Check out our first edition!
BEYOND INSURANCE POLICIES UNVEILING OUR JOURNEY AND MISSION
Welcome to the newsletter! I hope to bring you updates, laughs, some good advice, and nuggets of wisdom I’ve picked up over the past decade in my journey in the world of insurance.
Helping our clients navigate the insurance world is a fulfilling and rewarding endeavor. As an insurance professional, my role goes beyond just selling policies; it’s about making a positive impact on each person I meet and providing them with peace of mind. Insurance is a safety net that shields
individuals, families, and businesses from “what ifs” and unexpected events. I enjoy empowering clients with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their assets and financial well-being. Most importantly, I want to ensure you are a good fit — I have your best interest at heart. I genuinely believe that we are the difference here at Lewis American Family.
When you hear the word “insurance,” you likely grumble a little or feel your stomach sink unless you’ve had a good
experience with insurance in the past — and that’s my goal. I want you to find peace of mind in your insurance plan and walk away with the education and information necessary to protect your family and assets best. Let me tell you a bit about me. I have lived in the Peoria, Illinois, area for over 20 years and am a typical ’80s kid. My siblings and I spent much time outdoors as kids, riding our bikes, drinking out of hoses, and playing around the neighborhood until the streetlights came on. Basketball is a huge part of my life — I played Division 1 ball at Louisiana Tech University and had the chance to play with or get to know some big names: Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett, Sergio McClain, A.J. Guyton, and Mark Vershaw. I entered the insurance industry on the recommendation of a good friend who became my respected mentor. Yes, I admit I started out cold-calling — it worked well in the beginning until it didn’t. The industry has changed, and I’m better today for it. At Lewis American Family Agency, we go beyond the industry standard. We aren’t only here to give you a quick quote or promise you’ll “save 15% with just 15 minutes” of your time. We believe in taking the time to get to know you instead. I want to know what makes you tick. I will ask you the right questions to start the conversation about what is important to you and why you want to protect those assets.
I am proud to represent American Family Insurance and look forward to building lasting relationships with each of you. Life is full of uncertainties, surprises, and curveballs, but I take pride in making a positive impact while supporting you along the way. —Travis Lewis
We are proud to announce that American Family
Insurance now partners with Rocket Mortgage!
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AMFAM.COM/AGENTS/ILLINOIS/PEORIA/TRAVIS-LEWIS • 309.512.7188
Let’s Unmask Halloween The Origins and Legends Behind Your Favorite Traditions
Here come the scary decorations, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and spooky costumes because Halloween is just around the corner! These traditions are what make Halloween fun and exciting year after year. However, did you know that jack-o’-lanterns come from an Irish legend or that trick-or-treating comes from a historical ritual called “souling”?
his “lantern” into the modern-day jack-o’ lantern! Candy corn was once called chicken feed. Candy corn, which the Wunderlee
As we prepare for Oct. 31 activities, here are some fun facts you might not know about Halloween!
Halloween is based on a Celtic festival. Samhain, a pagan festival held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, celebrated both the harvest and the “dark” second half of the year. During this celebration, it was believed the barrier separating the spirits from the physical world would come down, allowing demons to enter and the spirits of all who passed away that year to move on to the next life. ‘Stingy Jack’ helped evolve jack-o’-lanterns . The Irish myth of a man named “Stingy Jack” goes like this: Stingy Jack invited the devil for a drink, and because he didn’t want to pay, he convinced the devil to turn into a coin so he could buy their drinks. However, instead of paying, he placed the “coin” next to a cross in his pocket that prevented the devil from returning to his original form. Once he freed the devil, Stingy Jack continued to trick him. When he died, God turned away Stingy Jack with only coal to light his way, so he placed the coal in a carved-out turnip to create a lantern. From there, people slowly transformed
Candy Company began producing in the late 1880s, is an extremely popular Halloween candy. In fact, today, about 35
million pounds of the candy are sold each year! When the Goelitz Candy Company brought it to the
masses at the turn of the century, they called the sweet tricolored candy “Chicken Feed” because so many people worked on farms at the time. Their early ads exclaimed, “Something worth crowing for!”
Now you know! Happy Halloween!
Top Hacks for Getting Kids to Bed Sweet Dreams Made Easy
Set a realistic bedtime. Ensure your child’s bedtime aligns with their natural sleep cycle and is appropriate for their age. When children become overtired, they can be more resistant to sleep.
Getting kids to bed can be a nightly challenge for many parents. The bedtime routine can feel like a nightmare, from
endless requests for just one more story to sudden bursts of energy. However, with a few clever tricks up your sleeve, you can easily transform bedtime into a smoother and more peaceful experience. Here are a few top hacks to try.
Limit screen time before bed. Studies show that the blue light emitted by screens can interfere with sleep. Before bed, to help your child’s body produce melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone, limit their interaction with phones, tablets, and television.
Establish a consistent bedtime routine. Children thrive with routines. By
Choose a calming bedtime story or music. Incorporating a calming bedtime story or soothing music into the routine can help transition your child from playtime to sleep time. Some popular choices include “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “Three Little Pigs,” and “Rock a Bye Baby.” The best part is that you can get creative and tailor these choices to your child’s age and interests. Keep in mind that every child is unique. Be patient and adaptable when developing a bedtime routine that works best for your child! Over time, these hacks will help transform bedtime from a nightly struggle into a peaceful and enjoyable time of the evening for both you and your child!
establishing a consistent bedtime routine that includes brushing teeth, reading a story, having one last drink of water, and turning off the lights, you can help signal to their bodies that it’s time to wind down for the night. Predictability works wonders!
Create a comfortable and relaxing environment. Your child’s room should be a calming sanctuary. Use soft lighting, cozy bedding, comfortable pajamas, and your child’s favorite stuffed animal to create an environment that encourages your child to snuggle up and relax.
AMFAM.COM/AGENTS/ILLINOIS/PEORIA/TRAVIS-LEWIS • 309.512.7188
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How to Face Changes in the Insurance World The insurance world is undergoing massive changes — here’s what we know! Insurance carriers in states such as California, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas are enacting a car, or obtain medical care is higher now than ever. However, you can do a few things to help navigate the current insurance market. An Insider’s Look:
comprehensive halt on issuing new policies nationwide. Some carriers are even leaving the market entirely or merging with others due to the difficulties of operating profitably in this inflationary environment. Some carriers are placing pauses on businesses or a stop on writing new policies, while others require premium payments in full for new businesses or will not reinstate coverage if it lapses, no matter the reason. This market disruption will impact everyone — it’s not a matter of if but when. Premiums increased dramatically, often doubling or tripling compared to
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Consider higher deductibles to help save money on your policy. Leverage safe driving telematics programs to receive a discount for “good” driving. Have your agent conduct discount reviews to ensure you’re getting everything you are entitled to. Do not let your policy cancel or lapse. Bundle your auto and home insurance for more discounts and stable pricing. Keep in mind that tenure matters. Jumping from company to company can negatively impact your pricing. Follow the law when driving to avoid traffic tickets, which can add points to your license. Purchase your insurance from an experienced insurance professional who is prepared to help you make informed decisions.
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the previous year. In some cases, carriers cannot secure rate increases, pausing some business’s operations. If you have auto or home insurance, you’ve likely noticed a spike in your rates, and if not, it’s likely to happen soon. The cost to rebuild your home, repair your
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COACH’S CORNER
At Lewis American Family Agency, while we can’t control the rates, we aim to educate and guide your insurance choices! Let us use our experience and expertise to help you during this turbulent time!
“The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” -Vince Lombardi “It’s not the will to win that matters — everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” -Paul “Bear” Bryant
Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese Inspired by TheModernProper.com
INGREDIENTS
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2 sticks butter, divided
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2 tsp salt
1/3 cup flour 5 cups milk
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
8 oz cream cheese
1 lb bacon, chopped and cooked
3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, divided 4 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice,
8 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
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1 lb macaroni, cooked 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
and most of all, love of what you are doing.”
DIRECTIONS 1.
Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until fully absorbed in butter. Whisk in milk slowly. 3. Once sauce thickens, stir in cream cheese and shredded cheese until melted, reserving 1 cup of each shredded cheese. Add seasonings, bacon, and jalapeños before removing from heat, then combine pasta and sauce. 4. In a small skillet, melt remaining butter and stir in panko. 5. In a greased baking dish or skillet, add macaroni and top with panko and remaining cheese. Bake for 30–40 minutes and serve warm.
-Pele
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” -Billie Jean King
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WHAT’S INSIDE?
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From Cold Calls to Warm Connections
Halloween’s Haunting History
Expert Hacks for a Smooth Bedtime Routine
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How to Survive the Insurance Market Shake-Up
Coach’s Corner
Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
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Kids in the Kitchen: Wholesome Family Bonding
COOK WITH YOUR KIDS TO MAKE MEALTIME MEANINGFUL!
No. 1: Cooking teaches life skills. It may seem far off, but one day, your child will have to cook for themselves and eventually their own children, too. By teaching them the basics of cooking now, you’re providing them with a skill they’ll need to be capable adults. No. 2: Cooking creates an adventurous eater. Imagine seeing something like asparagus or artichoke on the plate in front of you for the first time and being told you must eat that weird-looking thing. That’s how many children experience food for the first time, which can feel like a scary experience. Kids who help cook in the kitchen are much more likely to try new and adventurous foods because they’re exposed to them and other ingredients over a period of time. They touch, slice, smell, crush, and season the foods before they ever eat them. So, by the time it hits their plate, it’s not so scary! No. 3: Cooking promotes healthy development. Time spent in the kitchen isn’t all about eating, either. While cooking, children stir, mix, measure, roll, squeeze, spread, observe, learn, and count. These activities all help develop fine motor, hand- eye coordination, math, and science skills, not to mention creativity!
As a parent, it can be incredibly challenging to nail down the perfect weeknight
dinner menu that makes every hungry mouth in your home happy. This is especially true when you have picky little ones who demand waffles for dinner or dinosaur chicken nuggets seven nights a week. You may feel like your days as a short- order cook are endless, but we’re
here to tell you about a simple trick to making healthier meals everyone in your
family will enjoy.
The trick is quite simple: Have your kids cook with you! Cooking with your kids has multiple benefits that stretch far beyond the kitchen table, but the immediate reward is that you won’t cook alone anymore! Next time dinner time rolls around, grab your little sous-chefs to lend a hand so they can enjoy these three benefits.
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