You buy life insurance so that your death will not burden your loved ones financially — house payments will be made, groceries will be on the table, and college dreams can be realized.

Keep these pointers in mind as you buy life insurance:

• If both you and your spouse work, then cover both incomes.
• Cover the homemaker for the amount you would need to hire an outside service to perform the homemaker's functions.
• Buy coverage of at least 6 to 7.5 times your current income. Add to this amount for final expenses and college costs.
• Buy term life insurance, in most cases. Buy cash-value permanent insurance only if your need is permanent.