Tag Archives: mutualaid
MAX’s Roots in the Anabaptist Community
“Do you have to be Mennonite to get insurance with MAX?” is a frequent question we receive.
The simple answer to this question is “no”.
MAX does have its roots in the Anabaptist, i.e. Mennonite and Brethren communities. Our heritage definitely stems out from these Anabaptist communities that practice a deep sense of kinship and care for one another. When MAX was formed in 2000, it was created by ten different mutual aid organizations that were closely tied to the Mennonite/Brethren/Amish communities. In fact, until 2010, members of MAX also had to be part of these Anabaptist communities. In 2010, we opened our doors to all people of faith who share our values. These values are written in our Statement of Faith-Based Shared Values and new members must agree to them before they have a policy issued through MAX.
These values include the following:
- Applying love and wholeness towards others and responding to the needs of those around us
- Nurturing an attitude of creating and sustaining wholeness in the use and application of all of God’s gifts including money, time, talents, health, and life
- Promoting wholeness by embracing peaceful arbitration and mediation as the best way to settle disputes and conflicts
- Practicing wholeness in our own lives by sharing our gifts and talents with others to build community and promote cooperation
We welcome Mennonites and anyone else who shares our faith-based shared values. Contact us today for more information. We’d be happy to help you be a part of MAX!
Married Couples Need Life Insurance
© Aliaksandr Zabudzko / PhotoXpress
It’s easy for many married couples to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, not giving much thought to preparing for the unexpected. Purchasing life insurance can be one of the most critical decisions you can make as a couple to ensure your spouse is able to carry on financially in the event of your death.
Purchasing the policy is not a big expense, but the impact of having life insurance when you pass away is huge. By purchasing a life insurance policy you can ensure that those close to you will be able to live comfortably after you’re gone.
“When you’re single and without children, there is little need for life insurance since nobody is depending on your income but you,” says Jeremy Vohwinkle, About.com Guide for Financial Planning. “When you get married, you should discuss what would happen if your spouse was left to support your household alone, and consider whether or not life insurance would be appropriate. A sudden loss of income can be devastating to a family.”
Life insurance provides money to whoever you designate as a beneficiary upon your death. This money can prove to be a much-needed asset if your loved ones are faced with the burdens of debt, funeral costs, estate taxes or college tuition.
Don’t leave your spouse unprotected in the event of your death. Ask your insurance agent about life insurance today.
About MAX: MAX specializes in providing affordable life insurance from the top-rated insurance companies in the country. Let us do the shopping for you. Our simple process will help you get the life insurance protection that’s just right for you. We also offer home, farm, auto, renters, and other personal lines to help protect the members of the faith-based community. Our friendly, experienced agents can help answer all your questions about insurance. Visit www.faithbasedinsurance.com/contact-us, email wholeness@faithbasedinsurance.com or call us toll-free at (877) 736-5681.
Source: Vohwinkle, Jeremy. “Marriage and Money – Planning Your New Financial Life Together.” About.com. Retrieved February 20, 2012, from http://financialplan.about.com/od/gettingmarried/a/MarriageMoney.htm.
6 Steps to a Healthier Heart
© Byron Moore / PhotoXpress
Valentine’s Day may be an obvious reason for the heart-shaped decorations we see in February, but they also serve as a great reminder to take care of your heart during American Heart Month.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of Americans, according to the American Heart Association. The AHA recommends the following to take care of your heart:
1.) Improve your nutrition. Good nutrition is essential for your heart health. Work on eating more fruits and vegetables, fish, fiber-rich whole grains, and nuts, legumes and seeds. In the meantime, reduce your intake of sodium, sugar-sweetened beverages, processed meats and saturated fats.
2.) Get more physical activity. Physical activity improves quality of life and helps combat obesity. Just exercising as little as 30 minutes a day can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Studies even show that for every hour of walking, you may increase your life expectancy by two hours, according to the AHA.
3.) Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Check your BMI, or Body Mass Index, using the AHA’s online BMI calculator. This is a good indicator of whether you’re at a healthy or unhealthy weight. Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight can help you reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
4.) Manage your stress. Stress can cause physical and emotional pain. Develop healthy habits to manage your stress. Instead of turning to eating, drinking or smoking to battle stress, try talking with family and friends, exercising and laughing. Get plenty of sleep and get organized. Remember, you must learn to accept the things you cannot change.
5.) Read up on fats and oils. Your body needs dietary fats for energy and cell growth, as well as protecting organs and keeping your body warm. Fats also help your body absorb some nutrients and produce important hormones. You need fat, but not as much as most of us consume. There are four major dietary fats. Learn about them so you know what to get more of — and what to avoid.
6.) Quit smoking. Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Smokers are at a higher risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Get help quitting.
Don’t let heart disease sneak up on you. Start now to promote healthy habits to avoid this deadly disease and live a healthier life.
About MAX: MAX specializes in providing affordable personal and business insurance, including home, farm, auto, renters, and other lines to help protect the members of the faith-based community. Our friendly, experienced agents can help answer all your questions about insurance. Visit www.faithbasedinsurance.com/contact-us, email wholeness@faithbasedinsurance.com or call us toll-free at (877) 736-5681.
Source: “Getting Healthy.” American Heart Association. Retrieved February 20, 2012, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/GettingHealthy_UCM_001078_SubHomePage.jsp.
