Author: hsmuser

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] For those with students starting their freshman year or returning to college later this month, you ought to be thinking about a variety of insurance issues not the least of which is health care coverage. Depending on how far afield your student is...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] There now are life insurance policies that will pay a benefit if you suffer a heart attack, stroke, cancer, kidney failure, blindness and major organ transplants – and you don’t have to die to collect. This policy will pay even if you have...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Is your dog worth a $5,000 veterinary bill? The relationship we have with our pets has evolved when it comes to how we view their health and well being – but $5,000!?!?! Well, think about this scenario. For five years, Buddy, the family dog,...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Press Herald recently reported that the City of Portland has authorized a $15 increase for towing charges – from $70 to $85. In the sample of charges among Maine cities, only Biddeford was more expensive for towing charges clocking in at $90....

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]The issue of college debt is beginning to hit the press on a regular basis. Why? Congress is discussing doubling interest rates on federal loans. College tuition costs are twice the rate of inflation. Prospects for well compensated employment remain dim for recent...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]A man walks into his doctor’s office and complains that when he raises his arms, his shoulders hurt. He asks, “What can I do to stop the pain, doc?” The doctor replies, “Stop raising your arms!” An old joke but a good lesson. A...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Fireworks are a ball and most people using common sense are unharmed by firecrackers and other consumer fireworks. It’s when people are careless that things go sideways. Consumer fireworks now are legal in many Maine communities. Legal or illegal use of these explosives...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Employers need to pay attention. You know those notices you receive periodically with densely worded legalese from health care providers about protecting your personal health information? You can now expect to see new rounds of notices with additional language but also alerts from...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Beautiful weather has boating enthusiasts turning out in droves which also creates the potential for havoc when alcohol is part of the mix. It is not illegal to drink and operate a boat but anyone caught with a blood alcohol level of .08...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rolling some of your 401K to an Annuity may be your best hedge for retirement income. Sheryl Moore of Annuity News writes, “Since the United States stock market collapse of 2008, millions of Americans have seen their retirement savings dwindle. Many of these savers...