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Time to get happy!

Posted on December 27, 2019November 8, 2019 by Victor Varma

Get up, get out, and get happy. Experts say that even if you have to fake it, you’ll soon be merry — or at least a little happier.
People can have a good reason to be wistful or even blue at the holidays. Family members are not always near, or physical conditions can limit activities.
Strange that just when we can’t remember where we put the car keys, memories from 30 years ago are accessible in every detail. It’s great to remember the good times, but to be happy today we need to stay in the present.
According to happiness guru Gretchen Rubin, the key is to actively plan for holidays and make new memories. Here are some ideas:

Consider some things you have loved: Songs, gift-giving, family. Start asking around early for churches that have carols and holiday activities. If you need a ride, ask at the church office.
Find out who needs a gift and give it!
Gather your own ‘family’ of neighbors and friends for a pitch-in dinner. It doesn’t have to be on Dec. 25.
The bottom line: Make a plan and get out of the house.
Do ask others about their plans; people often love to share holidays.
Be grateful for the holiday you make for yourself. Don’t compare this holiday to happier times in the past and try not to compare this holiday to the one you imagined it would be. Create something for yourself and enjoy it, whether it is a modest decoration and dinner with a friend, or an all-out bash.

Best wishes for the holidays

Posted on December 20, 2019November 8, 2019 by Victor Varma

From November to January, we have a pleasant, and sometimes hectic, list of things to do and people to see. It’s a bit of a roller coaster, but I hope you all manage to enjoy the ride.
And, I hope you do it with safety in mind. Shorter days, perhaps bad weather and slippery roads can all get in the way of our rush to finish our holiday plans. Patience, my friends. Let’s all see the new year in with health and happiness.
It seems such a short time ago that we were talking about our plans for 2019. Now, we are in the last phase of the year and rushing to the finish line. The year’s not quite over, however, so the work done between today and New Year’s Day will count and count a lot. Thank you for all your good humor and good work.
We can all be thankful for the many blessings of our work, homes, and holidays.
So to all: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!

Traveling for the Holidays? Safeguard Your Goods with Renter’s Insurance

Posted on December 20, 2019December 17, 2019 by agentinsure

Many renters are under the mistaken notion that their goods are protected by their landlord’s insurance. Truth is your landlord’s insurance protects his building and surrounding property, not your personal goods. To protect your personal goods, talk to an agent from InsureUS in Cypress, TX about renter’s insurance. Renter’s insurance will safeguard your goods against theft and damage from such perils as theft, fire, vandalism, and other holiday disasters. Here’s why it’s a good idea to get a renter’s insurance policy before the holidays.

Disasters

There are so many stories about people returning from holiday travels to discover their home had been ransacked or destroyed by a disaster. Faulty plumbing could cause indoor flooding during your absence, destroying your goods along with the interior of your rental property. An unexpected wildfire could totally consume your rental home, destroying all that you own in the process. Natural disasters are becoming commonplace throughout the country. By being prepared, you can avoid losing all that you own, especially during the holidays.

Theft

Theft is a big problem during the holidays. While you’re gone, your home could be targeted by burglars who are on the lookout for empty properties. If you plan to be gone awhile, take precautions to reduce the risk of theft during your absence. Install an alarm, put in security lights, stop mail delivery and make sure your goods are protected with renter’s insurance coverage. If your valuables are stolen or you’re the victim of vandalism, you can recuperate your losses with replacement cost renter’s insurance coverage.

With renter’s insurance, you can travel with confidence this holiday season knowing your goods are protected against any eventuality. To learn more about renter’s insurance options and costs, call or visit InsureUS today in Cypress, TX.

That jingling you hear may not be bells. Could be what’s left in your pocket.

Posted on December 13, 2019November 8, 2019 by Victor Varma

For those caught up in the buying frenzy of the holidays, Christmas Eve could find them with a handful of change in their pockets and little else.
Of course, every year you think you’ll avoid the rush by accumulating gifts throughout the year. That would be smart, but it doesn’t do much good in November and December and the shopping list looms.
A survey by The Wall Street Journal shows that more of us are controlling credit card debt by adopting new traditions that reduce the loot under the tree.
Women do most of the Christmas shopping, says Eileen Fischer of York University in Canada, who studies consumer behavior. They give gifts to reinforce relationships with spouses, kids, in-laws, co-workers, friends and helpers.
Here is some classic advice on keeping your holidays affordable:

If you have a multitude of relatives to buy for, talk with them about exchanging cards this year. They will be happy to do it in most cases.
Decide in advance how much you will spend on gifts.
Give gift certificates to teens. They keep you within your specific amount, and teens enjoy shopping.
Skip the stocking stuffers.
Shop with a specific list, especially online where easy clicks add up to big money.
Don’t buy for yourself at the same time. Stick to the project.
Financial advisor Jane Bryant Quinn says: Add up your consumer debt and write the number at the top of your shopping list or computer.
An advantage of buying less: Less time spent opening gifts. It can drag on and on for a large group.
The holidays are more joyful when you know you can pay the bills as they arrive in January.

Little shoppers learn realities of money

Posted on December 6, 2019November 8, 2019 by Victor Varma

Christmas shopping is here and your kids will want to be part of it. It’s a good time for a little value teaching.
Help your child make out a list of people and consider what gifts are within a budget you have set.
For younger kids, try shopping in real stores with real cash. One of the best ways to teach money management is to give them some money to handle. They can shop for gifts, while keeping track of the money left for the next gift.
It is never too early to start teaching your child about money. The best time to begin talking to children about money is when they start asking for things. Even a 5-year-old demanding a toy can be taught the value of money and the cost of things. He can also be taught that he has an option to save the money instead.
Your daily routine provides many opportunities for lessons. Talk about how you spend and save money. Show them your grocery list and explain why it is a good idea to make a list. Show
them how a debit card works, being sure to point out that the money is subtracted immediately from your bank account.
Linking an allowance to chores depends on parental goals. If the goal is to teach the child how to manage his money, it is best not to link the work with the money; if the goal is to teach that some things must be earned, an allowance paid for chores could help in that lesson.

Do I need motorcycle insurance in Cypress, TX

Posted on November 26, 2019November 26, 2019 by agentinsure

Cypress, TX is located just twenty-four miles northwest of Houston. Bikers have plenty of open roads to enjoy in this part of Texas. Like all vehicle owners in Texas, motorcycle owners need to carry a mandated amount of liability insurance. The answer to whether you need motorcycle insurance is yes, you do need to have basic coverage but is that enough? The experienced agents at InsureUS are happy to sit down with you and discuss what motorcycle insurance coverage is right for you.

If you have a loan or a lease on your motorcycle, your lender is going to require that you carry collision and comprehensive insurance to protect their investment in your bike. If however, you own your bike outright, you need to decide whether to carry the additional coverage. If you have an old beat-up motorcycle that you would not miss if it was gone or if you have the money to repair or replace your bike maybe you are fine with just having the basic liability coverage. However, if you have assets, basic may not be enough.

Let’s face it, most motorcycle owners love their bike and they treat it like their baby. Your baby needs protection and if it is damaged you are going to want to fix it. If you can afford to do that out of pocket then you don’t need collision or comprehensive coverage. But if it would put a dent in your savings to make the repairs then carrying additional insurance is important. Be sure to talk to your agent about any customizations that you have made to your bike that increased the value.

Motorcycle insurance is something that bikers in Cypress, TX need to seriously consider. The team at InsureUS is here to answer your questions and to make sure that your bike is as protected as it can be. Stop by too see us or give us a call to discuss the coverage that you need.

What to consider when getting out of a rental and taking a mortgage

Posted on November 22, 2019October 7, 2019 by Victor Varma

You have many factors to consider in your journey to home ownership.
Here are some basic considerations:

If you can make a down payment of 20 percent, whatever mortgage you choose, you won’t have the cost of mortgage insurance added to your monthly payment. Many buyers can’t come up with the large down payment, but mortgage insurance is only charged by mortgage companies until equity reaches 20 percent.
Many conventional mortgage lenders ask for 5 percent to 10 percent down.
What is your credit score? To qualify for a conventional mortgage, you need a score of 620 to 640 or higher. But if your score is at least 580, you can still quality for an FHA mortgage.
The big advantage of an FHA mortgage is its low down payment requirement, just 3.5 percent. They account for 30 percent of all mortgages today. But if you have to move in very soon, beware, it takes a longer time to get one.
If you have a credit score lower than 580, you still might be able to get an FHA loan with 10 percent down.
How long will you stay in the house? If that might be for just a few years, an adjustable rate mortgage might be a good choice. Consider it if you are in the military, your job requires you to move every few years, or if this is just a “starter house” for you.
If you plan to live in the home for a lifetime, a 30-year fixed rate, or a 20-year fixed rate, would be better. Or, if you can afford the higher payments on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage, you’ll get the best interest rates of all.
The VA loan is for service members or (this is important), for former service members.

The impact of target marketing in small business

Posted on November 15, 2019October 30, 2019 by Victor Varma

Target marketing, according to Inc., is collecting information to determine your ideal customers among those who also need and will pay for your product or service.
For these purposes, you need their age, gender, family size, education level, and occupation. To find out where they are, you need their zip codes, size of the area, its population, and climate.
How does your ideal customer decide to make a purchase? The answer helps you determine why they buy what you’re selling, how much of it they need, and how often they must buy it.
Most social media profiles for your business provide a free demographic breakdown of customers like yours. Zip Codes can furnish vast amounts of info from the U.S. Census Bureau.
If you’re currently in business, your sales data clearly show what your customers are buying, when, and their purchase prices, among other data. For the essential feedback, talk to them in person or on the phone, conduct a few customer surveys. You don’t need a ton of responses to acquire a pretty good sense of your customer base.
In addition to the basic demographics, these should be among the takeaways from your target customers:
Is the distance to your location a problem? Parking? Public Transportation? Do, or can you, deliver?
How do they make a living? Knowing what your primary customers do can help you adjust your hours to fit their needs or devise special offers. Having an idea of the money they can or are willing to spend can help with your pricing. With this kind of information, you can confirm some of your assumptions regarding your customers and dismiss others.
Practical target marketing is almost always beneficial. And genuine interaction with your patrons — plus giving them what they want — is almost always a pathway to loyalty and future growth.

Why Facebook ads are often not profitable for small business

Posted on November 8, 2019October 7, 2019 by Victor Varma

The revenue of Facebook ads is ever-increasing, and small businesses are the reasons why.
But not all small businesses profit.
With 2.2 billion users every day, Facebook will easily surpass $4 billion in advertising this year. It has a global reach that promises highly targeted audiences.
All this can be managed with a small dollar amount to begin if the audience is local.
Why, then, do 62 percent of small businesses not make any money with their Facebook ads?
The reason has four parts:

Nature of Facebook
Facebook has become a friends-and-family favorite, and enabling conversation is Facebook’s first mission, according to Facebook itself. It is an after-work pleasure for most. The key idea is that people are taking a break from work or are at home when they are on Facebook. Something to remember.
The service or product
Consumer items like clothes, decorations, games, and toys do sell on Facebook. Maybe this is because Facebook ads come to people when they are relaxed.
Facebook targeting
Facebook’s targeting abilities are widely acclaimed. Yet, it is sometimes impossible to see whether your targeted ad hit the target. You might get likes, comments, or shares, but many times you won’t get them from your actual audience. Why is this? Facebook claims that ads are shared. Yet, the person who shares is often not the target market. If your results are bad, change targeting, but you will probably never be able to confirm whether any portion of your ad hit your target.
Consumer products that appeal to nearly everyone work best. Service niches, product niches, just won’t work as well. Business products won’t work as well either, though some do.
User skill
Still, if you want to buy Facebook, you must put in the time to become an expert in its targeting and ad styles.
An eye-catching meme-like ad with an offer usually will attract likes and shares, which expand your audience organically.

Book Review: The dark shadows of “The Four”

Posted on November 1, 2019October 7, 2019 by Victor Varma

According to serial entrepreneur and NYU business professor Scott Galloway, they’re The Four Horsemen of technology and digital media.
In his best-selling “The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google,” Galloway casts a harsh light on the dark features of their business models and impact on society.
He calls out Apple for its eagerness to become a luxury brand that maintains high prices for its devices.
Google, he writes, seeks the image of a public utility.
Amazon continues to devour the retail marketplace while leaving local shopping mails deserted if not already closed.
Facebook? According to Galloway’s book, it’s now “the world’s biggest seller of display advertising – an extraordinary achievement, given Google’s brilliant takeover of advertising revenues from traditional media just a few years ago.”
Indeed, Galloway foresees Google and Facebook ultimately in command of more advertising media spending than any two firms in history.

Less taxes
According to the book, from 2007 to 2015–when the average tax rate for the S&P 500 was 27 percent, The Four Horsemen paid much less.
Apple paid 17 percent of its profits in taxes, Google 16 percent, Amazon 13 percent, and Facebook 4 percent.
Meanwhile, the overall impact of The Big Four continues to alter the economy, impede the growth of innovation, and stifle competition. They don’t have many employees, but they do have millions to spend on D.C. lobbyists.
Nevertheless, Galloway believes the breakup of Big Tech will occur because “We’re capitalists.”
This book is a worthy read, especially for those in or starting a new business competing with even a segment of The Four.