Vargas & Vargas Insurance

1133 Washington St
Dorchester, MA 02124

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How to Save an Extra $1k a Year

What would you do if you had an extra thousand dollars at the end of the year? Would you save more, or buy something that you’ve been wanting? Maybe you’re overdue for a vacation? Regardless, it may sound like a lot, but one thousand dollars a year is less than $20 a week! It’s $19.23, to be exact. And if you follow just a few of these tips, you will find that saving that much (or more) isn’t only possible, it’s easy!

  • Lower grocery shopping cost. Two things will help bring down your bill: stick to a list, and buy generic when possible. This will make sure that you limit impulse buys, and buying store brands can save over 25%!
  • Seek out free entertainment. When you’re looking for something to do, you don’t always have to spend money to have fun. There are always free events being hosted in the Greater Boston Area, and your local library is a wonderful place to go to rent a book or movie for free.
  • Pay off your credit cards. How much are you paying each month in credit card interest alone? Bringing down the outstanding balance on your credit cards may not be easy, but the potential savings can be significant. If you’re having trouble cutting costs, consider speaking with a financial planner for help and advice.

Another terrific way to save money each year is to talk to Vargas and Vargas Insurance. We can help you review your insurance coverage and search for adjustments and discounts that could lower your premiums. Just a quick call to 617-298-0655 is all it takes to start the process, so don’t put it off any longer – call now!

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Happy Presidents Day!

Happy Presidents Day!

Our offices are open today.

“Not in vain has Lincoln lived, for he has helped to make this republic an example of justice, with no caste but the caste of humanity.”  ~George Bancroft

We hope that you are planning a great weekend with your #family and #friends!

Check out all of the goings on in and around #Boston this Presidents Day weekend, Click here

With spring-like temperatures upon us this weekend, please consider reading our blog on how to prevent ice dams. Click here to read our blog.

#HappyPresidentsDay

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Fear And Confidence

 

“If every lover was treated like they matter every day, Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be so special.”
-Mokokoma Mokhonoana

I am enjoying a great cup of Brazilian Mogiana coffee locally roasted by our friends at Flat Black Coffee. What are you drinking? Reply below and let me know!

I thought that I would drink this coffee and write a Valentine’s Day message, but nothing has come to me. It’s Thursday and it’s snowing outside, so Instead, I have decided to write about Fear and Confidence.

You remember my message from the past on Fear, and it seems only natural to follow that up by walking through how to build up your Confidence. I can tell you that one of the core element of being successful in business (and in life) is confidence. But you know this – mostly because you know how bad it feels when you lack confidence.

How is your confidence?

It turns out that the more small successes you rack up, the more you’ll feel ready to take on something bigger. You need wins. Believe it or not, I learned this from playing video games with my sons. In most games, the first few minutes are dedicated to teaching you the mechanics. Angry Birds teaches you how to hit a green pig with a bird. Super Mario Brothers teaches you to hop on goombas and break bricks. Pac Man (my all time favorite game) starts out simple and gets more complex.

The real world is a bit more tricky, but you can steal the same mechanics of gaming to build your confidence. When you take on a job, no one gives you an “easy” level when you’re starting out. When you go into business for yourself, it’s often that sense of being “thrown into the deep end.”

However, you are the owner of your experience. You can decide that you want to “level up” the way you do in video games. How? The answer is simple – “wins.”

Confidence runs on wins: More wins = More confidence

Let’s take sales, for example. If you’re in business of any kind, you need more customers. Of this, I have no doubt. So what are you doing right now? Most of the people who read this newsletter are wondering just how much blogging, Tweeting, Snapchatting, and Facebooking they have to do to get a customer. You’re probably losing faith. Your confidence is dipping.

Instead of getting down, make some small wins for yourself. Here are a few examples of tasks that will create these wins to boost your confidence:

  • I’m going to make 10 specific “asks” to 10 different people who might be the right fit for what I sell. The WIN is that you ask, not whether they buy.
  • I’m going to write a sales letter by Monday afternoon. The win is that the letter is written.
  • I’ll send that letter Tuesday (another win).
  • I’ll follow up in personalized emails. I’ll make sure I do 20 a day. Another win.
  • I am going to call 10 of my past clients today, and see how they are doing (don’t start thinking that they will be upset, it’s too long since I last called, etc. Here’s a secret – people think a lot less about us than we think they do).
  • Everyone that I meet I will FROG (ask about their Family, Recreation, Occupation and Goals).
  • I will add to my referral network (if you need help doing this, I’d love to help)
  • I will get at least one more sale this week than I did last week. Win.

See what I’m doing? Take the bigger task and break it down a bit. Find what will constitute a victory and accomplish it. Stack up more and more of those and you’ll see your confidence rise.

This is true of everything you want to accomplish. Need to lose 30 pounds? Make a win be going to the gym for 3 days this week. Make another win be drinking one gallon of water every day. Once those little victories start stacking up, you’ll have more confidence to tackle bigger tasks.

Are you scared of public speaking? Start with a blog post. Then a video. Then a free speech to a small group. Then a bigger group, etc.

Set up paths that take you from the simple wins to the bigger ones. Everything works better this way, I promise. The world may not line up neatly, but you, the owner of your destiny (and your fear), can line it up.

Go! Do it now.

And know that you are loved.

PS: Should you know of anyone who has an insurance question or need an honest insurance quote or review, I would be honored if you would keep our agency in mind. Click here

PPS: Here’s what I learned today ” How to spot a fake friend request” Click here

 

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Helping the Seniors in Your Life This Winter

Whether it is a family member or a neighbor, everyone knows an elderly person that may need a little bit of extra help this time of year. Do your part to help the seniors in our area, especially in the harsh winters of Massachusetts. Here are three things you can help with:

Prevent Falls – During the winter here in Massachusetts, things are often slick. This is a concern for everyone, but most of all for seniors, who are at an increased risk for injury from slip and fall accidents. To decrease the risk of a slip, keep sidewalks and driveways de-iced.

Ensure Warmth and Comfort – When the temperature drops, you should make sure that the seniors in your life stay warm and comfortable. Monitor the air temperature in their home, and ensure that heating devices like space heaters are used properly to reduce the risk of fire.

Prepare for a Storm – Seniors need to be somewhere safe during a storm. Ideally, they would have someone with them – this could mean that someone stays with them until the storm blows over, or that the senior is relocated to stay somewhere safe during bad weather.

And if you want to further help your senior family members, friends, and neighbors, make sure that they have optimized their home, health, and life insurance policies. If you suspect that one of your elderly loved ones could use a thorough insurance review, please let me know – I would love to help and make sure that they are fully prepared for the rest of their life’s journey.

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Avoid Kitchen Fires this Holiday Season

11-03-16-kitchen-fires-img

 

Did you know that the peak season for kitchen fires is during the fall and winter? It’s not surprising, especially when you consider that this is the time of year that families get together over a holiday meal. When you and your relatives gather during the holidays this year, make sure that you follow these kitchen tips so that everyone stays happy and healthy:

  • Wear the right clothing. Loose clothing (especially long, open sleeves) can be a fire hazard while cooking. Roll up sleeves when in the kitchen, and tie long hair back so that it doesn’t get in the way.
  • If you’re going to fry a turkey for one of your holiday meals, be very cautious, and make sure to read the instructions that came with your fryer thoroughly before you even begin to prepare your bird.
  • Make sure you always have the right tools on hand in case of a fire. For oven fires, turn off the oven’s heat and keep the door closed until the fire is out and cooled. Pots and pans are the same – carefully put a lid on the pan, then turn off the heat (if you can do so safely). And remember never to douse a grease fire with water!

Here’s one last tip to help you feel at ease when you’re hosting a crowd: Make sure that your home insurance is up to date! If it’s been a while since you last talked to your local insurance agent, touch base for a few minutes to make sure that you’re fully covered for any potential bumps in the road during the upcoming year. Updating your home insurance policy is a quick and easy process, but it could save you a lot of headaches in the future.

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FAQ: Why Buy Insurance Through an Independent Agent?

buy insurance through an independent agent

Recently, you may have noticed (or even answered) a survey from Vargas and Vargas Insurance called “Help Me Help You” where we asked for your insurance questions. Well, we have collected all of the questions that were submitted and will start answering some of them here on the blog! The first question that we will tackle is a general insurance question from Terry:

Won’t I save a lot of money if I go directly to the insurance company? I see tons of ads on TV. Why shouldn’t I go directly to Geico, or Allstate, etc?

Selling Insurance – Then and Now

It used to be that insurance companies didn’t sell their policies directly to the public. At that time, an Independent Agent was the only way to get insurance. As insurance providers began to write their own policies and online purchases became popular, the independent insurance agencies never disappeared – they still offer many benefits that you can’t get otherwise.

Benefits of Having an Independent Agent

In most transactions, a “middle man” is something that you want to avoid at all costs, and buying directly from the manufacturer will save you money and hassle. In the insurance industry, though, this isn’t true! Here are a few facts regarding the benefits of purchasing your insurance coverage from a third party:

  • Independent agents are able to get quotes from dozens of insurance providers. Instead of you calling around to check coverage and prices, a Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent can do all the legwork for you, and then help you choose the policy that’s best for you.
  • Stay organized by having an independent agent handle all of your insurance policies – home, auto, life, business… Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is a one stop shop for all of your insurance needs.
  • Insurance is complicated. A licensed independent agent can help you wade through all of the confusing jargon and will alert you to any potential issues that they identify. An independent agent doesn’t work for an insurance provider – they work for you! It is their job to ensure that you get the right policy, not the one with the largest commission.
  • Insurance providers are often nationwide. That means that they work with people from all 50 states. When each state has its own insurance laws and requirements, doesn’t it make sense that you should work with a Massachusetts insurance expert? Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency only writes insurance in Massachusetts, so we know what our local clients need when they’re looking for a policy!

If you’re looking for an Independent Agent in Massachusetts, give Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency a call at 617-298-0655. Our agency has been serving residents of the Greater Boston area since 1986, and we are committed to providing our clients with the policies that they need, as well as insurance education, and much more.

For answers to more insurance questions from our “Help Me Help You” survey, including questions about home insurance, auto insurance, flood insurance, business insurance, and much more, stay tuned to our blog!

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