January 2018 Newsletter

January Newsletter

happy new year 2018
iphone in hand

These Apps Help you Keep your New Year’s Resolutions

Almost half of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. Far fewer stick to them.

“Losing weight” and “exercising more” are among the most popular goals. A sizeable percentage of Americans also aim to “be a better person.”

TechCrunch reviewed apps that are designed to help people stay on track with these plans. Here are a few that will help you remain focused in 2018.

There are countless fitness and diet apps. But if you’re looking for a new one, 8fit is worth checking out. Whether you want to “lose fat” or “gain muscle mass,” 8fit lets you track specific fitness goals. There are workout videos for yoga. It has plans to add videos to target your core and arms. You can also log exercises and sync steps with Apple Health. 8fit additionally has a diet section, for monitoring what you eat. Whether you’re vegetarian or looking to avoid carbs, there are plenty of options suitable for various diets. 8fit will help you build a customized meal plan, complete with recipes. The basic app is free and available on both iOS and Android.

Regardless of what your resolutions are, this app will help you get it done. The aptly named “Done,” lets you set your own goals and get reminders. Done charts your progress, so you can see how you performed this week or this month. The data is exportable and can be backed up by Dropbox. The beauty of the app is the simplicity.

All of us at Apollo Insurance Services wish you good luck & lots of willpower in keeping those resolutions!

woman in kitchen with rubber gloves on

Four Tasks Every Homeowner Should Do In January 

Whew. The holidays are done. The new year has rung in.That’s when smart homeowners know it’s time to do these four things that’ll save time, money, and hassles all year long:

#1 Organize your Seasonal Storage Space

Packing away holiday decor presents a big opportunity. It’s the best time to sort, declutter, and reorganize that space where you store your seasonal stuff.So before simply stuffing your holiday things back in there somewhere, take inventory, then sort, filter, donate, trash, and re-home as many of your things as possible.It’ll help keep you more organized all year long, and make it easier to find all your holiday stuff next year.

#2 Deep-Clean the Kitchen

All of that holiday merriment-making is rough on a kitchen. Give it a good deep cleaning now that the glittery dust has settled. Purge your pantry and frisk your fridge, passing what you can on to local food banks. Scrub the walls and kick-boards, and even pull those appliances right out from the walls for a thorough vacuuming to prevent gunk (and stinks!) from accumulating.

#3 Plan Summertime Projects Now

Finalize plans for any landscaping, decks, patios, or other outdoor projects that need warm weather. Two good reasons:
1. If you’re DIYing, you’ll be ready to roll at the first hint of nice weather.
2. If you’re hiring a contractor or other professional, getting your bids and contracts in place now will save you from competing with the spring rush (wait too long, and you may not be able to book anyone!).

#4  Create a Schedule to Clean ALL your Home’s Filters

It’s not just your HVAC. The filters in your fridge, your vacuum cleaner, your dryer, your air filter, and other household items need to be changed or cleaned at least once a year to be effective, usually more often — especially your dehumidifier. Mold grows easily there. Check manufacturer instructions for all the filters in your home, and create a master schedule, then add them to your calendar app to remind you.

And voila, enjoy a nice, clean kitchen – before you know it, it willl be time to plan your special Valentine’s dinner.

mom braiding daughters hair

Are you protected for the New Year?

It’s that time again. A time when we reflect on the past year and plan for the new. As you decide on your resolutions, make your family’s protection a top priority. Having enough insurance in case of an accident or unfortunate circumstance is a great first step towards security and peace of mind for those you love
Give us a call today at 800.426.1088, option 3 to review your current policies and plan for any gaps in coverage.

automobile and sun in the distance

Navigate the Rising Cost of Auto Insurance

If you’re paying a bit more for auto insurance these days, you’re not alone. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average annual cost of insurance premiums rose to approximately $926.

Why the increase? Cheaper gas prices and an improving economy mean more drivers on the road today. Unfortunately because of cellphones, too many of them are driving distracted, leading to an increase in severe car accidents. And because insurers are bearing the costs of these collisions – more expensive car repairs, higher medical bills and costly claim settlements – they have been forced to raise insurance rates.

Luckily, there are ways to keep your costs down and find the coverage that best meets your needs. Here’s how:

Car Shopping? Estimate Insurance Costs First
It’s no secret that some cars are more expensive to insure than others. That’s why it pays to do your homework and estimate insurance costs for the vehicles you’re interested in buying.

Review Your Coverage

If you’re shopping for auto insurance or wondering if your policy provides the best coverage and competitive pricing, the licensed insurance professionals at Apollo Insurance Services can help. We’ll do a quick review of your needs, and identify savings opportunities and discounts. We’ll also compare rates with highly rated insurance companies, such as Travelers, Safeco, Mercury, Kemper, Progressive and more!

Bundle Your Insurance

If you have auto and home insurance with different companies, a smart way to save money is to bundle your coverage with one company. By doing so, you can save 10% to 20% on each policy.

Choose Higher Deductibles

You can save significantly on your policy by increasing your deductible, to $500 from $250, for example.Just make sure you have enough money set aside in case you need to file a claim and pay that deductible.

Let Our Experts Help You

Our licensed insurance consultants are here to make sure you find the coverage you need at a price that’s right for you. Get a free quote online at www.apolloinsuranceservices.com or call us at 800.426.1088, option 2. Also, remember to refer your friends and family to us, we’ll send you $20 for each policy that is sold!