Cindy-Lou Baxter Life and Health Insurance Broker

Big identity breach reported last week and then we received a letter this week from a health care provider -- if you don't already have triple bureau credit monitoring for identity theft, now is a good time to start!

Don't forget to freeze your credit if you're not actively applying for a mortgage, HELOC, or other credit.

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Last week’s staggering data breach at National Public Data put personal data, including the Social Security numbers, of billions of Americans in the hands of cybercriminals.

The breach occurred late last year, and the company acknowledged on its website last week that there were “potential leaks of certain data in April 2024 and summer 2024.”

Find out if your Social Security number was included in last week's massive data breach Also, here's what to do if it was.

👀 watch out for these

10 Life Insurance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Life insurance mistakes made when purchasing or managing life insurance policies can lead to inadequate coverage, unnecessary expenses or even denial of claims. Here’s how to avoid them.

📚 What's your favorite book?

You’re reading this on a screen, but how about switching gears and picking up a book? Studies show reading a book can help reduce stress and ward off cognitive decline.* If diving into a book seems daunting, these tips can help make reading a daily habit:
📖 Start small: Tackle a few pages at a time.
📖 Set a timer: Commit to reading just 5 minutes a day.
📖 Establish a goal: Aim for a certain number of pages a day.
📖 Always carry a book: Get in a few pages between activities.

Not sure what to read? Consider “30 Lessons for Living” by Karl Pillemer. Learn
more about this popular and insightful book here: https://mutualofomaha.co/3SBz2jd

*https://mutualofomaha.co/4dBAryA

In business. Health. Wellness. Wealth.

If you work from home, HR won't be there to remind you to avoid carpal tunnel and get you a special office chair.

But I'll remind you that shrimp back isn't a requirement for a job well done. 🦐💻

Posture is an underappreciated aspect of health and wellness, and unfortunately that also includes the impact of forward head posture on your nerves, ligaments, and neck muscles.

I talk more about this on my most recent blog post:

https://cindyloubroker.com/2024/05/03/desk-work-alert-how-forward-neck-posture-impacts-health-and-wellness/

Great short history on life insurance 🌿

Your biggest financial asset is your ability to earn.

What is Disability Insurance? Learn what disability insurance is, who needs disability insurance and why it’s an important part of any financial strategy.

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What a great mental health care reminder! Did you know that ACA Marketplace plans are built to include preventative wellness services and management? If you're not sure how to access these services, make sure you reach out to your health insurance broker, or your health plan provider. It's a tool, so we can use it

As May starts Mental Health Awareness Month, here are some important reminders about mental health:

💚 your best might look different each day
💚 it’s okay not to feel okay
💚 the hard times will only make you stronger

I could never stress enough how important it is to always take care of yourself and your mental health.

We all have different struggles, but no matter what you’re dealing with know that you are never alone. Remember that asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength and it’s so important to reach out for help when you need it.

Use this month (and every month) to spread awareness, prioritize your mental health, and help someone else. You never know how much your words could mean to somebody when they really need them. 💚

Did you know? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that health plans in the individual and small group markets provide Essential Health Benefits (EHB). These benefits cover a range of services across 10 categories, ensuring a balanced and non-discriminatory approach. It means that they do no discriminate on age, disability, or expected length of life and they take into account diverse needs of the population. It's all about healthcare availability in our communities!

A lot of people say they would die for the people they love, but what would you do to LIVE for the people you love.

Where you live matters! In this week's blog post I talk about one of Georgia's hidden gems and how your neighbourhood affects your health!

The Pulse of Healthy Cities: Understanding the Social Determinants of Health and why Georgia's Alpharetta is a gem worth exploring - Cindy-Lou Baxter - Life and Health Insurance Broker - Helping people build financial security since 2013 5 Big Reasons to Buy Life Insurance: Protecting Your Loved Ones Through Life's Major Events

If you missed last week's blog post on the importance of regular vision checks: 🤓

The Crucial Link Between Vision Insurance and Your Overall Health - Cindy-Lou Baxter - Life and Health Insurance Broker - Helping people build financial security since 2013 5 Big Reasons to Buy Life Insurance: Protecting Your Loved Ones Through Life's Major Events

Thinking about your dental plan options? It's always nice if you can have your choice of dentist -- with a PPO plan network you can. What does that mean? Click to read more!

What is a PPO? Dental insurance helps protect our smiles, but dental plans offer different benefits and networks. Look at a Participating Provider Organization or PPO.

Stay-at-home parent? The Mom Salary Survey estimated the average annual value of a stay-at-home parent as $178,201.

Yes, your financial power is worth insuring too!

It's Hard to Recommend Stay-at-Home Parenting. Here's Why Commentary: TikTok isn't telling you the whole truth.

Little by little, and with help you can always go further 💪💚 Empower

💚 SMALL BUSINESS TIP: Elevate Your Professionalism: Why Realtors and Self-Employed Business Owners Should Switch to Google Workspace Email

Looking to give your business the opportunity to stand out and solidify your branding and security?

Take advantage of using your own brand domain with the advantages of Gmail:

https://cindyloubaxter.com/2024/03/22/elevate-your-professionalism-why-realtors-and-self-employed-business-owners-should-switch-to-google-workspace-email/

DID YOU KNOW? Oral health is more than just about your teeth.

Oral-systemic health is connected to:
Cardiovascular disease.
Alzheimer's disease.
Periodontal disease.
Diabetes.
High-risk pregnancy.
Cancer.
Obesity.
Obstructive sleep apnea.

That's why investing in good everyday habits and regular prevention with a good dental plan is key to living healthier in the long run too!

Today is World Oral Health Day. Find out how preventive dental care can help you save hundreds — maybe even thousands — of dollars over the years.

Read more —https://www.physiciansmutual.com/web/community/article-title/the-value-of-preventive-dental-care-priceless

Happy Spring 2024! Plant something good in life 🌷🌷🌷🌷

This week's blog post? I get into my personal journey with wellness:

6 Biggest Factors that Moved the Needle on my Health in 2023 - Cindy-Lou Baxter - Life and Health Insurance Broker - Helping people build financial security since 2013 6 Biggest Factors that Moved the Needle on my Health in 2023.

While selling in this market might be lucrative, protecting your existing investment and family home is equally vital, given the escalating home prices reported this week by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recent release February 26th, 2024. Read more on my Blog:

https://cindyloubaxter.com/2024/03/01/safeguarding-your-home-investment-the-importance-of-mortgage-protection-term-life-insurance-in-a-rising-market/

You said what you said. 💅

Financial security is built over time.

Habits.

Conversations.

Overcoming anxiety.

Learning.

Healing your relationship with money.

Stop guilting yourself for wanting more.

If you weren't capable, you wouldn't have had the vision.

My thoughts every week 🗓️

Home ownership, and vacation/investment property ownership are major steps to wealth building.

Afterall, approximately 90% of millionaires attribute their wealth in part to real estate holdings.

Whether you work a 9-5, or are self-employed, home ownership gives you access to opportunities to secured credit at a much more favorable interest rate, a place to live to call home, and a potential source of income.

That's why it is so important to protect your assets, home, and wealth with independent affordable term insurance -- even better when it has living benefits that will protect you and yours should you become disabled or ill.

Because those are the key times you shouldn't have to worry about your mortgage being paid.

Mortgage protection is just an appointment away.

Cindy-Lou Baxter
Life + Health Insurance Broker
678-978-5914
[email protected]
GA Insurance License #3613061
Also serving MD, MI, NC, OH, SC, TX, & VA

Home Owner vs. Renter Net Worth Nearly 40x Greater - If you already own, that's a plus. If you are still looking to enter the market -- not so much.

But as a homeowner, it's important to plan ahead. With the median home net worth more than 4.6 times the median family income, we also have to remember that average income is not keeping up with the price of a home and, of course, the impact of rising interest rates.

If something were to happen to you health-wise, or if you were to pass, how easy would it be for your partner or family to stay in the home you've provided?

Wouldn't a financial cushion make sense in the form of mortgage protection that provides living benefits?

You can read more on my Blog for this week. Or we can talk about it.

Cindy-Lou Baxter
Life and Health Insurance Broker
678-978-5914
[email protected]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays as we go into the weekend! 🎁 Wishing everyone a safe and blessed time 🎄

Bad posture affects your mood, your strength, and how you move (yes even your golf game!)

If you're a chronic desk-sitter or phone user with tech-neck, or have been through tough emotional stress, you may find that your posture needs to improve.

Putting effort daily can make all the difference over time for your health and longevity. Do you have this problem?

9 Surprising Ways Bad Posture Can Mess With Your Health Bad posture doesn't just affect the way you look; it can also influence your mood, your digestion, and your risk for chronic pain.