State Farm Agent, Hope Woolwine, offers sound financial planning for the future.
Until you’ve been a mom, it’s hard to imagine what life is like with children. There is always someone who needs you, clothes to wash, dishes to clean up, errands to run, groceries to buy — always something. Just imagine what your family would do if something happened to you.
Unfortunately, families often have to learn what it’s like to be without a mom. A sudden illness or an accident can change life in the blink of an eye. It happens every day – even here in Richmond!
Taking life for granted
Fathers find themselves struggling to put the pieces together and keep the family moving along when such tragedy strikes. Imagine the financial burden that suddenly appears out of nowhere. Now someone has to be paid to take care of the children while dad works and does many of the things that were often taken for granted. Money that once went for mortgages, private schools, piano lessons, swim lessons, or other children’s activities might now be needed to pay for the things that mom once did.
State Farm Agent, Hope Woolwine, sees it all too often and it’s heartbreaking. “I’ve seen it happen so many times. Women have much of the decision-making authority when it comes to purchasing health and life insurance, but they don’t usually stop to realize what their own lives are worth. Stay-at-home-moms are often the worst because they discount the value of their own services. Instead of putting the small amount of money necessary into a life insurance policy on themselves, they spend it on clothes, furniture, Starbucks, or other things that they want today.”
Hope isn’t saying you can’t enjoy a cup of coffee at Starbucks, or purchase those shoes at Nordstrom, but it’s important to give your family’s future the attention it deserves too.
Hope has seen tragic situations where a sudden death left husbands making tough decisions after their loss. Fathers have had to take new jobs with less pay to cut down on travel and be at home more. They’ve had to tell their children that they no longer have the finances to pay for dance lessons, gymnastics, or vacations. They’ve had to alter their lifestyles because their finances were abruptly impacted.
A simple life insurance policy could have made all the difference in the family’s finances.
Financial planning first
As a State Farm Agent, Hope doesn’t just advise people about insurance. She educates them on the best way to manage their current finances and prepare for their future. Financial planning is essential for every family, especially when children are involved. She prides herself on being able to evaluate a current situation, identify the risks, and help couples get where they want to be financially in the most cost-effective way.
“You may have a great retirement plan, a fantastic job that pays well, and a great future with your employer. But if you don’t have the right type of insurance for your situation, a car accident can wipe your savings out,” she explains. “For example, liability insurance is something people just don’t think enough about — but it is critical. They may find that increasing the deductible on collision and putting that extra money towards liability can make all the difference in the world. I just want people to know what is possible and within their reach.”
Hope has been in the business of financial planning and insurance for 19 years. She is adamant about financial planning being the driver for decision-making. It’s not about purchasing a bigger insurance policy – it’s about making smart financial decisions for the future.
“I once saw a couple who had just purchased a beautiful home have to deal with near financial collapse. They kept delaying the purchase of an important life insurance policy because there were just a few more things they wanted to do to their house. They thought they could worry about life insurance in a few months. But misfortune struck when the woman was diagnosed with a disease that made her virtually uninsurable. The repercussions were difficult and a couple of months in delaying their financial planning nearly ruined them. This is what I want to help couples understand and avoid – especially young couples,” Hope explains.
Free initial consultation
Although Hope does offer auto, home, life, health, and disability insurance, she has much more to offer. She offers professional financial planning and peace of mind. She earned her MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler School of Business, and is a Personal Financial Planner with almost 20 years experience, so she knows what she’s talking about.
Hope doesn’t provide financial planning services simply to push couples to purchase insurance from her either. “There’s a very clear line for me. A free consultation with couples will help us see where I can help them and where they need to go financially, and then they can decide if they want to engage in more detailed financial planning. I’m happy to simply help them make smart financial decisions – even if they purchase their insurance somewhere else. Of course I’d love for them to purchase policies from me, but the important thing is that they purchase the right policy for them from a reputable agent and company.”
If you have not taken advantage of the FREE consultation that Hope offers, it’s time to do it now. You never know what tomorrow may bring. The peace of mind you’ll get from thoughtful financial planning and decision-making can make a world of difference – whether you ever have to use your insurance or not.
Click here to see a video of services offered by Hope. If you need help with your financial planning, give Hope a call at 804.379.9100 or email her.
Hope Woolwine, CLU, CHFC, LUTCF
State Farm Agent
1200 Courthouse Road
Richmond, VA 23236
Hope Woolwine is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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