Is your Clunker worth any cash?

The ads are beginning to run on T.V. The cash for clunkers program has begun, and you may be wondering how it works and how it can benefit you.

First you need to find out if you have a clunker at all. I looked out the window at my 1991 Buick and was pretty sure I did, but when I went to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm I was shocked to learn that I didn't!

You see my buick had a combined MPG of 19 when it was new, and passenger cars must have a combined MPG of NO MORE THAN 18... So I was out of luck.

If your clunker was rated at less than 18MPG when it was new, and your car is less than 25 years old, is driveable and you have owned and insured it for at least a year you may be eligible to trade it in on a new car and get up to a $4500 credit!

A couple of things to watch out for though... your clunker may be worth more than $4500 so be sure to check http://www.kbb.com/ before you make the deal. Also, know that your car will not be resold. In order to participate in the program your clunker has to be destroyed.

Also, you will have to buy a brand-spanking-new car and take on the financing associated with it. Trading in your old car on a gently used one may be a better deal.

Also, there are some limits on the new car you can purchase. It has to have a sticker price of $45,000 or less and it has to have a fuel economy rating of at least 22MPG. If you improve your fuel economy by 4 miles per gallon (clunker got 18, new car gets 22) you get a credit of $3,500. To qualify for the full $4,500 you need to improve your mileage by 10MPG.

Now some trucks, SUV's and Minivans have slightly different rules. The new vehicle has to get at least 18 MPG and can offer as little as a 2 MPG improvement over the old one to qualify for $3,500. With a minimum 5 MPG improvement, you can qualify for $4,500.

So, check it out. If you have been hoping to get a new car or truck that extra credit toward your purchase could come in handy, but don't wait too long. When the money is gone the program ends.

The really phenomenal kids of the Spokane Youth Symphony

I want to use this platform to let you know about one of Spokane's true jewels. The Spokane Youth Symphony is just finishing it's 59th season. These kids work incredibly hard, they are the best of the best.



I hope that you will enjoy the Junior Symphonic Orchestra, under the direction of Julian Gomez Giraldo as they perform part IV. Allegro con spirito from Symphony #29 by W.A. Mozart.

Why I am a JA kid

I remember being a student at Evergreen Jr. High. Yes kids, back in the dark ages we didn't go to middle school, we went to JUNIOR high.. but I digress.

Being a Jr High-schooler I was encouraged to try lots of new things like basketball and 4-H, and Junior Achievement.

Junior Achievement was enlightening. We partnered with Kaiser Aluminum and learned about how their business worked, and about how business in general works. Then, once we thought we understood we were encouraged to develop a product, market the product and see if we could make our business work.

In the end we decided that pizza pans were a product that no home could be without, and it was a product we understood. So Kaiser produced the aluminum pans for us and we sold them. I don't really remember if we sold a lot, and honestly I am not sure that success was the point.

I learned a lot through my experience with Junior Achievement and I believe that JA helped me to get to where I am today. This is why I am an active JA volunteer today. It is my hope that I can help kids understand a bit more about free enterprise, entrepreneurship and business. I hope that I can encourage kids to at least consider the possibility of working for themselves, instead of always working for someone else.

I hope that you will take a moment today and visit http://www.ja.org/ or http://www.jaspokane.org/ to learn about the Junior Achievement program. Spending one day in a classroom in your neighborhood might just be the encouragement a child needs to begin thinking about his or her future in a whole new way. If you would like to volunteer for May 12 at Greenacres Elementary please call me at 509-892-9139 or 509-216-2894.

As for the pizza pan, seems it is long gone now. But you can still order the JA special from Papa John's and they will donate to JA on your behalf.

thanks to callme crochet for the pizza photo!

Spring home checkup

Spring is here and the weather is lovely. I would like to suggest that you consider taking a nice walk.... around the house.

According to the NW Insurance Council, a non-profit trade association, the following home maintenance projects can keep your home in good condition and help save you money on repair bills in the long run. Most of these suggestions will also help you avoid costly insurance claims as well.

• Rake debris away from side of house and other structures.
• Clean out gutters and check downspouts for damage.
• Take down storm windows and check and repair screens before installing.
• Remove plants/trim shrubs around dryer vent.
• Inspect foundation and crawl space for any signs of water intrusion or pipe leaks.
• Remove strainers and clean any floor drains in basement, garage, outside stairwells.
• Inspect the attic. Look for moisture or water stains that may indicate roof leaks.
• Scrub mildewed areas and treat any mildew and fungus on decks

April Fools Computer Virus

Millions of people got up this morning and wondered if their computer would work. Would checking their facebook and email result in lost data or identity theft?

Not only is it wise to have a good anti-virus software installed AND running, it is wise to have a conversation with your insurance agent about coverage for lost data and identity restoration.

Prevention is only half of the equation. It is also important to have the tools in place to deal with the aftermath.

Please call me today at 509-892-9139 to find out more about your protection options.

Talking about annuities...

If you are like most people, you are looking forward to the day you can retire. You are looking forward to days full of play, not work. Or at least you were until the recent uncertainties in the stock market made you wonder if the money you had put away would be enough. Now may be the time to consider moving your retirement money into an annuity. It may just be the safety net you are looking for.

Perhaps annuities are new to you. Or maybe you've heard about them but were told that that the market was a better investment - after all the market keeps going up right? I think that once you understand the basics, you will see that annuities are a very straightforward way to manage your investment, particularly in a volatile market.

Annuities make it simple to get your money in retirement when you need it. They can help you have a steady stream of income even if the stock market does not perform well.

With an annuity you pay money to an insurance company and then, over time, they pay you back with interest! The earnings on the annuity are tax deferred, so you wont pay taxes until the funds are paid out to you. You choose how much to put in, when you want to start getting payments, and how long you want those payments to last. They can even last the rest of your life. You are in control of your money, not the other way around!

With an annuity there aren't many surprises. They can provide an income that you can count on month after month.

If you would like more information on how an annuity might benefit you please call me at 509-892-9139 to set an appointment.

Italian Wedding Ring Soup

When I was modifying this recipe I could not find any whole wheat orzo and bought these wheat pasta rings instead. My creative son John suggested that I change the name of the recipe to Italian Wedding Ring Soup because of the rings! I had to agree, it was a great idea.

• 2 mild turkey Italian sausages
• 32 ounces low sodium, fat free chicken broth
• 1/4 cup Safeway 'Eating Right Kids' whole wheat pasta rings
• 2 tablespoons diced red pepper
• 2 tablespoons diced onion
• 1 teaspoon dry basil
• 1 small can sliced button mushrooms (with juice)
• 1 Roma tomato diced
• 1 cup of raw spinach chopped

Remove the skins from the sausages and cook in a non-stick pan. Break the sausages up to small pieces as they cook. Add the chicken broth, and bring to a boil.

Stir in the pasta, the pepper, onion and basil and mushrooms.

Reduce heat to medium and cook until the pasta and vegetables are tender.

Add the tomato and spinach. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 servings. 243 Calories. 11g fat. 65mg Cholesterol. 998mg Sodium. 13g Carbohydrate. 6g sugar. 26g Protein.