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INSURANCE FACT OR FICTION? Advice I Would Never Give My Clients
In the world of insurance, there are too many myths and misconceptions to count. Unfortunately, I’ve seen how a simple misunderstanding can wreck a person’s bank accounts and entire financial well-being. Jan. 25 is Opposite Day if you didn’t know, so I want to take this opportunity to share some advice I would never give to my clients. Ever! If you see these red flags, do yourself a favor and run the other way. ‘TRUST EVERY INSURANCE ADVISOR WHO CALLS YOU’ Receiving an unsolicited call is your first red flag! Never, ever , do business with someone who calls you first. I don’t care what they promise you or how good it sounds because they are looking to give you a short-term benefit for fast cash. These callers don’t have your best interest at heart. Even if they do have a good plan for you, consider what will happen when next year rolls around. Often, these plans will renew with wildly high rates, and you’re stuck! These scammers are called “enrollers” because their sole interest is enrolling you into a shady insurance plan to keep you stuck there. They won’t be there to help you if you have a problem or want out. Not all insurance
advisors are the same, so please be sure to take your business to someone who cares. ‘PAY A BILL EVEN IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND IT’ If you receive a bill you can’t understand or don’t know why you’re being charged, don’t pay it without consulting your insurance company. First, you need to have a good understanding of what exactly you’re paying for because the hardest thing to do is get your money back! Call your insurance company’s customer service line to find out the details of your bill as soon as possible before you hand over your cash. All it takes is a five- minute call to guarantee you’re being charged the right amount. ‘JUST THROW AWAY ALL YOUR MAIL’ I know! We all get a ton of mail, and plenty of it is junk, but please be sure to open your mail and ensure you’re not missing any crucial deadlines or important notices. When you don’t open your mail, you can miss a bill or even ignore significant changes to your insurance plan and so much more. Open up your mail and at least skim it! ‘YOU CAN HANDLE YOUR INSURANCE YOURSELF’ While you can theoretically handle your insurance matters entirely by yourself, I would not recommend
it. Insurance policies are intricate and filled with minor details and requirements that are easy to miss. Always work with a professional who can help you understand all of your options and the best next steps. Of course, these are just a few of the most common misconceptions about insurance. As you debunk all the myths, you’re not just staying informed but safeguarding your finances. Always be on the lookout for misleading information and too-good- to-be-true schemes, and always reach out to a professional like the Hamilton Insurance Group team to separate fact from fiction! –Duane Hamilton
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The Weird Actions of Brilliant Thinkers
Winter isn’t easy for anyone, but when you’re older, it can become hazardous. Slip-and-fall injuries, poor heating systems, and power outages can lead to disastrous scenarios if you aren’t thoroughly prepared. Learn how to make your home winter-proof to stay warm and safe this season. CHECK YOUR HEATING SYSTEM Your heating system will be responsible for keeping your entire home warm when temperatures drop, so you must ensure your system is working properly and ready for the season. We recommend having an HVAC technician come to your home to inspect, clean, and repair your heating system. This can ensure you won’t be left without heat at any point this winter. PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES Power outages are common during rough winters, so be prepared if the worst were to happen and you’re without power for more than a few hours or even days. Portable How to Winter-Proof Your Home Protect Yourself and Your Home From the Cold Some of history’s greatest thinkers were more than a little eccentric. Let’s look at strange facts about five inventors, scientists, and philosophers who helped shape our world. Inventor Nikola Tesla walked around a building three times before entering it. He apparently became obsessed with the numbers 3, 6, and 9 and would only stay in hotel rooms that had a number divisible by 3. Famed physicist Albert Einstein created a contract for his first wife that outlined her household duties. The contract established that she must provide fresh meals, clean laundry, and “silence on request.” Unsurprisingly, they divorced after 11 years. Scientist Marie Curie carried test tubes full of radioactive isotopes in her pockets almost everywhere she went. She also kept them in desk drawers and open areas around her lab. This practice is believed to have contributed to her death from aplastic anemia in 1934. The ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras was afraid of fava beans, which wasn’t an uncommon fear during
his time. Myth said that fava beans contained the souls of the dead since they had a flesh-like appearance. Finally, Sir Isaac Newton once inserted a sewing needle into his eye for an experiment to learn about how the eye perceived color and light. Surely, there was a less gruesome way to test his hypothesis!
heaters, propane heaters, extra water, food, and necessities should be on hand in case of an emergency. For many, a generator can be worth the investment to guarantee you
won’t have to worry about power outages. PLAN FOR SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
The snow and ice around your home, especially on the driveway or doorstep, can be incredibly dangerous. All it takes is one bad fall to cause a severe injury to your hip, back, arm, or head. If you see that harsh weather is on the way, plan ahead, heavily salt your walkways, and ensure you have snow shovels and ice scrapers on hand. You might also consider hiring someone to clear your sidewalks and steps for you. INSULATE DOORS AND WINDOWS Patio doors, side doors, and even windows can let in freezing cold drafts that can significantly drop your indoor temperature. Older homes are especially prone to drafts, so be sure to have your doors and windows properly insulated to avoid letting the winter inside. Sealable plastic coverings and temporary caulk, found at most hardware stores, can help keep your home warm. Insulating your home can also keep your heating bills down as much as possible. Stay safe this winter, and be sure to follow these winter- proofing steps this year!
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novelty of your resolution will fade, and you’ll be ready to quit if you’re unsure of how to continue. SHARE YOUR GOALS TO STAY ACCOUNTABLE. When you share your resolutions with others, you’ll feel more responsible for achieving them than keeping them to yourself. Tell your family and friends about your goals and keep them updated along the way. This will help keep you accountable, and you may even find a partner to join you on your journey! EMBRACE THE PROCESS (AND PITFALLS). Of course, it won’t be easy, and you will make a few mistakes. Don’t let any obstacles or losses bring you down. They’re only natural! Instead of feeling down about any defeats, learn from them and get right back on track. Celebrate your small victories and ride the waves that come with reaching your goals. You’ll thank yourself later!
Practical Steps for Success Beyond February S mall S teps , B ig W ins
Resolutions help motivate us for the new year, but it’s no secret that they usually fall through by February. In fact, research shows that only 9% of Americans who make resolutions actually accomplish them. Additionally, 43% of people will quit their resolutions by the end of January. Well, if you’ve already had a few slip-ups, there’s no reason why you can’t get back up and start over. MAKE SMALLER, REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS. We hate to say it, but having multiple grand goals like losing weight, getting promoted, and saving money will likely leave you reaching none of them. When
become overwhelmed and lose your motivation. Instead, create smaller, more realistic goals for yourself. Instead of making a goal of losing 20 pounds, create small resolutions like going to the gym a few times a week, not eating sugar, and so on. When broken down into smaller increments, you’re much more likely to accomplish your goals and stay motivated. CREATE A PLAN WITH DETAILED STEPS. Your goals need to be measurable for you to keep track of your progress and stay motivated. Write a detailed plan with concrete steps and timelines to help you reach your resolutions. Plan ahead and incorporate specific steps into your calendar because soon the
you have too many big-time resolutions, you can quickly
THANK YOU FOR 2023, AND HERE’S TO 2024! As we say goodbye to another remarkable year, we want to share our deepest gratitude for entrusting Hamilton Insurance Group with your insurance needs. Your trust is the cornerstone of our business, and we are truly grateful to have served you throughout the year. 2023 brought its share of challenges, but your continued support has been our greatest motivation. Your trust in our services allows us to continually aim for excellence and maintain the highest standards in our industry. As we step into the new year, we want to extend our warmest wishes for a happy and prosperous new year. We hope it’s filled with joy, good health, and success. We look forward to the opportunity to continue supporting you, providing the utmost care and dedication to safeguarding what matters most to you. Thank you for choosing Hamilton Insurance Group. Here’s to a wonderful year ahead!
B aked S almon W ith G arlic and L emon
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a zesty dish that combines salmon with the vibrant flavors of garlic and lemon!
INGREDIENTS • 2 lbs salmon fillets • 4 cloves garlic, minced • Juice of 2 lemons • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp dried thyme • Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Place the salmon fillets on the baking dish. 3. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the salmon. 4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Serve and enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Insurance Myths to Dodge for Financial Safety Would You Put a Needle in Your Eye? Essential Tips for Winter- Proofing Your Home Strategies for Sustainable and Successful Resolutions Baked Salmon With Garlic and Lemon Meet Kupata, Georgia’s Street- Roaming Pup Hero
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The Stray Dog Who Captured the World’s Heart KUPATA’S ROAD TO FAME
We often think dogs live the good life, as they seem to do nothing but play, eat, and sleep. Yet, some dogs are busy at work, some without being asked to do so! Take Kupata, the stray dog in Georgia, for example. This street- roaming pup takes it upon himself to guard a crosswalk all day, every day . In the town of Batumi, this stray stays by a single crosswalk and forces traffic to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the street. He’s especially protective of children! If Kupata sees a car isn’t slowing down, he’ll bark at the driver as they drive away and run to protect the person crossing the street. One local even shared that Kupata will cross the road with children and stay at the park to protect the youngsters.
Now, after tireless days of guarding his street, Kupata has his own doghouse provided by the city with an accompanying star on the road with his name on it. Kupata’s dedication made him go viral on social media, and now travelers from all over the world come to see Kupata. Don’t distract him, though. He’s busy at work! Sadly, even though Kupata remains cherished by his community, thousands of stray dogs in the country need shelter, food, and companionship. According to activists, around 500,000 stray dogs and cats roam the streets of Georgia. While stray animals may get a bad reputation for being dangerous or unfriendly, Kupata proves that even these furry friends deserve love and recognition.
Kupata, which in English means “sausage,” has become a staple in the community due to his hard work, and locals all pitch in to care for and feed the stray dog. His consistently round belly shows just how loved he is. You’ll even see a massive painting of the beloved animal on a nearby building.
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