Tips for Working at Home

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Tips for Working at Home

Steps to make working from home more efficient.

Working from home certainly has its benefits: you avoid a commute, you have the freedom to run errands when you need to, and digital tools make it simple to check in with your colleagues. Even so, there are quite a few challenges, too. Being distracted by domestic duties, friends, and family can result in your work suffering. To master the art of working from home successfully, read on.

Establish working hours.

This is the first step to ensuring productivity while working from home. If your employer hasn’t set you hours already, do so for yourself. It’s tempting to give yourself flexibility by sleeping in or taking frequent breaks, but this can only lead to unproductivity in the long run. Set yourself consistent hours to stay accountable to yourself and to your boss.

Identify what needs to get done every day.

You may think you’re less accountable for the work you do when you work from home, but in reality, you should be ensuring all deadlines are met and your work is up to standard because there really is no excuse. By noting what you need to do each day, you give yourself tasks that you need to complete, whether you’re distracted or not.

Get dressed.

It’s tempting to work in your pajamas and slippers, but this could hinder your work. Keep to a regular routine of waking up, showering, and getting dressed – just as you would if you were going to an office. This helps to flip a switch in your brain that you’re in work mode so that you focus on getting your work done.

Create an at-home office.

Sure, the couch is comfier to do work, but this could take a huge toll on your productivity. Just like getting dressed, working from a desk tells your brain that it’s time for work, not relaxation. You are more likely to feel alert and organized if you work at a desk, even if it’s the kitchen table.

Stay in the loop.

Remote workers lose the opportunity to pop into someone’s office, so they need to be mindful to do so virtually. Checking in with your team may mean more deliberate and responsive emails, sometimes supplemented by instant messaging. It’s a good way to let your team know you’re working from home.

Whether you’re looking for business insurance for your endeavor or you’re looking for a new opportunity to start a franchise, contact the team at All Nevada Insurance today.

What’s the Difference Between Actual Cash Value and Replacement Cost?

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What’s the Difference Between Actual Cash Value and Replacement Cost?

Know how actual cash value and replacement cost affect your home insurance policy. 

Much like everything else we buy, insurance comes with a lot of options. When selecting home insurance, homeowners will be faced with the option of actual cash value or replacement cost value. These terms are loss valuation methods insurance companies use to determine how much money they will pay out in the event of a covered claim after any deductible is applied. Here’s what you should know about the differences between the two options.

Actual Cash Value

The actual cash value, or ACV, is the economical choice because it requires that you pay the lowest premiums. That is because depreciation is taken into consideration. As time goes by, the monetary value of your belongings may go down, and this is known as ‘depreciation.’ If your possessions are destroyed by a covered loss and you have ACV coverage, your insurance agent will subtract your home’s depreciation from the amount of money that is required to repair or replace your items to the condition they were in before the disaster.

Replacement Cost Value

The alternative to actual cash value is replacement cost coverage. If your belongings are destroyed and you have replacement cost value, your coverage would provide you with a payment equal to that required to replace lost items. Depreciation of your items is not a factor in the settlement you receive from your insurer.

Ensure your home and possessions have the right protection in place. Contact All Nevada Insurance to get started on the right homeowners insurance policy to suit your needs, budget, and belongings!

The Basics of Getting Into a Franchise

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Basics of Getting into a Franchise

What you need to know about buying a franchise.

If buying an existing business doesn’t sound right for you, but starting from scratch sounds intimidating, you could be suited for a franchise ownership. To determine if this is the right way to go, it helps to know the basics of this process and how to get started.

What is a franchise?

A franchise is a model that fills the gap between working for somebody else and working for yourself. A franchisee pays an initial fee and ongoing royalties to a franchisor. In return, the franchisee gains the use of a trademark, ongoing support from the franchisor, and the right to use the franchisor’s system of doing business and its products or services.

What are the main benefits?

  • A well-known brand name is already established
  • Reputable franchisors conduct market research before selling a new outlet, so all the hard work is already complete
  • Safety and liability concerns are already addressed so there is a reduction of risk
  • Supervision and consulting is readily available
  • National and local advertising programs
  • Operations manual provided

What are the things to be aware of?

Franchising, however, is not for everyone. Headstrong, independent entrepreneurial types may feel restricted if they launch themselves into a franchise opportunity. Common downsides of owning a franchise are:

  • Loss of control
  • A binding contract

Also, know that some franchise systems work better than others. A weak franchise program will not train you well to handle the challenges of the business, will not help when problems arise, and won’ t make the best use of advertising dollars. Because of this, it’s essential to research the opportunity and company thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.

Once you’ve made the decision to become a franchise business owner, take a look at the All Nevada Insurance franchise system.  Get started with your franchise system today!

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?

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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?

Pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early.

One of the most debated topics in personal finance is whether it makes sense to pay off your mortgage early or invest in extra cash. There are significant advantages and disadvantages to both options, and there may not be a solution that is best for every situation. Take a look at these pros and cons to help you decide what to do.

Pros of paying off your mortgage:

  • No mortgage means lower expenses and less need to draw down your savings in retirement.
  • You may save thousands of dollars by not paying the interest on a mortgage. Even if your tax deductions would be reduced if you were to accelerate the mortgage payments, you’d still win financially.
  • For some people, the peace of mind they gain by eliminating debt is the most important consideration of all.
  • If you can pay off your mortgage by the time you retire or shortly thereafter, you’ll need much less income to support yourself in retirement than people who are either renting or still making mortgage payments.

Cons of paying off your mortgage:

  • The extra payments reduce the amount of money that you have to invest or to meet financial emergencies.
  • You’ll have reduced liquidity. It’s easier to access funds sitting in an investment account or bank account than to access funds in the form of home equity.
  • The money you invest has the potential to grow faster than the savings. You gain by paying less mortgage interest.
  • People with no mortgage may be looked on unfavorably as the lender lost money what would have been accrued in interest payments.

Whatever. You decide to do, be sure you feel confident in the plan. Find financial stability by securing reliable and affordable insurance policies. Contact the team at All Nevada Insurance for information on how to select adequate coverage for your needs.

3 Tips for Buying a Franchise

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Tips for Buying a Franchise

Tips that help you to get ready to buy a franchise.

For entrepreneurs itching to start their own business, purchasing a franchise can be a good alternative. Franchising can be less risky than starting from scratch. The franchisor will have already done a lot of work for you. The business plan is ready made, and everything is set up so that you can get started. Now all you need to do is purchase one!

However, any new business is risky, even a franchise. If you’re considering the leap, here are a few tips to help you purchase!

Conduct Research

You’re responsible for the due diligence before you invest – so be thorough! Make sure that you find out exactly what your role as the owner will be, and dig deeper than the franchise brochure. Ask the existing franchisees what their day is like and how much support they received. If they allow it, shadow him or her for a day so that you know what to expect.

Determine the Location

Restaurants, storefronts, homes – it’s all about location, location, location. One of the toughest, and most important, decisions a franchisee will make is choosing a location for their new business. Many franchisors will work closely with you to pick the perfect spot, sharing insights about what particular site characteristics lead to success with their organization.

Consult a Specialist

The Tax rules and contracts surrounding franchises can get quite complex. Don’t get weighed down with terminology and paperwork! Ask for help from a professional attorney, preferably one who specialized in franchise law. He or she will review your franchise agreement documents and identify any potential red flags.

Once you’ve decided to become a franchise business owner, check out All Nevada Insurance’s franchise opportunity. Find out more information by giving us a call today!

How to Recover After a House Fire

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How to Recover After a House Fire

How to handle the aftermath of a house fire.

A house fire can be a very devastating experience for any person or family. House fires almost always happen unexpectedly and move quickly through the home. Fires can cause a large amount of devastating damage in a matter of minutes. It can be daunting to know where to start after the fire is out. Here are some tips on how to recover after a house fire.

Make some calls. You’ll need to make plenty of phone calls after a fire, but here are a few important ones:

  • Family and friends – To let them know you’re safe.
  • Fire department – Be sure you have the all-clear from the fire department before heading back home.
  • Post office – Stop your mail delivery and switch to a post office box until you can return to your home permanently.
  • Insurance company – Your insurer can guide you through this difficult situation and assist you with your homeowners insurance policy.
  • Utilities – Freeze or cancel your services.
  • Landlord or mortgage lender – Keep your landlord or lender in the loop, as there may be changes or pauses in your rent or mortgage payments.
  • Bank/credit card company – You may need to cancel or replace your credit and debit cards if they were destroyed in the fire.

Inspect your property. Once you have gotten the approval to return home, do so safely. Walk around your property first, carefully noting any trees or power lines that could have been weakened or damaged by fire and water. Remember that things could still be hot, so approach your property with caution.

Create your personal property list. Begin working on your personal property list. If you didn’t already have a home inventory created, write down items the moment you remember them.

Secure safe housing. If your home is unlivable, make sure you have a safe place to stay. Restoration and rebuilding can take some time. Include your insurance company in your search so they can stay acquired with the situation.

Be sure that you have reliable homeowners insurance so that you can overcome any disaster. Contact All Nevada Insurance to get started on the right homeowners insurance policy to suit your needs, budget, and belongings!

Avoid These Bad Business Habits to Reduce Stress

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Avoid These Bad Business Habits to Reduce Stress

How to be less stressed at work.

Some stress in the workplace is normal. However, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and performance, impact your physical and emotional health, and affect your relationships and home life. It can even mean the difference between success and failure on the job. Although you can’t control everything in your work environment, you can learn how to reduce your stress. Here are some bad habits to break so that you can lead a more stress-free life.

Bad habit #1: Sacrificing your downtime.

Everyone needs to take a break from work now and again. Many people’s first reaction is to tackle every task at once, cutting back on personal time to complete work. Remember that if you don’t take a break, you’re more likely to burn out and prevent yourself from being productive and will increase your stress levels. Yoga and mindfulness exercises are common ways to create a sense of peace and serenity. Be mindful to take breaks and then approach the work with a new perspective.

Bad habit #2: Saying no to help.

If you’re that person that never says ‘no’ to a being offered a task, then you’ll know that you may have work piling up around you. Going at it alone isn’t going to help yourself or the business. If you can, turn down tasks when you feel you have too much on your plate, or ask other colleagues for help. Delegating tasks can help alleviate some weight on your shoulders.

Bad habit #3: Being a perfectionist.

When you set unrealistic goals for yourself, you’re setting yourself up to fall short. Aim to do your best; no one can ask for more than that.

Whether you’re looking for a new and exciting franchise opportunity or business insurance for your growing endeavor, the team at All Nevada Insurance can help! Contact us today for more information.

How to Choose the Right Franchise

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Choose the Right Franchise

Need help choosing the right franchise? Here’s how to get started.

Franchises are appealing to new entrepreneurs who want to the reduced risk of a proven product or service while still being their own boss. The parent company helps them to get on their feet and provides unlimited support for success. What’s not to love? The hardest part of securing a franchise is often deciding which one to join!

If you have no idea where to start, you’ll want to begin by asking yourself these questions.

What are my personal goals?

Everyone has different motivations for wanting to become an entrepreneur. Knowing what motivates you will help you decide where to begin. Do you want to spend more time at home, help others or further your entrepreneurial success? By figuring out your actual goals, you may be able to determine which franchise best meets your needs.

What role do I want to play in the business?

Do you want to be an active, hands-on owner or one that takes a back seat and hires staff to manage the business’s operations? Many franchisors offer an opportunity to be actively involved in management opportunity, but there are those that allow you to be relatively absent. Determine if you want to do a specific job, lead an organization, and manage managers!

What is my investment budget?

Franchise costs vary greatly, depending on the industry and specific business model. Take some time to weigh the initial investment against the expected return, along with your income, lifestyle and equity goals.

Do I have basic business skills?

Many franchises today want the franchisee to have the basic business know-how and entrepreneurial drive to succeed. In turn, franchisees who are focused on customer service and bettering the business are more likely to be profitable.

Ready to find the right franchise opportunity? Visit All Nevada Insurance today for more information!

Renters: Must-Dos Tasks to Handle Before You Move

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Renters: Must-Dos Tasks to Handle Before You Move

Essential tasks to complete before moving.

Are you about to move from your rented space into a new, rented space? If so, you may think that what lies ahead is an easy move and quick exchange of keys. However, there is much more to the move than that. From preparing your old space to getting ready for your new space to staying insured, here are the top things to do!

Measure the space. Despite best planning efforts, logistical issues are surprisingly common when people are moving familiar belongings into an unfamiliar space. Be sure that you know the dimensions of a room and the size of your furniture so that you can plan the space accordingly. Generally, it is a good idea to know which pieces will go into which rooms so that you can move furniture into the right places immediately.

Call ahead. If you are going to be moving into a multi-story building, it is a good idea to make arrangements with the building’s management team ahead of time. You may need to reserve the elevator. This is not something you want to land on them the morning of the move, especially if it is the last Saturday of the month and five other people are moving into the building, too.

Record conditions. Before you settle into your space, pull out your phone and take pictures of any damage such as scuffed floors, chipped countertops, or bent window blinds. Send the photos to yourself so that they are date-stamped. Pictures are great references if any issues come up with the apartment’s condition.

Stay insured. Most renters know that protecting their property with renter’s insurance is important, but many forget to update their policy when they move to a new residence. Renter’s insurance does not just protect your belongings, it also covers damage that you do to the building, too. Contact your insurance company before you move. It is an easy call to make and it will mean you enjoy the benefit of staying protected throughout the move!

Your new apartment needs the right insurance to protect it from accidents and disasters. Contact All Nevada Insurance to get started on your reliable renter’s insurance policy today.

Why Your Auto Insurer Needs to Know These Things

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Why Your Auto Insurer Needs to Know These Things

Information to prepare when you shop for auto insurance.

Are you getting ready to shop for car insurance? If you are, then there are certain pieces of personal information that you should get ready. Not only does this save you time down the line, but by providing this information, you can also receive a more accurate quote. Here’s what you should prepare.

Your social security number. Although you’re not required to disclose your SSN just to get a car insurance quote, you may not receive an accurate quote if you refuse. A large influencing factor on how much you pay for auto insurance premiums depends on your credit, and insurers can’t calculate that number without running a soft credit check using your social security number.

Your vehicle’s identification number (VIN). Even though you may have already entered your car’s year, make, and model, your vehicle’s VIN gives insurers a more detailed picture of your car. Insurers will then know if your car has any specific features that could save you money, such as car alarms and side airbags. You can typically find your VIN on your vehicle’s dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side.

Your annual mileage. It stands to reason that the more you drive, the higher the chance it is you’re involved in a car crash. If you put a lot of miles on your ride, you statistically pose a larger financial risk to your insurance company. As a result, you may end up paying more in premiums than someone whose car barely leaves the driveway.

Are you ready to find reliable and affordable car insurance? Contact All Nevada Insurance to get started on the right policy to suit your needs, budget, and vehicle!