Spring, Taxes and The Golden State Insurance Crisis
April showers bring May flowers. The weather has been so nice lately. Baseball season is back, it is starting to get warmer out, and the flowers and in full bloom. We hope you are enjoying your Springtime festivities. FYI — The Internal Revenue Service announced today tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of California affected by severe storms and flooding that began on Jan. 21, 2024. These taxpayers now have until June 17, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Flower Fields –
Flower Fields
The Carlsbad flower fields are open for visitors! It is important to note that tickets must be purchased online prior to arrival and tickets are limited per day. They do offer military and senior citizen discounts as well as children rates. There is more to do than just look at flowers. They have activities, pizza, ice cream, and a kettle corn shop to munch on while you enjoy the beautiful nature around you. Click on the link above to purchase your tickets and support our local community!
Monthly Mocktail –
The Virgin Mary
A twist on a Bloody Mary. The perfect pairing for a Mother’s Day Brunch or a great start to your day game of baseball.
All the yummy of the original Bloody Mary without the hangover or the vodka.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups prepared tomato juice, preferably low sodium
- 1/4 cup dill pickle juice OR olive brine
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Franks
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 small celery heart stalks with leaves, for serving
- 4 lemon wedges, for garnish
- 12 large olives, optional for serving
Instructions:
1. Combine tomato juice, pickle juice, lemon juice, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, celery seeds, and cayenne in a large pitcher.
2. To serve, pour about 2/3 cup into 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish each with a celery stalk, olives and a lemon wedge.
3. Can be made 4 days ahead; keep chilled.
Baseball on a Budget –
We are big baseball fans in this house, but our house is divided. Padres vs. Dodgers! We've already attended a few games this season and hopefully, these tips can help you save some money!
1. Find a friend who has season tickets and is looking to sell them - usually a great price for decent seats if you are looking to really watch the game.
2. Use an outside sales app such as Gametime to get the cheapest tickets a couple hours before game time, just to enter the park, then walk around and watch.
3. You can bring in unopened water bottles up to 1L per person! Saves you 7$ from purchasing inside the stadium for a 16 oz bottle.
4. Bring in your own snacks. Pack a clear bag with all your favorite snacks and candies. You can bring in your own food to the park as well!
5. Use the ACE parking app. Find parking the day before for 1/4 of the price! We purchased 8$ parking only 0.3 miles from the stadium!
We hope you have a fun baseball season! GO PADRES! GO DODGERS!!!
Workout of the Month –
Anytime and anywhere get your workout in! Here is a workout you can do from your hotel room, your home, or even outside. No equipment is required and you will for sure get your heart rate elevated and a burn on your muscles. The goal is to get as many rounds in as you possibly can. Let me know how many rounds you can get in 18 minutes!
AMRAP - 18 minute timer
Set your timer for 18 minutes and get as many rounds in of all the exercises that you can. Take rest when you need to.
-20 squats
-15 push ups
-10 alternating jump lunges
-5 burpees
Repeat these body weight exercises until time runs out! All 4 exercises completed counts as 1 full round!
Restaurant Review - True Food Kitchen
If you are into healthy options and eating healthy without compromising taste, this is a great place to come! They have a location in UTC so you can get all your shopping done and enjoy a fun date night all in one place. We wanted to try multiple dishes while we were there and they were kind enough to split them for us. Everything is made seasonally and in-house, even their sauces. I suggest asking your waiter or waitress what they suggest and what is a popular item on the menu this season! Enjoy!
True Food Kitchen
A Note from the Agency Owner
A third of the year has passed and rate increases are continuing to accumulate for our clients and all other insureds in our Golden State. As media continues to bring updates to our industry, carriers are finding ways to lesson risk with underwriting contingencies, required forms and proof of insurability. Please comply with any requested documents, repairs, photos and verifications to keep your policies in force. When you do get your renewal and you find the increase unfair or unjustified, please call our agency to discuss strategies to lower your premium. We will look at deductible management as the key component to lowering your renewals. Again, clients and policyholders are self insuring smaller claims and utilizing the insurance policy for catastrophic losses only. Discuss with our agents any hypothetical scenarios of potential claims to see what the chargeable loss will do to your insurance or if it is worth claiming. This is the most difficult insurance market that California has ever faced and we continue to keep our clients informed of changes and opportunities to manage their premiums. Communication, pride of ownership, and having a safety first outlook in life will help us get through these turbulent times. As always, our advise is free and warranted. Please call, text, email or facetime with any questions or concerns.
Domingo & Associates, Your Agency for a Lifetime.
