The bell above the door dings and the first customer of the day enters. Grandpa hops up from his desk and greets the customer with a small-town smile ready to answer any question the customer has about his window and door display. Grandma is ready too. She's in the back room rolling new screens on old frames, ready for any customer problem—broken glass, a hole in the screen or bent slider frames. I was busy rolling sticky letters on the windows, drawing pictures for my grandpa's back office and giving the customers a big five-year-old toothless grin as they entered the shop.

When I think of a small business, memories of my grandparent's little window and door shop come to mind. With humble beginnings, they poured all they had into their business, but it didn't come without its challenges. In fact, putting aside economic impacts on a small business, there are several challenges that entrepreneurs face daily to keep the doors open.
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Putting aside economic impacts on a small business, there are several challenges that entrepreneurs face daily to keep the doors open.

Here's the top three obstacles small businesses face on a daily basis:

1. Client Base and Service

Growing your client base can be a challenge, but it's vital. Your business might have created the most useful thing since a toothpick, but if no one knows about it, income is doomed. Attaining clients can be hard for those that don't have a marketing plan or don't know how to implement it. One step beyond that is retaining a customer base and providing a great product or service that keeps the cliental motivated to come back.

1. Finances

Money management is essential to keep a small business operating, even when the cash is flowing in. Many small business owners have their own assets invested in the company, which means added pressure when business is slower than anticipated. Poor planning and lack of funding can be added stressors.

1. Time

Many business owners, even successful ones, usually work more hours than their employees and more hours than they plan on. The constant pressure to grow can lead to more work and result in exhaustion. Even those with high energy and passion can find themselves fatigued. It's important for business owners to find the right pace to keep the business running and the employees positive and healthy.

Most smart small business owners consider the challenges they might face before they even begin. Although daily obstacles are sure to come up for a business, it certainly doesn't mean failure is ahead. In fact, facing these types of obstacles is sometimes what drives people to pursue their dream in the first place, like my Grandpa. The old window and door shop didn't come without stress, but that's what drove him and grandma to continue excellent customer service and impeccable work. He ran a successful small business for years, devoted time to his family and retired early. I'd say that's the dream most people hope for.

Protect what you own and what you do.

There is a risk every time you're out on the road. Protect yourself from these common motorcycle crashes by being a proactive driver.

Left Hand Turns Collisions
In these cases, the opposite driver makes a left hand turn at an intersection in front of an oncoming motorcyclist. The driver may not see the biker, or they misjudge the speed and distance at which the biker is coming toward them.
Tips:

• Slow down at intersections.
• Anticipate the direction and speed of oncoming drivers.
• Watch for turn signals. Be ready to slow down or maneuver if a car pulls in front of you.

Head on Collisions
A head on collision is one of the most dangerous situations for a biker. Keep an eye on oncoming traffic, especially as it gets dark.
Tips:

• The National Safety Council stands by the four R's:
  1. Read the road
  2. Drive to the right
  3. Reduce your speed
  4. Ride off the road
• If an oncoming driver enters your lane, direct yourself toward the path of least resistance.

Lane Changing Collisions
The small structure of a motorcycle puts it at a higher risk of not being seen, especially on a highway dominated by semi-trucks. Proactive driving will reduce the risk of being involved in a lane changing collision. If you can't see the mirror or face of the driver, you are in their blind spot.
Tips:

• Never ride in a blind spot.
• Speed up or slow down to create space between yourself and other drivers.
• Anticipate lane changes. Turn signals, mirror checks and turning wheels are signs that a driver is planning to switch lanes.

Rear End Collisions
There are situations when a biker is caught off guard and collides with a vehicle in front of them. Stay vigilant on the road. Traffic conditions can change at any time.
Tips:

• Pay attention to traffic in front of you.
• Watch for brake lights.
• Keep a large distance between you and other vehicles to give yourself time to brake.

Corner Accidents
Be cautious when coming up on a corner. Debris on the road can cause your front tire to slip and lay down your bike. Turns can often be misleading, appearing wider than they really are. Be aware of your skill level and never take on a ride that you don't feel comfortable with.
Tips:

• Assess road conditions and adjust your speed accordingly.
• Be cautious after large storms. Leaves or branches may have fallen, creating hazards around the corner.
• Take turns wide and slow.
• Trust your bike and lean into your turns.
• Stay calm and keep your eyes directed in front of you.

Foremost and First Community Financial Group want you to be safe! Though some accidents can't be prevented, it is important to do everything you can to keep yourself out of harm's way while you're on the road. Always be aware of your surroundings, and remember these tips when you ride!

Did you learn how to get better gas mileage in your driver's education classes? If it's been a few years since you earned your driver's license, you may not remember what they taught you or if they even covered the topic of getting better gas mileage. When headlines report "record high gas prices," nearly everyone wants to know how to improve fuel economy. If a commute to work or school is a requirement in your life and you want to stretch those precious gallons of gas each week, the tips we've gathered below may be helpful.

Let's start with the basics first. What is gas mileage or fuel economy? The National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard for auto manufacturers, regulating how far vehicles must travel on a gallon of fuel. CAFE standards apply to passenger vehicles and light trucks (collectively, light-duty vehicles). Current standards are 28 miles per gallon.

In April 2022, new CAFE standards were announced that will require new 2024-2026 vehicles sold in the United States to average at least 40 miles per gallon.

The NHTSA along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also regulate the fuel-economy window stickers on new vehicles that tell consumers how many miles per gallon the vehicle will get under general driving conditions.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's get to the ways you can improve gas mileage for your vehicle.

Drive the speed limit. Speeding can lower a vehicle's overall fuel efficiency. According to fueleconomy.gov, gas mileage usually decreases at speeds above 50 mph. Now, that doesn't mean drive below posted speed limits, which can be unsafe. Be aware that vehicles will likely consume more fuel at higher rates of speed.

Mind the brakes and accelerator. Habitual aggressive driving - putting the pedal to the metal and then braking quickly to slow down - can also contribute to lower fuel economy. Avoiding this type of driving can help improve average gas mileage between 15% and 30%.

Use the cruise control. This might be a no-brainer, but using a vehicle's cruise control function, on the highway when traffic allows, helps maintain a constant speed, helping drivers achieve the first two tips we covered and, in most cases, will improve fuel efficiency.

Mind the vehicle's cargo limitations. If you're driving a truck and wondering how to improve your truck's gas mileage this tip is especially important. Each vehicle's manual includes the load carrying capacity for the vehicle itself and for towing, if applicable. This includes carrying things on top of the vehicle in any type of roof-top carrier, including cargo boxes, bikes and kayaks. Check your manual to be sure anything you carry is within the stated limits and realize that when you are carrying or towing more people or gear than normal, your gas mileage may decrease. For fuel efficiency, it's a good practice to not haul extra weight if the items are not needed on a regular basis.

Maintain the vehicle's tires. Underinflated tires can decrease overall gas milage by about .2% for every 1 psi drop in the average tire pressure of all the tires. Checking tire pressure regularly and making sure they are inflated to the vehicle's indicated tire pressure can help. Your car's owner's manual should include this information if you are unsure.

Maintain the vehicle. If a car's engine is not running properly, there's a good chance that it is not using fuel efficiently. It's a good idea to pay attention to the dashboard indicator lights, get routine maintenance and oil changes at the indicated mileage intervals, and have the vehicle inspected by a licensed mechanic to address any issues.

Consider a newer car. As mentioned earlier in this article, auto manufacturers must adhere to CAFE standards for the vehicles they sell in the US. The average fuel efficiency has increased over the years, so it follows that on average a newer vehicle should get better mileage than an older vehicle manufactured when the CAFE standards were lower. Keep in mind though, that the type of vehicle you choose also factors into the overall gas mileage. A smaller compact car and a large SUV manufactured in the same year may adhere to that year's CAFE standard, but the smaller car will most likely get better gas mileage than the large SUV. Make sure you do your research when you purchase a new or new-to-you pre-owned car, so you understand the fuel efficiency of the vehicle you choose.

Go electric or hybrid. This may not be the tip you're looking for, but if you're in the market for a new vehicle anyway, choosing a vehicle that runs on a combination of gas and electric or solely on electric can also help you cut your overall gas consumption. If you go electric, you'll want to be conscious of the vehicle's electric battery consumption. Many of the same tips we've already covered here like following the speed limit and maintaining the vehicle and its tires can also help an electric vehicle's charge last longer.

If you end up changing vehicles in a quest to improve your gas mileage and have questions about insuring your car, speak with a Foremost® agent to shop for auto insurance coverage.

Content courtesy of foremost.com

As one of the most common crimes, burglary is nothing to be taken lightly. And unlike common belief, most of these burglaries happen in the middle of the day. According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security, break-ins are more likely to happen between 6AM and 6PM, right in the middle of the day!
With the fall season upon us and the holidays approaching, it is important to make your home safe from break-ins. While there are many safety recommendations out there, HowStuffWorks has covered the seven most effective.

Don't showboat.
If you've just purchased a pricey new computer or television, breakdown the box and place it in the garbage bin instead of leaving it on the curb for everyone to see. Also, take a walk around your house to see how visible expensive items are with the curtains open. You may want to move some of them out of view to avoid enticing thieves.

Pretend to be home.
A break-in typically happens when no one is home, especially during the day while many people are at work. For that reason, create an illusion that someone is still there. You can leave a light on, along with music or your television.

Secure sliding doors and windows.
You can easily break into some older sliding doors by simply popping them off of their frame, even when locked. It's harder to do that with newer ones, but you should still take extra precaution to secure them since they can be an inviting entry for burglars. Simply take a strong dowel, steel bar or two-by-four and slide it into the back groove.
Although you should always lock your windows before leaving the house, you can install a simple pin or nail into to the frame to stop it from raising more than a few inches. This will add an additional layer of security in case someone pops off the screen and you have left the window unlocked. Also remember to check window air conditioning units. If you can jimmy the window up from the outside, add a stopper to that frame.

Don't leave a spare key out.
It may seem like a good idea to leave a spare key hidden under a flower pot or doormat in case you get locked out of your house. But that's an open invitation for a burglar to walk inside without any difficulty. Instead, give a spare to a neighbor you know well or friend who lives nearby for safekeeping.
Remember to never put any identifying information on your house keys. If you lose them, and someone else finds them, it would be fairly easy to trace them back to your home and break-in.

Secure your yard.
Tall shrubs and overgrown trees are welcome hiding places for criminals to wait until the coast is clear to get into your house. That doesn't mean you need to cut down every plant in your yard. Just keep things manicured.

Prepare before vacation.
Alert neighbors you trust about your trip and ask that they keep an eye on your property during that time. More importantly, when you leave town, don't leave signs of an empty house. First, if you have a home phone, don't change your message to alert callers that you have left town. Also avoid having piled up mail, overgrown lawns and newspapers strewn about your yard that send surefire signals you're miles away. Last, but certainly not least, don't announce vacation on social media.

Lock it up.
More than 40% of break-ins happen without the use of force, which means a lot of people are leaving their houses without locking the doors and windows. If you have a thumb latch lock and a deadbolt on your doors, always lock the dead bolt. Double-check weaker doors such as patio and sliding ones to make sure their locks are strong enough to withstand kicks. When you leave your home, don't forget to lock up the door leading from the garage to inside. Even if your garage door is down, someone can easily open it.

Content courtesy for Foremost.com