With the need for sustainability in demand, the world has been craving great recycling ideas.  Green is now the color of choice, and with the beautiful lands that Iowa holds, Yantis & Associates knew we needed to become “green” ourselves. Not to mention Black Hawk County has one of the best managed recycling programs in Iowa, making the decision even easier for the office.

With the decision made, we’ve now put together a great recycling program, helping to keep the Cedar Falls and Waterloo areas looking beautiful. With a surge of energy and enthusiasm, Yantis & Associates is looking forward to doing our part, and we hope you join us in this great movement!

If you do wish to implement a recycling program, questions may arise. This includes the first, yet toughest question: 

How do I start a recycling program at my home or business?

It’s easy! All you do is follow four simple steps, and you’re on your way to become “green” yourself.

Step 1- Research what materials are recyclable in your area. (Cedar Falls recycles many items, including cardboard, paper, metal, glass, plastic, etc.)

Step 2- Encourage family or coworker participation. (Whether you are at home or on the job, it’s important to motivate others to take part in the recycling efforts.)

Step 3- Properly collect and dispose of items. (Whether you hire an outside source or do it yourself, it is important to follow through with the correct disposal techniques.)

Step 4- Take more steps toward recycling. (Look to reuse items for other uses, such as plastic sacks for garbage sacks or toilet paper rolls for fun kids projects.)

For more information on Black Hawk County recycling, visit their website at http://www.wastetrac.org/recycle.html.

The catastrophic explosion on April 20th, that caused an oil spill from a BP offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico has reached the shoreline. This oil spill has now been dubbed the worst oil spill in US  history. Efforts to manage and stop the spill using controlled burning, dispersal and plugging the leak have so far been unsuccessful. Not counting the initial explosion, as much as 19,000 barrels of oil leak into the gulf every day. Oil globs are being found on shorelines and wildlife are being affected greatly as well.

The initial explosion killed 11 workers and sank a $365 million rig. So far, BP has spent about $1.25 billion to stop the flow and scour crude from the Gulf. That amount will continue to grow as BP has not successfully stopped the flow of oil, not to mention all of the funds that will be necessary for future clean up, as well as penalties the government issues as well

” I have been a client of  Yantis and Associates  for Years. They handle all of my Insurance and Investments.  They have done a wonderful job with my retirement as well as keeping my insurance costs low! . My favorite thing about being their client though is the way that I am treated by the staff . They are always available  and really help me understand the reason that they recommend certain strategies.”

-Carol Nagle/ La  Porte City Ia / newly retired

1. Increase Your Deductible

Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a significant difference in your homeowners insurance premium. Most deductibles start at $500—if you can afford to raise your deductible to $1,000 or even $2,500 you could save 20% or more on your rate. Remember, raising your deductible means more out-of-pocket expenses should a disaster occur, but the lower rates may be well worth it.

2. Buy Your Homeowners and Auto Insurance from the Same Carrier

Purchase your homeowners insurance and car insurance from the same insurance carrier and you could save you up to 15 percent on both premiums. It’s called a multi-line policy, and just about any insurer that offers both products will be able to provide one.

3. Insure Your Home, Not the Land Under It

Homeowners often overpay for homeowners insurance by including the value of their land in their replacement cost coverage level. Remember that you only need to insure the home itself and your possessions, not your land. In the event of a total loss due to a fire or other disaster, your land will most likely be just fine.

4. Take Advantage of Discounts
   • Home Security and Safety Features: Smoke detectors, security systems, deadbolt locks, storm shutters and fire-retardant roofing can help you lower your rates.
   • Not Smoking: Some insurers charge lower premiums to smoke-free households.
   • Senior and Loyalty Discounts: Insurers often offer discounts to seniors and long-term customers.

There are multiple homeowners insurance discounts that you might not know about. And what you don’t know could cost you. Common discounts include:

5. Shop for the Best Homeowners Insurance Rate

Comparing homeowners insurance rates from multiple providers is the simplest, easiest way to save money on your policy.