Get Our Free Stay at Home Guide
Whether you need an escape, tips to homeschool or entertain the kids, cook a meal or keep the quarantine pounds at bay, I've got an extensive guide that has helpful resources for everyone.
Click below to download your copy of our "40+ Ways to Stay Safe & Entertained at Home" guide.
Sharon Shiman wins our 1st quarter 2020 Client Referral Rewards drawing. She wins a cash award of $250. She has chosen Tulare High Schools Performing Arts Boosters for her $100 gift to charity.
Thanks for your referrals, Sharon!
Office Closed to Walk-in Traffic
With Governor Newsom's announcement, our office is closed to walk-in traffic until further notice. Our staff will be working from home and will take your phone call or respond to your email. Nearly every transaction can be completed this way. Hopefully this will be temporary and we can return to normal operations soon.
Tips for Getting (and Staying) Fit Indoors
Many of us are sitting in front of screens for both work and leisure purposes these days. The good news is those same screens provide a digital way to get the blood pumping and endorphins rushing for every pace, mood, and level! If you’re working from home or looking to break out of your usual routine, follow these helpful tips to get moving in your own home.
Apps. You can find a wealth of different types of exercises and well-being support built into a range of apps. Check out the YMCA’s app at ymca360.org or the Nike Training Club app at nike.com/ca/ntc-app Or just head to your app store to see what’s popular on the charts.
YouTube. The popular video sharing website has a large community of health and wellness gurus who provide inspiring workouts for free. For example, Yoga with Adriene shares calming routines for beginner, intermediate, and experienced yogis, while The Fitness Marshall fuses high-energy dance moves with pop music for a fun exercise experience.
Bodyweight exercises. If you don’t have access to gym equipment, make use of your own body! This type of strength training uses your own body to provide resistance against gravity, improving power, flexibility, speed, and coordination in the process.
Dedicate a space. If possible, create a permanent workout spot in your home, whether it be a corner or a room. Make sure to keep it tidy and clean.
Work out with others. Thanks to video apps like Zoom, you can share your exercise with others. Why not start a weekly club with friends? You can connect and keep each other motivated simultaneously!
Opportunity in Crisis...Really?
It's been rough couple of weeks. The stock market has tanked, a recession looks likely, and the world is facing its first major pandemic. Nevertheless, many philosophers and deep thinkers have observed that every crisis has a silver lining.
With that in mind, here are some quotes to inspire you to not just survive the current crisis but to use it to better your life and increase your chances for future success:
- "Any kind of crisis can be good. It wakes you up." Ryan Reynolds
- "Close scrutiny will show that most 'crisis situations' are opportunities to either advance, or stay where you are." Maxwell Maltz
- "Crises and deadlocks when they occur have at least this advantage, that they force us to think." Jawaharlal Nehru
- "Crises are part of life. Everybody has to face them, and it doesn't make any difference what the crisis is." Jack Nicklaus
- "Crisis forces commonality of purpose on one another." Michelle Dean
- "Crisis is what suppressed pain looks like; it always comes to the surface. It shakes you into reflection and healing." Bryant McGill
- "Don't wait until you're in a crisis to come up with a crisis plan." Phil McGraw
- "Every little thing counts in a crisis." Jawaharlal Nehru
- "Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back on himself. He imposes his own stamp of action, takes responsibility for it, makes it his own." Charles de Gaulle
- "In a time of domestic crisis, men of goodwill and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics." John F. Kennedy
Yes, these are stressful times, exacerbated by the stay at home mandate. But we should remember that in all things there is both good and bad. And I think it is important to look for the good as best we can.
Our Staff is Working from Home and are Ready and Willing to Serve You!
Southern-Style Sliders
Put some pep in your appetizer game with these pimento cheese sliders with green tomatoes and some Southern hospitality.
Serves 12
- 2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1 4-ounce jar diced pimentos, drained
- 12 mini sweet rolls
- 12 slices green tomato
- 1/2 pound sliced deli turkey breast
- 1 stick butter, melted
- Everything bagel seasoning, as needed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place the cheeses, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne, and pimentos in a bowl and mix well until evenly combined. Set aside.
Prepare the sliders by cutting the entire pack of rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottom of the rolls on a 9x13 baking sheet. Layer tomato slices evenly on the bottom buns, season with salt and pepper, and then layer slices of turkey on top. Add roughly a tablespoon of pimento cheese on each inpidual bun, then place the tops of the rolls on. Brush tops of the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with the everything bagel seasoning. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 2 minutes. Serve hot.
Good Words for Our Staff
"Just want to let you know that I appreciate the service I have received from Barbara Swanson especially recently as she has found a great option for our home owners insurance. I would not normally be working with an agency in Visalia since we live in Clovis but we found you through Dave Ramsey and have not been disappointed. Keep up the good work and stay well!'"
Robin Shepard
"I had the pleasure of speaking with Barbara Swanson, and she is absolutely amazing! She is so helpful, kind, and a true professional. I refer people to CIG, due mostly to her and her help over the years. Having an accident is always stressful, and when you speak with her she explains everything so thoroughly while given comfort through the process. I really can't say enough on how much I appreciate her, and what a true asset she must be to your company. Please let her know how much she means to me and my family!"
Jennifer Souza
Quick Quiz
Each month I'll give you a new question.
Just send us an email and submit your answer.
Which young Jedi Knight becomes Darth Vader in Star Wars?
First 10 responders will be entered into drawing for 3 Starbuck's gift cards.
Last month's winners were:
Kyle Bean
Angela Clayborne
Monica Garcia
Should You Buy an Extended Warranty or Not?
Protecting your investment is always top of mind, no matter how affordable or costly your purchase was.
From televisions to cars, extended warranties offer you the peace of mind for a low cost, either up front or built into your monthly payment. These extended warranties can prove to be lifesavers or costly "investments" depending on how and what they are used for.
For example, an expensive extended warranty that covers almost everything is probably only a good investment if you plan to keep the item for an extended period of time.
Otherwise, any repairs made to the item in the short term may not amount to the full cost of the warranty. Additionally, some customers may forget they have a warranty on an item and then still pay out of pocket even when they don’t have to.
Another vital thing to consider when it comes to extended warranty coverage is the amount and breadth of coverage that an extended warranty will provide.
If there are many exceptions to a policy or a few places where the policy is valid, then no matter the "deal" you’re getting on this warranty, it may not be worth the time or trouble, as it is essentially worthless.
Deciding on whether to buy an extended warranty is an inpidual decision with a few important factors involved. Reach out to us today, and we can help you evaluate the risks, needs, and potential benefits of an extended warranty if you are considering one.