Entries by Carol LaCombe

Early Retirement Checklist

If you’ve ever yearned for an early retirement, you’re not alone. A small but growing contingent of working Americans have made it their mission to eliminate paycheck dependency well ahead of the traditional age of retirement. More than one-third of Gen Zers, millennials, and GenXers said they plan to retire before age 65, according to […]

Rising Cost of Homeowners Insurance

Many people can expect their homeowners insurance rates to go up this year—along with the rising cost of materials and supplies—in this economy. Several factors are behind the rising costs. Severe weather events continue to cause serious damage and costly insurance claims. The rising cost of building materials, supply chain issues and unfilled jobs are […]

Why Are Auto Insurance Rates Rising?

Increasing auto insurance premiums have been troubling for policyholders and their wallets. According to statistics released in May 2023 by the U.S. Department of Labor, auto insurance premiums increased 17.1% in the previous 12 months. Although the cost of insurance may change each year for various reasons, this infographic can help shed light on current […]

Commercial Property: Forces Driving Increases

The commercial property insurance market continues to be challenging, with several factors contributing to premium increases for commercial property coverage: 1. Catastrophe losses Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and winter storms are occurring more frequently and with greater severity, causing annual insured losses of more than $100 billion globally in the last four years. In 2023, […]

Surviving the Summer Heat

Summer brings longer days and plenty of sunshine, but with it comes the challenge of staying cool amidst soaring temperatures. The sweltering summer heat can lead to various heat-related illnesses, some of which can be serious if not addressed promptly. This article explores common heat-related illnesses and offers tips for preventing them. Heat Syncope Heat […]

Mitigating the Financial Risks of a Forced Retirement

An early retirement is a celebratory event when it happens according to your timeline. But it can also be a financial wrecking ball when you’re forced to retire prematurely — something many Americans experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, more than 3 million additional workers in the U.S. retired during the pandemic than is typical, […]

7 Ways You Might Be Sabotaging Your Salad

Salads may not be as American as apple pie, but plenty of people report eating them regularly: four times a week, on average, according to a poll commissioned last year by Fresh Express and conducted by OnePoll. More than half of the 2,000 U.S. adults polled — 62 percent — said that salads are part of […]

Income tax diversification defined

If you’re saving and investing for retirement, you’re probably familiar with the concept of investment diversification: Combining different types of assets to balance your overall investment risk and return. This same principle can and should be applied to income tax diversification. Why? Income tax diversification may allow you to structure withdrawals in retirement to potentially […]

Spring Storm Preparedness

As spring approaches, it brings with it the possibility of a major spring storm, which can cause severe weather events like thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and even tornadoes. It is essential to be prepared and safeguard both property and personal safety. Here is a concise guide on how to prepare for the unpredictable weather of the […]

6 Forces Driving Commercial Property Insurance Costs

The market for commercial property insurance continues to be challenging. Here are several factors contributing to premium increases for commercial property coverage. Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, winter storms. The frequency and severity of major catastrophes continue to stress the industry. In the last four years, these events have caused annual insured losses of more that […]