t leave money unattended

Taylor says to not make any stops in between withdrawing cash and your last destination, as that’s usually when juggings occur. If you do need to make a stop after withdrawing cash, do not leave the money in your car unattended, even if your car doors are locked. Windows can be broken, and the center console is not a secret hiding spot.

Taylor encouraged people to follow these tips to stay safe.

“No amount of cash is worth your safety or enduring an assault,” she says.

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