Category: Lifestyle

Send a Message on Valentines Day with Flower Symbolism

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Many flowers are given to express the giver’s feelings, such as roses to say “I love you.” On Valentine’s Day, flowers are often given as an act of gratitude, appreciation, passion, or friendship. Here you’ll find some traditional meanings of certain flowers, and who you should send them to.

Yellow Roses: Sunny colored roses mean “friendship” and should be given to a close friend. When used romantically, they can also mean “let’s just be friends.”

Tulips: If the love of your life is not into roses, consider giving her tulips. Available in a wide range of colors, tulips say “I love you.”

Bamboo Plant: Unique and charming, bamboo plants mean “lucky.” Give one to your boyfriend or husband to let him know just how lucky you are to have found him.

Zinnias: These lovely flowers are often to given to say “I miss you.” Send them to a long-distance family member or friend.

Sweetheart Roses: Miniature or sweetheart roses say “You’re sweet.” Give a small bouquet to a female family member, such as a daughter or granddaughter.

For information on insurance in California, please contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency.

Groundhog Day And The Signs Of Spring

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We all have heard of Punxsutawney Phil and his ability to predict spring. Every February 2nd, the ground hog climbs out of his cozy hibernating hole and turns to weather forecasting. If it is a cloudy day and he does not see his shadow, spring will be early. If it is sunny and he sees his shadow, we are in for six more weeks of wintery weather. 

It appears that Phil has some competition in the field of weather forecasting. Last February, a wooly bear caterpillar was found on a downtown sidewalk in New Ulm, Minnesota. Ironically, it was Ground Hog Day-the same day on which Punxsutawney Phil comes out to make his annual prediction on the arrival of spring. 

The wooly bear caterpillar has a reddish-brown middle and black ends.  According to the Farmer’s Almanac, they hatch in the warm weather from eggs the female moth has laid. With the arrival of spring, they spin a fuzzy cocoon and metamorph into lovely Isabella tiger moths. 

There are many signs of spring.  Observing other animal and plant life can let us know that spring is on the way. So can the smiles on people’s faces as they prepare once again for warm, balmy weather.

This year, when you prepare for spring and the upcoming summer vacation season, do more than just your usual spring cleaning. Make sure your financial and insurance affairs are in order. For more information about your insurance needs contact the Stromsoe Insurance Agency serving the Murrieta, California area. 

Be SMART About Goal-Setting in 2014

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Do you want to get fit, save more money, be a more profitable business-person or change a bad habit? Many people set New Year’s resolutions every year on January 1. Sometimes these goals succeed, but it is not unusual for them to fade away by the time spring-time comes. To help you become more effective in achieving goals, use the acronym SMART as you sit down to make your New Year’s resolutions.

  • S–Specific

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. Effective goal setting is always specific. Choose specific ways that you want to change in the New Year. Instead of saying, "I will control my temper" you should say, "I will control my temper when life is hectic or when traffic is bad."

  • M–Measurable

When you set goals, figure out a way to measure it. Set a specific number of business sales calls you want to make each week. Determine how many pounds you want to lose this year, and give yourself a deadline to do it. When you set nebulous goals, you won’t know when you’ve missed the mark; nor will you know when you have attained one of your benchmarks.

  • A–Attainable

Many people fail in achieving goals because they have unrealistic expectations of themselves. Make sure that your goals fall in line with your natural talents, your available time to work on your goal and your life’s limitations.

  • R–Rewarding

Make sure that your goal is something that is important to you. If running a marathon isn’t a memory that you will treasure, then don’t put that on your list. However, spending more time with your children will be a goal that you will be glad to achieve.

  • T–Time Bound

Give yourself a deadline with your goals. Break your big goals into smaller increments so that you can see the progress that you are making. Putting an additional $5,000 into your savings account this year may seem impossible, until you realize that you can simply put away a little over $400 a month to reach that goal.

Make 2014 the year to reach some goals that have eluded you for a few years. When you practice SMART goal setting, you will be well on your way to achieving your goals.

For more all of your insurance needs, contact the Stromsoe Insurance Agency today!

Fall Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Pie

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Leaves are falling and Thanksgiving is here. This time of year is preparation for the holidays, which are just around the corner. Thanksgiving is the time when we carve the turkey and eat lots of other fall-themed food. A popular Thanksgiving recipe is for the pecan pie. However, this fall favorite is a twist on a traditional recipe.

According to Betty Crocker, the Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars are a great substitution for the traditional pecan pie. Not only are they easy to make, but they are loved by everyone.

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup chopped pecans
¾ cup corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter, melted
½ teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, beaten
1 bag (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat flour, brown sugar and butter in large bowl with mixer. Press mixture in bottom of ungreased 13x9x2 pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Stir remaining ingredients together and pour over partially baked crust. Bake for another 30 to 35 minutes. Cut and serve.

For more information about your insurance needs in California, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency.

Getting into the Holiday Spirit!

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Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle all the way!

Now if that does not get you in the Holiday spirit, maybe hanging up your Christmas lights will. It is impossible to say "Bah Humbug" when you see a row of homes all decorated with twinkling lights. However, hanging lights is not as easy as it sounds. It takes time and planning to safely get your home decorated.

Bob Vila suggest everyone who hangs up Christmas lights, indoors and outdoors, work with a partner. However, if you cannot work with someone, make sure to follow a few simple safety tips to help ensure your safety when decorating for the Holidays.

  • Gather all supplies before getting started.
  • Check power strips and lights for any frayed or nonworking equipment.
  • Replace any broken or nonworking lights and equipment.
  • Unplug lights when changing bulbs.
  • Keep both feet flat on the ground.
  • Never stand on the top rung of the ladder.
  • Never extend beyond your normal reach.
  • Watch where you step and make sure all cords are secured.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!!

For more information about your homeowners insurance options in California, contact the Stromsoe Insurance Agency.

Holiday Shopping Tips

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Holiday shopping can be a pleasant time to buy gifts for family, friends, coworkers and neighbors who have made your life more enjoyable throughout the year. Stay safe while you hunt for those last-minute bargains with these holiday shopping safety tips.

Make a List: To get the best deals on Black Friday or whenever you tackle your holiday shopping, be prepared. Create a list of what you want to buy and stick to a budget.

Compare Prices: The Internet is the best place to compare prices before your holiday shopping. Sign up with your favorite retailers to score extra discounts and deals.

Opt for Gift Cards: Don’t know what to get your Great Aunt Martha? Skip the hassles and purchase gift cards or give a monetary gift to hard-to-buy-for recipients.

Avoid Scams: If you plan to do your Black Friday or holiday shopping online, be wary of scams. A golden rule of online shopping is if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

For more holiday shopping and safety tips in the Murrieta, California area, please contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency.

Thanksgiving Inspirational Stories

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In a world where turning on the news often means tuning into the world’s daily dose of bad news, the Thanksgiving holiday has taken on an even greater significance. Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with loved ones and remember all that you have to be thankful in our daily lives. For a certain World War II veteran, each year Thanksgiving is a special reminder of how his life was saved and provides the basis for his inspirational stories.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1944, a platoon sergeant in the Yankee Division under General Patton made the fateful decision to walk his entire platoon straight down a deserted road. Usually the sergeant would have had his men travel through the protection of the woods; but that day, something told him to keep walking straight. Upon reaching the end of the road he and his men turned back to look at the woods. Much to their surprise the trees were covered in signs stating, “minen” or mine in German. The platoon sergeant had saved his soldiers’ lives by choosing to follow his intuition and being thankful for a deserted road to travel upon.

As Thanksgiving 2013 approaches us, remember to pause and think of this man’s inspirational story. Perhaps you have moments in life, like the World War II solider, where you made a simple choice that ended up being a defining moment in your life. This Thanksgiving the Share the Harvest Dinner, hosted by Murrieta Mesa High School is proud to offer a chance for more defining moments. The Share the Harvest Dinner is a free community event; Thanksgiving meals will be provided to people in need. Canned goods, non-perishable food items, and monetary donations are all being accepted to support the community members who need them most.

To learn about additional local events, be sure to stay tuned to the Stromsoe Insurance Agency blog. Stromsoe Insurance Agency searches for the best insurance options, so that you can be protected year-round.

Fun Ways to Greet Your Halloween Trick-or-Treaters

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This Halloween add some tricks to your treat-giving when greeting trick-or-treaters. Add to the ambiance of the occasion by decorating your entryway and front lawn with foam tombstones, cheesecloth ghosts, and glow-in-the-dark decor. Use faux spider webs and eerie music to complete the scary decor. Dress in a costume, such as a zombie, clown, vampire, or gorilla to add to the fun.

For the trick-or-treaters place a seemingly unguarded bowl of candy in your spooky entryway. Stay in the shadows outside of your home, and as trick-or-treaters go to grab a treat, jump out and scare them! You can also sit silently in your costume next to the doorway, and as trick-or-treaters start to leave with their bounty, you can come alive to chase them away. You can also create a miniature haunted maze for trick-or-treaters to go through before they receive their sweet reward. Another fun way to greet guests on Halloween is to pretend you don’t know it is Halloween, after which you reveal a giant bowl of full sized candy bars.

The Stromsoe Insurance Agency is the leading insurance provider of Murrieta, CA. If you are interested in more information about Halloween safety, family protection, or other insurance services, contact our representatives today!

Summer Tips for Skin Cancer Prevention

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Skin cancer prevention is important every day, but even more so in the summer months. The following tips can help you keep your skin safe from the sun’s harmful rays.

  • Stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun’s rays are strongest and can cause the most damage. Any direct contact with sunlight can be harmful, these hours are just the peak times to avoid.
  • Wear sunscreen. Sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 is advised for adequate protection. Sunscreen should be applied at least fifteen minutes before heading outdoors and reapplied every couple of hours or if you have been in the water.
  • Cover yourself and as much of your skin as possible. Wear a wide hat and long clothing if you are going to be outdoors in the sun.
  • Develop a skin care regimen that includes thoroughly checking for new marks or spots, or changes in existing ones. Consult your doctor if you notice anything new or unusual.
  • Avoid tanning yourself intentionally, either by laying in the sun or using a tanning bed.

To find affordable health insurance in the greater Murrieta, California area, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency today.

Don’t Make the Mistake of Only Looking at Cost When Evaluating New Health Plan Carriers

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Over recent years, at least from a percentage standpoint, health plan costs continue to rise substantially. These hikes and the continued premium increases are simply more than many businesses are able or willing to absorb. This conundrum leaves many employers trying to decide if they should pass on part or all of the increased cost to their employees, cutback on benefits, or seek a different carrier offering a more cost-effective plan. If leaning toward the third option, remember that many factors go into evaluating and vetting potential carriers. Even when considering a health insurance carrier change due to being dissatisfied with customer service, record of claim payment, or services offered by your current carrier, employers should carefully evaluate potential new carriers before jumping aboard. Here are 10 key questions that you might want to ask when evaluating and vetting potential carriers:

  1. Is the carrier financially stable and licensed? Insurance rating services and your state insurance commission can help you determine many of these important stability issues.
  2. Does the carrier only issue coverage under the stipulation that a certain number or percentage of your employees enroll?
  3. How does the carrier set their premium rates and allocation of premium cost among claims, commissions, and administrative expenses or fees?
  4. Does the carrier have a sufficient range of providers and locations in their provider network and how many employees will have to make a provider change under the potential new carrier’s provider network? Employees often cite having to change from their current provider or usual hospital and having to pay more to continue with their current provider as the most disruptive elements of a carrier change.
  5. Does the carrier have a positive reputation when it comes to the accuracy and efficiency of claim payments? It’s important to ensure that the carrier has a positive history since employee dissatisfaction in this area can really hurt you during the renewal period. As far as overall reputation, it might be helpful to ask the carrier to provide you with references from customers with a similar sized, located, and niche business.
  6. Does the carrier offer a choice when it comes to plan options like co-payments and deductibles? Choice is important to employees and raises the likelihood of their satisfaction with the plan. It can also result in substantial cost savings, as some employees will opt for cheaper high co-payment and deductible options.
  7. Does the carrier offer plans with preventive screening and wellness programs? Services like these can be a cost saver in many areas, even extending into increased employee productivity and decreased employee absences.
  8. What technology does the carrier use to facilitate ease of access to plan information and, if that portal doesn’t provide sufficient information, is there a real person accessible to address the issue? Having such can save you money and time by cutting down on the calls participants make to your human resource department to have their coverage or claim questions answered.
  9. What steps does the carrier implement to control cost and waste and ensure appropriate care? You might use quality indicators, such as those under the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), to determine the performance and effectiveness of a plan on issues like how the plan responds to complaints or access to medical specialists.
  10. What is the carrier’s definition of key contract provisions, such as dependents, usual and customary, coordination of benefits, and covered employees, and what are the caps, exclusions, and limitations on services? Of course, none of the above should seem extreme. It’s also important that the provisions reflect the unique needs of your work force.

As you evaluate carriers and plans, you’ll be glad that you didn’t just look at cost. The above questions will help you get started weighing cost and coverage with the carrier’s stability, reputation, and responsiveness to determine the best carrier and plan for your business.

If you have more questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact any of our knowledgeable protection team.  Here are 4 Easy Ways to Reach Us:

  1. CALL 951-600-5751 or 877-994-6787
  2. Fax 951-677-6265
  3. Email – [email protected]
  4. Visit agency.thebutlerweb.com