Melody Avecilla

Sniffing out arson

Sunday, 06 September 2009 01:05 Melody Avecilla

LAW enforcement has a new weapon against arson, and it happens to be man’s best friend.

Arson Dogs have been used since 1986 to detect accelerants, which can sometimes single out arsonists.

Preparing for your financial future

Sunday, 30 August 2009 21:27 Melody Avecilla

WHEN most of us think of investing, we immediately think of investing for retirement. While that is an important aspect to be considered, there are other pieces of the puzzle that are also important. Establishing a budget, investing early and regularly, and saving for post-secondary education should also be included.

Establish a budget

Establishing a budget is a great first step in planning your finances. A budget is a useful tool for recording all of your income and expenses. By writing down how much money you earn and spend each month, you can see where your money is going. This will assist you in being able to prioritize your expenses and needs. Any money left over can be used for saving and investing. Even a small amount of money invested regularly can help.

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Women must focus on retirement income

Sunday, 23 August 2009 18:00 Melody Avecilla

WHETHER they are the breadwinner in their household or not, preparing for retirement should be extremely important to women. One item of planning that must be considered is the financial situation of the surviving spouse and what can be done to prepare for a potential shortfall.
Women survive their spouses more often then men. The Administration on Aging estimates that seven of 10 women will outlive their husbands, highlighting the need for retirement planning even more.
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safety: Back to schoolfore

Sunday, 16 August 2009 18:32 Melody Avecilla

IT WON’T be long before school starts again. Kids will be out in greater numbers on the streets and sidewalks. As parents, we want our children to enjoy their years in school and return safety home each afternoon.
Whether your child is riding a bike, walking or taking a bus, there are a few simple safety rules you should discuss before school starts.
Riding a bike or walking will give your child a chance to get some exercise during the day. But children face possible dangers riding or biking. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 have probably not developed the skills and experience to navigate traffic safely and judge speed and distance. Before school starts, practice safe pedestrian skills with your child and provide adult supervision to and from school if possible. Tell your child to:
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Insurance for employment practices liability

Monday, 10 August 2009 04:12 Melody Avecilla

THE number of employment-related claims has increased dramatically in the past decade. And while multi-million dollar verdicts against large corporations make the headlines, claims against smaller companies are becoming more common.
Faced with that possibility, owners of small and mid-sized businesses are giving increased attention to State Farm Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI).

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Mutual funds: Another way to invest

Sunday, 26 July 2009 19:57 Melody Avecilla

IF YOU are the average person, you may have a 401(k) with your company, and you might even have an Individual Retirement Account with a bank or other financial institution. But did you know there is another option out there to help you invest? Many people are taking the opportunity to invest in mutual funds to help them reach their financial goals.
What is a mutual fund?
A mutual fund is a way to invest through a regulated investment company. Investors’ money is placed in a pool and it can be diversified into a variety of investments such as stocks, bonds or money market securities.
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All businesses need insurance

Sunday, 19 July 2009 20:08 Melody Avecilla

THE dream of owning a business becomes a reality for thousands of people each year.
For many of these would-be captains of industry, that means starting the operation on a small scale. However, your enterprise may be in jeopardy if you don’t have business insurance.
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Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher For Your Home

Sunday, 12 July 2009 22:34 Melody Avecilla

BASED on your home size, and the number of potential fire hazards, you should consider having one or more working extinguishers.
You should also choose the extinguisher type that best fits your needs.
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Saving for College

Sunday, 28 June 2009 21:26 Melody Avecilla

SINCE State Farm* has entered the field of financial services, I’m talking with more families about planning for the future. While families almost always want to talk about retirement, their most immediate concern is saving for their children’s college education.
This is wise. College education will, in most cases, be a family’s second largest expense after home ownership, so it deserves careful planning. Rising college costs make saving even more important.
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