I am writing to you from within the deep secret bunker of The Ragnar Group… my basement. It may not be my parent’s basement, but I still feel a little like some Saturday Night Live skit. Wayne or Garth in Wayne’s World or Sara on “Ew”. Being at home during this COVID-19 situation, we need to do the very best to stay safe, healthy, and keep our sanity every day. In Minnesota, we have been in our homes for 3 weeks now, and yesterday the Minnesota Governor just extended it another 3 weeks. It would be very easy to complain up and down, but I will not. I want to remain positive and focus on finding the best situation for me, my family, and my business. So today’s blog will be just that, positive events in our current lives and adventures in stretching your dollar during this era of Stay-At-Home executive orders.
First, let’s talk about gasoline. I have not seen the price of gas this low since I was wearing a letterman’s jacket back in high school. In my town, there are many convenience stores. Two of these convenience stores close to my home and across the street from one another have been “fighting” each other at the pumps for weeks. The gas price has been at least 50 cents lower than anywhere else. In fact, the other day both stations were at 97 cents per gallon. I had to take a picture just to prove it to friends. I have a Silverado truck, and every time I am out hunting and gathering the essentials like toilet paper, I stop by the convenience store to top off my tank. This low gas price will not last, in a blink of an eye the price could shoot up to $2.95 a gallon. So, for now, stretching your dollar farther than before, which is better than good.
With the gasoline prices so low, and most people are home, let’s talk highway and freeway driving. I now can drive on my freeways (remember I am getting only the most essential item, toilet paper) and can actually drive the posted speeds or at least that is what I say to my wife or the police officer. I can drive down 3 or 4 lane freeways and take up all the lanes as Kramer did in a Seinfeld episode. Rush hour has a whole new meaning. Instead of bumper to bumper traffic, it now means when someone finds out a grocery store or a big box retail store just filled their shelves with toilet paper and the word gets out!
On to the stock market. The old saying goes, buy low, and sell high. Well, you can’t get much lower than now. Like gasoline, you are not going to get these bargains in a month or so. It could turn on a dime. Currently, my family is investing in each of our ROTH IRA’s. Over the past 3 weeks, we have seen the stock market go down in huge chunks of value. Today the stock price might be $100, tomorrow $50, or the next day $75. It doesn’t matter, the price of stocks or mutual funds are much better than just a few short months ago. So again, stretching your dollar further than before, which is better than good.
Finally, insurance premiums. Yup, insurance premiums right now is a great time to be looking to save some money. If you have a small business or have a personal insurance need; like home, auto, motorcycle, RV, or an ATV, now is a great time to contact the Ragnar Group. Currently, because of COVID-19, insurance companies are waiving late fees or extending cancellations to their current customers, which is a great thing. Some insurance companies are even giving back some of your paid premiums on auto coverage during these past two months. All of this is great, and everyone is thankful. However, insurance companies also want to get new clients. Let’s face it, these actions are a winner for loyalty among their current clients. Let us find you one of these companies.
So when you are at home bored to tears watching Netflix or Hulu or playing your 10,000th hand of solitaire, think about calling the Ragnar Group for your personal or your business insurance needs. Call us or shoot us an email and we will market your business to many insurance companies and find the right fit. We will find you an insurance company that can give you a great deal. The one who can give you better coverage with higher limits and at a better premium than what you have now. The one that compels you to tell all of your friends and family. This again is stretching your dollar further than before, which is better than good.
I hope you like the little humor in these blogs. I will say COVID-19 has done one more thing. It has brought families together and shown the importance of God in our lives. So, stay home, be safe and healthy. We are all in this together and we will come out of this temporary situation stronger than ever before, which is better than good.
Take Care,
Mike Zitek
CEO, Ragnar Group
