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had all my files in there. Everything I needed to be successful in the career I had built was in the backseat of that car. I filed a police report, and the vehicle was found the next day with just one problem: All my files were gone — everything . This meant I had to start over from square one. Despite how it may seem, it was the best thing to happen for my career. The incident is what made me decide to strike out on my own. I didn’t want to be a manager anymore. I had spent the better part of my career focusing on everyone else and giving no attention to myself. If I was going to start over, I wasn’t going to work for anyone but me. WHEN I STARTED WORKING IN INSURANCE, I WAS FINALLY PURSUING “ Hamilton Insurance Group was born with a direct focus on helping people. Many of these big firms tell you, “You need us.” They have slick advertising and will sell you over the phone on how they’ll protect you in ways others can’t. But they’re wrong. These companies don’t send someone to your house. They don’t know the local market, don’t take the time to address EXACTLY WHAT I HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR.
I never thought I’d be in sales, but now that I am, I can’t fathom doing anything else. When I was in college getting my finance degree, I always pictured myself on Wall Street or working as the next hot real estate developer. I even completed my MBA at the University of San Diego and thought I knew where I was headed. Right out of graduate school, I started working for a small developer in San Diego. I enjoyed what I was doing, and was making okay money, but something was missing.
There was an innate desire to make a difference in the lives of others, but I couldn’t find the right avenue. I moved back home to Atlanta and tried acquisitions (buying apartments), and the job was good, but it still wasn’t great. I worked in the mortgage business, but I couldn’t have my life dictated by the whims of the real estate market. My children like to eat a couple times a day, you know? When I started working in insurance, I was finally pursuing exactly what I had been looking for. But then something happened that turned out to be both the best and the worst thing to happen to my career. In 2010, my car was stolen. Normally, this isn’t too much of an issue, but I
your individual needs, and don’t have empathy. Plenty of companies will enroll you, but once they’ve done that, they won’t provide you with the continuing service you need. I get to help my clients, educate them, and show them I care. I look at these people struggling with health issues and insurance claim problems, and I put myself in their shoes, thinking, “God forbid that would be me and no one would take the time to care about my family or my future.” That’s the care you receive when you work with Hamilton Insurance Group; we go way beyond a sales call. –Duane Hamilton 1 770-744-1855
change of that purchase to the next dollar and then invest it. Take that $2.30 cup of coffee from this morning, for example. This app rounds that transaction to $3.00, places the $0.70 extra into a fund, and invests it. This strategy, called “microinvesting,” may not seem like much, but remember that a mighty oak tree starts as an acorn! ROBINHOOD For many Americans, investing is either too intimidating or just downright costly. And no matter how well your portfolio does, you always lose a chunk of earnings to fees and commissions. Robinhood is an app that removes all fees associated with stock trading and gives you free rein to buy and sell as you please. With seamless money transfers, Robinhood is a great way to build a large portfolio. It
PART D Part D helps with the cost of medication and prescriptions. You can only get this coverage through a private insurance company. Part D is not voluntary coverage. If you don’t enroll before your initial enrollment deadline, there will be a premium penalty. If you qualify, there is additional government assistance to help with the cost of prescriptions. In many cases, original Medicare (Parts A and B) is a great start, but it may be better if paired with a private health insurance plan. Medicare and private plans alike have many programs designed to save you cash. I specialize in making sure everyone gets the most out of their Medicare plan, so this is something I’d love to work with you on. Contact me today, and let’s set you up on the most effective plan to put money back in your pocket. can even function as a small invested savings account. VENMO While it used to take weeks to transfer money by Western Union’s horse-drawn carriages, it now takes seconds with Venmo. This app gives you the ability to send money to friends and family via your phone. With a user-friendly interface, it’s quick and easy to set up an account and link bank accounts or credit cards. Once you’re up and running, sending money is as simple as pressing a button. If you’re intimidated by learning how to use mobile apps, connect with a family member or friend. All of these apps are designed to be intuitive and easy to learn, so with a little time and practice, you can be savvy technologically and financially!
For the Golden Generation Like most stereotypes, describing baby boomers as “tech illiterate” doesn’t tell the full story. Bill Gates is a baby boomer, after all. While not everyone in the “golden generation” is on Facebook, that doesn’t mean they can’t use technology. These three mobile apps are perfect for tech-savvy boomers looking to achieve their financial goals. ACORNS Acorns is the best way to make your spare change work for you. Every time you use your debit or credit card, Acorns will round up the spare
Seniors, It’s Time to Put Money Back in Your Pockets Health Insurance Discounts for the Elderly
I love working with seniors; it gives me the opportunity to help them in areas others won’t. Specifically, many of the older clients I work with haven’t been informed of the massive number of discounts that are available to them. I’m not talking about minimal senior discounts, like at a movie theater or restaurant. These are surefire budget savers that will put valuable cash back in their pockets . In order to take advantage of this, it’s but payment assistance is available from the government for anyone
important to understand the basic foundations of Medicare. Medicare is broken into four parts: PART A This is known as “hospital insurance” because it covers most inpatient services, including inpatient hospital care, inpatient mental health care, skilled nursing services, hospice care, and some blood transfusions. Most people don’t pay a monthly premium. PART B This part covers doctor and outpatient visits. It has a monthly premium that is determined by your income,
who qualifies. You may have higher premiums if you join after your initial enrollment period. PART C Medicare Advantage is another name for this part. You do need Part A and B to be eligible for this. Part C provides additional benefits, such as routine vision care, dental, hearing, wellness programs, and nurse phone support. It is offered by private insurance companies and sometimes includes prescription drug coverage (Part D).
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W hy Y ou S hould C hoose an I ndependent I nsurance A gent Don’t Believe the Lies of Big Insurance Companies
Big insurance firms often claim to be better than an independent agent. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The only thing the large companies are better at than an independent agent is telling you how much better they are. To prove my point, here are three reasons why you should choose an independent agent. WE’RE YOUR NEIGHBOR I live in Atlanta, work in Atlanta, and was born and raised in Atlanta. I’m not on the phone in some call center up north trying to enroll you in a service that isn’t right for you. I’m in living rooms trying to find the right plan that aligns with my clients’ goals. When you run into an issue, I’m right around the corner to help you face-to-face. I serve as your personal insurance advisor, laying out a plan to help you get exactly what you need.
WE’RE THE EXPERTS Independent agents are licensed experts who provide bona fide insight into the industry. We don’t work in one specific area of a specific firm in a specific department. We know the whole industry and the latest trends. We work with multiple insurance outfits, not just a single specialized entity. If you were going to file a lawsuit, would you want to speak with a sales associate or a lawyer? I’m guessing you’d want to consult with a lawyer, because they are masters in their field. Similarly, when you seek an independent insurance agent, you get an expert. WE’RE YOUR ADVOCATE If you have a billing claim or concern, you don’t need to spend hours on hold or weeks fighting through the hassle. An independent agent can represent
you in whatever your efforts may be. We work with insurance companies on behalf of our clients all the time. If you’re looking for someone who has the knowledge, passion, and empathy to help you with your health insurance needs, contact me today. It’s time to stop putting up with the hassle of the health insurance industry and bring back independent agents who know who should truly be the priority: you.
With the beautiful spring weather, peas will soon be ripe enough to slip out of their pods. In honor of the season, this recipe pairs peas and pearl onions with mint to make a refreshing soup. M int P ea S oup
Adapted from mynewroots.org
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS • 3 pearl onions, diced • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 6 cups fresh or frozen peas • 5 cups vegetable stock • 1 tablespoon agave nectar 1. Place pot on stove over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add onions and cook until translucent. 2. Add peas and stock. Cook until peas are just tender and still bright green. Remove from stove and cool for 5 minutes.
• 3/4 cup fresh mint, plus more for garnish • Juice of 1 lemon • Salt to taste • Pistachios for garnish 3. Put the mixture in a blender. As you blend, add mint, agave, lemon juice, and salt. 4. Once blended, pour into a bowl, garnish with mint and pistachios, and serve! This soup can be served hot or chilled depending on the weather and your preference.
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The Origins of Hamilton Insurance Group 3 Must-Have Financial Apps for Baby Boomers Put Cash Back in Your Pocket
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Independent Agent or Big Insurance Firm? Spring Greens Soup Do Pets Fit Into Your Retirement Plan? D on ’ t M iss O ut 3 4
We tend to picture energetic dogs and cats thriving in young families with children, but animals are often happy to live with older, less active adults. These kinds of homes are especially suited to older animals that might otherwise have to spend their last days in the pound. Depending on your schedule and mobility, you might not want to adopt a large dog. But small lap dogs, cuddly cats, and even birds can make a great addition to your home. On the Benefits of Pets
alone less lonely, and a soft cat curled up on your lap helps alleviate a stressful day. If you can’t have a pet in your home due to lease restrictions or mobility challenges, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of being around animals. Consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. You can help care for cats, dogs, and other animals while they wait for their own forever home. There are thousands of pets in shelters across the country waiting for someone to care for them. If there’s room in your retirement plan, why not invite one into your home? You might discover both you and your new friend have something to gain.
As long as you do not suffer from allergies, having a pet can be great for your health. The American Heart Association says pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, may be linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers found evidence to support this claim when they discovered that registered dog owners in Sweden had lower rates of cardiovascular disease and a lower risk of death than individuals without dogs. Physical fitness is far from the only benefit of pet ownership. The love and companionship our animal
friends offer can alleviate depression or loneliness. Linda Anderson, founder of the Angel Animals Network in Minneapolis, says, “Older pet owners have often told us how incredibly barren and lonely their lives were without their pet’s companionship, even when there were some downsides to owning an active pet.” Caring for a pet takes work, but for many people, the benefits greatly outweigh the challenges. An energetic dog encourages you to leave the house and go for walks, a talkative parrot makes time spent
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