State Farm goodneighbor magazine 2014

goodneighbor

®

The magazine for State Farm® customers

SPRING 2014

Small Gifts,

Big Impact

Real-life ideas for GROWING A LEGACY Page 13

DRIVER PERSONALITY TYPE? TAKE OUR QUIZ WHAT’S YOUR

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Have you thought of leaving financial gifts behind for loved ones but not sure you have the means? In this issue of goodneighbor we see how ordinary people give in extraordinary ways—it just takes a little creativity. Call me to set up a State Farm Insurance and Financial Review® to explore the best options for you.

Agent name XXX-XXX-XXXX

Page 5

Have You Had

THE TALK?

IDEAS for grown-up kids & parents TO DISCUSS WILLS, POWERS OF ATTORNEY & OTHER TOUCHY SUBJECTS Page 17

goodneighbor Have You had theTalk?

®

The magazine for State Farm® customers

Ideas for grown-up kids & parents to discuss money, powers of attorney & wills Page 17

SMALL GIFTS,

BIG IMPACT Real-life ideas for LEAVING A LEGACY Page 13

4 STORIES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO REVITALIZE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Page 20

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If something were to happen to you, would your loved ones know where to start? In this issue of goodneighbor we help you have the difficult but critical conversation regarding wills, investments, powers of attorney, etc. Call me to set up an appointment to ensure you have all of your affairs in order.

Agent name XXX-XXX-XXXX

SPRING 2014

WELCOME! What do you love about your neighborhood? Is it walkable or close to school and work? Perhaps you have a favorite store or two, or even a neighbor with whom you’re best friends. Strong neighborhoods do so much to improve our day-to-day lives. It turns out improving where we live isn’t as hard as it may seem.

In this issue’s “Here Comes the Neighborhood,” we traveled across America to find four ordinary people doing extraordinary things that make a big impact for them and the people in their communities. Their real-life stories may motivate you to make a few changes on your street.

Although each of the people profiled made different changes based on where they lived, they were driven by a common factor: to protect and provide for the things they loved.

That’s also the driving force of the stories in “Growing Your Legacy,” which showcases how everyday people made small financial gifts to loved ones. The impact continues to ripple down—and it’s one you can draw inspiration from too.

Protecting and providing for loved ones: Those are goals I can help you with. If you haven’t reviewed your coverage levels recently, call me today and we’ll go over State Farm® discounts and options that can help meet your needs.

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CONTENTS SPRING 2014

DEPARTMENTS 1 Fast Tracks 24 Back Story

8 A Fix-It for Every Room Keep on top of your

FEATURES 5 Your Wheel Personality Take our quiz

10 Gimme Shelter

to see whether your driving style is passive, aggressive or just right.

home to-do list with these easy-to-tackle projects.

Installing a storm shelter may be an affordable way to boost your safety at home.

13 Growing Your Legacy

Three real-life stories offer inspiration for how the power of limited means can make a life-changing impact.

The information in these articles was obtained from various sources. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under any policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information or the suggestions made.

Learn how to broach the touchy topics of wills, powers of attorney and financial planning with your family.

20 Here Comes the Neighborhood How four different people found four different methods to improve where they live.

Register online at statefarm.com®!

Agent Name Agent Name xxx-xxx-xxxx

17 What’s the Story?

Go online: At statefarm.com® you’ll find helpful tools and resources.

Give us a call: We’re ready to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Stop by the office: Make an appointment for a complete review.

Sign up today to take advantage of services available to registered customers: Manage accounts and policies online, pay insurance bills online, receive special offers and ask questions regarding your policies.

goodneighbor® The magazine for State Farm® customers EDITOR Tanya West DESIGN DIRECTOR Melissa Bergwall SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Casey L. Gradischnig GROUP ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Pam Kenyon ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Joel Brewer goodneighbor magazine for State Farm customers is published by Meredith Corporation exclusively for the agents of State Farm. © Copyright 2014 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. State Farm® and statefarm.com® are registered trademarks of State Farm Insurance Companies, One State Farm Plaza, Bloomington, IL, USA 61710.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company – Auto, Health; State Farm Fire and Casualty Company – Home, Condo, Renters, Business, Boat, PLUP; State Farm General Insurance Company – California – Home, Condo, Renters, Business, Boat, PLUP; State Farm Lloyds – Texas – Home, Condo, Renters, Business; State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas – Personal Articles Policy; State Farm Life Insurance Company – not licensed in MA, NY, or WI – Issues Life policies in Texas and other states; State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company – Licensed in NY and WI.

FAST

TRACKS

AUTO

LEARN YOUR DASHBOARD

The “check oil” light may be obvious, but other warning symbols may not be. Here’s a primer for some common icons and what they mean.

Traction Control Light Flashes if the system detects a loss of traction.

Be aware of wet or slippery road conditions.

QUICK TIPS AND SMART ADVICE TO HELP YOU HANDLE MODERN LIFE

Pack Smart DRIVE SAFELY

Whether you’re moving, taking a family vacation or hauling treasures home from an estate sale, packing the roof rack safely is key.

• SECURE THE ROOF RACK. Its attachment points must align with the hooks on

your vehicle. If not, the rack could fly off the roof when you get up to speed.

• BALANCE THE LOAD. Evenly distribute your cargo and pack it tightly so it doesn’t

slide when you brake and accelerate.

Power Train Malfunction Illuminates when the system detects a fault. The engine should be shut down and serviced immediately.

Brake System Alert Signals low brake fluid or a leak. Pull over and have your fluid level inspected as soon as possible.

• DON’T EXCEED THE WEIGHT LIMIT. Heavy cargo on the roof changes the center

of gravity and may cause a rollover in the event of an accident.

• MEASURE THE HEIGHT OF YOUR CARGO. Keep that info on your dashboard and

watch for “low overhead” clearance warnings. You may need to skip the drive-thru.

SAFETY RATINGS

Did you know? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently revamped its crash-test rating system so you can see how well a vehicle protects its occupants.

Here’s what the new labels mean: TOP SAFETY PICK Vehicles must receive “good” ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, rollover and rear tests, regardless of their ratings in the small overlap front test.

Temperature Light Tells you that the engine may be overheating. Pull over and turn off your vehicle to avoid engine damage.

TOP SAFETY PICK+ Recognizes vehicles that perform well in the tougher or more challenging small overlap front test.

Vehicles must receive “good” ratings in at least four of five tests, and no less than “acceptable” in the fifth.

Does your vehicle rate as a top safety pick? See iihs.org/ratings for the full list of current and past winners. statefarm.com® 1

FINANCE

There are lifestyle adjustments you can make that may help lower your life insurance cost.

Quit smoking. Rates are higher for people who puff. But if you kick the habit, you can reapply for a reduced nonsmoker rate one year after you have quit using tobacco products.

Exercise regularly. The more you move, the less you’re at risk for life-threatening conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Experts recommend adults get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week to stay in a healthy zone.

Reevaluate your hobbies. Are you an adrenaline junkie? It may surprise you to discover that extreme sports, like cliff diving and big-wave surfing, can boost your life insurance rates.

Talk with your agent to see if there are any lifestyle changes that could possibly lower your monthly cost.

Are you as money savvy as you think you are? In a survey by the FINRA Foundation, only 14 percent of Americans surveyed could answer even five money-related questions correctly. But it pays to be educated. “Americans face an array of complex choices as they try to manage their day-to-day budgets and save for the future,” says FINRA Foundation president Gerri Walsh. Take this quiz to see how you score.

1: YOU HAVE $100 IN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT THAT EARNS 2 PERCENT INTEREST A YEAR. AFTER FIVE YEARS HOW MUCH WOULD YOU HAVE? A. More than $102 B. Less than $102 C. Exactly $102 2: IF INTEREST RATES RISE, WHAT TYPICALLY HAPPENS TO BOND PRICES? A. They rise.

B. They fall.

C. They aren’t affected.

4: A 30-YEAR MORTGAGE HAS HIGHER MONTHLY PAYMENTS THAN A 15-YEAR MORTGAGE BUT THE TOTAL INTEREST OVER THE LIFE OF THE LOAN WILL BE LOWER. A. True B. False

5: BUYING A SINGLE COMPANY’S STOCK IS MORE RISKY THAN BUYING A STOCK MUTUAL FUND. A. True B. False

3: THE INTEREST RATE ON YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT IS 2 PERCENT A YEAR, BUT INFLATION IS 3 PERCENT. WOULD THE MONEY IN YOUR ACCOUNT BUY MORE OR LESS A YEAR FROM NOW? A. More B. Same C. Less

TAKE ADVANTAGE When you register your State Farm® policy online, you can manage your account 24/7 and enjoy these great features...

2 goodneighbor®

FINANCE?

ANSWERS 1:A, 2:B, 3:C, 4:B, 5:A

4 Healthy Changes that May Save You Money on LIFE INSURANCE

So You Think You Can

• ROUND-THE-CLOCK CUSTOMER SERVICE • ACCESS TO SECURE EMAIL • CREATE AND MANAGE MOBILE ALERTS

• FILE CLAIMS • CHECK PREMIUMS • UPDATE PROFILE INFORMATION • CHECK BILL STATUS Go to statefarm.com/register

HOME

on the fence

Besides adding curb appeal, fences also create safety and security boundaries for pets, kids and pools. Before you build, keep this in mind.

1. Verify that your fencing contractor has the appropriate insurance.

2. Contact City Hall or your zoning office for local building codes.

3. Secure necessary building permits.

4. Call 811 or your local utility service to locate underground utility lines.

5. Have a survey done so you know your property lines, and discuss your plans with your neighbors.

Next to pets, can you guess what Americans listed as their top two pet peeves when it comes to their neighbors? Find the answer at st8.fm/neighbor.

LADDER SAFETY

Whether you’re cleaning gutters this spring or painting a ceiling, take steps to avoid taking a spill.

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UNWELCOME HOUSEGUESTS What’s eating your biggest investment? “Termites may be the most notorious homedamaging insect, but there are other bugs that can be destructive to property,” says Susan Jones, PhD, a professor of entomology at The Ohio State University.

HERE ARE SOME COMMON CULPRITS AND SOLUTIONS: TERMITES: Wood-consuming bugs that require wet wood.

Perform regular inspections.

There should be no loose or missing parts, and the ladder should not sway or lean to the side.

Use the right height for the job. Extension ladders must extend 3 feet above the work surface.

Check the ladder’s Duty Rating. It must be greater than your weight and that of your supplies combined.

Don’t climb too high.

Never step on the top two rungs of a ladder.

Maintain balance. The middle of your belt buckle should be centered between the side rails; don’t overreach.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health developed a LADDER SAFETY APP that tells you whether an angle of a ladder is too steep or too shallow: cdc.gov/niosh/ topics/falls/

• Avoid using wood mulch near your house’s foundation, and remove nearby dead trees stumps and roots. Store woodpiles elsewhere too.

• Divert rainwater away from the foundation by grading or sloping the soil away from it, and maintain and clean your gutters and downspouts.

• Promptly repair leaking faucets, pipes and air-conditioning units if you detect a problem.

CARPENTER ANTS: They bore into wood, and live in nests in the walls, ceiling and attic.

• Locate and destroy the nest, but it can be difficult without professional pest control.

• Replace damaged or decayed wood, and eliminate any ongoing moisture problems.

• Spray insecticide on surfaces where ants move around, such as baseboards and cracks in the walls and floors, to minimize their interest in traveling those paths.

POWDERPOST BEETLES: Typically they enter lumber to breed while it’s being stored and cured, then emerge from the wood later.

• If you’re storing rough-cut lumber, make sure it’s been dried in a kiln. This helps kill off the beetles in any stage of their life cycle.

• Spray the surface with a wood preservative that contains borates.

• If you buy an antique that shows any holes, ask the dealer whether a fumigation was performed, and if there is a receipt for the fumigation. statefarm.com® 3

SAFETY

SEARCH ENGINE SCAMMERS

Did you know that something as simple as a Google search could lure con artists to your computer or mobile device? “Cybercriminals are looking for the easiest way to target you, and the search engine is the most commonly used tool,” says Tim Chiu of Blue Coat, a web security company in Sunnyvale, California.

Here’s how to surf smarter:

What’s Your State’s CLAIM TO FAME?

Did you know the most common insurance claims filed in Illinois are wind and hail?

In Massachusetts and Oregon they’re water and crime. Visit our clickable map to check out your own state’s pitfalls at st8.fm/claims.

• WATCH FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ERRORS. “These are easy tip-offs that a site may be dubious,” says Chiu.

• TYPE CAREFULLY. Swindlers know spelling mistakes are common and hope you end up on their sites by accidentally keying in .cm instead of .com.

• BE SELECTIVE. Many Internet con artists use techniques to push their content higher in the list of search results, hoping you click. Don’t assume the top results are always safe.

• HEED THE WARNING. “Don’t ignore warning messages from your web browser that a site could potentially be unsafe,” says Chiu.

Sites with downloadable content, like ringtones and screensavers, are among the riskiest. Cybercriminals know you will probably click to install.

SNUFF OUT Fumigation Thieves

A pest problem is a pain, but homeowners may encounter another issue while the bugs are being bombed: burglary. If your house is tented for fumigation—providing cover for would-be prowlers— here’s how to safeguard your home and valuables:

1. Store expensive items and treasured heirlooms elsewhere. Even if the exterminator tells you that the gas itself is a deterrent to thieves, crafty ones could wear gas masks while they are inside.

2. Keep all windows and doors locked, and check all the doorjambs to be sure they are sturdy enough to resist force.

3. Make sure your neighbors know when the fumigation is happening, so they can keep an eye on your place.

Have you ever been targeted by would-be scammers?

Like us and share your story at facebook.com/StateFarm

4 goodneighbor®

4. Contact your local police or sheriff’s office to ask for a patrol check.

LM AN

IS HU AO M

N Y

B

In the game of DRIVING, what TYPE of CONTESTANT are YOU? UNDERSTAND WHY you DRIVE as you do

(and how to change it for the better) statefarm.com® 5

HEN YOU MEET ME I’m a mild-mannered, polite, unassuming middle-age mother of two. But behind the wheel I’m the unfortunate perpetrator of more-than-occasional road rage.

I’m lucky but, unfortunately, not alone: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving causes a significant percent of the 6,800,000 collisions that take place each year. (That’s more than half the number caused by drunk driving.)

But not every unsafe driver is aggressive. Poor driving habits can go hand in hand with other personality styles too—flaky, overly cautious, even just plain narcissistic.

Despite the notion of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, when we switch on the ignition, we don’t really turn into other people.

Do you know what kind of driver you are? Can you change? The answers are “probably maybe” and “yes”—if you want to. “They say a person drives as he lives,” says Tom Vanderbilt, author of Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do. But there are some outside influences. “The entire Northeast tends to be a bit more aggressive, which plays into stereotypes,” Vanderbilt acknowledges. “There’s an east-to-west curve where it gets slightly more relaxed the farther west you get.”

On the other hand, driving statistics often debunk prejudices. “When it comes to violations and crashes, men tend to drive more aggressively and dangerously,” Vanderbilt points out. “There are old clichés about the skill set of female drivers, but statistically they are just safer across the board.”

DRIVE SAFELY & SAVE State Farm® rewards safe drivers. A clean driving record is a great start. But when you join the Drive Safe & Save™ program, you can get discounts up to 50 percent* on your auto insurance. Working with your car’s OnStar, In-Drive or SYNC service, you can demonstrate safe driving habits. The less you drive an in some cases, the safer you drive, the more you save. There’s a bigger benefit too. The feedback you get from the Drive Safe & Save program may help make you a better driver by encouraging safer habits.

Considering the precious passengers hauled on the roads every day, you may end up saving far more than money. *Discounts may vary by state.

6 goodneighbor®

And then there’s age. As a teenager’s insurance premium suggests, younger drivers are the largest risk category. “It’s partially immaturity—your brain’s ability to fully process risky decisions, some research suggests, isn’t till age 25,” Vanderbilt says. “But I think it’s also the problem of being a novice driver.”

Some bad driving habits are just that, and they can reflect who we are in the world. Timid folks might have trouble merging on the highway, for example, and narcissists might cut you off. However, a driving personality isn’t usually that fixed.

Leon James, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii and the coauthor of Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare, describes various personality types behind the wheel such as “rushing maniac,” “automotive vigilante” and “aggressive competitor”—all monikers that need little or no explanation.

But … they’re all us, at one time or another.

“All drivers vary their driver personalities depending on the situation,” James explains. “For instance people can become ‘rushing maniacs’ if they are late for an appointment.”

Is there any way for us to put the brakes on—metaphorically and literally? Thankfully yes. Since our driving personalities aren’t set in stone, we can change them for the better.

One of the most effective ways to police your own driving is to have someone—or something—monitor it for you.

A telematics device can give you feedback about how quickly you drive, how sharply you take corners, how hard you brake— all of which help indicate how aggressively you’re driving.

“I had one in my car awhile after my book came out,” Vanderbilt says. “I was being supercautious because it would be bad press if I crashed!”

What about all the other annoying personalities on the road? That’s something we can reframe for ourselves. Instead of seeing all other vehicles as adversaries, James encourages us to work on becoming supportive drivers—recognizing all the various types of people on the road, understanding where we fit in, and working to make driving safer for all of us.

Someone’s tailgating you? Don’t take it personally. That person ahead of you can’t manage a left turn? They’re not trying to hold you up—they’re just overcautious.

As James wrote in his book, “Sympathy brings empathy and understanding, and deeper insight into yourself and others.”

And that’s a good thing—on the road and off.

Experts agree that driver personalities aren’t well defined—and can change depending on circumstances. But there are a few road habits that can offer a window into a driver’s soul.

YOU’RE AT A FOURWAY STOP WITH NO LIGHT. YOU:

THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU IS TAKING A LONG TIME TO TURN LEFT, AND THERE’S NO PASSING LANE. YOU:

a. Waive your right of way, motioning others to go first. Why is everyone honking at you? b. Ignore others’ right of way and pull out at the earliest opportunity. You snooze, you lose. c. Refresh your memory about who has right of way—and then follow it.

a. Break loose with a steady stream of obscenities. It makes you feel better. b. Whip around the car on the right shoulder—which is actually a bike lane. c. Wait patiently. It’s not worth the risk of collision—or the rise in blood pressure.

THE LIGHT IS GREEN. YOU: a. Take your sweet time before moving despite the long line behind you. b. Gun it. Hold on to your hats! c. Pay attention and drive when the time comes.

MOSTLY A’s: You exhibit some passive road tendencies. You may feel that you’re just minding your own business—but safe driving means paying attention to those around you. “The safest way to drive is to be predictable to others and to stay within the limits of the norms, which may vary from place to place, even from one street corner to another,” Leon James explains.

Consider the “left lane bandit,” a personality type James coined to describe a driver who blocks others from passing. “This is very aggressive,” James says, “because it causes increased risk-

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO TAILGATING? a. I slow down when someone tailgates me—just to teach them a lesson. b. I tailgate others when they hang out in the passing lane—they need to learn! c. I do my best to avoid tailgating situations altogether, even if someone’s annoying me.

taking on the part of motorists who pass on the right, often while being angry at the driver who is blocking the passing lane.”

MOSTLY B’s: Okay, you’re just plain aggressive—at least on the road. In some cases people become more aggressive to deal with the traffic around them. “Sometimes the culture takes over,” Vanderbilt says. “My first few days of driving in Italy, I was horrified—people came within inches of my rear bumper to get me out of their way. But after a few days I started driving

YOU’RE TAKING A SHARP LEFT. YOU: a. Don’t bother to signal. After all, you know where you’re going. b. Don’t bother to slow down— your passengers will just have to hang on. c. Slow down and signal, out of deference to those in and out of your vehicle.

that way too. It was sink or swim.” You may also be behaving territorially. The confines of your car are your territory; everyone else on the road is a potential threat to that territory. Remember: Everyone on the road has to work together to keep everyone safe.

MOSTLY C’s: What a model driver! Good for you. Consider joining the State Farm Drive Safe & Save™ program—drivers like you can get a big discount on your auto insurance. (See red box, opposite page.) statefarm.com® 7

A FIX-IT FOR EVERY ROOM Want a happy (structurally sound) home? Stay on top of your maintenance list.

Depending on your home’s age and stage, it’s just as likely you’ve got a to-do list a mile long. We asked experts to point out some important repairs that are quick and relatively easy to do yourself or outsource. Here are six projects to get started on today...

BY LAMBETH HOCHWALD

Kitchen

CHIPPED TILE GROUT YOU KNOW THERE’S A PROBLEM IF: Dirt keeps collecting in the damaged grout between tiles on your counter or floors.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Loose grout means moisture can settle in, which can nurture mold. “If you have tile

countertops, the finish can become damaged if water gets between the sink and the surface,” says James Carey, author of Home Maintenance for Dummies.

THE FIX: Remove the uppermost grout layer and repair with new grout and sealer.

Basement

SLOWING

Bath

SHOWER

PRESSURE YOU KNOW THERE’S A PROBLEM IF: The water isn’t flowing as well as you remembered.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Corrosion or buildup inside the showerhead wears it out, requiring you to replace it faster than if it were to remain buildup-free.

THE FIX: Mineral buildup may be the culprit. Remove the showerhead and soak it overnight in a plastic bag

filled with distilled white vinegar, closing the bag with a rubber band. “After doing this the mineral buildup should break down,” says Sean Murphy, a DIY specialist at the online home improvement retailer Build.com. FYI: When you remove a showerhead, you break the watertight seal.

Apply plumber’s tape to create another seal when you replace the showerhead.

A FURNACE

THAT MIGHT BE ON THE BLINK YOU KNOW THERE’S A PROBLEM IF: The furnace makes weird noises, changes the color or pattern of the flame, or you notice soot streaks around the furnace, or rust on flue pipes.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Your health may be at stake.

A yellow flame could indicate the furnace is emitting deadly carbon monoxide. Even if not, a defective furnace costs more to

run. “If your furnace has to work harder, you end up paying more for it,” Murphy says.

THE FIX: Change your furnace filters regularly and have the entire unit inspected once a season for burner efficiency and cleanliness. FYI: The average lifespan of a furnace is 16 to 20 years.

Four ways to put your house through the paces—b efore the inspecto r arrives

Basement

CLOTHES DRYER

THAT LEAVES YOUR CLOTHES LOOKING LINTY YOU KNOW THERE’S A PROBLEM IF: Lint covers your clothes when you remove them from the dryer.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Lint trapped in the dryer line can cause a fire, says Stephen Fanuka ,

Garage

coauthor of What’s a Homeowner To Do? THE FIX: Clean the lint screen after every load of your dryer. Twice a year clean the vent line: the tub e or duct that sends the air from the dryer to outside your house.

OORS CREAKY GARAGE D YOU KNOW THERE’S A PROBLEM IF: The garage doors make very loud noises when used.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: “The door springs last longer if you inspect and oil the doors at least once a year,” says John Bodrozic, co-founder of HomeZada, a website that helps organize home repair projects.

THE FIX: Check all the nuts and bolts on your garage door. Replace worn parts. Spray the moving components with garage door lubricant.

Kitchen

If a home inspector is coming for a visit, it’s bad to greet him or her with a long list of problems.

“In addition you knock your home price down if you don’t take care of ongoing problems,” says Murphy. Murphy’s preinspection list:

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You know if: You see dirty water when a faucet is first turned on, or the pressure isn’t consistent.

Preinspection test: This is a sign of rusty pipes, and that can mean severe water quality issues.

To test the pressure turn on all the faucets in the highest bathroom and flush the toilet; if it doesn’t flush normally you may have clogging or leaking.

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REFRIGERATOR

COILS

YOU KNOW THERE’S A PROBLEM IF: The fridge hums louder than usual.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Dirty coils make it harder for your fridge to keep food cool. “In working harder the fridge is likelier to break,” says Bodrozic.

THE FIX: Vacuum between the coils, located at the back, top or bottom of the fridge, with a soft-brush vacuum cleaner.

DO YOU HAVE A CASE OF WOOD ROT?

You know if: The wood has become brown and crumbly, or yellow and stringy. Rotting wood also could be a sign of termites. (See Unwelcome Houseguests, pg 3.)

Preinspection test: Walk around your house and look at every place that’s rot-susceptible (fences, decks, trim, window and door frames). Tip: If you think you’re pulling a fast one on a home inspector by painting over a trouble spot, think again—he or she probes any freshly painted areas.

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DUSTY

IS YOUR PLUMBING GOING HAYWIRE?

IS YOUR BRICKWORK UNSTABLE?

You know if: You notice cracks, spots or shifting or missing mortar. This happens especially if your area has experienced severe storms or an earthquake.

Preinspection test: Take a close look at vulnerable spots such as your chimney and roof. Get the brickwork repaired spot by spot or all at once.

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IS YOUR BASEMENT LESS THAN AIRTIGHT?

You know if: You smell the unmistakable scent of mildew or see water on the walls or floors.

Preinspection test: Make sure items stored on your basement floor have dry bottoms. Look for powdery-white mineral deposits on the walls a few inches off the floor.

statefarm.com® 9

GIMME

SHELTER

By KIMBERLY WEISUL

A SAFE ROOM PROVIDES PROTECTION FOR YOUR FAMILY. HERE ARE THREE TYPES TO CONSIDER INSTALLING, AND THE PROS AND CONS OF EACH. DISASTER-PREPAREDNESS GUIDES OFTEN INSTRUCT YOU to head to your basement in case of dangerous weather, but that’s not always an option. In Joplin, Missouri, where a powerful tornado killed 158 people in 2011, almost nine of every 10 homes had no basement. And basements aren’t always safe because of broken windows, flying debris and the potential for flooding.

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tornadoes In 2012

killed

PEOPLE & CAUSED

$5.2 billion in DAMAGES

in the United States— AND IT WAS A BELOWAVERAGE YEAR.

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For many there’s a better option: specially built safe rooms and storm shelters that help protect your family while the weather rages.

“The greatest reason for having a storm shelter is the peace of mind it offers,” says Ernst Kiesling, executive director of the National Storm Shelter Association, which studies and improves hurricane and tornado shelters.

“If you know there’s a safe place, you don’t have to worry so much when you see a storm coming.”

An appropriate shelter depends on your location, the size of your family and your home’s condition. For example if you’re in an area with a high risk of hurricanes, consider a larger shelter because you may have to wait out the storm for hours. Tornadoes pass by relatively quickly. The chart on the next page helps you figure out what kind of shelter best suits your needs.

Make sure your shelter meets Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommendations for “near-absolute protection” in extreme weather.

Satisfactory shelters should withstand a tornado classified as EF-5, with wind speeds possibly exceeding 200 miles per hour. “This is not an area where you want to do the minimum,” Kiesling advises. “You don’t want to worry whether the coming storm has 160 mph winds or 250 mph winds. Your shelter should be able to withstand the worst-case scenario.”

THREE TYPES TO CONSIDER

THE PROS

THE CONS

BASEMENT

IN-GROUND

ABOVE-GROUND

Because it’s below ground a basement shelter provides the most protection from debris.

Installing a shelter below a concrete slab—the one that forms your garage’s floor, for example—is a good way to carve out room when space is at a premium.

If you don’t have a lot of space in your house, creating an adjacent above-ground storm shelter might make sense.

Depending on your basement’s features, this can be one of the easiest and cheapest ways to install a shelter in an existing home.

By converting all or part of a basement into a storm shelter, you give up storage space.

Basement shelters aren’t appropriate in areas that might flood during a hurricane or storm surge.

A separate above-ground space also is the best bet for areas with high water tables.

For maximum security the shelter’s walls must be separate from those of the main structure, and they need solid reinforcement.

Depending on the size of your slab, these shelters may skew small. That might be fine if you’re waiting out a tornado, but less comfortable for a longer-lasting storm such as a hurricane.

Like basement safe rooms, shelters built under slabs aren’t appropriate for flood-prone regions.

An above-ground shelter may require a separate entrance. If you have to leave your home to get to the shelter, make sure the shelter is nearby and that you can get into it as quickly and easily as possible.

Take care to ensure that any mobility-challenged family members can make it into the shelter without difficulty.

CAN YOU DIY?

Depends on your basement and your skills.

The simplest basement storm shelter is built into a corner, lean-to style, and uses two of the basement’s walls. But not all basement walls measure up to FEMA’s standards. Unless they’re reinforced with steel, they may not withstand damage from wind and debris.

Working an in-ground shelter into plans for a building under construction is relatively simple. Installing one in an existing home is much harder because you have to excavate.

Possibly, or you can buy a pre-manufactured unit that meets the standards set by the National Storm Shelter Association.

Make sure the slab is adequately reinforced to support the structure and is firmly attached to it. Consult a structural engineer to confirm it.

$1,500 TO $8,000*

$6,000 TO $12,000*

3,500 TO $10,000*

COST * price = installed

statefarm.com® 11

TORNADO ACTIVITY IN THE UNITED STATES*

ARE YOU AT RISK? These charts can help you determine your need for storm protection.

To know whether you live in a high-risk area, you need two pieces of data.

1. First find your location on the Tornado Activity Map (right) that shows the rates of tornado occurrences.

2. Then find your location on the Wind Zones Map (below) which shows wind hazard zones.

3. Cross-reference the two on the chart at lower right to determine your level of risk, and decide whether a storm shelter is right for you.

For more details about tornado activity in the United States, view fema.gov/safe-rooms/ tornado-activity-united-states

WIND ZONE

NUMBER OF TORNADOES PER 2,470 SQUARE MILES

WIND ZONES IN THE UNITED STATES

LESS THAN

1

1–4

5–10

11–15

GREATER THAN

Source: FEMA

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15

I

II

III

IV

Low Risk

Low Risk

Low Risk

Moderate Risk

Low Risk

Moderate Risk

High Risk

High Risk

Low Risk

Moderate Risk

High Risk

High Risk

High Risk

High Risk

High Risk

High Risk

High Risk

High Risk

High Risk

High Risk

Growing your legacy

BY ILANA POLYAK

YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE LIMITLESS RESOURCES TO

HELP YOUR LOVED ONES ESTABLISH SECURE FINANCIAL ROOTS. THREE PEOPLE SHOW THE POWER OF SMALL GIFTS TO NURTURE A STRONG, STURDY FUTURE.

C

AROL NORDMAN’S PARENTS STARTED A RETIREMENT fund for her when she was just 14. With a gift from his grandfather, Rob Whitehead paid for two years of in-state college tuition. An uncle’s low-interest auto loan helped Tara Harris purchase a much-needed car.

Retirement, college, car: What do all these people and things have in common? Carol, Rob and Tara received small monetary gifts from relatives that made big impacts on their futures. Without those gifts Carol might have had to skip those crucial early years of retirement saving, Rob statefarm.com® 13

might not have been able to meet his professional dreams, and Tara could have struggled to get to work.

Many of us may worry that we can’t make notable impacts because we don’t have tons of money. Experts—as well as the families of Carol, Rob and Tara— disagree. Small gifts, they know, can spark initiative, drive and creativity.

AN EARLY START Carol earned a Navy ROTC scholarship at Rice University, so she didn’t need the money her parents, Doug, 53, and Marge, 52, put away for her tuition. Though the Oahu, Hawaii, retired couple are careful financial stewards, they also are fairly certain they won’t have a huge legacy to leave Carol. Still they wanted to come up with a creative, low-cost way to make a difference.

So when Carol starts her active-duty assignment with the Navy in 2014, her parents will fund the maximum $5,500 toward a Roth IRA in her name. “She

took it upon herself to get this scholarship, so we think it’s only right that she participate in the profit sharing of her college savings,” Doug says.

The Nordmans also would like to help Carol max out her contribution to the Thrift Savings Plan, the retirement savings program for federal employees.

The contribution limit is $17,500 a year.

“When you’re just starting out it’s hard to have all the money to max out these retirement plans, but by starting early you get the tremendous benefit of compounding,” says Doug, who runs the blog Military Retirement & Financial Independence and has written a book, The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement.

Doug and Marge believe that teaching Carol the importance of saving early is the biggest inheritance of all.

“We’ll see how she does in the first year, if she can manage this amount of money well,” Doug says. “If she does, then maybe we’ll do it another year.”

A LITTLE CREATIVITY The truly wealthy don’t worry about leaving an inheritance for the next generation; if anything they may worry about bequeathing too much. Warren Buffett, the plainspoken CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the world’s richest men, has famously said that out of his billions he would leave his children enough money “so that they can do anything, but not so much that they can do nothing.”

People like Buffett may have more tools to choose from when making gifts, but those of more modest means might be surprised by what they can accomplish with relatively small sums.

“No matter what level of legacy you leave, it really makes a big difference,” says Jeff Birnbaum, a Certified Financial Planner with

The Right Tools EDUCATION FUNDING: Try an education savings plan, which allows parents and grandparents to squirrel away money for college tax-free as long as the money is used for education.

Another idea: Help your loved ones pay off college loans while you’re alive or through your estate.

14 goodneighbor®

BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION: You can assign who inherits the balance of your individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plan at the time of your death. You can assign multiple beneficiaries, and you need not leave equal amounts to each.

On Point Financial in New York City. “As adults we take certain things for granted, and we forget how difficult it can be when you’re just starting out and trying to make ends meet.”

That’s the case for Rob Whitehead, a professor and architect in Des Moines, Iowa. When he was 17 his grandfather gave him, his sister and his two halfsiblings $4,000 each for college. “He sent me a handwritten letter and told me how important he felt a college education was to the future success of people,” says Rob, 43. What’s more, Rob’s grandfather asked the siblings to put in writing their commitment to use the money only for school.

Rob invested the $4,000 in certificates of deposit, with one maturing each year right before tuition was due. That way there would be little temptation to use the money on anything else.

Rob’s grandfather passed away while Rob and his older sister were still in college. But he got the satisfaction of seeing the two young people managing the money for something worthwhile.

“Every year, when I cashed the CD that I invested with his money and used it to pay for college, I felt a renewed sense of dedication,” Rob recalls.

Rob isn’t sure whether he could have attended Iowa State University had it not been for his grandfather’s gift. He made the dean’s list most of the time he was in college, went on to study architecture in graduate school, and now is a professor at his alma mater and owns a firm.

IN THIS LIFETIME Some people may wish to wait on their generosity until they have passed away.

But others prefer to witness the next generation enjoying their gifts.

“I love gifting,” says Mark Accettura, a Detroit area estate planner. “Why hold on to it? Why not watch your kids and grandkids enjoy it?”

TRANSFER ON DEATH: If you have a little pot of money earmarked for a relative but are not sure how much you’ll need for your living expenses, consider a transfer-on-death designation for a bank account.

Gifting With Life Insurance Are you inspired to make a gift with lasting impact?

Life insurance can play an important role in gifting. It can enable you to spend down your nest egg while you are alive, knowing a life insurance policy takes care of your heirs.

It can help your family with education needs, retirement planning, or an infusion of capital for a small business. A State Farm Insurance and Financial Review® with your State Farm® agent can help you identify your financial and gifting goals, look over your accounts and discuss what steps you may want to take to reach your targets and desired benefit amounts.

LOANS: Repayment terms and payment schedules should be determined and agreed upon before offering a loan. Consider using a third-party site that acts as a middleman, collecting interest and principal and sending late notices, if need be. statefarm.com® 15

“If you want to be involved then be involved. Don’t just give them money and hope for the best.”

— Adam Leone

When Tara Harris was a toddler, her parents lent her uncle money to buy a motorcycle. Two years ago Tara, 27, found herself needing similar assistance. The specialist with a thirdparty administrator in Champaign, Illinois, had been driving her grandmother’s car, but her grandmother asked for it back.

“I was in a panic,” Tara says. “I needed the car to get to work.”

Tara asked her uncle if he could help her out with a down payment. Instead the uncle lent her the full amount, figuring he could save her a bundle on interest. Tara picked out a 2010 Pontiac V6 from a local dealership for $20,000. She is paying 1.19 percent interest to her uncle on the loan; financing through the dealership would have cost her 6 percent to 7 percent. “Doing it this way saved me a lot of money,” Tara says.

There is a downside to lifetime gifts, experts warn: “You must take care of your own living situation first,” Birnbaum says.

There is little value in putting yourself in the poorhouse by giving to relatives if in turn you need to rely on them for support.

There's a simple way you can leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones: life insurance. If you don't have life insurance, you'd be surprised by the range of options available. If you do have life insurance, you may be underinsured, leaving your loved ones at risk should something happen to you. Contact me for an appointment to review your options.

Agent Name xxx-xxx-xxxx 16 goodneighbor®

STRINGS ATTACHED? Even with small gifts, parents and grandparents may worry the money enables poor decisions and reckless behavior.

Adam Leone, a principal at Modera Wealth Management in Westwood, New Jersey, believes relatives have a role in helping shape financial decisions, and it may not be gifting.

“If you want to be involved, then be involved. Don’t just give them money and hope for the best,” he says.

If the goal of a gift is to teach life and money lessons, long before you give your children or grandchildren money, talk to them about what you hope to accomplish, experts say.

Take the Nordmans. As they built their retirement nest egg and planned for early retirement, they were explaining it all to Carol. She now wants to follow their example, and her father, Doug, believes the initial boost to her savings could enable her to realize that goal.

But not all recipients are responsible. Poor money management is fairly typical for young people, Leone notes. Perhaps before entrusting the intended recipient with money, it might be better to wait until his or her maturity level is higher.

Loans are trickier. It’s a lot easier for a young person to skip a payment to an aunt or uncle than the gas company.

“Make a loan only if you’re prepared not to get the money back,” Accettura says.

Tara Harris and her uncle are taking measures not to fall victim to that scenario—they’ve drafted a contract outlining her repayment terms. Each month $215 is automatically deducted from Tara’s checking account.

“I try to pay back more than that whenever I can,” she says. “I want to repay as quickly as possible.”

What’ s the Story?

Basic questions about family finances, wills and what should happen in case of illness or death often go unanswered. Here’s how to unlock the door to more open conversations.

by Ilana Polyak statefarm.com® 17

G

ATHERING FOR A LONG WEEKEND WITH HER DAUGHTERS AT A SPA IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA, CAROL ROSENBAUM, 74, TURNED THE CONVERSATION TO

MONEY—SPECIFICALLY HER MONEY, AND WHAT SHE’S PLANNED FOR IT WHEN SHE DIES. “She brought it up very casually,” says her daughter Ellen, 48, a business English trainer and translator who has lived in Dusseldorf, Germany, for 19 years.

In her typical no-nonsense way, Carol explained her intentions. The retired attorney for the U.S. Army wanted Ellen and her sister, Gail, 46, to be prepared.

“I lost my husband 21 years ago and I was blindsided by it. I didn’t want my daughters to be blindsided,” Carol says.

Carol had bought long-term 18 goodneighbor®

care insurance years ago. Her plan, should she no longer be able to care for herself, is to move permanently to her St. Louis home, where she now spends seven months of the year. Carol also elaborated on where important financial documents were, how her care would be paid for, and what amount the sisters could expect as their inheritance.

The conversation, though unexpected, was a relief.

“I’m grateful that she’s taken care of it. She’s made everything so easy for us,” Ellen says.

Talk early and often Experts agree: It’s wise to follow Carol’s example. “When parents

bring up the subject, it means they’ve gone past the phase of facing their own mortality, and that’s a major emotional hurdle to cross,” explains Jillian Nel, a certified financial planner with Legacy Asset Management in Houston.

That hurdle can be very high, so it’s not surprising that people avoid dealing with their money’s afterlife. For example, 60 percent of people believe all adults should have wills, but only 44 percent have them.

Hesitation about money goes both ways.

Children may shy from the conversation for fear of appearing overeager to claim their inheritances or because they can’t deal with their parents’ decline.

Parents may avoid it out

of shame about their own financial situations.

“A lot of times the parents are saying, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, don’t worry about me.’ But if the children were to pop open the hood, there would be a lot to worry about,” says Joe Pitzl, a Certified Financial Planner with Intelligent Financial Strategies in Edina, Minnesota.

By not talking about these details, families run the risk of losing control of important financial decisions.

“Without effective communication the law decides who is the administrator of the estate and the proportional amounts,” explains John McManus, an estate planner in New Providence, New Jersey.

If a parent becomes incapacitated, children may need to petition a court to gain conservatorship if they

PUT YOUR PAPERS IN THEIR PLACE don’t have the proper powers of attorney, which can take six months or more.

No matter how small an estate, without a proper trust or beneficiary designations in place at the time of death, assets first pass through probate court to determine who inherits them.

That could take up to a year.

Taking the lead Because it is their money, parents need to take matters into their own hands. Some parents may want to share only the broad strokes of their financial situations with children. That’s fine, experts say, as long as the parents can assure their children they’ve made the necessary arrangements, and where the children can go to find important documents.

The best time to have “the talk” is when parents are healthy and have mental acuity.

Take Joe Pitzl. Two years ago his grandmother was living independently. But she felt she needed to bring in some of her family to take over bill paying and money management if she no longer could. She felt uncomfortable asking her children, but skipping a generation felt right. Because Pitzl manages other people’s money for a living, he was a suitable choice.

A few months ago, at age 91 Pitzl’s grandmother suffered a stroke that left her unable to handle her finances. With the

groundwork in place, Pitzl pays her bills and arranges her care.

Up to the kids When parents don’t initiate the talk, it’s up to the children. The key, experts advise, is to frame the conversation so parents don’t feel they’re losing control.

“You try to convey to them that your primary reason for having this conversation is their wellbeing,” Pitzl suggests.

If parents are reluctant, Nel, the Houston financial planner, recommends telling a story about a friend who faced a similar situation, or talking about your own estate planning challenges. One client offered to pay for his parents to see an estate planner.

Nel suggests using your knowledge about your parents to get them talking. She tells of a client who started by focusing on something his father wanted to talk about: ways to save money. He suggested that his father do away with his landline, since he wasn’t using it much anymore, and rely exclusively on his cell phone. The father agreed, grateful for the tip. Then it became easier to bring up other financial matters.

If you worry about your ability to have the conversation, consider bringing in a professional. What might seem a difficult discussion to children and aging parents isn’t as difficult to someone who has a few similar talks each week.

IF YOU DIED, HOW WOULD YOUR HEIRS KNOW WHERE TO locate your bank account, discontinue your gas and electricity or access your online insurance information? By getting all the necessary information in one place, you can make the job a lot easier. Your filing system can be as tidy as a spreadsheet and file folders, or as casual as a detailed handwritten note.

Since more banking and financial transactions take place online, it’s also important to keep a record of logins and passwords. Without them your survivors can be shut out of those accounts.

Use this checklist as a starting point to gather your important documents. Keep them in a safe place and tell a trusted family member or friend where everything can be found.

1. Birth certificates ____ 2. Marriage licenses ____ 3. Divorce decree/separation ____ 4. Health care power of attorney and living will ____ 5. Durable power of attorney ____ 6. Bequest list of tangible personal property ____ 7. Wills and trust documents ____ 8. Safe combinations and locations ____ 9. Cemetery deeds/burial instructions ____ 10. List of special bequests (to heirs, charities, etc.) ____ 11. Insurance policies (auto, home, life) ____

12. Stock, mutual fund and bond certificates ____ 13. Real estate deeds ____ 14. Automobile titles ____ 15. Military discharge papers ____ 16. Promissory notes, contracts, mortgages ____ 17. Checking/savings account statements ____ 18. List of credit cards ____ 19. Pension statements ____ 20. Income/gift tax returns ____ 21. Mortgage documents ____ 22. Master list of all online accounts, passwords and security questions ____

statefarm.com® 19

Jessica and James McGhee in Peoria, Illinois; they’ve opened two businesses and revitalized a once downtrodden area.

20 goodneighborÂŽ

Here comes the

NEIGHBORHOOD

BY NAOMI SHULMAN

FROM TRASH CLEANUP TO NEW PARKS, PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE REINVIGORATING THEIR COMMUNITIES.

FOUR YEARS AGO JESSICA MCGHEE AND HER HUSBAND, JAMES, EMBARKED ON A BUSINESS ADVENTURE: They bought a bar. “We did everything the opposite of what people told us to do,” chuckles Jessica. “People told us you have to have bright neon signs and burgers and fries. But we elected to offer vegetarian and vegan items.”

It was a bold business plan. The problem? The McGhees were attempting to make their vision work in the Renaissance Park area of Peoria, Illinois. “There was a lot of drug traffic, public intoxication, garbage and abandoned buildings,” Jessica says. But she and her husband felt sure they could make it work—just the way they felt about their vision of their bar. “The first thing we did was start to get to know our neighborhood— and realized that its bark is worse than its bite. It felt less safe than it really was.”

Without knowing it, the McGhees were onto something that isn't all that complicated: Good neighbors make good neighborhoods—and many of us are not very good neighbors. “By some measurements the number of meaningful contacts Americans have with their neighbors today is perhaps 50 percent less than 50 years ago,” says Peter Lovenheim, author of In the Neighborhood: The Search for Community on an American Street, One Sleepover at a Time.

Just a few years ago Peter was one of those neighbors who went about daily life without really knowing the people on his street.

He lives in suburban Rochester, New York, leafy and upscale, with well-tended yards and an excellent school district nearby.

But a dozen years ago a terrible thing happened. “One day a husband came home and shot and killed his wife and then himself,” Peter recalls. It shook everyone up. “I only knew [that family]

well enough to wave—even though they lived on the street for seven years.”

So Peter got radical: He invited neighbors to talk and ultimately asked if he could spend the night and write about their homes from the inside. “About half of them welcomed me in,” he says. And he put it in his book.

What he found are elements necessary for a healthy neighborhood. “Successful neighborhoods have a map, or a directory, where everyone is listed with contact information. Second, they do things together—holiday celebrations, book clubs—often more than once a year,” Peter says. “Third, they create front-yard activities. If you do a project in your backyard, move it to the front to put yourself out there. And finally more neighborhoods are using the Internet to connect.”

Without having read the book, Jessica McGhee intuitively understood several of these would be critical to improving her neigh-

borhood and supporting her business. First, the couple needed to get people to come to their area, so Jessica harnessed the power of her employees’ social circles. “We required everyone we hired to use social media to let people know they were working and tell them to come visit,” she says.

To get patrons to come back, the McGhees knew they’d have to make the neighborhood feel more welcoming, so they established the Renaissance Park Community Association. They organized neighborhood beautification projects, like a regular cleanup day with a local church.

“And we also found out who owned an empty lot across the street,” Jessica says. “We got their permission to cut back heavy brush and plant a garden.”

They were all seemingly small, even obvious steps—but had a surprising impact. The McGhees’ bar has been in business four years now, and in that time the

neighborhood has shifted noticeably. “It now feels funky and artsy.

It feels like there’s a lot of possibility here,” Jessica says.

A new coffee shop and a hot dog stand have moved in, along with a collection of artist studios and gallery spaces. “We’ve also seen an increase in residents that want to live here,” points out Jessica.

She believes in the neighborhood so much she’s opened a second business—a vintage clothing shop. “I’m not sure how it will go, but I like where I am right now,” she says. “It feels like the greatest possibility I have for success. I believe in this neighborhood.”

There are countless ways to put the McGhees’ example and Peter’s advice into action. Here’s how three more people in three very different neighborhoods stepped outside their doors, connected with the people around them, and made their neighborhoods better places in which to live, work and grow up.

Wired Neighborhood: DEBBY ROBINSON, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA WHEN DEBBY ROBINSON MOVED FROM HER HIGH-RISE in downtown

Chicago to a 1920s brick home in Charlotte, North Carolina, she expected culture shock. But while life in her town looks a lot like Mayberry, her homeowners association—which she now leads—is firmly lodged in the 21st century, making excellent use of the virtual neighborhood that is social media. “We have a neighborhood Facebook page, email lists and newsletters,” she explains.

Debby wanted to live in a more traditional community, one where she could walk to area businesses and get to know her neighbors.

For the neighbors social media is a quick way to stay in touch—“if someone needs to find a babysitter, find a lost dog, garage sale items—things like that,” says Debby. They also share information on events and festivals, such as the annual Sedgefest gathering.

But social media is also instrumental to their sense of community safety. “For example if someone sees a strange van in the neighborhood, that goes on the Facebook page immediately.

That way key people are alerted so we can get that word out fast and respond quickly.”

22 goodneighbor®

More often than not, a neighbor chimes in to explain why the van or worker is there, and everyone can go on with their day. But not always. “We had a case this week where a woman was knocking on doors claiming to be selling cleaning supplies,” recalls Debby. Spoiler alert: She was not selling cleaning supplies. “Several neighbors posted about it. Soon the police were called, and they handled it.” That left Debby and her neighbors free to continue to go about their day, safe and secure—online and off.

Through savvy use of social media, people in Debby Robinson’s neighborhood spread the word about events such as the music and kid activities at their annual spring festival, Sedgefest.

One of Rachael’s trash-turned-sculpture pieces in Louisiana.

The Art of Cleaning Up: RACHAEL HATLEY, FRANKLINTON, LOUISIANA ENGLISH-BORN RACHAEL HATLEY MADE A BIG MOVE. She left behind

big-city life in New Orleans and moved to her husband’s childhood home—in the backwoods of Louisiana. “We’ve lived here two years now,” she says in her crisp English accent. “We wanted country living for our kids.”

The slower pace was exactly what Rachael was looking for. But she was shocked at one aspect of rural life: litter. Ironically life in the country ended up being far more littered than urban life in the U.S. and U.K., which takes a hard line on litterbugs; the vast open space only highlighted the contrast. “Litter is a huge problem here,” Rachael says. “There’s a need for environmental education. I wanted to encourage people to take pride and respect in where we live.”

A neighborhood cleanup day is great, but Rachael is a graphic designer working on her MFA focused on designing for social change.

So she partnered with Keep Washington Parish Beautiful and began creating messages out of the litter, in the form of enormous sculpted words—”pride,” “think” and “respect”—each filled with 95 bags of

litter. “These letters make it clear just how much litter there is. “Now we’ve got an idea that’s buzzing. We’re not just creating art, we’re showing people this is a problem. ” Getting the project up and running has had personal benefits for Rachael. “This forced me to immerse myself in the community I’m living in,” she says. She obtained a grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful and is placing the letters around the parish. And the project is snowballing. Other affiliates have expressed interest.

But before taking care of other neighborhoods, Rachael is focusing on her own—and this former city girl appreciates what she has in her rural town. “I love that everyone knows everyone. People genuinely care about each other—if they don’t see you for a week, they’ll check on you. Where I’m from, it’s very different,” Rachael explains. “I lived close by to people, I could see people’s houses from my house, but we hardly hung out with each other. I think there’ s a lot to value in that, especially for our children. That’s why our actions are really important.”

Involved with Government: DYLAN WILLIAMS, COLUMBUS, OHIO

WHEN DYLAN WILLIAMS AND HIS WIFE, MINDY, MOVED into their Colum-

bus neighborhood five years ago, the street was in flux. It had once been a place for young families, but they had aged out, and few were replacing them. When the Williamses bought their house, they were attracted to the real

estate prices and the walkability.

They weren’t thinking about the old empty school on the corner. “It had been out of service for a decade,” Dylan recalls.

There was a local debate about what should happen to the lot, but Dylan and Mindy had a puppy, so they angled for a dog park.

They founded a task force. Canvassing their neighbors and sending out hundreds of surveys,

they learned what the area really needed was to attract families—and that meant a playground. It also meant lobbying the local government.

“We did a lot of legwork to be able to go to the city and say, ‘Here’s the story behind the action that we’re asking you to take,’” explains Dylan. That made it fairly easy for them to write a grant—which they were awarded. The park was put in the next

year—and included features young families can use, including walking trails and, yes, a playground. “We even got to pick out the color scheme,” Dylan says.

The turnaround in the neighborhood has been astonishingly fast.

“The park completely changed the dynamic and demographics. Asking prices for houses, the number of houses on the market, the number of foreclosures—everything flipped when the

park went live,” Dylan says. “Now we have a lot of families moving in.” The experience has opened Dylan’s eyes to the power of getting involved, too. “It turns out senior citizens are willing to come out to a wooded lot with a pair of gloves to help clear thorns!” he marvels.

“The city government is more responsive when you can show them how unified the voice of the community is.” statefarm.com® 23

BACK STORY

LEADERSIN-TRAINING

What happens when you put young people in charge? They change the world.

Imagine this: Once a year you hand over a staggering $5 million to a group of young adults, and entrust them to decide how to use the money. Sound inconceivable? Not to State Farm—that’s exactly what it does each and every year with its Youth Advisory Board (YAB).

Composed of 30 men and women ages 17 to 20, this board is given millions of dollars to benefit the community, then allowed to debate and decide how to spend every last penny. That’s how much State Farm believes in them and their vision of the future.

“We want to empower young people to make changes that are important to them in their communities,” says Kathy Havens Payne, State Farm’s Director of Education Leadership, who created the YAB program in 2005 to help foster the next generation of leaders. “These kids all share a passion for service. They all have one singular interest: How do we give back to the community in meaningful ways.”

So what have YAB members done with the money? They’ve built a river trail in Colorado, a community garden in Virginia, reintroduced beavers to a watershed in Ontario, developed an afterschool physical education program in California, and funded dozens of youth-led service-learning projects with public schools and nonprofits across the United States and Canada The YAB members also share ambition and academic accomplishment. “We have kids who are literally rocket scientists,” says Payne, who notes that three of the previous and current YAB members have

If you have kids or grandkids, you know how important it is to help invest in their future. But what if something happens and you can’t be there? Life insurance can help—but you may not have enough coverage. I can help, with a review of your current policies and a plan for the future. Call me today to schedule an appointment.

Agent Name xxx-xxx-xxxx

Hi-res image and caption to come from State Farm.

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been named to Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30” lists of young people to watch.

It’s not easy to join YAB: Last year more than 1,000 applied for the 15 open spots. Members, who represent a spectrum of political, ethnic and geographic backgrounds, serve two-year terms; 15 rotate on or off each January.

Service learning—it’s what they do To qualify for YAB funding, projects must be youth-led and service learning. In this strategy teachers and students collaborate to solve a local problem with hands-on community service coupled with formal classroom study. The method has proven to increase student involvement and achievement.

A current project by students in an Iowa town involves building a state-of-the-art greenhouse and community garden. While the students’ efforts will help beautify the community, in the classroom they’ll be learning about related topics in horticulture and science so they can succeed in their project and academic goals. “The kids are learning that what they learn in the classroom they’ll be able to use in the real world too,” Payne says.

Priorities of the next generation Many YAB-approved projects involve awareness of bullying, lesbian/gay/bi-/transgender (LGBT) issues, access to higher education, and the environment. The topics speak volumes about this up-and-coming generation.

“It shows very clearly what young people think is important and what they believe they can fix and can change,” Payne says. “The projects they choose to fund are windows into what young people believe is important, and as a company we should pay attention to that.”

After donating almost $25 million over eight years and impacting thousands of students, the State Farm YAB can be boiled down to a simple concept, Payne says: “It’s about turning to youth and asking, ‘What matters to you?’ ” What could be more down to earth?

Learn about YAB’s latest initiatives at sfyab.com

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POLICY POINTS

A HOUSEHOLD SAFETY NET

State Farm® homeowners insurance can help protect you and your family if disaster strikes.

46%

HOME FIRES caused from 2009­–2011 by COOKING

FACTS ABOUT FIRES

WHEN THEY START:

6.5% BEDROOM

Home fires peak around the DINNER HOURS, 5:00 to 8:00 PM LIVING ROOM/ FAMILY ROOM/DEN

WHAT TIME OF YEAR:

13.4%

21.5%

FIRES INCREASE FROM DECEMBER TO MARCH. Eleven percent of fires occurred in January (influenced by heating equipment incidents)

KITCHEN

3 LEADING AREAS WHERE HOME FIRES START

HOLIDAY FIRE FACTS: JULY FOURTH: More fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day

#1

BREAK-INS HOME BURGLARY FREQUENCY

THANKSGIVING: Approximately 2,000 COOKING-RELATED FIRES reported each year CHRISTMAS: On average, 230 Christmas TREES go up in flames each year

64%

of homes are UNDERINSURED

63% HALLOWEEN: Reports of suspicious fires INCREASE 63%

THE HOME FRONT MEDIAN AGE of 1st-time homeowner

31

1 EVERY 14.4 SECONDS Emergency room visits per year linked to HOME PLAYGROUND MISHAPS

BURGLARY PRIME TIME Weekdays, between 10-11 am and 1-3 pm

HOME BURGLARIES decreased 47% between 1994 and 2011

51,000

WEATHER OR NOT 1994–2011

47%

1,200

AVERAGE NUMBER OF U.S. TORNADOES each year

$130.2 billion

TOTAL TORNADO DAMAGE CLAIMS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS

Sources: U.S. Fire Administration; National Fire Protection Association; U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; Marshall & Swift®; Insurance Advisors; National Association of Home Builders; BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas City; National Oceanicstatefarm.com and Atmospheric Administration; U.S. Department of Commerce; Insurance Information Institute

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