If you're eyeing the shiny bells and whistles of whole or universal life insurance but crying over the price tag, consider a term policy. It’s no-frills, like black coffee; just the coverage you need for a set period, and it won’t bleed your wallet dry.

Insurance companies love a good health story. So, if you're puffing away on cigars or indulging in deep-fried everything, it might be time to make a few lifestyle tweaks. Think of it as a two-for-one deal: lower premiums and a longer life to enjoy them!

Not all insurance providers are created equal. Some will charge you a mint for the same coverage others sell for the price of a latte. Work with an advisor (hint, hint) to sniff out the best deal for your situation.

Don’t let overzealous sales pitches talk you into insuring yourself like you’re the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Calculate what your loved ones would actually need—debts, income replacement, education costs; and go with that. No one needs to leave behind a yacht fund.

Ask about multi-policy discounts; Insurance companies love loyal customers, and you could save a chunk of change by consolidating.

That policy you took out five years ago might not make sense anymore. Kids grown? Mortgage almost paid off? Trim the coverage to fit your current needs and stop paying for stuff you don’t need.

Think of monthly payments as the coffee shop markup of life insurance. If you can swing it, paying annually often works out cheaper in the long run.

So, there you have it; a guide to premium nirvana. Because while life insurance isn’t free, there’s no reason it has to cost as much as your daily dose of avocado toast dreams.

Now go forth and save smartly!