FALL
Lightning: A Sometimes Forgotten...
2014
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My Word by <NAME> Hello Friends, Change is in the air, and I can’t help but think it’s not just the season that’s changing – but the whole world! Whether you’re Twittering, texting or friending folks on Facebook, we’ve got lots of ways to communicate. So what’s our two cents worth on some of the recent big issues? Let’s take healthcare. Our wiring inspections ensure the safety of your home’s electrical system. What about the state of the economy? Wasting money is a thing of the past. Quality products and superior service from
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Hudson, Ink Corp ©2014
An Expert Speaks Out... …page 2
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick... …page 3
<Company>’s
Smart & simple ways to enrich your home living.
— It’s About Time! —
The Most Important Thing This Fall… I feel fall in the air and that can
safety check should include blown bulbs, inspecting outdoor outlets, and checking for weather damage.
Seasonal safety for your electrical system. It’s true. The colder weather of fall and winter bring new demands for your electrical system. Plus, fall is a season of preparation and transition, which makes it a great time evaluate and make changes around your home.
Leaves are your enemy. Watching the foliage change colors is a great thing about fall…until it fills up your yard. They tend to clog up around outlets or hold moisture around fixtures. Keep those leaves away from outlets!
only mean one thing: football. Ok, maybe there are other things, like kids heading back to school and busier schedules as the slower pace of summer fades away. And of course, there’s one thing that’s just too scary to overlook...
Light up your life. Enjoy the shorter days and cool evenings with maximized outdoor lighting. Your
Brighten up your landscaping. Lawn lighting during brisk evenings really warms up your home’s look. We can also add subtle ‘moon lighting’ in trees or security lighting that turn on by movement, timer or both. You can even automatically light up your dark driveway when a vehicle approaches. Neat!
Give us a call and we can make sure you’re safe, sound, and free to focus on the three most important parts of any season: family, friends, and fun.
Visit www.<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com for more great ideas for home & life, including: MONEY-SAVING TIPS | HOME & ORGANIZING | HEALTH & FOOD
— DOLLARS MAKE SENSE —
An Expert Speaks Out: “My Most Asked Money Questions”
— HOT NEWS NOW —
Lightning: A Sometimes Forgotten But Formidable Foe I don’t know about you, but I’m
convinced that weather is more “extreme” these days. More hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and violent storms. Weather patterns seem to be anything but! But while most of us carry flood or fire insurance, there’s an overlooked culprit that results in millions of dollars each year in damages… Lightning. According to the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI), understanding is the first step in protecting your home from its wrath. Here’s what you need to know: Surge protected does NOT mean lightning proof. A structural lightning rod system in addition to whole house surge protection can offer your family peace-of-mind during seasonal storms. (We’ll be happy to help you choose the best surge protection option for your home – just give us a call.) Tall trees do not protect homes from lightning strikes. Lightning can actually “side-flash” from a tree and enter a home as it seeks a more conductive path to ground.
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Lightning likes technology as much as you. As the world becomes
more and more tech-savvy, the losses from lightning strikes are increasing. Your best bet for preserving your gadgets is to turn off electronics during a storm – and then ignore the flood of complaints on Twitter from your teenager’s phone.
Joe Duran, author of
“Money Code” gets asked lots of questions about – you guessed it – money.
Your best defense for your home? A good offense. Don’t wait until lightning strikes. Call us now before the fall storm season is in full swing, and we’ll make sure your electrical system is ready to go.
Switch it. Plug it. Click it. The electronic devices your family enjoys for work, school, entertainment and connecting came along after most homes were built. Let us come out for a friendly, free review of what’s being switched, plugged or clicked. We can add wiring quickly and safely. Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE>.
©2014
The majority of the questions involve how to a) earn and b) keep or invest money most wisely. This is his most common advice… Set Priorities Set a primary savings goal, for example: your child’s college education fund or a future exotic tropical vacation. Create a visual
— T HE PRODUCT NI TPICK —
Substituting Dried Herbs for Fresh
Don’t fret if your recipe requires
a few sprigs of fresh herbs, but you would rather not spring for the whole bunch. Use dried herbs instead – 1 teaspoon of dried herbs is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh.
Because dried herbs tend to have a concentrated flavor, the substitution works best for hearty varieties like thyme and sage, which mellow during cooking. Stick to adding basil, mint, parsley or other fresh herbs which have a more delicate flavor, just before serving.
reminder to keep your primary goal in sight and in mind. Set and Follow a Budget Figure out what you can really afford. Experts suggest that you budget 50% of your income for necessities, 30% for wants and 20% for savings. Use an online financial tool or app (like Mint or Quicken). Revisit your plan every few months or anytime you experience a drastic financial change, and adjust the amount of money you allocate accordingly.
— SECRETS —
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick: New Uses for a Candlestick
Somehow, I believe that
candlesticks secretly multiply when you’re not looking. Though they’re great at mood-setting, if you don’t need all those extra candlesticks, here are some great uses…
Ask Yourself Questions What are the actual costs of this item? Make sure to take into account maintenance and operating costs before making a purchase.
Bud Vase – Cut stems short and add water to keep blooms upright for a night. Tiered Tray – Use a candlestick from the flea market, dollar or thrift-store as a pedestal between
Who is affected by this new expense? For example, is buying a new couch worth giving up your daughter’s piano lessons?
two plates. Attach permanently with a few dabs of waterproof, food-safe glue. Bracelet Holder – Are your bangles bulging out of your jewelry box? Accessorize your dresser by slipping them over a candlestick. De-clutter while creating an appealing display! While an array of flowers are occupying your candlesticks, use cupcake liners or a wine glass turned upside down for a unique approach to new candleholders.
— T HE GOOD LIFE — Small bursts of intense exercise followed by short recovery periods can be just as effective as longer ones.
Follow those simple, basic rules to improve your own money code!
“It’s bad weather”
Good for Nothing That’s what things in the mail are often worth, but not this… This ad gets you $25 off your next repair bill. So your wallet gets some help while our repair professionals get your system up and running. And that’s good for a lot. Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE>. ©2014
The Workout Whisperer
It’s time to get healthy.
Psych out that voice in your head that places obstacles to your workouts. “I don’t have time” No matter how little you do or how slow you go, you’re still ahead of those still sitting on the couch.
Write down SMART – specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely – reasons behind your desire to exercise as a reminder. “I’m bored” Stop zoning out while working out by flipping through a magazine. Pay more attention to what you’re doing and challenge yourself. Make sure to do frequent check-ins on your form and breathing.
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My Word
! e M n a c S
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people you trust are important. That’s what you’ll find with us, and we hope you’ll give us a call. We saw quite a few of you this summer – sometimes on emergency wiring repairs, and other times on issues ranging from security lighting to energy-saving fixtures. And we’ll be here for you as the days turn colder.
And remember to check out the special offers in this newsletter for some big savings. If you aren’t able to use them, please feel free to pass them on to a friend, neighbor or family member who can.
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— Wire Fire —
Connect
More house fires are caused by • Circuit breakers – These can faulty wiring than any other be lifesavers, but not if they’re source… And many can be corroded. prevented with a simple wiring check. Let us perform a FREE wiring • Water seepage – Water and electricity are enemies. We can safety check on your home. There’s no cost or obligation. We can alert keep them apart. you to potential dangers that can be • Frayed wiring – Animals, completely undetected except by insects and motion strip wires of experts. (That’s us!) Trouble spots in protective insulation. your home could be: • Loose wiring – Over time, anything can get ungrounded.
Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE> to make sure your home is safe.
©2014
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M O R E S AV I N G S A N D G R E AT N E W S
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Want to see more home and savings
tips? Visit our HomeXpert portal at
<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com.
You’ll find energy saving tips for the coming season, plus articles covering the hottest topics in home, health and savings news. You may even find a recipe or two! So visit <yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com.