Article: Depending on the type of policy and amount of the death benefit, you may have several options for receiving the payout. For substantial payouts consider consulting with an investment adviser to maximize your benefits. You can take a lump-sum payment. For most smaller policies this may be your only option. For larger benefits you may be able to negotiate a structured settlement that gives you a steady income from the principal and interest on the policy. For large-income-earning policies, the payout can be interest only with the body of the death benefit remaining intact. As a rule, proceeds from a life insurance policy are not counted as taxable income to the beneficiary. However, if part of the benefit is interest earned on the value of the policy, you may be required to report it as taxable interest. If the death benefit is from a whole- or universal-life insurance policy, consider consulting with a tax professional to determine the best way to structure the payout to minimize your tax burden. In a lump-sum distribution, you will receive a single check made payable to you. In structured settlements, you may receive a number of checks or electronic funds transfers. Typical claims-processing takes 30 to 60 days after the application is complete. Some states have time limits as short as 30 days. Contact the insurance company if you have not received an update on your claim 30 days after all information was submitted. Payouts are rarely disputed, but in such cases you don't have to take "no" for an answer. There are several common reasons a claim may be denied. If the premiums were not paid as required by the contract, the policy may not have been in effect at the time of death. This is one flaw you may not be able to fix. The policy was either paid up or it wasn't. Ask to see proof that the policy was in default. The insured lied on his/her application. If the policy was issued based on faulty health data or omissions from the insured's medical history, the company may either deny the claim or reduce the payout. The manner of death was not covered by the policy. This could apply in the case of suicide or a death occurring while the deceased was committing a crime. The paperwork was incomplete. In most states the insurance company must inform you within 30 to 60 days if the claim package is missing any required forms, certificates, or other information. If you receive a rejection, file an immediate objection. There is a statute of limitations, usually two years. Ask in writing for details regarding the rejection. If the insurance company does not reply in a reasonable time (usually 30 days), do not hesitate to call the state insurance commission for assistance.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Evaluate your payment options. Determine if you have any tax consequences. Receive and distribute the payout. Deal with a rejected life insurance claim.
Article: The moping around and being sad is an essential part of getting over a guy. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But, it shouldn't last forever. Eventually, you've got to be the one who says, "This is enough." Decide when you've had it, and when it's time for you to get better. Then move on. Good rule of thumb? Don't grieve a relationship for more days than months you were together. If you went out for a year, it's ok to be sad for a couple weeks. But eventually, you've got to get over it. Eventually, all the sadness will just get boring. Decide you want something more. Decide you want to be happy. Do something little, but that feels big for you. Let it be a statement of your freedom. Color your hair in a new way, or chop it all off. Do something crazy, or unexpected, like singing karaoke with your friends. Pick something to celebrate your freedom in a surprising way. It'll help. Tattoos can be great ways to commemorate a big change in your life, like a break-up. Or unfortunate decisions that you'll be stuck with. If you've had a design in mind for a while, but your guy didn't like it, then go for it. If you just want to get some ink to be cool, then maybe you should think about it for a while. Some relationships can hold you back. Was yours? If so, consider making a bigger change in your life. Use your new freedom and your new time to improve yourself. Decide to change your life for the better. Try moving to a new place, especially if you shared your old one with your boyfriend. Move out and explore a new neighborhood. Did you sacrifice things so that you could work on your relationship? Are you doing what you want to do in life right now? If the answer is no, then make a big change. Switch jobs. Move to a new town. Do what you want to do. Sometimes, when you break up with someone, you can lose a lot of your friends as well. If that's true of your relationship, you might need to find new friends as well so you can hang on to your social life. Don't let a break-up ruin your ability to hang out and have fun. Hang out with different sorts of people than you might normally hang out with. If you're a sporty-type, hang out with some artsy kids. If you're a smart kid, hang out with some jocks. Give some people a chance. You deserve to be happy and feel confident. Work on developing yourself for a while, instead of worrying about your relationship. Do what you want to do. Live the way you want to live. Let yourself be a little selfish for a while. Make decisions based on what you want. Work on things like school, and developing your own identity. Be yourself. Hang out with your friends. Make memories. If you're young, there'll be plenty of time to worry about dating. Even if you're not young, it's good to take a little time to worry about other things. Don't worry about finding a new boyfriend for now. Worry about living your life. Stop worrying about "the one." Lots of people date for a long time before they have a single serious relationship. If you had one, count yourself lucky. Take a bit of time before you start looking for a relationship that you consider serious and lasting.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Put an end-date on the sadness. Make a little change. Make a significant change. Make some new friends. Be selfish for a while. Don't rush back into another relationship.
Article: College students are busy and will often neglect to buy essentials, especially if they're on a tight budget. Including toiletries in your care package will help make it practical as well as fun. Some items are universal: toothpaste, shampoo, tissues, and soap are items that any student will appreciate. Include some razors in your care package. If your child is a girl, include feminine hygiene products. If you child wears contact lenses, include some in your care package. Don't forget little things like hair ties and nail clippers. Cleaning spray and dusting cloth might not seem like the most exciting care package items, but buying cleaning supplies is the last thing on most college students' minds. They will appreciate knowing that even though they're not at home, you still want them to keep their room clean. Buy hypoallergenic cleaning supplies. Your child might have a roommate who is allergic to Lysol or other harsh chemicals. Throw in air freshener. Your college student probably washes their clothes less than you'd like. Air freshener like Febreeze can at least ensure they'll smell clean. Most college students live on a shoe-string budget and eating at the dining hall can get old. Grocery store gift cards will allow your child to buy healthy, nutritional foods. And because it's a gift card, you won't have to worry about them spending the money on other things. Find out which stores in your child's college town have the best deals. $25 might go much further at one grocery store than another. If you're industrious, you might include coupons for items you know your child likes, such as soda or frozen pizza.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Send them toiletries. Send them cleaning supplies. Buy grocery store gift cards.