And When Should You Expect to Hear from Your Agent? - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager If only everything were as straightforward as Ghostbusters. Knowing who to call and when. When it comes to matters relating...

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Charity Walk to Support the Share Her Spirit Nonprofit Shines Brightly in 2024 - You may recall us telling the heartwarming work that our own Lori Brouillet has championed to pay tribute to her daughter Hailey and to...

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Riding a motorcycle offers an unparalleled sense of freedom and excitement, but it also comes with its share of risks. To ensure safety on the road, it's crucial for motorcyclists to invest in proper safety gear. From...

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Starting a new journey together as newlyweds is an exciting time filled with hopes, dreams, and plans for the future. Amidst the whirlwind of changes, it’s crucial not to overlook the practical aspects of merging your...

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By James Barr, Vice President In recent years, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed numerous industries, offering a range of benefits and efficiencies. However, the same technology that...

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Navigating the Stormy Waters of Catastrophic Weather and Rising Insurance Costs - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager Michigan is now approaching the point of being considered what we in the insurance industry call...

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Renovating your home can be an exciting journey, transforming your living space into the dream dwelling you've always wanted. However, amidst the excitement, it's crucial to undertake precautions to avoid common...

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Taking care of fire safety at home is a key part of managing your household. Each year, fires in residential areas cause significant property damage. However, many of these incidents may be prevented with the right...

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As parents, the safety of our teenage drivers is paramount. With road accidents constituting a significant risk for young drivers, leveraging technology to enhance their safety isn't just smart; it's essential....

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In the aftermath of an unexpected event, such as a fire, theft, or natural disaster, having a comprehensive home inventory can be a lifeline. This detailed list of your possessions not only aids in the homeowner...

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Owning a boat can make weekends and vacations fun and memorable. Follow these tips to help ensure that when you’re towing your boat you’re being as safe as possible to lower the risk of accidents and unwanted insurance...

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We are extremely honored and thrilled to share the exciting news that our agency has been presented a formal “Proclamation of Congratulations” by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. Presented by Commissioner Joe...

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BuySide, a publication from the Wall Street Journal, recently published an article asking the headline question, “What Is an Insurance Broker-and Do You Need One?” The article, appropriately subtitled, “Get help...

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Taking Care of Your Home Could Have Twice the Benefit - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager As we’ve been sharing with clients, both in person and in our newsletter content, the costs to insure a home continue to...

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If you’re planning a home improvement project, you probably have many contractors available to choose from. How do you pick the right one that will get the job done safely and without liability issues? Follow these tips....

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Useful Downloads and Documents for Protecting Your Property and Assets from Dangerous Winter Conditions - With these frigid Winter temperatures upon us, it's important to be mindful of tips to prevent the pipes and...

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When you tackle home improvement projects, it’s wise to prioritize those that add the most to your property’s value, especially if you might put your home on the market in the next few years. Here are the renovations...

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Four Actions You Can Take to Help Mitigate Rising Homeowners Rates - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager Annual increases in property insurance - whether dwelling/homeowners coverage or commercial property...

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The GCB Team Continues its Annual Holiday Tradition - By Staci Remley, Operations Manager This year, our agency is once again continuing its tradition of giving back to the community we serve in partnership with local...

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If you have a young driver in your home, you may be fearful about them driving on their own, especially in bad weather or road construction. Here are some tips to share with them to improve safety by adapting their...

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Your boat is an investment that gives you tons of fun all summer long. But come the cold weather months, you want to make sure it’s properly winterized before you store it, so it’s protected from weather and other...

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Homeowners today have never had more ways to save money through technology. Here are five smart home devices that will help you cut down on your bills and improve your home’s safety. Better safety can mean fewer...

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If you’re on the fence about renting or owning a home, here’s a helpful look at the upsides of each option. Remember to get the right insurance when you make your choice, so your property is fully protected. The...

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Three Reasons to Make Sure You Get the Most Comprehensive Coverage at the Most Affordable Rate - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager In the most recent issue of our newsletter, we shared a segment from The Today...

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How Tragedy Touched a Member of the GCB Family; Finding the Power to Persevere - Sometimes even a great cause - no matter how worthwhile and important - touches a little too close to home. But when someone can turn a...

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If you want to reduce your risk of traffic accidents and the insurance claims that accompany them - which could cause your premium to go up - you need to drive defensively. Here are some driving tips to help you avoid...

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Reasons to Stay Independent and Privately Owned - We recently sat down with Vice President Jim Barr to discuss the strategy that he and President John Cornish are pursuing to grow their agency locally and strengthen...

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If you’re house hunting, you’re probably looking at many elements like the number of bedrooms or how updated the kitchen is. Don’t forget to check for these things too, which which may help avoid home insurance claims...

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- - Why We Give, As a Company and As Individuals - By Staci Remley, Operations Manager As an agency recently celebrating our 60th anniversary as a local, independent, privately owned insurance agency, we are extremely...

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Many insurance carriers today offer smartphone apps that track telematics to monitor driving. Here’s how they work and how these apps may help you lower your auto insurance premium, along with a few other advantages. ...

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Bundling Through an Independent Insurance Agency Saves Even More - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager Whether it’s Flo, a talking gecko, an emu wearing sunglasses, or a walking, talking personification of mayhem,...

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Water has been in short supply in many areas of the United States lately. And even if it’s bountiful where you live, you may be paying more for water than you’d like. Here are some tips for using less water and saving...

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Your auto insurance is one of the most important elements of your personal insurance portfolio. But some people purchase only the minimum required liability coverage, not realizing they may be leaving themselves open to...

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Industry Authority Update Provides Trends, Answers and a Look to the Future - By James Barr, Vice President We’ve previously discussed that the commercial insurance markets are experiencing inflation like just about...

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Whether you’re just getting away for a long weekend or spending a few weeks out of the house, it’s important to ensure your home is safe while you’re gone. Follow these tips to help prevent break-ins, fires, and water...

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It’s an unfortunate fact that life expectancy in the US has dropped recently. This has led many people to examine whether or not they should have a life insurance policy and, if so, how much coverage they should have....

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It seems like every day on the news that we hear stories about a hurricane, flood, or wildfire creating massive damage in the U.S. and putting people out of their homes. Have you thought about how your family would...

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Consider Your Homeowners Schedule Your Seasonal “Nice List” - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager It’s the holiday season! People everywhere are getting excited about giving and receiving gifts. Of course, nobody...

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Several Ways to Lower Costs, Minimize Risk, and Maximize Coverage in 2023 - By James Barr, Vice President With the end of another year fast approaching, the “insurance elves” at Gompers, Cornish & Barr are hard at...

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With the new car market impacted by shipping delays, many people are choosing to buy used cars lately. And some people only purchase a used vehicle because it saves them money and lets the first owner figure out if it’s...

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Having a new puppy join your household can change your life. The snuggles and kisses make getting up in the middle of the night for potty breaks worth it, but in the whirlwind of change, it’s easy to forget some...

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Four Ways to Reduce Claims, Lower Costs, and Get People Back to Work - By James Barr, Vice President Workers compensation is one of those aspects about being a business owner or HR manager that brings little joy, truth...

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Avoid These Oversights to Save Money and Maximize Coverage - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager Most homeowners are not insurance experts. Nor do they need to be. If you have an independent agent who is committed...

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Company Established in March 1962 Continues Founder’s Legacy - Gompers, Cornish & Barr is celebrating 60 years in business in 2022, having grown from humble beginnings to become one of few remaining mid-sized...

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A security camera can help protect your property against intruders or provide evidence in the event of a break-in. But with all the technology available today, it can be tough to figure out which smart security camera...

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Make Sure Your Employment Practices are Keeping Pace with Your Hiring Incentives - By James Barr, Vice President Employers in virtually every industry are facing the same challenge: maintaining staffing levels to meet...

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Take These Steps to Lower Premiums Without Compromising on Coverage - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager With the cost of nearly everything on the rise, people are naturally looking for areas in their spending...

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If you’re looking around for home or auto insurance, you may find the process confusing, especially if you’re new to buying coverage and aren’t familiar with the terminology. Here are five essential things you should...

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Tips to Make Sure Your Commercial Property Coverage Doesn’t Fall Behind Actual Replacement Costs - By James Barr, Vice President Like homeowners insurance, commercial property policies are feeling the impact of...

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Grilling food is a fun pastime, and it’s ideal on those summer days when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen. But every year, there are accidents and home fires because people don’t grill safely. Follow these tips to...

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Understanding How Coverage is Calculated on Your Homeowner’s Policy - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager When insuring your home, it’s important to understand the difference between two distinct coverage terms:...

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No one likes the thought of having pests in their home, whether they be rodents, cockroaches, ants, or any other common household pests. If pest activity is common in your area, it is important to take steps to prevent...

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A Cautionary Tale on the Concept of “Permissive Use” - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager Most certainly you’d have the best of intentions. A friend in need comes seeking help in a time of distress. An unexpected...

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How Companies Can Lower Expenses and Injuries Using Telematics to Improve Driver Safety in their Fleets - By James Barr, Vice President Distracted driving contributed to 14,236 vehicle collisions in 2020, according to...

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You've worked hard to create a beautiful garden for your yard, but there is more to yard maintenance than simply mowing the lawn and watering the plants. There are plenty of other tasks you'll need to complete in order...

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The Cost of Everything is Going Up, Potentially Leaving You Underinsured - By James Barr, Vice President Everywhere we look, we see news about the impact inflation is having on the costs of goods and services. The...

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Water damage is one of the worst problems that homeowners can run into. Not only can it be incredibly expensive to repair, depending on the extent of the damage, but it can also create the potential for mold and mildew...

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Spring is a common time for people to take on all of the cleaning tasks that they put off during the winter. With the weather getting warmer, it's the perfect time to tackle jobs both inside and outside your home. While...

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What to Know about the MCCA Surplus and Refunds - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager As you may have heard, Michigan auto insurance policyholders are expecting refunds via check or direct deposit as the result of...

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- - Complications Arise for Employers and their Workers’ Compensation Insurers - By James Barr, Vice President An employee contracts COVID and is out of work for an extended period of time. Does that employee have a...

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- Personal Umbrella Policies: The Best Defense Against the Ambiguous and Unknown - By Lauren Dallas, Personal Lines Manager Recent developments in an ongoing legal battle in Macomb County provide a useful, though tragic,...

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You may not give the windows on your home much thought, but they can actually make a big difference not just in your comfort level, but also in the value of your home. You'll have a wide range of options to choose from,...

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With Cyber Criminals Getting More Sophisticated, Both the Cost and Importance of Cyber Liability Insurance is Increasing - By James Barr, Vice President The bad news: The number of data breaches in 2021 dwarfed what the...

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If you're like most people, you like to keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. However, running your heater or air conditioner constantly uses a lot of energy, and your electric and gas bills...

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Today's modern appliances are much more energy-efficient than their predecessors, and some are even better than the rest. When shopping for appliances, you'll likely be overwhelmed by choice, so it is important to know...

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It’s Time to Modernize Your Employment Practices Liability Policy to Match the Modern Workplace - - By James Barr, Vice President Every time we think we’re out of the woods, a new data point reminds us that we still...

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Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential for any home, so you should ensure that your house is equipped with them. You should have detectors in the main living areas on each floor, including in every bedroom...

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No one likes to think about the possibility of a fire in their home, but this is one situation where it definitely pays to be prepared. This is especially true if you have children or pets in your home. Read on to learn...

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Solar panels can provide clean electricity for your home, helping you to save money on energy costs while also doing your part to help the environment. However, not all homes are suited to solar energy. Here's what you...

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When it comes to buying insurance, you have two primary options available to you: independent agents like us, and captive agents. While both can provide insurance services, these two types of insurance agents are not...

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More and more people these days are choosing to add dash cams to their vehicles, and for good reason. These small cameras can be highly useful to you, especially in the event that you get a traffic ticket or are...

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Summer is here and people are flocking to the water — whether it’s the beach, a lake, a river or a backyard pool. But, wherever there’s water, there’s also danger. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...

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In today’s digital world, slander and libel lawsuits are more common than you may think. Comments made in haste or anger on social media can have lasting and far-reaching effects on a person’s reputation or character,...

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Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for many people, and for those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it can be a hassle, too. But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you can...

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Sometimes a basic homeowners policy just isn’t enough. So as your career advances and your income increases, it’s important to keep your insurance protection up to date. This helps you avoid expensive gaps in coverage...

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Shopping online. Visiting the doctor. Buying gas. In nearly all of the things we do from day to day, there’s the risk of identity theft. You could unknowingly give your information to a fraudster thinking you’re...

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If you have a homeowners policy, you probably expect it to cover all the costs of rebuilding your house in case it’s damaged or destroyed by a covered hazard. But are you certain you have enough coverage? Read about two...

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It seems like a no-brainer to leave the lights on outside your home to deter burglars while you’re away (or even while you’re asleep). But does that really work? Or is it just a waste of electricity — particularly this...

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Unless you’re headed to a warmer climate for the winter - or you live in one already - fall is the time to start preparing your RV for winter (as long as you’re done using it for a while, that is). And just because you...

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Fall is a wonderful time - if your home is ready for it. So enjoy the last few weeks of warmer weather, but do a little preventative maintenance while you’re at it. You’ll fix small problems before they become big, and...

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We’re not quite sure where summer went, but if you haven’t noticed, the new school year is upon us. And as you get your kids organized and ready, consider doing the same thing for something else - your home. It won’t...

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What would you do without power tools? Well, you’d probably take on fewer home-improvement projects — and probably have a lot more calluses on your hands. Thankfully, you don’t have to do without. But you do have to use...

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Water damage can be disastrous to your home. Imagine discovering that your entire basement is filled with brown water and sewage from a backed-up water main or other pipe. It’s not only disgusting and potentially...

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It doesn’t take a massive remodel, or a big budget, to make your house feel a little more like home to you. Inside or out, small improvements can make a significant difference - and whether you’re handy or not, you can...

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Congratulations! After weeks of research, comparing makes and models, and taking test drives you finally bought that brand-new car you wanted. But before you take that well-deserved road trip, check one more item off...

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A safe home, a regular routine, a soft bed – the things that bring you comfort bring your pet comfort, too. It’s so important to give some advance thought to how you’d handle your pet responsibilities during and after a...

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Let’s spare a moment for something most of us use every day yet probably take for granted: our service lines. We rely on them for access to water, electricity, gas, Internet connection, and more, but only think about...

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Carrying a minimum amount of auto insurance is required by state laws, so you can’t legally drive without it. Yet while the minimum amount keeps your premiums lower, it can also put you at great risk if you have an...

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Every year, unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (not linked to fires) sends 20,000 people to the emergency room and causes more than 4,000 hospitalizations. And, you might consider them the fortunate ones. CO...

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If you’ve ever been stuck on the side of the highway with an RV issue, you know what a life saver roadside assistance can be. Whether you need a battery charged, a tire changed, or a tow you’re often back on the road in...

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The collector car market evolves with each generation. While the Silent Generation started collecting cars, it was Baby Boomers who really got it rolling. They fell in love with the Chevrolet Bel Air, the Ford Mustang,...

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Decluttering is having a moment these days. Organizing guru Marie Kondo has her own show on Netflix, people everywhere are going through their things and asking, “Does this bring me joy?” and many are even exploring the...

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Fall is here, and there are still plenty of motorcycles on the road. And the key word here is “see.” People driving cars and trucks often fail to notice the motorcyclists around them, partly because they’re not...

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There’s perhaps no organizing task more daunting than the garage-it’s often the dumping ground for the stuff that has no other place in the house, or the things you don’t use but just can’t bring yourself to toss. How...

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