Foolproof your disaster plan (Multifamily Housing)

As we enter the summer hurricane season, emergency preparedness experts say many property management companies need to pay close attention to their disaster plans. Effective preparedness starts with evaluating the risks, securing the property, putting together a written plan and having a strong commitment to disaster planning at all levels of the organization. Put your [...]

Check your insurance coverage as hurricane season arrives (HSH.com)

As we near the most active part of the Atlantic hurricane season, homeowners in coastal areas should take a closer look at their insurance coverage. Unlike traditional homeowners insurance, the windstorm or hurricane part of a policy carries a higher deductible that can be as much as 5 percent of the home’s value. Having the [...]

The financial impact of divorce (Mintlife.com)

Divorce is not only an emotionally trying experience, but it can be a financially devastating one, as well. According to the web site Maritalstatus.com, the average cost of a divorce in the United States now runs about $20,000. From legal fees and alimony payments, to the division of assets and possible tax consequences, the costs [...]

Max out your FSA before year’s end (Mintlife.com)

Flexible spending accounts, also known as FSAs, are popular benefits provided by employers that allow workers to set aside money to cover health-related expenses. Contributions are made to the account on a pre-tax basis, which can add up to a lot of savings. The problem is, any funds that aren’t used by the end of [...]

Most funds underperforming indexes, S&P study says (Better Investing Magazine)

The ongoing debate of index vs. active investing may never be settled, but research shows that passive investing is a sound strategy. In fact, during a five-year period, three-fourths of managers at over 2,900 funds failed to meet comparable benchmarks in their fund categories. Although data indicates that active management performance does improve over time, [...]

Bigger than Auto (Collaborate Magazine)

It’s not a well-known fact, but meetings have a bigger economic impact than the auto or gambling industries. Just ask the boat captains, restaurant servers and small business owners in cities such as New Orleans and Grand Rapids. As a fifth generation boat pilot, Troy Manthey knows very well the impact that meetings and conventions [...]

Petrified Profits (Portfolio.com)

Portfolio.com–Haunted houses aren’t just places to frighten the daylights out of adventurous souls in October. With 4,000 haunted attractions worldwide, they’re also ideal spots to scare up dollars—so much so that Hauntworld Magazine estimates they make up a $2 billion industry. One such terror spot is the House of Shock in New Orleans. Originally started [...]

Act Quickly When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and House (Houselogic.com)

Houselogic.com — Smoke damage can wreak havoc in your home. Kitchen flare-ups, closed fireplace flues, and electrical fires can send smoke throughout your house, charring walls, covering everything, and stinking up the place. The longer you let smoke and odors linger, the more they soak into walls, carpets, and furniture. So get to work, but [...]

What We’ve Learned (STORES Magazine)

STORES Magazine — A decade on, the September 11 attacks influence mall, store security. When Osama Bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan last month, it marked a significant milestone in what has broadly been termed the war on terrorism. But experts and analysts were quick to point out that the threat of [...]

6 smart moves to prepare for parenthood

Interest.com: Here’s what family and doctors never tell prospective parents: Kids are expensive. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it will cost the average American middle class family more than $220,000 to raise a child to age 18. Then there’s college. And you know what those bills are like. Being a good parent not [...]

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