HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY

“There are only two kinds of people in the world,” an Irish saying goes. “The Irish and those who wish they were.”

But for today, that saying is a pot o’ blarney. This St. Patrick’s Day, we’ll all be Irish.

St. Patrick's Day was originally a Roman Catholic feast day for Ireland’s patron saint, celebrated only in Ireland since before the 1600s, to mourn the loss of the patron saint who died March 17, 451 AD. However, it evolved into a secular holiday in the 1700s, when Irish immigrants in the US held some of the first St. Patrick’s Day parades. More than a show of patriotism, the parades were an opportunity for Irish immigrants to make a political statement about their discontent with their low social status in America.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day is a transcontinental celebration of Irish culture, abounding with festive food and traditions. Have you ever wondered why we eat corned beef, wear green, and pinch our friends on St. Patrick’s Day? Read on to discover how three St. Patrick’s Day traditions came to be.

• Why green?

According to some accounts, blue was the first color associated with St. Patrick’s Day, but that started to change in the 17th century. Green is one of the colors in Ireland’s tri-color flag, and it has been used in the flags of several Irish revolutionary groups throughout history. Ireland is the “Emerald Isle,” so named for its lush green landscape. Green is also the color of spring, the shamrock, and the many eateries and breweries serving green beer.   This year Chipotle is offering FREE Guac to anyone wearing green on St. Patrick's Day.

• Corned beef or bacon?

This St. Patrick’s Day, millions of people will sit down to an authentic Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage. Or so they think. In fact, only half of it is really Irish. Though cabbage has historically been a staple of the Irish diet (along with potatoes), it was traditionally eaten with Irish bacon, not corned beef. Irish immigrants in America could not afford the bacon, so they substituted it with corned beef, a cheaper alternative they picked up from Jewish immigrants.

• Pinch me, I’m Irish

Forgot to wear green on St. Patty’s Day? Don’t be surprised if you get pinched. No surprise, it’s an entirely American tradition that probably started in the early 1700s. St. Patrick’s revelers thought wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns, fairy creatures who would pinch anyone they could see (anyone not wearing green). People began pinching those who didn’t wear green as a reminder that leprechauns would sneak up and pinch green-abstainers.

Don’t forget your green!

Stop Paying Too Much for Homeowner's Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance premiums can be expensive. While there are a number of premium price factors you can’t change, such as the size of your house and where it’s located, there are some ways you can lower your premium costs. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, there are a number of ways you can go about reducing your homeowner’s insurance premiums.

Here are some of the top ways to save a few bucks and still have the homeowner’s insurance coverage you need:

• Look around. There are plenty of companies out there that offer homeowners insurance.  You can check the yellow pages, or ask friends and family for referrals.  The key here is to be selective: only consider homeowners insurance companies that come recommended, or that have a solid record of good customer service and follow-through.  Check the financial stability of the companies you are considering with rating companies such as A.M. Best (www.ambest.com) and Standard & Poor’s (www.standardandpoors.com) and consult consumer magazines. When you've narrowed the field to three insurers, get price quotes.  Many companies sell cheap insurance, but is it good insurance?

• Look for a multiple policy discount. Your auto insurer will usually offer a discount if you also purchase your homeowners insurance with them. In fact, you can save as much as 30 percent with some companies just by having more than one insurance product with that company.
• Make changes to your home. Some insurance companies will offer you a discount on your homeowner’s insurance premiums if your home is more damage resistant. That can include things like storm shutters or a reinforced roof. Homes in areas that are prone to earthquakes may benefit from a retrofitting to make them more resistant. An older home may be eligible for a discount by updating the plumbing or electrical systems. Finally, many homes can get a discount based on home security features like smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks or burglar alarms.
• Keep a good credit rating. Not all insurance companies consider your credit rating, and in some states this is becoming illegal. Still, a bad credit score can affect your premiums in some places.
• Increase your deductible. One way to lower your premium cost, whether it’s for homeowners insurance or auto insurance, is to raise your deductible. The deductible is the out-of-pocket amount you need to pay when something bad happens before your homeowners insurance kicks in.