The first time I heard the word credit card,’ I was only seven years old in the good old days of 1993, with snivel still coming out of my nose and my hair cropped into the queer but almost modern style of the 90′s. My aunt, who worked in London, had just returned for a short visit in the country. Back then, I didn’t know what the words credit card’ meant. All I knew was that if you had one, you are above most people ЁC especially considering that in our small barrio, something as novel as the credit card can be somewhat considered as one of a kind and rare.

Now, as the years passed and the times have allowed me to stay in the city and be exposed to more modern realities, I have finally come to know what a credit card is. Read more…

Travel can be exhilarating, fun, exotic and exciting but it’s important not to push yourself past your physical limits. Especially when you are taking part in adventure sports or vacations, you should know what a safe limit is for you. Whether you are a student on a gap year, or a family taking the vacation of a lifetime, buy insurance and stay healthy.

Have a physical exam before you go if you are concerned about your fitness or health. If you have recently undergone a procedure or surgery, make sure your doctor has passed you safe to fly and take part in the activities you plan to do. <

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As nonprofit organizations struggle to balance their missions against their budgets, they often feel as though they have a twin-size sheet for a king-size bed.

Grants and private contributions are fewer and smaller, and public funds are short. Meanwhile, the needs that these organizations respond to are as great as ever, and often increasing.

Nonprofits have learned to economize: cutting overhead where possible, using more volunteers to extend their human resources, and even merging with organizations that have a similar mission.

Nonprofits also can look to their insurance and risk management expenses to economize by preventing future expense increases.

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Allstate Corp., Travelers Cos. and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. are among insurers raising homeowners’ rates after damage from natural disasters defied industry projections.

Allstate, the No. 2 U.S. home insurer, boosted prices for its namesake brand of home policies by 5.6 percent in the nine months through Sept. 30 and has said more increases are coming. Travelers is raising rates after re-evaluating U.S. storm risk. State Farm, the largest U.S. home insurer, has charged homeowners more nationwide for three straight years.

Near-record-low interest rates cut insurers’ investment income, and tornadoes, wildfires and Hurricane Irene increased claims costs in the U.S. las Read more…

Peter Brodnicki, chief executive of the Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) told delegates at its annual conference they must take advantage of one of the biggest growth areas in the market.

He said: “There are angles and opportunities to talk to clients about in this business. Think of clients that were sold to but didn’t take out any protection in the first place or those on joint policies that are maybe looking to split those and put into trusts – they will need someone to advise them.

“The European Union Gender Directive will see pricing become neutral for males and females at the end of next year. Again

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