Smart Money: How to Invest your Income Tax Refund

2016 is fast approaching which means income tax season is coming! If you are like many Americans who receive an income tax refund, you have already estimated your refund and you're anxiously awaiting W-2s! So while you are mapping out what you could potentially do with your refund (if you get one), make sure you prioritize. Put the most important things FIRST: life after tax season! There are several things you can do to maximize the use of your refund and position yourself for life after refund. Including (not limited to):

• invest in bonds
• invest in stocks
• pay your current bills up for 6 months
• buy & pay up your life/health insurance for a year or two
• start a business
• DO NOT buy or finance a vehicle, jewelry, anything from Aarons, Rent-a-Center, etc!

Let's focus on two options: business and insurance. In 2013, I received an income tax refund of $1,118 and started my natural product line. I invested those funds to start a business that I was passionate about without going into debt. Another great option is life insurance. Life insurance is a great investment tool to have in your portfolio (not term or whole life). When you receive your income tax refund, pay it up for year or two! No new "bills," and your life is covered!

Let's take a look at some numbers for me. I am a 25 year old female, no tobacco usage, with no medical issues, and I have not been prescribed any medications in several years (since a bad stomach flu in 2012). I also have a four year old son that I want to protect. Here are a few options available to cover me and my son for a year (these numbers are for 12/17/2015):

Foresters
Smart UL $250,000: $1,275.31
20 Year Term: $484.60

AIG
Elite Index II $250,000: $817.60
20 Year Term $250,000: $186.50

Mutual of Omaha
Guaranteed UL $250,000: $$1,144
20 Year Term $250,000: $452


These are just a few options that I have available. Keep in mind that permanent insurance is customizable, and the right agent will customize a protection plan that fits your needs and your budget. Stay tuned for more information about how to customize your life insurance to fit your needs and your budget. Be blessed!

~Shanta Wilkerson

Customer Service Focus

Customer Service Focus

How often do you interact with a customer service professional (CSP)? Do you feel satisfied with the outcome? Do you feel like the company cares about you? Are you moved to continue to use their products/services?

I often interact with CSPs, and it is always an experience to remember (not always for the best reasons). Most recently, I attempted to order a textbook, and I keyed in my card number wrong (stumompreneur brain, oops!). I contacted the seller (BookWormUSA on AbeBooks), and they responded less than 24 hours later! They said, "Go ahead and place the order again, and we'll get it shipped to you asap." I placed a new order, and it was delivered to my door less than 72 hours later!!! I am still in awe! I made sure to e-mail them and tell them how pleased I am! I felt that they genuinely cared about their customers and were willing to go the extra mile just for me! I will DEFINITELY be ordering from them again next session!! Thank you Book Worm USA!

I was and still am very satisfied with the level of service that I received, and it really made me think about all the other customer service experiences that I have had. Not all experiences are this spectacular! As a CSP and business owner, I take great care in the way that I treat customers whether they are shopping with my company directly (Blessed Body Brand) or with a company that I represent. Here are my top 5 CSP practices to ensure that you always provide stellar customer service!

1. Show empathy.
2. Be prepared to listen.
3. Be confident.
4. Ask necessary questions.
5. Follow protocol.

Using these 5 simple techniques can ensure that you always provide the best quality of customer service that you possible can!


Shanta