Does the sound of jingle bells make your shoulders instantly tense and your head hurt? You’re not alone. The holiday season, as joyful as it can be, is typically the most stressful time of year for many people. Seasonal mood changes can add to the situation, as lower amounts of sunlight in the winter are linked to higher depression rates. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health NIMH) So, staying stress free this season is typically more difficult than other times of year. Here are some of the best ways to reduce stress and make the holidays enjoyable again.

#1- Set a budget, stick to it. Most studies agree that finances are the leading cause of stress in the US. This year, set yourself a holiday budget and stick to it. Make a list of common holiday expenses including gifts, entertaining, travel, etc., and set a limit on your spending that works for you and your family. Doing this not only helps your wallet, but keeps you from stressing over your bank account balance.

#2- Shop early.  Procrastination can be a major source of stress and anxiety. Start making gift lists and pick up items as early as possible in the season. It will help you avoid the traffic and mobs of shoppers that flood the malls and department stores in the weeks right before the holidays.

#3- Travel Smart.If you are heading out to visit family, whether by plane, train or automobile, be prepared. First of all, expect flight delays and traffic jams because they are almost unavoidable no matter where you are across the country. Give yourself plenty of time and a less-rigid schedule so you won’t stress out when your trip takes longer than usual. Also, check your driver’s license, registration, auto insurance and vehicle inspection sticker to be sure your documentation is up-to-date and handy when driving. An unexpected traffic ticket is enough to ruin anyone’s holiday cheer.

#4- Avoid Last Minute Meal Preparation. If you are planning on entertaining family and friends this Holiday season, try to plan your meal preparations so that you aren’t frantically cooking at the last minute. Many of your favorites recipes can be partially prepared ahead of time so that you have less to do on the actually day-of.  (Here’s a list from Good Housekeeping)

One of the more comprehensive Home Safety Checklists I have come across recently is featured in Real Simple magazine:

>See the Full Checklist Here

While performing a home safety check may not be on your top 10 list of fun things to do this weekend, there’s no questioning the importance. Oftentimes we feel so comfortable in our homes that we forget about the potential for accidents and injuries to occur.

Still need convincing?

According to the Center for Disease Control’s August 2009 Injury Information Publication, 47 percent of injuries are sustained in or around the home- the largest percentage of injuries from any one place.

Find out for yourself how safe your home is by printing out the checklist. See if you can check off every safety tip.  If you can’t, work on correcting the areas where you are lacking in home safety.

HomeInsurance.com launched the iPhone Giveaway Contest today and one lucky visitor will walk away with a brand new iPhone 3G when the contest is over on January 5th, 2010.

Entering is easy- visitors simply complete the quick 10 question survey about home and auto insurance and they are automatically entered to win the iPhone. The winner will be selected at random by a HomeInsurance.com employee on January 5th and announced on HomeInsurance.com and Twitter.

 Enter Now! 

As the weather cools and families spend more time indoors, the risk for home fires increases this time of year. Appropriately enough, October is Fire Safety Month according to the Home Safety Council. Here are some of the top recommended tips for preventing fires in the home this season:

Cooking is the most common cause of residential fires, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Although it may not seem like a big deal to leave the room for a few minutes while cooking, it’s never a good idea. It only takes a few seconds for a simmering dinner to turn into a charred kitchen. Make sure when cooking that flammable objects are kept far away from gas and electric stove tops including dish rags, paper towels, etc. Also, never leave children unattended in the kitchen while food is being prepared.

Someone is injured in a fire every 30 minutes in the United States. And every 158 minutes, a fire related death occurs.

-CDC- Fire Deaths and Injuries Fact Sheet

Smoking is the leading cause of fire related deaths. Of course your best bet is to quit. However, if you must smoke, do it carefully. Smoke outdoors and purchase fire-safe cigarettes if possible. Always use an ash tray to extinguish your cigarettes and make sure there are no warm embers in the ashtray before emptying in the trash.

Heating: If you have a furnace, it is recommended that you get it inspected by a professional at least once a year before the winter season. A heating and air professional will be able to tell you if you need your furnace cleaned or repaired. If you have a fireplace in your home, be sure to have your chimney cleaned once a year to avoid chimney fires. Also, make sure the area in your home in front of your fireplace is clear of furniture, drapery or any other flammable objects. If you use space heaters in your home, be sure they have been safety inspected and never leave them on when you are not in the room. Again, keep them away from flammable objects.

Candles are popular around the holiday season but extra precaution should be taken whenever you have candles in your home. First of all, electric candles are much safer and should be used whenever possible. However, if you must opt for the real thing make sure you keep the candles in a safe place where they cannot ignite other objects. Also, make sure to blow out candles before leaving the home or going to bed for the night.

Other Tips:

• Test your smoke and fire alarms to ensure they are functioning correctly
• Plan a fire evacuation plan with your family
• Check out this video by FEMA, “How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher”:

If you want to cut down on heating costs this winter, put in a little time now to weather proof your home and prevent heat loss. Here are a few tips that might come in handy:

#1- Seal your windows and doors. If you have storm panels for your windows  now is a good time to  install them. Also, try using foam insulation strips around the edges of your windows and doors and you can prevent some serious heat loss. Lastly, window coverings like curtains and blinds can also help.

#2- Check vent and pipe outlets. Oftentimes a source of heat loss in a home occurs around vents and pipes that come into the home from the outside. If the edges of the pipe or vent are not sealed and/or insulated you can loose valuable heat. Spray foam insulation is a good answer ot this problem and can be picked up at any hardware store.

#3- Vary your heat settings. Instead of leaving the temperature in your home the same all day long, reduce the heat during the times when no one is home. For example, you might want to kick up the heat in the morning while your family is waking up and leaving for school or work. However, before you walk out the door turn the thermostat down a few degrees instead of heating an empty home. Energy Star recommends a programmable thermostat that allows you to preset different temperatures in your home for various times of the day.

#4- Insulate. If you can afford to insulate your home this fall it may just pay off this winter and around tax season. Insulating your basement and attic can help reduce heat loss by 25-50% depending on your home. Most heat loss occurs through the attic since heat rises, so, that might be your first place to target. And don’t forget that there is a tax credit for homeowners who make energy efficient upgrades this year.

#5- Have your Furnace Cleaned. Furnaces need to be cleaned regularly to keep them in good working order. If your furnace hasn’t been cleaned in a few years it’s a good idea to have it done. Improperly maintained equipment is one of the leading causes of high heating bills according to Energy Star. Also, keeping your furnace in good working order means less risk it will fail on your in the middle of the winter season.  (FYI- homeowners insurance does not cover appliance failure due to lack of maintenance. A home warranty, however, does typically provide this type of coverage.)

Typically, a standard homeowners insurance policy will cover your detached garage. A standard homeowners insurance policy has a coverage called ‘Coverage B’ which protects structures other than your home on your property including detached garages and sheds. Make sure your homeowners insurance company knows about these structures however, as you may need to have them specifically listed on your policy in order to be covered.

Also, check with your insurance agent about coverage for specific items in your garage. If you are just looking to cover contents such as sporting equipment, tools, etc- this shouldn’t be an issue. However, a collector or vintage car would not be covered. Check with your agent if you keep any single items of high value in your garage.

For more information, visit: What is Other Structures Coverage?

You hear the door bell ring on Halloween and visions of ghouls and goblins start spinning in your head. You grab the bucket of treats and walk slowly to the door, preparing yourself for the terrifying costumes sure to be waiting on the other side. Yet, when you  creak open the door you find something even scarier…an insurance adjuster! [cue horror music].

Unfortunately, holidays are a very common time for insurance claims of all sorts. Halloween is no exception to the rule. So, if you want to enjoy this Halloween without the worry, take a few extra steps to prepare yourself this year… especially if:

1- You LOVE Halloween decor. Home decorations can really add to the Holiday spirit but they can also be a house fire waiting to happen. If you decorate your home with dried corn stalks, scare crows, bales of hay or other dried or flammable decorations be sure to keep them far away from heat sources or flames.  Consider using battery operated candles as opposed to real candles inside of pumpkins and around your home and yard.

2- “Your costume is a trip!” Literally. Think about the safety issues that may be involved with your Halloween costume and/or your children’s. Costume’s that are too long can cause tripping and those that restrict vision can cause accidents as well. Reduce injuries and avoid a trip to the E.R. by altering your costume or your child’s costume before heading out to trick-or-treat.

3- There’s lots of kids on your block. Super human powers combined with the effects of excess candy can cause mayhem in children on Halloween day when trick-or-treating is underway. Avoid driving through residential neighborhoods as much as possible and if you must- be sure to take extra precaution and slow down. Before trick-or-treating with your children, emphasize the importance of staying on sidewalks and paying mind to driveways and intersections.

4- You like the paint job on your car.We all know that kids…will just be kids. So to be prepared, try to find a good spot to park your car this Halloween night to avoid the onslaught of shaving cream and raw eggs. If you have a garage or shed, it’s a no brainer. If not, park your vehicles close to your home and in a well lit area (under a street light or motion light in your driveway). Vehicles that are easier to see are less likely targets.

5- Your front porch step is need of repair. Take a good look at the path leading up to your home. Are your walkways, steps and railings all in decent shape? If not, now is the time to get out your tool belt or hire a handyman to help you get your home safe. To avoid injuries on your property, also make sure the front of your home is well lit.

You know what a drag it is to get sick. You wake up in the morning and can feel the beginning signs of that sore throat or upset stomach on the horizon.  You wish it away, drink a glass of orange juice and head off to work or school hoping you are just imagining things. But you only get about half-way through your day before the realty starts sinking in…dum da dum dum…You are getting sick.

With the change in the season and school-spread germs back in action after summer recess, you are more susceptible to fall time colds, flu’s and sinus infections. The good news is that you DO stand a fighting change to ward off sicknesses by arming your immune system with an arsenal of healthy habits.

Top 5 Tips for Staying Healthy this Season

#5- Sleep! In a recent survey by the Center for Disease Control, only 30 percent of respondents said they got sufficient sleep. Your body needs restful sleep in order to keep your immune system functioning correctly. Not only that, but sufficient sleep has been linked to healthy weight as well so make sure you are getting your 8 hours a night.

#4- Eat the Part. Vegetables and fruits are nature’s multivitamin. Eat plenty of vegetables that are high in vitamin C, zinc, beta carotene and other important nutrients. Use this great vitamin chart to see what veggies will give you the best bang for your buck.

#3- Move it! Don’t quit your exercise regimen now.  Keep your body strong and your immune system will follow. Do 30 minutes of cardio 2 or 3 times/week to keep yourself in tip top shape. Even better- get outdoors. Natural sunlight helps your body produce Vitamin D!

#2- Supplement. Getting your nutrients from vegetables and fruits is important but not always enough. Take a multivitamin recommended by your pharmacist or doctor to make sure you are giving your immune system the strength it needs.

#1- Wash Up. Be mindful of germy areas and keep your hands clean as much as possible. Especially after using a shopping cart, public bathrooms, etc- be sure to wash your hands. Hand sanitizers are also useful and can be used when you don’t have running water and hand soap available.

If you can avoid even one nastly cold this fall season using the steps above, that’s what we call health “assurance”.

The tragic aftermath of the major earthquakes that struck Indonesia, Samoa and American Samoa are a sad reminder to homeowners in the U.S. that earthquakes can happen at any time and with very little warning.

California homeowners are the most at-risk for a major earthquake, however, earthquakes have been detected in 38 U.S. States since monitoring began. Since earthquake damage can be devastating to homes, businesses and automobiles- it’s important to know what type of insurance coverage you have to help you clean up the mess should a disaster like this strike your area.

A standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage. A separate earthquake policy is needed to provide coverage for damage caused by a quake. These policies typically carry a deductible that is expressed as a percentage and rates can vary drastically depending on the risk level of your home and the company.

Tsunamis, which are caused by underwater earthquakes, are also a threat to homeowners on the coast. Tsunami damage is considered flood damage by most home insurance companies and is therefore only covered under a flood insurance policy. Tsunami and/or flood damage is not covered under a standard home insurance policy. >Flood Insurance 101

Automobiles are also at risk for damage from earthquakes and tsunamis. An auto insurance policy would typically cover these damages if the vehicle owner has comprehensive and collision coverage.

It’s officially less than 6 months in the countdown to income tax season and hopefully you are on the up-and-up on the new tax credits available this year to homeowners. Last February Congress included a federal tax credit in the stimulus package that pays back homeowners up to 30 percent of the cost of all sorts of energy saving system upgrades in their homes. (A tax credit comes of your tax bill dollar for dollar, as opposed to a deduction which comes off your taxable income.)

We all know the benefits of energy saving systems on our utility bills. But now you can save on your income taxes just by installing them. So, if you’re in the market for a new hot water heater, insulation in the attic or updated plumbing fixtures- you might just save more money by going green than you originally planned.

Two of the most expensive parts of every utility bill include heating/cooling and water heating. Here are some possible savings opportunities keeping in mind the average energy savings and the tax credit:

Insulation and Sealing: According to Energy Star, you can save up to 20% off your heating and cooling expenses by properly insulating and sealing your home. In the example of a homeowner who pays $1200/year on energy, this is an extra $120 in your pocket each year. While expenses will vary by home, if you spend, let’s say, $1,000 on energy saving insulation, you will also get a $300 tax credit. All in all, you could pay off the cost of the insulation in 2 years. From then on, your savings will only continue.

Water Heaters: Water heating typically costs the average homeowner about  $400-$600/year and is the second highest energy expenditure after home heating and cooling. However, new energy efficient water heating systems are saving homeowners up to 25%- 50% on their water heating bills each year depending on the technology. The concern is that some of these new models cost a great deal up front. However, with the 30% tax credit, you might be able to save enough to make it very worth your while. You could recoup the cost of your water heater in 3-5 years and then continue to save 25%-50% on your water heating bills each month.

Obviously, your savings will increase based on your need for these upgrades. If you live alone, your water heating expenditure might not be enough to constitute an upgrade. On the other end of the spectrum, if you have an old home that loses a great deal of heat in the winter due to lack of insulation, your savings on insulation could be double or triple what we mentioned above.

Also, get the low down on the requirements for the energy tax credit before making any upgrades. There are limits to the amount of the credit for the current year and the types of products that qualify.