Too Much of a Good Thing?

Tips on what to do with all that Halloween candy...

It's inevitable!  Kids are going to come home on Halloween night with more candy than they can ever dream of!  Is it more of a nightmare for you?  Fear not!  We've got some ideas for you...

• Freeze the sweets. Chocolate freezes very well, and you'll have several months' worth of desserts for your brown bag lunches stashed. Put hard candies or sweets like Jolly Ranchers, Starbursts and Nerds into tightly sealed bags; they should stay fresh for quite a while.
• Bake with it. Use chopped-up candy bar pieces instead of chips in cookies and brownies. Mix Butterfingers, Snickers or other candy bar pieces into your cake batter.  Top cookies with M&M's, Reeses Pieces or Skittles.
• Donate candy to children in need.  Hospitals, shelters, food pantries and even churches often accept leftover candy.  Just be sure to call them before you show up with bags of candy to make sure they have a way to use it.
• Get creative with the upcoming holidays.  For place cards around the dinner table at Thanksgiving, fill sugar cones with various candy and lay them on their sides to look like cornucopias.  Make a gingerbread house at Christmas and use the candy to decorate the outside.  Hide candy in your advent calendar, for a yummy surprise every day.
• Take it to work. Leaving candy by the office coffee pot is a time-honored tradition. Alternate idea: If your workplace has a candy dish at the front desk, seal your surplus in a plastic bag and give it to the receptionist.  Your customers will appreciate the treat and some days, you may end up needing an afternoon pick-me-up.
• Sell it to your dentist. A program called the Halloween Candy Buy Back Program encourages dentists to buy sweets from kids; the goodies are then shipped to deployed soldiers. Some dentists pay cash (usually $1 to $2 a pound), and some give small gifts. The website (www.halloweencandybuyback.com) has a search tool to let you find a participating dentist near you.

Whatever you decide to do, have your kids pick their favorites from the piles, you pick yours, and say goodbye to the rest with a clear conscience!  Be safe, have fun and Happy Halloween!!!   

Preparing Your Home for Winter

Winterizing Tips - Protect Your Assets and Your Life! 

The fall season is a time to wind down as days for many become cooler and the air crisper.  With cooler temperatures of the winter months just around the corner, it is important to winterize your home so that you save energy and money.  Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make and should be properly maintained to ensure its longevity.  As fall requires some pre-winter prep, consider these 10 maintenance tips:

1. Have your heating system checked by a professional annually to ensure that it’s working safely and efficiently. If you heat by wood, clean your fireplace or stove.
2. Have your chimney flue checked for any buildup of creosote and then cleaned to lessen the risk of fire.
3. Make sure your home is properly insulated. You may want to consider insulating walls and attic to help conserve energy.
4. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out.
5. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside. This will provide an extra layer of insulation by keeping more cold air out.
6. Inspect and flush your water heater.
7. Clean gutters. Leaves and other debris will hamper drainage and may even be a fire risk.
8. Replace batteries of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors. If you did not do it when you set the clocks back, do it now.
9. Reverse your fans.  If your home has ceiling fans, know that they are there to help regulate your winter utility bills as well.  Flip the switch so that the fans turn clockwise in the winter, and the fans will force down warm air to recirculate through the room.      
10. To keep pipes from freezing:

• Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers
• Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture
• Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing
• Know how to shut off water valves

Winterizing your home is an important yearly task that helps your house to better brave the elements and helps you to keep more money in your pockets.  

You don't think you need flood insurance? Think again!

Isaac Demonstrated the Need for Flood Insurance...

In late August slow-moving Hurricane Isaac sat on the Mississippi coast for two days dumping rain, totaling up to 20 inches in places, and battering coastal areas with a 10-foot storm surge. Rivers reached near-historic flood levels. Flooding damaged or destroyed nearly 3,000 homes, according to state officials.

"Flooding is the most common disaster we see in our state each year," said Mississippi Emergency Management Agency State Coordinating Officer Bill Brown. "Many who flooded during Isaac were not in high-risk flood zones. Having a flood insurance policy won't keep the water out of your house, but it will protect the investment you have in it."

Flood insurance is important regardless of your flood zone. In fact, people outside high-risk areas file more than 20 percent of claims. In Mississippi, 86,000 households have flood insurance. About 39,000 of those policies were bought by consumers living outside a high risk flood zone.

It is important to know that flooding is not covered under most homeowner insurance policies. If a covered peril, such as wind or hail, damages the structure and allows rain inside the building, the resulting water damage would be covered by your homeowner policy, but not damage caused by flooding.

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding, called special flood hazard areas. An interactive guide to determine your flood risk is available online at FloodSmart.gov.

Flood insurance, with the average premium running about $500 per year in Oregon, can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs. Just 3 inches of floodwater in a home will require replacing drywall, baseboards, carpet, furniture and other necessary repairs can cost an estimated $22,590.

The deeper the floodwater, the more it will cost - 24 inches of water means repairs to the electrical system and the heating and cooling system. It also means replacement of doors, appliances and cabinetry, which could add another $40,000 to the bill.

Homeowners can insure their homes for up to $250,000 and contents for up to $100,000. Renters can cover their belongings for up to $100,000. Nonresidential property owners can insure a building and its contents for up to $500,000 each.

There is normally a 30-day waiting period when purchasing a new policy so now is the time to get your policy, before the next disaster strikes.

Most of us don't think much about flood insurance until it's too late and the damage is done, but experts say now is the time to act to try and protect yourself. Contact Modern Insurance Marketing, Inc. today at www.moderninsurance.com or 1-800-762-4646.

Good insurance advice is crucial to your financial security. Your local independent agent or broker is a great place to turn if you are looking for a professional advisor you can trust. At Modern Insurance Marketing, Inc., we are able to offer products from a variety of companies and we believe independent advice is, by far, the best way to shop for insurance products.  

Contact us today for all of your insurance needs!

 www.moderninsurance.com

Halloween Safety

Halloween can be a fun holiday for kids, but a worrisome one for parents.  Concerns about children's safety - whether they are out in the neighborhood or back home with their bags of goodies - can darken the day more quickly than a black cat.  But not to worry!  To make Halloween a treat, follow these safety tips and share them with your little goblins and witches! 

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.
	Always test make up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
	Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for kids.  Keep them safe and Happy Haunting!

Medicare Open Enrollment Oct 15 - Dec 7

The Medicare Open Enrollment period is here and  

Modern Insurance Marketing/Senior Choices NW is ready!

Are you?

It’s open enrollment time for Medicare (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7). In other words, if you or your parents are Medicare beneficiaries, this is your annual opportunity to switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage private health plan (also known as Medicare Part C) or change Medicare prescription drug plans (known as Medicare Part D). Making the move will help you get the best coverage at the lowest price.  It’s much like open enrollment for health care insurance you may have had through an employer.

Open enrollment is your chance to explore all your Medicare choices and make sure that you have the right coverage for you in the coming year. If what you already have is working for you, then great! You can relax and let open enrollment pass by. However, if your health status or life circumstances have changed, then you may want to change your Medicare coverage, too.

You should have received information from your current plan sponsor in the weeks leading up to open enrollment. It’s important to read this material. It will explain any changes in your plan benefits for the coming year.

Here’s what you can do during open enrollment:

• Change from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or vice versa. You remain enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B even when you choose to get your coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan.

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage and other extra benefits that you don’t get with Original Medicare. They also often have defined provider and pharmacy networks that you must use. You can choose to go outside the network, but you may pay more for services.

• Switch from one standalone Medicare prescription drug plan to a different Medicare prescription drug plan. You can get a standalone drug plan if you have Original Medicare or certain Medicare Advantage plans (Private Fee-For-Service or Medicare Savings Account.)

• Join a Medicare prescription drug plan or drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely. If you drop your drug coverage, you may have to pay more to get it back later.

For more information, go to the Modern Insurance Marketing, Inc. website at www.moderninsurance.com or call us at 1-800-762-4646.  We’ll be happy to help you determine which option is best for you!   

October is National Popcorn Poppin' Month!

October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month, a time to honor America’s favorite magical, munchable maize. You seldom need an excuse to grab a handful of these simple kernels of goodness, but a month long celebration gives you plenty of time and justi fication to try new recipes.  Whether you make it sweet, savory or salty, plain or pumped up, you’ll join your fellow Americans in consuming some 16 billion quarts this year.


Surprise your family and friends with a popcorn treat today in honor of National Popcorn Poppin’ Month.

Maple Pumpkin Spice Popcorn

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice mix

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional

5 cups popped popcorn

• In a large saucepan or pot, heat brown 

sugar, maple syrup and pumpkin pie 

spice mix over medium heat. Cook, 

stirring, 3 minutes or until sugar is 

dissolved and mixture is bubbling. Stir 

in butter until melted and well blended. 

Add pecans, if desired, and popcorn and 

stir until well coated.

• Allow mixture to cool before serving. 

Serve immediately or store in an 

airtight container.

Yield: 5 cups

For more tasty recipes, fun facts, popcorn trivia and more, visit www.popcorn.org.  Happy Snacking!

Child Safety Seat Check Up Event

A new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) survey shows that parents are making five significant mistakes when using car seats and booster seats. It also found that one in five parents do not read any instructions when installing seats.

“The key to keeping kids safe is to make sure your child is in the right seat for their age and size - and to make sure that the seat is correctly installed in your vehicle,” said Secretary Ray LaHood.  “We encourage everyone to take advantage of the many resources available to ensure you’ve done everything to properly protect your child.”

At Child Safety Seat Check-Up Events and Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations, you can learn how to transport your child safely.

Check Up Events in the Area:

10/20/2012  10:00AM-12:00PM	Sherwood Police Department 20495 SW Borchers Dr Sherwood Oregon 97140
Notes:No appointment necessary, drop in between posted hours. To ensure correct installation and faster service, please read and bring your car seat instructions and vehicle owners manual. A certified technician will help parents and caregivers learn to install and use their child restraints properly. Each car seat check will take about 30 - 40 minutes. 10/24/2012  09:00AM-04:00PM Doernbecher Children's Hospital 700 SW Campus Drive Portland Oregon 97239 Notes:By appointment only, please contact 503-494-3735 to schedule an appointment. 11/01/2012  05:00PM-07:00PM Newberg Fire Department 3100 Middlebrook Rd. Newberg Oregon 97132 11/08/2012  01:00PM-04:00PM Woodburn Fire Department 1776 Newberg Hwy Woodburn Oregon 97071 For more dates and helpful information, go to ... www.safekids.org

Taking the "Pay" out of Payroll

Modern Insurance Marketing, Inc. has partnered with a cutting edge payroll processing service that guarantees to save our clients money.  We switched our agencies payroll over earlier in the year and have saved over 50% from what we were previously paying with Paychex.   Not only have we cut our payroll costs in half but we are receiving additional services that we did not have previously.   If your company is interested in saving 30 to 50 percent on your payroll service, please give us a call and we will provide you with a no obligations quote.  The following are a few of the included services:

• Calculate, file, & pay fed, state, local taxes 
• Paid time off tracking 
• Certified payroll (federal)
• ACH direct deposit 
• Job costing
• On-site check printing
• PayCards w/employee cash advance 
• Dedicated Payroll Specialist 
• 400+ standard reports
• Web-based payroll system access 
• HR Support Center 
• Custom report creation
• Completely paperless payroll delivery 
• Document management 
• Accountant access
• QuickBooks &  general ledger reporting 
• New hire reporting 
• Payroll data protection
• 401(k) census & contribution reporting 
• Employee check memo 
• Secure employee portal

www.moderninsurance.com

                

Uninsured Motorist Levels are on the Rise

There’s another unfortunate side of the economic downturn that impacts every driver on the road: The number of underinsured motorists is expected to rise.  According to a recent study from Insurance Research Council, about one in six drivers across the United States may be driving uninsured. This means responsible drivers who purchase insurance may end up paying for injuries caused by uninsured drivers. If you haven’t reviewed your liability coverage in the last two years, now is a good time to revisit your auto coverage to ensure you avoid extra costs after an accident. 

We’re happy to help – and we can often increase your coverages without a significant increase in premium.

Just call Jim Boyce at 503-783-0287 or  e-mail  him at  jimb@moderninsurance.com.