Traditional note taking techniques by pen and paper are still effective, even in modern classrooms that are often filled with tablets and laptop computers.

Using abbreviations is an important component of effective note taking. The best note takers can eliminate hundreds of characters per each page by using personalized abbreviations. Words that are longer than six characters can be shortened. Additionally, it is useful to omit conjunctions when writing sentences. In fact, symbols from computer keyboards can be used to replace traditional conjunctions and other connecting phrases.

Hand drawn graphics can be used effectively to summarize ideas that require multiple sentences to describe. It is much easier to scribble a primitive drawing and label it with key words rather than write an entire paragraph about something.

When taking notes, dates should be clearly displayed on top of the page. Chronological order is very important for reviewing notes. Students shouldn’t have to spend hours shuffling through paper that is not dated. Organizing notes by date allows students to create personal archives that are used for studying. Additionally, proper date labels allow students to clearly identify any missing notes as a result of class absence.

Teachers often write notes that are directly based on material from textbooks. Students can simply reference the page number of the textbook that is used for specific notes. It’s much more effective to open up the book and read full length summaries instead of reading notes that were taken in a rushed manner.

Some teachers provide examples that are not referenced from textbooks. In science and math classes, it’s important for students to fully copy such examples that most likely will appear on upcoming exams. When taking notes on math problems, abbreviations should be kept to a minimum because there is tremendous importance in individual symbols and numbers.
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In addition to carrying mandatory liability and bodily injury coverage, drivers should understand the benefits of having other optional auto insurance.

Unrelated to any collisions with other vehicles, there are several common types of incidents that are likely to damage a vehicle. Such accidents would be covered under a comprehensive auto insurance policy. An outbreak of a fire can completely burn down a car in a matter of minutes. Malfunctions in the engine block sometimes lead to fires that can spread quickly and total an entire car. Comprehensive insurance pays for the replacement of a car that’s been burned by an accidental fire.

Vandalism is another category that is covered by comprehensive insurance. Rogue individuals might damage a car by forcefully throwing objects at it or using hand tools like hammers and shovels. Fortunately, drivers who have comprehensive coverage don’t have to stress out too much about such hooliganism. Broken windshields and mirrors are fully covered by comprehensive policies. Drivers should understand that auto glass is expensive to replace with out of pocket expenses.

Falling objects might damage a car that is parked, but such an incident is covered by comprehensive insurance. Heavy tree limbs could surely cause some serious impacts when they land on top of a vehicle. An air conditioner or other heavy items might fall out of a high rising building and land on top of a car’s hood or roof. Kids playing baseball in a local park might accidentally hit some nearby vehicles. All of these potential situations are fully covered by the “falling objects” category of comprehensive auto insurance.

Collision insurance is essential for getting compensation for any damage that relates to accidents between a car and other vehicles or obstacles. A crash into a light post or fence would be covered by collision insurance.
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By Nathan Dagley, CEO of Dagley Insurance and Financial Services

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For my family, we do not necessarily need a month to remind us that childhood cancer exists. It’s been an ever-present reality in our family since the day our nephew, Gage, was diagnosed with brain cancer nine years ago.

Gage loves the things that most 11-year-old boys love such as video games and sports. Yet while most boys pretend sword fight with an imaginary enemy, Gage fights a very real enemy every day. He does it with strength, courage and a faith that is so beyond his 11 years that it blows me away. The Geddes family has met each surgery and medical prognoses with this same courage and faith. This is why Gage, his Mom (my sister Missy), Dad and three siblings are my personal heroes. Gage recently underwent a sixth brain tumor surgery and is battling his way through recovery. We continue to pray daily for his healing.

Two other families within Dagley Insurance have also been impacted by childhood cancer. MaKayla Scott is the daughter of Suzanne Scott, a beloved team member and the niece of our Vice-President, Marcus Henneke. MaKayla left this earth to be with her Heavenly Father at a young age. We wept alongside these families and rejoiced with them in MaKayla’s precious life.

Dagley Insurance and Financial Services will participate in the inaugural Katy Half Marathon on February 7, 2015 in honor of Gage Geddes and to raise finances to help the Geddes family with medical bills. We also honor MaKayla by supporting this family as they courageously fight the same brain cancer that took her young life.

If you would like to participate with Team Dagley in the Katy Half Marathon in honor of Gage Geddes please register at www.katyhalf.com. To donate to the Gage Geddes family, please visit the Geddes fundraising page.

Think back to when you were a kid. The person with the coolest accessories and supplies for school was set. Now that back to school season is here, there are a few essential back to school supplies that all kids need.

1. Freezer packs for lunch boxes.
   Where lunch boxes could only carry nonperishable goods, you can now pack fruit and other goodies with the addition of an ice pack. If you get an ice pack that is also a character from your kid’s favorite show or movie, even better.
2. Stylish backpacks.
   Your child will have to carry a number of schoolbooks, as well as their homework. Make sure they’re able to do so in a backpack that makes them the envy of their classroom.
3. Decorations for the locker.
   Let’s face it; most kids would rather be at home than at school. With the right decorations, they can make their locker feel a bit like home. Whether you install a magnetic chandelier or cool stickers to the interior, the right decorations can make all the difference when it comes to school.
4. A ruler that doubles as a slap bracelet.
   Kids will be required to have rulers for a number of different tasks. However, if that rule also doubles as a slap bracelet, even better. Slap bracelets are coming back into style, not only for their unique fashion statements, but also because they’re just plain fun to play with.
5. Rockin’ shoes.
   Your child’s feet will need protection against the cold and the elements. What better way to do so than with a pair of shoes they will love to put on every day? Take your kid shopping for a pair of shoes they love. Not only will they enjoy the trip, but you’ll rest assured they’re well prepared for whatever life throws at them.

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If you have ever wanted something big, like a car or a new pool for the home, then you have probably saved money to get what you want. It might take some time to save enough money to purchase a large item or to pay off a bill, but there are some easy ways to get a head start.

Buy Used, Save the Difference
Whether you shop at a consignment store or a yard sale, try to buy used items as often as possible. The money that you saved on the item can be put in an account so that it can be used to pay off a credit card or to get something that you need to save for in the home.

Coupons
You can find coupons in a newspaper, online, or through a coupon clipping service. Use coupons as much as possible. There are coupons for almost everything including shampoo, toilet paper, food, and clothes. You can find discounts for restaurants and attractions like movies or bowling. When you use coupons, you can get the things that your family needs and still do some of the activities that you enjoy without spending a lot of money. Put the money saved from using the coupon in your savings account so that it can be used later.

A Bit of Change
An easy way to save money is by putting all of your spare change in a jar. The jar should be kept in an area where everyone will walk by during the day. At the end of the day, put the spare change from pockets, purses, and what you find laying around the home in the jar. When the jar is full, take it to the bank to add the amount to your savings. This might take a little longer than putting back money you would have spent on a new shirt, but it will add up before you realize how much you have.
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By Nathan Dagley, CEO of Dagley Insurance and Financial Services

What if you couldn’t get out of bed each morning by yourself? Couldn’t stand or walk. Or move your arms or hands or hold your head up. What if you knew that the end of your life would most likely be physically characterized by the slow, but complete loss of muscle function? Being completely dependent upon others for basic daily functions. A mind that works normally yet trapped inside a body that’s failing.

What if this was your reality?

This is just a tiny glimpse into the terrifying disease that is ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. According to the A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia, the technical definition of ALS is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Reading the clinical definition is a lot easier to take without realizing the impact that it can have on the individual’s quality of life. This is reality for more than 12,000 Americans.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has received a lot of criticism online from those that wonder how dumping a bucket of ice cold water over your head can help patients with ALS. Yet, this campaign has not only brought knowledge of the disease to the forefront, but has also raised $42 million for the ALS Association to date. Compare this to the $2 million that was raised last year, this is astounding.

Dagley Insurance and Financial Services was recently challenged by Champion Restoration to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Almost everyone on staff at our Katy TX insurance office was able to participate. Nathan Dagley is donating $1 to the ALS Association for each ‘like’ the video receives on the Dagley Insurance Facebook page. We have also challenged the Katy Merrell Center Marketing Team, Encompass Lending Group and the Katy High School Bengal Brigade and Cheer.

Despite the increase in funds this year, the journey to finding a cure for ALS is still a long one. Of course, please go ‘like’ the video on Facebook page to help us raise money, but also learn more about ALS and how you can support those affected. Visit www.als.net or www.alsa.org for more information.

As a proud Katy TX insurance agency, Dagley Insurance & Financial Services was excited to be a part of this past weekend’s Back to School Bash sponsored by Whole Foods Market Katy and All About Katy. There is nothing we love more than being involved in our community!

The event was complete with food, live music, vendors’ booths, giveaways and the Disney Princesses. The Disney Princesses, Anna and Rapunzel from Pointe of Grace Dance Studio, were sponsored by Dagley Insurance and were available at our booth for pictures. Needless to say, our booth was very popular! There was a line full of young girls excited to meet the Princesses and have their picture taken.

If you’re looking for a dance studio for your daughter in the Katy area, we can’t recommend Pointe of Grace Dance Studio enough! All About Katy, one of the co-sponsors, is also a fantastic site to visit for local events and information. For those that took photos with the Disney Princesses, check back soon to find the downloadable photos!

By Nathan Dagley

It’s happened again. A U.S. security company has uncovered yet another data security breach and it’s a big one. The New York Times reported that Hold Security uncovered a breach that may have compromised several million individuals’ information.

A Russian gang of hackers is responsible for the theft. Websites and companies targeted by the hackers have yet to be announced; however the number affected is estimated to be nearly 500 million email addresses and 1.2 billion user names and password combinations.

Our insurance agency has alerted clients and followers to several cyber security threats that have put our personal information at risk during the past year. From big names such as Target to local businesses like Specs and The Houstonian, data security has been in the headlines every few months.

Please make sure that you and your family are following the best practices for keeping your data safe. If you haven’t looked into identity theft protection the time is now. As an insurance agent, it’s my responsibility to make sure my clients are aware of the protection that is available to them. If you have any questions, please call our Colorado or Texas insurance offices for more information.

At Dagley Insurance & Financial Services, we love to encourage our staff members to pursue causes and organizations about which they are passionate. Recently, Rachael Phillips, Administrative Assistant to our Commercial Insurance Department, shared her passion regarding the preservation of tigers around the world. You might not be aware, but Global Tiger Day was held on July 29, 2014. We didn’t know about it until Rachael filled us in. We are happy to share her view on this topic and why she’s so passionate about it below:

Einstein said “If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals.” I believe that the degree of compassion and concern we show animals is interconnected with the degree of humanity we will show other human beings. A significant number of animal species are in danger of extinction. One species that is endangered are tigers, with only a population of 3200 left in the wild. In honor of Global Tiger Day 2014 I would like to tell you about why tigers are important to me and why we all need to do our part to help save them.

To me, tigers and all animals represent one of the most beautiful aspects of our world. Seeing a tiger in the wild, living in its natural environment is breathtaking. Tigers fascinate us because they represent some of the things we humans value most beauty, strength, courage, and power. Unfortunately, out of the fascination came greed, and out of that greed came poaching. In the past century 97% of the tiger population has been lost forever. Three subspecies are completely extinct. This dramatic decline is due mainly to poaching and habitat loss. It is estimated that in a few decades the wild tiger population could cease to exist. Something needs to be done, before the only way left to see a tiger is behind zoo bars or as a rug on someone’s living room floor.

My belief is that tigers, and all wildlife are essential to the quality of the continued existence of our world. They are an intricately beautiful creation, and they are fighting for their survival. What does it say about us if we don’t help them? Education about all endangered animals and their predicaments is essential to their survival. If people would take the time to educate themselves and those around them it would go a long way. One of the organizations at the forefront of animal and environment conservation is WWF (World Wildlife Foundation). In honor of Global Tiger Day 2014 I am fundraising for WWF, so that they can continue to work to protect and save wildlife all over the world. To educate yourself, make a difference, and help make the world a better place please visit my personal fundraising page.

Thank you for your time,

Rachael Phillips

We appreciate Rachael sharing her passion and heart. Dagley Insurance & Financial Services has the best insurance staff in the country and they don’t just sit back and observe the world around them, they make a difference!

Before heading out on your summer road trip, there are a few things to keep in mind that can help save you money. These tips are ideal for anyone, whether you’re going a city away or across the country.

Transportation
Unless you have to fly to your destination to save time, then consider another form of transportation. One of the least expensive methods is by train. There usually aren’t as many people on trains because they do choose to fly, so you could have plenty of room. A bus is another option if you want to save money and not be responsible for driving. These are great ways for you to see your surroundings and for children to learn about riding in a different type of vehicle than a car.

Coupons
Make coupons your friend. You can save a lot of money when you use coupons for restaurants and attractions. The best place to look is online because you can match the coupon with other deals so that you get the deepest discounts possible. Try using the coupons you find when prices are lower, such as an off season at a hotel, so that you save more money. Sign up for group discounts. Enroll in gas programs at grocery stores that will save you money on every gallon of gas that you get. Ask local businesses if they have coupons for other attractions in the area.

Eating Out
When you get out on the road, you might think that you have to eat at restaurants for every meal. Pack a cooler with ice and fill it with items to make sandwiches. Stop at various places along the way to eat a quick meal and take pictures with the family. When you arrive at your destination, make sure there is a refrigerator and stove in the hotel room so that you don’t have to go out to eat for every meal during your trip. Get things that are easy to prepare so that you can spend time enjoying your trip.
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