Manufacturing activity hits 26-year low
New research shows the nation&rsquo;s manufacturing activity fell in November to a 26-year low. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=4YlMu5"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=4YlMu5" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=ySlfO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=ySlfO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=8Nsbo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=8Nsbo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=vJtzo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=vJtzo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=RcBZO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=RcBZO" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/471729175" height="1" width="1"/>
Experts: Langford's indictment will hurt economic development
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford&rsquo;s indictment on federal bribery charges could hamper the city&rsquo;s economic development opportunities, industry experts say. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=PAd9Cq"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=PAd9Cq" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=cnSSO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=cnSSO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=SYkao"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=SYkao" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=nNTGo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=nNTGo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=dpFQO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=dpFQO" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/471729176" height="1" width="1"/>
It's official: U.S. in recession
The U.S. economy has been in a recession for all of 2008, the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=z04GlW"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=z04GlW" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=kyobO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=kyobO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=GiwDo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=GiwDo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=ASzFo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=ASzFo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=uA7QO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=uA7QO" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/471638285" height="1" width="1"/>
Retailers score on Black Friday
A leading retail association reported more than 172 million shoppers hit stores nationwide this weekend, spending an estimated $41 billion and causing retailers to breath a sigh of relief. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=6yyCwB"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=6yyCwB" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=cmkpO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=cmkpO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=dIN1o"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=dIN1o" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=ivuuo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=ivuuo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=S2sGO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=S2sGO" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/471638287" height="1" width="1"/>
Langford arrested on federal charges
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was arrested Monday on federal charges after several months of FBI investigations. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=4npjWF"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=4npjWF" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=xDUpO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=xDUpO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=tBcuo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=tBcuo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=Gleoo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=Gleoo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=XrAuO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=XrAuO" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/471428661" height="1" width="1"/>
Alamerica turns down fed bailout money
Birmingham&rsquo;s Alamerica Bank is the latest local financial institution to say no to the Troubled Assets Relief Program offered by the federal government. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=vaK8s5"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=vaK8s5" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=VWGiN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=VWGiN" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=rvRHn"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=rvRHn" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=kLiCn"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=kLiCn" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=YBoYN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=YBoYN" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/466572026" height="1" width="1"/>
Hare Wynn Foundation connects troops with local families
The foundation of a local law firm said it will provide free video conference service to link troops in Iraq and Kuwait with family and friends in the Birmingham area. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=Fh0Ela"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=Fh0Ela" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=GuH8N"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=GuH8N" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=Vt2jn"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=Vt2jn" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=Ku9tn"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=Ku9tn" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=W3ZJN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=W3ZJN" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/466549626" height="1" width="1"/>
Chamber announces Entrepreneur of the Year finalists
The Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce recently announced the finalists for its Entrepreneur of the Year Award. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=VFeBrN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=VFeBrN" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=6km7N"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=6km7N" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=Ehj2n"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=Ehj2n" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=hX33n"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=hX33n" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=fV7KN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=fV7KN" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/466407524" height="1" width="1"/>
BioCryst named 29th fastest growing tech firm
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. ranked 29th on a list of North America&rsquo;s 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies. <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=yGCuVd"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=yGCuVd" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=KnKoN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=KnKoN" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=2ZUGn"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=2ZUGn" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=MvJXn"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=MvJXn" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=vHVuN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=vHVuN" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/466346884" height="1" width="1"/>
RBC Bank swings to $103M loss
RBC Bank swung to a loss in the third quarter as the bank faced a worsening loan portfolio and losses from securities. (RY) <p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?a=N04k6h"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_birmingham?i=N04k6h" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=BIYkN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=BIYkN" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=35e2n"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=35e2n" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=ZGdpn"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=ZGdpn" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?a=kpYhN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_birmingham?i=kpYhN" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_birmingham/~4/466329044" height="1" width="1"/>


life insurance.

Protection-only life will cover you over a specified amount of time; however, if your death occurs after this designated period has passed, then your family won't receive any payment.

Conversely, investment-type life insurance - also known as whole of life policies or endowment policies - will not only pay out in the event of your death, but will also accumulate in value during your lifetime. Hence, the younger you are when you choose to take out investment-type life insurance, the greater the value it will accrue during your life. Many personal pension schemes, including stakeholder schemes, may come under the umbrella of investment-type life insurance.

Home insurance is another crucial part of making sure your life is adequately protected. Whether you choose to take out buildings insurance, contents or both, home can make a vital difference to your peace of mind. Over the winter months in particular, home is especially important. For example, only last month, Halifax Home suggested that homeowners might be threatened by the possibility of burst pipes during the recent cold snap experiences across Britain.

According to Vicky Emmott, a spokesperson for Halifax Home insurance: "Water from a burst pipe within a loft space can very quickly cause damage to plaster ceilings, wall plaster, kitchen units, electrical wiring and decoration..."

With many home companies and high street banks, including Barclays, offering a 24-hour claims helpline and add-ons, such as legal expenses and home emergency cover, there's no reason for consumers not to take out home to cover any possible damage to their home or home contents.

But whatever type of you're hoping to buy, make sure you consider all your options carefully before making your final decision. This way, you'll be sure that your covers aspects of your life that need the most attention, and your long-term benefit will be maximised. Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist.


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