Money Monday: Make, Keep, Enjoy, Move — Week of October 12

Welcome to week two of our October Life Audit. Last week we audited our cash, our subscriptions, and our skills. Today, we are opening the folder that most people avoid until an emergency happens: Insurance and Policy Coverage.

Insurance isn’t flashy, but it is the perimeter fence around your financial life. If your insurance setup is outdated, a single emergency can wipe out years of disciplined saving and investing. Today, we audit our coverage and prepare for Open Enrollment season. Let’s get into it.

MAKE: Monetize Digital Logistics as a Virtual Event Coordination Assistant

As small business owners, online educators, and corporate teams prepare for end-of-year conferences, virtual summits, and holiday workshops, demand spikes for Virtual Event Coordination Assistants.

If you know how to navigate Zoom, manage Eventbrite registration lists, handle chat moderation, and keep a digital agenda running on schedule, you can charge $25–$40 per hour providing remote event logistics.

What a Virtual Event Assistant Does:

• Pre-Event Setup: Setting up Eventbrite registration pages, managing Zoom webinar links, and sending automated calendar invites to attendees.
• Live Event Moderation: Admitting guests from waiting rooms, pasting resource links into the live chat, spotlighting speakers, and troubleshooting tech glitches.
• Post-Event Support: Processing session recordings, editing chat logs, and sending follow-up resource emails to attendees.

Where to Find Remote Virtual Event Opportunities:

• Upwork & Belay: Search for “Zoom Moderator,” “Webinar Assistant,” or “Virtual Event Coordinator.” Filter by hourly rates and short-term gig contracts.
• Facebook Groups for Online Creators & Coaches: Community groups for podcasters, coaches, and digital course creators frequently hire event moderators for 2–5 hour live workshops.

How to Start:

1. List the digital platforms you already know (Zoom Webinar, Google Meet, Eventbrite, StreamYard, Canva).
2. Create a 1-page “Virtual Event Tech Support” package sheet detailing 3 core services: Tech Check, Live Chat Moderation, and Recording Processing.
3. Pitch 3 local business owners or online creators offering a 1-hour free trial run in exchange for a written testimonial.

What to Watch Out For: Ensure you have a reliable internet connection (hardwired Ethernet preferred over Wi-Fi) and backup mobile hotspot power before taking on live event moderation jobs.

Realistic Income Expectation: Moderating two 2-hour virtual workshops per week at $30/hour earns $120 per week ($480 per month) for roughly 4 hours of total work.

KEEP: Audit Your Healthcare FSA Balance & Prepare for Open Enrollment

Mid-October marks the ramp-up to annual workplace Open Enrollment (typically running October through November for coverage effective January 1). Before you select next year’s health benefits, audit your current spending accounts.

Part 1: The FSA “Use-It-or-Lose-It” Life Audit If you have a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA), remember that FSA funds generally operate on a “use-it-or-lose-it” basis. While employers may grant a grace period or allow up to $640 (indexed for inflation) in carryover funds, unspent FSA money beyond allowed limits is forfeited to your employer at year-end.

• Check Your Current FSA Balance: Log into your benefits portal today.
• Schedule Pending Care: Use remaining FSA dollars on eligible expenses: prescription glasses/contacts, dental checkups, prescription refills, over-the-counter first aid, sunscreen, acupuncture, or mental health copays.
• FSA Store Check: Eligible OTC items (including feminine hygiene products, SPF moisturizer, and blood pressure monitors) can be purchased online using your FSA debit card at FSAStore.com.

Part 2: Health Savings Account (HSA) Optimization Unlike FSAs, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) attached to High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) never expire. HSA funds roll over indefinitely and can be invested tax-free. If you have an HSA, audit whether you are maximizing your tax-deductible contribution limits ($4,150 for self-only or $8,300 for family coverage in 2024/2026 standard projections).

ENJOY: Scenic Autumn Drives and Local Cider Mill Outings

You don’t need expensive plane tickets to experience a fall getaway. Mid-October is peak autumn foliage season across much of the country, making scenic day drives one of the most cost-effective seasonal outings.

How to Plan a $15 Autumn Outing:

1. Map a State Scenic Byway: Research state scenic highways, county park routes, or nearby state park drives using your state’s Department of Transportation scenic map.
2. Visit a Local Apple Orchard or Cider Mill: Buy a gallon of fresh local cider and warm cider donuts ($10–$15 total).
3. Pack a Hot Thermos & Picnic: Bring homemade soup or coffee, roll down the windows, and enjoy autumn views without restaurant markups or hotel fees.

Leisure doesn’t have to break your budget—it just needs intentionality and seasonal timing.

MOVE: Your 10-Minute Insurance Life Audit (Life, Renters, Health, Disability)

Grab your phone or policy binder, set a 10-minute timer, and check these four essential pillars:

1. Life Insurance Audit (2 Minutes)

• Check Your Policy Type & Coverage Amount: Do you have term life insurance independent of your employer? (Employer-provided group life insurance often ends if you change jobs).
• Verify Coverage Multiple: A standard rule of thumb is 7–10x your annual income if you have dependents or shared debt.
• Confirm Beneficiaries: Open your account profile and verify that your named primary and contingent beneficiaries are up to date (especially if you experienced a marriage, divorce, or child’s birth recently).

2. Renters / Homeowners Insurance Audit (2 Minutes)

• Verify Personal Property Coverage Limits: Does your renters policy cover current replacement costs for laptops, electronics, furniture, and wardrobe?
• Check Liability & Deductible: Ensure liability coverage is at least $100,000–$300,000. Verify that your deductible (e.g., $500 or $1,000) is accessible in your High-Yield Savings Account.
• High-Value Riders: If you own high-value jewelry, camera gear, or musical instruments, confirm whether a personal property endorsement/rider is needed.

3. Health Insurance Audit (3 Minutes)

• Locate Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Check your plan’s network deductible and out-of-pocket maximum on your insurance card or portal.
• In-Network Provider Check: Confirm that your primary doctor and essential specialists remain in-network for the upcoming plan year.
• FSA/HSA Action: Note your remaining FSA balance so you can schedule necessary appointments before December 31.

4. Disability Insurance Audit (3 Minutes)

• Distinguish Short-Term vs. Long-Term Disability: Review your pay stub or benefits summary to confirm if you carry Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD).
• Check Income Replacement Percentage: Standard employer disability coverage replaces roughly 50%–60% of pre-tax salary.
• Verify Elimination Period: Know your policy’s elimination period (the waiting period before benefits kick in—typically 30, 60, or 90 days). Your emergency fund should cover at least this waiting duration.

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Pynk Thoughts

Auditing your insurance is unglamorous work, but it is the ultimate expression of self-care. When you review your coverage on purpose, you eliminate financial anxiety and protect the life you are working hard to build.

Take 10 minutes today to review these four coverage areas. Note any gaps, put Open Enrollment key dates on your calendar, and sleep easier knowing your safety net is real.

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