New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to motivate yourself and make positive life changes. However, sticking to resolutions like new diets or spending habits can take some serious dedication. Here are a few tips to help your resolutions last all the way until 2020:
- Start resolutions early. When setting a resolution for 2019—such as losing a certain amount of weight or saving a specific amount of money—don’t wait until it’s too late to get started. Instead, focus on what you can do now and on a regular basis.
- Make your resolutions as specific as you can. While a simple resolution like exercising more may seem like a good idea, it’s easier to follow through if you have clear goals. Make a schedule for when, where and how you’ll accomplish a specific resolution.
- Go one step at a time. Resolutions should last for the entire year, not just for a week or a month. Don’t try to overexert yourself early in the year by doing too much too quickly—instead be sure to stay consistent and take your resolutions one step at a time.
- Find a friend or family member to work on your resolution with. Completing your goals with a partner can help you stick to your schedule. Plus, a little friendly competition can help you stay motivated!
- Know when to take a break. Although it’s important to work on your goals regularly, remember to pace yourself and take a break every now and then. That way, you’ll be able to come back to your resolutions with a relaxed and refreshed mindset
© 2016 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. This Know Your Insurance document is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.
If a friend drives my car, is he or she covered by my policy?
Since most insurance coverage is connected directly to the car, if someone else borrows your car occasionally, he or she should be covered under your policy. Yet, your premium is based on both your vehicle and the “primary” driver of that car—you. If someone else starts driving your car more than you do, contact us to have them added to your policy to avoid coverage complications.
If I borrow a friend’s car and have an accident, who pays?
When you borrow someone else’s car and are involved in an accident, his or her insurance will kick in first. However, beware of driving someone’s car if he or she has little or no insurance, as your policy could be triggered once their limits are exhausted.
My golf clubs were stolen from my vehicle. Am I covered?
Your homeowners insurance policy provides coverage for personal property, regardless of where you are. However, if your golf clubs are old, consider buying a replacement cost endorsement for your personal property. This way you will get what it costs to replace the golf clubs, less the applicable deductible.
My children have left home for college. Do I still have to include them on my policy?
Yes, because when your college students come home to visit, they will have access to the family car. You may be eligible for reduced premiums if the college is more than a certain distance (100 miles, for example) from your home. Check with us on specifics.
An uninsured driver totaled my car! Who pays?
Your collision coverage or your uninsured motorist property damage coverage pays, if you bought it. Either way, you'll have to pay a deductible.
I caused an accident and am being sued by the other driver. Am I covered?
Yes. The liability portion of your insurance policy guarantees your insurance company will defend a claim or lawsuit on your behalf, up to your policy’s limits of liability.
Does rental reimbursement provide coverage if I take my car to a shop for mechanical repairs?
No. Rental reimbursement is for cars that are being repaired as a result of accidents or other insured damages (such as storm damage).
If my entertainment system is stolen from my vehicle, is it covered under my automobile insurance policy?
Some auto insurance policies exclude coverage for losses of media players and other sound transmitting or receiving equipment used in an automobile. For added protection, check with us about purchasing additional coverage for the stereo and media players used in your vehicle.
How can I be sure I have the right coverage?
Contact us (516) 747-7373! Having the right vehicle coverage, policy limits and deductibles in place is an important part of financial planning. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you get the comprehensive automobile coverage you need to minimize any unwanted surprises!
© 2016 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. This Know Your Insurance document is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.
High-profile cyber attacks on companies such as Target and Sears have raised awareness of the growing threat of cyber crime. Recent surveys conducted by the Small Business Authority, Symantec, Kaspersky Lab and the National Cybersecurity Alliance suggest that many small business owners are still operating under a false sense of cyber security.
The statistics of these studies are grim; the vast majority of U.S. small businesses lack a formal Internet security policy for employees, and only about half have even rudimentary cybersecurity measures in place. Furthermore, only about a quarter of small business owners have had an outside party test their computer systems to ensure they are hacker proof, and nearly 40 percent do not have their data backed up in more than one location.
Don’t Equate Small with Safe
Despite significant cybersecurity exposures, 85 percent of small business owners believe their company is safe from hackers, viruses, malware or a data breach. This disconnect is largely due to the widespread, albeit mistaken, belief that small businesses are unlikely targets for cyber attacks. In reality, data thieves are simply looking for the path of least resistance. Symantec’s study found that 40 percent of attacks are against organizations with fewer than 500 employees.
Outside sources like hackers aren’t the only way your company can be attacked—often, smaller companies have a family-like atmosphere and put too much trust in their employees. This can lead to complacency, which is exactly what a disgruntled or recently fired employee needs to execute an attack on the business.
Attacks Could Destroy Your Business
As large companies continue to get serious about data security, small businesses are becoming increasingly attractive targets—and the results are often devastating for small business owners.
According to the Kaspersky Lab, the average annual cost of cyber attacks to small and medium-sized businesses was over $200,000 in 2014. Most small businesses don’t have that kind of money lying around, and as a result, nearly 60 percent of the small businesses victimized by a cyber attack close permanently within six months of the attack. Many of these businesses put off making necessary improvements to their cyber security protocols until it was too late because they feared the costs would be prohibitive.
10 Ways to Prevent Cyber Attacks
Even if you don’t currently have the resources to bring in an outside expert to test your computer systems and make security recommendations, there are simple, economical steps you can take to reduce your risk of falling victim to a costly cyber attack:
- Train emloyees in cyber principles
- Install, use and regularly update antivirus and antispyware software on every computer used in your business
- Use a firewall for your internet connection
- Download and install software updates for your operating system and applications as soon as it becomes available
- Make backup copies of imporatnt business data and network components
- Control physical access to your computers and network components.
- Secure your Wi-Fi networks. If you have a Wi-Fi network for your workplace make sure it is secure and hidden.
- Require individual user accounts for each employee.
- Limit employee access to data and information, and limit authority to install software.
- Regulary change passwords.
Your Emerging Technology Partner
A data breach could cripple your small business, costing you thousands or millions of dollars in lost sales and/or damages. Contact TSG Financial, A Division of Risk Strategies today or call 516.747.7373. We have the tools necessary to ensure you have the proper coverage to protect your company against losses from cyber attacks.
This Cyber Risks & Liabilities document is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2012, 2014 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
Participants in 401k and other defined contribution retirement accounts will see a raise in their annual contribution cap from $18,500 to $19,000 in 2019, while catch-up contribution limit on defined contribution plans remains unchanged at $6,000 according to the Internal Revenue Service.
There will be increase for Savers with IRAs will see the annual contribution cap from $5,500 to $6,000 — the first time the cap on IRA deferrals has been raised since 2013. The annual catch-up contribution for savers age 50 and over will remain at $1,000.
The annual defined contribution limit increased to $56,000 as well as the Defined Benefit Plan Annual Limit increased to $225,000
Below is a chart explaining the Retirement Plan Limits
The 2017-2018 seasonal flu was the worst flu in decades, according to the CDC. In fact, it was the first flu season to be classified as a high severity across all age groups. Last year's flu activity began to increase in November and remained elevated through March. With the 2018-19 flu season approaching quickly, you need to take the proper steps to ensure you remain healthy this year.
- Get the flu vaccine. Becoming vaccinated against the flu is the best chance of preventing illness.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay away from others when you feel under the weather.
- Wash your hands often using soap and very warm water to protect against germs.
- Get plenty of sleep, stay physically active and drink plenty of water to keep your immune system strong.
- Manage your stress and eat a nutritious diet rich in healthy grains, fruits, vegetables and fiber.
Football Sundays wouldn't be complete without a game day food spread. Unfortunately the typical foods isn't always the healthiest. If your snacks consists of nachos, pizza, and wings, you might want to reconsider. While indulging every now and then is fine, indulging every Sunday, might not be as healthy. To help you clean up your tailgating treats for you and your guests, here are some healthy alternatives approved by the USDA:
- Orange Glazed Skinless Chicken Wings
- Sprinkle 10 boneless, skinless chicken wings with 1tsp of seasoned salt
- Placed the seasoned chicken into a skillet with heated butter
- Sauté wings until browned on both sides (about 20 minutes)
- Add 1/2 cup of orange marmalade to skillet and continue to cook for another 20 minutes
- Cucumber Yogurt Dip
- Peel, seed and grate one large cucumber
- Combine cucumber with 2 cups of plain low-fat yogurt
- Add 1/2 cup of sour cream
- 1 Tbsp of lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill
- 1 clove of chopped garlic
- Mix all ingredients
- Let chill for 1 hour and serve with veggies
Watch for signs of job stress, including:
- Headache
- Sleep disturbances
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty concentrating and focusing
- Irritable mood
- Low morale
- Negative relationships with family and friends
#ThursdayThoughts #Stress #JobStress
Taking full advantage of the beautiful trails at Mohonk Mountain House. Thanks for hiking with us Mark Becker from The Jewish Home!
Last week Paul Essner, Bryan Pendrick and our newest member of the team Sean Rosenfeld went to Mohonk Mountain House for the 2018 HCA Financial and Managers Retreat
https://youtu.be/PgQY2HpCinY
#HappyNationalBowTieDay to our very own Paul Essner and Bryan Pendrick!
