Have you recently reviewed your insurance premium and thought you were paying too much for the coverage you originally invested in? Chances are that you may be over insured ultimately resulting in a higher premium for you to pay. As your life changes, so should your insurance coverage. Make certain that your business or personal insurance policy reflects your changing experiences and life endeavors as well. Car Insurance Save yourself money on your car insurance policy by driving less and putting your cell phone away while behind the wheel. Not only will this reduce your risk it will eventually pay off in the long run! If you are a recent newlywed, adding your spouse onto your auto insurance policy as the named insured should significantly decrease your insurance cost. Also, if you change your driving habits by lessening time behind the wheel or the use of your vehicle or reach retirement, make sure to inform your insurer for the possibility of reduced rates. Home Insurance Particularly after the Holiday ...

Today is the national holiday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. With many businesses and schools observing this holiday with time off, some people take it as an opportunity to travel.  Others organize together to use the day as a time to give back to the community through volunteering. Just a little history on the holiday, it took 15 years to be instated as a federal holiday. A Congressman from Michigan, John Conyers, introduced the legislation four days after the King was assassinated in 1968 to commemorate his death. Initially the bill was stalled igniting petitions with six million names of people who endorsed the holiday. Conyers was joined by Congresswoman, Shirley Chishlom, who both resubmitted the MLK, Jr. holiday legislation every session. Finally after pressure from the public during civil rights marches in Washington Congress finally passed the legislation in 1983, which was subsequently signed by President Ronald Reagan to make it an official law.  The date of the holiday was moved fr ...

Last night a devastating storm ripped through parts of western North Carolina and  included reports of high winds, hail, and a possible tornado. At least 15 people were injured and 60 homes were damaged including a mobile home park. Those in Rutherford and Burke counties are left today picking up the pieces literally of the homes and livelihoods. There are also reports that the winds damaged at least three boats in a Marina in Caldwell County late Wednesday night as well. According to the National Weather Service there is a team on location today to determine whether there was a tornado and the strength of the storm. For those with damage to their homes and businesses today, the strength of the storm was enough to Hail reports came from a viewer of NewsChannel 36 in Hickory around 6:30pm, no extensive damage yet has been reported from that area. For those affected by the damage the American Red Cross has set up a shelter in Icard at First Baptist Church on Highway 70. As a limited state of emergency ...

Many college students find it difficult when returning to college after winter break. Some students have a month off for break and use that time to make some extra cash for the next semester or spend time with family they may have not seen since August. Despite the Spring Semester approaching quickly many students have not began their preparations for upcoming classes.    These are just 4 ways for students to reduce their stress before the semester starts: 1.    Buy Your Books If you do travel home for winter break, plan to return to campus at least two days before classes being.  If you had to fly home you may want to give yourself more of a couchin in case bad weather causes you delays.  Taking the last available plan home may mean you miss the first day or two of class if a bad snow storm hits. Also, do not wait until the last minute if you plan to purchase your books from your school’s bookstore. If the bookstore is sold out of the book you need or doesn&rsq ...

Hopefully you have already closed up your summer vacation home or you may be leaving your own home for an extended period of time, either way you need to ensure that it is winterized.  Not properly securing your home during the winter while you leave it can create costly accidents.   It may be helpful to create a check list or “plan of action” to help you remember what needs to be de-winterized come spring or when you return to your home. Outside your home 1.       Turn off the water at the main supply point. Doing so ensures that hoses like the one to your washing machine won’t burst while you are away. If you are leaving your home for all of winter be sure that the water supply is turned off at the mains. 2.       Drain all water that may be subject to freezing. Video on how to winterize an external body of water at your home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA7YdgohqI4&feature=player_embedded 3.  &nbs ...

There is a change underway with the historic Boone Drug Fountain that has been there for 92 years. As of the 1st, they signed a lease with F.A.R.M. Cafe a new non-profit getting their start in the High Country. F.A.R.M. stands for Feed All Regardless of Means, the Cafe will provide a meal to anyone regardless of whether or not they can pay. Those that cannot afford to pay will be given a volunteer opportunity at the restaurant.  According to their website F.A.R.M. Cafe plans to open by April 2012. A group of Boone residents became aware of this business model through a magazine article about OneWorldEverybodyEats Cafe located in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2009 the residents decided to band together to help combat hunger issues that are prevalent in the High Country through F.A.R.M. Cafe and various other non-profits like the Hospitality House. They also plan to work with Appalachian State University’s Sustainable Development Program who has an established history with supporting farmers. They als ...

As 2011 has drawn to close as a small business owner it is important to understand the improvements in social media from 2011, how best to use those and what to look forward to in 2012. Google has made upgrades to their Google Places which is a platform essential for local businesses. If you do not already have your location, hours of business, logo, products/services description, and a link to your website on Google Places be sure to make that a part of your 2012 marketing plan. Google changed the layout and prominence of Google Places when searching locally which should help small businesses gain more attention. Google has also introduced their Google Plus and Google +1, which is similar to Facebook’s “Like” button.  The Google + Pages are an interaction website with three main components. Share, Promote, and Measure. You can share with customers or potential customers different parts of your business they might not be aware of, as well as breaking news, updates, promotion ...

If mere fulfillment from improving your everyday life doesn't inspire you enough to keep New Year's resolutions, consider how making constructive changes might fatten your wallet. As for us individuals residing throughout the Sandhills, Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, we can still feel the strain of the lagging economy across the state. Why not take initiative in lowering your expenses this year while reducing a bit of stress? The six resolutions that could lower your insurance rates and in due course lessen a bit of hassle: 1. Lose weight If you're among the two-thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese, losing weight could qualify you for lower life insurance rates. That's true whether you're applying for a new policy or already have life insurance. Louis J. Cassara, chairman and CEO of the Financial Resource Network in the Chicago area, says several of his formerly overweight clients who slimmed down through healthy diet and exercise programs were able to get reconside ...

With the First Day of Winter having been on Thursday (December 22) and increasing forecasts for snow and winter conditions it is important to remember safe driving tips. You may be familiar with the driving hazards associated with winter months. Slippery roads, storms, freezing rain, snow, reduced visibility and high winds. Winter weather presents a new set of challenges for drivers that is most often best if completely avoided by not getting out on the roads. However, if you find yourself in the position to have to be out on the roads be sure to take all necessary precautions before doing so. Simply driving at a safe speed and buckling up is not enough when facing hazardous road conditions.  It is important to have a mechanic check your vehicle’s heating and exhaust systems as well as the brakes, antifreeze, battery, oil and windshield washer fluid.  Depending on your location your mechanic may recommend installing snow tires or purchasing chains to put on your existing tires.  By ke ...

With Christmas only a few days away trips to the mall to do last minute shopping has become quite a production. This year shoppers said they were planning to spend on average over $600 for gifts. Sharing joy with family and friends shouldn’t involve feeling guilty when you get your credit card bill in January. Here are a couple ways to give great gifts without draining your wallet: 1.    Make it yourself.  Everyone has a special talent they can use to make a gift for someone special. Whether it is jewelry making, lawn mowing, carpentry, cooking, or painting everyone has something to offer that others can appreciate.  If your talent involves giving them a gift that cannot be wrapped simply write up a certificate that they can redeem for the gift whenever they wish. 2.    Do research online. If you know ahead of time what the gift is you are looking for taking a look online to compare prices cannot only save you money but also time when finding the store with t ...