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.
January 2026
This post includes "Asking for a Friend" questions that our clients have submistted annonymously for answes about insurane that they felt dumb asking or just want confirmation on. No one has asked a dumb question yet!
Life comes with a lot of moving parts — and most of them don't come with instructions.
Winter has a way of slowing everything down — shorter days, colder mornings, and a calendar that somehow fills up fast.
Slow-Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Total Time Prep: 20 min. Cook: 5 hours Yield 8 servings Slow-cooker chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food made easy with shortcut ingredients. This recipe requires minimal effort, so you can enjoy a filling, home-cooked meal anytime! Ingredients 1 small onion, chopped 1 cup chopped carrot 1 cup chopped celery 1 garlic clove, minced 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram 2 cans (10 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 cup frozen or canned peas, drained 1 can (6 ounces) large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits Chopped fresh parsley, optional Directions Place onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in a greased 6- or 8-qt. slow cooker; stir. Place chicken thighs or breasts on top. Sprinkle with oregano, salt, pepper, and marjoram. In a small bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup and broth, then pour over the chicken. Cover; cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through. Shred chicken with two forks. Stir in peas. Cut the biscuits into 4 pieces each; arrange them on top of the chicken. Cook on high 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until biscuits are cooked through. If desired, top with chopped parsley and additional pepper. Source: tasteofhome.com
It comes together in 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day.
Mid-Season Tips to Keep Your Home Safe All Winter Long
A Delicious Taco Night Upgrade!
The school year is in full swing, and with it comes the daily challenge: what to pack for lunch? If you're tired of uneaten sandwiches and sad-looking fruit, you're not alone! Packing engaging and nutritious lunches can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. With a little creativity and some smart strategies, you can transform lunchtime from a chore into a highlight of your child's day. The secret to a successful school lunch lies in a few key areas: making it appealing, keeping it fresh, and ensuring it's easy for kids to eat independently. Think beyond the basic sandwich and consider incorporating a variety of textures, colors, and flavors. Bento-style boxes or compartmentalized containers are fantastic for offering a mix of small, exciting bites. We've put together some fantastic, kid-approved lunch ideas that are designed to be fun, fast, and fridge-friendly. These options aim to entice even the pickiest eaters and might even spark a little "lunch envy" among their classmates! Lunchbox Bragging Rights: Fun Lunch Ideas Kids Actually Eat (and Other Kids Might Envy) list for parents: Mini Pizza Lunchables (but cooler): Empower your child to assemble their own mini pizzas with pita rounds, marinara, cheese, and toppings. Dino Nugget Charcuterie: A playful take on a classic, featuring warm nuggets, veggies, and dip. Wafflewich: A sweet and satisfying breakfast-for-lunch option with toaster waffles, nut butter, and fruit. Snacky Bento Box: A customizable selection of cheese, crackers, fruit, deli meat, and a small treat for a balanced and fun meal. Deconstructed Taco Day: All the components for a DIY taco, kept separate and ready to assemble. PB&J Sushi: A fun and easy twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Egg-cellent Protein Pack: A protein-packed option with hard-boiled eggs, hummus, and crunchy dippers. Lunch Packing Pro Tips to Make Your Life Easier: Compartmentalize with Color: Use silicone muffin cups to separate items and add a pop of color to the lunchbox. This prevents sogginess and makes the lunch visually appealing. Freeze for Freshness (and Function!): Freeze yogurt tubes or juice boxes overnight. They'll act as eco-friendly ice packs, keeping food cool until lunchtime, and will be perfectly thawed by the time your child is ready to eat. Cookie Cutter Fun: Use cookie cutters to transform ordinary sandwiches, cheese slices, or fruit into fun shapes like animals or silly faces. This simple trick makes lunch instantly more exciting! Add a Personal Touch: Slip in a sweet note, a funny joke, or a small drawing to remind your child you're thinking of them. These little gestures can brighten their day and make lunchtime extra special. By incorporating these creative ideas and simple tips, you can turn school lunch packing into a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your child. You can do them on your own for a daily lunchtime surprise, or let your kids get into the fun with you! Say goodbye to uneaten lunches and hello to happy, fueled-up learners!
This Sheet-Pan Gnocchi and Sausage Recipe Is Perfect for Busy Weeknights
