Blog

Here’s what you might owe on your benefits When it comes to tax season with its barrage of mind-boggling forms and detailed calculations, getting your personal finances in order can feel like a herculean task, especially if you’re not quite sure of the rules. If you receive Social Security benefits from the government, for example, that money is subject to taxes. The […]

The annual rite of filing a federal tax return is kicking into full swing, and this time, millions of Americans will need to adjust their expectations. Stimulus checks are no more. Generous credits for children and for childcare and dependent expenses, mostly daycare, have shrunk to pre-pandemic levels. Steep losses from the stock market, which […]

New law includes significant changes to the rules for individual retirement accounts and employer plans. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act 2.0 was signed into law on Dec. 26, 2022, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Advisors must familiarize themselves with these changes to help clients who can benefit. […]

Major tax filing services such as H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer have been quietly transmitting sensitive financial information to Facebook when Americans file their taxes online, The Markup has learned. The data, sent through widely used code called the Meta Pixel, includes not only information like names and email addresses but often even more detailed information, including data […]

With mortgage rates  retreating from their highest since 2002 and the U.S. housing market cooling, some buyers are expecting to get a deal next year instead of having to contend with sky-high home prices. Unfortunately, that’s just wishful thinking. Although most economists think rates have peaked—or close to it— the consensus is that rates will hover around 6.5% or 7% […]

Savers who are focused on the wealth-building features of health savings accounts (HSAs) are often surprised to learn that they can roll funds from an individual retirement account (IRA) into their HSA, which is called a qualified HSA funding distribution. However, before practitioners start calling clients about this lesser-known rule, a word of caution — […]

With a flurry of news and headlines at both the state and federal levels about potential estate and gift tax law changes, individuals and their advisors are re-evaluating their estate planning tools. As a result, use of Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs) have come back in focus. Our resource will explore the opportunities and challenges […]

A mad scramble for space that’s going to transform the entire country As the population and the economy continue to grow, America will need more space for green energy projects, residential buildings, factories, and farms. After decades of denial, foot-dragging, and political bickering, the US is finally starting to take meaningful action to tackle the […]

It seems like a good time to review the who, what, when and how much of Social Security spousal benefits, and the different rules — and benefit amounts — for spouses versus survivors. There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the difference between spousal benefits, when one’s mate is alive, and survivor benefits […]

A new study shows why millennials may need to scrimp and save to equal their parents’ financial success. An epic four-decade boom in housing and stock prices made Baby Boomers the richest generation in US history. A new study shows just how difficult it will be for younger Americans to copy that success. The wealth boom since […]

IRS increases amount you can save for retirement in 2023. The IRS on Friday announced a record increase in contribution limits to 401(k) and other tax-deferred retirement plans for 2023. Starting next year, you will be allowed to contribute up to $22,500 into your 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans or the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees. That’s […]

The Internal Revenue Service announced Tuesday inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions for tax year 2023.   Revenue Procedure 2022-38 sets out the tax year 2023 adjustments, which generally apply to tax returns filed in 2024. The standard deduction for married couples filing jointly for tax year 2023 rises to $27,700, up $1,800 from the […]

 Read this if you’ve just landed a new job amid fears of a looming recession. If recession strikes, the pink slips may not necessarily fall first on the most recent hires. ‘Recessions are often a way that employers try to strengthen themselves for the future,’ says one expert. Julian Hurst was ready for a change […]

We’ve been “warned” about how subscriptions could become the automotive equivalent of a video game’s downloadable content, and we’re beginning to see more examples. On its ConnectedDrive Store in South Korea, BMW owners can pay a monthly fee to have a creature comfort such as heated seats. It costs ₩24,000 or approximately $18 at current […]

These personal finanical rules may no longer apply Using old money guidelines can give a distorted picture of your financial standing. Some of the best-known rules of thumb in personal finance have outlived their usefulness. While it’s helpful to have a starting point for a housing budget or savings target, or for splitting an investment portfolio between asset classes, many popular […]

How it may be a misnomer for setting boundaries at work. Some experts say it’s a misnomer and should really be defined as carving out time to take care of yourself. Ed Zitron, who runs a media consulting business for tech startups and publishes the labor-focused newsletter Where’s Your Ed At, believes the term stems from […]

Here’s what to look for… KEY POINTS 401(k) statements provide individuals with information about investments and total savings, among other things. They will soon include “lifetime income illustrations,” which estimate the monthly retirement income generated by a lump sum of money. The data may be a rude awakening. But it helps reframe how people think […]

The Internal Revenue Service said late Monday that it would raise its interest rates for the fourth quarter of 2022,  with the rate for individuals’ overpayments and underpayments to be 6% per year, compounded daily, up from 5% for the quarter that began on July 1. The new rates for overpayment and underpayment, explained in Revenue Ruling 2022-15, […]

Outside contributions will no longer be penalized in financial aid decisions after Congress made tweaks that will go into effect for the 2024-25 school year. Grandparents who want to help pay for grandkids’ college costs are getting more bang for their buck. Recent changes to financial aid rules mean they’ll soon be able to contribute to […]

Fed says banks could withstand 10% unemployment, 55% stock price drop in annual stress test The Fed sees banks will have enough capital to keep lending even if unemployment rises to 10% under a hypothetical scenario The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday projected the potential for a rockier road ahead for banks than it did […]

KEY POINTS You’ll need independent savings for a comfortable retirement. A 401(k) plan can be a great place to keep your money, but there’s a specific feature worth looking out for. You may want to make an adjustment to your 401(k). Saving for retirement independently is an important thing. Without savings of your own, you […]

What You Need to Know The Consumer Price Index rose 9.1% in June over the past 12 months, the biggest increase since November 1981. Mary Johnson of The Senior Citizens League warns that rising Social Security benefits can carry hidden costs. The June data could force the Fed to act more aggressively and increase the […]

Homebuyers are backing out of property purchase deals at a level not seen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from Redfin (NASDAQ:RDFN). What Happened: Approximately 60,000 home-purchase agreements were terminated during June, which is the equivalent of 14.9% of homes that went under contract that month, Redfin reported. That share is up from 12.7% […]

Bonds are in their worst drawdown ever1 and 70% of all stocks are in a bear market2 amid elevated cross-asset volatility.  91% of all ETFs have losses this year — equating to $5.8 trillion in assets underwater year-to-date.3 While the losses are painful, they present you with the chance to harvest losses and rotate into more cost-efficient […]

It’s not just about how expensive housing became—it’s how fast it got there. It only took 24 months for U.S. home prices to soar a staggering 37%. For comparison, the biggest two-year spike leading into the 2008 housing crash was 29%. Heading into this spring, the Federal Reserve decided it had seen enough. The central bank quickly raised […]

Top economists are sounding the alarm on inflation For nearly a year, inflation has been hammering Americans. Every month when the Consumer Price Index report gets released, rates have stayed high or gone higher. Hopes that elevated prices were beginning to settle were dashed Friday morning when the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released data showing that the CPI, […]

What to do when your digital life outlives you You have probably given estate planning a lot of thought. You might have created a will or living trust. Perhaps you’ve made an inventory of your possessions and outlined your accounts. But have you considered what happens to your digital life after you’ve passed? The value […]

A short guide.  With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection and are backed by the U.S. government. I Bonds are pretty simple to […]

Companies across the United States are announcing plans to help workers who live in states with abortion restrictions gain access to reproductive health care. Driving the news: A leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft ruling indicated that the court could soon overturn Roe v. Wade. Abortion would become illegal in at least 13 states if the Supreme Court overturns the decision, Axios’ […]

How to take advantage of a Roth IRA when your income makes you ineligible Key Takeaways A backdoor Roth IRA is an investment strategy that involves converting funds from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. A backdoor Roth is an excellent option for those who want to take advantage of a Roth IRA, but […]

Here are the red flags you should know about The U.S. economy added nearly half a million jobs in March. The Dow Jones industrial average is within 6% of its record high. And U.S. households accumulated roughly $2.5 trillion in excess savings throughout the pandemic. Still, despite all the good news, predictions of an impending recession are widespread on Wall […]

With a grandparent-owned 529 plan, you control the investments, and distributions for qualified educational expenses are federally tax free.1  Impact on financial aid eligibility is expiring Starting in the 2024/2025 school year, qualified distributions from a grandparent-owned 529 account will no longer be reported as untaxed income to the beneficiary. And since the Free Application […]

After a certain age, you must begin to take minimum withdrawals from your tax-advantaged retirement accounts. The exact amount of this required minimum distribution or RMD is determined by a number of factors, including your age and the amount you have saved up. The IRS requires you to report this distribution on your annual taxes, […]

Homebuyers have faced a tough choice during the pandemic: Swallow rapid price increases and forgo typical steps like house inspections, or risk getting left out of the real estate market. Those dynamics have caused some observers to question whether the U.S. is repeating the housing bubble of the early 2000s, which led to a painful housing […]

Anyone with a child or grandchild with a disability needs to pull out their will and make sure the way it’s written doesn’t unintentionally keep someone they love from the benefits they need. Estate planning is not a requirement. No one can force you to make your will, create a power of attorney or to […]

Protect your family assets for future generations.  All too often, family wealth fails to last. One generation builds a business—or even a fortune— lost in the ensuing decades. Why does it happen, again and again? Often, families fall prey to serious money blunders, making classic mistakes, or not recognizing changing times. This article is for […]

Sequence of returns can play a role in your overall portfolio. A thoughtful retirement strategy may help you pursue your many retirement goals. That strategy must consider many factors, and here are just a few: your income needs, the order of your withdrawals from taxable and tax-advantaged retirement accounts, the income tax implications of those […]

Summary: Car companies want to rake in billions by asking customers to subscribe to vehicle features. Today, carmakers offer subscriptions for automatic high beams, remote start, and other functions.  Consumers don’t seem as excited about the trend as car companies.  How would you feel about paying $5 each month for the ability to lock and […]

Those younger than 59½ can now withdraw more from IRAs, 401(k)s or other qualified retirement accounts without a 10% early withdrawal penalty. It’s all because the IRS changed how to calculate Substantially Equal Periodic Payments. But beware of the risks. The Great Resignation is translating into a flood of early retirements. When the decision to retire […]

Limited liability companies can protect your personal assets if you own a business but they can also be used in estate planning. Specifically, you could establish a family LLC to shield assets from creditors while ensuring a smoother transfer of wealth from one generation to the next. Family LLCs are subject to the same rules […]

KEY POINTS As the central bank lays the groundwork to raise interest rates this year, consumers will see their borrowing costs rise, as well. Deposit rates won’t be as quick to respond. Here’s what you can do to prepare. The Federal Reserve laid the groundwork for interest rate hikes Wednesday. At the conclusion of its two-day meeting, […]

Starting this summer, taxpayers wanting to access their online accounts on IRS.gov will be required to take a selfie and verify their identity with ID.me. Existing online accounts with IRS.gov, which require only an email and password to access, will no longer work as of the middle of 2022, the agency says. The IRS says […]

The U.S. government has a massive, secret stockpile of bitcoin — Here’s what happens to it KEY POINTS The U.S. government regularly holds auctions for its stockpile of bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin and other cryptocurrencies it seizes. Auctions kicked off in a big way with the 2013 takedown of Silk Road, a dark web marketplace that […]

COVID-19 didn’t have quite the impact on the life insurance industry that some were fearing, but it still has resulted in the highest-ever number of payments to beneficiaries. Life insurance policies paid out over $90 billion in 2020, a 15.4% increase over 2019. That’s the largest year-over-year increase since the 1918 influenza pandemic. While insurers paid out more than ever […]

Thinking about donating? Think of these choices. The year is winding down, and you may be thinking of giving. In fact, you may want to explore the different ways in which you can donate to a charity or non-profit organization, apart from just making a cash gift. Consider some of the alternatives. Keep in mind […]

The CEO of SailPoint predicts that after the Great Resignation, there will be a surprisingly large number of former employees—or “boomerangs”—coming back to their previous companies. A record 4.3 million U.S. workers quit their jobs in August. Add that to the 20 million people who voluntarily left their jobs since April, and it’s clear that the U.S. […]

KEY POINTS Julian Howard is the lead investment director of multi-asset solutions at GAM, which has 103 billion Swiss francs ($112 billion) in assets under management. He cited research by economic historian Paul Schmelzing, who was a visiting scholar at the Bank of England when the paper was published in 2020. Interest rates could remain […]

If you listen to music before bedtime, your brain continues processing the melody while you sleep, according to research published in the journal Psychological Science. A sleep lab study found that around one quarter of participants who listened to familiar songs before bedtime awoke during the night with the melody “stuck” in their heads. This spontaneous […]

Tax benefits and new contribution limits. Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to utilize the financial tools that may help. Take Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), for example. In 2019, 55% of those with HSAs that did not record a distribution also did not receive […]

When you turn 72, you’ll have to start taking minimum distributions from your traditional IRA and 401(k). These strategies will help trim what you owe Uncle Sam. The buoyant stock market has swelled the amount of money Americans have in their retirement savings plans, which is undoubtedly a welcome development for seniors who will need […]

Joining the ‘Great Resignation’? Here’s how to handle your 401(k) KEY POINTS There are options for handling a 401(k) account when you leave your company, although sometimes the choice is made for you. If you have an outstanding loan, it might morph into a taxable distribution that’s subject to a penalty. More than half of […]

Restrictions will not apply to guests with a history of positive reviews. As we head into the holiday season, Airbnb on Tuesday said it plans to crack down on “disruptive” New Year’s Eve parties. The short-term rental company is introducing new products and policies to prevent disruptive NYE parties, with the goal of helping protect hosts […]

Dogs are curious creatures, which unfortunately means they encounter an alarming array of everyday household items that can be poisonous to pets. There are an estimated 232,000 cases of pet poisoning annually in the U.S., according to veterinary experts at WebMD Pet Health Center, with many caused by “household substances that may seem perfectly harmless […]

Is it time to contribute more? Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022. Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), with the limit remaining at $6,000. The catch-up contribution for traditional IRAs remains $1,000 as […]

On November 11, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who have served America in the armed forces. This federal holiday – Veterans Day – is a time to reflect on their courage. Please take a moment this Veterans Day to honor, thank, reward, or remember those veterans you know and […]

What to know about the budget reconciliation bill. To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including adjusting estate taxes. One of the proposals would reduce the estate tax exemption to anywhere between $3.5 and $5 million, with an effective date […]

For better-off Americans, the pandemic economy created some of the strongest incentives to retire in modern history, with generous federal stimulus, incredible market gains, skyrocketing home values and health concerns drawing many Americans into early retirement. The surprising twist? Many of these retirees also opted to put off claiming Social Security benefits, an exclusive Washington […]

The sooner most cancers are discovered, the better the odds they can be successfully treated. Mayo Clinic participated in research on a test that can detect more than 50 cancers. Doctors call it a game-changer, CBS Minnesota reports. “My dad, he was a healthy guy. He didn’t have any known risk factors for cancer,” Dr. Julia Feygin […]

Logophile’s rejoiced this week as Merriam-Webster added 455 new words to its dictionary….”because.” Words like air fryer, dad bod, deplatform, fluffernutter, and FTW were among additions to the dictionary, sparking a wider conversation on social media. Some of the words might be considered slang terms, or are heavily embedded into online culture, but according to Merriam-Webster, that is a […]

This tumult is not the only area of concern in the Chinese economy. There’s a famous saying about a hurricane starting from a butterfly flapping its wings on the other side of the world. That “butterfly effect” is certainly happening in terms of the Chinese property market’s influence on financial markets around the world. For […]

Consumers around the world are about to get socked with even higher prices on everyday items, companies from food giant Unilever Plc to lubricant maker WD-40 Co. warned this week as they grapple with supply difficulties. The maker of Dove soap and Magnum ice cream bars jacked up prices by more than 4% on average […]

Amazon, Walmart, and hundreds more companies were warned by regulators that they could face steep fines if they use fake reviews or other deceptive endorsements The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on misleading endorsements like fake online reviews. The agency warned more than 700 companies, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target, about the issue. Companies […]

In 2019, Jason Henrichs took 46 flights for business, traveling to cities where he stayed at hotels, dined at local restaurants, and sometimes even visited tourist attractions like the Liberty Bell. In 2020, he took just three flights. The traveling life has its perks—Henrichs, the CEO of Alloy Labs, a consortium of community banks, has […]

Thinking about donating? Think of these choices. The year is winding down, and you may be thinking of giving. In fact, you may want to explore the different ways in which you can donate to a charity or non-profit organization, apart from just making a cash gift. Consider some of the alternatives. Keep in mind […]

Since being signed into law in 1935, Social Security has been tasked with providing a financial foundation for our nation’s retired workers. Today, more than 65 million Americans receives a monthly payout, approximately 72% of which are retired workers. Additionally, nearly 22 million recipients are pulled out of poverty each year as a result of the program. […]

The U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS have released recommended ship-by dates for gifts to be delivered in time for the December 25 holiday, which lands on a Saturday this year. With supply chain snags slowing deliveries to both retail stores and home doorsteps — and the USPS itself slowing mail delivery as part of a broad cost-cutting plan […]

Across the country, people are leaving their jobs at record rates. According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday, 4.3 million Americans quit their jobs in August. The nationwide quit rate increased to 2.9% of the workforce. That’s the highest percentage ever reported by the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey series. To put August’s numbers […]

Wise investors take the “big picture” view. If the stock market outlook brightens, there are expectations for a bumper crop of initial public offerings to make their debuts over the next several weeks. Somewhere between 90 to 110 IPOs are preparing to come public by the end of the year, which would make 2021 the […]

KEY POINTS Many wealthy Americans hold life insurance in grantor trusts to reduce the size of their taxable estate at death. That type of planning may be upended by a measure that passed the House Ways and Means Committee as part of a $3.5 trillion budget plan, according to estate experts. The rule aims to […]

One expert calls the current supply chain situation ‘unprecedented,’ even when taking the Great Depression into account With supply chain channels snarled by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, major retailers like Target Corp. and Home Depot Inc. are taking matters into their own hands, chartering ships to deliver goods in time for the important […]

The Department of Education announced plans Wednesday morning to provide billions of dollars in loan forgiveness to eligible public service workers, impacting up to 550,000 people, through expansion of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. KEY FACTS Immediately, 22,000 borrowers will receive a total of $1.74 billion in loan forgiveness, with another 27,000 set to receive […]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2014, Congress created the IRC Section 529A plan under the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. Similar to 529 plans for college savings, the 529A “ABLE” account provides the opportunity to generate tax-deferred growth, and that growth can ultimately be withdrawn tax-free for “qualified” expenses. Which for 529 plans are qualified education expenses… […]

Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2021.  What has changed for you in 2021? For some, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? That’s one step. Did you retire? There’s another step. If notable changes […]

KEY POINTS Congressional Democrats are weighing a new type of required distribution from individual retirement accounts, based on the account value instead of age, according to a discussion list of policy ideas obtained by CNBC. There are few specifics. It seems owners of “mega” IRA accounts of more than $5 million would be required to […]

Estate planning attorneys weigh in on who to designate and what type of power of attorney you may need. When it comes to a power of attorney document, you don’t seem to need it – until you suddenly, desperately do. Designating a power of attorney is crucial to creating a strong financial plan, but you might be surprised […]

Stop throwing your food away. Maybe you know the routine. Every so often, I go through my refrigerator, check labels on the items, and throw out anything that’s a month, or a week, or maybe a few days past the date on the label. I might stop to sniff, but for my whole adult life, […]

Don’t ignore your old accounts just because they’re a pain to delete. We all have accounts we no longer use, but some apps and websites make deleting your profile a pain. In those cases, simply ignoring them is an easier option. However, unused accounts are a major security threat—all it takes is one successful data break […]

Bond purchases may end entirely by the middle of 2022. A funny thing happened in the investment markets the other day. September was living up to its reputation as a volatile month, but then the Federal Reserve came to the rescue. The Fed concluded its Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 22. It […]

Most people are wondering when and how the COVID pandemic will end and there are still no easy answers. The word “endemic” is regularly mentioned, especially among public health leaders and experts as they discuss potential future scenarios. So, it’s important to define exactly it would mean for COVID to be endemic. Scientists predict COVID will become […]

Caring for aging family members can be very costly. Don’t miss out on these tax breaks… KEY POINTS Roughly 19% of Americans provided unpaid care for an adult with health or functional needs in 2020, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving. Nearly 8 in 10 caretakers have out-of-pocket expenses, and they spend an average […]

No one has a crystal ball, but we are in a time of great change, and we want our skills to be relevant and needed moving forward. And just as important, we want our kids and grandkids to have happy and fulfilling jobs. Which brings us to an important question: What jobs are likely to […]

The IRS recently announced that it will start to automatically correct tax returns for those that filed for unemployment in 2020 and also qualify for the $10,200 tax break, Forbes reported. The tax break is part of the American Rescue Plan stimulus relief bill which President Joe Biden signed into law as of March 11. Typically, […]

Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds.  What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives, from building your retirement fund to managing your taxes. […]

You helped your aging parents find a long-term care facility that would meet their needs and budget, and made every effort to provide for their comfort, but financing their expenses was never part of the deal. Or was it? The 2012 landmark case of a Pennsylvania man who was forced to pay his mother’s $93,000 […]

For quite some time, IRS has been sending stimulus payments, tax refunds to eligible Americans. However, despite their claim, many eligible Americans are yet to get their due. If that wasn’t enough, IRS is now sending out letters to Americans and demanding the payback of full or partial stimulus payments. These letters have been going […]

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service said on Tuesday that victims of Hurricane Ida, including all residents of Louisiana, will have until Jan. 3, 2022, to file individual and business tax returns and make tax payments due after Aug. 26. The IRS said the relief applies to individuals and businesses in any area designated by the […]

America’s broken hiring system, explained. Patrick Healy says he did everything right in his job search. After being laid off as a designer early on in the pandemic, Healy, 36, tried his hand at a couple of entrepreneurial ventures before looking for a new full-time position at the start of 2021. He estimates he applied […]

Some parents and grandparents have that possibility in mind.  Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) are for retirement saving, right? Absolutely. Is that their only purpose? Not necessarily. Imagine using an IRA not only to save, but to facilitate a home purchase. This would obviously be a tall order for an adult, given current home values, yearly […]

The federal government has upgraded its Child Tax Credit. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act, there are four notable differences in effect for the 2021 tax year only.1 First, the Internal Revenue Service is paying many families who qualify for the CTC 50% of their credit before 2021 ends. Second, the credit has grown […]

Restaurant meals get a 100% business deduction, but not prepackaged grocery meals The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, increased the business-meal deduction for the cost of food and beverages provided by a restaurant from 50 percent to 100 percent in 2021 and 2022, if certain conditions are met. The IRS on April 8 issued Notice 2021-25 to […]

You might be eating from one already.  A food industry expert explains  While the phrase “ghost kitchen” may conjure up images of haunted houses, the reality is a bit more mundane. Ghost kitchens are food prep operations with no waiters, no dining room and no parking lot – really, no public presence whatsoever. But on food delivery apps, […]

Boating is booming. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic left many Americans stuck at home, boating was on the rise. The boom has been fueled in part by innovations that make boats easier to use, new models of drawing customers — such as boat clubs and subscriptions — and a push to attract a broader swath […]

As the pandemic took hold, a Kansas City-area meeting and event planning business began hawking “I Shake Hands” stickers to help ease awkward social encounters. “We didn’t want the sticker to say, ‘We Don’t Shake Hands’ because that is kind of off-putting,” said John DeLeon, vice president of operations and sales at MTI Events, adding […]

How to keep track of your savings bonds’ maturity dates. Did you buy U.S. Savings Bonds decades ago? Or did your parents or grandparents purchase them for you? If they’re collecting dust in a drawer, you may want to take a look at them to see if any of your bonds have matured. If your […]

Amazon last year introduced biometric palm print scanners at its stores across the United States, including Amazon Go and Amazon Books. Now the company wants to entice customers to begin using the technology with a $10 promotional credit. All you have to do to earn the credit is enroll your palm print at one of […]

If you’ve been to a restaurant in person lately, chances are you’ve scanned a QR code on your phone rather than ordering off a traditional, printed menu. Though COVID-19 is unlikely to spread via surfaces, the desire for “touchless” ordering and the rise of takeout and delivery during the pandemic have ushered in a new era for […]

Clicking on ‘Undo’ can save you from a lot of grief If you’ve ever hit “Send” on a Gmail email and regretted it ten seconds later, you’ll know how handy — even necessary — a delayed send function can be. It could be the sudden realization that you accidentally hit “Reply all,” or a feeling […]

Vaccinated American travelers will get the green light to cross Canada’s borders on Monday, but the process won’t be as simple as it was before the pandemic. The country has implemented new health measures to keep the coronavirus at bay, such as asking visitors to provide additional documentation – including proof of vaccination and a coronavirus test […]

An old way to manage a portfolio is getting some new attention.  “Indexing” is a familiar phrase in investment jargon, and a familiar concept. Money managers structure certain investment vehicles to contain all of the stocks within a particular Wall Street index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index. This equity exposure may […]

Here’s how to store your COVID-19 vaccination card on your smartphone As the delta variant of the COVID-19 virus runs rampant throughout the U.S., a renewed push is being made to get more Americans vaccinated. President Joe Biden said last week he would require federal workers to verify they have been vaccinated or undergo regular testing. Similar […]

Electric vehicles are about to take over American roadways, which means there’s a prime opportunity to replace gas station signs with something better. By 2030, an estimated 20% of all cars sold will be electric vehicles. And by 2035, states like California will ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles. Soon, the gas station, as we […]

Shoplifting is a major problem for many brick-and-mortar retail stores, and it seems that stealing and then selling power tools is a lucrative enterprise for some criminals. To combat this, Home Depot is starting to sell power tools that will not work unless they are activated at the checkout counter. According to a 2020 survey in […]

 Q.: I understand a spouse is exempted from the 10-year rule when they inherit an IRA. Who else gets a break from that? –Tim A.:  Tim, yes, spouses are exempt from the new 10-year rule created in the SECURE Act. Most other beneficiaries are subject to the 10-year rule when inheriting IRAs, Roth IRAs and retirement […]

Lumber prices dive more than 40%, biggest monthly drop on record The quick reversal of lumber’s months long rally came as Americans started to go on vacations again instead of taking on renovation and building projects. Many who are fearful of persistent inflation also took comfort in the drastic decline in prices in the face […]

If your fitness routine includes a pre-workout stretch, you may be spinning your wheels — or worse, hurting yourself. Many of us were taught that it’s important to stretch before running or exercising. That often included the classic forward bend to touch your toes. But while stretching can be beneficial in some instances, experts say it’s […]

In the category of things you already knew but it’s nice when they become official, add this: The COVID-19-induced recession that began in March 2020 ended the following month. The National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday that economic activity reached “a trough,” or bottom, in April 2020, economic jargon for stating that the recession […]

They sit parked in megalots all across North America — next to a big stone quarry in Troy, Missouri, by an auto assembly plant in Silao, Mexico, and filling the vast parking areas outside the Kentucky Motor Speedway near Owensboro. Tens of thousands of bright, shiny, never-been-driven Ford (F) and GM (GM) trucks and SUVs. They appear to be ride […]

Intuit, the financial software company behind TurboTax, announced Thursday that it will no longer be participating in the IRS Free File Program that allows Americans to use brand-name products to file their tax returns for free. The company said in a blog post that while it has partnered with the IRS for the program for nearly 20 […]

COLA and Social Security. The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients. It’s now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1,2 It’s all about inflation. Social Security cost of living adjustments (COLA) are based on […]

What’s behind the quiet fall in bond yields? With all the attention given to inflation, stock prices, and job reports, it’s been easy to overlook the remarkable move in the bond market during the past few months. The yield on the 10-year treasury closed at 1.37% on Friday, July 9, down from its 2021 high […]

A look at the different choices & strategies. If you have a child with special needs, a trust may be a financial priority. There are many crucial goods and services that Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income might not pay for, and a special needs trust may be used to address those financial challenges. Most importantly, […]

The Internal Revenue Service is already staffing up, hiring thousands of new auditors in preparation for a tax-enforcement push that’s a key financing element of President Biden’s infrastructure plan. IRS officials said at a tax conference Friday that they are adding about 2,000 new employees, including 1,300 auditors, to the agency’s small business division and […]

The Dow is now 125 years old. Here are the biggest five days ever in its history. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) is 125 years old today. It made its debut back on May 26, 1896, and while the S&P 500 index may have stolen much of its thunder as a benchmark for “the […]

If you are looking to sell your business and retire, you need to understand what your company is worth, what documents you must have ready and who the potential buyers could be. After Karen Bush cleaned out her mother’s overstuffed home 18 years ago, she realized she never wanted to leave that kind of mess […]

 When the Pentagon launched its first-ever independent financial audit back in 2017, backers of accountability in government welcomed it as a major step for a department with a track record of financial boondoggles. But the Defense Department failed that audit – and the next two as well. Now lawmakers are introducing a bipartisan bill that would impose a […]

Here are some things to consider before lending or gifting money to your kids so that your retirement plans aren’t put at risk. Families have been giving financial gifts or lending money for generations, but allowing adult children to continue to draw on the “Bank of Mom or Dad” can add up, potentially putting parents’ […]

The unprecedented surge in shares and home values during an economic crisis is easing the retirement path for those who have savings and investments. After a year of early-morning Zoom calls, the specter of a deadly virus and soaring stock and real estate values, working American baby boomers who can afford it plan to get out while the […]

Jamaica Blair finally quit her teaching job in April, demoralized by the low wages, insufficient staffing, and most recently the challenges from the pandemic. She wants to be a chef, a career decision that took a long time to make. “Last year, I really wanted to leave, but I guess I became complacent. I was […]

When things go horribly wrong during a stay, the company’s secretive safety team jumps in to soothe guests and hosts, help families—and prevent PR disasters. How Airbnb Makes Nightmares Disappear The first-floor apartment on West 37th Street, a few blocks south of Times Square, was popular with tourists—so popular that a set of keys was […]

Roth conversions almost always work out in a client’s favor, but not necessarily for the reasons that advisers often recommend them, according to an academic study published this week. Contrary to conventional wisdom, tax-rate changes — up, down or flat — have a minimal effect on the long-term financial benefits from converting a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a […]

KEY POINTS President Joe Biden has asked for higher taxes on inheritances to help pay for the American Families Plan. The proposal includes taxes for inherited property at death, excluding the first $1 million of gains. These plans may make life insurance more compelling for estate planning needs, financial experts say. President Joe Biden wants to […]

Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase.1 If there is a “silver lining” to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are expected to see a larger-than-normal increase in 2022. Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase (COLA) in Social Security benefits next year, which would be the highest […]

The pandemic has separated many of us from our coworkers. Working from home is likely to continue playing a major role in the reconfigured workplace. The result is that some remote workers may feel detached, isolated, and unable to get the same warmth from their officemates that they once did. Zoom and other digital communication […]

At least 25 states decided in May and June to prematurely cut off the sweetened aid, which provided an extra $300 a week on top of regular state unemployment benefits. The supplemental benefit is not slated to expire until Sept. 6, 2021. Here is a list of states and when their $300 federal unemployment benefit will end: […]

I live in the U.S. and am considering a trip to another country. What do I need to know about international air travel at this stage of pandemic? First of all, you have plenty of company. International air travel is expected to surge this summer. Americans are thinking of European vacations again. “We’ve had people […]

Half of the child tax credit money will be paid out this year in monthly payments — and the rest in 2022. Here’s what else you need to know about the child tax credit checks. Details on the child tax credit payments are still in the works, but money is expected to start going out […]

Some potential benefits of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act. Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, also referred to as the second version of the SECURE Act, or SECURE Act 2.0. As the bill moves from the House of Representatives to the Senate, many hopeful investors are anticipating […]

Airbnb discovered–and acted on–a key insight. It could lead to an amazing turnaround.  Earlier this week, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky announced what he described as “the most comprehensive update ever” to the company’s service. It included more than 100 changes to the company’s website, app, and policies. But Chesky also revealed something about what these […]

Avideo of a “robot manicure” has gone viral after a TikTok user shared her futuristic experience. Elissa Maercklein posted the clip on May 31 and it has already received over 730,000 likes and 7.2 million views. The video begins with a close-up of her polished nails and the caption: “I got a robot manicure today […]

Here is a look at the specific factors to inspect and what to do if problems are uncovered with this powerful transfer tool. Limited liability companies (LLCs) provide flexibility in allocating rights to profits and capital and are frequently used to shift income and property appreciation from higher-bracket, older generation taxpayers to lower-bracket children and grandchildren. Family LLCs […]

Blackstone, KKR and other investors are betting on laboratory space as vaccines fuel the economic Even as the remote-work era clouds the future for offices, one segment of the business is drawing cash from investors including Blackstone Group Inc. and KKR & Co. More than $10 billion has gone toward buying buildings used for life sciences and other research this year, […]

President Joe Biden’s new tax enforcement plan would add nearly 87,000 employees to the Internal Revenue Service, make banks report more information to the agency and require stricter cryptocurrency compliance, according to a new Treasury Department report released on Thursday. Officials said the plan would cut the tax gap by 10% over the next decade. […]

We’re coming off a record-breaking hurricane season in 2020, with 30 named storms in the Atlantic. So far 2021 isn’t looking that great, either, with an “above average” season predicted by Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project Team. Homeowners insurance policies generally cover wind damage, including hurricane-force winds. There are exceptions along the coast, such as […]

Turns out there is a mechanism in Windows Defender that can protect your files from ransomware. Windows 10 comes with its own baked-in antivirus solution called Windows Defender, and it is enabled by default when setting up a new PC. At the very least, that affords you some basic protection against the many malware threats […]

Here are 4 times you shouldn’t schedule a meeting There’s something about unnecessary meetings that can turn a group of intelligent, kind, charismatic people into one collective brainless, mean, boring monster. To be clear: I don’t think all meetings are useless. I just think some people try to use meetings to accomplish things they don’t […]

The talk is of tapering, and it’s making investors nervous. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released the minutes of its April meeting last week. The report suggested that should the economy continue to make progress, it may be time to adjust the pace of the Fed’s monthly bond purchase program.1 With inflation appearing to […]

A tribute to my dad and all veterans A tribute to my dad, a WWII Bronze Star receipiant, who passed on December 7, 2019 just 3 months shy of his 101 st birthday and exactly 78 years to the “date which will live in infamy”, Pearl Harbor. In what is now a tradition…a reprint from […]

American spending habits have taken a clear direction. Among the many changes arising from the pandemic, one of the most noticeable was a change in American spending habits. A survey released in March 2021 by Pew Research shows that Americans have increasingly chosen to put away what extra money they have rather than invest. It […]

U.S. airlines may need to start weighing passengers in order to comply with FAA rules. For safety reasons, carriers need to calculate an aircraft’s weight and balance, and it has to be within allowable limits for the plane. However the assumptions they’ve been using for passengers are outdated. Americans are getting fatter, and the federal government […]

The Internal Revenue Service is having a tough time processing tax returns this year, potentially delaying refunds for many Americans. Among the many challenges the agency faces: Out-of-order printers and copiers. “IRS employees stated that the only reason they could not use many of these devices is because they are out of ink or because […]

Most folks on Wall Street agree prices for all sorts of things are moving higher, both at the goods level (think corn, oil, copper, houses, used cars) and at the broad basket level (think the Consumer Price Index). Now, given the shutting down of the economy last year, and the subsequent collapse in demand and […]

As Covid-19 causes people to become increasingly glued to their devices, growing numbers of Gen Zers are shunning their phones and embracing a way of life that they say is improving their mental health. But how easy is it really to kick the habit?Eden’s smartphone broke in January 2020. While most young people in his […]

A deep dive into workers’ expectations in retirement versus actual income sources. Will your retirement dreams match your reality? That’s perhaps the most critical question to ask people who are currently retired. Was your retirement what you expected, or was it something else? For more than 30 years, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) has […]

Even ballplayers prepare for their financial future. The San Diego Padres signed infielder Fernando Tatis, Jr., to a 14-year, $340 million contract roughly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers inked outfielder Mookie Betts to a 12-year, $365 million deal. That brings the total to 8 baseball players who have signed long-term, $300+ million contracts.1 […]

Mother’s Day will be on Sunday May 9, 2021.  It’s the time to honor the people in our lives who have nurtured us and to help make us who we are. Think about how you might celebrate it with the moms in your life. Sometimes it’s something as simple as a heartfelt note that means […]

A Look at Non-Fungible Tokens Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, have been the recipient of the latest buzz. NFTs are digital files attached to blockchain codes. If you know anything about digital currencies, you’re probably aware that these blockchain codes are what identifies a digital “coin” and makes it tradeable to those who accept that sort […]

Justin Zhu, co-founder of Iterable, said he was trying microdosing as a way to boost focus. Marketing startup Iterable Inc. dismissed its chief executive officer over violations of company policy, Iterable said in a note to employees on Monday. The fired CEO, Justin Zhu, said the board’s chief reason for ousting him was that he took LSD, […]

The flush toilet may be the world’s gold standard for sanitation, but the sewer infrastructure it demands is inefficient, costly and outdated. When people bother to think seriously about sanitation infrastructure, they tend to laud it. In 2007, the British Medical Journal’s readers crowned the sanitary revolution “the most important medical milestone since 1840.” In 2018, the readers […]

The law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service has been quietly running a program that tracks and collects Americans’ social media posts, including those about planned protests, according to a document obtained by Yahoo News. The details of the surveillance effort, known as iCOP, or Internet Covert Operations Program, have not previously been made […]

Ask just about any dog trainer or veterinarian and they’ll tell you reward-based training is best for canines. It makes sense. Treats are better incentives than a pat on the head (or nothing at all). Of course, all dogs are unique and it’s wise to explore a variety of methods to see which ones your […]

Some examples to consider.  Investors looking for “green shoots” to confirm that the economy is on the mend have seen plenty of examples in recent weeks. Retail sales rose 9.8% in March, the largest monthly gain since May 2020. It’s important to remember that purchases at stores, restaurants, and online are among the biggest drivers […]

No matter where you choose to retire, you’ll be able to sleep in late, go for long walks in the afternoon and work on that book you always wanted to write. But when it comes to your budget, health, safety and overall quality of life, the state you live in really does matter. Every year, […]

With 2020 tax bills coming due, a wave of new retail traders are waking up to the fact that it can be difficult, and often impossible, to make tax-minimizing moves on new brokerage platforms such as Robinhood, Webull, SoFi, Uphold and Public.com. Some don’t allow trading within tax-favored retirement accounts such as IRAs. Traders can […]

This is how President Joe Biden is thinking about student loan cancellation.  Here’s what you need to know. Student Loans During testimony in the U.S. Senate today, Biden’s nominee for Undersecretary of Education, James Kvaal, revealed Biden’s approach to student loan cancellation. According to Kvaal, Biden has three pillars for student loan forgiveness:   Student loan […]

Get ready for early May or thereabouts, when Brood X cicadas are expected to emerge from underground across the eastern US. The large-scale event happens every 17 years. Love is in the air this spring in the eastern United States, where billions of cicadas will soon appear in the biggest emergence event since 2004. The […]

Yellen wants to help the U.S. raise sufficient revenue In a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called for a minimum corporate income tax that would be shared by countries all over the world.1 The decrease of corporate tax rates around the world has led to what […]

Here’s how to manage your 401(k) savings after you retire. New retirees need to decide what to do with the money in their company-sponsored 401(k) plan. You can generally maintain your 401(k) with your former employer or roll it over into an individual retirement account. IRAs maintain the tax benefits of your 401(k) plan and give you more […]

KEY POINTS “The Federal Reserve System … has a diversity problem,” a Brookings Institution report released Tuesday said. The report notes that in the central bank’s history, there have been just three Black members of the Fed’s board of governors, one Black regional president and only three nonwhite regional presidents overall. The Federal Reserve has […]

The agency includes new fact sheets that target different age groups and special situations, such as eligibility for benefits. The Social Security Administration is stepping up its outreach efforts to working Americans of all ages by including fact sheets with new guidance when workers access their estimated benefits statements online. It is a welcome change […]

Capital requirements were relaxed during COVID as markets stabilize The Federal Reserve will not extend temporary relief on a bank regulation known as the supplementary leverage ratio (SLR), it said on Friday, despite large efforts by banks to persuade the central bank to do so. The SLR is a regulation that requires the largest U.S. […]

The proposal does not yet include any new taxes on individuals. President Joe Biden introduced the much-anticipated American Jobs Plan, which outlines an approach to spend roughly $2.2 trillion on the nation’s infrastructure and other projects. As part of the legislative process, the Biden administration also laid out a proposal for paying for the domestic […]

Vaccine eligibility in the US is expanding quickly, and so is the popularity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s little white card. While plans to establish standardized vaccination proof are still being developed, many are holding to their Covid-19 vaccine cards as a potential form of social currency. And companies, like Staples and Office Depot, are […]

Here’s how to tell if you have reached senior citizen age. THERE IS NO CLEARLY defined age when you become a senior citizen. Some people might consider themselves seniors when they retire from the workplace, sign up for Social Security or begin to spend their retirement savings, but others aren’t ready to call themselves a senior […]

From choosing the best picture mode to tweaking contrast, brightness, sharpness and more, here’s how to get maximum quality out of your TV. With a few easy tweaks of its picture settings, your TV can look better than it does right now. From the cheapest LCD to the most expensive OLED and MicroLED displays, changing a few settings will improve picture […]

Sure, mulch can help control weeds, improve soil quality, reduce moisture loss, cool soil temperature, and—drum roll—make your yard look more manicured and groomed. But, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come without its questions every spring. When’s a good time to drop mulch? How much mulch do I really need? Should I remove old, dried-up mulch […]

What should you get rid of and hold on to? When and why? If a shred party happens to spring up in your area, you may want to mark your calendar. For many years, shred parties, where a business or organization hosts clients or the public to the use of giant paper shredders, have presented […]

With Negative Rates, Homeowners in Europe Are Paid to Borrow Money Her interest rate fluctuates, but right now it is around minus 0.25%. So every month, Ms. Santos’s lender, Banco BPI SA, deposits in her account interest on the 320,000-euro mortgage, equivalent to roughly $380,000, she took out in 2008. In March, she received around […]

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that he hopes history will be kind to the central bank for the actions it took in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. “I liken it to Dunkirk, when it was time to get in the boats and get the people — not to check the inspection […]

9 states don’t impose income tax on personal income, but residents should consider these factors. The federal income tax deadline has been pushed back until May 17, but you may be off the hook for having to file a state tax return altogether, depending on where you live. Nine U.S. states do not impose income […]

If you’re avoiding filing your taxes because you can’t afford to pay what you owe, there is good reason to file anyway. Imagine what your tax debt will look like when you add in penalties and interest, which will accrue until you resolve the situation. And only by filing will you be able to take […]

How generational and societal change is influencing companies and the markets. ESG: what does that acronym stand for? Those three letters stand for “Environmental, Social, and Governance” and signify an investment that has particular merit to investors of all ages. A recent Morgan Stanley Bank survey found that almost 90% of millennials would prefer to […]

How we define recent generations Defining a generation isn’t easy, and sometimes the names we use change over time. Here’s how generations have been defined over the past century: The Silent Generation: Born 1925-1945 Baby Boomers: Born 1946-1964 Generation X: Born 1965-1980 Millennials: Born 1981-1996 Gen Z: Born 1997-? (no endpoint set) Gen C: ?* *While some experts are using the term […]

Decentralized private networks offer the benefits of VPNs, but with additional advantages that exclude a central point of control. The internet has undoubtedly revolutionized the way we live. It has changed how we work, access information, travel, communicate and interact with each other. Along with it comes a greater level of freedom that we enjoy […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has taken a key step toward extending an order aimed at preventing evictions during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The CDC order is currently set to expire in less than 2 weeks. Housing advocates have warned for months that allowing this protection for renters to lapse would spark a […]

6,000 residents now have access to free telehealth through their residence, not their job. For most Americans, health coverage is tied to their employment. That means millions of people are uninsured or underinsured—especially during a pandemic that has seen 6 million people directly lose their employer-based coverage. What if you could access a healthcare plan through something […]

What does inflation mean for your investments? In August of 2020, the Fed announced that it is willing to allow inflation to run higher than normal in order to support the labor market and broader economy. This major policy shift allows inflation to run above the Fed’s 2% goal for some time before the Fed […]

The tax filing deadline for taxpayers will be pushed back from April 15 to May 17, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday. The one-month extension applies both to filings and payments, and is only for federal income taxes, not state income taxes. “This continues to be a tough time for many […]

President Joe Biden is expected to propose a number of tax increases in the first major federal tax hike in nearly 30 years to pay for the long-term economic program that will follow the COVID-19 response bill, according to a new report. Sources reportedly told Bloomberg that provisions currently under consideration include raising the corporate tax rate to 28 […]

The third stimulus package includes a slew of financial lifesavers for individuals and families. AS YOU ARE PROBABLY well aware, a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan, aims to help individuals and families throughout the country as well as state and local governments. It’s chock full of financial lifesavers such […]

Children who have a tendency to break the rules are likelier to earn more than their peers Children who don’t have a habit of listening to their parents might be happy about what that means for them, Fatherly reports. Citing a 2015 study published in the journal Developmental Psychology, the publication suggests that “particularly stubborn kids frequently grow into […]

Special interest acquisition companies are making headlines.  What are SPACs, and why is Wall Street talking about them? Special interest acquisition companies (SPACs) are not new, but they are much more prevalent than they once were. In 2020, there were ten times more SPAC transactions than there were in 2016.1 SPACs are public companies created […]

Here’s why and how Certain circumstances could put some people in the uncomfortable position of having to send back some or all of a stimulus payment. Here’s how to find out if you’re one of them Tax season is not only the time to claim your tax refund but also this year when you file for any stimulus money you […]

COVID-19 insurance policies are increasingly joining passports and sunscreen as vacation staples, creating opportunities for insurers as more countries require mandatory coverage in case visitors fall ill from the coronavirus. Airline bookings are on the rise in some regions, driving cautious hopes of a revival in summer traffic, but also raising fears among tourist destinations […]

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) appears to be stepping up its enforcement capabilities with a new program dedicated to cryptocurrency tax compliance.  With “Operation Hidden Treasure,” the IRS will search for unreported crypto-related income, according to Director of the Office of Fraud Enforcement Damon Rowe. Speaking at a Federal Bar Association virtual tax conference, […]

Some of the most popular apps you love and have come to rely on could be posing more of a danger than they’re worth. Here’s what you need to know. There’s an app for that…but should you use it? We all love our cellphones and the millions of ways they connect us and make our […]

What to know about interest rates and yields.  One time-tested principle of investing is, “when bond yields move higher, bond prices tend to move lower.” Investors are doing a “double take” on the 10-year Treasury yield, which recently topped 1.5% — its highest level in about a year. With the increase in yield comes a […]

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Monday introduced a bill in the Senate that would impose a new tax on the assets of America’s wealthiest individuals. Why it matters: The plan, which Warren introduced along with Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) is similar to a proposal that was the centerpiece of Warren’s campaign for the presidency in 2020. […]

Zillow is making cash offers on houses using its ‘Zestimate’ home value tool Initial cash offers based on Zestimates are only available in 20 cities Zillow is using its “Zestimate” to make cash offers on houses. The real estate listing website announced Thursday that its Zestimate — Zillow’s home value estimation tool — could be considered an […]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced that the “Excelsior Pass” is being tested again at tonight’s Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. Here are four things you need to know about the program, according to the governor’s office: Excelsior Pass uses proven, secure technology to confirm an individual’s vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test through […]

Get a better handle on your Gmail inbox with these must-have tips and tricks that will turn you into an email pro. If you use Gmail daily on a computer for work or personal use — or both at the same time as I do — are you making the most of Google’s email client? Gmail has a host […]

Information for small business owners to consider. On Monday, Feb. 22, the White House announced several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that went into effect on Wednesday, Feb. 24. These changes are intended to further target “the smallest businesses and those that have been left behind in previous relief efforts.”1 If you’re a […]

What’s different and how can you adapt your search? I know everyone is tired of hearing the words “unprecedented” and “2020” together. So I’m going to say that this last year was…extremely unordinary. And it’s probably safe to say that many of us are eager to put 2020 in the rearview mirror. The coronavirus pandemic […]

Oftentimes, hiring managers must sift through hundreds of resumes before finding at least a few good ones. At the same time, coming across the really bad ones can be relieving, because it means they can discard it and quickly move on to the next. Peter Yang the CEO of a resume writing company and former hiring manager at major companies, including […]

The hiring process has changed drastically over the past year, with the new normal seeing interviews and assessments occurring remotely. This has taken time getting used to for both candidates and recruiters, even though there are still the same boxes to tick. Asking a question during an interview can often feel daunting, especially over a […]

Summary: The waiting period between your final interview and the company’s decision can be stressful. What should you do while waiting to hear if you got the job? And how can you avoid ruminating about the position? As tempting as it may be to reach out to the hiring manager — especially if you thought […]

Here’s what the financial forecast may have in store. It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes stories every day about an army of amateur traders, short-selling mania, and initial public offerings (IPOs) that double in price on the first day of trading.   But a recent […]

Zillow’s CEO is warning that the future of work could create a ‘two-class system’ where those who come into the office are viewed as better employees Highlights: Zillow CEO Rich Barton discussed the future of work during the company’s Q4 earnings call. A hybrid model could create a “two-class system” that negatively impacts remote workers, […]

The Capital Asset Pricing Model is by no means a perfect theory. But the spirit of CAPM is correct. It provides a useful measure that helps investors determine what return they deserve on an investment, in exchange for putting their money at risk on it. No matter how much you diversify your investments, some level […]

An article that is personal. My daughter is a teacher of students on the autism spectrum and sees what is possible.  Clearly, wider workplace inclusion is needed for neurodiverse individuals. The inclusion gap is being closed through the power of business leaders  Highlights: Americans who are neurodiverse should be given more employment opportunities, says EY’s […]

According to a survey of UK motorists, nearly 95 percent of people have been pronouncing the name of car manufacturer BMW wrong. Now, car manufacturers being from all around the globe can throw up a few mispronunciations on occasion – Porsche vs Porsch-ha, for just one example. It’s Porsch-ha, by the way. However, BMW should be one of the easier ones, […]

  Getting started with your household budget. Budgeting towards needs and goals. One of the objectives of creating a household budget is that, as time moves on and the various household members advance in their careers, they are likely to make more money. Knowing where that money goes can help direct that money to not […]

The notion of vaccine passports is gaining steam around the world.  These European countries are launching now. It’s becoming clearer that in the not-too-distant future, international travelers will require some sort of vaccine passport or vaccine certificate, as a growing number of countries get behind the idea. The appeal is that these documents would allow […]

Crowdfunding is a way for people, businesses and charities to raise money. It works through individuals or organizations who invest in (or donate to) crowdfunding projects in return for a potential profit or reward. Investing this way can be risky, so make sure you know what you’re doing. What is crowdfunding? If a company or […]

Home prices shot up in 2020 and many experts expect them to continue climbing. While this growth is largely driven by limited inventory amid a national homebuying frenzy, there are many individual factors that determine a home’s value. “Some of the most substantial factors that affect the property [price] are about the property itself, such […]

You often hear about how important it is to get exercise in daily, whether that be an at-home workout or lifting weights. Perhaps, even more frequently as of late, you hear about the importance of stepping away from your work from home station to stretch your legs and get moving. Now more than ever, in […]

Even the most seasoned investors are prone to their influence.  Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However, they are less routinely cautioned about their preconceptions and biases that may color their financial choices. In a battle between the facts & biases, our biases may win. If we acknowledge this […]

Your fellow taxpayers have successfully claimed write-offs for many things that most of uswouldn’t even imagine. But be careful if you plan on following their lead. As you struggle with your tax return, trying to come up with some extra deductions to pump up your refund or reduce what you owe, don’t you sometimes think […]

Key Takeaways A stock buyback occurs when a company purchases outstanding shares of its own stock with excess cash or borrowed funds. A buyback increases the value of outstanding shares by reducing the number of total shares on the market, which increases the earnings per share (EPS). One alternative to repurchasing shares of its own […]

Insider trading seems like it should be black and white — if you don’t use secret stock tips to make a quick buck, you should be good to go. But what about doing it unintentionally? The pandemic has caused millions of people to work remotely, often within earshot of roommates, relatives and spouses. Gone are […]

By now, you’ve probably heard that an army of amateur investors ganged up on short sellers, causing them painful losses while sending shares of the beleaguered retailer GameStop soaring. You also may be asking, OK, but what is short selling? Short selling has nothing to do with summer wear or workout gear. It’s a common but controversial […]

Explaining the many types of 1099 forms and their uses. What is a 1099 form? This is a record of payment from an individual or entity, showing a payment, generated for your records. The individual/entity sends a copy to both the payee as well as the I.R.S.1 Who might be sending 1099s? Clients send their […]

If you pulled money from your 401(k) plan or individual retirement account last year to get through tough times, now is the time to consider next steps. Millions of Americans tapped 401(k) and IRA balances to access emergency cash amid the Covid pandemic, as allowed under the federal CARES Act. The federal CARES Act that […]

Couples can reap substantial rewards by staggering their retirement timing. When you have a partner, you might assume that you need to make sure you retire in lockstep. After all, what’s the good of having a retirement if your beloved isn’t right there with you? As it turns out, there are actually some benefits associated […]

Wall Street has no shortage of curious acronyms, but here is one you have likely been hearing more and more of: SPACs. Special Purpose Acquisition Companies have actually been around for decades, but are suddenly proliferating like, well, a global virus. Sometimes called “blank check” shell corporations, SPACs are designed to take companies public without […]

Senior housing occupancy hits record lows which suggests more seniors are staying home and getting help from home-based providers Senior housing occupancy in the U.S. hit a record low in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). The record downturn is further proof that seniors […]

Information you should know.  The 10-year Treasury yield has climbed higher since the New Year, which means that some bond prices are dropping. You may have seen the headlines that say, “10-Year Yields Over 1%.” For some, the first time they experience a change in bond prices is when they open their monthly statement and […]

WhatsApp’s rivals got a massive boost after the messaging app announced last week that it would make users share some personal data with its parent company, Facebook. Summary: • Signal downloads skyrocketed 4,200% after WhatsApp announced it would force users to share personal data with Facebook. • Signal is top of both Google and Apple’s app […]

Your dream of homeownership may be closer than you think with this Roth IRA exception. If you’ve been faithfully contributing to your Roth IRA account, the IRS is giving you a bonus: The ability to use funds to build or purchase a new home without incurring taxes or penalties. If you qualify, you can make your homeownership […]

Here’s How You Could Turn A Profit On The Deal One of the major arguments against leasing a car is that, unlike a vehicle that’s purchased and financed outright, at the end of the term you turn it in to the dealer and walk away with no equity. But that’s not always true. In fact, […]

The IPO market is manic. Stocks haven’t been this expensive since the dot-com era. The Nasdaq 100 has doubled in two years, leaving its valuation bloated — all while volatility remains stubbornly high. It’s a setup that’s left investors sitting on fat returns from 2020, a year that defied easy explanation. It’s also one that […]

The IRS is pushing back the beginning of the 2020 tax season to Feb. 12. The IRS is delaying the start of the 2020 tax filing season to Feb. 12, according to an announcement Friday from the agency. On that date, the IRS will start accepting and processing last year’s tax returns.  Normally, the agency […]

Part of the rosy picture associated with retirement is the thrill of kissing that monthly mortgage payment good-bye—on the presumption you’ll have paid it off by then. Lately, there has been a shift in thinking that has seen many financial planners suggest that retirees continue to carry a mortgage into and throughout retirement. Reinvest the […]

KEY POINTS Before you move your money, be sure you know the rules that differ between 401(k) plans and IRAs. If the rollover process is done incorrectly, it could be considered a distribution, which would make it subject to taxation and, possibly, an early withdrawal penalty. There are also some situations that call for caution […]

To date, 147 million second stimulus checks have been scheduled by the federal government.  If you don’t get yours, you can claim the money when you file your tax return.  That doesn’t necessarily mean you will get more money back from Uncle Sam. If you don’t receive your second stimulus check in your bank account or the […]

Consider this: If you’re someone who often rents cars, you might want liability insurance to help protect your assets from an accident lawsuit, like your house and savings. That’s where non-owner car insurance comes in. It’s a good way for drivers who don’t own a car to get auto liability insurance. Liability coverage pays for […]

Owing taxes on mutual funds that lost money seems impossible…It’s not. Mutual fund investors may have to deal with some additional unpleasantness this tax season when they realize they may actually owe capital gains taxes on mutual funds that lost them money this year. Mutual funds—especially actively managed mutual funds—generate a lot of taxable events, […]

Visa Inc. is partnering with cryptocurrency startup BlockFi to offer a credit card that rewards purchases with Bitcoin rather than airline miles or cash.  Users of the Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card will receive 1.5% of their purchases back in the world’s most-valuable digital asset, and a lump sum $250 in the crypto-asset if they spend […]

Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Russell Okung believes in bitcoin. In May, Okung tweeted he wanted to be paid in bitcoins. Now, he’s trying to make it happen, though not through any help from the Panthers.  Okung himself even appeared to confirm the news, tweeting he had been “paid in Bitcoin.” The idea apparently means so much to him that […]

Pushes cryptocurrency market value past $1 trillion  The digital coin hit an all-time high of $40,188 at around 1:15 p.m. ET, just a few hours after blowing past the $39,000 level, according to data from Coin Metrics.  Bitcoin was 13.1% higher from a day earlier. The cryptocurrency is up over 30% since the start of […]

Look before you leap. Hardly a day goes by that the topic of bitcoin or other cryptocurrency assets doesn’t come up in meetings with clients and prospects or from friends and relatives who want to know, “what all the buzz is about?” The message is the same, regardless of who’s asking. Cryptocurrency is not a […]

The important facts presented in a clear and concise way  On December 21, 2020, both houses of the United States Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act), a nearly 6,000-page omnibus spending bill, which includes within it a COVID-19 stimulus package that provides approximately $900 billion in emergency relief to individuals and businesses as the […]

This holiday season is unlike any other and it caps off a year that has been unequaled. Throughout this season we wish you moments of peace amid the difficulties.  We wish you connections with family and friends even if they may not be in person.  We wish you the warmth of memories from holidays past […]

Life and financial factors that can sometimes be overlooked. We all have our “blue sky” visions of the way retirement should be, yet our futures may unfold in ways we do not predict. So, as you think about your “second act,” you may want to consider some life and financial factors that can suddenly arise. […]

Companies are considering compulsory Covid vaccination requirements as a condition of employment.  Can you be fired if you refuse?   As difficult as the research, development and distribution stages have been, some experts argue the hardest part of fighting the virus is actually what comes next: convincing the U.S. population to take the vaccine.   Roughly four […]

HSA’s offer a rare triple tax advantage.  Here are 3 ways to use HSA’s without jeopardizing its special tax treatment.   Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are accounts for individuals with high-deductible health plans.  Funds contributed to an HSA are not taxed when put into the HSA or when taken out, as long as they are used […]

The future of grocery stores will be a win-win for both stores and customers with cashierless checkout, smart charts and robotics that will clean up on aisle five   On one hand, stores want to decrease their operational expenditures that come from hiring cashiers and conducting inventory management. On the other hand, consumers want to decrease […]

Hotel pet policies are complicated, inconsistent, and full of gotcha fees. With a little preparation you can avoid most of these costs and headaches.   Here’s the basics of staying at hotels with your pets.   What ‘pet-friendly’ means (and doesn’t)…A pet-friendly hotel is generally one that allows some animals on the property under some conditions. However, […]

Should professional practices look into them? In corporate America, pension plans may be fading away. Only 14% of Fortune 500 companies offered them to full-time employees in 2019. In contrast, legal, medical, accounting, and engineering firms are keeping the spirit of the traditional pension plan alive by adopting cash balance plans.1 Owners and partners of […]

The debate over buying vs. renting has raged for years.  Let’s take a look at the true cost and benefits of buying a home.    ▪  Logan Kane, Macro, portfolio strategy, real estate, and author contends that buying a home typically carries an IRR of between 7 and 14 percent, depending on tax considerations, leverage, […]

Amazon is about to see whether shoppers wary of contact with package delivery drivers would rather let them into the garage instead. Would you give up some privacy for this luxury?  Amazon.com Inc. is about to see whether shoppers wary of contact with package delivery drivers would rather let them into the garage instead. The […]

To the surprise of critics who have long been calling for the demise of the  this strategy, balanced portfolio’s of stocks and bonds have performed well in 2020 A balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds for decades was among the few venerated precepts in investing. Yet doubts about the approach grew after the pandemic hit […]

Mortgage rates are at or near historic lows.  What is the forecast for December and early 2021?  Americans have more clarity today than they did just a few weeks ago. For proof, consider that there will be a new president and administration come January. And coronavirus vaccines appear to be coming soon. These developments, in […]

What employees need to know. Is your employer giving you restricted stock units (RSUs)? Here are some details about RSUs, which differ from stock options in both their nature and taxation. Remember that this article is for illustrative purposes only and not a replacement for real-life advice. Please contact a tax, legal, or accounting professional […]

Thanksgiving will look and feel a little different this year for all of us.

Roughly 12 million Americans will lose their unemployment benefits on December 26 when two major pandemic programs expire, according to a new report from the Century Foundation, putting an already fragile economic recovery at further risk as the coronavirus again surges to record levels.

Year-end bonuses for most Wall Street workers are expected to decline this year compared with 2019 due to the impact of the COVID-19 impact on the U.S. economy, compensation firm Johnson Associates Inc said on Thursday.

More buyers are skipping home inspections. Tales of bats, termites and asbestos should make you think twice.

The Rule of 55 is an IRS provision that allows you to withdraw funds from your 401(k) or 403(b) without a penalty at age 55 or older. Read on to find out how it works.

Over 9 million homeowners and renters do not expect to be able to make their housing payments for November. Many of them are shielded from losing their homes, but the rules are confusing and there is uncertainty about what comes next.

According to Bloomberg.com, U.S. president-elect Joe Biden's proposed policies — from tax hikes to health-care changes — could shape the way millions of Americans save, spend and manage their finances for years.

Choosing to earn a living from home once the pandemic ends is a privilege that you should pay for, according to strategists from Deutsche Bank AG’s research arm.

With a lot of people facing financial uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic, now is the right time to get your personal finances in order — particularly, your credit report. Here are ways to dispute inaccurate or false information from your credit report.

November 11 is Veterans Day – a day to honor and remember the bravery, contributions, and sacrifices of our armed services members who have defended us so ably, who have run toward danger rather than away from it, who have helped to sustain our freedom through their courage and service. Yes – you can thank […]

If an investor chooses a non-human financial advisor, what price could they end up paying?

It may be time to set your social media profiles to private. Starting in 2021, debt collectors will be able to contact you via text, email and even your social media accounts.

You can tap money from your IRA tax-free by rolling it over to a health savings account, one of the most powerful tax-advantaged savings tools. But you need to follow a specific procedure to avoid an unexpected tax bill. Here's what you need to know.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the annual inflation adjustments for the tax year 2021, including tax rate schedules, tax tables and cost-of-living adjustments.

Companies are wrestling with how to bring staff back to the office in a safe and fair manner. One US firm has created an algorithm to try and solve the puzzle.

45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make changes to their investments due to the upcoming 2020 presidential election.

If you’re looking to buy a new fridge you may be out of luck. Earlier in the pandemic, there was a run on toilet paper. Now it seems that customers looking to buy a refrigerator are facing long waiting times as models are back-ordered across the country. There are also shortages for other major appliances including dishwashers, dryers and some microwaves.

Rich families in the United States are hearing from their consultants that they must act now or risk losing millions of dollars.

The overall size of the economy is expected to hit precrisis levels by the fourth quarter of next year. But the country's labor market will not reach pre-pandemic levels until 2024, according to S&P Global.

China bought 1.46 trillion yen ($13.8 billion) in medium to long-term Japanese government bonds on a net basis between April and July. That was 3.6 times more than the same period last year.

There's been a drop in activity. What's next?

I did this with my own family. You should too.

San Francisco could soon become the first major American city to lower its voting age to 16. If the measure is passed, it would mark a major step in a growing movement to extend voting rights to younger Americans.

Amazon One palm recognition technology lets folks checkout in stores, wrack up loyalty points, enter venues, and badge into work with no added accessories.

Grocery stores across the United States are stocking up on products to avoid shortages during a second wave of coronavirus.

The LIBOR, short for London Interbank Offered Rate, is a fluctuating short-term interest rate that influences the way other interest rates are set in the world of finance. It is also used to gauge the overall health of the financial lending system on a global scale.

Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds.

A look at these securities, in light of the Federal Reserve's new outlook.

Here's what you need to know.

What the Fed's new policy may mean for you.

Why you should refrain from making this move. Thinking about borrowing money from your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 account? Think twice about that because these loans are not only risky, but injurious, to your retirement planning. A loan of this kind damages your retirement savings prospects. A 401(k), 403(b), or 457 should never be viewed […]

You may see some significant tax benefits by making these moves. The end of 2018 presents bond investors with opportunities. This is a prime time to consider bond swaps (or tax swaps as they are sometimes called), in which you sell certain bonds at a loss and replace them with others. Every investor wants to […]

Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for 2019? Now is a good time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives, from building your retirement fund to lowering your taxes. You have […]

How global returns and proper diversification are affecting overall returns. “Why is my portfolio underperforming the market?” This question may be on your mind. It is a question that investors sometimes ask after stocks shatter records or return exceptionally well in a quarter. The short answer is that while the U.S. equities market has realized […]

Some alterations to the Internal Revenue Code were less publicized than others. Late last year, federal tax laws underwent sweeping changes. Nearly a year later, you can be forgiven for not keeping up with them all. Here is a look at some important (yet underrecognized) adjustments that may affect the numbers on your 2018 federal […]

We are very excited to announce the launch of our new website and social media links We are pleased to launch our new website, www.AlternativeWealthGroup.com social media links. Aside from an updated look, the new website features simple navigation that highlights the services and capabilities for our 3 Divisions: AWG Wealth Management, AWG Real Estate Advisors, AWG 1031 […]

What is cost basis? Stepped-up basis? How does the home sale tax exclusion work? At some point in our lives, we may inherit a home or another form of real property. In such instances, we need to understand some of the jargon involving inherited real estate. What does “cost basis” mean? What is a “step-up?” […]