Search CompleteMarkets

Playing outside isn't just for kids. It has tons of benefits for adults. One of the unexpected ones may be that it can lead to lower life insurance rates. It's not always easy to make yourself go outside and exercise, but knowing that the effort can keep you healthy and save you money can be enough for you get off the couch. The more fun you have exercising, the better the results will be. Benefits of Exercise Exercise burns calories and improves your health. Since life insurance rates are based on your health risk factors, regular physical activity can help lower your life insurance rates. These are some of the benefits of exercise. * Lower risk for heart disease and stroke. * Lower blood pressure. * Lower blood sugar levels and risk for diabetes. * Stronger bones. * Better mood. * Clearer mind. Make a Commitment to Exercise Set aside some time to exercise most days of the week. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes, but even 10 minutes is better than nothing. The trick is to find some activities that you love, and any activity that is fun and gets you moving is a good choice. These are some options. * Walk, jog, bike, swim laps, or hike. * Join a local sports league. On the days your league doesn't meet, train for your sport by doing drills, lifting weights, and getting in some cardio. * Take Zumba, boot camp or kickboxing in the park. * Go surfing. Take Advantage of Your Kids! If you have children, they're probably a significant reason why you have life insurance in the first place. Why not use them to help you get in shape? They'll keep you laughing while you exercise. * Play Tag, Follow the Leader, or Hide-and-Seek with younger children. * Play catch, shoot hoops, or kick a soccer ball with older children. * Walk around the field at your children's sports practices, and run to chase any stray balls. Everyone can find an activity that they love as long as they keep searching for it. Keeping yourself in shape will give you more energy and can keep your life insurance rates down.

Here are the Top 3 positive signals for 2019 and the top 3 challenges marketers and wholesalers can expect to face. In summary, It certainly looks like 2019 is going to be a good year for the E&S industry, signaling revenue growth and market differentiation for those that employ their distribution tactics well. But, it is not without challenges however, and finding the right combination of distribution mediums, channels and marketing service partners will certainly be a difference maker for most companies.

Last week we spoke about the importance of Assault & Battery coverage and how it is commonly overlooked. We also gave some examples of when this coverage comes into play. To stay with that theme we will be reviewing some of the most overlooked coverages important to your business. Care, Custody & Control This coverage is applicable when you or one of your employees is guarding a location where you might be in charge of protecting equipment or property. If some of your client’s property or equipment is damaged as a result of your negligence, this coverage will then come in to play. Below is a claim example of Care, Custody & Control. A fire started on the middle floor of a building and caused $200,000 in damage.  There was a delay in the officer on duty calling the Fire Department.  Ultimately, our insured was found negligent and assigned $100,000 in damages.  The property damage was covered under the Care, Custody & Control.  A secondary claim was brought onto insured through E&O for lack of hiring and training.

From http://www.propertycasualty360.com When Dave Grohl looked out at the sea of people in Central Park last weekend for the Global Citizen Festival, he was moved to say he did not know if his band, the Foo Fighters, would ever play a concert together again. “We don’t have any shows after this,” he said. “This is where we play as many songs as we can in a short period of time, because, honestly, I don’t know when we’re going to do it again.” Mr. Grohl took pains to say that the Foo Fighters were not breaking up, calling the band “my life” and saying he could never give it up. But he added that members needed a break from one another. “Sometimes it’s good to just … put it back in the garage for a while,” he wrote. (Arts Beat, 10/2/12) How amazing! A hiatus. If you are a fan of the Foo Fighters, you and I are brothers or sisters in arms. I’ve been a big fan of the Foos for a few years now, traveling to their shows with my partner, air guitaring their music when driving and using their music as the sole fuel for my extended runs. The fact that they are taking a hiatus is sad, but I get it. Sometimes we all just need a break. The beauty of a hiatus is that you don’t quit. Think about your marriage. If you could simply walk away from each other for a while and “behave properly,” the return could be amazing. It’s my thought that most people who are married actually love each other and that what kills the relationship is the often-mundane daily existence, the fact that life truly does get in the way of love. Taking a hiatus from your spouse or partner is a great idea when things get stale, old, or you simply need a break. There has to be much trust that neither will stray for physical attention, but connecting with other humans is not only healthy, but also exciting. Think about your company. Would a hiatus be beneficial for you? I got a call the other day from a very successful client who asked me, “What are the insurance ramifications of us just closing our business?” After I picked myself up off the floor, I asked, "Why would you do that?" The client told the story that as of late, it’s not fun anymore. The business is going through a meritless lawsuit, the lawyer needs to be paid, and the owner is just tired. Financial independence was recognized years ago and thus this could be their reality. I offered a little advice that I, too, have had times in the past when I just wanted to disappear. Sometimes things are not as fun as others and we just need a break. But if you can stick it out, great times are ahead. I’m now thinking that if these owners were to take a brief hiatus of 6 months or so while putting a pseudo-management team in place, it might be the best thing that ever happened to their company. I believe David Grohl to be one of the smartest men on this planet. He’s not even high school educated, but has been able to traverse one of the most difficult industries, the music business, with seemingly breathless ease, while maintaining his personal code to creating great music. I applaud Dave’s decision to take a break. Maybe you should think about doing the same. It could be time for you to take stock of what you have with your marriage, your business or your life.

Happiness is not elusive.  In fact, it's pretty easy to attain.  Follow the steps below to happiness. Take time to just breathe.  In this crazy world, we are trying cram 1,000 things into our lives.  The one thing we really need to do is take 15-20 minutes out of your day and just sit and meditate and breathe. Sitting down all day.  It’s no secret that sitting down all the time isn’t healthy.  It restricts blood flow, doesn’t burn any or very little calories, and increases your chance of cardiovascular disease. Be a social butterfly.  People with strong social connections tend to be much happier.  That’s what life is all about, so get connected. Join a spiritual community.  Religion has played a huge role in a person’s happiness by offering a place to share their struggles and joys.   Not holding onto life’s stressors and giving them over to a higher power releases stress and anxiety. Feed your creativity.  Take time out and paint a picture, write a story, enjoy an art museum, whatever feeds your creative soul. Get outside!  Not getting fresh air can make a person grumpy.  Just ask any of the kids today that never leave their X-Box.  They are cramped, unhappy and need to get out and play. Love your job or quit.  When you have a job that you love, you’ll be happier.  Considering you have to spend 8 hours of your day at your vocation. The more the merrier!  Italians love to eat together and they know that eating together makes people happy. Believe in yourself!  You deserve happiness, yes, it’s for you.  Believe that you are entitled to be happy.  Because you are entitled to have joy in your life. So go on and choose to be happy! Content provided by Transformer Marketing.

Landscaping is a living space that happens to be in the outdoors!

This weekend we will crown the 2013 AFC and NCF champions and then the two teams will go head to head on February 2nd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to become the coveted 2013 Superbowl Champions. The Showdown for the NFC:  49ers v. Seahawks     San Francisco 49ers Once again we find the 49ers back in the running to the NFC championship and quite possibly the Superbowl.  Jim Harbaugh joined the 49ers in 2011 after winning the Orange Bowl.  That year was an anticipated rebuilding year with not much expected.  However, Jim brought the 49ers to a 13-3 season winning the NFC West division.   In the 2012 season, Jim took a chance and replaced starter Alex Smith with the backup quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.   Kaepernick proved to be a more powerful asset as a starter than as a backup.  The 49ers won the NFC championship and went on to the Superbowl. Seattle Seahawks Pete Carroll has developed the Seahawks into a formidable football machine.  Pete joined the Seahawks in 2010 coming from the head coaching job at USC.  Pete also took the reigns of becoming the Seahawks executive vice president of football operations at the same time.  In the first year of Carroll's leadership, the Seahawks struggled, however still managing to become the first 7-9 team to win the division title by beating the Rams.  In 2011, the Seahawks had the same 7-9 stats but lost to division rival, 49ers and did not make it into the playoffs.  In 2012, the Seahawks's turned things around with a 11-5 record in the regular season.  Seattle lost to the Falcons in the 2012 playoffs. The Showdown for the AFC:  Broncos v. Patriots Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos started this season with a 9-0 record.  Peyton Manning is playing his best this year coming after 4 neck surgeries and having to relearn how to throw the ball.  The Broncos this year are 13-3 in the regular season.  With great ease in the first three quarters in the game against the Chargers, they seemed to have the game in the bag.  The Chargers came back, but the Broncos held on tight to win the game.  Manning brought the Broncos to the playoffs in 2012, however lost to the Baltimore Ravens in double overtime. New England Patriots Tom Brady and the Pats are no stranger to the playoffs.  The Pats have been in the playoffs every year since 2009 and winning the AFC in 2011.  Being 12-4 in the regular season, the Pats have been a formidable force in the AFC.  The Pats won by a field goal when the Broncos met them at Gillette Stadium in November.  This time the Pats are heading to Mile High Stadium where the Broncos have home field advantage. Bottom Line Any rivalry game is going to be an exciting game.  These two are no exception.  Carroll vs. Harbaugh and Manning vs. Brady. The NFC championship game will be marked with a formidable rivalry that will prove to be an exciting game.   The Seahawks will have home advantage but will that be enough to beat the 49ers who have beaten the Seahawks in the regular season? The Pats narrowly won the game against the Broncos in the regular season and with home field advantage.  Manning is playing his best, and he is ready to win.  One thing is for sure, both teams are eager for another shot at the Superbowl. To top it off both home team stadiums have limited ticket sales to the surrounding areas.  Sorry, 49er and Patriots fans, you'll have to cheer your team on from your home. Content provided by Transformer Marketing.

Six Flags Magic Mountain is known for their thrilling roller-coasters that are some of the largest in the entire world. Some locations also have attractions such as animal shows. On January 5, 1996, two trainers were attacked by cougars during an exercise session. One trainer was in the cougar enclosure to take one of the animals for a walk.