Americans have learned a lot of hard financial lessons over the past few years, as bubbles have developed and burst in the stock, credit, real estate, and employment markets. For many people, the so-called “new” financial reality has reminded us that the steps to financial security that served the Depression-era generation still apply to us today.

What have people learned? In some markets stocks and real estate may not rise in value, and too much credit card debt will make it difficult to save for the future. If you have a job, you should prepare for the possibility that one day you may not be able to find work for an extended period.

Download The Full Article Here:  April is Financial Literacy Month

Your house represents your personality, following some simple do it yourself home improvement tips can dramatically affect the way you feel and live in your home. Once the reflection of it is displeasing, you’re less likely to be happy in other area’s of your life.  You can find many different ways to effectively use what your house has to offer. This short article includes different ways to turn your house into an enjoyable home.

Living More Comfortably

Comfort should play a significant part in your house enhancements. Small flaws in almost any home can considerably decrease its comfortableness. The need for comfort is frequently overlooked or put on the back burner of your to do list, but it’s certainly necessary to the enjoyment of it and better all around happiness in life. Simply changing a chair with one that’s more cozy or lowering shelves which are too high on the wall are two very simple fixes to make living in your home more enjoyable, as well as reducing backaches from improper posture! You might be amazed at the main difference a minor change could make.

Adding Entertainment Space

Some really fun do it yourself home improvement tips are to add additional entertainment spaces to your residence for added fun. For example, you can convert even a smaller room into a leisure room for games, for example table tennis or shooting pool. A pool table can prove to be a pleasurable and valuable addition to break away from the stresses of everyday life and bring the family closer together for a game night.  You can add a foldable hard cover to the top of the pool table and create a space for arts and crafts or additional games.  A spa could provide all-season relaxation and fun. Making small changes, for example adding a basketball hoop to your drive way or yard could make your home more enjoyable and alive.

Proper Lighting

Some huge little DIY tips are simply changing the lighting.  Incorrect lighting in your rooms can make you feel depressed or depleated.  It can provide you with a sense of fatigue.  Go to the local hardware store, they often have examples of the different types of light bulbs in a working display.  You’ll be amazed at the difference the various types of bulbs make.  Alter just the lighting and you can provide a new turn to your home.

Eco-Friendly Gardens

You might want to try growing something lush and eco-friendly inside a garden. This can be done by investing a piece of the yard to some vegetables or flowers or for those more limited on space, try container gardening.  Inside greenery can also increase the standard of air you breathe.

Small Facelift, Big Difference

Fix the outdoors of your house.  Home repair doesn’t have to mean an addition. A fresh paint color, a brand new roof, or up-to-date wooden shutters. You’ll certainly enjoy returning home daily, whenever your pulling up to a home that looks fresh and alluring.  Clean your yard.  Take out the weeds, bring in some inexpensive landscaping ties, a little mulch and a few shrubs or flowers.

Do It Yourself Home Improvement Tips are More Than An Economic Return

Enhancing your home is more than an economic investment in its value.  It’s also an investment in you and your family’s well being. When you entertain and sleep more comfortably, your life becomes more enjoyable in a home that you will love being in.

While your at it, be sure to pull out your home insurance and review it with your agent.  After making the investment in your home with a few of these DIY projects, be sure you have the proper coverage on your policies to protect your valuable assets.  Securing personal insurance quotes, is quick and easy. Don’t add it to the to do list, just get it done. It doesn’t take long for to run multiple insurance quotes.

Have some easy do it yourself home improvement tips of your own, leave them in a comment below, we love to hear from you.

Aquariums of all types including fresh water fish tanks, saltwater tanks even gold fish tanks provide a beautiful, warming and comforting feature to a home. In order to enjoy them safely, however, you must be aware that aquariums also pose electrical hazards, potential home damage and personal injuries if proper precautions are not taken. Follow these steps to enjoy your pet fish and maintain a safer home.

Unplug Electric Cords

Before moving or adjusting the aquarium, be sure to unplug all electrical items that are attached to the fish tank or in the surrounding area, such as the water pump, aquarium light or nearby electronics. Follow this guideline when you clean the aquarium water as well. Also unplug any electrical items from the aquarium if you must reach inside it. It is important to unplug any of these devices, even if only removing the top hood for a short time to avoid any possible electrical items or current to enter the aquarium and causing electric shock to you or the fish.

Install a GFCI Outlet

A ground fault circuit interrupter is a special type of grounded outlet designed to protect you from electrical shock by interrupting the household current when it detects a difference in currents.  They are commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens and anywhere water sources are present or nearby.  Of course, have a licensed electrician assist you, do not change outlets yourself.

Add a Drip Loop

This simply means arranging the electrical cords and tubing that comes out of the fish tank in the shape of a “U” where the line drops below the electrical device (such as a fish tank pump) or electrical outlet, then back up to it to plug it in.  This causes any leakage from the tank to run down the cord and onto the loop, then dripping off of it and onto the floor instead of entering the electrical outlet or device potentially causing a short, electrical damage or fire.

Avoid Fire Hazards

Any time you are adjusting the fish tank or anything in it, especially if you remove two inches or more of water from the aquarium, be sure to unplug your aquarium heater and water filter.  It’s very important for these devices to only run when water is present and to the proper level to avoid the heater element or water filter from over running or burning out which can cause a potential fire.

Be Careful Around the Glass or Acrylic Walls of the Tank

Aquariums are typically made of glass or acrylic with the sides sealed together with a silicone type material to prevent leaking.  Adding excess weight, pressure or twisting the tank in any way by pushing it can make the walls or seems susceptible to breakage or leaking.  Avoid placing an aquarium around a heavy traffic area to avoid it being bumped into or knocked over. These simple precautions can help avoid cuts, spillage and damage to your walls, floors and ceilings, if the tank is on a second story floor or above. (If a tank spills on an upper level floor, the water can seep down to the ceiling on the floor below it.

Use a Safe and Sturdy Stand

One way to make sure that an aquarium is secured in a safe place is to be sure the stand you place the aquarium on can handle the weight.  A good rule of thumb is 11 pounds per gallon of water the aquarium can hold.  This approximation calculates in 8.2 pounds per gallon of water plus the rocks or stones, tank and accessories.  So a 25 gallon tank can actually weigh around 275 pounds!  When choosing a stand, it is usually best to choose one designed to hold an aquarium and anchor it to the wall, if possible, but in the case you do not buy a special stand, be absolutely sure it does not sway at all, can not be easily tipped over, can handle the weight being placed on it and it is positioned higher than a child’s reach so there is no temptation to hang on it.

Do Not Mix Your Own Chemicals

Only use products that are specially designed for aquariums and premixed.  Also, do not mix your own chemical concoctions to clean your tank or you could inadvertently release noxious gases into the air and the aquarium water which could lead to accidental poisoning. Ammonia and bleach are commonly mishandled chemicals and mixed together can be deadly!

Avoid Disease Exposure

Although rare, fish may cause various diseases in humans. Take precautions when handling a fish that you suspect is sick. Wear gloves when you will have direct contact with the fish. Use a fish net or tongs to move items or fish in the aquarium. And of course, be sure to properly maintain your tank so it doesn’t accumulate dirty water, bacteria or molds.

Having an aquarium should be an enjoyable family experience that teaches children how to properly care for fish or other species while learning responsibility and safety. Taking the necessary safety precautions ensures that your family will enjoy the aquarium without worrying about possible hazards or damage. For more information on aquarium safety, consult with your local pet store.

Keeping your home as safe as possible can help avoid unnecessary lawsuits or insurance claims which poses an altogether different problem.  Complete an annual review of your insurance policies or to request a no obligation homeowners insurance quote, just let us know. If you have any aquarium set up and fish tank safety tips of your own, comment below and share your wisdom!

Holidays represent some of the best times of the year with great food, time with beloved family and the formation of memorable family traditions. However, holidays also represent a busy time of year for police, hospitals and emergency personnel because of the increased incidence of accidents. Learn how to keep yourself and your family safe this holiday with the following holiday safety tips.

Plan for the holidays. Every year you probably become more and more over-scheduled between children’s Christmas activities and friends’ holiday parties. Time can quickly get the best of you and cause you to rush to each event. This rushing can lead to car accidents and carelessness when it comes to securing your own home. Don’t overbook the holidays. If you plan on having a social gathering in your own home, use a careful eye to determine whether there are any potential hazards in your home. Get on your hands and knees and look for potential dangers if there will be babies in the home.

Tend your tree and plants. The Christmas tree should be positioned in a sturdy location where no pets or children could accidentally tip it over. If you are using a real tree, remove dead or dried pine needles that can pose a potential fire hazard. Turn the lights off if you will be out of the home in case of fire. Remove poisonous poinsettias and holly from the reach of children.

Avoid candles. Candles create a romantic and warm glow, but they can easily be forgotten. Candles cause thousands of fire every year. Recognize that this is a busy time of year and avoid the candles altogether if possible.

Don’t drink and drive. Everyone knows this, but some people underestimate the effect alcohol will have on their ability to drive. Even a small glass of alcohol can impair your driving ability. The roads are busier during the holiday seasons and accidents are more likely even when sober. Don’t take the extra risk and avoid alcohol when you will be driving.

Do you have a favorite holiday safety tip of your own? Post it briefly in the comment box below to help spread the word about safety!

It doesn’t take much effort to keep your family safer during the holiday season by not taking holiday safety for granted.

Photo by Andrea Booher/FEMA. During a flood event, water soaks into all porous materials, often resulting in thousands of dollars in damage.

Do I need the National Flood Insurance Program?

The National Flood Insurance Program is designed to fill an important gap in homeowner protection. Homeowners often have a false sense of security that their homeowners insurance policy will protect their houses and belongings in the event of a flood. This misinterpretation of policy coverage is understandable: floods often occur after a hurricane or other severe storm. Many people incorrectly assume the flooding that occurs as part of a weather event is covered just like any of the other damage the storm may produce. However, that is not the case. In short, your house may be covered for wind damage, fallen tree mishaps and lightning strikes, but not for water damage caused by flooding. Unfortunately, flood damage also is among the most costly to repair.

What is the National Flood Insurance Program and What Does it Cover?

To protect homeowners, in 1968 Congress passed a law that formed the National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP for short. The program affords property owners across the United States the opportunity to purchase a special policy to protect them, financially, from flood losses. National Flood Insurance Program policies provide homeowners with peace of mind, knowing that they will have the means to repair or replace just about every aspect of their houses, buildings and belongings. Coverage extends not only to the building and its foundation, but also to its electrical and plumbing systems, central heating and air conditioning units, furnaces, water heaters, appliances and carpeting that is permanently installed over unfinished flooring. Contents coverage protects you from losses of items that would cost you tens of thousands of dollars to replace, including clothing, furniture, electronic equipment, removable appliances like microwaves, washing machines and clothes dryers, as well as window treatments and rugs.

Is National Flood Insurance Program Coverage Required or Optional?

All federally regulated and insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties in high-risk flood areas. Before you buy a property, you can determine its risk of flooding by inquiring with the county or city planning office. Properties in high-risk flood areas have a 26 percent chance of sustaining flood damage over the course of a 30-year mortgage than properties in lower risk areas. However, you may consider securing a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program even if you are in a low- to moderate-risk area. Flooding may occur in any area at any time, and more than 20 percent of National Flood Insurance Program claims comes from property owners in low- to moderate-risk areas. In addition, one-third of federal disaster assistance claims for flood damage come from property owners who live in lower-risk areas. Renters may purchase a National Flood Insurance Program policy to cover their personal property within a rental house or apartment.

Who Oversees the National Flood Insurance Program?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the National Flood Insurance Program. However, the federal government does not sell the policies nor pay for claims. FEMA flood insurance works with private insurance companies who provide the policies at consistent rates in each area. There is no need to shop around; the price you will pay through one company is the price you will pay to any other insurance company. Rates do vary, however, to accommodate each property’s unique features and level of risk. If you live in a low- to moderate-risk area, you may qualify for special, lower premiums. The National Flood Insurance Program is available to property owners in each community that has signed up and agreed to enforce sound floodplain management standards that reduce the risk of flooding.

Take the time to learn more about your risk and inquire about the National Flood Insurance Program through a federal flood insurance agent (an agent certified and licensed to sell flood insurance); you may just find it an easy and affordable way to gain additional peace of mind.

Photo by David Valdez/FEMA. Water damage from flooding can cause additional problems, like the formation of mold, that need to be mitigated.

Many Homeowners Ask, “Do I Need Flood Insurance?”

Considering the Federal Emergency Management Agency has made dozens of major disaster declarations associated with flooding in 2011 alone, many homeowners are likely asking, “Do I need flood insurance?”

The best answer is yes.

From Alaska to California, and North Carolina to Massachusetts, flood events in 2011 have stretched across the United States, leaving only few states unscathed.  The fact is that flooding can happen anywhere, even in those zones identified as low- and medium-risk. And, it is often difficult to forecast when and where flooding will occur. Typically, home owners insurance does not cover flood damage, but coverage is available through the National Flood Insurance Program. Homeowners, business owners and renters can purchase it under the program from an insurance agent. More than 19,000 communities across the United States participate in the NFIP.

Why Do I Need Flood Insurance?

When flooding occurs, damage to homes and other structures may be quite substantial. Water permeates every crevice and cranny within a structure up to the water line, and porous materials, like carpeting, wood and drywall, are often damaged beyond repair. Once the water recedes, it may take days or weeks for all materials to completely dry, and in the interim further problems – like mold growth – may arise.  Indeed, flood recovery is a daunting process. The repairs are costly and time-consuming, and homeowners who never investigated the option for flood insurance  may need to apply for federal disaster assistance loans to pay for repairs.

When Do I Need Flood Insurance?

Your decision on whether to purchase flood insurance should be an informed one. The National Flood Insurance Program receives about 25 percent of its claims from low-risk areas, from people who had little reason to expect their property would sustain flood damage.  Certainly, you should determine your flood risk. Property owners can determine whether their property is in a low-, medium- or high-risk area by contacting the city or county government building or planning office, which keeps that information on file. Flood zone designations that begin with the letters A or V are high-risk areas, and areas in zones designated by the letters B, C or X are in lower-risk areas. Property owners in the lower-risk areas may be eligible for the preferred, or lower, premium rates. Residents should consider not only damage to the structure but also to the furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, rugs, home décor and other personal contents a flood insurance policy protects. Renters may secure a contents policy, too. Some mortgage companies will require flood insurance on properties in high-risk areas.  Otherwise the coverage is voluntary, and each property owner should carefully assess the risk. The time to seek flood protection is before a flooding event occurs. A policy doesn’t becomes effective until after the 30 day waiting period, unless required by a mortgage company for refinancing or a new purchase.  Flood events in progress are not covered. Learn more about your flood insurance options and secure a flood insurance quote from a certified flood insurance agent today so you can make an informed decision.

Thus, to fully protect yourself from losses, you may consider changing the question, “Do I need flood insurance,” to the declaration, “I have flood insurance.”

Too often, perhaps, adults assume that driver education and a defensive driving course apply only to teen drivers and other novice drivers. The reality, however, is that defensive driving skills serve people for a lifetime, and often those skills periodically need to be updated and honed.

As drivers gain years of experience they become more proficient. However, as life changes and circumstances vary, adults often find themselves in a new situation where a defensive driving course comes in handy. New parents suddenly realize that they are transporting precious cargo when their little ones are in the vehicle, and before long they will be in charge of providing effective driver training for their teenagers. As we age we also must come to understand and accept our physical and mental limitations that may affect our driving ability. Along the way, the occasional traffic citation also may send even the most experienced drivers searching for a reputable and recognized defensive driving course.

Defensive Driving Course Guidelines

In 2006, the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association’s Curriculum and Standards Committee set out its guidelines for effective driver education programs. The document includes an ADTSEA-supported comprehensive instructional program that keeps lifelong learning in mind, and it includes recommendations for several phases of a defensive driving course. Certainly, the most intensive and comprehensive training periods should occur during pre-licensing and the graduated licensing phase, a time when teenage drivers are gradually allowed to participate in more risky driving situations. However, the committee also recognizes the need for the continued licensing phase, when personal or professional circumstances or court orders necessitate additional training. The ADTSEA updated the document in 2010, and it continues to investigate and identify the most effective driver education methods for both novice and experienced drivers.

Defensive driving course requirements vary from state-to-state, and, in some cases, the state has turned control over to local entities. Thus, defensive driving course requirements in those states may vary from one local government to the next. A handful of states do not require driver education prior to licensure at all.  A July 2011 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report indicates that among the 10 states in its research study, all generally followed the ADTSEA suggestions for defensive driver course programs. The main differences between the programs and the ADTSEA recommendations were the specific materials used and the time allotted to cover each topic. Additionally, some states allow students to take the entire in-class portion online. The report concludes that most driver education courses provide at least 30 hours of instruction and the curricula generally cover the topics the ADTSEA strongly recommends. In most states the commonly referred to “online defensive driving school” or classroom based defensive driving class run typically 5-10 hours depending on the state requirements.

A Defensive Driving Course is a Valuable Tool

A defensive driving course teaches potentially life-saving skills. Vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death among people ages 2 – 39 and 50 – 72, according to the National Safety Council. Learning how to drive defensively enables a driver to react quickly and appropriately when unexpected hazards arise due to driving conditions and the actions of other motorists. Additionally, completing a defensive driving course may help family members of all ages – from teens to senior citizens – save money on insurance rates and help to resolve traffic violations.

With a little effort, you can receive the benefits of an approved online defensive driving course in your state.

If you live in New York, a reliable way to reduce points on your license and to decrease your auto insurance premiums is to complete a state-approved NY defensive driving course. The Point and Insurance Reduction Program offers motorists a route to reduce up to four violation points and save up to 10% on their insurance premiums, according to the NY State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Types of NY Defensive Driving Courses

The NY State DMV has approved a number of classroom- and Internet-based online defensive driving courses, which it designates as accident prevention courses. Licensed drivers who take an Internet-based approved course receive the same benefits as people who take a classroom-based course, according to the DMV. Each course must include 320 minutes of instruction time.  The Internet courses have built-in measures to log your participation, ensuring you receive the proper credit. In-person classes usually take place in a one day long or two evening sessions, but Internet courses offer the convenience of taking the course from home at your own pace. Drivers who sign up for an online course have 30 days from the date of registration to complete the course.

NY Defensive Driving Course Test Requirements

Both in-person and online New York defensive driving courses include quizzes and tests, which vary from program to program. But don’t worry, after you read the material, failing the test is very unlikely and in many cases, you’re allowed to retake those questions! In an online course, quizzes may occur at random to verify your participation and to make sure you understand the material. The tests are timed, and most courses require a participant to pass with a 70 percent grade, according to the NY State DMV. Online courses include security measures to make sure the person who registers for the course is the person actually participating in the course. Drivers must successfully complete the course to receive point reduction and the opportunity to save money on their car insurance rates.

How Do I Receive Credit for a NY Defensive Driving Course?

Approved New York State defensive driving course providers inform the DMV of your successful course completion, and you will receive the point reduction when your completion is added to your record. The course provider also must send you a certificate of completion within 14 days so you have an official document to present to your auto insurance company. The NY State DMV does not send the certificate of completion to your insurance company.

How Do I Sign Up for a NY Defensive Driving Course?

Finding an approved NY defensive driving course is easy, and you are just one step away from getting started. Begin now toward the path of refreshing your driver’s education, reducing violation points on your record and saving money on your automobile insurance with a NY defensive driving course.

The National Flood Insurance Program creates flood insurance rate maps in both printed and digital form. Photo by Jennifer Smits/FEMA

Flood Insurance Rate Map is a Handy Guide

The National Flood Insurance Program, under the umbrella of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, creates a flood insurance rate map for each community in the program to assist with floodplain management and to designate flood insurance premium rates. Home owners may rely on the maps to assess their properties’ flood risk and to anticipate the cost of flood insurance coverage. The maps designate areas of low to moderate- and high-risk areas.

Where Can I Find a Flood Insurance Rate Map?

For access to the most accurate and timely flood insurance rate map, property owners should contact a flood certified insurance agent or inquire with their community’s floodplain manager, which is usually within the city or county planning, zoning or engineering office. Experts update the maps as conditions like geography, construction activities, flood mitigation efforts and weather events change, according to information from the National Flood Insurance Program. These factors may cause the flood zone designation for any property to change from time to time.

What Other Information is on a Flood Insurance Rate Map?

All flood insurance rate maps show topographical features in the area, like lakes, streams and other waterways, and elevations. The elevations component is important because it designates the base flood elevations and depths, which show areas with a 1 percent chance of flooding per year and a 26 percent chance of flooding in a 30-year period, according to FEMA. These areas are called Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Who Creates the Flood Insurance Rate Maps?

FEMA engineers consider historical, hydrologic and meteorological data, and they conduct engineering studies. They supply the results of their research to cartographers, who create the maps. The flood insurance rate maps are the most widely distributed of the NFIP maps, and they are available to insurance agents, community floodplain management offices, mortgage lenders and the general public. The maps are available in both printed and digital forms.

A flood insurance rate map is one tool you may use to assess your property’s flood risk and to effectively plan to minimize your financial risk. The professionals at William Avon Insurance Group can show you the appropriate flood insurance rate map for your area and provide detailed information about your risk.

With 262,015 square miles, driving in the Lone Star State includes long stretches of rural highways as well as bustling city streets.

Texas Defensive Driving Courses Help with Traffic Citations and Insurance Costs

For licensed drivers in Texas, a state-approved Texas defensive driving course may help you receive dismissal of a Texas traffic ticket or up to a 10 percent reduction in the liability portion of your car insurance premiums, according to the Texas Education Agency, the entity that oversees defensive driving programs. In Texas, such approved programs are called driving safety classes, and state-approved courses include classroom-based and alternative delivery method-based formats. In each course you must complete a full six hours of instruction, and in-person classes are offered in single-day or two-day versions. Approved TX defensive driving online classes allow participants to complete the coursework on their own schedule, day or night.

Texas Defensive Driving Online Courses

Approved online Texas defensive driving courses offer students the same benefits as drivers who take a classroom-based course. Strict regulations ensure that approved online courses meet all state requirements. The companies provide 24-hour technical support to help you have a trouble-free class experience. Some Texas certified defensive driving course providers offer classes in Spanish as well as English, and some providers offer online classes for people who are hearing impaired. Your approved course will include security measures, like randomly asking you questions to which only you will know the answer, to confirm your identity.  You will have 90 seconds to answer these questions. This, which is only right, prevents anyone from taking the course for you and maintains online learning integrity.

Texas Defensive Driving Courses and Ticket Dismissal/Insurance Premium Reduction

Check with your insurance agent to confirm that taking one of the Texas approved defensive driving courses will qualify you for a 10 percent reduction for three years on the liability portion of your auto insurance premium. For traffic tickets, the state allows you to take a defensive driving course once each year in an effort to dismiss a violation. Ticket dismissal restrictions apply; you must sign a statement that you are not contesting the citation or admit you are guilty, and you may not seek dismissal of a speeding ticket if you are charged with driving 25 miles per hour or more over the speed limit. Always check these rules with the DMV at the time of the incident!

Texas Defensive Driving Course Completion

Upon successful completion of a Texas defensive driving course, the course provider will send you two copies of your certificate of completion. You should provide one copy to your insurance agent and the other copy to the court, to seek traffic citation dismissal. The course provider will only send the certificates to you, and the company has 15 days from the time you complete the course to mail it to you. Remain mindful of court dates to allow ample time to receive the certificates.

How Do I Sign Up for a Texas Defensive Driving Course?

Once you have made the decision to take a Texas driving safety course, you may choose an approved provider and contact the company directly. Registering for an online class is easy, and within a few minutes you may be on your way to reaping the benefits of a Texas defensive driving course.