As a single mother, you know how important health insurance can be. The last thing you want to happen is a medical emergency, and then have no money to pay the bills when they come due. Beyond the financial factor is the practical one — who will take care or your children and provide for their needs if an injury or illness sidelines you? It’s important to have insurance to cover any eventuality.

Having life insurance is very important, and most single mothers will opt for life insurance as soon as they are eligible for it through their workplace. Life insurance is much less expensive, however, then health insurance or disability coverage. Many parents will have life insurance but forgo the other, because they simply can’t afford to have that much taken out of their checks.

But can you really afford not to do so?

You can save on health insurance and disability by following these tips. They will bring your insurance rates down significantly:

Stop smoking. After at least one year of not smoking, your premiums begin to go down. The longer you go without smoking, the less you will have to pay in health insurance premiums. Besides that, the better your health will be, and the less likely you will be to get sick.

Stay healthy. Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight under control. Exercise regularly and eat plenty of fresh veggies. Take all medications as prescribed, and don’t miss your doctor’s appointments. The healthier you are, the lower your insurance rates will be, and you will be less likely to have to visit the doctor in the first place.

Get a group rate. Get your health insurance through a group rate, usually through your employer. The more people who opt for the group rate, the cheaper the rates are across the board. Don’t be afraid to look into other alternatives if your workplace seems to be stuck with a plan that costs an outrageous amount of money.

Make some lifestyle changes. Did you know extreme sports can send your insurance rates skyrocketing? Some insurance companies will even pull things like your driving record, and if you are a regular speeder, you are an insurance risk — and that means your rates go up. Keep up with reasonable lifestyle changes in order to bring those rates down.

Combine your insurance. Most states require insurance before you can drive your vehicle. Why not combine your insurance policies with one company and take advantage of the loyalty discounts? The more business you can offer the company, the less your insurance premiums will be.

Invest in supplemental insurance. Companies like AFLAC offer supplemental insurance that takes care of bills your regular insurance might not cover. If you have a mortgage, ensure that your insurance will kick in to pay the bills if you are sidelined by an illness. The more you plan for every eventuality, the better off you and your children will be.

It’s a sad reality of today’s world: Health insurance costs more than most people can afford. Single moms who are trying their best to make ends meet can find the idea of health insurance laugh-worthy. How could they possibly afford the health insurance they need?

Before you throw in the towel, consider all the options for health insurance coverage:

State Programs. Single moms aware of state programs that provide coverage for your children, but what about yourself? You might qualify for the same insurance when you are pregnant or if you have an extenuating circumstance that requires you hold onto the insurance for a while longer after the baby is born. If you think you might be pregnant, talk to DHS right away about the insurance options through state programs.

Through your employer. Does your employer offer health benefits? If so, take advantage of them! No matter how expensive those plans are, it’s a sure bet they are cheaper than paying for insurance out-of-pocket. If your employer doesn’t offer benefits, consider switching to a job that does.

Through professional organizations. Are you a member of any unions, professional organizations, or groups that might offer health insurance? Some groups do offer health insurance for their members, but it might not be something they advertise. Call the headquarters of the organization you are involved with and ask about insurance options.

Insurance pools. Some single moms choose to start up insurance pools. These are simply large groups of people who buy into a group insurance policy and reap the benefits of lower premiums because so many people are on the plan, thus reducing the costs. Ask other single moms about insurance pools in your area, or contact an insurance agent who handles health insurance and ask what options are available to join an insurance pool.

Supplemental insurance. Let’s assume you have insurance through your employer, but your deductible is so high that you don’t think you will ever reap the full benefit of the health care you should be able to get. Supplemental insurance can help cover your deductible and co-pays, and in some cases might offer cash for days of work missed and other hardships.

Special circumstances. If you find yourself in a special circumstance regarding your health, many states offer insurance plans that will cover you. For instance, if you are diagnosed with cancer, several states have plans in place that will kick in as soon as that diagnosis is made. You have to apply, however, and you need to do it as soon as your doctor tells you what is wrong. Special circumstances for insurance coverage might cover only a certain amount of people per year, so you might have a waiting period before the coverage kicks in.

If you still find you can’t afford health insurance, help might be on the horizon. The government health care plan is working its way through Congress! Until the day comes when health coverage is guaranteed for all, take advantage of your health department, sliding fee clinics, and other medical care that doesn’t break your bank. As a single mom make sure to keep these things in mind for you and your family. Health insurance is important.

None of us like to think about the darkest “what if” — that possibility that you might pass away and leave your young children without a mother. It’s hard to talk about, but it’s a possible reality for anyone. All parents need life insurance to protect their families, but it is a serious necessity for single moms. If something happens to you, that life insurance policy might be the sole financial support for your child’s present and future needs.

Okay, so you know you need life insurance – but how much do you need? A good rule of thumb is to plan on ten times your yearly income. But keep in mind other factors as well. Do you own your home? How much would it take to pay it off? Add that amount to the total.  Do you want to send your children to college? Consider the cost of tuition and add that to the bottom line.

When you’ve considered how much life insurance you need, it’s time to consult an agent. If your friends or family have a life insurance agent they know and trust, take their advice into account. You can always go through an agency that specializes in insurance, but knowing someone before you walk through the agency door might make you breathe easier. An attorney or accountant might be able to guide you in the right direction as well.

To make your life insurance shopping easier, remember that there are two types of insurance. One is term life, which is in effect for a certain period of time, or “term.” This period is usually in terms of ten years, twenty years, etc. Your premiums will probably be lower than with other types of life insurance policies; however, the downside is that once the term is over, you have to renew your insurance. If your health situation has changed during that term, your premiums could go up, or you could be denied life insurance altogether.

The other option is permanent life insurance. This policy is in effect as long as you continue to pay your premiums. It won’t stop after a certain number of years, and you might be able to borrow against the money if a serious emergency ever arises. Permanent life insurance is the best way to know for certain that your child will have financial support if the worst happens to you.

Life insurance is a difficult subject to consider, but it’s the smart thing to do for your children. No one ever expects to leave their children without a mother, but sadly, it happens. Life insurance will ensure that your kids can have a comfortable life and a college education, even if you are not physically there to provide it for them. It’s a gift for everyone involved, and the peace of mind is priceless.

Buying homeowner’s insurance is not as cut and dried as it may seem at first. While your basic policy is pretty straightforward, there are a variety of “extras” that you may need to consider. You also have to choose your deductible and policy limit, so purchasing your policy may be a bit more confusing than you first thought.

One “extra” that you may need is flood insurance. Your homeowner’s policy will not provide flooding coverage. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, even if you do not live in a flood-prone area. However, if you do live in a flood prone area, you may be required by law to purchase flood insurance in order to get a loan. In order to purchase this coverage, you must live in a community that takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program, so you may not be able to purchase this coverage, even if you want it.

Homeowners’ insurance also does not cover damage from an earthquake. No matter where you live, earthquakes could occur. However, if you live in an area where earthquakes are common, this is a type of insurance you definitely want to purchase. This coverage can be quite expensive, particularly for those who live in earthquake prone areas. If you do want to purchase a policy, raising your deductible can help lower the cost of the coverage.

People who live in coastal areas will want to consider hurricane insurance as well. While much of the damage from a hurricane is due to flooding, which would be covered under a flood insurance policy, some damage comes from wind as well, which is covered by a hurricane policy. Keep in mind that his may not be enough, since much damage to a home during a hurricane is water damage, so those who live in hurricane prone areas should purchase hurricane insurance as well as flood insurance to be protected from all possible damage from a hurricane.

Finally, if you own something particularly valuable, such as a piece of artwork or some heirloom jewelry, you will want to purchase an additional policy on those items. Your homeowner’s insurance policy does cover your belongings, but the amount paid for these types of valuables is often insufficient to replace the lost or damaged item. Valuable items can be insured individually against damage and theft, which is a smart move if the value is high enough.