Kathryn Smith

Whether you’re moving your son or daughter into a dorm for the first year of college, or if you’ve been down this road before, it can cause feelings of anxiousness.

My wife and I will soon move our daughter into her dorm for her second year of college. While we know what to expect, this year is different because we also have a family wedding on move-in day.

Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran, planning is key to enjoying a successful move.

Here are some tips to plan for the big day. If you’re moving your child into a dorm for the first time, check out my blog, “Is your child leaving for college? Here are eight tips to make it easier.” This blog covers the emotional side of dropping your college student off at school, as well as insurance considerations.

Moving Day Tips

1. Start your studies early. Even though your family is enjoying summer and classes haven’t started, it’s helpful if you study early. By that I mean:

• Know your move-in date and time;
• The dorm address;
• Dorm room dimensions; and
• What’s included and what roommates are bringing.

2. Pack early and often. For us, this year is much easier. Many items our daughter had last year remained in plastic tubs and will be moved back. When I think back to last year, however, I recall my wife packing on and off all summer. While there will still be things your college student needs once he or she arrives, packing over an extended period can take away the overwhelming feeling of trying to pack at the last minute. The more time you allow, the more relaxed the process will be.

3. Create a checklist. As move-in day approaches, your mind may be racing. Similar to when we go on vacation, we create a checklist. Jot down the things your student will need. When you acquire and pack the item, simply check it off the list.

4. Order online. If you don’t enjoy going from store to store, consider ordering the dorm room items online. My daughter’s college offered a program where we could shop online. That process worked well for us. After a few clicks of the mouse, our package was created and delivered to our home a few days later. If this option sounds good to you, check out DORMITUP.com.

5. Set move-in day expectations. It’s important for you to have a conversation with your child ahead of time about what he or she expects from you on-move in day. Your child should also talk to any roommates to discuss move in-day expectations.

6. Do your warm up exercises. Depending on the location of your child’s college, you may spend a significant amount of time in your car. When you arrive, everybody will be excited. Before you start moving boxes, however, you should stretch and warm up your body accordingly. The last thing you want is to watch from the sidelines because you hurt your back after moving the first box.

7. Understand body mechanics. It’s also important to move your body properly to keep it injury free. When lifting, here are some things to remember:

• Your feet should remain shoulder width apart.
• Bend from your knees and hips.
• Remember to breath. Just like lifting weights, you need to exhale when lifting a heavy box. Holding your breath can increase blood pressure.
• Ask for help. Instead of struggling with carrying a heavy item, wait for your moving team to return or ask a passerby. Other parents are willing to lend a helping hand. After all, we’re in this together. I met some very nice people on move-in day last year.

Lifting tips

1. Take a practice run. Before lifting any items, take a test walk. Get familiar with the layout of the campus and look for hazards along the way, such as slippery floors, uneven floors, sharp corners, and blind spots.

2. Avoid reaching. Don’t overstretch your body trying to reach something. Over reaching can cause muscle injury and cause you to lose your balance. Move into the proper position before attempting to grab something.

3. Take multiple loads. Instead of lifting three boxes at once, take multiple trips or ask for help.

4. Take a test lift. Moving day is full of changes. Obstacles may appear on the way to your student’s dorm room that may impede your journey. Therefore, lift the box before venturing off. While it may seem light at the car, a delay could turn it from a light box into a heavy box. If you’re struggling, take a short break.

5. Lift slow and steady. Avoid sudden movements to prevent injury and avoid losing your balance.

Sending your child off to college can be overwhelming. I hope these tips will help make it less so as you prepare for this new chapter in life.

Sources:

WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Aug 2, 2016 11:14:16 AM

https://www.hss.edu/playbook/safety-tips-for-moving-college-students-into-a-dorm/#.V5tdkPkrJpg

http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2016/07/28/10-tips-for-lifting-safely-on-the-job?eNL=579a50b7160ba012251763d1&utm_source=PC360_Daily&utm_medium=EMC-Email_editorial&utm_campaign=07282016&page_all=1

When the weather gets hot at this time of year, you tend to hear people say, “The dog days of summer are definitely here.” When I was young and I heard my parents say that, I knew it meant the hot weather was here and the air conditioning would be turned on. Thank goodness!

“The dog days of summer” isn’t a reference to our pets being outside in the heat with their tongues out, scrounging for a bowl of water. It refers to Sirius the Dog Star. It was thought in ancient times that when the Dog Star aligned with the sun, weather would get even hotter. This alignment occurs in July and goes into August.

When the weather gets hot and humid, the last thing you want to experience is trouble with your air conditioner.

My brother, as well as some friends of mine, recently experienced issues with their central air conditioning. For my friends, it led to buying a new and expensive system. Ouch! For my brother, it was a simple fix. His condenser unit was clogged with cottonwood.

A few years ago, I found my basement carpet soaked with water. I learned the plastic tubing that went from the furnace to the drain was clogged with mold and it caused the water to back up everywhere.

Here are some videos that may help you identify why your home isn’t cooling during the “dog days of summer.” If the repair looks too complicated, call your local heating and air conditioning contractor.

Air Conditioner Not Cooling

How to fix your AC! Outdoor fan not running

Hello, You Need a New Compressor on that Air Conditioner. NOT!

Furnace AC Water Leak Fixed

Source:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150710-dog-days-summer-sirius-star-astronomy-weather-language/

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jul 26, 2016 8:30:00 AM

Have you ever been stranded on the side of the road because your car stopped working or you had an empty gas tank, flat tire, or dead battery? If you are on your way to a vacation destination, this is definitely NOT fun.

If you had roadside assistance, however, it would eliminate some of the stress associated with a breakdown. Maybe you’ve considered purchasing an AAA membership specifically for roadside assistance.

Kim Bechler, senior personal lines underwriter will discuss how TravelNet® works with West Bend’s Home and Highway® policy.

TravelNet emergency roadside assistance is available for a minimal additional premium charge for each of the vehicles covered on your Home and Highway package policy. TravelNet provides roadside assistance for a variety of emergencies, including towing, tire repair, fuel delivery, battery jump-starts, and lockouts.

In addition, if an accident or disablement occurs to your covered auto over 100 miles from your home and your trip must be delayed because of repairs, TravelNet will provide up to $250 for lodging, meals, and bus or taxi fees.

TravelNet is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And it’s easy to use. You simply sign and drive. You’re covered for the cost of the service(s) up to the limit on your policy.

TravelNet offers three limits: $100, $125, and $150 per vehicle. This means West Bend will cover the expenses you incur up to the limit you choose. You decide if you want this coverage for all or just some of the vehicles insured on your Home and Highway policy. This coverage doesn’t require the vehicle(s) to have other than collision or collision coverage, and it can be purchased for your private passenger autos, motorcycles, and motorhomes.

If you do a lot of traveling and you don’t want to be left stranded on the side of the road consider adding roadside assistance to your policy!

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jul 19, 2016 11:52:02 AM

Owning a home is a big investment. Unfortunately, Mother Nature and Father Time can damage your roof and siding.

Theresa Meyer, senior personal lines underwriter shares this information about roofing and siding materials. Please consider this if it’s time to replace your roof or siding.

Composite shingles have improved and are better able to hold up to our Midwest weather. However, they are still susceptible to damage from severe storms. If your roof has been damaged by a storm or your roof is older and it’s time to replace it, consider installing a roof with a label UL2218 Class 4 or FM4473 Class 4. These classes of material are designed to withstand the impact of larger hail and resist damage to your roof. Steel roofs are also designed to withstand penetration from hailstones. Many insurance carriers offer a discount if one of these roof materials is installed. To learn more about these different roof types, visit the links below.

Roof Types

UL2218 Class 4

FM4473 Class 4

Metal Roofs 101

There are also new siding materials designed to resist impact from hail. Installing siding with cellulose fiber-cement siding and trim such as Hardie-Panel, Hardie-Plank, or LP Smartside can also provide a discount from insurance carriers.

Siding Options

Hardie-Panel/Plank

HardiePlank Siding: Gorgeous Stuff, But Is it Worth the High Cost?

In addition, you can install several types of protective devices that may result in a discount on your homeowner’s insurance. Most popular are the central station alarm systems in which a third party monitors your home for fire or theft and contacts the proper authority if an alarm is triggered. There are also alarms designed just for fire that report directly to the fire department. Another alarm system for burglary would report directly to the police department.

Installing improved building materials or an alarm system will help protect your biggest investments – your home and personal property.

Additional Information

Throwing good money away on bad contractors

Choosing a Roofing Company

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jul 12, 2016 9:32:09 AM

When visiting local businesses in your community, figuring out tips is easy. If you received great service at your favorite restaurant, a 20% tip is appropriate. If you’re visiting your favorite watering hole, $1.00 – $2.00 per drink or 10-15% for the entire bill is appropriate.

What about when you’re on vacation? The rules may differ depending on where you go.

So much planning goes into a vacation, including air travel, accommodations, rental cars, and tours. My wife and I, however, often drop the ball when it comes to planning tips.

Last year in San Francisco, we went on a fantastic bike tour that took us over the Golden Gate Bridge. Our guide was interesting, full of knowledge, and took family pictures at various stops. At the end of the tour, many people walked away. However, we wanted to give him a tip. So there we stood trying to “Google” what an appropriate tip would be.

Here are some “tips” to help you determine appropriate tipping when you’re travelling with your family this summer in the United States.

Hotel Suggested Tips

• Door attendants, bellhops: If they help you with your luggage, tip $1-$2 per bag.
• Housekeeping: Consider $2-$5 per day. If you start tipping them at the beginning of your vacation, their service level may increase. If you request anything extra, a tip is also recommended.
• Valets: Valets are usually paid at the time they bring your car to the front. The recommended tip is $3-$5.
• Concierge: A concierge can provide a wealth of knowledge when on vacation. If they book reservations for you, consider tipping them $5-$10.

If you’re at a five-star hotel, consider tipping larger amounts.

Transportation Suggested Tips

• Taxi driver: If you have a safe and uneventful ride, consider 10-15% of the cab fare.
• Uber or Lyft driver: If you’re using a service like Uber and Lyft, a tip isn’t required. They charge it directly to your credit card.
• Airport Shuttle driver: While parking costs can add up if you park at the airport, don’t forget about the shuttle drivers. If they help you with your bags, $1-$2 per bag is appropriate and appreciated.
• Trains: If you use the dining car, consider a 15% tip. If you have a sleeping car, tip the attendant $5 per person per day.

Tour Guide Suggested Tips

While a nice tour could be expensive, please remember that in most cases, tips for the guides aren’t included.

• Full day/half day tour: Tip your guide 10-20% based on the cost of the tour.
• Independent guides: If you’re hunting, fishing, or taking a guided tour of the Grand Canyon, 10-20% based on the cost of the tour.
• Driver guides: If you’re on a city bus tour and the driver is providing great commentary, tip 10-20% of the tour price.

Airport Suggested Tips

• Skycaps: $2 per bag.
• Electric car drivers: $2 per person.
• Wheel-chair assistance: If you or a family member is being taken from the gate to baggage, tip $5. If they offer additional assistance, consider a bit more.

The tip amounts are suggestions. If you receive poor service, let them know through a tip or a conversation. A tip is never a guarantee.

Depending on what part of the country you’re in, tips may be a bit higher. Do your research ahead of time.

Additional Information

Etiquette 101: Your Guide to Tipping Around the World
Tipping Etiquette: A Guide for Travelers

Source:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-s606/United-States:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html
http://www.affinitygrouptours.com/travel-tourism/tips-on-tipping-tour-guides-and-drivers/

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jul 5, 2016 10:40:55 AM

Have you ever come out of a store or restaurant and noticed your car has a new look? No, I’m not talking about your spouse or significant other surprising you with a new car. I’m referring to a large dent or scratch that wasn’t a part of your car before you parked it.

If so, you’ve experienced a hit-and-run accident. Hit-and-run accidents can involve cars, pedestrians, or other property.

So does auto insurance provide coverage for a hit-and-run? The answer to this question is, “It depends.”

Two insurance coverages that provide protection are comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision.

Collision coverage pays for damages to your car caused by a collision with another car or object, or by turning upside down.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damages to your car because of fire, falling objects, wind, hail, earthquake, explosion, or vandalism.

If your car is parked in a parking lot and is hit by another car, collision will provide coverage.

Kids vandalizing your car while parked outside your home or in a parking lot is covered under comprehensive.

As your car ages, and your loan is paid off, it may seem like a good idea to drop or reduce coverage from your policy. While this will reduce your premium, it does transfer the risk back to you. Therefore, in the parking lot scenario mentioned above, you may be responsible for the costs to repair your car.

Tips on how to handle a hit-and-run accident

1. Stay calm. Seeing your damaged car can be shocking and upsetting. Take a moment to collect your thoughts.

2. Capture information about the car that hit your car. If you see the car that hit you and it sped off, try to record the make, model, and license plate number.

3. Identify possible witnesses. If you see other people around your car, ask if they witnessed the accident. Also, look around for surveillance cameras. Surveillance footage may be able to show what happened.

4. Collect information at the accident scene. This information can be helpful when talking to the police and your insurance company. It should include:

• Date, time, and location;
• Pictures of your car; and
• Pictures of the accident scene.

5. Don’t chase the driver. Chasing the driver who hit your car is never a good idea as it can put you and others in a very dangerous situation. Contact the police immediately. A police report can help the claim filing process.

Source:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jun 21, 2016 9:39:18 AM