Why collision insurance coverage is a smart idea

What happens if you’re in a car accident that results in significant repairs to your vehicle, or if you hit a patch of ice and skid into a bridge embankment and your car is totaled? If you have collision coverage in place, you’ll be financially protected from calamities like these. Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle, up to its pre-crash fair market value, caused by events such as striking another car or hitting a stationary object like a lamp post.

Read my newest story for Fox Money (available here) to better understand how collision coverage works, what it covers and doesn’t, and how much it costs.

How much does homeownership cost?

Whether you want the idyllic white picket fence or you’re eager to put the brakes on renting, homeownership may be looking like an increasingly attractive option. But don’t get ahead of yourself and start choosing paint colors just yet.

Before entering the market for a new home, be sure you’re ready to make such a big financial commitment. The first step is understanding all the costs of owning a home. While some costs, like a down payment and closing fees, may seem more obvious, you’ll still need room in your budget for the less straightforward expenses. These include HOA fees, taxes, insurance and more. 

Discover more about the hidden costs of owning a home by reading my latest article for Quicken Loans, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 50th birthdays of Young Frankenstein & Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Gregory Mank and Kim Newman

In Cineversary podcast episode #75, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ celebrates the golden birthdays of two classics for the Halloween season. First, he’s joined by author and classic horror historian ⁠Gregory Mank ⁠to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Mel Brooks’ ⁠Young Frankenstein⁠; and then he teams up with horror film scholar and author ⁠Kim Newman⁠ to honor the 50th anniversary of ⁠The Texas Chain Saw Massacre⁠, directed by Tobe Hooper. Erik and his guests provide plenty of discussion treats, with no tricks, examining why these two films are worthy of kudos five decades onward, how they’ve stood the test of time, and more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Budget-friendly home gadgets

You don’t need a six-figure income, a fancy house, or a lot of tech savvy to benefit from the latest crop of smart home tech. Fortunately, prices have become more affordable while the capabilities and value have increased in recent years, equalizing the playing field for consumers and homes that can benefit from these gadgets.

Read my newest piece for The Daily Herald and learn more about affordable smart home devices worth considering. 

The best ways to support a friend or loved one with breast cancer

When someone first learns they have breast cancer, it can feel like a gut punch to the soul. Fears, doubts, uncertainties, and apprehensions can surface, making it difficult to stay focused. And during and following treatment, it may be more challenging to summon the strength and determination to accomplish routine tasks.

It’s times like these where friends and loved ones are crucially important, say experts and cancer survivors alike.

Learn more about the importance of giving support to a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer during this challenging time, and how to do so, by reading my latest article for CTW Features, available here.

High-tech toys

At Amax Group USA, work time is play time. That’s because the tight-knit team at this Houston-based company specializes in making 21st-century toys that bring out the action-craving kid in all of us, whether you’re seven or 70. The company’s newest offering, the Lumisphere, which features over 100 LED lights, slow-motion or fast-motion catch capabilities, 360-degree maneuvers, and two unique play modes where you can perform gravity-defying tricks and stunts. 

Learn more about this innovative company and the Lumisphere by reading my latest Costco Connection article, available here.