An experienced life insurance professional, Steven Wolt advises high-net-worth individuals with estate planning and life insurance assessments. Throughout his career, he has also developed expertise in utilizing life insurance proceeds for charitable giving.

Individuals often purchase life insurance policies to protect their loved ones. In many cases, families buy policies that will provide income replacement should the primary breadwinner pass away. Life insurance funds can assist in a number of other areas as well, such as funeral expenses, mortgage costs, and elder care.

In today’s uncertain economic climate, life insurance can provide an added level of security and peace of mind. While many workers receive life insurance benefits through their employers, they also benefit from buying policies on their own, especially if they worry about job loss.

Furthermore, children who learn their parents have purchased life insurance notice the direct impact of parents demonstrating family values and a sense of responsibility. Should a parent die, the children may continue to attend or plan for college, knowing the costs will be covered.
 
Over the past 17 years, Steven Wolt has worked in the life insurance industry. Steven Wolt currently serves clients at ParqAdvisors, a life insurance and estate planning firm in Beverly Hills, California. In his daily life, he consults with clients and their advisors to determine customized financial plans.

Many professionals earn a reasonable living by selling life insurance, and some life insurance agents have received more than $100,000 in their first year of work.

After an individual has decided to embark on a career selling life insurance, the first step involves determining whether to become an independent broker or captive agent. Those who do business independently can choose to sell life insurance policies from several different organizations, while captive agents work for one provider. In addition, a prospective life insurance agent must go through a training program and receive licensure to operate as a professional agent. Many states sponsor different licenses, and individuals can consult with a staffer from a local Department of Commerce to find out what steps must be followed to earn agent certification.

Since many life insurance agents work on their own, other aspects of running a business to consider include the physical location of an office and cost of supplies. Marketing supplies can help a new life insurance agent obtain his or her first customers, and these professionals should also consider the possibility of choosing a specialization. Those who focus on one area of life insurance, such as long-term care insurance or group policies, possess an advantage over other agents who only offer general plans. Life insurance agents can become very successful in helping individuals protect their families and loved ones in cases of death.

 
By Steven Wolt

As any experienced golfer will tell you, a 5-foot putt counts for the same number of strokes as a 300-yard drive down the middle of the fairway. With an estimated two-thirds of the game played around the green and at least a third played on it, putting represents one of the most important skill sets a solid golfer possesses. As such, if you have any hope of shaving strokes off your total score, it is important to refine your putting game. Here are a few quick tips to help you sharpen up your short game.

Assess the situation: As with all golf shots, it is important that you take note of any breaks in the green, which represent obstacles you will have to navigate if you hope to make a putt. Similarly, the speed of the grass can have a tremendous impact on how far the ball will roll after you hit it.

Set up for the putt: Before you get into your putting stance, look down at the ball and adjust your feet around it. Because precise foot placement plays such a crucial role in the execution of a good putt, you must never take your eyes off the ball while you set your body. When setting up for a putt, you should typically start at the top of your body, working your way from your shoulders through your arms and hips and down to your feet. Bend your neck and shoulders slightly while keeping your left arm close to your torso and your right hand close to the right thigh.

Use a sound grip: Although a variety of putting grips have surfaced in recent years, the majority of golfers still use the same basic grip. Grip the handle of the putter with the palm of your left hand, keeping your thumb on the top of the grip and your forefinger extended down the shaft for extra stability during the swing. Place your right hand in front of your left hand, allowing the last knuckle of the left middle finger to gently rest in the palm of your right hand.   

Keep still throughout the entire swing: In almost every case, you should keep your head down and your body still during the entire putting process. Many golfers lift their heads too soon to see where the ball is going, which often results in a pulled putt.

Practice often: Simply put, practice makes perfect. Get out on the green and pay close attention to all aspects of your stance and swing.

About the Author

An avid golfer and member of Scarsdale Golf Club in Hartsdale, New York, Steven Wolt possesses more than 17 years of experience in the fields of estate planning and life insurance. Wolt currently works at ParqAdvisors, a life insurance and estate planning firm based in Beverly Hills, California.