Peak Volume Breathing | Un-expiring Life Insurance | Library Appreciation Week
Post #45 from April 22, 2024
1/ Healthy: Peak Volume Breathing
Understanding your peak breathing volume is essential for assessing lung capacity and efficiency. Training to increase peak volume offers various benefits, including improved oxygen delivery, enhanced endurance, reduced stress, and better posture.
Mobility expert Kelly Starrett explains how to find your peak volume and how to train it:
2/ Wealthy: Un-expiring Life Insurance: Term vs. Whole Life
Understanding the difference between term and whole life insurance boils down to cost and length. Term life insurance, typically cheaper, covers a set period of time, while whole life insurance can last your entire life and may build cash value.
Key Difference:
Term Life Insurance: Affordable, covers a specific period, and pays out if you die during the term.
Whole Life Insurance: More expensive, lasts your lifetime, may build cash value.
Cash value benefits are the reason why a large number of people use it in their retirement income strategy. Four of the main benefits of this investment are:
Premium Allocation: With whole life insurance, a portion of your premiums goes toward building cash value. This cash value accumulates over time, typically at a guaranteed fixed rate. It serves as a tax-deferred savings component within the policy.
Borrowing Against Cash Value: Policyholders can borrow against the accumulated cash value of their whole life insurance policy. This borrowing option offers flexibility in financial planning, allowing individuals to access funds for various needs such as emergencies, education expenses, or investment opportunities.
Income Source: The cash value of a whole life insurance policy can be used as a source of income during retirement. Policyholders can withdraw or take loans against the cash value to supplement retirement income, providing a steady stream of funds and other retirement savings and investments.
Inheritance Planning: Upon death, the death benefit of a whole life insurance policy serves as a direct inheritance for beneficiaries. By naming beneficiaries on the policy, the death benefit can bypass probate and be paid directly to them, potentially avoiding estate taxes.
Investing in Whole Life Insurance:
While whole life insurance premiums are higher than term life insurance, the cash value benefits offer additional financial planning opportunities. The ability to build cash value, borrow against it, use it as a source of income during retirement, and provide a tax-efficient inheritance make whole life insurance an attractive option for individuals seeking long-term financial stability and legacy planning.
Source: NerdWallet - Term vs. Whole Life Insurance
3/ Wise: Library Appreciation
Welcome to Library Appreciation Week!
Not really, it was earlier this month, and you may have missed it. That’s okay because the library is one of the enduring bastions of knowledge and community and there are many ways to appreciate it.
According to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, approximately 2.8 million libraries are worldwide. School libraries make up the bulk, numbering around 2.2 million, followed by over 410,000 public libraries and a staggering 85,623 academic libraries. In the United States alone, there are approximately 123,000 libraries that serve as vital hubs for learning and engagement.
But what truly defines a library? While the American Library Association (ALA) doesn’t specify a minimum number of books, experts suggest that a library should ideally house at least 500 books to be considered a “real” library. However, this criterion can vary depending on the library's purpose and intended audience. A marina library may only require a loose collection of bound books between the cold brilliance of non-fiction and the dream-inducing fiction. Consequently, it's estimated that around the world, libraries offer access to an astonishing 1.4 billion books and other media resources.
Even if you've never stepped foot inside a library, the benefits to society are profound. Libraries foster a culture of lifelong learning, providing opportunities for individuals to explore new subjects, discover diverse perspectives, and engage in intellectual growth. They serve as egalitarian spaces where knowledge is accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background or educational attainment.
Get a library card
Obtaining a library card is a simple yet impactful action for those passionate about supporting learning and literacy.
By enrolling, you gain access to a wealth of resources and contribute to bolstering library funding and resources.
Even if you never use it, you draw attention by improving the usage numbers.
Go Deeper: Public Libraries Survey 2021
Stay healthy, wealthy, and wise.
With warmth,
Fernando R.F.
(Note: A medical or financial professional does not write this blog. The writings of this blog are lightly researched opinions. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before significantly changing your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. They can provide personalized guidance tailored to your individual needs. Researching and determining the best course of action with an expert is essential.)