Summer Housekeeping

Summer Housekeeping

Being on the cusp of another change in seasons, many of us are thinking about vacations, sunshine, and some well-earned downtime. But now is also the perfect time to do some light financial housekeeping. Here are a few miscellaneous things to consider as we enter the summer season:

• We continue to see nature run its course with storms and wildfires that our country has experienced recently. States like Florida, California, and Texas are facing significant challenges with insurers pulling out of the market, and many Minnesota residents are also seeing large premium increases due to significant hail claims. If you have not had your homeowner’s/renter’s insurance reviewed in a while, now is an ideal time to reach out to your agent to confirm your coverage and discuss any potential risks. Be sure to reassess your umbrella liability coverage as well, especially if you will be entertaining at your cabin and enjoying boating at the lake.
   
• Review your cybersecurity risks and implement protective practices, especially if you are traveling this summer. Fraud is an ongoing financial challenge we all face. When possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi, use credit cards instead of your bank debit cards, use the tap instead of the swipe card payment method, and never provide sensitive information to callers over the phone or via email. Fraudsters are increasingly more convincing, but implementing the simple practices above better positions you to be vigilant and safer.
   
• Lastly, congratulations to all the 2025 graduates! If you have a high school graduate or college student in your life, it is important to ensure that they have a Health Care Directive in place before they go off to college. At age 18, parents no longer have an automatic right to make medical decisions. Making sure your young adult has an established Health Care Directive affords you peace of mind should a medical emergency arise. Here is a link for Minnesota’s HCD: State of MN Health Care Directive.  Note: We find this to be a great conversation starter at open houses.

As always, our team is here to support your complete financial well-being. While these housekeeping items can be addressed at any time, summer offers a natural pause to check in, reset, and get ahead before the busyness of fall. Taking a few thoughtful steps now can make a meaningful difference later, and we’re just a call or email away if you'd like help navigating any of these things.