September 2020
Get Our Free Working From Home Survival Guide
As we continue to social isolate, working from home (WFH) life can start to feel overwhelming. I’ve put together a helpful guide to help you bust some bad habits and help you become your most productive self.
5 Common Myths about Lightning Safety
Lightning is not a force to be trifled with. You may be surprised to discover that much of what we think about lightning isn't true. Below are five common myths about lightning along with the facts to keep you safer.
Myth 1: Without rain clouds, lightning can't exist. Lightning can strike miles away from visible rain clouds. Although not as frequent, lightning bolts have been recorded to strike as far as 10 miles outside the area of their clouds of origin.
Myth 2: During a thunderstorm, sheltering under a tree is safer than no shelter at all. Trees, especially large ones, are often magnets for lightning, making this course of action more dangerous than no shelter at all. The safest thing during a lightning storm is to go home or duck into a shop or restaurant.
Myth 3: Lightning never strikes twice in the same place. This myth might encourage someone to return to where lightning struck so they will not be hit by lightning. The Empire State Building is often hit multiple times by a single lightning storm.
Myth 4: Lie flat on the ground during a lightning storm to avoid being hit by lightning or electrocuted. Lightning can generate currents in all directions. Lying flat on the ground provides more potential points to be hit by electrical currents if lightning strikes the ground.
Myth 5: Lightning will only strike the tallest buildings and objects. Lightning can strike anywhere and injure anyone. The safest thing to do when lightning begins to strike is to seek shelter in a home or building and avoid any outside-leading conducting paths, such as wires, metal window frames and electrical appliances.
Standard homeowners insurance and the comprehensive portion of your auto policy covers property damage from lightning (for example, fires). But if you have any questions about this, please give us a call. We are always here to help make sure your home and family are protected and safe.


Tackle Money Matters as a Team with These Tips
As married couples move into their prime earning and spending years together, they may find shared finances a challenging and sometimes uncomfortable subject to broach. But top financial advisers recommend tackling money matters as a well-oiled team as an exercise in full disclosure, trust and financial security. Here's how proactive pairs pull it off.
Fair is a feeling, not a fact. A fair way of handling the monthly bills is not necessarily a 50/50 split. As long as both parties are comfortable, then a proportional split based on income is the right way to go. You could also factor in unpaid work like childcare duties or housework.
Debt discussions. While you are not legally responsible for your significant other's debt, it'll go a long way in reaching your shared financial goals if you tackle it together. This doesn't always mean taking it on yourself, but you could address how much each person contributes to shared expenses, based on debt repayments.
Money talks. Couples who check in regularly are able to review bills, budget and make progress on debts and goals. Why not set aside an hour each month for a standing meeting to get a handle on what has worked and what hasn't? You could also add a positive incentive by ordering pizza afterwards.
Plan ahead. Planning for doomsday scenarios may not sound like fun, but it is important to support each other during end-of-life arrangements. On the brighter side, you should plan how you would spend a windfall like an inheritance, bonus or property sale. A good rule of thumb is 70 percent on savings, 20 percent on debts and 10 percent on lifestyle upgrades.
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.