Cumberland Connections, Inc.

Our showcase today was Dave Crown from Grove Financial & Associates. He did a quick background on himself and moved into an insurance update. Auto rates have increased because of inflation and because of all the technology in our cars now. For example, a mirror went from $300 to $1500. Insurance is is also seeing an increased in auto accidents and distractive drivers. Home insurance has increased because of the building costs now. All insurance companies have been picky on roofs and making people replace roofs earlier than they may want. There is also more natural disasters now, causing everyone's insurance to go up. Business insurance has also increased because 40% of small business have been involved in some type of litigation.

Dave Crown from Grove Financial & Associates was our tip today. Dave reminded us about "staying on the gas" through the holiday season. Doing this, it will set you up for 2025. Also, don’t forget to close up your loose ends for 2024. Figure out what type of calendar you want to use for next year and buy it, if it is a paper one.

Our tip today was from Matt Gunter from Financial Growth Partners. He spoke about actual changes you can make to change your ways and start 2025 off right. Some of the tips were: timeblocking, attend networking events, doing the same thing everyday for at least 60 days and it will become a habit. It is also a good idea to start your new goals now and not wait until January. It is also a good idea to find someone who will call you out (accountability buddy) and not let you off the hook. And don't forget to monitor your goals throughout the year, month, weeks, etc. Our speaker today was Katrina Durham from Parker Jewelers. She gave a brief history of their 52 years in business. They handle everything from custom design, jewelry repair, high end watch repair, appraisals, precious metal buying, and estate sorting. She educated us on the 4C's of a diamond and the difference between a natural diamond vs a lab-grown diamond. ??

Lance Martin from Doceo was our speaker today. Lance spoke about how Doceo has a number of services including copiers & printers, IT, marketing services, and print & mailing services. On the copier side, Doceo will now be carrying ink jet copiers and printers alongside their laser devices. October is cyber security month and Doceo has you covered. They can get you all set up to protect your and your customer's data.

Our tip today was Lance Martin from Doceo Office Solutions. Today Lance spoke about the importance of having a personal email address that you check and not using your work email. If/when you leave that job, you will lose all your private, personal information or it will get sent to another employee. Really, everyone needs 3 email address: work, personal, and one for your junk emails!

Chris Farrands from Cohick and Associates was out tip today. He spoke about a book called The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. It is about how we live our lives far to comfortable and almost never put ourselves in uncomfortable situations. The book talks about how we need to challenge ourselves more. There are a few rules: 1. Make it something that has a high rate of failure. 2. Don't make it something that will kill you. 3. Pick something that no one else is really doing, something unusual. 4. Make it something that is personal. You are doing it for yourself. It isn't posted on social media. Rebecca Howell Foote from Rebecca Foote Mortgage Team was our showcase today. Rebecca showed us how she is helping people not just through the mortgage process, but helping them before and after. She really wants to help people create generational wealth and she isn't just saying it, she is proving it. Check out her her app called KeySteps. It walks people through budgeting and goal setting, credit, educates them on the mortgages process, and follows up with them after settlement. It adds your property to the app and let's you know when you should refinance and/or buy an investment property. Even more additions coming to the app by end of year! https://lnkd.in/eyQ7g4KH

Our tip today was from Nick Montagnese from Cherewka Law. He spoke to us about contracts and how often we all sign them and don't read them. Even as business owners, we do a contract that we use often... but when was the last time you read, looked at, and updated your contract. Anytime a question comes up about your contract, you should relook at it and possibly update the contract. Our showcase today was Chris Farrands from Cohick and Associates. One thing that Cohick's office does, that many may not know, is they specialize in churches, minsters, and clergy. Clergy income and tax returns can be complicated and that is why Cohick's office has chosen to specialize in this...so they can help churches and clergy understand what they need to do and how the taxes work. They help with everything from everyday bookkeeping to completing the full tax return. We meet every Tuesday morning at 8:30 at the Carlisle YMCA. Reach out if you are interested in learning more about our networking group.

Our tip today was Paul Howell from BoxDrop Carlisle. Paul talked to us about working with Gen Z, how to teach them them, and understand them. Our speaker today was Nick Montagnese from Cherewka Law. Nick spoke about title insurance, what it is and how it works. It is something that everyone buys when you purchase a home, but most people don't actually know what it is. Title insurance protects your home from someone coming in later and saying that you owe them money for a lien that was files against the property years ago. Title insurance looks backwards not forward. Nick also explained the difference between a normal title policy and an enhanced policy.

Adam Osborn from Adam Osborn Realtor at Keller Williams of Central PA was our tip today. He spoke about a book he read, "Book Yourself Solid". It is about finding your niche and then how you find the audience for that niche. Paul Howell from BoxDrop Carlisle was our showcase. He said his outdoor furniture went really well this year, so they will add to the line next year. BoxDrop is also adding dinning room furniture to the store soon. Right now they have a lot of recliners in stock...so if you are looking for a recliner, Paul will make you a deal!

Our showcase today was Adam Osborn Realtor from Keller Williams of Central PA. He gave a quick background and then spoke about his target market... helping people through life changes. Having kids and needing a bigger home or empty-nesters and need to downsize. He also works with estate attorneys and investors. Adam wants to continue to grow. Help more families and give back more to others. He is also passionate about transforming the Harrisburg area to make it a better place.