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Recap: Moving for Families

Posted on by cvargas

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein

Moving is stressful for everyone, but most of all for those people with children. If you’re moving in Boston with your family, we posted a blog last week with some tips on how to make the move as stress-free as possible:

  • Tell your family as soon as you can about your move so that kids have time to adjust to the idea of moving.
  • Keep a positive attitude about the move – kids will be upset if they can tell that you are uneasy about the upcoming change.
  • Let your kids help with the move. Depending on their age and maturity, they could tour new homes with you and help pick things out to decorate their new space.
  • Pack your child’s room last and let them pack unbreakable things to contribute. Keep a small box of favorite toys that will stay with you throughout the move.
  • Help your child feel comfortable in their new neighborhood by meeting local kids and classmates before they start school.

Once you’re set to move into your new home, talk to Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency about getting a great home insurance policy for your new place. We will make sure that you and your family are protected. Also ask about how we can protect your car, business, and more.

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Budgeting for the Holiday Season

Posted on by cvargas

It may only be October, but now is the time to start thinking about your end-of-the-year holiday budget. Most Vargas and Vargas Insurance customers that we talk to agree – the holiday season is an expensive time of year (let’s face it – the festivity and merriment don’t come cheap!) Before you even think about picking out the best-looking turkey for Thanksgiving, pick up a pencil and make out a quick budget for the rest of 2018. It doesn’t have to be perfect – any sort of guideline can help make sure that you start the New Year in the black.

Our agency wants to do our part to help! Here are just a few of the categories that you may want to include in your budget, along with a few ways that you can get more bang for your buck this winter:

Holiday Décor

Part of the fun of the holiday season is the festivity and merriment that accompanies it. If you’re one to “deck the halls” then you probably already have most of the decorations that you use every year in storage. Occasionally, though, something will need to be replaced.

Do yourself a favor and save money on the replacement by using the old item one more time (if you can, of course) and purchasing the replacement on a deep discount after the holidays are over.

Food and Entertaining

During the holiday season, many people throw holiday parties or host family events. Whether you are hosting or attending these events, you will need to budget some money for them. Hosting can be costly, but you can cut down on your spending by asking attendees to bring a dish to contribute to the table or buffet – sides and desserts are easy for others to make and bring.

If you are attending an event, offer to bring something to help the host. You could bring food, but alcohol and other hostess gifts may also be appropriate. Many local shops in the Boston area offer a great selection of items that would be perfect to bring to a party.

Travel

Around this time of year, many people are making plans to visit their loved ones. Whether you’re going to be there to eat turkey or open presents, you should start making your plans now so that you don’t get stuck paying last-minute prices.

Depending on how far you need to travel and how many people are going with you, taking a road trip may be a cheaper option than flying. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Road Tripping for tips and tricks to travelling by land. If you don’t have the time to travel by car, then flying is your best option. Buy your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best deal and remember when comparing prices to include the cost of extra fees and baggage to your total cost.

Gifts

If you’re someone that purchases gifts during the holidays, plan now so that you don’t overspend later. Make a list of everyone that you plan to gift to, and how much you will spend. Be as thorough with your list as possible – include family members and friends, as well as neighbors, teachers, your mailman… anyone who will get a present, even if it’s only going to be $10 or less.

When it comes to saving money on gifts, there are many options. For the brave, consider shopping during Black Friday sales to get great gifts at blowout prices. Some people may find Black Friday shopping a little too harrowing of an experience. If that sounds like you, (and you have even a little bit of creative capability) consider making your gifts this year. Often, DIY gifts are less expensive than store-bought, and they can hold extra meaning to the recipient.

As you budget for gifts, remember to also factor in the cost of cards and wrapping paper and bows. These are costly right before the holidays, but you can save money for next year’s presents by purchasing card multi-packs and wrapping paper on clearance and storing it with the rest of your decorations.

Once your holiday budget is complete, do your future self a favor. Take your estimated expenditure amount from this year and divide it by 12. Then you can set up an automatic deposit for that amount into a holiday savings account each month. By this time next year, you won’t have to worry about scrambling to find funds – you will have a lump sum ready to go for all your end of the year spending!

Remember – you can save money on your Massachusetts insurance policies all year ‘round with the help of Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. One call to 617-298-0655 and our agents will work hard to make sure that you have home and auto insurance policies that will give you the right amount of coverage without overburdening your bank account.

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Morning Motivation – Week of October 8, 2018

Posted on by cvargas

As you know I try to start every week with some words of wisdom:

We have been talking about getting freedom in your business, check out last week’s message here.

Step #2: Eliminate tasks you don’t know how to do

Be honest with yourself. Don’t let superhero syndrome kick in here. I remember trying to design and develop my first blog on my own using a premium theme. I spent 8-10 weeks trying to figure it out, and in the end I was never happy with it. Why? Because it’s not what I do! I don’t have that type of mind or patience.

So I urge you to ask yourself:

  • Are there tasks I am currently doing that could be completed faster AND better by someone else?
  • Are there projects you’re handling that could be wrapped up in a better, more professional way?
  • Are you trying to cut costs by dabbling far outside your areas of expertise?
  • Is it even important for the success of your business?

Next week we will cover the third step toward getting Freedom in your business. Don’t miss it!

Carlos

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Recap: Halloween Safety Tips

Posted on by cvargas

Did you know that there are only a few weeks left before Halloween? Are you and your family prepared? Make the most of the spookiest holiday of the year by following the safety tips from last week’s full blog post. Here is a quick summary for your convenience:

  • When you decorate, make sure that you are making your home spooky without creating tripping hazards. When choosing lighting, opt for battery powered flickering lights over candles.
  • Pumpkin carving should be reserved for kids that can handle sharp objects. Little ones can use paint or stickers on their pumpkins!
  • When passing out candy, always give treats bought at the store instead of homemade confections.
  • Trick-or-Treating can be dangerous, so make sure that kids are wearing safe costumes and comfortable shoes. Be careful driving around on Halloween night, and always check candy for tampering before eating it.

At Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we always have a blast celebrating Halloween in the office. This October, we would also enjoy helping you lower your insurance premiums. Just call our office at 617-298-0655 to speak with one of our Massachusetts insurance agents about how we can help avoid potential frights from the unknown with our top of the line insurance protection.

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The Best Tips for Moving with Kids in Boston

Posted on by cvargas

Moving is stressful for everyone. Even the most organized people can become overwhelmed at the thought of the necessary logistics to relocate. This stress increases by orders of magnitude when children are involved. If you are planning to move within the Boston area with your children, consider the following tips to make the transition easier for everyone involved:

Telling Your Kids About the Move

Kids – especially younger ones – are creatures of habit. This means that uprooting them from the home that they know and love is probably going to be a big deal. Help them get used to the upcoming change by telling them about it well in advance, and make sure that you have a positive attitude when talking about the impending relocation. Prepare them by telling them what will be different but also tell them what will stay the same so that they can retain a sense of normalcy.

To help younger children prepare for what will happen when you move, consider getting a book on moving. There are several available that will help little ones understand that the process doesn’t have to be scary. You can also share the story of the first time you moved with your kids to help them understand that moving is a normal part of life.

Choosing a New Home with Your Kids

If your kids are old enough, you might want to let them get in on some of the house hunting fun. Ask what they would want in your next home – maybe a bedroom that they don’t have to share, or a big backyard, or a bonus room that could be used just for hanging out? When choosing a home, make sure to research which schools the house is assigned to, don’t just assume it is the closest one!

Once you choose a home, let your child help decorate their room. Give small children a few choices on colors to paint the walls or rugs to put next to their bed. Teenagers can be given additional freedom to make their own choices (within reason, as always – no one wants to paint bedroom walls black!)

Tips for Packing Your Home

Your child probably won’t adjust well to having all their favorite things in boxes, so plan on packing their room as late as possible. Let younger kids feel like they can contribute and have some control over the move by placing them in charge of packing a box or two – preferably something that can’t break like stuffed animals. If your move will take more than a day, allow your child to keep a small bin of their most favorite toys with them during travel to ease separation anxiety.

As you know, moving is also the perfect excuse to get rid of old stuff that you don’t use any more. Encourage your child to choose some of their older toys to be sold at a moving sale or to be donated to a local organization for underprivileged kids.

Moving Day is Here!

Only you know what is best for your child, so only you will be able to decide what the best course of action is on days when packers and movers will be at your home. Some families know that their little one will need to be out of the house and opt for daycare or having a friend or family member watch their child. Other children would rather be involved and see the move happen – just ensure that they will be able to stay out of the way and out of trouble for the duration of the process.

Unpacking Made Easy

Make your child’s room one of the first things you unpack when you arrive at your new home. (If anything is broken during the move, find out if your Boston home insurance policy will cover the damage.) As you unpack, take your child with you to meet your new neighbors – especially if they have kids around the same age.

Settling in to Your New Place

Once you’re unpacked, you will have the opportunity to explore your new community with your kids. If they have changed schools, it may help them to see their new school before their first day. If it would help, ask your school for a list of children in your child’s class so that you can arrange playdates ahead of time. Having friends on the first day will make the transition a lot easier for most kids. A scoop of local ice cream never hurts either! There are tons of fun activities in Boston that you can do with your kids to show them how great their new home is.

As you continue to plan for a Boston move with your family, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 for help getting the right insurance protection for your new home. We will make sure that you and your family are ready to handle anything that comes your way.

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Morning Motivation – Week of October 1, 2018

Posted on by cvargas

As you know I try to start every week with some words of wisdom,

Have you been keeping up with my weekly motivation posts? The last couple of weeks I have been talking about doing what you do best, what you are gifted in and get someone else to do what you hate to do or are not good at. Check out my last post here if you need a refresher.

Answer the following questions about your involvement in your business:

  • Are you trying to put your own blog together?
  • Are you trying to create a nice Facebook header?
  • Are you trying to complete a nice profile outline about YOU for all your social sites?
  • Are you trying to post 2-3 times a week?
  • Are you trying to keep up with your emails?
  • Are you trying to keep up with your voicemails?
  • Are you trying to keep up with your clients?

When it comes to keeping up with clients, I am talking about any and all of the following activities:

  • Babysitting clients
  • Putting out fires
  • Updating clients
  • Managing the client database
  • Creating mailers for clients
  • On and on and on….

If any of these tasks sounds like something you do, don’t despair! There are three steps to getting some freedom in your business:

Step #1: Make a list of the tasks that you hate to do

These are any task that makes you cringe or procrastinate. Anything can be on this list—except for selling.

Selling needs to be one of your top priorities because it’s the lifeblood of your business, and no one should know your product or service better than you.

Look out for the post all about step #2 next week!

Carlos

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2018 Halloween Safety Tips for Kids and Parents

Posted on by cvargas

The temperatures are steadily dropping, and that can only mean one thing here in Massachusetts – Halloween is just around the corner! It’s the time of year when you can let your spooky side shine… not to mention plan a costume that will knock everyone’s socks off. As October progresses, though, make sure that you follow these safety tips to make sure that you and your kids have a successful fright night!

Decorating Your Home

Some people like to go over the top when decorating the outside of their home for Halloween. We encourage you to get in the spirit, but follow a few simple guidelines:

  • Remove or clearly mark tripping hazards – Trick-or-Treaters will be coming up your walkway, so either remove obstacles or make sure that they are easily seen and avoided.
  • Light up paths – Some visitors will be wearing awkward costumes, so make sure that they can see where they’re stepping.
  • Don’t use real flames – There is something extra spooky about a flickering flame, but instead of using a real candle and risking a fire, opt for a battery-operated flickering light.
  • Be careful with extension cords – You may have lots of decorations that require power. Lights and inflatables are very popular nowadays but resist the urge to overload your extension cords and power strips.

Carving a Pumpkin

Will you be making a Jack-o-Lantern with your kids this year? For kids old enough to carve a pumpkin, make sure to use carving tools meant for pumpkins instead of sharper kitchen knives. Encourage kids to go slowly as they carve in the interest of safety and tell them to cut away from their bodies. In case there is a minor injury, have a first aid kit close by.

Kids that are too young to carve don’t have to miss out on the fun. Instead of making a carved pumpkin, break out the paints and stickers and let them decorate in an age-appropriate way.

Throwing a Party

Getting together with friends for a costume party is a fun thing to do this time of year. If you are hosting, there are a few things you should do to make sure that your guests can enjoy themselves without compromising their safety.

As you plan your party, make sure that your decorations are safe for guests. As we mentioned earlier as we talked about outdoor decorations, indoor décor should also not be a tripping hazard. Also, don’t overload poser strips or use real flames, and opt for flickering battery-operated lights over open flames. In addition, when you choose your costume make sure it is something that you can wear and still play host.

Passing out Candy

If you’re going to be staying at home on Halloween night and passing out candy to trick-or-treaters, make sure to do so in a safe way. You may have a killer recipe for a treat, but this isn’t the time to use it – only pass out candies that are sealed by the manufacturer. Some children who come to your door may have severe allergies, so you may want to have a few small toys ready in case they are necessary. Display a teal pumpkin at your home to advertise that you have these non-food treats available.

For your own safety as you pass out treats, you may opt to sit with other neighbors. At the very least, make sure that you are looking through your peep hole whenever the doorbell rings (as you always should) – you can never be sure that there isn’t a ‘trick’ on the other side of the door.

Trick-or-Treating

Going out trick-or-treating is a rite of passage for kids. As a parent, we know that you want your kid to have a great time while still being safe. Here are just a few tips that you should use to accomplish this goal:

  • Decide whether your child or children are mature enough to go out with friends without supervision. When in doubt, an adult should accompany them.
  • Some parents choose to drive their kids to a different neighborhood to trick-or-treat. If you will be driving on Halloween night, make sure to be exceptionally careful in residential areas after 5pm.
  • Edit kids costumes so that they can easily run around in them for an hour or more. Encourage kids to wear comfortable shoes and to leave their masks at home. For added safety, give kids a small flashlight to carry.
  • Teens that go out on Halloween night without supervision should have a fully charged cell phone with them in case of emergencies.
  • Before you or your kids eat a treat, it should be checked for tampering.

Here’s one thing that doesn’t have to be scary this time of year: your insurance premiums! Call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency for a free insurance quote or checkup. Our agents would be happy to see if we can lower your home insurance, auto insurance, or other insurance premiums – and you don’t even need to leave your house! Call 617-298-0655 whenever you have questions about your Massachusetts insurance policies.

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Morning Motivation – Week of September 24, 2018

Posted on by cvargas

Would you like some words of wisdom to start off your week on the right foot?

If you remember, last week I wrote about how to identify your innate strengths. For all the things that aren’t your strengths, here is my advice: automate the repetitive tasks. Hire a Virtual Assistant to do those things for you. If you want the information of who I use as Virtual Assistants, please let me know.

My feeling is that no matter how hard you try, it is unlikely you will ever be more than average in areas where you do not have an aptitude.

Working on developing your natural talents is self-rewarding and motivating and allow you to continually realize higher and higher levels of ability, achievement, and success. Invest your time and energy in being great at something really great. You will be happier.

What a great combination: doing what you love and having people pay you for it.

Next week, working your “Triad of Awesomeness.”

So focus on your strengths, my friends.

Carlos

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Recap: Fall Home Maintenance

Posted on by cvargas

“A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.” – Unknown

Is your home ready for the winter? Many of us here at the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency are working through our Fall home maintenance checklists and thought that we would share some of the tasks that we are undertaking. Here are just a few examples from our longer post:

  • Trim trees and shrubs, taking care to get rid of anything that could cause a problem when weighted down with snow and ice in the coming months.
  • After the leaves fall, clean gutters and drains so that melting snow and ice can flow freely.
  • Exterior repairs should be taken care of as soon as possible, before everything is blanketed and access to these areas is harder.
  • You will soon need to use your home’s heating system, so now is the time to make sure it is working and ready for the coming temperatures. Hire a professional for a check now – they will soon be very busy!
  • Check to ensure that you have all the gear you will need for winter. Now is the time to replace that old shovel, or to upgrade the ice scraper in your vehicle.

Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is here to help with one more item on your Fall home maintenance checklist: making sure that your insurance policies are ready for Winter claims! Call 617-298-0655 for a free consultation and a home insurance checkup from the professionals here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance.

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Morning Motivation – Week of September 17, 2018

Posted on by cvargas

As you know I try to start every week with some words of wisdom:

If you remember from last weeks, message, I started talking about the natural gifts that we all have. Check out last week’s message here.

First, write down a list of those things that you do that seem easy for you. These are the things that you can do that seem almost effortless. Often, the tasks that are easy for us are those where we have a special aptitude.

Second, make a list of all the activities that make you happy. These are the things that make you smile. These are the tasks you would do just for yourself, with no promise of gain, just because they are fun.

Look through the two lists to find the common activities. These are likely to be the areas of your natural aptitude and talent, and are the areas of greatest potential for you. Imagine if you could spend most of your time developing and playing at something that makes you happy and where it is easy for you? Wow!

So, my advice is not to get caught up in the old advice to work on your weaknesses. Hire someone who is good where you are weak. Delegate tasks that you don’t enjoy to others who do enjoy those things.

Want to know the best way to delegate these tasks? That’s a post for another week – stay tuned!

Carlos

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