Typically, New Year’s comes with a plethora of resolutions and goals, other times it’s a promise to buy something you’ve been waiting a long time for. If that something is getting a furry friend, specifically a cat, we have some news for you.

While you have probably read tons of articles and made countless trips to local pet stores and animal shelters seeking the perfect kitty, there is still plenty you need to take into consideration…like cat proofing your home.

Beware of Poisonous Plants

If you have house plants sitting around, it’s a good idea to put them in a room where your kitty will not have access to them. Certain plants are poisonous to cats, and can cause vomiting, lethargy, and, in some cases, death.

Therefore, if you have plants such as lilies, foxglove, philodendron, azalea, rhododendron, among others, keep them away from your cat, since cats love to chew on grass and plants.

Put Away Your Valuables

If you have fine china on a dining room table, or lots of other breakable treasures around your house, put them in a display cabinet that can be locked or in a part of your house that kitty won’t have access to every day.

Since kittens as well as older cats love to jump around and explore every inch of their surroundings, chances are that if you don’t follow this advice, you’ll soon hear the sound of something you treasure falling to the floor and breaking into many pieces.

Check Your Windows and Screens

When you bring your new kitty home, one of the first things she may do is sit by a window and take in her new environment.

Before letting her do so, make sure your windows are secure and screens are latched tightly. If you don’t, you may turn your back for a minute, only to discover your new arrival has slipped out the window and disappeared.

Essential Supplies for Your Kitty

Along with taking steps to cat-proof your house, it’s also important to have plenty of essentials on hand when you bring your kitty home.

When it comes to buying cat food, include both wet and dry varieties. Also make sure to purchase some food and water bowls that are durable and will stand the test of time. For many people who work during the day, using automatic food and water dispensers that can hold large amounts at once can be beneficial.

With unpredictable weather and what seems to be an ongoing hail season for some folks in states like Texas and New Mexico, we want to make sure you know the signs of roof damage before calling your insurance to file a claim.

Water, snow and hail can all cause major damage to a roof but there are some indicators that are sure tell signs you may need to have your roof repaired or replaced. Those indicators are:

• Attic leaks- check your attic or roof crawl space for puddling or deteriorating wood
• Blistering paint- poor ventilation and humidity can cause wood to blister and crack
• Wall stains- Leaks from outside can be trapped in the walls and create yellow mildew stains
• Decay-  If you notice the sheathing of your roof starting to dip or sag it may be from water
• Visible damage- Missing or curled shingles as well as dark streaks are indicators of roof damage

It is always recommended to have a licensed roofer do an annual inspection as well or if you think you may have some roof damage.

February is Insurance Career Month which was created and is celebrated by industry leaders who come together each year to help inspire young people in choosing a career in this field.

The idea is to reach out to new agents/brokers and offer them mentorship as they begin their career in a promising occupation which is predicted to grow each and every year.

Backed by accredited companies like AM Best and Lloyd’s, Insurance Career Month is hosted by insurancecareerstrifecta.org in their commitment to motivate all people about the rewarding and limitless opportunity working in the insurance industry offers.

So to all new and existing agents/brokers and everyone beginning careers in the insurance industry, here’s to a successful and prosperous year from all of us at Western Mutual.

Are you a loan processor, escrow officer or real estate agent? If so, you’re going to want to check this out. We have a department specifically for you to obtain insurance quotes and evidence of insurance in under 3 minutes!

Say hello to Affinity, a free online program that allows mortgage pros to retrieve a pre-approved insurance quote that’ll help speed up the closing of escrow. No more escrow delays!

Did we mention that it’s available 24/7? So that means obtaining coverage on the weekend or after hours is a thing of the past.

All policies are subject to underwriting and inspection after the loan funds.

What’s the catch? There isn’t one. This program is free, there is no contract and available to you whenever you need.

Check out Affinity at www.EZAFFINITY.com or call to find out more at the toll-free line: 1-800-234-3659 or visit our booth at The Mortgage Round-Up Expo in Austin!

Given what transpired last week in the NFL with 4 teams battling to make it to the Conference Championship Weekend, we can expect this upcoming Sunday to be just as intense.

Last week in the first three games, the visiting team took the win and all succeeded with a 3-point field attempt. That was of course until the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills at their home stadium, with Patrick Mahomes leading the way.

This weekend however will be a huge game for the West Coast as two teams battle it out to represent California in the Super Bowl, which is also being held at the brand new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The winner of this game will return to the stadium on February 13^th as they compete for the chance to be crowned Super Bowl 56 Champions!

Who do you think will take it all? Comment below or on our social media posts.

It’s that time of year again when we gather all those documents, receipts and forms. If you guessed tax season, you’re right! This year the first day to file was Monday January 24^th and will continue until the tentative deadline of Monday April 18^th. Make the process as smooth as possible by being prepared and taking all documents needed to successfully file your 2021 year. Below we have included a short list of the items you will need to file, but always double check with your local and trusted agent.

• Personal Identification – That includes an ID, social security, mail from utility companies
• Documents about your income, formally known as a W-2 or 10-99 form
• Any adjustments to your income – IRA contributions, student loan interest, etc
• Itemized tax deductions and credits such as child care/ education cost, donations
• Taxes paid on real estate, cars registration

As mentioned, these are only some of the required documents but we hope this helped you begin preparing to file your taxes this year. Happy Filing!

If you’re in the market for new homeowners insurance, look no further!

Simply click to get your no obligation, 30-second free web quote and see the savings you can earn by allowing us to protect you home.

We are an AM BEST A+ and BBB rated A+ carrier and have high ratings on Clearsurance, a review based platform for insurance companies.

Visit us online to switch and save at www.westernmutual.com or call one of our licensed agents who are ready to help at 877-WMUTUAL (877-968-8825) Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST/PDT.

As we make our way through this winter season, we must remember to be prepared for the worst even if the weather seems to be calm for this time of year. Emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere. Prepare for the worst-case scenario (especially in wintertime) by keeping the following supplies in your winter car kit!

In addition to the items listed below, keeping a cell phone on hand is highly advised. Make sure your phone is charged every time you get in the car and keep a spare cell phone charger and a rechargeable battery pack in your emergency kit as well.

If you must travel, make sure you share your travel plans and route with someone before you leave.

Should you become stranded in bad winter weather, do not leave your car. Don’t try to push your vehicle out of snow, remain in car and turn on emergency lights before attempting to call for help.

Minimum Supplies:

Blankets, mittens, socks and hats

Ice scraper and snow brush

Flashlight, plus extra batteries (or a hand-crank flashlight)

Jumper cables

First-aid kit (band-aides, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap). See a first-aid kit checklist.

Bottled water

Multi-tool (such as a Leatherman multi-tool or a Swiss Army knife)

Road flares or reflective warning triangles (optional) but can easily be stored in trunk

Stay safe this winter.

As your preferred insurance carrier for over 75 years, Western Mutual would like to invite you to stay connected with us by following our social media page on all major platforms. This will allow you to keep up with our weekly blogs, frequently asked questions, website updates, human-interest stories and our soon to come, Facebook live sessions.

We are active on the following platforms; just search us by name!

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and our very own media room that can found on www.westernmutual.com

Today we remember the man who not only changed history but taught us that darkness cannot drive out darkness and only light and positivity can do that.

His influence and actions helped to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1965 which prohibited racial discrimination in voting. We thank Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his positive role in changing the law for a more inclusive and better tomorrow.

Civil Rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient, are just a few accolades received by the one and only Martin Luther King Jr.