Price vs. Value
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”
This is a quote from John Ruskin apparently, who was an English author, poet and artist, most famous for his work as art critic and social critic.
When I read this, the first thing I think of is insurance naturally, as it relates to price vs. coverage. However, this is basically the law of the land. From buying your clothes at the department store, to hiring a general contractor, or deciding on the right accountant, are you just looking for the best price, or do you want to save the headaches and find the best overall value for YOU?
-JK
Underground Mansion on Sale for $53 Million
This Southern California underground mansion, located in Rolling Hills/ Palos Verdes, is just over 4 miles from my office in Torrance.
“Over 50,000 square feet with 9 bedrooms, 25 bathrooms, outdoor clay tennis court to French Open Specifications, indoor tennis court to US Open Specifications, complete with neoclassical details, stunning murals & capable of conversion to a 350 attendee ballroom, orchestra & full catering facilities; Indoor & Outdoor swimming pools ; Staggering underground Moroccan-style baths; unimaginable panoramic views encompassing the beaches, West Side, the Hollywood Hills, downtown Los Angeles & the San Gabriel Mountains; 24-hr guarded/gated estate community & multiple property surveillance cameras & breach sensors; Tranquil & exceptionally aromatic manicured grounds that include jetliner views, aligned marble fountains, a bocce court, rose garden, a wide selection of herbs, wild flowers & orchards that produce 24 varieties of fruit & nut trees.”
Holy crap.
-JK
Who’s Ready For College Football 2013??
The 2013 College Football season is officially underway today! I hate it when summer slowly comes to a close being my favorite season, but football is the only saving grace to help alleviate the pain. Tonight, I’ll be heading home to watch USC take on Hawaii with my Dad and two brothers. Go SC!
If you need help getting pumped for the season, this should help some:
Who’s your team?
Also, can’t forget, Go Dodgers.
This should be a good Fall season.
-JK
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Can you spot what’s wrong with this fire exit?
-JK
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Vacation
This post is overdue, but last week my wife and I vacationed in the Dominican Republic. We stayed in Punta Cana. It was a nice week long vacation to help recharge the batteries. One of the best parts was that we were totally disconnected from the internet for the entire week. We paid absolutely no attention to time and the weather couldn’t be more perfect. Here are a few pictures from our trip
It’s a long haul getting there from California, but it was well worth it. Anyone else out there been to Punta Cana before? Or the Dominican Republic?
-JK
As Summer Heats Up, Put your Cellphone on “ICE”
70% of 9-1-1 calls are placed from cell phones
Today you can use your cellphone to email, take pictures, manage your calendar and even record video. However, they are still most valuable in calling for help when emergency strikes.
What can you do to prepare in case something happens to you and you can’t call for help? Entering an emergency contact in your cellphone contact list under “ICE,” which stands for In Case of Emergency, is a commonplace practice that’s helpful in the following ways:
- Most emergency responders check cellphones for an ICE entry, which enables them to quickly contact your loved ones in an emergency.
- Provides peace of mind for parents with children, knowing you’ll be contacted first in an emergency situation.
Don’t delay: Add “ICE” to you cellphone contact list today!
Credit: Zywave, Inc.
–JK
Happy Small Business Week 2013
This year marks the 50th anniversary of National Small Business Week. Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.
More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. Small businesses have always been the backbone of our economy, and we know that the success of America’s small businesses is critical to growing our economy and increasing our nation’s global competitiveness.
Small businesses create two out of three net new private sector jobs in our economy. And today, half of all working Americans either own or work for a small business.
To all of the small businesses out there, this week is about you. Happy Small Business Week!
–JK
Heartwell Golf Course, Long Beach
I love golf and I’m fortunate to live practically walking distance from Heartwell Golf Course in Long Beach. It’s a fun little 18-Hole Par 3 course which opened in 1964. The distance of the holes range from 85 to 140 yards, so you don’t need much club here. It’s great for practicing your short game.
There are a couple of water hazards, and sand traps on a lot of the holes. Heartwell Golf Course has lights for night golf with a driving range, two huge practice greens, and restaurant which I have yet to try. The course is always in great shape every time I play.
My wife just picked up golf and on 5/11 she played her first ever real round on a golf course. No better place for a beginner than Heartwell! it was a perfect afternoon. Here’s a picture I took on the back 9.
Check out Heartwell Golf Course in East Long Beach at 6700 East Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90808
Website: www.heartwellgc.com
-JK
Sharefest Annual Workday 2013
This past Saturday, a few of us from my office, ISU-Olson Duncan Insurance, participated in the Sharefest annual workday. Special thanks to my wife Joanelle for joining us.
Sharefest Community Development is an organization dedicated to creating an imprint of lasting positive change in the South Bay and Harbor areas of Los Angeles County. The organization partners with churches, businesses, civic leaders, schools, and residents.
Sharefest’s annual workday is a community building day where thousands of volunteers are mobilized into the community to work on projects designed to meet tangible needs. Volunteers paint, clean, plant, refurbish, and beautify schools, parks and public facilities all at no cost to recipients.
Our job for the day was sanding and re-painting classroom doors at Jane Addams Middle School in Lawndale.
Here are some pictures from the day:
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- Enjoying lunch from Chick-fil-A
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- Joanelle prepping to paint
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- Sanding before painting
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- Joanelle an Me
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- Heidi D. and Joanelle teaming up on a door
-JK
About Me
I grew up in Fullerton, CA and graduated from Servite High School in Anaheim. I have my Bachelors degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I currently live in Tustin, CA.
Please contact me if you need help with any of the following lines of insurance for your business:
-Cyber / Data Breach
-Commercial Property
-Commercial General Liability
-Products Liability
-Workers Compensation
-Commercial Auto
-Umbrella/Excess Liability
-Errors & Omissions/ Professional Liability
-Employment Practices Liability
-Directors & Officers
-Life & Disability Insurance
Jimmy Kinmartin, CPCU 