Avoiding First Year of College Kiss of Debt

Can Summer really be over? It seems like it just started and now we are already getting the school supplies ready and shopping for those new school clothes! It is coming fast, whether we are ready or not.

It can be scary for a young adult, fresh out of High School, looking out on their future. This first step for some is College. Aw, the reality of being a broke college student, living off of nothing but Ramon Noodles and Pizza. It can be a hard step to take. We want to make sure that all of you young adults are prepared to start making good financial decisions that will effect the rest of your lives.  So here are a few tips from Credit Donkey to help you embark on your new journey! 

Credit Donkey offers six ways to get through college while minimizing the amount of debt you take on, starting with your freshman year:

1. Reduce your tuition: Your biggest expense in college will most certainly be the cost of your tuition, but fortunately, there are ways to reduce the amount you pay out of pocket. These options extend beyond traditional scholarships and financial aid, too. Be creative in how you look at college funding. Consider community colleges, international universities and accelerated degree programs, and watch the price of your degree go down.

2. Be smart about your finances: Learn the basics of finance in addition to the curriculum of your major. According to U.S. News & World Report, most students leave high school without a fundamental understanding of lending and borrowing. One of the most important concepts, especially with regard to debt and borrowing, is compound interest. If you don’t understand how the concept works, you could find yourself buried in debt.

3. Choose the right credit (or debit) card: Most college students probably don’t have much experience with credit or credit cards, but find them useful for managing their expenses. However, it’s vital that you do research to determine which student credit card is best for you. Secured, unsecured and prepaid debit are three types of cards to consider, and each one has unique advantages and disadvantages.

To avoid excessive debt, you may want a low credit limit, or you may want to skip credit altogether and go with a debit card that works more like a checking account. But before you get to the point of choosing a card, make sure you have a full understanding of common credit card terms like APR, grace period, and balance transfer.

4. Make the most of your summers: When classes let out in May or June, don’t head straight for the beach. Getting a job or a paid internship will not only increase your chances of securing employment once you graduate; it can also provide you with money to put toward tuition, textbooks, or supplies to limit (or eliminate) extra borrowing.

5. Always pay your bills on time: You probably have a lot more on your mind than your bills, but if you don’t stay on top of your due dates, you will pay in the long run. Missed credit card payments, for example, can stain your credit history, which future lenders could hold against you by charging you higher interest rates or not lending to you at all. Car lenders, landlords, and even employers may look at your credit score, so be sure you do your best to keep it clean. Set up a weekly or monthly budget so that you don’t overspend and can manage all your bills.

6. Shop smart: While college requires some essential purchases, you don’t need to go crazy. Purchase a refurbished laptop instead of a new one, shop around for the best deal on your textbooks (look outside the college bookstore and check out online sites that offer used books), and take advantage of student discounts.

Starting college doesn’t mean you need to start building a pile of debt. Follow the above tips and you’ll find yourself graduating with a degree in financial savvy – and you won’t have gone into debt to earn it.

Christmas in July?

Christmas in July? Could it really be? 

Ok, maybe not exactly Christmas but SNOW?!? We were shocked to hear that Montana, Wyoming and Idaho received snow this week. 

Article from the Washington Post Says: 

On Monday, an unusually intense cold front — which forecasters described as “exceptional” — swept through the northern Rockies. The front set the stage for a rare July snow event that deposited up to several inches at above 8,000 feet elevations in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.

“This pattern should not happen in July,” commented the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office in Billings, which is bracing for its “windiest July day ever” in the front’s wake.

As the front blew through, it also triggered severe thunderstorms, including a possible tornado that destroyed seven camper trailers in the Bighorn mountains, according to the NWS forecast office in Riverton, Wyo.

Although this particular snow event produced more snow in more areas than normal, very light amounts of snow are not uncommon at very high elevations in parts of the northern Rockies in July. Montana has at least one reporting station, Mystic Lake (elevation of almost 8,000 feet) in the southern part of the state, that averages 0.1 inches snow in July.

Now we all know how unpredictable the Wyoming weather can be and it's important to take the steps to be prepared for anything. Even winter in July! Follow the link below to see just how Allstate can help you to make the proper preparations to weather proof your home. 

http://blog.allstate.com/weatherproofing-your-way-to-a-warmer-winter/

We may not like the snow blistering through our nice warm summer, but we can be thankful it reminded us of what we need to do to prepare for the real winter that is just around the corner. 

Merry Christmas??

4 Survival Skills for Everyday Life

Lets face it, we all live extremely busy lives and sometimes the small things that happen in our daily lives can really upset us if we are not prepared. We wanted to share just 4 tips to help make your life just a little easier and possibly avoid any major problems! 

1. Lower Fridge Temp Before A Power Outage:

Living in this small community we experience a lot of random power outages that are impossible to prepare for. But when you get the notice from the electric company of scheduled power outages you can prepare to make sure that your food does not go bad. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast and when a large storm is coming through you can also make sure to lower that temp down, just in case! A full freezer can last up to 2 days without power, but the food in a fridge will start to go bad with in 4 hours. Once the power is restored just make sure.

2. Invading Pests: Look At Things From Animal Eye Level:

Lets face it we have all had, sometime in our life, a problem with pests. It is important to check the perimeter of your home and yard closely, as if you were an animal invader. Look for holes around the foundation that pests can enter. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, any opening larger than a quarter of an inch should be sealed up. Be sure to check out areas around porches, decks and even window air conditioning units. And don’t forget to look up. Animals can scale walls and trees, so trim those tree branches by the house; that way, they can’t use them as pathways into your home. We all know that if we are not careful these pests can become a serious problem!

3. Random Injuries: Honey Is A Sweet Salve For Treating Scrapes:

The next time someone has a minor boo-boo, reach for the honey. The National Center for Biotechnology Information says it’s a great natural germ killer and antiseptic for cuts and scrapes because it contains hydrogen peroxide. The thick, viscous nature of honey also forms a natural barrier and even helps prevent scarring, too. And on top of all that, it can even work on antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA.

4. Darkness: LED Flashlights Last Longer:

If your power goes out, battery-powered LED flashlights and lanterns are a good idea because they last six to 10 times longer than incandescent models, according to familyhandyman.com. It’s also smart to get some of those LED puck lights that are typically used for under-cabinet lighting. They run on batteries and can be placed in bathrooms, bedrooms and hallways. 

It is always better to be prepared and ready for what life is going to throw at you! 

It's a Jungle out there... are you ready? 

Does Home Insurance cover floods?

You don't have to live in a high-risk flood zone to be affected by a flood. Floods and flash floods can occur anywhere, even in the desert. Just an inch of water can cause damage to your property. In fact, in the U.S., flood related losses cost people more then a billion dollars a year. 

We have witnessed just how devastating a flash flood can be just within the last couple of days. The town 60 miles east of us, Rock Springs, Wy, was hit with a flash flood. So many people have lost almost everything they own. As an insurance agent it is heart breaking to see. Here are just a few photos of the damage done this week in Rock Springs.

Did you know that damage caused from a flood is not covered under your home insurance policy? Even minor incidences, for example, leaving your sprinkler on all night and your basement floods, or ground water seeping into the basement is not covered by your home policy. 

Did you know that Allstate offers flood insurance? Here are a few points and tips to keep you informed about the importance of having flood insurance to make sure you are protecting yourself. 

The Benefits Of Flood Insurance.

Though the government determines flood insurance coverage and premiums, you can still purchase your flood policy through Allstate—even if you don't have an existing property policy with us. So why choose Allstate for flood insurance? Because it gives you access to invaluable features and benefits, like:

• 24/7 nationwide claims support and assistance
• A dedicated agent who can help you understand your flood coverage
• Assistance finding discounts to help you maximize your savings

Fast Facts About Claims And Coverage.

Understanding your flood risk and what flood insurance typically protects can help you choose coverage that meets your needs. Here are some facts you should know:

• The average flood loss is $38,0002.
• Nearly 25 percent of all flood insurance claims come from areas not considered high risk1.
• There is a waiting period before your flood insurance policy goes into effect, typically 30 days from the application and premium payment date2.
• If flood insurance is required for your mortgage loan, you may not have to wait 30 days. Usually, the loan closing date will be the effective date3.
• Flood insurance can help protect you even if a federal disaster isn't declared.
• Less than 50 percent of all flooding incidents are awarded a Federal Disaster Assistance declaration4, and most disaster assistance is provided in the form of a loan that must be repaid with interest5.

Protect Against Other Types Of Water Damage.

Most flood insurance policies and basic property insurance policies do not cover water backup damage. This type of damage is typically caused by water that overflows from a sump pump or backs up through sewers or drains.

Even A Little Water Can Cause Big Damage.

Flood insurance coverage can help you protect your property and your belongings. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) determines coverage and premiums, but when you purchase a flood policy from Allstate, you'll get the support of a knowledgeable agent and service you can count on.

A flood insurance policy can help protect your house, condo, apartment, mobile home or even your business. Most flood insurance policies can include three types of coverage: building coverage, contents coverage and replacement cost coverage. Each of these coverage options offers different kinds of protection.

• Building coverage
  This protects the physical structure of your home or non-residential property.
• Contents coverage
  This covers your belongings—the items inside your home. Some examples include clothing, furniture, microwaves and grills.
• Replacement cost coverage
  This coverage helps reimburse you for the cost of replacing your home. Replacement cost coverage is only available to owners of single-family, primary residences that are insured to within 80 percent of the total replacement cost1.

Your flood insurance could also help cover the cost of items, like sandbags, used to protect your property from the imminent danger of a flood. Contents coverage and replacement cost coverage is not included in all polices. Be sure to talk to an agent to understand what is covered and what isn't.

Learn About Flood Insurance Limits.

An insurance limit is the highest amount your policy will pay for a covered loss. If you have damage or losses over the amount of your policy limit, you are responsible for those costs. The NFIP offers the following maximum limits for most flood insurance policies:

• Building coverage can typically insure your residential building's structural elements up to $250,000, or your non-residential building at up to $500,0002. Replacement coverage may be available for single-family, primary residences.
• Contents coverage can typically insure your belongings at up to $100,000 for residential policies and up to $500,000 for non-residential policies2. Contents are covered for actual cost value, which is the value of the item at the time it's lost—not the item's purchase price. Replacement cost coverage is not available for contents.

We hope that you found this information helpful. Please contact us to learn more about flood insurance and how you can get your policy going today. 

Don't wait till it's too late!

  

Allstate College

This week our staff was able to attend Allstate College in Casper, Wy for some training. With all 5 of the employees hittin the road, that left Casey and Bill to hold down the fort back home. all 3 offices! Tuesday night all 5 employees loaded up in the compact work car and were off! 

Every two years we get the opportunity to attend a training to help us learn to better serve our customers!  

Allstate's Mission:

"Allstate always treats me with Respect and Values my Relationship"

" My local Allstate agency knows me and makes me SMART about the risks of my life"

"Allstate helps me recover from Unexpected losses and assists me in Preventing them from happening"

"They help me best use my Hard Earned Money to protect what matters most to me"

Here are just a few of the great things and refreshers that we took away.

* Do your customer really know what "Full Coverage" means? It is our job to make sure that each and every customer is informed and has the proper coverage's to fit their needs.

* Do your customers have the proper coverage on their homes? It's our job to make sure that we have all the correct details on the interior and exterior of the home to make sure in the event of a loss they are getting the correct compensation. 

* Do your customer know that Allstate offers Life Insurance? It's our job to make sure that each and every customer is aware that Life Insurance is also a service that Allstate offers. 

* Do your customers know that it's your job to "Thrill" them at each and every transaction? It's our job to make sure our customers receive excellent customer service each and every time! 

WE LOVE TRAINING. We are back and ready to serve you! We will be starting reviews of polices to make sure that our customers are taken care of. 

We also managed to have some fun after our training was over each day. 

Now back at the offices..... Casey and Bill worked their little hineys off and rocked it! Did you stop in for your Donuts and Selfie? 

Please stop in to any one of our 3 offices to get a quick review of your policy! 

We look forward to Thrilling you today! 

A Small Act of Kindess

We have mentioned several times throughout our blog just how much we love living in this great community. Sometimes, tragedy strikes and when that happens we witness just how amazing this small community can be when they come together. 

A long time local resident, Lance Walker, lost his life in a dirt biking accident. He is survived by his wife and 2 daughters. He was always so full of life and loved by so many. It was our pleasure to sponsor the Act of Kindness Fundraiser along with many other local businesses. Big County Properties, LLC, All Edge Roofing, Color Me Crazy Salon and Boutique and High Altitude Divers. 

How it works: 

Stop into one of our locations to Purchase your ticket for the Cokeville Miracle Movie Tuesday-Friday of this week. All tickets are $7 each, the tickets need to be purchased through these locations to go towards the proceeds for the fundraiser. The ticket must be redeemed through Bridger Valley Theatre while the show is playing

All Proceeds will be donated to Lance's wife and children. A little Act of Kindness can help heal in a tragic time. 

As always, we appreciate the support! 

Here is a little back story on the Cokeville Miracle, the tragic event that happened in Wyoming many years ago. Miracles do happen. Do you believe?

The Cokeville Elementary School hostage crisis occurred on May 16, 1986, in Cokeville, Wyoming, United States, when former town marshal David Young 44, and his wife Doris Young 47, took 136 children and 18 adults hostage at Cokeville Elementary School.

David Young entered the school with his wife transporting a large gasoline-filled device that appeared to be a bomb. The couple corralled a large group of students and teachers into a single classroom. David Young attached the bomb to his wrist and threatened the group that he might, at any time, move his arm and ignite the bomb.

After a two-and-a-half hour standoff, the children were becoming restless, so the teachers led them in prayer. The praying appeared to make David Young agitated and he decided to leave the room. Before leaving the room, David Young attached the bomb's detonation device to his wife's wrist.

When the children became increasingly loud, Doris Young began begging the teachers to settle the group down. At one point she lifted her arm sharply and the bomb went off prematurely, injuring Doris Young while David Young was out of the room. Returning to the scene, David Young shot his wife, then himself. All the hostages escaped, though 79 were later hospitalized with burns and injuries.^[1] [2]

76 of the hostages suffered injuries, mostly flash burns and other injuries from the exploding bomb. Several children reported seeing angels in the classroom that day, including many children who claimed to have seen a "beautiful lady" who told them to go near the window. Other children reported seeing an angel over each child's head.^[8] Investigators discovered that only one of the bomb's five blasting caps went off, and if it had worked properly, the bomb would have blown off the side of the building and many more would have been injured or died.^[8]

Mayhem Marathon

Last month we hosted the Mayhem Marathon. This Marathon was not your typical marathon. It was independent, that's right, you had to complete 13 miles all by yourself over the course of a month! It was $5 to participate and the proceeds were donated to a local charity. We were so happy to see all the people that came out to participate. We ended up being able to donate over $300 to the Evanston Hungry Backpack Program. 

Thank you to all of our Allstate customers that participated in the Mayhem Half and completed the challenge! Way to go to Jayme Flint Whitney Maxfield Snyder Heidi Collins Joyce Patterson, Jenna Aimone, Tonya Vazquez, Lesley Horrocks StoddardDebbie Valerio Tracee Munoz Hailey Eldredge, Dana Eldredge Kristin Thomas Goates Kamri Hutchings, Brandi Hutchings, Mya Hutchings, Ashlee Bradshaw, Julie Smueles Behunin Jessica Parkyn , Alexis Spray Shelia Layson, Linda Irick, Alexis Stoddard, Karie Jacobson Collins, Teresa Frey, Dalton Stoddard, Danny Collins,Shane Stoddard, Bronson Berg Ashton Eldredge, Jason Eldredge, Mike Goates, Daniel Frey, Scott Symes, Brian Miller!! Way to get it done! We are PROUD of YOU!

Congratulations to the top two winners:

 Kari Crane and Dalton Stoddard! They each won $25.00 gift cards!

We love our community and are so thankful to have all of their amazing support! We are already looking forward to next year.