Bigger & Harman - August 2020

Bigger & Harman - August 2020

ARE YOUR THRIFT STORE DONATIONS BEING THROWN AWAY?

Are you thinking about donating your kids’ old clothes or that slow cooker you haven’t used in months? Though donating your unwanted items is a great thing to do, amid the pandemic, many people have not considered the future of secondhand shopping and charity-based thrift stores like Goodwill. In 2018, Goodwill funded nearly $5.3 billion in charitable services, like educational assistance, job training, and work placements. But now, Goodwill and similar organizations are facing a unique problem: They’re receiving too many donations. To prevent your items from ending up in a landfill, consider the following before you donate. Under the circumstances, this situation is understandable. Thanks to nationwide stay- at-home orders, many took advantage of their newfound spare time to spring-clean

and subsequently donate unwanted items to charity. However, with the confusion about how long the COVID-19 virus can live on clothing, secondhand shoppers have been staying home, worried about the health risks of buying used goods. Famously, thrift stores still keep unsold goods out of landfills. Up to 75% of Goodwill’s merchandise, for example, isn’t sold in their stores. Instead, it’s sent to discount outlets and then into global markets. However, Mexican traders, who account for 30% of business at thrift stores close to the U.S. southern border, and Kenya, the world’s largest buyer of unsold secondhand clothes, have stopped buying during the economic shutdown.

thrift stores’ front doors, not realizing that without enough space to house

the excess donations, many of these thrift stores will have to pay disposal fees, costing the business potential revenue and sending your items into local landfills. However, Goodwill still wants your donations! You just might have to hold on to your items for a little bit. Check to see if your local thrift stores are open for donations. Many recommend waiting until the influx slows down, but others have expanded their inventory storage and are ready to keep up. Just make sure to follow their guidelines on acceptable items because any broken or worn items only add to their costs. Happy donating!

Meanwhile, some good-intentioned Americans are leaving their goods outside

DON’T MAKE THESE 2 MISTAKES WHEN SHOPPING FOR AUTO INSURANCE

This is a guest piece by Chad Coe of The Insurance Garage, which has a great reputation for excellent customer service and can provide quotes from multiple insurance companies in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Chad is one of our recommended agents if you are looking for information on car insurance. 2 BIG MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN SHOPPING FOR AUTO INSURANCE People waste hundreds of dollars a year on their car insurance premiums — even more if they buy the wrong kind of insurance and get in an accident. Here are two common mistakes people make while shopping for insurance: 1. Selecting Insurance Through the Internet and Getting Socked With Higher Prices Later Online insurers know you don’t know how your driving record affects your premium. When you search the internet for insurance, you normally receive a quote

that doesn’t include adjustments for what shows up on your background report. Your online quote will often be good for 15–30 days but is subject to change. Consumers often accept — and are locked into — a quote that changes after the insurance company runs a record check. Insurance companies also expect the car owner will not make the effort to go through the rate comparison process again and will keep the higher insurance. If you go through an agent who checks your record before comparing quotes with multiple car insurance companies, you get real quotes from different insurance companies that avoid the “switch and replace” tactics of many online insurers. 2. Buying the Minimum Mandated State Coverages Most people think, “If I buy less, it should cost less.” But in the new world of algorithm insurance quoting, underwriters often charge more for minimum insurance because they believe you’re only shopping

price instead of long-term cost and value and are, therefore, not as “responsible.” It often costs more money for state minimum liability coverages, which are usually $25,000 or $50,000 for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage . To add insult to injury, that amount of coverage might not be enough. If you hit a shiny, new car, minimum coverages are often exceeded, exposing you to personal suits. Insurance companies will also try to put you on a six-month policy that allows them to reevaluate your driving record and increase your premium frequently. If you have a good rate, lock it in for 12 months. Do you still have questions? I can review your situation to determine the best coverage for you to ensure you and your assets are better secured from risk. Then, I can check with multiple companies to make sure you get the best value for the rates you’ll pay. Chad can be reached at 541-979-8750.

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DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE FROM A CORRECTABLE VIOLATION TO A CRIMINAL CHARGE

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION Thanks to your 36 referrals, we were able to give $720 to fight human trafficking. To learn more about International Justice Mission, please go to IJM.org. MISSION: To protect the poor from violence by rescuing victims, bringing the criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Our long-term vision is to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice for the poor unstoppable.

Have you ever left for work one day and driven five hours away only to realize you grabbed everything you needed but accidentally left your license behind? Even worse, did you get pulled over? When you’re pulled over without a driver’s license, the severity of circumstance depends significantly on why you don’t have your license with you at that moment. In the event that you simply forgot it at home, the ticket you receive can be a correctable violation or a “fix it” ticket. This means you have an opportunity to fix the problem, and it won’t show up on your record. For this type of ticket, an authorized individual must sign the certificate of correction on the ticket. Then you need to show proof that your driver’s license was at home or expired. You will still have to pay a dismissal fee before the deadline given to you, but it will be far less than the full ticket. After you’ve taken these steps, the court will dismiss your case. However, if you don’t have a driver’s license or if it’s suspended, your situation is far more critical. A judge may decide to charge you with an infraction. In the event that you are driving with a suspended or revoked license, they can also charge you with a misdemeanor, which could mean jail time of three to six months. In these situations, you should always hire an attorney, especially when it involves a criminal charge. An attorney with criminal trial experience, such as the attorneys here at Bigger & Harman, understand California traffic laws and can help you through this process. Talking to an attorney is crucial for commercial drivers when facing any traffic violation. A ticket can put unwanted points on your license, which threatens your job security. And when you’re faced with a criminal charge, it threatens far more. If you have a charge of driving without a license, an expired license, or a suspended license, call Bigger & Harman. We will do everything we can to give you the best results possible.

BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE TO ONE ANOTHER, FORGIVING EACH OTHER, JUST AS IN CHRIST GOD FORGAVE YOU.

–EPHESIANS 4:32

(661) 859-1177 | 3

, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Hiking Up Half Dome........................................ PAGE 1

Are Your Thrift Store Donations Being Thrown Away? ................................................... PAGE 2

Crucial Advice From Chad Coe . ................... PAGE 2

When You’re Caught Without a License ..... PAGE 3

Make the Most of Rafting Season ................. PAGE 4

Have a ticket in California? Give us a call, and we’ll help you out! Regardless of the location, we can point you in the right direction free of charge!

Sure, August doesn’t mark the official beginning of summer, celebrate our nation’s independence, or give us a three-day weekend. But it offers something just as great: the best time of the year to be on the river. For rafting enthusiasts, the warm and dry weather in August means water levels are lower, and rivers can be a bit tamer than earlier in the season. This also makes August the perfect time for new rafters to try the activity. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your day on the river. GO WITH AN EXPERIENCED GUIDE. If you’re planning to tackle any type of whitewater, it’s crucial that you go with an experienced raft guide. Whitewater can be dangerous, and only someone who knows how to expertly navigate rapids will be able to ensure you have an enjoyable, thrilling experience instead of a dangerous one. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN. It might seem counterintuitive to wear anything other than a swimsuit on a hot day on the river, but in most cases, you’ll be exposed to full sun while on the water, so covering up is crucial to preventing sunburns. Opt for Make the Most of Rafting Season AND ENJOY A DAY ON THE WATER WITH THESE TIPS

a hat, sunglasses, and materials that will dry quickly. Rashguards and button-down shirts make great top layers, and long skirts, longer shorts, or yoga pants on chillier days are all good options as well. BRING PLENTY OF WATER AND FOOD. One of the many fun aspects of rafting is spending a day — or even multiple days — on the river. Make sure you bring plenty of reusable bottles filled with water for hydration. Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you may want to pack a meal or two along with plenty of snacks that are easy to eat on the river. Most rafts will have a dry box where you can store food and other items that need to remain moisture-free. As you set out on the river, enjoy the solitude of connecting to nature away from the hubbub of the rest of the world.

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