Columbia County House Watch Program
House Watch Program
What is it?
Ever heard of Neighborhood Watch? The House Watch Program is like that only on steriods.
Living in Columbia County Georgia is great for many reasons. No way to go into all of them here, however there is one HUGE reason and I will name it. The House Watch Program.
Here in CoCo the Sheriffs Office set up a program to keep our county safe and to give people peace-of-mind while they are away from their homes on vacation or for any reason.
We will use this every time we go out of town now.
Thank you COCO.
How does it work?
Basically, you call the Sheriff’s Office, answer a few questions about you and your trip, and they visit your home each day while you are gone to deter or report any foul play.
Seriously? Yes, seriously.
How much does it cost?
This is the best part… IT’S FREE!
Here are the details of how to use the service:
House Watch Program
Just in case the link gets busted… Here’s and excerpt from their site:
House Watch Program
The House Watch Program was set up over 10 years ago to help protect the homes of people who are going to be gone for an extended period of time. This free Service was designed to allow people living in Columbia County to have peace of mind while on vacation or away. In order to be placed on the House Watch program, contact Columbia County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (706) 541-2800 at least 24 hours prior to departure. You will be asked a series of question including, but not limited to:
Home Phone Number Address Emergency Telephone Number If you have an Alarm Company and who If you have any pets Are there going to be any lights on Any vehicles in the driveway Is there anyone Authorized to be there A contact number for a person with a key An Emergency Contact Number Leaving Time and Date Returning Time and Date Once the information is entered into the system, our deputies will check on the houses periodically during the day and night. If you find that you will be away longer than expected, call dispatch and tell them about the change and they will be happy to adjust the times.
Remembering Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Many people have begun to re-explore (I know I made the word up) Central and South America. A little over 10 years ago, my Pop and I were two of those people.
Now my dad is an Ernest Hemingway or Robert Ruark type guy. He enjoys the hunt and understands the balance of man and nature. I, on the other hand, am Read the rest of this entry »
Cats and Dogs
Your day started just like everyone else’s day. Just like mine… We woke up. That is probably the last thing any of our days have in common. After that we all head in different directions guided by different thoughts, influences, and of course deadlines.
Taking a moment to think about all that happens during a day is crazy sometimes.
Moments like hearing your daughter’s Kindergarten Teacher tell you your child is amazing, but she needs to live a little. That’s the stuff to soak up. And if you’re realizing that you travel a road so often that you don’t think about how fast you’re going on it until your stopped for 2 hours because of a ten-car-pile-up.
Like these rain drops on my windshield while Gabby has her piano lesson and Evan and I hang out in the car. God is blessing us with these kids. That is obvious, but without stopping to soak it up once and a while it can seem like you are chasing your tail.
Thank you God for the rain drops to make me stop and think for a while.
Kooper 3 months
Our little angel is growing so fast. He turned 3 months on Sept 1!! We love you little Kooper!
Restored Faith
Today my faith in the youth of America was restored a little…
As I was walking Gabby into school at Cedar Ridge Elementary in Grovetown, we passed the flag pole and two young kids holding flags. I listened keenly to them with one ear as an eves-dropper while I tuned into Gabby’s question with the other.
Gabby asked, “What are they doing Daddy?”
I told her they must be really good students and very responsible, because it is an honor to be chosen to raise the flag of the United States of America. Gabby agreed and her eyes widened at the thought of it for just a second.
She held my hand and turned over her shoulder to watch as I kept that other ear on the two kids raising the flag. I kissed Gabby goodbye and opened the school door. She shuffled in and turned back with that cute little wave and smile.
As I walked back by the kids, another had joined them. The boy that was there before said to the girl who had just arrived,
“Careful… Don’t let it touch the ground! This flag can NEVER touch the ground.”
He wasn’t being mean nor did he say it meanly. It may look that way when you read it. What I saw though, was a young honorable man passing on the respect our Great Nation deserves to another citizen.
That gives me hope. Indeed he IS an honorable soul.
In The Garage?
We found one of these in the garage. Should I say… Amber found one of these in the garage. Contrary to childhood tales, these guys are harmless. Check out wikipedia if you don’t believe me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-tailed_Skink
Well, almost harmless. It almost gave Amber a heart attack! Ryan D McKinney
Kooper 7 weeks
Wow our little Koop is 7 weeks old almost 2 months times does really. Kenn and I are over the moon to have our precious angel in our lives he is such a blessing. We are also so thankful that Kooper’s “Tio” has put a Meet the Maas’ on their Meet the McKinney’s page so friends and family can see Kooper grow. Thank you Uncle for posting stuff aboutnme and for letting mommy and daddy post too!
3 Reasons to Always Turn A Store Credit Card Down
3 Reasons to Always Turn A Store Credit Card Down
You’ve heard it. “Would you like to save and additional 15% on your purchase today by applying for a store credit card?”
Who wouldn’t want to get 15% off of their purchase with today’s rising prices? ME. That’s who.
Many reasons exist to steer clear of Store Credit Cards. My favorite 3 reasons to be a “Negative Nelly” are:
Reason 1: The Math Is Bad
The math is not in your favor with a Store Credit Card. So how bad could 15% off actually be?
Take this scenario for example:
You spend $100 at the Store. You say yes to the 15% discount, they hit your credit for applying, and they pop you with a 24.99% interest rate. You’re smart though. You are going to pay off the card before the interest is added and save yourself $15 bucks today!
Something happened though. You meant to pay off the card as soon as you got the bill because you had the money in your checking account. However, instead of getting JUST your Old Navy bill, you got a bill from the A/C repair man for your broken air conditioner you weren’t expecting AND Old Navy on the same day. Old Navy says you’re minimum payment is $15 and the A/C repair man charged you $100 bucks.
You pay the A/C guy with the money you had set aside to pay Old Navy (and then some) and you pay $15 dollars to Old Navy.
See a pattern developing here? You won’t pay off the card. You’ll find something else you can justify as an emergency and pay that instead. In fact, if you’re like many Americans, you’ll actually buy more from Old Navy and put the purchase on the card. After all, it’s only $15-$20 bucks a month, right?
Look at these numbers to see the actual amount of your purchase.
$100.00 – Purchase
$ 15.00 – Discount
——————————
$85.00 – Balance on the card.
$23.85 – Interest with no payments on 12 months
———-
$108.85 Total Owed
If you were allowed to make no payments and the interest rate is 24.99% you will actually owe $108.85 at the end of 12 months. That’s almost $24 bucks in interest for an $85.00 account to get a $15.00 discount on day one. I know you could make 1,2,3, or even 4 easy payments and pay it off before 12 months, but you won’t.
The problem is you will make payments… and use the card… and make payments… and use the card…etc. You’ll find yourself in a vicious cycle that is too hard to break and too easy to repeat at other stores.
Every financial decision you make has an impact on your life, regardless of the amount in question.
Say “NO!” when the clerk asks and move on. If they persist, ask them if they have one and ask how long since they had it paid off. If that doesn’t shut them up, just leave.
Reason 2: Too Many Open Accounts Can Hurt Your Credit Score
Wondering how your credit score is calculated? You are not alone. Most of the questions I answer as a loan officer are about how credit is calculated. You’d be surprised at how many myths are out there and being presented as truths by “professionals” in the financial industry.
If you really want an education on now credit scores are calculated, get Your Credit Score
One major ingredient to your score is the number of open accounts you have. You may be asking “Why does it matter if a lot of people want to give me credit? Doesn’t that say I’m worthy of lending to?”
Well, it did at the time they extended it to you. But too many open accounts could mean that there is the potential that you could become over-extended very quickly which does make you more risky as a borrower. For example, you might go use up all of your available credit in one dahatTiehat would put you and your creditors (or potential creditors) in a bind.
One more store account isn’t worth the discount you’ll get even if you get the discount, pay the card off, and close it. Liz Weston addresses that too in her book, Your Credit Score
This type of activity is reflected negatively on your credit bureau and should be avoided.
The more cards you have the more of a risk you are!
Reason 3: When Its Easy To Spend, You Spend More Often
Just a simple fact. When we don’t have to think about the things we eat, we eat more. When we don’t think about not exercising, we don’t exercise, and when we don’t have to think about how much to spend until the bill comes, it’s too late.
Use cash or your debit card for purchases from department stores and other places. It will help you to budget more efficiently and stay in control of your money. If you don’t control money, it will control you. Tell your money what to do by using a budget and live a happier life.
