​Most of us grew up with spring cleaning…. that time of      the year in which you spent a whole weekend cleaning   walls, cabinets, drawers, etc. A weekend you’d have   much rather spent doing anything else. Now, with     Spring approaching, you may already be preparing your   summer toys for usage. Washing and waxing boats, RV’s   and Jet Skis will help protect and keep them in good   condition. Be sure and change the oil, plugs and any   filters too. This is important for pulling them out of storage and before putting them away for the winter.

If cleanliness is next to godliness, how often should you clean various household and outdoor items?

Many of us have a weekly or monthly routine where the most used and/or high traffic areas of our homes get cleaned on a regular basis. But what about those deep-cleaning things like cabinets, walls, mattresses, etc.?

Let’s take a look at the different items and levels of clean.

Some folks say jeans can be washed every other month or less by putting them in the freezer to kill germs, unless of course, something is spilled or splashed on them. Hmmmm, I don’t know so much about this one.

Towels, washcloths, dish rags…those get washed after one or two uses.

Shoes, boots, and other footwear need regular cleansing and/or polishing to maintain their look and performance.

Bedding is another story altogether. Some say weekly for sheets and quarterly for comforters and pillows. I say as often as you feel the need. Most of us go to bed clean so sheets can wait a couple of weeks. Once or twice a year is good for pillows and other bedding items –vacuum & refresh your mattress too–unless you or someone you sleep with has been ill then it’s always a good thing to wash and disinfect right away.

Computers, I-pads, phones, and other electronics should also be cleansed often, daily, or weekly at best.

Cabinets, walls, drawers, carpets, furniture, and closets deserve a deep clean at minimum once each year, but twice is better and remember, decluttering helps you stay calm and focused, especially if you incorporate Feng Shui into the process.

Oven, dishwasher, microwave, and vehicles can be on your monthly list or at the very least, quarterly.

These are standard household/personal items. But what about things you don’t see or even think about daily?

Dryer hose and vents, AC unit and vent covers, shower heads, stove vents & filters, windows, curtains and blinds, ceiling fans, light fixtures and lamp shades, baseboards, molding and woodwork, toasters, and other small appliances? How about on top of or behind your refrigerator and/or stove? Items such as these can be part of your annual or semi-annual cleaning sprees. Waxing your AC vents will help keep the dust from collecting on/in them between cleanings.

Cleansing and repairing your window screens on a regular basis will help keep the sun shining in all the time. While you’re at it, does that house and/or patio (furniture?) need a good pressure wash? What about that shop or garage?

For tips, tricks and checklists check out Pinterest.

Until next time, take care and remember preventative maintenance goes a long way in your vehicles or toys maintaining their value.

Oh and, while we’re talking about keeping things clean and routine maintenance, any time is a good time to review your insurance policies and be sure your recreational vehicles (boats, jet skis, camper/rv, etc.) are properly covered!
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Not sure? Give us a call 337-433-1683.
 
Tommy Curtis & Staff
 
 ©2016 Pamela S Thibodeaux
*previous printing Thrive Magazine 2016; Used with Permission

Happy New Year!

It’s that time when most people ring out the old (goodbye 2020!) and ring in the new with goals and resolutions to improve their lives. Not sure how you feel, but these first few weeks of January … well, I’m not so sure about 2021.

Despite the circumstances around us, we are still pretty much in control of our destiny. How?

By the thoughts we entertain and the decisions we make. With that in mind, here are a few areas you can focus on to take control of and improve your life….

#1: Your Finances: Yeah, yeah, yeah, easier said than done. Right? Not necessarily! Small changes to your spending and saving habits can reap real results. Check out these articles written by one of our agents to get easy and effective ways you can take control of your financial health.

#2: Your Insurance: Yes, insurance is a major part of everyone’s life, and it is important to make sure yours is up to date with your current circumstances. Medicare Open Enrollment (Jan 1 – March 31) is a chance for some Medicare recipients to review and revise their Medicare options. February is “Insure Your Love” Month and a good time to review your Life Insurance. Did the new year bring new changes to your household? Got a new car, new recreational vehicle or newly licensed teen driver? Review these insurance  policies and make sure you are properly covered. Many have learned the hard way their home insurance isn’t up to par so now, more than ever it’s imperative your home is properly insured. Make sure your repairs are complete before you apply for additional or new coverage though, as pre-existing conditions can hinder your policy.

#3: Your Health: Whether number one or last on your list, taking control of your health is important, and like with your finances, small steps toward overall improvement can go a long way. Healthy eating/lifestyle is a billion-dollar industry but there are many changes you can make yourself for little or no cost. Here are a few ideas to get you started….

     Get Moving! Studies have proven that frequent 10-minute walks are just as beneficial as longer jaunts 3-5 times each week. Too cold? There are walking videos you can do in the privacy of your own home. Like to dance? Check out the numerous dance-type exercise routines. With the many options out there (fitness centers, videos, online classes, etc.), all the excuses for not exercising no longer apply.

     Make one change to your eating habits (notice I didn’t say ‘diet’) each week or month. Give up that extra serving or slice of bread. Make a list of things you’d like to eliminate from your diet (okay, I said it LOL!) and give up one or two a month. Watch your sugar intake, especially “added” sugars.

     Celebrate the small victories! Need to lose 40, 50 or more pounds? Don’t look at how far you have to go, look at how far you’ve come. An easy way to do this is to journal your weight-loss journey and goals. Keep a positive outlook and appreciate the good things that come from the small changes you make.     
 
  Get on a good nutrition and/or vitamin regimen. Make an appointment with a nutritionist or naturopath and work out a plan that fits your lifestyle and budget.
               
   Quit Smoking: Again, this is an area many feel powerless to overcome but that’s not true!

We’ve all heard the old adage, “Mind over Matter” and nothing holds truer than this when it comes to healthy changes to improve your life. For the most part, changing your habits is more of a mental thing than physical so think about how you can change your thoughts. Here’s where investing in a therapist or life coach can help.

We spend hundreds of dollars each year entertaining ourselves, why not invest in a living a healthy life? 

We here at Curtis Insurance/Curtis & Associates wish your a blessed and prosperous 2021.

Until next time take care and remember.... What you don't control, controls you....

Tommy Curtis and Staff

Disclaimers:
Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency
 
​Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc.
​{A Life and Health Agency}

  As we move into the second month of 2020, there are so many things to consider when thinking about your insurance.

  We're going to take a moment and direct you back to some of our most important and most informative posts throughout the past couple of years.

Our office will be closed Monday, Dec 24th & Tuesday, Dec. 25th as well as Monday, Dec. 31st and Tuesday, Jan. 1st in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

We will resume normal business hours (9am - 5 pm) on Wednesday, Dec. 26th and Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.

As we move through the holidays and into a new year, we hope you'll take some time to browse the many blog posts we've shared over the past year or so and that you'll find a wealth of information beneficial to your life, home, auto and/or Medicare insurance concerns.

When faced with life, home or work changes, we certainly hope you'll give us a call and let us service your insurance needs. It's especially important to insure those new toys you got for Christmas! (ie; boats, jet skis, ATV's, jewelry, artwork, etc.)

Meanwhile - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We look forward to serving you in 2019 and beyond....

Tommy Curtis and Staff

​Whether you think of moving as a grand adventure or one of the most stress-filled undertakings you ever endure, changing locations is something many of us do at least once in our lifetime. We’ve compiled a few tips to help you transition a little more smoothly.

Last year we talked a couple of times about safety and travelling. We gave you some Hurricane Evacuation Tips and Vacation Preparedness Tips. We also shared Holiday Safety Tips, Fun in the Sun Safety Tips and Tips for staying safe at Festivals.

As all of these tips revolve around travelling – even though that may not be far from home – I thought it would be great to condense the above-mentioned tips into one, easy-to-find article.
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“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” This quote was made famous by Dr. Wayne Dyer, PHD and it is true in so many ways.
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Of course, Dr. Dyer was talking about people, places, things and circumstances in your life, but let’s examine this advice in light of insurance.​