Merry Christmas from Preferred Insurance Center
A World of Good Wishes. One of the real joys this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you the very best for the new year!
-Preferred Insurance Center
Life Lesson Of Juggling!
My nephew Craig Muhlenkamp and his buddy Danny Schneibel are fantastic jugglers. They can juggle and talk and ride unicycles and run and jump….all at the same time. Their shows are great.
They also can juggle a lot of different items. I’ve seen Craig juggle everything from tennis balls, to bowling balls, to folding chairs, to flamingos, to the “rat traps of death”. But it dawned on me the other day that I think he always juggles 3 of everything. I may have seen him juggle more once in a while, but VERY seldom. Suddenly the Life Lesson of Juggling hit me right in the face. And man, did I need this lesson..
I’m guessing if Craig tries to juggle more and more items at the same time he will be faced with a decision. He will either need to stop juggling one item to pick up another, or he can try to just juggle more items but will likely start dropping them and perhaps end up dropping them all.
Now I’m a busy guy and in the last 2 years I’ve kept taking on more and more projects and responsibilities. I’ve even been told I’m good at keeping “a lot of balls in the air”. But I’ve been wrong to keep taking on all those projects. I realize I’ve dropped a few balls and if I keep this up I might drop them all.
How many of you are in the same boat? If you even think for one minute that you are, lets all do what I’m determined to do this week: I’m going to decide what “balls” I truly can keep in the air and do a good job with those projects. Then I’m going to let someone else pickup the projects I just can’t juggle anymore. And from now on when someone comes to me with another ball they want me to juggle, I’m going to see what current project is either ending, or I’m willing to put down before I tell them yes. None of us can afford to “drop everything” we are juggling.
Now, Lord help me be wise about what projects to keep juggling, and what projects to put down.
Winterize Your Vehicle for a ‘Cool’ Drive! Ohio Auto Insurance
Winter is almost here, and no matter how hard we try there is no avoiding it. One of the worst things about the winter season is the time spent dealing with our automobiles. Cleaning off snow, scraping off all that ice and waiting for an automobile to warm up are grim reminders that winter is not always the most wonderful time of the year. Worse yet, having your automobile break down in less than forgiving conditions is about as rough a situation as it gets, therefore it is imperative that you winterize your vehicle.
With that said, here are some things you can do to winterize your automobile and ensure it is running in tip-top condition this winter:
- Oil Change: Depending on what comes first, you should either change your oil every year or every 3,000 miles. This is especially important during the winter months because your car is working a lot harder.
- Battery: There’s nothing worse than having a dead battery. Well, except having a dead battery when it’s 20o below and you’re in the middle of nowhere. The best way to prevent this from happening is to change your battery if it’s four or more years old.
- Windshield Wipers: If your wipers are old and aren’t working too well, you would definitely want to change them before winter begins. Having crummy wipers while driving in a bad storm will make your drive increasingly difficult and dangerous.
- Antifreeze: If your antifreeze is low, fill it using a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water. Alternatively, you can buy antifreeze that comes pre-mixed, taking the measuring out of the equation. While checking your antifreeze, I suggest you take a look at your wiper fluid and fill if necessary.
- Lights: Check all of your automobile’s lights, including the headlights, taillights and the turn signals.
- Tires: Inspect your tires to ensure they are properly inflated and aren’t too worn out. If you aren’t’ quite sure how to go about this, here is a post we did that explains how to do both! How to Check Your Tires Tread and Air
All of these tips should help your vehicle run at its best during these frigid months. However, if you aren’t all that savvy when it comes to automobile maintenance, then you can certainly bring your vehicle to a trusted mechanic to have them winterize your vehicle for you. So long as they do not find any big issues with your automobile, then it really should not cost you a whole lot of money.
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![Home Market Value VS Replacement Cost [VIDEO!]](https://i0.wp.com/www.preferredcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/home-market-value-vs-replacement-cost-300x200.jpg?resize=300%2C200)
Home Market Value VS Replacement Cost [VIDEO!]
Ohio Insurance
Over the years we have heard many questions concerning the home market value vs replacement cost when it comes to insuring a home. There are times where homeowners insurance costs are higher and other times where the cost is less than what the home is actually valued at, which when taken at face value does seem a little strange. The cost of your insurance policy should be inline with what you home is worth on the market, right? Well, that’s not necessarily true, because when it comes to insuring your home your are actually insuring the cost it would be to replace it.
Here’s a quick little video that our agency principal Dan and one of our agents Amanda put together that explains how it all works. It’s quite easy to understand; however, if you are still a little unsure about anything, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information. Hey, that’s what we’re here for!
http://youtu.be/7xI09Pb5CqM We care enough to cover you right, and we have the
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companies and resources to do it at a fantastic price.
Travel Tips for the Holidays
The car is packed and your entire family is ready to visit grandma and grandpa for the holidays. Everyone is excited, but you have a long ride ahead of you. During any holiday time, more travelers will be on the road, so drivers need to be more vigilant to keep themselves and their passengers safe during their trip to and from their destinations.
Many travel tips involve common sense. For example, everyone knows texting and driving don’t mix; however, many states also have, or soon will have laws against using cellular phones without a hands-free device. Err on the safe side and don’t use your mobile phone while driving or have someone else in the vehicle answer a call.
In addition to paying attention to speed limits and obeying the rules of the road, make sure you don’t follow other vehicles too closely as you don’t know whether you’re following a distracted driver whose mind is not on the road. Pay particular attention to what is around you in work zones as construction personnel may be present. Lanes are often more narrow in these areas making it more difficult to drive.
Make sure your vehicle is in proper working order before you pull out of the driveway to avoid expensive repairs. Clean vehicle headlights and windows before you leave home to increase visibility on the road, both from inside the vehicle and to help other drivers see you at night. As soon as dusk starts to fall, make sure your headlights are on to increase visibility. Also put headlights on during dark, inclement daytime weather.
Frequent stops are important. Not only is stopping important to relieve distractions such as muscle cramps or hunger, drivers can also avoid hazards such as falling asleep at the wheel by pulling off the road at rest stops and taking a power nap if needed. You may not get to your destination as quickly, but you’ll get there in one piece!
A Veterans Day Thanks
November 11th is a day in which we thank all of the men and women who have put their lives on the line defending our country’s freedom, but simply wishing them a ‘Happy Veterans Day’ never really feels like it’s enough. One day set aside for so many people who have defended the United States of America really isn’t enough to express the gratitude that all of us have, nor should it.
What our Veterans have done for us is far too meaningful to be encapsulated into one day, but it is this one day that should serve as a reminder that everything we have is a result of their sacrifice. With that being said, all of us here at Preferred Insurance Center would like to say thank you to everyone who has fought for our country; what you have done means more to us than words or photos can ever describe.
Healthy Holiday Eating Tips
During the holiday season it seems that every event and every gathering involves food. Even many workplace settings have displays of holiday snacks sitting around for employees. Obviously, not all of the food that tempts you during the holidays falls into the healthy food category. Therefore, before the holidays arrive, it’s good to prepare an eating strategy that will prevent weight gain and enable you to stick with your healthy eating regimen.
Don’t skip meals. Keep your usual healthy eating routine, but reduce the amount slightly if you are planning to attend a luncheon, dinner or evening party. Never arrive at a holiday party hungry, even if you have to grab a quick, healthy snack as you leave home and eat it on the way to the party.
When you attend a pot luck event, take a healthy dish that you love. Then you’ll be sure to have at least one healthy food choice. Be conservative with the amount of food you eat at a buffet. If you have options, choose a small plate for a buffet meal. Select the healthiest options available and don’t go back for seconds.
Parties and holiday events are not the only opportunity you have to veer off the healthy eating track. A trip to the mall offers intense temptations. All of the wonderful aromas and beautiful food displays are hard to resist. It’s the holidays, go ahead and indulge in a small treat at a coffee shop or bakery while you’re shopping. Just be sure to keep it small and don’t buy sweet treats to take home.
During the holidays, a trip to the grocery store also exposes you to more than the average amount of unhealthy food options. On the other hand, if you shop in the right areas, such as the produce department, you can find some wonderful seasonal produce to indulge in without guilt. There’s lots of beautiful, delicious fruit available around the holidays.
Best Ways to Save Money on Ohio Auto Insurance for Teenagers | Ohio Insurance
Save money on your Ohio auto insurance while adding a teen driver!
The time has finally come for your teenager to get behind the wheel. This event can cause an interesting mix of excitement and fear for parents. This is a huge step towards adulthood, however, the fear that your teen could get into an auto accident is certainly something that weighs on the mind, and to a more definite extent, having to pay high rates for your teenager’s Ohio auto insurance is a cause for concern.
What it comes down to is Ohio auto insurance rates for teenage motorists is reflective of their high risk factor. Teens are far more likely to be involved in an auto accident than any other age group, therefore they are the ones who pick up the proverbial tab. With that said, there are a few options that could help you save on your teenager’s Ohio auto insurance, none of which involve locking them in the basement until they’re old enough to move out.
- A Modest-mobile: The newer an automobile and the higher the profile, the more it’s going to cost to insure it. If you and your teenager are out looking at cars and you want to get an idea of what the cost difference would be between two vehicles, then do not hesitate to contact your insurance agent. After all, that’s what they are there for.
- Location: If your teenager is in school that is located 100 miles or more away from your residence, they might be eligible for a distant student discount. Obviously the key to this is the automobile is located at your home and not with them while they are away at school.
- Student Discounts: If your son or daughter excels in school, then they could very well be eligible for a good student discount. You could save between 10-15% on Ohio auto insurance coverage costs if their grades are in the top 20% of their class, have a 3.0 GPA or have made the Honor Roll/Dean’s List.
- Short Leash: If you think your teen’s auto insurance rates are high now, wait until they get a speeding ticket or get into a fender bender. Teaching your teenager the importance of safe driving is priority number one. Whether it be drinking and driving, distracted driving or all around safe driving, ensure you spend the time necessary with your son or daughter so they know how important safe driving is.
- Tenure Reward: This money saving discount is specific to Preferred, as one of the companies we represent, Safeco, offers a fantastic money saving reward to loyal customers. Clients of Preferred Insurance Center who have been insured through Safeco for two years or more will get a discount when adding a teen driver to their policy. This discount basically allows a 16-to-17-year-old driver to be rated as an 18-year-old, which can greatly alleviate some of the Ohio auto insurance costs.
If you would like to learn more about how these Ohio auto insurance discounts work, then please do not hesitate to call us. Even if we aren’t your insurance agency, we would be more than happy to help answer any questions that you might have. It’s the least we can do to help alleviate some of the stress that comes with your teenager getting behind that wheel!
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Happy Halloween!
We want to wish all of our valued clients and the people of our community a safe and Happy Halloween!
Simple Ways of Preventing Diabetes Through Diet
Diabetes is an issue that not only plagues far too many Americans, the number of people who suffer from diabetes is growing in both adults and young adults alike. It’s a frightening thought, especially knowing that, despite being a disease that’s inheritable through family genes, diabetes is preventable through diet and exercise. With that being said, here are some great tips that will not only help prevent diabetes, but will help you down a road towards a healthier lifestyle.
- Cutout the Junk: One way to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes is to avoid the empty calories that come with taking in an abundance of sugar-filled foods. Diet change is incredible difficult, but avoiding sweets and other sugary junk foods is a major key to fighting the battle against diabetes.
- Whole Grain: Things such as bread and pasta are chock full of unnecessary flours and refined sugars, so the next time you go grocery shopping, choose the whole grain options. Whole grain is perceived as being less tasty than regular pastas and breads, but I think you’ll be surprised by how good they actually taste.
- Trans Fat: Trans Fats can lead to obesity as well as greatly increase your risk for heart disease, both of which are major factors in developing type 2 diabetes. So I think it goes without saying that you should avoid Trans Fats at all costs.
- Smaller Portions: It’s difficult not to load your plate up with all that delicious food. That second helping? Well, that’s pretty tempting, too. Portion control is a major factor in obesity, and obesity is a major factor in developing diabetes, so lowering your portions is a must.
- Curb Alcohol Intake: Alcohol contains plenty of empty calories and can also cause high blood sugar, so drinking in moderation is greatly advised. In fact, the key to healthy living is moderation.
- Drink More Water: Constantly drinking beverages that are high in sugar content, such as soft drinks, energy drinks, etc., can greatly increase your blood sugar, so keep it in check by drinking more water. Water gets a bit of a bad rap for being bland, however, if you drink water on a constant basis, you will develop a real taste for it. In fact, I bet you learn to love it, and the health benefits are astronomical!
Making diet changes is tough, but living with a disease such as diabetes is a lot more difficult, so I encourage you to look at your diet and see where you can make changes. It doesn’t have to be overnight. In fact, trying to rush into something can often result in failure, so take things slow and gradually make small changes here and there. Your body and your family will thank you for it!
