Mark Hunter - Financial Educator

The same people who underestimate how much life insurance they need, have a tendency to overestimate how much it will cost.

Both assumptions can keep families from putting the proper protection in place.

If you were to die prematurely, your family could be left without your income in addition to being without you. Your current savings may not be enough to take care of them.

As a rule of thumb, you should consider having life insurance coverage that’s at least 10X your annual family income.

If you earn $50,000/year, you should consider $500,000 in coverage. At a conservative 5% rate of return, that would replace half of your income.

You might not be able to fully protect yourself from an unexpected illness or accident, but you can protect your income and your wealth.

➩ See and compare what modern term policies can cost by going to https://shopyourterm.com/markhunter

Think the Parkers need an option C? You may be asking the right question.

Before choosing term, permanent, or a combination, we need to understand their family, finances, and goals.

• Term insurance can help cover needs that have a timeline, such as a mortgage or the years children depend on their parents.

• Permanent insurance can address lifelong protection needs and may build cash value. It generally costs more than term coverage.

Some policies also offer benefits for qualifying long-term care needs, subject to eligibility, policy limits, and possible additional costs. These benefits aren’t automatic.

The answer could be both. It could also be one.

If you've been looking yourself, start with your family’s needs, then compare the options with a licensed insurance professional.

Every family has a hero. You might call yours Mom or Dad.

You show up. Work hard. Make sacrifices. And do everything you can to give the people you love a better life.

Life insurance is one more way to be their hero. It can help keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and their dreams within reach if you’re no longer here.

Protection may be more affordable than you think. Start by learning what coverage fits your family’s needs and your budget.

You don’t need a cape to protect their future. You need the knowledge to act.

At first glance, the question might seem silly. Of course they all matter. But if you had to rank them by importance, would your priorities match what you’ve chosen to protect?

In 2026, only 52% of American adults report having life insurance. Yet 38%, representing approximately 92 million adults, say they need coverage or need more of it.*

Cost, competing priorities, and uncertainty about what to buy can all get in the way.

Start by checking what you already have. How much would it pay? How long would it last? What would your family need it to cover?

Financial education helps turn “I think we’re covered” into a clearer understanding of where you stand.

*Source: 2026 Insurance Barometer Study, LIMRA and Life Happens.

🌼 Happy Labor Day to all! Today, we acknowledge the hard work and commitment of workers who are at the heart of every community. It's a time to reflect on the achievements and contributions that have built the foundations of our success.

Whether you're spending the day relaxing or celebrating with loved ones, let’s take a moment to appreciate the collective efforts that drive progress and innovation. Here's to honoring the workforce and embracing the spirit of unity.

Term or permanent?

How much coverage?

How long should it last?

Those are important questions.

But they shouldn’t be the first questions.

Start here:

Who depends on you?

What would you want life to look like for them if you weren’t here?

Would you want your children to stay in their home?

Finish college?

Give your spouse time to adjust?

Keep a business operating?

Continue caring for a parent?

Once the responsibility is clear, the insurance conversation becomes much easier to understand.

That’s why the right coverage shouldn’t begin with a product.

It should begin with a purpose.

Term may solve one kind of need. Permanent coverage may address another. Some families may use a combination.

There is no universal answer because there is no universal family.

Start with the people.

Then choose the protection that serves them.

Everybody wants a good price.

They should.

But when it comes to protecting a family, price is only one part of the decision.

Two policies can show the same coverage amount and still have very different:

Terms.

Features.

Conversion options.

Guarantees.

Underwriting.

Company strength.

And long-term implications.

Saving money is valuable.

Saving money by giving up something your family actually needs isn’t.

That’s why comparison should never stop at:

“Which one costs less?”

Ask:

What am I getting?

What am I giving up?

How long does it last?

What happens later?

And does this actually solve the problem my family needs solved?

Financial education helps turn a price comparison into an informed decision.

Compare carefully, not casually.

Dreams are free.

Bringing them to life takes more.

The home where your family gathers.
The education that opens new doors.
The retirement that gives you freedom and dignity.
The legacy that continues long after you’re gone.

Every dream has a cost. And every dream needs a funding source.

We tell people to dream bigger, follow their passion, and believe in what’s possible. That encouragement matters. But belief alone doesn’t pay for the future we imagine.

That’s where financial education matters.

When you understand how money works, you can begin connecting today’s decisions to tomorrow’s dreams. You can prepare with purpose, make smarter choices, and turn possibilities into something real.

Don’t just dream about the life you want.
Learn how to finance it.

Most of us were taught how to read, write, solve equations, and memorize historical dates.

But very few of us were ever taught how money actually works.

We entered adulthood expected to make decisions about credit cards, mortgages, insurance, taxes, investing, retirement, and debt without ever taking a class on any of them.

Then, when those decisions don't work out, it's easy to blame ourselves.

The truth is, many people aren't losing because they aren't trying.

They're losing because no one ever explained the rules of the money game.

The good news is that financial literacy can be learned at any age. Every concept you understand today is one less financial mistake you'll make tomorrow.

Knowledge changes decisions.
Better decisions change outcomes.

Most people know they should save for retirement. The challenge is that it's easy to believe there's always more time.

But surveys continue to show that one of Americans' biggest financial fears is running out of money in retirement. The good news? You don't have to solve everything overnight. You just need a plan.

Work with a financial professional to determine where you are today, how much you'll likely need in retirement, and how many times your money needs to double to help you reach your goal. Understanding concepts like the Rule of 72 can make the journey much easier to visualize.

The earlier you start, the more time your money has to work for you. Small, consistent steps today can have a powerful impact on your financial future.