Ronald Walters

As we near the end of the month and prepare for trick and treaters to visit our doors, we also near the time of year of Thanksgiving, which is less than one month away.

This time of year is very special for our family and many others. It evokes memories for many of us of good food, family gathering, giving thanks for another year together, remembering those that passed away and to remind oursleves of funny stories and tales from the past. However, this year will be very difficult for many others as we hit tough economic times today and ahead.

Many of us already are on tighter budgets and know friends or family who have lost jobs and sadly homes. This is the time of year and especially this year to think of those around us and to give back what we can. It doesn't need be big or expensive something as simple as a food drive at the workplace where each person can bring in one can to donate to a food bank would help many. Organize giving of some time to a local shelter for people or animals. Everything and anything can help. Below I have provided a sample list of places that could use assistance. This year more than probably any other in last few years, many families will be looking towards these places for a meal. And giving a pet a new home, some love or simple necessities would be appreciated. Please give what you can and thank you.

Atlanta Community Food Bank
http://www.acfb.org/
732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-892-9822

Atlanta Pet Rescue and Adoption
http://www.atlantapetrescue.org/
720 14th St NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-815-6680

Gwinnett Children's Shelter *There is a list on this site of their immediate needs
http://www.gwinnettchildrenshelter.org/
3850 Tuggle Rd
Buford, GA 30519
678-546-8770

North Fulton Community Charities
http://www.nfcchelp.org/
11270 Elkins Rd
Roswell, Georgia 30076
770-640-0399

If anyone knows of any food drives at local churches, banks or schools please post them as they may provide a closer location for those who want to give.

Over the past year many of us in a industry that relates to housing have seen changes in our income. Some have seen it lower, some have seen it level off and a few "chosen" have seen it rise and others, who are good people, are truly hurting.

Increases in our cost of living have not helped. Although we are getting RIGHT NOW a short break from gas prices, other items such as food, have been increasing steadily over the past 6 months. This of course affects our bottom line and makes us all take a look at where we our spending money.

We have friends who we have brought this topic up with..some are using coupons who haven't before for grocery shopping, other have stopped all extras..one just sold (luckily) his larger home and downgraded to a smaller one due to a change in his job and a desire to save more money.

My wife and I have done things to cut back like many others. Combining trips to area of town where we can get things done all at once, eating out less, (however we still keep our Friday night pizza after the football games. Just can't give up those chicken wings and pizza yet!), shopping around when it comes to buying large ticket items or repairing just one more time before replacing, once a week now to the local starbucks(took me a while to break my wife of that habit!)..and so on.

So back to the question in this blog, what CHANGES have you made in your life due to the economy?

After listening to the hearings this week and the published articles regarding corporations excessive spending and golden parachutes, I think the time for accountability is at hand. Knowing that companies are ready to raid our wallets and are being given "our" tax dollars to survive, the time has come for us to step in and demand a cutback. CEO's of years ago got rewarded based on the productivity of the company. If the company did well, so were the bonuses.

Today's CEO's and executives have contracts that even some of the most successful sports figures would envy. Put in a few months on a sinking ship, can reap rewards in the millions regardless of the outcome of the company.

One of the provisions that I would like to see in regards to this infusions of cash in the billions of dollars is that the corporate spending be exposed to all. If you get our money we get to take a look at your books and contracts of high level executives. We need to renegotiate them.

If you want our money to continue your bank, you need to renegotiate the mortgages that placed you into this position. I agree with many, that we should not bailout irresponsible borrowers who took on great risks. However, since we are now being TOLD where are hard earned tax dollars are being spent to save companies on Wall Street, then we should HELP someone on Main Street to balance it. There are homeowners out there, that are losing their jobs and livelyhood due to this spiral in our economy. Everyone from business owners, to realtors, to a office manager who worked on Wall Street can be just paychecks aways for losing their home.

Just during the summer, I came across a family who was in tears. They have 3 children, a mortgage on a simple home and both parents are in real estate with years of experience. They do not drive fancy cars, live a fancy lifestyle, and are good hearted people who were scared. Business was almost non existent for them and finding jobs has not been successful. Did they do anything wrong? No. Should they be in this position? Not if we live in a country that is suppose to be so plentiful.

I did see them recently, spoke to them, and things are month to month. Both have turned to family for help, the husband has found 2 jobs that are helping with the bills, and the mom is still trying to keep her feet in real estate.

Its time for corporate America to give and not just take. Its time for corporate America to realize that if it wasn't for us, the little people, they would not exist. Its time for our goverment to step in and TELL corporate America its enough. Hearings in congress are nice, but what is really accomplished by them? We parade CEO's in front of our goverment officials, we embarass them by revealing their greed and they leave, off to the enjoy their riches and a good game of golf at the club. Where is the accountability?

That's my opinion, what's yours?

Ron Walters

ARM Insurance Agency

Everyone today is counting their pennies and looking for ways to save money. For many realtors whose clients own rental/investment properties or for business brokers whose clients are looking for ways to cut costs as new owners...here are some great ways to do that:

1)Check for Group Rates. Just as realtors can get discounts for being part of a realtor association, so can business owners. Many different business organizations offer insurance plans and/or discounts on business insurance to their members. The larger the group, usually the lower the insurance premiums. The savings can outweigh any member dues. Plus can provide your clients with additional benefits as well. There are professional organizations for almost every business occupation. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau to see what they offer for business insurance discounts. Your local home-based business association may also offer lower prices on home-based business insurance.

2)Shop Around -My Favorite!. As a Independent Insurance Agency, this is my favorite! People like choices.. you shop around for the best prices for everything else, you should be able to do the same for your insurance need. Many of my clients like the fact that I can provide them with choices of more than one company. This allows them to spread the insurance cost to different carriers, which saves them money.

3)Raise your deductible. Examine the policy. Can you afford a higher deductible? The deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance policy takes affect. The higher the deductible, the less you will pay in premiums for the policy.

4)Do an Insurance Check-Up with your broker. Sounds funny, but a check-up for the business is just as important as a check-up for your body. Changes in your client's business that may not seem related to insurance, can be. It is important to keep the insurer informed about any changes in business operations. This includes such items as major purchases, expansions or changes in hiring or in the nature of the operations. When working with our clients we do a 3,6, and 9 month courtesy call. This allows us to make sure that our clients insurance needs are keeping up to date with their business.

5)Risk management/loss reduction program. What is that you may ask? Simple, what are you doing in the business to reduce risk or loss that can benefit your carrier. Insurer carriers will often lower your rates if you put a program that can minimize losses from fire, theft, and employee and customer injuries. Consider installing a security or fire system. If the business uses vehicles and drivers, install anti-theft devices and hire drivers with good driving records. Speak to the broker to find out what changes the carrier would approved of that can make a difference in the bottom line of what you pay.

Insurance plays a huge role in our lives each day and it is important to realize tha although we may not be able to control the fact that we need it, can try to minimize the cost of what we pay. The best way do this is to speak to the insurance broker as each person or business needs differ from one to another.

If you have any questions please feel free to leave them on my blog. I hope the above information is helpful. It is very across the board and much of it can apply to everyone. Good luck and have a great and safe business day.

Ronald Walters

ARM Insurance Agency

It seems you can't get away from the headlines each day of another bank or institution getting into trouble. Where do you see the economy, housing, finance in 6 months? Are we headed for a really DEEP recession? And if yes how are you preparing for it in your profession?