Car Maintenance Tips for the Summer

Posted on by TheSph3r3

Summer is there perfect time to take a vacation with the family and drive somewhere to enjoy the warm summer weather. It is important to make sure that your car is running its best before heading out on the road though. Following these 5 car summer maintenance tips will ensure that you and your car make it to your destination safely.

  1. Check your tires. Tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a vehicle, but also one of the most important since they are the only part of the car that touches the road. Make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure to reduce any pressure on the sidewalls of your tires, which could cause a blowout in the hot summer weather.
  2. Change the oil and oil filter. It is recommended that your change your oil every 3,000 miles or three months. Having clean oil will help prevent your car from overheating while driving.
  3. Check hoses and belts. Make sure that belts and hoses do not have any cracks, and that the hoses are well connected and do not have any holes. Keeping everything connected and running smoothly will help reduce the chances of your car overheating.
  4. Maintain your air conditioning. Getting stuck on the road in hot weather with no air conditioning is not something to look forward to. Make sure to take your car to a certified auto body shop before heading out on the road if your air conditioning is not able to stay at a steady cool temperature.
  5. Replace your windshield wipers. The summer months are prone to sudden thunderstorms. Make sure you have wiper blades that do not leave streaks and effectively clean your window to ensure you are ready for any sudden weather changes.

Most importantly, make sure you have the most comprehensive auto insurance policy to protect you and your vehicle from any unfortunate incidents. Contact the insurance professionals at All Nevada Insurance to get a quote on an auto insurance policy today.

What about the Survivor

Posted on by TheSph3r3

If you are a two income family, or more importantly, a one income family, what happens to your household income when you are gone?  The obvious answer is it decreases, or if you don’t bring in any money, then it remains level.  Either way, the expenses don’t change much, however the responsibilities of the survivor do increase without a partner to share daily tasks.  Therefore, even when income remains level, the survivor may find maintaining a household a difficult task.

Some spouses may have to return to school to obtain training.  Others may luck out and find a job right away, but even then, it often takes two to three years for the spouse to get the household income back to where it was prior to the loss.  These are important factors to consider when thinking about your financial security.  Investments are a wonderful thing, but a strong insurance policy can really make a big difference.  It is all about protecting your standards of living and your family’s financial well-being.

Funeral Costs

Posted on by TheSph3r3

If you check around you will easily find the cost of the average burial.  You may be surprised what it costs these days to have even a simple funeral.  In our own personal experience, it has been about $10,000.  Some numbers claim as high as $15,000, while others say as low as $5000.  Either way, the cost is quite absorbent.  There are two strong ways to defer these costs.  Pre-arrange and pre-pay the bulk of you funeral (many funeral homes offer payment plans), or take out life insurance to cover these burial costs.

Keeping the Road Safe for All

Posted on by TheSph3r3

Driving next to a semi truck on the highway may seem intimidating for some people who are driving smaller vehicles. It can also be daunting for those who are driving the semi. It is important to remember these road safety tips to make sure everyone stays safe while on the road.

  • Keep the truck driver in mind. Driving a semi truck is not an easy way to make a living. They have to think much more far in advance when they need to make a lane change or slow down. They are also required in many states to move over if there are emergency vehicles with their lights flashing on the shoulder. Make sure you give them enough room to make any moves that they need to.
  • Move on by. Avoid driving right next to a semi truck. Either speed up to pass them or slow down to stay behind them. The side of the truck is a large blind spot for truck drivers. Keep in mind that if you cannot see the truck driver’s eyes, they cannot see you.
  • Accelerate or brake. If you are passing a truck, do it fast. They may need to change lanes to do to a problem in the road ahead that you cannot see, and if you take your time passing, it will not allow them to get over. If you notice a truck with its turn signal on, stay behind it until it changes lanes.

Keeping these safety tips in mind while on the highway can lead to the road being a safer place for everyone. When it comes time to find the most comprehensive auto insurance policy to make sure you are protected in any unfortunate accident, contact the insurance professionals at All Nevada Insurance. They will help you find the perfect policy to fit all of your needs.

Paid Mortgage

Posted on by TheSph3r3

A home is one of the biggest investments that most people will ever make.  However, unlike most other big investments, your home is one of the few that may cost you substantially more than what you initially invested into it (considering all of the extra money you pay out due to the interest on the loan).  There are several strategies in lowering these extra costs; consequently you will be paying off the loan faster.

Since interest is based on time, you can actually cut back the total cost of your loan by paying more often, even without paying more money.  In other words, pay half of your regular mortgage payment every two weeks rather than the entire amount once a month.  This reduces the principle more often so the total interest generated is less.

Another sure way to reduce the duration of your mortgage is to pay extra each month.  An extra $50 each month can make a noticeable difference in your loan duration.  Another way is to add an extra payment at the end of the year (13 payments throughout the year versus 12 payments).  This lumps a large amount into one payment, unlike the smaller payments over a longer time, making this method less desirable to most people.  To find out more check out the monthly loan calculator on www.erate.com/mp_cl.shtml

Las Vegas Summer Fun Line-Up Starts with Comics, Art and MMA

Posted on by TheSph3r3

Las Vegas is certainly known for its casinos, but there is no shortage of things to do around the city that provides fun for every age. The desert heat can make you just want to hit the nearest pool, but keep these events in mind when you are exploring all Las Vegas has to offer this summer.

  • Comic book fans can reunite at the return of Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con June 20th-22nd. The three-day event gives everyone a chance to meet their favorite comic book creators and celebrities. Come dressed as your favorite character and enjoy the exhibitors hall, video game arena, and plenty of parties.
  • All art lovers can meet for First Fridays at Arts Factory where more than 100 artists will have their work on display. The event is held on the first Friday of every month and is free and open to the public. Check out your favorite art medium in the downtown Arts District and enjoy food, drink and shopping as well.
  • Interested in mixed martial arts? Join the thousands of attendees that will be at UFC Fan Expo held at Mandalay Bay taking place July 5th and 6th. There will be over 150 vendors, fighter autograph and training sessions, as well as a chance to interact with icons from the MMA industry. The event will also include martial art tournaments, contest, and live performances of Las Vegas talent. Tickets are $45 for Saturday, $40 for Sunday or go both days and get the combo package for $60.

Casino shows, circus acts, and city festivals will also be taking place all summer long. Mark your calendars for endless fun in the city this summer.

For more information about insurance coverage in Nevada please contact All Nevada Insurance located in Las Vegas.

Vegas Real Estate Upgrades that Pay for Themselves

Posted on by TheSph3r3

You don’t have to be a real estate expert to spot one of the most dominant trends in today’s industry. Simply browsing the front page of Pinterest or spending a few minutes channel-surfing will tell you that renovations are on every homeowner’s wish list this year. 

The housing crisis lowered mortgage rates to unprecedented levels, which was bad news for those with underwater mortgages but brilliant news for interior designers, contractors and real estate agents whose clients were interested in flipping these homes for a profit. 

According to the former president of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR), Vegas homeowners have caught onto the nationwide trend. ?Certain upgrades offer particularly high returns on your investment, such as:

  • Kitchen upgrades that incorporate modern appliances/fixtures
  • Bathroom upgrades that replace outdated plumbing
  • Room additions (bedroom, bathroom, den, etc.) that increase total square footage

While modernizing an essential room is a surefire way to elevate an otherwise functional home, there are some smaller updates, upgrades and flourishes that also stand the test of time and pay for themselves in the long run. Less expensive Vegas home renovations that retain their original value include:

  • Fresh paint (usually replacing dark shades with lighter shades, to open up spaces and avoid outdated trends)
  • New carpeting
  • New countertops
  • Tile accents
  • Brushed aluminum accents

Whether you’re buying and selling a property right away or just looking for practical ways to spruce up your longtime residence, it’s important to make sure your investment is a sound decision. Some people succumb to the temptation to spend thousands on extensive renovations while ignoring structural issues altogether. Others fixate on small details that add up, rather than addressing entire rooms that need to be updated.

Make another sound real estate decision. Learn about homeowners insurance coverage in Las Vegas, Nevada, by contacting All Nevada Insurance today.

IRA 101

Posted on by TheSph3r3

An IRA is a good way to put money aside for retirement, and since anyone may open up an IRA account, it’s an easy way to start preparing.  There are two different IRA types; the Roth and Traditional.  Roth IRAs are funded by after tax dollars, and all gains from the IRA are then tax free.  Traditional IRAs are funded via pretax dollars which means you have to give

Uncle Sam his share when it comes time to receive the gains.  The good part of a Traditional IRA is that the contributions may be tax deductible the year of the contribution.  In other words, it reduces your total taxable income for that year!

Remember, the two key concepts here are time and amount.  The longer you give the money to grow, the more you will have.  You need to make sure that the total from all sources is enough to live on for a long time.  Life expectancies keep going up, but retirement age is still 65.  You never know how long you need retirement money, and the last thing a retired person wants to do is go back to work because they have to, not just cause they want to.

Life Insurance

Posted on by TheSph3r3

For many people, life insurance is nothing more than a monthly expense you’ll never see a benefit from, since by the time it becomes useful, it is a bit late for you to enjoy your new found wealth.

In an attempt to remove this common way of thinking, we would like to take this time to introduce you to a valuable use of life insurance.  Loans, that’s right, loans.  Now of course a term policy has no cash value so it can’t serve the same purpose.  However, a whole/permanent life policy with its wonderful cash value account can be used to finance nearly anything.

It is kind of like being able to give yourself a loan.  Think of it like this…….if you take a loan for any purpose, we’ll just say a car for now, what are you left with after you pay it off?  You have used car.  What if you had given yourself the loan?  Not only do you get the car, but you get your money back as well.  A life insurance policy can be a benefit, not only in the event of death, but also while you are alive as well.  For more information, please contact us.

Ways to Prolong the Life of your Motorcycle

Posted on by TheSph3r3

If you’re a frequent bike rider, chances are you want to keep your bike in tip-top condition as long as you can. Riding a bike doesn’t just mean regular maintenance … having adequate motorcycle insurance coverage is also a big part of ensuring the longevity of your bike. Here are a few other quick ways to get the most out of your insurance policy while preserving your bike:

  • Keep your valves and gears lubed properly.

Just like a car, proper lubing will keep all working parts running smoothly.

  • Wash your bike regularly

Frequent riders acquire quite a bit of dirt and gunk from the road. Keeping your bike clean will keep the dirt and sand from getting into the internal parts of your motorcycle.

  • Change the oil and do regular maintenance on time.

Bikes are different from cars and require a little bit more “hands-on” maintenance. Keep your bike on a regular schedule for consistency.

  • Check the pipes

Check your pipes frequently to make sure they are not clogged or rusting.

  • Store it properly

Proper storage of your bike can work wonders. If you use a cover to keep it away from the elements, you preserve not only the paint, but will keep those important parts that can be exposed safe from harm.

  • Start it up at least once a week

Make sure you start your bike at least once a week to keep the parts oiled and in good condition.

These tips will help you prolong the life of your motorcycle, which will help when getting or renewing your insurance. If you need additional tips or have questions in the Nevada area, contact All Nevada Insurance today!