Tips for First Time Life Insurance Buyers
There's no question that buying life insurance for the first time, like any other new experience, can be more than a bit daunting. Below are important tips that we hope will make the process smoother.
1. Understand what Life Insurance provides.
Life insurance is designed to provide your family with financial security in the event of the death of a spouse or parent. These policies can help pay off mortgages, provide college tuition, help to fund retirement, donate funds to charities, and help in estate planning. In short, if others depend on your income for support, you should strongly consider life insurance.
The unfortunate truth is that the best time to purchase a policy is when you are young--when most of us don't even have retirement on our radar! . The reason: The younger you are, the less expensive life insurance will be. However, life insurance can be purchased at any age--your Wheat State Insurance Group agent can help you learn more about coverage options.
2. Determine the amount of coverage you need.
The amount of money your family or heirs will receive after your death is called a death benefit. There are a variety of ways to determine the proper amount of life insurance: you'll find a variety of online calculator or you can get a ballpark figure by multiplying your annual income by 8.
A more detailed method is to add up the monthly expenses your family will incur after your death. Remember to include the one-time expenses at death and the ongoing expenses, such as a mortgage or school bills. Take the ongoing expenses and divide by .07. That indicates you'll want a lump sum of money earning approximately 7% each year to pay those ongoing expenses. Add to that amount any money you'll need to cover one-time expenses, and you'll have a rough estimate of the amount of life insurance you need.
As useful as calculators and rough estimates are, there are some things they don't do:
They can't provide you with any final answers. Calculators only allow you to perform "hypotheticals," recalculating and generating new results as you make and input new assumptions. Let your Wheat State Insurance Group agent walk you through the process and get the answers you need to make the best decision.
3. Find the right type of policy.
Once you figure out how much coverage you'll need, you can think about the best kind of policy to meet your needs.
You have two main options: term life, for a more affordable premium, or permanent life, for more comprehensive coverage that can add cash value. But you have a lot of options to explore...we're happy to answer any questions you may have, no strings attached!
4. Learn the lingo.
Life insurance--like all insurance policies--include a lot of different terms and descriptors that you may not be very familiar with. If you are researching on your own, visit our Insurance Defined
page to look up the terms that you need clarified.
So simple to make at home and 1000% worth the little effort it requires.
The Summer Go Bag: A Tiny Kit That Saves the Day Summer has a way of making “quick little outings” turn into full-blown adventures. A trip to the pool becomes dinner on the way home. A Saturday errand turns into a stop at the park. A lake day somehow requires 47 items, three snacks, and at least one person asking, “Did anyone bring sunscreen?” Enter: The Summer Go Bag . It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to be perfectly organized. It’s just a small tote, backpack, bin, or canvas bag you keep stocked with the little things that make summer life easier. Think of it as your warm-weather backup plan. What to put in your Summer Go Bag: Sunscreen + bug spray Because nothing ruins a good day faster than realizing you needed both about two hours ago. Reusable water bottles Keep one or two empty bottles in the bag, or toss in a couple of bottles of water before you leave. A small first-aid kit Bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, allergy medicine, and any must-have family basics. Phone charger or power bank Especially helpful for road trips, long days out, or those “I swear my phone was at 42% five minutes ago” moments. Wet wipes + tissues For sticky hands, spilled drinks, mystery car messes, and every parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle who has learned the hard way. A lightweight towel or blanket Great for parks, wet seats, surprise splash pads, outdoor concerts, or impromptu picnics. A few snacks Granola bars, crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks — anything that can survive a little heat and prevent a hunger-related family incident. Plastic bags or a small trash bag For wet swimsuits, muddy shoes, snack wrappers, or anything you don’t want touching the rest of your car. Spare sunglasses or a hat Simple, useful, and always appreciated when someone forgets theirs. Pet basics, if applicable A leash, collapsible water bowl, waste bags, and a small towel can make pet-friendly outings much easier. Where to keep it: Your car is usually the easiest spot, especially if you’re often on the go. If your vehicle gets too hot, keep heat-sensitive items like sunscreen, medicine, and snacks inside the house and toss them in before you leave. You can also make a smaller version for: Pool bags Lake bags Sports practices Road trips Grandkid days Dog park visits The real trick: Restock when you get home The Go Bag only works if it’s ready when you need it. After a busy weekend, take two minutes to replace what you used: snacks, wipes, sunscreen, bandages, water bottles, or plastic bags. That tiny reset makes the next outing so much easier. Summer should feel a little more spontaneous — and a little less like you’re packing for an expedition every time you leave the house. A simple Go Bag won’t solve everything, but it might just save the day.
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
Seven quick things you can do in minutes to improve the rest of your year!
Skillet Chicken With Mexican Green Rice & Salsa Macha
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
The easiest 15-minute recipe!
“Home Inventory in 30 Minutes: The Thing You’ll Be Glad You Did”
Includes: phone video walkthrough method, where to store it, high-value items scheduling, receipts/photos and downloadable checklist for home inventory.
January 2026
