“Be prepared” is the Scout motto, and it’s also good advice for anyone seeking to guard against various disasters — including financial ones.

Here are some events that can have serious financial consequences, along with suggestions on preparing yourself:

Loss of employment — If you were to lose your job, your family might have to struggle financially to make it until you’re employed again.

To protect against this potential threat, try to build an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses. That’s a lot of money, of course, so it will be challenging to build such a fund — but try to contribute something each month to a liquid, low-risk account.

Without such an emergency fund, you might be forced to cash out your 401(k) or other retirement plan to pay for your living expenses during your period of unemployment.

Loss of health — If you were ill or injured, you might be out of work for weeks or months. Your employer may offer you some type of disability insurance as an employee benefit, but it might not be sufficient. So you may also want to purchase an individual plan to cover as much of your after-tax income as possible.

You’ll have the flexibility to create a policy that is tailored to your needs, budget and overall financial goals.

However, policies vary widely in cost and benefits, so you’ll want to shop around for the coverage that best meets your needs.

Loss of life — Death may be an uncomfortable topic to discuss. However, if you were to pass away, it would be emotionally devastating to your loved ones — but it could also be financially catastrophic.

Would your family still be able to pay the mortgage?

Could your surviving spouse afford to send your kids to college?

Without life insurance, your death could leave your family without the ability to cover financial obligations.

The exact amount you require depends on a variety of factors, such as your family’s expenses, size of family, savings needs over time, and so on.

Generally speaking, you can choose between two broad categories of insurance: term and permanent. Term insurance, as the name suggests, is designed for a specific number of years and only provides a death benefit.

Permanent insurance is typically more expensive, because, in addition to the death benefit, it offers a savings component.

A financial professional can help guide you through your options to determine which one is appropriate for your needs.

Loss of property — If you own a home, you already have homeowners insurance, but it doesn’t hurt to periodically check your policy to make sure it’s kept up with any improvements or additions you’ve made to your house or other property.

If you’re under-covered, and had to pay out-of-pocket for some major damage, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments.

And while you’re making sure your property is covered, you might also want to consider adding “umbrella” coverage, which can provide extra protection to you in case someone is injured at your home, or even at an event at which you may be in charge, such as a Scout meeting.

With luck, you can avoid all the threats to your financial security and that of your family.

But you can’t count on always being lucky — so you need to take “financial disaster preparedness” measures soon.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Prepare now for these 4 financial disasters

Happy New Year! Have you started to adjust to those New Years’ resolutions that you made?

If you’re like me, you made several and hope to keep at least one or two that will make this year better, more exciting and interesting than the last one.

One of my resolutions is to stay current with technology — starting with the Crestview Public Library's newest addition: OneClickdigital e-Audiobooks.

The app is easy to download and available to all who have a library card.

Just follow these instructions:

●Access the library’s OneClickdigital website at http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library/electronic_resources.php and click on the red OneClickdigital graphic.

●Create a free account

●Download and install the OneClickdigital Media Manager

You will need your library card number, email address and ZIP code.

You also must select your computer’s operating system — Windows or Mac; select your portable device type; and create a username and password.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LEWIS: Start 2016 with e-audiobooks

I see a lot in newspapers and on TV and radio stations about this bright thing in the sky  —  some kind of source of heat, light of day and happiness all over. With it, you're able to wear light clothing.

I'm told it's called the land of the Sunshine State. Just where would that be? Is it part of the Southeastern of the USA, or do I need a passport to get there?

I did live in the vacation land of the world for four years  —  warm to hot 99 percent of the time; a nice place to visit, but you would not want to live there.

So, if anyone out there knows where this thing they call the sun is, please tell me where, so I to can enjoy the warm aspect of life with Ms Jacquie.

And, oh yes, one other item: If anyone knows of a riding lawnmower with pontoons, I would like to use it.

I have grass up to my — yes that's where it's at. 

It pays to have a rowboat in your yard.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Floridian homeowners now need a rowboat

It's time to start thinking about what you'd would like to accomplish on the first of the year. 

The Crestview Public Library has thousands of resources to help you accomplish your goal or goals.

Here are some great items available to you for free if you have a valid Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative library card:

Weight loss:

●"Shred-It with Weights," with Jillian Michaels

●"Zero Belly Diet," by David Zinczenko

Quitting smoking:

●"The Easy Way to Stop Smoking," by Allen Carr

●"Never Smoke Again: The Top 10 Ways to Stop Smoking Now and Forever," by Grant Cooper

Learning a second language:

●"Drive Time Spanish"

●"Teach Yourself Beginner’s Chinese," by Elizabeth Scurfield

Trying to de-stress:

●"Stopping Stress before It Stops You: A Game Plan for Every Mom," by Dr. Kevin Leman

●"10% Happier:  How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works — A True Story," by Dan Harris

And don’t forget, we have an abundance of resources through our website, www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php.

 Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's assistant director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GARCIA: 8 books to aid your New Year's resolutions

The countdown to 2016 has begun. If you’re like many people, you might be mulling over some New Year’s resolutions, such as hitting the gym more, learning a new language or taking a cooking class.

All are worthy goals, but why not add some financial resolutions?

For example …

Pay yourself first. Even if you aren’t living “paycheck to paycheck,” you probably don’t have much trouble spending your money — because there’s always something that you or a family member needs, always a repair required for your home or your car, always one more bill to pay.

But if you are going to achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you need to invest consistently.

So before you pay everyone else, pay yourself first by having some money automatically moved from your checking or savings account each month into an investment.

Take advantage of your opportunities. If you have a 401(k) or similar plan at work, take full advantage of it. Contribute as much as you can afford — or at least enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered — and choose the mix of investments that give you the potential to achieve the growth you need at a level of risk with which you are comfortable.

Focus on the long term. In the short term, you might be excused for not wanting to invest. The headlines are typically scary, the financial markets are frequently volatile and the future often looks murky.

Yet, if you can look past the uncertainties of today and keep your focus on tomorrow, you will find it easier to follow a disciplined investment strategy that gives you the opportunity to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

Don’t be driven by fear. When the market is down, investors tend to react with fear. Specifically, they rush to sell their investments, afraid that if they don’t “cut their losses,” they might sustain even bigger ones.

If you can get past this feeling, you may find that a down market can offer you the chance to buy quality investments at good prices.

Forget about “hot stocks.” You’ll hear friends, co-workers and talking heads on television tout today’s “hot stocks.” But by the time you might hear about them, they may have cooled off – and, in any case, they might not be appropriate for your needs.

Forget about “getting rich quick in the market”  —  it probably won’t happen. True investment success requires patience and persistence.

Cut down on your debts. It’s easy to pile up debts, but a lot harder getting rid of them. Yet, if you can reduce your debt load even moderately, you’ll free up money you could use to invest.

So look for ways to conserve, cut back and consolidate  —  it will be worth the effort.

Making these resolutions, and sticking to them, can help you as you work toward achieving your financial goals. 

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Time for some New Year’s (financial) resolutions