Insurance Blog of Florida

       The closing of Cypress Gardens seemed to be a nightmare for the City of Winter Haven last Fall; however, a bright future is just around the corner! On January 21, 2010 Merlin Entertainment announced their second opening of U.S. Legoland would be here in Winter Haven on Cypress Gardens property. The Legoland in California operated by Merlin has been ranked the #1 in that state for the past six years. The memo that was sent to Polk County Commissioners highlighted these major points:

• Legoland Florida will be the fifth Legoland attraction worldwide. (California, Denmark, England, and Germany)
• Merlin is the second largest attraction company in the world.
• Merlin has already researched the area and concluded that Legoland has high recognition and will reach the target market.
• Legoland is the fastest growing theme park in the United States. Including a growth rate of 6% in 2009.
• Merlin operates 59 various venues which include historical sites. In 2009, Merlin was the only theme park company in the world to see attendance growth.  

      Winter Haven even beat out one metro area that offered $150 million in infrastructure but Merlin still chose to build at Cypress Gardens. A hotel convention center and aquarium are possible….so we may be looking at a Legoland Florida Resort! Construction will be up and running soon and finding a general manager is now in the works. The Polk County Tourist Development Council has agreed to offer $350,000  annually for 10 years to promote/market the park.

The addition of Legoland to Winter Haven will introduce 1,000 jobs and 1.5-2million visitors annually.

SIG Insurance proudly serves those in Winter Haven, Lakeland, Davenport, Orlando, Tampa, & Haines City.

For more information visit: http://www.sigprotects.com/

       In today’s society, becoming a millionaire is not as prestigious as it was 100 years ago. Actually, it’s practically common. Nearly 6.7 million United States households have a net worth that exceeds $1 million excluding home equity. Shockingly enough, these people still shop the same places as everyone else…Walmart and Target to name a few. In fact, now and days people don’t start popping bottles and toasting until they reach $10 million or more. Believe it or not, millionaires worry about the same thing that everyone else does…healthcare and retirement savings. Most of them realize they are well off but still need to be cautious of their spending habits.

      Millionaires spend most of their time hunting bargains. These people shop at places like Walmart because they like to return to their middle class roots. The majority of them have made their own fortune by starting small businesses and becoming corporate people. Throughout the United States, only 5% of millionaires actually inherit their fortunes. Studies show that most millionaires attended state universities and have average SAT scores. When asked what the keys were to their success, they rank hard work and determination in the top three. Millionaires attribute success to their core values and not to what their grades were or where they went to school.

Most millionaires believe 

• That having money does make you happier
•  Having more money makes you happier because you don’t have to stress about funds and you have a surplus that comes with more freedom.

      However, they also realize that having more money does make you happier but only to a certain extent. They know that after having more money it does not increase happiness.

 Want more information on how to become a millionaire?!

The 12 Steps to Become a Millionaire

 SIG Insurance
 290 Cypress Gardens Blvd SE
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Contact: Office: 800.731.6365
                   Fax: 863.299.9737

Check out our blog: http://www.insuranceblogflorida.com/

What’s it like to be a Millionaire? (2010, March 1). Retrieved from: 
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/blog/page.aspx?post=1668902&_blg=1,1668902

   It’s about that time again! No not Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter but time for the 2010 Census. Some of you in your 20’s may be saying huh…or what’s that? Others may be feeling quite annoyed…maybe even a little more so than you did ten years ago. The United States Census has been around far longer than we could ever imagine. In fact, the first ever recorded dates back to 1576 which was 200 years before America gained its independence from the British. It is sworn in Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution that we must take census which is why we have done so every 10 years since 1790.

       These Census forms will be delivered in Mid-March to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. It is our job to answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the envelope that’s provided and already postage-paid. The form cannot be filled out online, but only through the mail. The Census may include questions such as:

• How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?
• Were any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in question 1?

       The Census helps communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds. Commodities include hospitals, schools, senior centers, and job training centers. The data that residents fill out also helps to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. The ultimate goal of the census is to count all United States residents-citizens and noncitizens. The form this year is said to be one of the shortest forms in history-10 questions in ONLY 10 minutes. If you do not receive a census form through the mail, be prepared for the Census Bureau to send out what is known as a census taker. This person has the responsibility of:

• Obtaining census information from residences that have not sent back their form.
• A census taker is sent throughout communities with a binder and records the answers you give them.
• If you are not home when the census taker stops by then they will visit your home up to three times and leave a door hanger that will have a contact number available to schedule a visit.

       Residents should not expect a census taker to show up at their houses to take census. This is only done if you do not fill out the census and send it back via mail. Census takers are only sent around in very rural locations and areas with a low population. Also, the bureau has made special arrangements for people that live on boats, caravans, and traveling circuses.

Participating in the Census is a lot like voting, everyone has a right and it’s FREE!

SIG Insurance is proud to serve Winter Haven, Orlando, Lakeland, Tampa, Davenport, Haines City, and all of Florida! 

 How the Census Works. Retrieved from, http://www.howstuffworks.com/census1.htm

 What is a Census Taker? Retrieved from http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/census-taker.php

 Officials urging citizens to complete 2010 Census. Retrieved from http://www.baynews9.com/mobile/2.html