Richard Smith currently works at Consumer United as a home insurance expert, helping our members all across the country score the lowest rates on their homeowners insurance. A native of Freeport, Maine, Smith headed South to attend school at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, where he studied International Business with a minor in Spanish.Smith, who recently celebrated his one-year anniversary at the company, has had the fortune of observing the company transform itself in just one short year. Originally tapped to work as a consumer advocate in our New Jersey auto insurance division, Smith now enjoys the responsibility that comes with his new role in our expanding home insurance department. When asked what he appreciates most so far, Smith remarks, "I've enjoyed befriending my coworkers, and the experience I've gained here has been invaluable."
When asked if he had any financial advice he'd like to share, Smith emphasized the importance of planning for the future. "I like to take a long term approach when it comes to things like loans and investing your money, because money spent or invested wisely today can have a significant impact on your future," he says.
As for insurance advice, Smith replies: "Remember, you can never be overly insured, because it is impossible to predict what may happen in the future."
To save his own money, Smith segments his spending into separate categories. “I categorize my spending into essential and non-essential expenses, and I try to cut back on the non-essentials when I'm trying to save. This process is easier said then done, but its worked out well for me.”
When he's not in the office, Smith can most likely be found partaking in an outdoor adventure--that's if you can find him of course. During the winter months, he'll likely be snow boarding or cross-country skiing along the mountains of New England. But as soon as the weather permits, he takes to the high seas. An avid sailor, he has lived in the Caribbean and even once sailed from Maine to Venezuela and back.
