Small Business Leadership and Sales Blog

Hello Marvelous Practitioners!
My sincere wish is that this article finds you excited and committed to the two most valuable things we do: protecting assets and growing wealth for those that we serve.

Below you will find a word track that you can use face-to-face with clients, on the phone with clients or perhaps in an email or a letter. (Yes, easily one-third of your clients still like to open an envelope and read a real letter.)

As you read this word track remember, “Simplicity is the key to true understanding.” What you are about to read is so simple that you will be tempted to modify it or not use it at all. That will destroy your chance of using this battle-tested word track that has placed millions of dollars of coverage for over 25 years. Be sure to put it to use, and, as always, pass on your feedback to me at Marvin@MarvinLeBlanc.com

Side note: If you will not use this tool, who in your organization might be open to using the word track then following up with the prospect? Pass it on and let’s help some people!

FACE THE LIFE FACTS!    

LET'S FACE THE FACTS! The average American family is covered for LESS THAN 3 YEARS OF SPENDABLE INCOME after the major breadwinner dies. How much life insurance is enough for your family to live "IN THEIR OWN WORLD" after the major breadwinner dies?                                             
Before you put this down, you will have the answer by following these simple steps:

1. Pull out your life insurance policies on both spouses and the children (if there are any).
2. List the face amounts of each policy ($50,000, $250,000,  $2,000,000 etc.).     
3. Add these amounts together.                                        

The total amount on spouse 1 equals:(______________)              
The total amount on spouse 2 equals:(______________)            
The total amount on the children equals:(______________)

 
NOW, BE HONEST AND ANSWER THESE 2 QUESTIONS:

1. If spouse 1 died today, how long will the money from that life insurance program last? (_____________)
2. If spouse 2 died today, how long will the money pay for housekeeping, daycare and other things that require money that he/she contributed to help the family? (__________________) 

Don't put this down! Because this is the closest you may have EVER come to solving your financial problems. 
If you're like most people, you will see that the need to sit down with your trustworthy insurance and financial services representative HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER. I simply ask that you give me the opportunity to review your program. It will not cost you one red cent and there is absolutely no obligation on your part. 

Now that sounds reasonable, doesn't it?                                             
Yours in Life,  
Marvin LeBlanc, LUTCF, CNP

There's only two ways that you can have more money.

This is the only two that I know. You can increase your income, or you can
reduce your lifestyle and your expenses.

Obviously, it is highly encouraged to have a combination of both of those
going on at the same time.

Recently, I spent some time with some of my colleagues -- we were in a study group with insurance professionals from all across the nation.

In one of our discussions she shares with us a statement made by her client.

"I'm sorry, I really would like to implement a life insurance program that would deliver a check to my family in the event that I don't make it home
tonight due to an untimely death, but we can't afford it."

So, my colleague asks, "May I ask why it is that you can't afford it?"

Answer: "Well, I have to buy a new boat."

To which my colleague asks, "Are you a commercial fisherman?". (in
south Louisiana we have a large clientele of commercial fishermen, and that
would be a logical reason for buying a boat, because that's the way he may
make his living.) His reply: "No, it's not a commercial boat, it's just a
pleasure boat".

HERE'S THE POINT: You see, it was more important for this major breadwinner
to receive immediate gratification with the purchase of a pleasure boat than
it was for him to protect his family in the event of an untimely death.

This person could have chosen to reduce his lifestyle and secure his family,
but he chose immediate gratification over discipline and responsibility.

Now all you recreational boaters and fishermen out there, don't get
confused. I'm not against enjoying yourselves in Sportsmans' Paradise.

But just in case you don't make it home, could you please do something
financially meaningful for those you leave behind? It's much cheaper than a
boat, I can assure you.

 

As a small business owner you have a lot on your plate. At the end of the day, you rely on yourself to complete many business tasks. And although your tasks are immense, there is one area that you cannot skip.
Specifically, you must pay attention to funding your retirement – now.

Why? Well because sadly, many business owners do not ever get around to starting a plan for retirement. No plan! No retirement!

“Without a plan, you are forfeiting the right to ever retire in the latter part of your life!” – Marvin LeBlanc, LUTCF,CNP

Ouch! Harsh, I know. Did you really get that last sentence? Because if you don’t embrace it, then you can forget about ever retiring. I’m sorry. Someone had to tell you.
Amazingly, we push the subject of “Retirement Planning” to the bottom of our "to do list". However, it's importance should really place it at the top of the list.

May I share with you this short, enlightening article by Laura Petrecca - USA Today (click and read carefully) Many small-business owners aren't prepared for retirement

Many small-business owners aren't prepared for retirement May this article inspire you to put ACTION into your Financial Plan. I would love to have a chat with you to see how you plan to manage your ACTIONS and manage your Retirement Plan. Give me a call or drop me an email! Make yourself the priority! Today!

As always, your insights and feedback are important to our blog community. Do share your helpful ideas so that all of us can have a positive learning experience

 

 

 

Hello Marvelous Peeps!

Today please consider this sobering question:

"IF YOUR LAST PAYCHECK WAS YOUR "LAST" PAYCHECK, HOW LONG COULD YOU & YOUR LOVED ONES SURVIVE ON THE MONEY YOU HAVE?" Marvin Feldman, today's guest contributor offers you valuable content & insights that need to be carefully considered.

Should you have additional questions, please contact us & we'll help you in
any way we can.

Marvin LeBlanc

It's time to help Americans protect their paychecks!

Eighty-two percent of Americans strongly agree that if you own a car, you need car insurance. Eighty percent feel that if you own a home, you need homeowner's insurance. But did you know that fewer than half of all Americans (48 percent) strongly agree that it's necessary to protect an asset that is many times more valuable than cars or homes - their paycheck - with disability insurance? This is what a 2010 LIFE Foundation survey recently discovered.

That's where we, the agents and advisors, come in. Few people stop to think about what would happen if an accident or injury left them unable to work or earn a paycheck. Those who do think about it may erroneously assume that they will be able to rely on worker's compensation or Social Security to see them through their disability.

This is why, each May, the LIFE Foundation focuses the industry's attention on this critical issue during Disability Insurance Awareness Month. The theme for this year's campaign is Protect Your Paycheck - something that should resonate with everyone who works and earns a paycheck. This May and beyond, it's our job to educate the public about the importance of protecting their paycheck with disability insurance, and to make sure they obtain the coverage that they need. I know it isn't easy.

Take a typical 20-something: They think they are invincible. What can happen to them, right? A disabling illness or injury? That's for other people, older people. This widespread mentality is one of the things that makes the realLIFEstory of Bill Reid so amazing. He was just 26 years old and working as a banquet manager when he bought an individual disability insurance policy. He also increased his coverage as his earnings rose. When he was 32, his life changed in an instant.

On New Year's Eve, as he headed to his sister's house to celebrate with his family, he was hit by another motorist. It took 13 surgeries and seven months of hospital stays and rehab appointments to begin to heal his injuries. While Bill has recovered admirably, chronic, short-term memory loss makes it impossible for him to return to work. His disability insurance, however, saw him through recovery and will provide him with an income until he turns 65.

Bill wasn't so different than any other 26-year-old. He didn't go out and buy that disability policy on his own, armed with the knowledge that it could protect his current and future paychecks. Instead, it was Bill's brother-in-law, his insurance
agent, who had that tough conversation with him about the importance of disability insurance. This is the conversation that we need to have with all of our clients who earn a paycheck. Ask them if they've protected their car, their home, and their paycheck. When they question you on that last point, that's when you start the dialogue.

Marvin H. Feldman is the president and chief executive officer of the
LIFE Foundation. He can be reached at mfeldman@lifehappens.org.

If you would like to see this article in it's original form online please click here.

Every article you read. Every TV show you view. Every radio talk show you listen to. Every advertisement you are interrupted with. They all seem to be consumed with ways to help you make more money.

But you see – YOUR INCOME DOESN’T MATTER.  Because income has nothing to do with accumulating wealth.

*Why is it that the retired school teacher that never made over $30,000 in any year, dies & her favorite library or charity receives a half million dollars that was stipulated to go to them in her will?

*Why do the Japanese save an average of 25% of what they earn?

*Why do the Germans save 19% of what they earn?

*Yet, the average American does not save 25% or 19% do they?  No, of course not.

America, the richest country in the world, (at least until China surpasses us in 2020), SPENDS 115% of what we make. What that means is that we make $100 and spend $115.

Yep, you’ve figured it out. We’re living off of CREDIT. Or to put it simply – we’re increasing our DEBT on a monthly basis. With no sensible strategy in place to accumulate wealth.

So just when you heard that heart disease or cancer or diabetes is the #1 killer in America, I’m telling you that’s not the disease you have to worry about.  Yippee!

The #1 DISEASE IN AMERICA is – SPENDING! Stick with me here.  If you had $500.00 to monthly invest with me and I told you there were 3 places you could put your money:

1. We could take your $500.00 and put it in a place that it earns 10%.

2. Or we could take your $500.00 and put it in a place that earns 5%

3. Or we could take your $500 and put it in a place that earn 0%.

Which place would you choose to put your money?

Hang on. Hang on. Before you answer, let me tell you that your 10% or 5% account are always there so if you need the money, you can easily get to it. But the 0% money goes into a TIN CAN. And as soon as the money goes in each month, the lid on the TIN CAN is SLAMMED SHUT. And there’s no way to get to your money.

My question to you is this. In which of these 3 places will you have the most money in 10 years?  The TIN CAN. You & I both know the TIN CAN will outperform the other 2 places you could’ve put your money.

Here’s the point, Marvelous People -  Success or Failure is NOT based on a RATE OF RETURN. But rather, it is based on strategic, systematic investing.

It never has been about TIMING OF THE MARKET. Rather, it’s about TIME IN THE MARKET. Investing is not irrational, impulsive or emotional. It’s strategic and predictable and intentional.

If you have more questions for me or you would like to find out how you can get a great TIN CAN, be in touch with me.

Hello Marvelous People!

Ok, stop right now! Answer this simple question.
Are you a Spender or a Saver?

If I asked your significant other, or your parents, or your best friend–would they give me the same answer that you would? Go ahead. Ask them now. I’ll wait.

After interviewing thousands of couples since 1978,  I’m totally convinced that the two most important factors in our lives is: 1. Emotional Security 2. Financial Stability. These 2 factors are interconnected.

And whether you are a Spender versus a Saver has a huge impact on your emotional security and your financial stability. If you are a Spender,  how many more years are you “willing” to work? How much longer will you “need” to work? If you are a Saver, how many more years are you “willing” to work? Or “need” to work?

At this point,  if you’re unwilling to face these questions, then let me make it easy for you. Chances are you’re a Spender. And you will never retire.      Seriously. How’s that make you feel?

My dear people, in volatile times, it’s EASIER to REDUCE LIFESTYLE than it is to INCREASE INCOME. Now I didn’t say it was EASY. But I did say it was EASIER. Frivolous, spontaneous, unplanned spending today will only do two things for you.

1. It will extend the number of years you will need to work. Possibly NEVER retiring.

2. It will choke your chances to pursue your dreams that really matter. Friends, Family, Travel, Career choices – they all suffer.

So my action step for you is to take hold of your finances. One small step at a time. You didn’t get into your situation over night. So it’s gonna take a little bit of work and some commitment on your part. But we can get you there. I promise. Take faith.

If you email me, MarvinLeBlanc@aol.com, I will give you my time and a formula to get you on the path to Emotional Security and Financial Stability. It won’t cost you a cent. That’s not what this is about. I will give you something much more valuable than money. I will give you my time & my experience and the first step.

I can’t wait to connect with you. Let’s move forward to a better place.

Marvin LeBlanc (LUTCF, CNP)

If you’d like to visit with me, call 225-938-4177 to set up an informal visit in person or for a phone appointment.