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2014 Housing Forecast to Build on 2013 Momentum
Posted on January 30, 2014
Heading into 2014, the housing forecast seems strong. 2013 will be remembered as a year in which the market gained strength. Just look at some of these numbers in US News. A positive upward trend: Since December, the number of single-family and multifamily homes under construction had gone up for 28 consecutive[...]
Posted on January 30, 2014
Heading into 2014, the housing forecast seems strong. 2013 will be remembered as a year in which the market gained strength. Just look at some of these numbers in US News. A positive upward trend: Since December, the number of single-family and multifamily homes under construction had gone up for 28 consecutive[...]
2014 Investing Forecast
Posted on January 20, 2014
The 2014 investing forecast might be best described as “partly cloudy.” Last year was an abnormally good year in anyone’s book. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index showed that US equities advanced by about 30%. (Source) This number is the highest ascent since way back in 1997. Things were so good, in[...]
Posted on January 20, 2014
The 2014 investing forecast might be best described as “partly cloudy.” Last year was an abnormally good year in anyone’s book. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index showed that US equities advanced by about 30%. (Source) This number is the highest ascent since way back in 1997. Things were so good, in[...]
Want to fix an error on your credit report? Here's how.
Posted on January 11, 2014
Do you know your credit score? Not everyone does, and they are quite often unpleasantly surprised when they finally get around to it. There are often errors that can bring the number artificially down, possibly disqualifying you for credit you might need for a future “rainy day.” As a result, you [...]
Posted on January 11, 2014
Do you know your credit score? Not everyone does, and they are quite often unpleasantly surprised when they finally get around to it. There are often errors that can bring the number artificially down, possibly disqualifying you for credit you might need for a future “rainy day.” As a result, you [...]
Retirement investment options for the self-employed
Posted on January 7, 2014
Many folks who have “regular 9-to-5” office jobs contribute to a company-sponsored retirement savings fund, be it 401K or employee pension (or both), or other financial product or service offered by their company. These are great benefits. So are the healthcare benefits, paid vacation time and sick days offered by many companies. [...]
Posted on January 7, 2014
Many folks who have “regular 9-to-5” office jobs contribute to a company-sponsored retirement savings fund, be it 401K or employee pension (or both), or other financial product or service offered by their company. These are great benefits. So are the healthcare benefits, paid vacation time and sick days offered by many companies. [...]
Why you should file your taxes ASAP
Posted on January 4, 2014
Now that 2014 is upon us, it will be tax season before you know it. Getting your income taxes filed early is always a good idea, if for no other reason than the great feeling you get when it’s over. But there are other, more tangible, reasons that can have a positive effect [...]
Posted on January 4, 2014
Now that 2014 is upon us, it will be tax season before you know it. Getting your income taxes filed early is always a good idea, if for no other reason than the great feeling you get when it’s over. But there are other, more tangible, reasons that can have a positive effect [...]
Prevent Identity Theft over the Holidays
Posted on December 19, 2013
It’s beginning to look a lot like … people are happier shopping online during Cyber Monday than fighting the lines during Black Friday (and the entire weekend thereafter). Statistics show this year’s Cyber Monday sales were up 20.6% over the same “online holiday” last year. But along with more online sales comes [...]
Posted on December 19, 2013
It’s beginning to look a lot like … people are happier shopping online during Cyber Monday than fighting the lines during Black Friday (and the entire weekend thereafter). Statistics show this year’s Cyber Monday sales were up 20.6% over the same “online holiday” last year. But along with more online sales comes [...]
Average student loan debt nears $30K
Posted on December 9, 2013
There is no question that a college degree is an integral piece of the puzzle on the road to finding a good job and rewarding career. For example, high school graduates with no college degree had a 17.9% unemployment rate in 2012, while their counterparts with degrees experienced a 7.7% rate (source). Unfortunately, a college[...]
Posted on December 9, 2013
There is no question that a college degree is an integral piece of the puzzle on the road to finding a good job and rewarding career. For example, high school graduates with no college degree had a 17.9% unemployment rate in 2012, while their counterparts with degrees experienced a 7.7% rate (source). Unfortunately, a college[...]
One-dollar coins remain the red-headed stepchild of the currency family
Posted on December 5, 2013
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, even fifty-cent pieces, to a degree, are a part of American financial culture. So why, then, are the $1 coins so unpopular and unwanted? A recent article, “U.S. Currency: Coin Inventory Needs Better Performance Information” yielded some startling statistics. They are so unused that the Federal Reserve Banks hold about[...]
Posted on December 5, 2013
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, even fifty-cent pieces, to a degree, are a part of American financial culture. So why, then, are the $1 coins so unpopular and unwanted? A recent article, “U.S. Currency: Coin Inventory Needs Better Performance Information” yielded some startling statistics. They are so unused that the Federal Reserve Banks hold about[...]
Will the dollar bill soon be made out of plastic?
Posted on November 21, 2013
Soon, when you’re asked, “Will that be paper or plastic?” it could be referring to something different than shopping bags. For example, it could be referring to the money you spend on those groceries – and everything else, for that matter. There are many countries in the world that are converting (or are at least [...]
Posted on November 21, 2013
Soon, when you’re asked, “Will that be paper or plastic?” it could be referring to something different than shopping bags. For example, it could be referring to the money you spend on those groceries – and everything else, for that matter. There are many countries in the world that are converting (or are at least [...]
Supreme Court to decide once and for all (hopefully) if severance pay is taxable
Posted on November 15, 2013
These days, terminated employees receiving severance packages happen quite frequently. Sometimes it happens voluntarily, such as during a layoff; other times, it happens after the employee has won a lawsuit against his or her company. It could even be required by state or federal law, or be part of a company’s policy. Severance pay is [...]
Posted on November 15, 2013
These days, terminated employees receiving severance packages happen quite frequently. Sometimes it happens voluntarily, such as during a layoff; other times, it happens after the employee has won a lawsuit against his or her company. It could even be required by state or federal law, or be part of a company’s policy. Severance pay is [...]
