January 2022

What to Do if Disaster Strikes (Why a Home Inventory Is Vital)
Sometimes, even though we've taken all the precautions, the worst happens, and disaster strikes our homes. It can be hard to know what to do first, and the insurance claim process can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips from us to help make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Retrieve your home inventory

A home inventory is absolutely vital. If you have one, you have a clear and up-to-date record for your claim. It will help you verify your losses and settle insurance claims faster. Be sure to update your home inventory at least once a year and every time you update your home or buy a new item.

Get started right away

It might not be the first thing on your mind, but contact your insurance agent as soon as possible and start the claims process. They will be able to walk you through it. Once this process is started, a carrier will come to inspect the damage to your home.

Get the details

Your insurance agent will be on hand to help you through the process. They'll be experienced in situations like these, so find out:

1. Whether the disaster damage is covered under your policy
2. How long the claims process will take
3. What they need from you

Once you know what is covered, you can move forward with repairs and reimbursement.

These are guidelines, but remember, an article can’t replace the knowledge of your individual financial circumstances that a personal financial planner possesses. Let us help you navigate what’s best for you.
Quick Quiz
Each month I'll give you a new question.

Just email us and submit your answer.

How many cacao beans are needed to make one pound of chocolate? 

The first 10 responders will be entered into a drawing for 3 Starbucks gift cards.


Last month's winners were:
Brenda Mendoza
Emalee Mann
Larry Johnson


Click Here to Submit!

Good Words for Our Staff
"I know myself and I can be incredibly hard to contact but they still always reach out. I've also had questions and they were always happy to answer them. Their services are greatly appreciated."

- Jonathan P.
13 Martin Luther King Jr. QuotesAm I Covered by Insurance if I Work From Home?
In the spirit of MLK Day, here are 13 of my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quotes. On this special day let's remember they were spoken by a man who changed the world with his words and actions. As we read them let's think about ways we can live them.

LOVE 

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.'
 
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend."
 
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."
 
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it."
 
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
 
"If you can’t fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward."

HOPE

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

SERVICE

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
 
"Everybody can be great because everybody can serve."

UNITY and EQUALITY

"Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men."
 
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."
 
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

These are guidelines, but remember, an article can’t replace the knowledge of your individual financial circumstances that a personal financial planner possesses. Let us help you navigate what’s best for you.

Root Vegetable Soup
Step up your game this holiday season with this rich and creamy hot chocolate.
Severs 4
Ingredients:
  • 1/2 a large potato, peeled and finely diced
  • 1/2 a large turnip, finely diced
  • 1 small fennel bulb, finely chopped
  • 1 medium parsnip, finely diced
  • 3 carrots, finely diced
  • 1 large or 2 small shallots, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
To a large pot, add all ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until vegetables are tender (about 40 minutes).

Remove bay leaf and purée soup in a high-speed blender to desired consistency, in batches if necessary.

Serve.

A Guide on How to Achieve Big Dreams

Ever made a New Year's resolution that you then worry is unrealistic? The good news is there's no such thing. Here are five steps for following the dreams you really want to achieve.


Picture your dream clearly.

Focus on what your dream is. Picture it as fully and vividly as possible, and then write down exactly what you see and how you see it. Research from Dominican University's Dr. Gail Matthews has shown people who write their goals down are 42% more likely to achieve them.


Ignore any negativity coming your way. 

A marathon runner is far more likely to take advice from someone who's run a marathon than an armchair-dwelling naysayer. Take feedback from those who want you to achieve your dreams, not those who'd rather shoot you down.


Surround yourself with positive influences. 

Now that you've filtered out the negative ideas and people who'd seek to hold you back, it's time to fill your headspace with stories and people who have achieved supposedly "unrealistic" dreams. Finding strong role models for yourself is a powerful way to break away from any limiting beliefs you may have previously had.


Spend a moment in your future self's shoes. 

Think about what kind of life you'd like to look back on when you're nearing the end. Do you want to have stories to tell, or would you rather have the regrets of not having tried? Even knowing that you did your best will leave you with a much more positive outlook.


Take action! 

A bodybuilder doesn't gain muscle by just thinking about lifting weights or reading weightlifting magazines. Once you know what you want, put the tangible work in to start achieving.


These are guidelines, but remember, an article can’t replace the knowledge of your individual financial circumstances that a personal financial planner possesses. Let us help you navigate what’s best for you.

Thank You for your Referrals!

We succeed when people like you refer us to your friends, neighbors and loved ones. It’s the best kind of feedback we can receive. So thanks for continuing to pass this newsletter on to people you care about. 


4th Quarter Client Referral Rewards Drawing:

The winner was client Debbie Burness - She named the Sheldrick Wildlife trust to receive the gift to charity.

Thanks for your referrals, Debbie!


Learn More About The D.R.I.P. Referral Program Here