Coast to Coast Review

What's New From Amanda Domingo In Brooklyn

Happy Thanksgiving to all! It is so weird that our family will be apart for the first time ever this holiday.  Addison, our Agency's Contact Manager, will be in Pittsburgh, Mom, Dad and Lexie will be home in Carlsbad and me in New York.  However, I am fortunate enough to have a family here in New York too. I have been enjoying going shopping in the city, running the Manhattan bridge, and eating out with my team mates. I was grateful my mom, dad, and sister came out the week before for a surprise. Hope you all are grateful on your turkey day with your family and friends. Enjoy it, I know I wish I was with mine!

A Healthy Recipe for the Holiday Season

As I'm starting to freeze here, this warm holiday Butternut Squash sounds so delicious and easy to prepare. Try it out as a side dish for your Thanksgiving feast.  I also recommend using coffee mugs for ease of serving.

Ingredients 

1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cups chicken stock, low sodium is best
Nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions

Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve.

Kiki's Kwik Tip on Beauty 

I have such sensitive skin that waxing my eyebrows is not an option without losing a layer of skin.  I had a terrible experience with that method of beauty maintenance so I needed an alternative.  It was weird at first. How can this technique possibly work I asked myself.  I fell in love with threading while on a trip to Stanford, but have yet to find a decent place here in Brooklyn. Back home I recommend Kaya Threading in Oceanside right next to Barnes n Noble. It is so affordable and they do a great job. If you have extreme redness, irritation, or scabbing from waxing, I do recommend threading. 

2515 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 722-2013

Raving Restaurant Review

One of my new favorite places to eat in Brooklyn is National. It is a Thai restaurant that offers a decent amount of food for good value.  The food, spices and presentation is fresh.  I usually order the Vegetarian Pad Thai.   Perfect for a starving college student or dinner with the family. I actually took my mom, dad, and sister there when they came out on their surprise visit. If you are ever in town I suggest you give it a try!

723 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 522-3510

Note: It is CASH ONLY 

Farmers Financial Fast Fact, by Glenn P Domingo, LUTCF, CSP

The younger you start saving for your Golden Years, the more powerful your retirement nest egg will be.  As confident planners, we understand that the power of time is our most precious resource.  Time is also an element that allows an investor to take advantage of Dollar Cost Averaging. DCA' The technique of buying a fixed dollar amount of a particular investment on a regular schedule, regardless of the share price. More shares are purchased when prices are low, and fewer shares are bought when prices are high. Dollar Cost Averaging is the concept of purchasing Stocks, Bonds, ETF's or Mutual Funds over a long period of time.  This allows the investor to systematically purchase investment vehicles that are higher at times and lower at times preventing market timing .  This type of investing over time has resulted in better returns of your investment instead of purchasing a lump sum at a high mark.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am going to enjoy tax free Black Friday shopping in New York!  If you spend less than $110.00 on a single purchase in the State of New York, you do not to pay State Tax.  Multiple purchases at the same location on the same day is not uncommon.

Tax Free is always better than deferring your tax.  If you qualify to purchase a ROTH IRA, your return on your investment is tax free.  My dad will explain what a Roth Ira is and who qualifies on our next blog.  Until we read again.

With Gratitude,

Amanda 

New York, New Home

As the youngest in my family, leaving the farthest for college was a huge change for me and my family. Being in Brooklyn, New York for about two months now, I am starting to adjust and settle in to my new home. It is all exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. New York and San Diego are quite a bit different. I entered such a culture shock that I am learning to love. From trying to survive the cold wind chills and watching the leaves change, I have learned things about myself and matured so much in such a short amount of time.

I have enjoyed blogging and running the social media sites for Farmers Insurance this past year. Now that I am finally settled in college I will continue to blog from the east coast. To update you, I am majoring in Sports Management and I am excited to see what my faith has in store for me. I understand leaving home and what you are comfortable with is never easy for anyone. I hope I can share some helpful tips throughout my time in college for students, athletes, and families.

Living On Your Own

Mom and dad are unfortunately not there anymore to do your laundry, watch all your sporting games, make sure you are on top of your homework, or make your meals. If you haven't already figured it out, you will. And for the parents, don't worry, we won't starve. 

I've realized waiting until you run out of any clean clothes and underwear probably isn't the best idea. Do your laundry weekly if you can before you spend your only day off waiting for your wash in the washers and dryers that are most likely out of order. Parents, I've learned Tide Pods are the easiest way to go, so if you're sending any care packages including some of those every once in awhile won't hurt. 

Time management is key. Work smart. Do the work you have to with the amount of effort that is needed to get a good grade. Balance school and play. Find a happy medium between school work and leisure activities.

Adjusting To Your New Home

Coming from an extremely close knit family, I was very scared to travel 3,000+ miles away for school. But, I have realized being so far away has made us so much closer, and so much more appreciative of each others company. I am so grateful to have such a loving, strong-faithed family that I know is still there for me no matter the distance. 

FaceTime, texts, and calls have definitely help. I experienced homesickness, but just a daily little text helps. The phone goes both ways. Never think you're "too cool" to call and check in on the parents they are experiencing loneliness just like you.

Never loose sight of your goals. It helps me get through little daily struggles knowing I am working towards something bigger than the homework assignment I got a bad grade on that I spent so much time on. 

Keep your faith and family close to you and things will work out. Stay patient and persistent. Check in next week for my favorite stress reliever!

With gratitude,
Amanda