Are you still trying to figure out ways to make your New Year’s Resolutions come true? Check out these life hacks that you should know. What is a life hack? (I asked the same question…) These are new ways to do everyday things to make life easier, more convenient, more fun or in a word: better. With barely any effort, they can make a difference in your life! Check them out:
Domestic Hacks
Reverse your hangers when you pull out an item of clothing. At the end of the year, clothes on hangers that haven’t been reversed can be given away!
Get out of the house on time by making your playlist in the morning for the amount of time you have before you have to leave.
Unlock a chain lock from the outside by attaching a rubber band to the chain lock and then to the inside door handle.
Open a banana the right way by flipping the banana over and pinching the stem. (Yes, this is the way that monkeys do it!)
Remember to bring important things with you by putting your car keys on them (or on top of your shoes) the night before.
Use aluminum foil correctly – those tabs on the ends of the box keep the roll from popping out. Cling wrap works the same way.
Get an ice cold drink in 3 minute flat by placing the drink in a pot and cover it with ice. Add 2 cups of salt and fill it with water. Give it 3 minutes!
School/Education Hacks (Ahh, to be back in college again…)
Find sources for your thesis (or other long paper) by finding one solid source and looking through the bibliography for other references.
To get more time to write your paper, rename a jpg, mp3 or another media file and rename it to your paper. Since the “paper” will look “corrupt,” you may get an extra day or two! (Probably shouldn’t become a habit though!!)
Here’s another tip to make life a little better: save more money on your Massachusetts insurance! Did you know that if you bundle two or more policies, you can save money? Encharter Insurance agents are always looking out for ways to save you money. Talk to your MA insurance agent about how you can save money on your MA Home Insurance and MA Auto Insurance. And don’t forget to start utilizing some of the tips above to make life a little better!
Today’s economy, specifically the housing and economic crises, has made a lot of people really start to think about the future. For example, a 16-year-old high school student in Sonoma, Arizona took the matters of his future into his own hands. He has been working on building a 130-square foot home that he intends to take with him on his life journey, wherever that may be. He built the house for $2,500, and for some, it’s nice to see someone from a younger generation finding a way to build the foundation for a stable, sustainable and resilient future. Check out the interview with the high school student who built his own home.
For everyone else out there planning for the future, the housing market is still in a buyer’s market stage! Not to mention home mortgage rates are still low. But if you make a huge investment like purchasing (or building) your own home, you should also look into your options for protecting it. Massachusetts Homeowner’s Insurance becomes very worth the money you have to invest on the premium when something happens to your home. Your MA Home Insurance does more than protect the structure of your home. Talk to your Massachusetts insurance agent about finding a policy that’s right for you at this point in your life. If you’ve already made the investment, and already have a MA Home Insurance policy, your MA insurance agent can help make adjustments as necessary to fit your lifestyle. Who knows, you may be eligible for some additional discounts! Your home is a crucial part of your life. It deserves protection.
Coming from someone who drives a minimum of an hour each way to work, I am always looking for ways to save money on gas. Some of these, I already utilize. Others, I do not do as well. If you’re like me and want to cut back on the number of trips to the gas station, try out these 15 Ways to Save Money on Gas:
Keep the tires inflated properly. Check regularly for alignment and balance.
A well-tuned engine burns less gas. Make sure you’re up to date on routine maintenance.
Get junk out of your car. The more your car weighs, the more gas you use.
Buy the lowest grade of gasoline that is appropriate for your car.
Pay cash at stations that charge extra for credit cards.
Don’t top off the gas tank.
Don’t make fast starts or sudden stops.
Lighten up on the accelerator.
Avoid long warm-ups. Just give it a minute or so on those cold days.
Combine errands into one trip and plan the most effective route.
Do not rest your left foot on the brake.
Tighten up your gas cap to avoid evaporation.
Buy a fuel-efficient car.
Be smart about air conditioning (although us New Englanders don’t have to worry about that right now!)
Remove snow tires when the good weather comes around.
In order to save additional money, talk to your Massachusetts insurance agent about your Massachusetts Auto Insurance. You may have too much coverage for what you need (or maybe not enough to be safe!) At Encharter Insurance, if you have another policy with the agency, you could save even more money by bundling! In today’s economy, every little bit you can save adds up. Avoid paying too much at the gas station, while paying monthly bills, and in other car maintenance.
You may have MA Auto Insurance. You may have MA Home Insurance. You may even have MA Umbrella Insurance. There are numerous different policies that you could, should or would have. But how about celebrities? To these individuals, parts of their body are irreplaceable (beyond how we feel about our bodies) and extremes are gone to protect themselves. The first celebrity insured body part was in 1920 by Ben Turpin, who insured his crossed eyes in case they ever became uncrossed. Lloyd’s of London is known for the coverage of many of these body parts. Check out what some celebrities have insured:
Holly Madison (Hugh Hefner’s former girlfriend) has a $1 million policy on her breasts.
Jeff Beck (guitar legend of the Yardbirds) has a $1 million policy on each of his fingers.
Troy Polamalu (safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers) has a $1 million policy on his hair.
Heidi Klum (Victoria Secret model and host of Project Runway) has a $2.2 million policy on her legs.
Keith Richards (lead guitarist of the Rolling Stones) has a $1.6 million policy on his hands.
America Ferrera (actress best known for her role in Ugly Betty) has a $10 million policy on her smile.
Bruce Springsteen (rock ‘n’ roll legend) has a $6 million policy on his voice.
Dolly Parton (country singer) has a $600,000 policy on her breasts.
Egon Ronay (author and food critic) has a $400,000 policy on his taste buds.
Although you may not go to these extremes, you may want to know what you should be protecting. Massachusetts insurance agents at Encharter Insurance can help you decide which policies are right for you. You may find out that you need additional coverage for some of your valuable items, or that your assets are not properly protected. Your body’s protection is in your own hands, but your MA insurance can take care of the rest.
According to a countdown to New Year’s Eve, there are 2 days and 10 hours left until we ring in the year 2012! If you’re like me, you may still be planning your night. Boston.com has a one-stop area of their site to guide you into the New Year. Whether you’re going out or staying in, going to a friend’s party or having one of your own, find tons of ideas for ways to end twenty-eleven!
Year in Review (including Most Overrated Celebrities, Top Celebrity Headlines and Biggest Celebrity Feuds)
No matter what your plan is, make sure you’re protected in 2012 with your Massachusetts Insurance policies. Knowledgeable agents at Encharter Insurance can get you the best quotes for your MA Homeowner’s Insurance, MA Auto Insurance and Business Insurance MA. Don’t forget that you can save even more money in the New Year by bundling your policies! Talk to your MA insurance agent to start your New Year off with some extra cash, and fully protected from whatever comes your way! Happy New Year!
Regifting…we’ve all done it at least once. In a budget-driven economy, it’s probably happening even more frequently. There is even a website, regiftable.com which makes regifting less shameful. So when you’re looking around for that last minute gift for someone, or looking for a gift to return the gesture by a friend or colleague, think about the Top 10 Most Regifted Gifts:
Booze – Make sure it’s unopened and hasn’t gone bad!
Gift cards – Make sure it hasn’t expired and the store hasn’t gone out of business.
Fruitcake – Hey, some people have got to like them, right?
Candles – Do not regift if the wick has been burned.
Cookbooks – You can think of something creative to go with it, such as a big wooden spoon or a basket or spices (unused).
Jewelry – Make sure you use some jewelry cleaner on it before you give it away.
Picture frame – Picture frames are a common gift; if you have too many, regift away. Maybe add a picture of you and your friend.
Gift basket – You may think this is a great idea if it’s never been opened, but make sure nothing in the gift basket has gone bad.
Housewares – If you have an unused household item such as a wine opener, pair it with a bottle of wine and viola! A great holiday gift!
Clothing – It may not look great on you, but maybe it will on someone else you know.
The holiday season can get crazy. Make sure your Massachusetts insurance has you covered for all the holiday madness. You never know when your cat will chew the lights on your tree and cause some trouble in your living room. For quality MA Home Insurance and MA Auto Insurance, amongst other policies, talk to your MA insurance agent. Encharter Insurance is local and ready to provide you with great service and free quotes. Don’t make the holidays crazier than they have to be. Be ready for the unexpected.
Did you know that today is National Cupcake Day? The Today Show did a segment on favorite recipes from foodies and chefs. Personally, I have a craving for the first one: America’s Test Kitchen’s Chocolate cream cupcakes! How about number 3 though? Honey-baked ham cupcakes are certainly a new path for the typically frosted (and in my case, chocolate) treat! The gingerbread cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting look like a cute version of a classic cupcake to share at your next holiday party. (I’m also a big fan of cream cheese frosting!) Which one is your favorite on the page? Or what is your favorite cupcake in general??
Make sure you measure ingredients properly and do not over-bake your goodies! Your food is best stored in the refrigerator at temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Make sure you’re washing your hands after touching raw food.
Clean up your spills in a timely manner. Keep unused appliances unplugged to avoid electrical fires.
The stove and oven can cause burns on you and can start fires in the kitchen. Keep flammable items away from the hot surfaces.
Dress properly in a kitchen. Do not wear long necklaces or dangly bracelets that could get caught. Be mindful of the shoes that you have on your feet, and wear an apron to protect your clothing!
And of course, it’s always a good idea to have a Massachusetts Homeowner’s Insurance policy to keep you, your family, your guests and your home safe. Talk to your MA insurance agent about a policy to fit your needs. Experts at Encharter Insurance can get you a free MA Home Insurance quote and find you a policy that fits your budget.
Many Massachusetts residents are very excited to hear that casinos are coming to the state. Some of the latest news: a casino in Foxboro! Robert Kraft, the owner of the Patriots, is making a push for a brand new casino right near Patriot’s Place. He stresses that it will create jobs and will benefit the surrounding community (not to mention bring even more traffic to Patriot’s Place). Steve Wynn, who is very well known in Vegas, is also teaming with Kraft on the project. He says that they want to build a casino that is unique to Foxboro, and not something that you would find anywhere else in Connecticut, Massachusetts or New York. The Governor of MA signed a bill in October that would allow three “resort-style” casinos to be built in the state. We shall see if the Patriot’s Place Casino will be one of them!
Massachusetts residents who will be visiting the upcoming casinos the state has to offer should be sure that their MA Auto Insurance is ready for the ride. It is certainly an exciting drive. Drivers and passengers alike should be protected. The addition of casinos in Massachusetts will not only benefit residents of the state who enjoy a stay at a casino, but also business owners. Happy Hour will be reinstated as well. Business owners should check up on their MA Liquor Liability to make sure that they are ready for everyone’s favorite “hour”. Talk with a Massachusetts insurance agent to discuss the insurance policies that are right for your needs. Encharter Insurance’s experts can find you the best deal while answering all questions regarding various policies. 2012 is already looking like a good year for everyone in Massachusetts!
Today is December 1st and the countdown to the holidays and the family guests begins! If your holiday visitors want to take your car, be weary. What happens if he or she gets into an accident? Encharter Insurance’s own Erin B answers your question: If someone drives your car, with your permission, then your Massachusetts Car Insurance should cover the accident. If the accident was very large or involved a lawsuit, your limits may be met. If this were to happen, then the driver’s insurance would kick in and take over for the extra coverage. You should be careful about who you let drive your car, however. If the individual does not have adequate insurance (or if he or she has no insurance at all) and your limits are met, you could face legal charges! Additionally, the points for the accident will follow the driver’s driving license but your car was still involved in an accident. Therefore, a claim would be filed on your policy and you would lose your loss-free credit, which could increase your premium in the years to follow! Talk to your Massachusetts insurance agent about your MA Auto Insurance policy and how you can keep yourself covered during the holiday season.
Everyone deserves a trip of a lifetime. One where you take hundreds of pictures; where you avoid stressing about your to-do lists and the piles of paperwork building on your desk; where you can relax on your own or with family and friends; where you can truly appreciate the natural beauties of the United States, and the world.
Whether you travel thousands of miles by plane, or short distances by car, there’s a destination for everyone. Looking for ideas? Check out the photos from NationalGeographic.com. Visit the great Niagara Falls or view the depths of the Grand Canyon. The Mesa Verde is on my list of places I want to visit. Have you thought about your trip of a life time? Maybe it’s somewhere by the ocean… Or maybe you want to travel the international world.
Wherever it may be, protect yourself beyond your typical coverage with MA Umbrella Insurance. It may seem unrelated but Massachusetts Umbrella Insurance is a great idea to continue to keep yourself worry free, with or without that vacation you’ve been dreaming up for years! The policy gives you extra protection for bodily injury and property damage to others, extra liability coverage, and coverage for many items not listed on your other MA Insurance policies. Encharter Insurance has expert Massachusetts insurance agents ready to help you. Keep your life as stress-free as possible and prepare for the unexpected ahead of time!
Are you still trying to figure out ways to make your New Year’s Resolutions come true? Check out these life hacks that you should know. What is a life hack? (I asked the same question…) These are new ways to do everyday things to make life easier, more convenient, more fun or in a word: better. With barely any effort, they can make a difference in your life! Check them out:
