Keep Your Belongings Safe!

With the high school year coming to an end and many going off to college, it is a good idea to look into insurance for your personal belongings.

My daughter recently had her apartment broken into. All her school work was lost when they stole her laptop from her apartment. Renters Insurance is always a good idea, even for college campus apartments. 

Why Do You Want Renter's Insurance?

Many people think their landlord covers them for any tenants' lost of personal property. However, they may cover the building, but they are not responsible for anything belonging to the renter. 

What Is Renter's Insurance? 

A Farmers renters policy provides coverage to help replace your lost, stolen, or damaged belongings. We will pay for additional living costs if you cannot stay in your home. We also reimburse you for any covered losses. We cover personal property, liability, and additional living expenses. 

Did you know if you had a Farmers Insurance Renters Policy and your dog bit someone, there is an automatic $100,000 of liability coverage to assist with a potential lawsuit? 

You may want to purchase Renters Insurance before it is too late. For more information do not hesitate to stop by our office in Oceanside, Laguna Hills, or Santa Fe Springs or feel free to call me at 866-486-3276 with any questions you have.   

Reduce Life Insurance Costs

1. Take Away Tobacco

Everyone knows by now, smoking is an unhealthy habit. But did you know, quitting smoking can actually decrease your personal life insurance? Non smokers actually pay less in life insurance. So, before you light that next cigarette think about expanding your life span while saving you money.

2. Boost Your Mood and Get Moving!

Not only will exercise create a longer life span, but it will also boost your mood. Clients with the right BMI tend to have lower personal life insurance premiums. Only about 10% of clients qualify for the best rates and out of that 10% all qualify for a lower personal life insurance rate because of their BMI.

3. Ditch the Junk

One of the best ways to expand your life expectancy and get healthy is eating right. Ditch the bag of processed chips and swap it for a piece of fruit. Seven or more proportions of fruits and veggies lowers risk of death at any age by 42%. I have discovered prepping meals for the week will keep you on a healthy track and help you stay away from the processed junk.

4. Click It!

A super easy solution, that should be routine anyway, is buckling up your seat belt. You can reduce crash related injuries by approximately 50% just by buckling up. Keep that in mind next time you go for a drive. 

I hope these 4 tips were a helpful guide to cutting your Life insurance bill.  I would love to hear from you and set up a Personal Life Policy to protect you and your loved ones. Feel free to stop by our office in Oceanside, CA. Or you can always call or email with any questions or concerns.

866-486-3276

gdomingo@farmersagent.com

  

Attention Homeowners: 5 Tips To Go Green In Your Home

Want to save money while saving energy? It can be done by some quick , easy, at home fixes. Here are five basic ways to cut your energy bill and help the environment.

1. Light-bulbs to LED 

Try to start out by changing just 5 light-bulbs in your home to LED bulbs. Believe it or not, they are actually cheaper over time and will save energy while saving you money. Now I know they can be bright, so you may want to avoid changing them in your room if you aren't an early riser! Instead you can try changing them in closets, pantries, or the laundry room.

2. Power Up The Strips!

Think of all those phone, iPad, and kindle chargers you have just sitting in the power circuits at home. An easy way to save energy is to use power strips. Plug in all the chargers to one power strip and just turn off the strip when you aren't using it. A quick way to cut your energy bill. 

3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Stop buying all those cases of water every couple of weeks and invest in a purified water pitcher. Keep it in your fridge and fill reusable water bottles. This has helped my family save money every month and can easily help yours too. A win-win for you and the environment.

4. What Answering Machine?

Now a days, many people rely on their cellphones, leaving the answering machine just sitting plugged in somewhere in your home. Save money buy taking it out and relying on voice mails. It is an easy efficient fix that saves money and energy.

5. Morning Routines 

Who doesn't love those hot morning showers? Try cutting your shower time to save energy and water. Also, turn the water off while brushing your teeth in the morning and evening. Cutting your water usage can help in the drought we are in and easily save you money. 

Have you made any "green" changes in your home? Comment them below! Never hesitate to call with any questions or concerns. You can reach us at our office in Oceanside, California or call 866.486.3276. Feel free to visit my website at www.farmersagent.com/gdomingo for business hours or further questions or concerns. 

CAUTION: Look Both Ways

Did you know one person dies every 16 minuets by a fatal car accident? Why are more people scared of flying than doing everyday actions such as driving? 

Take a look at the article "Looking Both Ways" on my Facebook Business Page. Copy and paste this link www.facebook.com/glenndomingofarmers, or click the link in the right  hand corner under "My Social Websites" to find out more information regarding unknown everyday risks. It may change your perspective on getting a Life Insurance Policy.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or quotes by email or phone.

gdomingo@farmeragent.com

866.486.3276

Why Do You Need Homeowners Insurance?

Home Insurance is needed if any home owner has a mortgage or lien on the home.  The insurance is needed because the bank still owns the property and they have a vested interest that the property stays in good working order. 

 

It is important to have home insurance also for coverage of your personal property at home and anywhere you might be traveling.  Each company has its rules and regulations about how much personal property is covered outside the home.  Farmers offers coverage of 10% of your personal property from your home insurance coverage any where in the world.  This coverage also protects your personal property at home in the event of a covered loss such as fire, smoke damage, theft etc.

 

Another important reason that people should carry home owners insurance or renters insurance is the built in liability coverage in the policy.  What if your dog bit someone ??  What if someone tripped on your property ??  What if you accidentally broke something at you neighbors house ??  This is what liability coverage protects, an unforeseen accident not intentionally caused by a home owner or their family members. 

Do It Yourself Holiday Gifts

I know the holidays can be a stressful financial time for many people, so here I have provided some creative, cheap holiday gifts everyone will love!

Mason Jars

Oreo Cheesecake:

   

Makes 6 to 8 ounce jars of cheesecake 

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs at room temperature
4 ounces sour cream (1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
12 oreos, divided
¼ teaspoon salt

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
Electric beater
Six 6-ounce or 8-ounce mason jars
Deep baking dish 
Optional: Twine and wooden spoon to tie to gift

PREPARATION
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat room temperature cream cheese on medium speed until it is smooth. Add the sugar, then beat on medium speed for 3 more minutesReduce speed to low. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Raise speed to medium. Add sour cream, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Beat for 3 more minutes.

3. Put a pot of water on to boil. (You will need enough water to fill the baking dish and reach ½ way up the sides of your jars.)

4. Using your hands, break 8 of the oreos into small pieces, then gently fold the oreo pieces into the batter.

5. Divide batter among the six jars. Fill each jar half full. Put the jars in a deep baking dish, then pour enough boiling water into the dish to reach halfway up the sides of the jars. Cover the dish with foil and cut 8 slits in the foil to vent. Bake at 325°F until they are set in the center, about 25 minutes. Let cool. Refrigerate overnight to set.

6. Make the oreo topping: Put the remaining four oreos in a plastic bag and seal it, then whack at them with the back of a spoon to crush them. Top each cheesecake with a spoonful of oreo crumbs, seal jars, and tie a spoon around each.

No prep tag required for this one! Already made and ready to eat!

Blondie Bars: 

INGREDIENTS

Blondie Mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
½ cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup peanut butter chips
1 cup brown sugar

HOW TO PREPARE THE GIFT
Combine flour and salt in bottom of jar. Carefully top with a layer of chocolate chips, then with a layer of peanut butter chips. (Try to sprinkle the chips around the perimeter of the jar to create a layered look.) Wrap brown sugar in plastic bag, plastic wrap, or parchment paper to keep it separate, then place it on top.

DIRECTIONS TO INCLUDE

How To Make Chocolate-Peanut Butter Blondies
Makes 8 blondies

You will need: 
Blondie Mix from gift
1 stick butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Pinch salt

Special equipment:
8”x8” baking pan
Electric mixer

PREPARATION  (Include this on the tag as well)
1. Preheat oven to 350°F

2. Butter an 8”x8” baking pan.

3. Carefully lift brown sugar (top layer) out of the jar.

4. Pour as many of the chocolate and peanut butter chips as you can into a bowl, then, in a separate bowl, dump the remaining flour mixture from the jar. It’s OK if there are some chips in the flour and some flour in the chips, just separate as best you can.

5. Combine melted butter and brown sugar and beat with electric mixer until smooth.

6. Add egg and beat 1 minute more.

7. Add vanilla and beat just to combine.

8. Add dry ingredients to butter-egg mixture and fold in with a spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix. Add chocolate and peanut butter chips fold until just combined.

9. Pour batter into greased baking pan. Bake at 350°F 20-25 minutes, or until set in the middle.

Be sure to include the preparation of the treats somewhere on the jar, or make a tag like shown above!  

Bath Bombs

 DIY Peppermint Bath Bomb - yields 3 bath bombs

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup Citric Acid
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 tablespoon epsom salt
2 teaspoons Sweet Almond Oil
3/4 teaspoon water
15-20 drops Peppermint Oil
food coloring (optional)

Snowflake Silicone Mold

In a large bowl combine baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch and epsom salts.
In a small bowl combine almond oil, water, essential oil, and food coloring.
Pour wet mixture into dry mixture. Mix with a whisk until fully combined. Use your hands to press bath bomb mixture into mold.

You can use the ornament balls I mentioned above or make creative shapes with baking molds.  Tip: carefully press the mixture into the silicone mold, try not to press too hard to avoid having the mold widen and distort the design. I let the ornament balls set for 2 hours before removing the plastic ornament ball, then setting them on a towel to dry overnight. For the snowflake mold I let  them dry overnight. The dry time will depend on the humidity in your area and home.

Holiday Driving Safety 

Drinking and Driving Statistics 

Perhaps you have heard of the holidays as the "DUI Season", maybe not. But did you know 52% of deaths on Christmas Day, and 57% of deaths on New Year's are caused by drinking and driving? The holidays bring time for celebration and parties. 

This is a busy time for travel throughout the year. With gas prices being so low this year, it is expected for even more people to be out on the road traveling for the holidays. The average travel for a person on Christmas is 275 miles. More people on the road traveling longer distances only increases chances of traffic fatalities.

Safety Tips

Here are a few tips to lower your risk and keep you safe during this time of the year:

1. Avoid driving early in the AM or late in the PM

2. Carpool with friends and family members to parties and holiday events to keep less cars on the road. 

3. Take turns with friends and family members and be the designated driver for the day/night.

4. If you are driving, be very aware of other drivers on the road.

5. Report any suspicious drivers to the police.

6. Use your resources! The Uber App is a great alternative to find a ride.  

Keep in mind, we are one of the most competitive insurers for teenage drivers. You can save almost 40% if the student driver has good grades (3.0 +)  and takes our free online safety course. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful, safe holiday season!