by California Casualty | Educators |
School may be out for summer, but it’s not necessarily vacation time for educators. Sure, who wouldn’t want three months to relax and catch a break? Unfortunately for many, that isn’t the case. The Gates Foundation finds that about a third of teachers across the U.S. will participate in training or professional development over the summer.
If teachers are not training, many others are working a second job. Most teachers are contracted and paid for the months that school is in session, so the summer means unemployment. U.S. News says that the average teacher’s earnings, including any money made during the summer, is still lower than other professionals.
Since educators are wrapping up classes and heading into summer, we have some ideas to help beat the summertime blues.
- Eat Healthier: Don’t get sucked into comfort foods. Eat more fruits and veggies.
- Exercise: Go for a walk. Do yoga. Take a class. Even if it is small, it will release endorphins and help clear your mind, ready for focus.
- Do something for yourself every day: Enjoy playing an instrument? Or writing a blog? Either way, take a small time-out and do the thing that you love.
- Connect with others: Join conversations on social media that spark your interest, find a book club and spend time with family and friends.
As a teacher, you have more than enough on your plate. It’s time to get excited about the next three months and focus on the bigger outcome.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
It’s the season for potholes. I don’t know about your city, but I nearly broke a tooth after hitting a neck jarring pothole last week. The impact left a noticeable pull to the left to my steering. It could be worse; a friend bent the rim on his car after hitting a monster of a hole, leaving him with a flat tire and a costly repair.
Damaged and deteriorated roads are also a real danger. Approximately a third of the 33,000 fatal crashes each year in the U.S. are attributed to poor road conditions, and many bicyclists are injured after hitting a pothole or from traffic as they try to avoid one.
Potholes are a product of the freeze/thaw cycle that destroys asphalt and wears away the underlying materials. Damage to a vehicle varies depending on the size, depth and the speed at which they are hit. It could include:
- Tire puncture
- Misalignment of the steering system
- Damage to wheel rims
- Engine damage
- Cracked or broken suspension parts
- Untimely wear to shocks and struts
- Holes or crimping of the exhaust system
These can lead to dangerous driving conditions and experts say we should check for:
- Bulging sidewalls or flat spots on tires
- Uneven wear on tire tread
- Strange noises or odors from the exhaust system
- Cuts, flat spots and cracks on tire rims
- Dents or punctures that could lead to fluid leaks and rust from the undercarriage
The pothole epidemic is a real financial burden, costing us as much $3 billion a year in repair bills. The average fix from hitting a large pothole can range from $300 to $600 dollars.
And, here’s some more bad news, while damage to your car or truck from a pothole is covered by collision insurance, it only kicks in after you pay the deductible. Also, filing a claim for pothole damage is considered an at-fault collision and could increase your insurance rates at renewal.
Some cities and states have funds to reimburse drivers for damage from potholes, but the process is very restrictive and cumbersome and very few actually receive any compensation.
Since spending to fix deteriorated roads is limited (the American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated that it will cost trillions of dollars to repair crumbling roadways and bridges across America), here are some tips to lessen the damage caused by potholes:
- Keep tires properly inflated
- Keep a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you to spot and avoid potholes
- Slow down during pothole season – often times damage is reduced the slower you hit one
And here’s one final thought; faded traffic lane markings and shoddy asphalt conditions are confusing to autonomous vehicles, slowing testing in many areas of the country.
by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info |
Your budget may already be on life support if you are getting married. The average cost of a wedding in the United States is now over $30,000 and climbing. I cringe to think of what tying the knot will cost when my daughter finally meets the man of her dreams and there is a proposal.
The costliest weddings are in in Manhattan, where the average bill soars to over $88,000. The average where I live (Colorado) is around $32,000.
Renting the venue and paying for the reception was the biggest expense, averaging almost $15,000. The wedding ring and other jewelry came in at $5,800.
If you are planning a wedding (or a father taking a loan to pay for one), here are some ideas for reducing the stress and the expense of saying, “I do.”
- Pare down the guest list. The average cost per guest is around $200. Times that by 100 and you’ve already hit $20,000. It’s a hard task cutting the invites but it could save you thousands of dollars.
- Pick a less expensive place for the reception. Instead of a fancy downtown hotel, consider a meeting hall. Having it at a restaurant will also save tons on catering, rental and alcohol. You can really cut your costs and use a friend’s or relative’s home.
- Reduce your flower costs. Fresh flowers are beautiful, but like memories, they fade and wilt. Choose flowers that are local and in season. Even though you might have fewer flowers, most people won’t notice.
- Simplify your menu. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails cost less than a five course sit-down meal. A nice compromise is a buffet luncheon or dinner.
- Schedule your wedding in the off season or on a weekday. Weekends from June through September, when most weddings occur, will cost more. You’ll find better deals if you plan a wedding for the fall or winter months, except on Valentine’s Day.
- Create your own invitations. Instead of frilly paper and multiple ink colors, go simple to cut production, printing and mailing costs.
- Hire a DJ instead of a band. Many couples on a budget also make their own mix-tape or iPod play list.
- Let your guests help with wedding photos. Hire a photographer for the special portrait and family shots, but purchase some low end digital or disposable cameras for capturing the reception. You will be amazed at the pictures your friends and relatives will take for you.
- Get a smaller cake. Forget expensive tiered cakes with fancy frostings, order fabulous sheet cakes that can taste just as good but cost much less and are easier to serve. Some couples have opted for cupcakes, pies, or desert bars with chocolate fountains instead of the cake.
Here’s one final money savings tip: don’t mention you are taking estimates for a wedding. Many vendors charge more for weddings than other events. Instead, say you are planning a family party and you could save anywhere from 20 to 40 percent.
Tie up your insurance.
Once the rings are exchanged and the honeymoon is over, there’s another important step – getting your auto and home insurance in order. Here’s a checklist for newlyweds that can also save you money.
- Combine Your Insurance
If you have separate cars with different insurance companies, now that you are married you can find discounts by putting both vehicles on the same policy. It will also ensure that both drivers are covered no matter which car they use. Get extra savings by bundling your autos with your home or renters insurance.
- Marriage Discount
Make sure to inform your insurance company that you got married – most auto and home insurance companies offer important discounts for newlyweds. Men under the age of 25 are usually considered high risk drivers. However, once they marry they often see a big drop in insurance premiums. The lower rates can also apply to those in domestic partnerships.
- Increase Homeowner or Renters Coverage
Wedding presents are wonderful. You now have a new set of china, expensive new appliances and other things for your home. These assets need to be covered. Talk to an insurance advisor to make sure you have enough coverage to protect all the things you own and to increase your liability protection. It’s also a great time to create an inventory of your possessions to help you purchase the right insurance protection and make filing a claim much easier.
- Get Extra Protection for High Value Items
That beautiful new wedding ring and special gifts like fine art or silverware may need scheduled personal property protection, often called a “floater,” to make sure they are covered for their full value. Most homeowners and renters policies will provide limited coverage for those items. Scheduled personal property coverage will also pay to replace a ring, without a deductible, even if it was misplaced or damaged in the disposal.
by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
As a member of law enforcement, you face complicated situations every day. You’re trained to be aware of your environment and surroundings. But, have you ever thought about ways to enhance your attention to detail? What about studying art? What connection does art have with law enforcement?” Let me explain.
Our brains naturally respond when we look at a painting. We feel refreshed, changed, and mentally more awake. A study in the journal Brain and Cognition found that pictures trigger a response in brain regions associated with visual understanding and object recognition. It also connected with activity linked to emotions, inner thoughts, and learning.
Here are three secrets on how art will improve your job performance:
Restore your focus. Art can enhance your concentration in the same way that the outdoors can.
Opens up you up for learning. Not only will you feel ready to learn, but art opens you up to experience and creative achievement.
Relieve Mental Fatigue. Viewing the art allows your mind to focus on the details, awakening your brain.
Maria Popova, the founder of Brain Pickings, describes this as “the power to transcend our self-interest and relate to the world and each other with more integrity, curiosity, and wholeheartedness.”
This can be achieved without even visiting a museum. Consider books, online websites, etc. But do consider expanding your horizons for new ideas for self-improvement.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
The annual list of cities with the most stolen cars has bad news for drivers in the Golden State. California has the dubious honor of taking eight of the top 10 spots for stolen vehicles in the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) 2015 Hot Spots report.
Motorists in the Modesto area of Central California need to be especially watchful, as it was the metropolitan area with the highest per capita vehicle theft rate in the nation. Number two was Albuquerque, New Mexico followed by three other areas in Northern or Central California.
The NICB’s Top 10 Hot Spots metropolitan areas were:
- Modesto, CA (4,072 stolen vehicles)
- Albuquerque, NM (6,657)
- Bakersfield, CA (6,000)
- Salinas, CA (2,934)
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA (30,554)
- Stockton-Lodi, CA (4,656)
- Pueblo, CO (983)
- Merced, CA (1,605)
- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (25,001)
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA (2,352)
The report also found a slight increase in vehicle thefts in 2015 compared to a year earlier.
The NICB said that older vehicles are taken for parts while newer, high-value vehicles are often shipped overseas or, after some disguising, sold to an innocent buyer. Others are stolen for a “joyride” and are most often abandoned and recovered.
There is nothing worse than going to the place you last parked your car and finding it gone. To prevent your car or truck from theft, the NICB recommends everyone use these four layers of anti-theft precautions:
Common Sense —is the easiest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves. You should always:
- Remove your keys from the ignition
- Lock your doors /close your windows
- Park in a well-lit area
Warning Device — the second layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular devices include:
- Audible alarms
- Steering column collars
- Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
- Brake locks
- Wheel locks
- Theft deterrent decals
- Identification markers in or on vehicle
- VIN etching
- Micro dot marking
Immobilizing Device — the third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch or button is activated. Some examples are:
- Smart keys
- Fuse cut-offs
- Kill switches
- Starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers
- Wireless ignition authentication
Tracking Device — the final layer of protection is a tracking system which emits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.
