Archive for May, 2009

Make money: flee the moguls

May 6, 2009

I am delighted to announce that I have saved myself nearly $600 a year in my home insurance policy by switching from Farmers to Liberty Mutual. Plus I put my coverage into effect immediately, which means I might get a few dollars refund back from Farmers. Or I might not.

Some of the drop came from the offer by Todd Johnson, my new agent at  Liberty Mutual, to verify the total number of square feet in my house with the county. The county said 2,600 s.f.; Farmers said 3,000. Todd also said a good replacement amount for my house would be $203,000; Farmers insisted that I needed $240,000 coverage, and that they were forbidden by law to underinsure a client.

I am also saving $6,000 by switching from Countrywide to Idaho Independent Bank for my unwanted refinancing package. IIB wants $2,000 in closing fees; Countrywide wanted $8,000.

I am not pleased with being pushed into higher mortgage and insurance rates by big guys in three-piece suits in high-rise office buildings. I am delighted that there are reasonable companies offering reasonable products at, yes, reasonable rates.

A big 68

May 4, 2009

istock_000008956824smallIf you were nearby
I’d invite you by
for a piece of cake
I didn’t make.

It’s my birthday!

Number 68. My mother was Type AB, and I was Type O. But I was born alive and kicking and have been ever since! I’ve had a wonderful life so far and am looking forward to more adventures and fun around the corner.

Joyce