Well, it's that time of year again.... Time to say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023!

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) ended on December 7th but OEP (Open enrollment period -which allows you a one-time change in your MA plan) opens January 1st through March 31st.

If you're turning 65 in Jan, February or March 2023 or getting Medicare due to disability and/or Medicare & Medicaid, and you haven't already set up your Medicare Insurance plan(s) contact our Licensed Medicare Agent today.

We will be closed on December 26th and January 2nd in observance of Christmas and New Year's but look forward to meeting your Auto, Recreational Vehicle and Medicare needs in 2023.

Until next time.... Take care and enjoy a Happy & Blessed Holiday Season!
Tommy Curtis and Staff


Disclaimers:
ALL material on this blog is available for informational purposes only.
 
Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc.
​{A Life and Health Agency}
 
Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency.
Calling this number will direct you to a licensed Agent/Broker.
 
*By contacting us and providing information, you agree that an authorized representative or licensed insurance agent may contact you by phone, e-mail or mail to answer your questions and provide additional information about Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.

​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!
​
Not sure? Give us a call 337-433-1683.
 
Tommy Curtis & Staff
 
 ©2016 Pamela S Thibodeaux
*previous printing Thrive Magazine 2016; Used with Permission

The National Hurricane Center is considering changing Hurricane Season from June 1 to May 15th.

You’ve got to be kidding me – Right!?!

Let’s face it, many of us haven’t fully recovered from 2020 hurricanes and now, as if we don’t have enough to fret about, the powers that be in the Weather Center want to add 2 more weeks of hurricane worry upon us.

In our first post of this year, we talked about ways to take control of your life, one of which was taking control of your health.

Today we’re going to share a few ideas on ways to manage stress.

According to The American Institute of Stress, over 100,000 people die each year due to stress related illnesses and injuries.

Why are we so stressed?
​
We’re so busy chasing things…career, new house, new car, new…bigger and better… half the time, many don’t even realize they are stressed until they’ve ended up in the doctor’s office or hospital with health problems related to their lifestyle. Add to this a global pandemic, two hurricanes and an ice storm and our friends and neighbors here in SW Louisiana are finding themselves with all sorts of stress-related symptoms. Headaches, stomach issues, insomnia, and depression are almost always connected to external circumstances.
​
Here’s the rub: Stress is a mindset.

Think this isn’t true? Just check out these stress busters and you’ll see what I mean….

   We’ve made it through January and February is nearly 
   half over, but did you know in old Roman times, when
   the calendar only had 10 months, February was actually
   the end of the year and March the beginning? It is still
  unclear when that changed to twelve months with
  January and February beginning the calendar year, but I
  thought it was an interesting fact to share. Which leads
  up to the actual topic of this post….

Changes Curtis Insurance is making in 2021.

Although we will continue to service our existing clients, Curtis Insurance will no longer sell Home or Flood insurance policies. There are many reasons for this decision, the main one being changes to our staff, two of which are in the early stages of retirement and we wish them the BEST in their endeavors.

With this in mind, we no longer offer Permit or Notary Bonds either.

However, we’d be honored to be your #1 choice for Auto, Recreational Vehicle and Renters Insurance and are continuing to focus on meeting the needs of our community by offering Medicare and Life Insurance through our sister company, Curtis & Associates.

If we may be of service to you in any, or all of these areas, please give us a call or come by our office at 509 7th St. in Lake Charles and let us help you!

Until next time take care and remember…. Change is inevitable, how you handle it is up to 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}

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

If you call for a home, mobile home, or flood policy or to add comprehensive and/or collision insurance to your auto policy and are told no because the company is under binding restrictions, it may confuse or even irritate you.

What in the world are binding restrictions and why do insurance companies implement them?
​

​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.