October 2022

Happy Fall Y'all ! 

Officially starting to get colder (sort of)! School is in full swing, the leaves are changing, and we are preparing to fall back here very soon.  We hope you guys enjoy your Halloween and are ready for the rest of the year to just fly by.  Thanksgiving will be here before you know it and then Christmas is just around the corner. A perfect time with the season changing to check back in with your 2022 goals. Reflect and assess how far you have come and what changes you need to make as this year comes to a close to achieve them or get yourself one step closer to them. We hope you are all staying healthy and well and look forward to seeing you throughout the holidays! 

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice 

It is officially the season of pumpkin spice. Wether you are a pumpkin spice fan or not, these recipes will put you right in the fall mood. 

Pumkin Spice Latte 

- 2 C milk of your choice 

- 2 TBSP pumpkin puree 

- 1 to 3 TBSP sugar 

- 1 TBSP vanilla extract 

- 1/2 TSP pumpkin spice 

- 1/2 C strong coffee

- Add whipped cream on top! 

- Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until hot, but do not boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee.

- Divide the mixture between two mugs. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin Bread 

      - 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour 

• - 1 teaspoon baking soda
• - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg*
• - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves*
• - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger*
• - 3/4 teaspoon salt
• - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• - 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• - 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• - 1 and 1/2 cups (340g) pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
• - 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted coconut oil
• - 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice*
• - 2/3 cup (120g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lowering the oven rack prevents the top of your bread from browning too much, too soon. Grease a metal 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.

1. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt together until combined. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until combined. Whisk in the pumpkin, oil, and orange juice. Pour these wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix together using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon. There will be a few lumps. Do not over-mix. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, if including.

1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60–65 minutes, making sure to loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with only a few small moist crumbs. This may be before or after 60–65 minutes depending on your oven, so begin checking every 5 minutes around the 55-minute mark.

1. Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before removing and slicing. Cover and store leftover pumpkin bread at room temperature for up to 3–4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Restaurant Review 

The mediterranean Chipotle, but better. Cava is a DIY quick and healthy meal that is so affordable and won't leave you hungry. You get to choose your base, greens or grains or both, then add a protein and all the veggies and topping of your choice. You can choose to make your own bowl or try one of their pre-designed tasty bowls. Next time you are looking for a quick healthy meal to feed the family after a long day, or need something to take on the go, give Cava a try! 

Cava Menu

Workout of the Month 

Boo! Burpees! 

Between each exercise, perform 10 reps of a full burpee. 

- Alternating Reverse Lunge 

- 10 Burpees 

- Push Ups 

- 10 Burpees 

- Squat Jump 

- 10 Burpees 

- Lateral Lunge 

- 10 Burpees

- Superman 

- 10 Burpees 

Beginner aim for 3 rounds, intermediate aim for 4 rounds, and advanced aim for 5 rounds. 

Take rest when needed and try to complete as quickly as possible! 

Healthy Halloween

Sometimes it can be tricky with Halloween candy everywhere in the store and having your kids candy around all month long. Here are a couple tips and tricks to keep you on track with your health and fitness goals. 

1. Balance. The more you tell yourself you aren't allowed to have any candy the more your body is going to crave it and the more likely you will over indulge when you do give in to the craving. Allow yourself to have your favorite and enjoy it guilt free! 

2. Don't buy a whole bag of candy. If you aren't giving the candy away to the neighborhood kids or bringing it to a Halloween party, then keep it our of sight to keep unnecessary temptations out of the way. 

3. Healthier alternatives or candy options are ones that have a little full fat and protein rather than full of a bunch of artificial sweeteners. For example, a fun sized Snickers will probably satisfy you and make you feel fuller for longer than a bag of Skittles. 

The biggest thing is to enjoy what you want in moderation! 

A Note from the Agency Owner

How did 2022 turn out for you and your family ?  

Did you pay for any upgrades to your home ?

Did you add solar to your home ?

Has an estate attorney advised on purchasing a personal umbrella policy ?

Have you reviewed your life insurance portfolio ?

Do you have any IRA rollovers still at your old company ?

Do you have a new driver that needs to be listed on your auto policy ?

Life changes happen constantly, sometimes we forget to update our records, insurance policy's and or accounting.  Please keep in touch and if any of the above questions are a yes, please give us a call for your Free Farmers Friendly Review.   Have a wonderful Holiday Season and talk soon.  

Your Agency for LIFE, Glenn and Amanda Domingo

September 2022

Fall Back, Florida Exit Just In Time

The sun is starting to go down a little bit sooner, the weather is cooling down (kinda), and you may be getting a couple hours of peace and quiet now with the kids back to school. Fall is officially here, and for some of you, you couldn't wait one more second for that over-priced Pumpkin Spice Latte. Mom and Dad took their first visit to Addison's new place in Vero Beach, Florida, just before the hurricane hit! I have officially started nursing school and I'm already done with midterms. Lex got a job promotion in New York and has been enjoying the new challenge. New seasons and new prayers being answered everyday. We are so very grateful. We hope you have found your back to school routine by now and haven't had too many tantrums trying to get everyone to school on time. 

Recipe of the Month - Warm Chocolate Chip Banana Bread 

My boyfriend claims this recipe is the "most moist banana bread he's ever had!" One secret ingredient besides extra love... greek yogurt! 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees. 

2. Have 2 separate mixing bowls for wet and dry ingredients. 

3. Combine: 

    1/2 c brown sugar

    1/2 c granulated sugar

    1/2 c melted buter 

Mix until a paste like consistency. Then add in: 

    3-4 mashed ripe bananas 

    1/2 c greek yogurt 

    1 tsp vanilla 

    2 large eggs 

4. In another bowl combine: 

    1 1/3 c flour

    1 tsp baking soda 

    1/2 tsp salt 

5. Fold in the dry ingredients to the wet bowl. 

6. Fold in 3/4 c chocolate chips. 

7. Pour ingredients into a 9x5 loaf and sprinkle with extra chocolate on top. 

8. Bake for 1 hour and 15 min. 

9. The best part, ENJOY! 

Workout of the Month 

This one is a burner! For time, so you are trying to finish as quickly as you possibly can. 

.5 mile RUN/JOG/WALK (personal choice) 

Start with each exercise at 30 reps, then 20, then 10. 

Reverse Lunge (RIGHT) 

Reverse Lunge (LEFT) 

Full Thruster 

Bicep Curl 

.5 mile RUN/JOG/WALK 

How quickly can you get done?! 

Restaurant Review

South of Nicks 

If you are looking for a little staycation or restaurant a little further away for a fun night out, I highly recommend Nick's on State! Food is amazing, drinks (look) amazing, and the service is top notch. The chef even brought our dinner out to us and we were just eating at the bar. There are a ton of other things to do in downtown San Clemente so feel free to make a day out of it! 

Hurricane Ian 

What is a hurricane? 

Hurricane Ian formed over the central Caribbean Sea late Friday, September 23, 2022, as a tropical storm, the ninth tropical storm of the 2022 season. Hurricane Ian made landfall at 150 mph on Wednesday off the shore of Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast of the state. Ian’s top maximum sustained winds of 155 mph had been recorded hours before landfall, when the Category 4 hurricane was 2 mph shy of reaching Category 5 classification.

How are they measured?

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.

Statistics 

Fast facts: Hurricane Ian

• More than 2.5 million people in Florida were under evacuation orders before the storm hit.
• Hurricane Ian knocked out power to more than 1.5 million residents across Florida, according to PowerOutage.us.
• New tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued for North and South Carolina.
• Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 3 storm Tuesday in Cuba, knocking out the electricity grid and leaving the entire island without power.
• Ian strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing severe flooding to Cuba and the Florida Keys.
• Only four Category 5 storms have made landfall in the U.S. with maximum sustained winds greater than 155 mph.
• Heavy, potentially flooding rain is expected to affect central Florida, southern Georgia, North Carolina, and the South Carolina coast, well beyond the hurricane’s path.
• Hurricane Ian follows Hurricane Fiona, a Category 1 storm that made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday, September 18, 2022.

How we can help! 

Prayers and donations to relief funds are always helpful and appreciated. I have left a link to World Vision where you can donate directly to the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund. 

Donate to Hurricane Ian

What is World Vision?

Dodgers vs. Padres - A Split House 

    The final series of the regular season of America's Pastime. My parents have always been die hard Dodger fans, and growing up here in San Diego I've always loved the Padres! They finally took me up to Dodger Stadium for the first time and we saw the Padres     lose. Last series of the two as they battle it out is tonight, and I        can't wait to go! Who are you rooting for? GOOOOO PADRES! 

                                                             

A Note from the Agency Owner

      

The Farmers^® organization and our agency are operating in unusual times. In fact, the current marketplace is unlike anything we’ve seen before. As you know, the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic set off a chain reaction in our economy, with some of the downstream impacts being labor shortages, supply chain disruption, and inflation. Compounded, these issues are increasing the costs of claims, particularly in the Auto line of business, which in turn drives down profitability.

• In Auto, we’re seeing increases to used car prices and elevated rental car prices due to lower supplies.
• In Home, housing prices are increasing, and inventory supply and demand, lumber prices, and costs of labor are contributing to the increase.
• Catastrophe costs are at historically high levels, with 2021 being one of the costliest catastrophe years on record.

We recognize these are challenging times for the industry, and for our agency. We believe that together, we’ll emerge from this much stronger, and pave a new path forward.  It is times like this that allows our agency to stand out with claims management, customer service and assist in making changes to your policy for premium management.  As always, our Farmers Friendly Review is offered each year to our clients.  This offer is also available by asking our agency to review your personal insurance portfolio.  Wishing you all a great 4th quarter of 2022 and look forward to connecting soon.  

Kindly, Glenn & Amanda Domingo

August 2022

Back to the GRIND

It's always a bit sad around this time of year because summer is coming to an end. We have thoroughly enjoyed our last month of summer time with some travel and a long visit from Lex. We celebrated mine and my sisters birthdays, my parents took a much needed vacation to Hawaii, I left for a week in Cabo and began nursing school. As the season of summer comes to a close, get in those final few beach days (locals summer is September), finish your back to school shopping, and get organized and prepared for the upcoming school year. We hope you and your families enjoyed your summer vacation and able to take some time for yourself to reflect, regroup, and reorganize for the school year ahead. 

Back to School - Healthy Lunches to Pack 

Going back to school can sometimes be a drag, but make sure that your kiddos are properly fueled for all the new material they are going to be learning. We always brought our lunches to from home to school and eating at school was always a treat. It was something that reflecting on now, I am very grateful for. Below are a few ideas of quick, nutritious lunches to pack for your little ones. It's always a nice idea to leave a little fun sized treat, or a little encouraging note goes a long way! 

The Ultimate Planner - Stay Organized ALL Year 

I have to write everything down so I don't forget and then put reminders everywhere as well. With a constantly full schedule and plans always changing I used a ton of white out prior to my boyfriend finding The Rocket Fusion Smart Planner.  Write, reuse, organize, and scan. You can download an app and directly scan your calendar, notes, and goals sheets directly into your phone, to the cloud, or share scanned documents easily! 

Tips & Tricks for Getting Back Into a Routine 

1. Start early. The week or two leading up to a new routine start practicing your habits early. For example of you plan to start working out prior to work or taking the kids to school, start setting your alarm 30 minutes early and going to bed a little earlier each night to prepare your body for the early morning wake up. 

2. Setting yourself up for success starts the night before. My sister and I would always call it "setting up for success." Every night that we lived in New York together, we would make sure we both had our bags packed for the next day, our clothes out, and the coffee pot set and ready to brew. It takes less stress off all the morning of things you have to worry about and saves some extra time you can spend sleeping. 

3. Keep a planner/calendar. Having all your activities, meetings, and to-do's in one spot keeps yourself organized and you don't have to worry about cramming for things last minute. One of the biggest things that you don't want to forget is setting aside and making time for yourself as well. 

4. Don't try to do it all at once. Taking on new things is stressful. Don't try to start a new routine and a million other things at once. Maybe focus on 1-2 things at a time, like waking up earlier and meal prepping breakfast. Once you feel like you can manage those things, you then can start adding in more. 

5. Stay positive. It can be frustrating and overwhelming starting something new. Give yourself some grace if you fall off track a day or two, don't worry it is a process. Some days will be easier than others, on those harder days, love yourself a little extra. 

Restaurant Review - HOOKED ON SUSHI 

Always quality and one of our favorite places to go.  They have multiple locations and I recommend planning ahead to wait at least 10-15 minutes. The service is great and I have never been disappointed with any roll I get. This pick was inspired by my sister, Lex as her last meal before she heads back to NYC. We always love to tart with the garlic edamame and a miso soup! 

Hooked on Sushi

Tips from a Teacher - Prepare Your Students for the Classroom 

1. Get back on a "School Time" sleeping schedule. Summer is meant for many late nights and adventures, for students and teachers, but be sure you are properly fueling your body before the school year begins. This brings me to #2!

2. Fuel yourself with breakfast for the day ahead. Whether that be the meals provided at school, or something from home- it is essential for parents and children to encourage and maintain proper nutrition as we settle back into the school routine. 

3. You don't need the coolest supplies, I promise they don't determine how smart you are.

4. Get to know your teacher! Ask questions if you are curious about your teacher. From my experience, being able to trust and know your teacher as a person creates an inclusive classroom where everyone's opinion matters. 

5. Get involved. After a few years of remote learning, getting involved in regular school groups or activities can be beneficial for our social emotional health- it's not all about academics.

Workout of the Month 

With the school year starting up again and many of us having busy schedules, sometimes running on just a few hours of sleep; the last thing we want to do is workout. This month I bring you guys a quick HIIT workout that you can do whenever you find those extra 20 minutes to get it in. 

40 seconds of work, 20 seconds of recovery then start the next exercise. 

- Squat 

- Push Ups 

- Forward Lunge 

- Alt. Superman 

- Lateral Lunge 

- Bicycle Crunch 

Complete 3 - 6 rounds. Make sure to warm up and cool down properly! Enjoy a quick fat burning sweat whenever and wherever! 

A Word from the Agency Owner

With the 4th quarter nearing, this year has gone as fast as 2020 and 2021, the lost years.  With more cars back on the road, the cost to repair and the time to repair cars at an all time high, inflation and increased losses and increased severity of accidents, auto insurance rates will increase.  Along with soaring cost to repair homes as well as the increased cost of supplies, and wild fire projections and past pay outs, home insurance is also on the rise.  This is the time to call in for your Farmers Friendly Review.  Even if you are not our client, we will advise you on the best possible coverages for the fairest amount of premium.  Being in the business for 26 years does give our agency the knowledge and experience to best serve our clients and community.  Please reach out and stay safe.  Kindly, Glenn P Domingo, agency owner

July 2022

HOW is YOUR MENTAL GAME

Our blogger and digital marketeer, Amanda "Kiki" Domingo will be starting nursing school this month.  She still will have some time to produce our Montly Family Insurance Blog.  For that, I am grateful.  This kid has the strongest mental game in our family of five.  She has overcome an almost career ending injury as a freshman and now putting what she learned and gained in college into everyday practice in her young life.  Check out the 75 days of mental toughness she is going through with Shane.  Check out our July Blog filled with fitness routine, a healthy snack recipe and restaurant review.  Your goals and aspirations start in the heart, filter to the mind and then becomes reality with your body.  How is your mental game ?

75 Hard - Update 

As some of you may know, my boyfriend and I have taken on the 75 HARD challenge right in the middle of the summer. 75 straight days of 2 workouts, 1 gallon of water, NO alcohol, and reading 10 pages a day. The first 30 days are definitely the toughest to get through, then it becomes a routine. One of the hardest parts in now taking care of your body enough to get through these last few weeks. For anyone looking for a challenge, mentally and physically I highly recommend. Here are some tips I would give you for those of you looking to start: 

1. Choose a book you actually enjoy reading and bring it with you wherever you go. 

2. Your second workout does not need to be an intense one. 

3. The water gets a lot easier, but be ready to pee a LOT at first. 

4. Having a partner to keep you accountable when times get tough is SO helpful. 

5. If you don't have a planner, I suggest getting one. Planning out your workouts the week before is helpful. 

6. Switch up your workout routine. You'll easily lose motivation if you don't change up the routine. I suggest trying new classes like yoga, barre, CrossFit, something out of your comfort zone! 

Sippin' Into Summer 

Sometimes we get caught up in the summer time with happy hours throughout the week and dinners, parties, kids sporting events, on the weekends, we are always feeling like having a drink in our hand. I totally understand the social drinking scene and if you're ever trying to clean up your diet, or drink less sometimes it can be hard with another event every other day. 

Here are a few drinks I like to have on hand that don't include the alcohol, but avoid all the unnecessary explanations to everyone why you aren't the one drinking! 

-Kombucha 

-Soda Water w/ Lime 

-Athletic Brewing Company 

-Sparkling Water 

-Drink Poppi 

-Virgin Margarita 

 

Recipe for the Month - CHIA PUDDING 

One of the easiest recipes to make. Great for prepping, on the go, and a great way to reset your gut. 

Chia seeds are high in fiber, which in turn helps decrease blood pressure and chances for heart disease. They can be used in so many different ways; sprinkled on top of your cereal, mixed into your yogurt, on the top of a salad or smoothie bowl, or made into some pudding for breakfast or a high fiber snack. 

Ingredients for Pudding: 

- 3 tbsp chia seeds

- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 

- 1/2-1C almond milk or water 

Stir ingredients in a Tupperware or mason jar and seal tightly. Place in fridge for 1-2 hours, or preferably overnight! 

Topping Ideas: 

- Fresh fruit, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, raspberries are some of my favorite

- Drizzle PB or almond butter 

- Granola for an added crunch and some carbs 

I love having chia pudding and taking it to work or a post workout breakfast on top of some fresh or overnight oats. Great for digestion and will keep you fueled and full! 

Workout of the Month 

I love a quick and effective workout. Something you do not have to spend hours doing, targets the entire body, and gets your mood boosted for the rest of the day. 

Try out this full body routine and see how many rounds you can get in 25 minutes. 

Rest as much as you need between rounds. 

-DB deadlift x 10 

-Bent over low row x 10 

-Reverse lunge x 10 each 

-Neutral grip shoulder press x 10 

-DB burpees x 10 

Repeat rounds trying to achieve at least 4 rounds. 

For a bonus challenge add 1 mile to the beginning and end of your workout! 

Restaurant Review - Del Mar Seaside Grill 

Located just south of us, Seaside Grill in Del Mar is a fun vibe, location, and a delicious food. An eclectic menu with greek options and Mexican options. We got a cozy table inside with an ocean view. Also plenty of options to sit outside and people watch down along the Del Mar downtown area. I went with the greek options and it did not disappoint. The chicken was super moist. I can't wait to go back and try something else! 

Below the menu is attached.  

Seaside Grill

June 2022

Summer is Here

Summer is officially underway and we are enjoying this heat and sun. Mom and dad have a trip planned to Nashville this coming month. Mama Fili will be celebrating her 86th birthday on the 4th of July. I just got back from a trip to visit our marketing rep, Lexie, in New York. Addison and Lex are both planning trips home this summer!  Above is the Freeman and Sardarianpour Wedding.  Lots of exciting things coming our way. We hope your summer has been off to a great start and you have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend. 

Spotify Summer Playlist 

There is nothing better than blasting some summer jams with your windows down, outside tanning in the sun, or while grilling in the backyard for your friends and family. I put together a mix of some feel good summer songs to add to your summer hits playlist. "Don't forget your SPF 30 +"

1. Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet 

2. Heat Waves - Glass Animals 

3. Sunday Best - Surfaces 

4. Mr. Brightside - The Killers 

5. House Party - Sam Hunt 

6. 7 Summers - Morgan Wallen 

7. Can't Hold Us Back - Macklemore 

8. Crazy In Love - Beyoncé & Jay-Z 

9. WTF - Missy Elliot ft. Pharrell Williams 

10. Plain Jane REMIX - A$AP Ferg 

Summer Strength Workout 

Building some lean muscle this summer with this strength based workout. Grab a pair of 10lb. dumbbells or greater and let's get moving. Always have the option to take any of these as body weight! 

3 ROUNDS 

10 Reps 

-Deadlift 

-Hip Hinge Low Row

-Squat 

-Overhead Shoulder Press 

-Weighted Glute Bridge 

-Overhead Tricep Extension 

Make sure to warm up and cool down. You will be alternating between a lower body and an upper body exercise. Try to take these exercises back to back with minimal to no rest. Rest and recover between rounds! Get your sweat on and build some strength. Aim to incorporate strength training 2x per week. 

Restaurant Review: Philz Coffee 

I love looking for a good cup of joe. I typically prefer black coffee as apposed to something with cream or milk based and Philz does it right. They brew every single cup or drip I should say individually with love and care. This is not the place to go if you are in a rush, expect to wait 5-10 min for your warm cup. They have iced, hot, and teas. Everything starts black and you can build from there. 

The baristas are excellent and will always give great suggestions if you have no idea where to start or if you know an idea of a taste you're looking for. My personal favorites are the Iced Mint Mojito if I am looking for something refreshing and cold and the Tesora straight up is what I will typically go for! 

Located directly off the 101 in Encinitas, a perfect place to go grab a cup and enjoy walking downtown or take it down to the beach. 

Philz Coffee

Beach Cooler 

If you are anything like me you are a big time snacker while you are enjoying some sun at the beach. I make sure to stay on track with my healthy habits by aways setting myself up for success that way I'm not ravenous when I get home, or grabbing whatever I can get at the local 7/11. Here is an idea of what I pack in my cooler for a ay spent at the beach! 

1. Hydrate hydrate hydrate!

Always make sure to have a hydro flask of water then a couple sparkling waters or Gatorades to keep me refreshed and hydrated. 

2. Protein 

Easy to pack and eat at the beach, a traditional turkey sandy. I love a good turkey sandwich with some lettuce, avocado, sprouts, and mustard. Keeps you satisfied without feeling too full. 

3. Crunchy and savory 

Beanfield salt and vinegar chips are my go to crunchy snack. Gluten free and very savory. I love pairing them with my sandwich at lunch time

4. Sweet 

I always find myself craving something sweet later in the afternoon. I love slicing up some cold watermelon and mango for a more refreshing option. A good chocolate protein bar is another good snack option, or some dark chocolate covered almonds always seem to do the trick! 

Trader Joe's Must-Haves 

We all love a good Trader Joe's haul. I typically find myself there 1-2x per week. Not too sure if that is a good or bad thing... But it has made me realize a few must have items I find myself constantly buying. Here are a couple you can add to your next TJ run: 

1. Barbell Protein Bars - Cookies & Creme 

2. Dark Chocolate Carmel Bar - THE BEST 

3. Gnocchi - Sweet Potato & Cauliflower 

4. Mango - ALWAYS ripe 

5. Flowers - Cheap & pretty, will automatically make you smile and increase your mood 

A Note from the Agency Owner

What is my time line to retire ?  How do I feel about my investment portfolio increasing and decreasing by 30% ?  Am I concerned about leaving money to my heirs ?  Do I have life insurance to leave my children or grandchildren ?  Should I convert my IRA's into a ROTH IRA ?

All the questions above are spurred by our current economy and world events.  What goes up must come down.  Take a look for yourself at how the DOW Jones Industrial Index has done over time and you will see up and downs.  But why does the graph look like a mountain with no peek ?  This is a question that investors hope to remain constant.  The concerns of an investor should be about diversification, fund expenses and when to shift into a more conservative portfolio.  When you plan on retiring, make certain you start converting into fixed income vehicles about 7 years from that magic date.  Some of us will be working until we are 70.  Some of my friends have retired at age 55.  Some will work for the rest of their lives.  Everyone is different and everyone has different opinions on money.  In any event, it is our own responsibility to build and save for our golden years.  Run your social security statement each year to see what our government will be promising you.  Keep asking the questions, keep investing in knowledge and surround yourself with joyful and balanced people. 

Kindly and Respectfully, Glenn & Amanda Domingo, your agency for a lifetime