Just in case you wondered, the office is closed today. We will be checking in remotely for phone and email messages. Please be careful if you happen to venture out today or in the coming days. With all the snow, visibility will be limited. Take extra care approaching intersections, merging into traffic, or in general just driving.
With the recent storms we have been getting numerous calls regarding small claims. No problem, we are here to help. However there are some things to consider. First, if you have damage to your home or property take steps as necessary to prevent any further damage. Of course only do this if you feel you can do this without endangering yourself or your family. For example, if electrical wires are down on our property, DO NOT try to remove them. Call your electric provider and have them take care of the down wires. Just common sense, right? Sure. But what about cases where you have some siding blown off or is loose? Generally if it is just a couple of pieces and there is no other damage to your home, the costs to repair would be less then your deductible. Often times it makes sense to have a contractor review the damage prior to submitting the claim. This way you can determine if it makes sense to notify the insurance company. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and the total damage to the siding is $1,100 you might not want to submit the claim. But you say, “This is more then my deductible! And at least I would get something back from the insurance company.” You would be right. However, what happens in the future if you have another claim which you submit because it is definitely over your deductible. The insurance company will surcharge your policy because you have had two or more claims within a 5 year period. It would be wiser to keep smaller claims off your insurance to prevent paying higher insurance premiums in the long run.
Of course call with any questions on this or any other concerns you may have.
It doesn’t seem possible we are in 2010! It seems just a short time ago we were worried about the world coming to an end in 2000. Remembering all the press about what could possibly happen when we hit the big 2000 it does prove a very valued lesson. Worring about what may happen doesn’t help anyone except the press trying to sell newspapers. We can also learn to accept more responsibility for what we are exposed to and decide how it can effect us. As citizens we all need to get as much education as we can about our Country, our Founding Fathers, and our Constitution so we can make decisions for ourselves regarding current events. For example, does the Constitution provide a right of our citizens to health care from the government? Depending on who you listen to some politicians claim this is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. Find out for yourself, you will be a better citizen if you do.
During this busy holiday season we all need to take the time to remember what is important to each of us. Our political leaders will always do what is right for them, the economy is suffering but our values will survive long past us. As I write this blog I sitting in Rochester, MN at the Mayo Clinit waiting for a heart procedure. While I’m sure there will be no problem and I will be back in York in no time, it really makes everything crystal clear as to what is important in life. It isn’t the gifts, not the decorations nor even the church you may or may not attend this holiday season. It is really about the birth of Jesus and our redemption through his love for us. Time spent with family, friends, and goodwill to men just add to the spirit. Please enjoy your holiday season, stay safe, and remember to hug those special to you just a little longer.
Merry Christmas!
Dennis
Well it is official, the EPA just classify carbon dioxide as a poisonous gas. Now doesn’t that just beat all! Seeing we exhale carbon dioxide during our regular lives, exercising just increases this problem. So now we all have a reason not to exercise. But wait a minute, I remember in school a long time ago that all plants need carbon dioxide to survive. So does this mean if we stopped breathing we would be killing off our trees? Don’t worry I’m sure the leaders in Washington already thought of this. With all the hot air coming from there the plant life will not only survive but prosper.
As you might expect at this time of year, bad weather is on its way. Along with the inconvenience we also experience an increase in claims. Most of the claims could be avoided with just a little bit of care and caution. Please plan accordingly if you have to travel during bad weather.
PS. Don’t forget about black ice!
Overnight the price of gold hit a new high of over $1,200 per ounce. This reflects the lack of confidence in the ability of the government to meet it’s future obligations. This all comes about from the endless spending for the past several years. But finally the American public is starting to wake up. They understand we can not continue to spend the money we don’t have, support programs that are not funded or make promises we can’t keep. We are going to face increasing tax rates, increased interest rates and increased unemployment for years to come. I just can’t see any way out of this situation. I would love to hear of any ideas anyone may have.
Well it is even apparent to the NY Times. This past weekend the NY Times came out with an article detailing how the US Government is facing some very troubling times ahead regarding their debt. Here is the link if you would like to read it yourself, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/business/23rates.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Short story, for the past couple of years the government has been financing it’s debt with short term issues. These short term bonds have had very low interest rates of less then 1%. Well in March, 2010, $2.5 TRILLION of these notes are coming due. Without increased interest rates, investors will not purchase to fund the deficit spending our government is doing. With increased interest rates the costs to support the debt will increase dramatically. The interest costs alone will become close to $700 billion a year. This is before any other pie in the sky spending plans like health care or cap and trade. Expect at best a long period where the United States will be under increased taxes which will be a burden that will change the lifestyle of every citizen.
With either House or Senate health care reform bills, were you aware the actual program doesn’t start until 2014, even though the taxes to support health care begin immediately. This is how they are making the statements where the bills are revenue neutral. NO Kidding! Can we believe this is done out of ignorance? This is deceptive representative government and something I would expect from a two bit dictator’s office. If this health care bill passes, it will be the end of America as we know it. We just can’t afford another bill which will dramatically increase our deficit.
Don’t let an accident ruin your Thanksgiving day. Take a little extra time to plan and use some common sense for the day. Never let things cook on the stove while you are away. Keep candles out of reach of children. And of course, keep foods refrigerated as soon as possible. Make sure your Thanksgiving day is one of thankfulness for all the blessing we have and our friends and family to share it with.