HAPPINESS - PEOPLE SAY THAT MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPINESS BUT...

By: Jackson Tan

Most of the time, we always try to distinct money and happiness or simply say that money can’t buy you happiness. I do not agree totally to this statement but there some truth in it.

It is a weird thought to think that when you are rich, you cannot be happy or vice versa. Look at Bill Gates or Donald Trump, do you think they are very unhappy with the money they have? They have both the money and happiness. They worked hard for both items.

To me, both happiness and money is as important. If you still ask me which is more important, I will ask you which hand of yours is more precious? Left hand or right hand? Get what I mean? You cannot directly compare the both but they are indirectly link to each other as well.

Having a wealthy life with financial freedom might not gain you happiness but looking at your situation, you are already more fortunate than many others who are pursing their freedom. In this world, there are many things that need to be pay by money, your dream house, car and grand wedding, they all need money. Is it reasonable for me to say that, in this case, when you have the money, you will be able to fulfill the above dreams and you are most likely to be happy.

I guess money still can buy some happiness to a certain extend. Some may argue that this kind of happiness is short term and when your dreams/goals are fulfilled; your expectations increase and become unhappy again till your new expectations are met. I mean this is unavoidable as humans are creatures that sought after improvements after improvements. If not, there would not be internet and you can’t be reading this now.

So having some money is still an advantage to have in the pursuit of happiness. But, in the end is always best to have both happiness and wealth.

SAVING MONEY ON CAR INSURANCE WITH A TEENAGE DRIVER

By: Barry Brenner

Are you paying a fortune to insure your teenage driver? You really don't have to.

Some car insurance companies will charge you for your teenage driver when they turn sixteen. Some won't. Call your carrier ahead of time to find out what their policy is.

The most costly coverage on your auto insurance policy is the collision coverage. Collision coverage covers damage to your vehicle when it is involved in an at-fault accident. I.e. you hit someone or something. New drivers, no matter what age, are rated higher and cost more due to their lack of driving experience.

To save on the cost of the collision coverage on a new driver, consider purchasing a used vehicle that cost between one thousand five hundred and three thousand five hundred dollars. Make sure that it is mechanically sound for your driving needs. If you want to cover this vehicle for theft and vandalism, you can purchase comprehensive coverage. Instead of purchasing collision coverage on this vehicle, purchase uninsured motorist property damage coverage.

Uninsured motorist property damage coverage protects your vehicle for up to a limited amount if an uninsured motorist hits it and you can identify the driver and the vehicle. That way if anyone hits you, even if they have no insurance, your vehicle will be repaired or you will receive payment from your insurance company for the fair market value of the vehicle. Some insurance companies include a deductible with this coverage. Your savings could be anywhere from five hundred to two thousand dollars per year for your first three years of driving. How much does that add up to after three years?

When my daughter turned sixteen this year, I was faced with this dilemma. I own a 2002 Honda Accord and a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. My auto insurance carrier wanted to increase my premium by two thousand dollars every six months to add her onto the policy.

I bought her a 1970 Plymouth, in good mechanical condition, and found a different top insurance company that charged me $642.00 every six months for the Plymouth with her on the policy. This policy came with permissive driving as a standard feature. This means that any other car she drove, including my other cars, were covered by this policy.

After I purchased the policy on the Plymouth, I was then able to add her onto my current policy for my Honda and Mitsubishi as a not rated driver without any additional cost. If she causes an accident while driving my Honda or Mitsubishi, the policy on the Plymouth would come first with its' coverage's. Then my current policy would come second, if necessary.

My current carrier wanted $1,200.00 every six months if I added the 1970 Plymouth and my daughter onto the policy. So I ended up saving over $1,100.00 a year on my car insurance.