Greetings!
This is our favorite time of year...the dewy mornings and bright sunny afternoons, the cool crisp air and the smells of all the goodness being cooked up with spice! All the sensory excitement makes this season comforting and enjoyable to get outside and take in all the beauty nature has to reveal.

Every new season is an opportunity for a fresh start. We recently re-launched CUROWM.com , with improved features and resources, that we hope you've had time to take a look around and find helpful in addressing your financial needs. There are so many exciting new features about the new site; we don't want you to miss a thing! Here are a just a few of our favorite new additions:

You may have also noticed we made some changes to our Facebook and LinkedIn pages too. There are still more exciting changes to come this year and we encourage you to follow us for up-to-date information about what's new and happening at CURO in the coming months.

In light of the recent devastation that occurred with Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, we have included two important reads on safeguarding your finances during a disaster. Read on below for important tips on securing your credit from identity theft and how to build a financial emergency kit for times of catastrophe.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by the storms. Let us know how we can help.

Marianna
We love to hear from our clients about how we are doing, what we can do better, what services you need, or how we have or can help you achieve your financial dreams. Please feel free to click the button above and send us your thoughts. We're always listening!
NEWS THAT AFFECTS YOU
MARKET COMMENTARY: A Mixed September But Strong Quarter for U.S. Stocks
September started with some volatility, but it ended on a positive note for most U.S. markets, capping off a strong third quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) led the way for the month with a return of 1.97 percent, and the S&P 500 followed with a 0.57-percent return. But the Nasdaq Composite could not overcome the early declines, finishing the month down 0.70 percent. Despite its poor performance in September, the Nasdaq did end the quarter largely in line with its peers; it returned 7.41 percent for the quarter compared with 7.71 percent for the S&P 500 and 9.63 percent for the DJIA.



Is This the Beginning of the End? A Look at October 2018 Market Volatility

With the recent two-day drop in the stock market, there is increasing fear that this is it—the big one that will take us back to the depths of 2008. Although that level of concern is certainly understandable, a closer look at the real economic and market situation around the world suggests that the volatility we are now seeing (and may well continue to see) is perfectly normal. Over time, this kind of turbulence is why stocks can yield the returns they do.

Still, how do we know whether this decline is normal and whether we’re headed for another 2008? Is there a way to tell?

LAST CALL
for the
MEDICARE MARATHON!

Open Enrollment has begun! If you're eligible or will be soon and you have questions regarding your options, you should take advantage of our complimentary Medicare Marathon on
Tuesday, October 23rd.

John Barbati , of  Penn Health Insurance Solutions, will be in our office to conduct 30 minute 1-on-1 sessions with clients, friends, family, even your neighbors! We've been helping our clients and friends for many years, make the right decisions for their healthcare.
Please reach out to Samantha , our Client Services Manager to reserve a spot for you, your family, and friends. 
  
Don't delay, there are limited spots available!
We hope to see you at our office to take advantage of this informative meeting.
An Informative Session About Your Medicare Needs
LOCATION
CURO Office

DATE AND TIME
10/23/18 9:00am - 10/23/18 5:00pm

Yes, please reserve a spot for me!
I'm not sure yet.
No, thank you.
How to Financially Prepare for a Disaster
Floods, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, extreme winds, and tornadoes. They all have the potential to create treacherous conditions and cause devastation.

We prepare for the uncertain with insurance, but it is often inadequate. It covers many, but not all natural disasters. Flooding requires flood insurance. And a standard homeowners policy won’t cover damages caused if the ground shakes violently.

Disaster can strike with little or no warning. Early preparation is the key. The importance of building a financial emergency kit cannot be stressed enough. The time to create an emergency kit is today, when the skies are blue and the winds are calm.
 
What Do I Need?

Consider purchasing a box or safe that is fireproof and waterproof. You can’t guarantee it won’t be damaged during a disaster, but it will go a long way in safeguarding important papers. A safety deposit box is also an option.
Store electronic copies of important docum ents on a USB drive. Even better, upload them to a password-protected, cloud-based system. And be sure to create a strong password that is unique. Include letters (some caps, some lower case), numbers, and special characters. If two-factor authentication is an option, enable it. 


 
Freezing Your Credit Could Safeguard You From Identity Theft. Here’s Why You Should Go For It.
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Consumers will soon be able to freeze their credit files without charge . So if you have not yet frozen your files — a recommended step to foil identity theft — now is a good time to take action, consumer advocates say.

Security freezes, often called credit freezes, are “absolutely” the best way to prevent criminals from using your personal information to open new accounts in your name, said Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy with Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a consumer advocacy nonprofit group.

Free freezes, which will be available next Friday,  were required  as part of broader financial legislation signed in May by President Trump.

Free security freezes were already available in some states and in certain situations, but the federal law requires that they be made available nationally. Two of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, have already abandoned the fees. The third, Experian, said it would begin offering free credit freezes next Friday. To be effective, freezes must be placed at all three bureaus.


5 Fun Facts About The Fall Season

FACT : Americans typically refer to this time of year as “fall,” while the British use the word “autumn.” Both terms date back to the 16th century, but before that it was called “harvest" because of the "harvest moon" that occurs when the full moon is closest to the autumn equinox.
 
FACT : Weight gain around this time of year may not only be due to comforting fall foods like pumpkin pie and cider, researchers have found that lack of vitamin D reduces fat breakdown and triggers fat storage.

FACT : The yellow and orange colors you see actually always exist in leaves but they are overpowered by the abundance of green from chlorophyll. The amount of chlorophyll starts to decrease as the sun weakens and the days grow shorter. Red and purple leaves are only that color because of the presence of sugars and sap that are trapped within the leaves. These sugars provide plants with the energy they need to survive.

FACT : Men and women experience high levels of testosterone during the fall. This makes sense because more babies are c on ceived during the fall and winter. The cause is unknown, however it is thought to be due to decreasing levels of sunlight or may be a result of ancient mating instincts.

FACT : Scientists believe global warming could affect autumn colors. As the world warms, leaves may delay changing their colors. Additionally, trees may not use their sugars to create red pigments; rather, they might send that fuel to growing new twigs. Global warming may also alter the habitats of trees, such as the sugar maple, which creates some of the most vibrant fall colors.

Where does your journey begin?
VISION

Young professionals often have a unique financial situation that doesn’t quite fit the “traditional” financial advisor model. Some are just beginning their careers, while others are already climbing the ladder. Everyone is unique, but one thing young professionals have in common is a vision of the future they aspire to achieve . 
PURPOSE

Working families are the Hercules of the American society, often balancing children, aging parents, work, life, and future goals. The families are often busy, the days are never-ending and the to-do lists pile up, but they find purpose in the hectic times: to create a better life for themselves and those they cherish most.

HARMONY

The Golden Years are hopeful times. Most of the stress of children and growing careers has subsided however, other issues arise: the estate, healthcare, taxes, and income. Since life has taught them to persevere, they are confident that all their hard work will harvest harmony for their future.

Want to be our next CLIENT SPOTLIGHT?
Do you have a special connection to CURO; a story of how we have helped you build your business, achieve your dreams or accomplish your goals? We'd love to hear about it and feature you in The Monthly Curator , on our Dream Wall or in our Client Stories . We promise not to publish anything without your permission.