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One Day at a Time
“Success is a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.” -Jim Rohn
Read MoreApple Article
Today, Apple has a market value larger than the GDP of all but four countries - the US, China, Japan, and Germany.-ET Now, January 5, 2022
Read MoreLife Expectancy
Over the past century, global life expectancy has roughly doubled, to 72.6 years. In the United States, it rose from 39 years in 1860 to 53 in 1920 to 78.8 in 2019. A report by the World Economic Forum estimated that about half...
Read MoreEV’s for the Environment
We are in such a hurry to clean the environment by switching our vehicles to clean burning EV’s that we could be destroying our country over the next 50 years. The United States has been a good producer of oil, but the same...
Read MoreElectric Options
Last year, there were just 24 Electric Vehicle models for sale in the United States. By 2025, consumers will have 146 EV models to choose from. -Yahoo! December 4, 2021
Read MoreShow All
What a Twist!
A renowned female crime novelist who won a million-euro prize in Spain turned out to be three middle-aged men.-BusinessInsider, October 17, 2021
Read MoreAdverse Effects of Social Media
Nearly 2/3rds of Americans who use social media platforms believe life was better before it. About a quarter believe they are addicted to social media and 42% of Gen Z say they are addicted and couldn’t stop if they tried...
Read MoreRetirement Expectations
According to a new survey, half of millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) believe that they will need $300,000 or less in savings to retire comfortably- a fraction of what most estimates say they will need. -Acorns, August 10, 2021
Read MoreNew Purpose for Unused Office Space
In 2020 and 2021, a whopping 13,250 apartments across the country have come from repurposed offices. Former office buildings make up 41% of the apartment conversion market, which also includes old hotels, warehouses, factories, and...
Read MoreEinstein's Solution for Success
“If A is success in life, then A = X + Y + Z. Work is X, play is Y, and Z is keeping your mouth shut.”-Albert Einstein
Read MoreJob Evolution
Thirty-three percent of new jobs in the United States are for occupations that did not exist 25 years ago.-Fortunly, June 28, 2021
Read MoreRemote Work Benefits!
Remote work has made it possible for more people with disabilities to work. According to government data, the employment rate for Americans with disabilities has surged, hitting a new record high last year...
Read MorePet Lovers
Adoptions and purchases brought the U.S. dog and cat population to 160 million- roughly double what it was a half-century ago. Annual spending on pet food and care, in turn, has reached $103 billion and is expected to triple over the...
Read MoreWho Has a Savings Account?
The top 40% of wage earners are sitting on more than a trillion dollars in extra savings amassed during the early part of the pandemic. Lower-income households, on the other hand, have been burning through their savings as they deal...
Read MoreThinking Pink: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and You
The mission of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is to help women win their battle with breast cancer through early detection, education, and support services. Even though they are staffed with dedicated professionals, all...
Read More5 Key Steps To Help Women Strengthen Their Business and Their Retirement
As a female entrepreneur, you may face different challenges than your male counterparts. For example, women were disproportionately affected by the COVID pandemic. 1 They also tend to earn less than their male peers—largely in...
Read MoreTreat Yourself to These 5 Retirement Savings Tricks
Your retirement is the reward after years of hard work and saving. You might dream of traveling, want to invest in a vacation home, or want to take up a new hobby. For an enjoyable retirement, saving is critical. Take charge of your...
Read MoreFinancial Planning At Every Age
In 2013, a Gallup poll found that only about one in every three U.S. households maintained a budget.1 A 2021 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 80% now say they have a budget.2Americans are budgeting more due to the pandemic....
Read MoreWhy Women Need Life Insurance
Today, women have more financial responsibilities than ever before. How will your family or loved ones manage financially if you die? Whether you are single, married, employed, or a stay-at-home mom, you probably need life...
Read MoreNew Job and Four Tips for Your New 401(k)
Land a great new job? Awesome. Now is the perfect time to think about your 401(k) and retirement plan, whether you had one before or not. Saving for retirement is important at all ages, so don’t let this opportunity fall to the...
Read MoreLife Insurance: How Much Is Enough?
You may already be aware of the importance of having enough life insurance coverage to handle financial matters that could affect your family in the event of your death. However, determining the appropriate amount of coverage for your...
Read MoreThe Pitfalls of the “Be Your Own Banker” Idea
Some insurance sales folks peddle a concept called Be Your Own Banker (BYOB). Don’t fall for it.This idea has floated around the Internet and late-night television for a while now. One of the latest versions, touted on a website...
Read MoreHow Grandparents Can Help Grandchildren with College Costs
As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby boomers, many of whom went to college, become grandparents and start gifting what's...
Read MoreAlternative Savings Options: When You Already Have A Knack for Budgeting and Saving
If you've moved beyond basic financial advice—live below your means and set aside funds for a rainy day—you may be wondering what to actually do with these rainy-day funds. With inflation on the rise, keeping...
Read MoreSeniors and Debt: Getting Back on Track after a Post-Retirement Financial Setback
You may have envisioned retirement as a second childhood—a time to relax, enjoy yourself, and devote your time to your favorite hobbies. Unfortunately, worry-free retirement is not the reality for some. Challenges from stock...
Read MoreTax-Advantaged Ways to Save for College
In the college savings game, all strategies aren't created equal. The best savings vehicles offer special tax advantages if the funds are used to pay for college. Tax-advantaged strategies are important because over time, you can...
Read MoreFinancial Freedom vs. Financial Independence: Key Differences and How to Work Towards Both
Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way. What are the differences between financial independence and financial...
Read MoreA Survival Guide for a Bear Market
A bear market is a prolonged period of price declines in securities, an index such as the S&P 500, or the overall stock market of usually 20% or more from a recent high. Bear markets can also signal economic downturns such as a...
Read MoreTips for Women Who Are Living in the Sandwich Generation
At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses or the financial challenges of young adulthood...
Read MoreIRS Releases 2023 Key Numbers for Health Savings Accounts
The IRS has released the 2023 contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), as well as the 2023 minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket amounts for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). An HSA is a tax-advantaged account...
Read MoreAssessing the Needs of an Aging Parent
Planning for the future needs of an aging parent can often be a sensitive and delicate task for adult children to undertake. Baby boomers who must balance the needs of their own children with concerns about their parent’s...
Read MoreTax Planning Tips: Disability Insurance
The income you receive from disability income insurance may or may not be taxable. The taxability of disability income insurance benefits depends on what type of benefits you receive, whether the premiums were paid with pretax or...
Read MoreTax Benefits of Home Ownership
In tax lingo, your principal residence is the place where you legally reside. It's typically the place where you spend most of your time, but several other factors are also relevant in determining your principal residence. Many of the...
Read MoreTaking Charitable Giving to Another Level
Did you know that you can gift a new or existing life insurance policy to your favorite charity? When properly designed, a charitable life insurance program may improve your overall financial situation and offer tax benefits, all while supp
Read MoreGiving Your Retirement Plan an Annual Checkup
Just like with a car, it’s a good idea to perform some annual maintenance on your retirement plan. Here’s a five-point inspection guide to help you continue to get good mileage out of your plan and ensure it stays reliable on your trip to r
Read MoreWomen and Asset Protection - How Insurance Can Help
Women are successful professionals, business owners, and knowledgeable investors. At some point in their lives, women may have to manage their own finances due to divorce, widowhood, or remaining single.Every day, women face a variety...
Read MoreAre You a Non-Spouse Beneficiary of an Inherited IRA? The IRS Has New Rules for You
If you are a non-spouse beneficiary of an IRA, proposed IRS rules regarding distributions may impact your situation. In February 2022, the IRS and Treasury Department reinstated SECURE Act RMD requirements for IRAs inherited in 2020 or...
Read MoreFinancial Planning for Working Moms
Historically, working mothers have had even higher ambitions in the workforce than working women in general.1 This ambition may drive them to excel in budgeting and financial matters that can help them manage their family's finances.
Read MoreSix Uses for Life Insurance You May Not Know About
When people think of life insurance, what usually comes to mind is settling the deceased's final expenses and providing financial support for their beneficiaries. Although these are the most common uses of life insurance, cash value, or who
Read MoreA Look at Your Portfolio Mix
With the onset of higher taxes, taxpayers in the upper brackets may want to reposition their portfolios. Even those in lower tax brackets may benefit from portfolio review and reallocation of funds.
Read MoreCharting Your Future: Small Business Lessons from Good to Great
The best-selling book, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap. . .and Others Don’t, offers surprising insights into the success of “great” companies that consistently and significantly beat average market returns on a sustained bas
Read MoreTax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season
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Solo Opportunities: One-Person 401(k)s
An entrepreneur may be eager to take advantage of every available business opportunity. However, in order to prepare for retirement, the entrepreneur might be searching for potential options that suit their unique situation. Many small...
Read MoreChristmas Shopping Lessons for Investors
Is that investment an innovation or an improvement on an existing product? As Christmas sales loom, we face an endless array of sparkly, shiny and occasionally innovative items. As an investor, you run into a similar phenomenon that...
Read MoreThings to Consider When Writing a Business Plan
You may know that your small business needs a written business plan—but how do you get started? What elements should your plan address, and do you need different plans for different audiences? Below we discuss a few of the key...
Read MoreSanta Maria–Style Pot Roast
Pot roast is a holiday staple, and this rendition—heartily seasoned with traditional spices—makes for a flavorful centerpiece for your meals this season. Serves 4 to 6 Ingredients 2 tablespoons (30 g) sea salt 1 teaspoon...
Read More2021 Year-End Planning for Retirees
For some, 2021 has flown by—and as we approach the last quarter of the year, it's a good time to begin planning for the next one. Year-end planning is especially important for retirees and those hoping to retire in 2021 or 2022....
Read More5 Tips for Shopping on Small Business Saturday
There’s no question that November and December are the biggest times of year for shopping. But this year, it’s more important than ever to shop small and benefit your community. Supporting local businesses means...
Read MoreHarvest Cupcakes
Don’t be intimidated by the cuteness—these harvest cupcakes are simple to decorate, yet so delicious. The quirky characters will be a hoot—as if kids need the extra incentive to dig into a cupcake. Ingredients: Apple...
Read MoreVolunteering as a Family: There's Always Room for More
Volunteering as a family is a great way to spend some quality time together and help give back to those in need or assist your local community. No matter the age of your family members, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities to...
Read MoreFact of the Day (Centenarians)
The United Nations estimates there were about 95,000 centenarians – people in their 100s – in 1990. By 2015 there were 450,000 and the number is soaring worldwide as life spans continue to grow. Projections suggest there...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Veterinary Services)
After the beginning of the pandemic, about 12.6 million U.S. households got a new pet. The largest national provider of veterinarians services, Banfield Pet Hospital, saw a half-million more visits in 2020 than in 2019. According to...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Household Debt)
Households have entered 2021 armed with boatloads of cash and the cleanest balance sheets they have had in decades. Households finished 2020 with $14.1 trillion combined in checking and savings accounts, compared with $11.4 trillion in...
Read MoreDiscussion Topic (Workforce Demand)
In March, factory activity in the U.S. hit its highest level in 37 years, but it would have been higher had there been enough qualified workers to help production lines. Additionally, Delta Airlines was forced to cancel almost 100...
Read MoreFun Fact (Athletic Finances)
In 2019, athletic departments across all three NCAA divisions generated $10.6 billion in revenue but spent more than $18.9 billion. The two biggest costs were financial aid for athletes ($3.6 billion) and coaches’ compensation...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Target™ Sales)
Target’s sales growth of $15.5 billion in 2020 was larger than its total sales growth of the past 11 years combined. -CNN Business, March 2, 2021
Read MoreFact of the Day (Quantum Computer)
In 2019, Google’s quantum computer Sycamore reached a milestone. In 200 seconds, the machine performed a mathematically designed calculation so complex that it would take the world’s fastest supercomputer, the IBM Summit,...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Fake Reviews)
Today it costs $10,950 to purchase 1,000 fake Amazon reviews from AMZTigers, one of a number of “review manipulation services” that boost the ratings and sales of third-party merchants on Amazon. A single fake review will...
Read MoreDiscussion Topic (Stimulus and Stocks)
Forty percent of younger respondents, aged 18-24, said they will buy stocks with their next round of stimulus checks, while 37% of 35-54-year-olds said they will be doing the same. If the survey is correct, new inflows into the stock...
Read MoreFact of the Day (U.S. Stimulus)
The total economic stimulus passed by the U.S. government over the past year is $5.3 trillion. That's a number so mind-bogglingly enormous that it becomes almost impossible to comprehend, so here's another way to put it: More than $43...
Read MoreFact of the Day (Rare Minerals)
It takes 919 pounds of rare earth minerals to build one 15-ton, F-35 fighter jet, a critical set of components that are about to be much harder to find. China, which controls about 80% of the global supply, is considering an export ban...
Read MoreFun Fact (Tulipmania)
On February 5, 1637, “Tulipmania” hit its peak in the Netherlands, with the price of the rare Witte Croonen tulip bulb reaching 1,345 guilders per half-pound, up 2,506% in 33 days. Over the next five years, the bulbs lost...
Read MoreFact of the Day (Robinhood)
If you think that the promise of free trading is too good to be true on the Robinhood app, you are probably right. Founded in 2012, Robinhood makes money, in part, by sending customer orders to high-frequency traders in exchange for...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Tesla)
Over the past several years, Tesla has used the strategy of selling regulatory credits to competing automakers who failed to sell the percentage of zero-emission vehicles that 11 different states require. The $3.3 billion from those...
Read MoreDiscussion Topic (Social Media)
For the first time ever, fewer than half of all Americans have trust in traditional media. Trust in social media has hit an all-time low of 27%.-Axios, January 21, 2021
Read MoreFact of the Day (Shipping Rates)
The Baltic Dry Index – a composite measure of the rates charged by shipping lines to move dry goods – is up 128% in a year, including a nearly 60% surge just since early December.-Barron’s, January 19, 2021
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Digital Wallets & Passwords)
Digital wallets, that store cryptocurrencies, have soared in value but some investors can’t cash in because they forgot their passwords. One programmer in San Francisco has two password guesses left before being locked out, to...
Read MoreFun Fact (Pacific Ocean)
There are points in the Pacific Ocean where, if you dug a hole to the opposite point on Earth, you would still be in the Pacific Ocean.-Permaculture Research Institute, May 25, 2017
Read MoreFact of the Day (Bankruptcy Lowest Since 1986)
Last year, U.S. bankruptcy filings - thanks to unprecedented fiscal and monetary support - hit their lowest level since 1986. However, chapter 11 filings, which are primarily used to reorganize larger businesses, jumped 29%.-Axios,...
Read MoreFun Fact (Animals on Planes)
While humans are shunning flights amid the pandemic, animals are becoming the airline industry’s most reliable frequent fliers. For example, Qatar Airways transports roughly 10 horses and 500 farm animals every day. However,...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Past-Due Rent)
By the end of this year, American renters will owe at least $7.2 billion in past-due rent, a sum that could grow as high as $70 billion if the government does not approve a new stimulus deal before then. In such a case, it is estimated...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Election Day)
Back in 1845, Election Day was designated as the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. At the time, officials calculated that farmers needed a day to get to the country seat to cast ballots but did not want to interfere with...
Read MoreFun Fact (S.N.L.)
Based on guidelines around pandemic-era media production, television shows are not allowed to host live studio audiences unless they consist only of paid employees, ie, cast and crew. So “S.N.L”, following the guidelines,...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Tesla & Battery Costs)
Tesla helped bring battery costs down from over $600/kWh to about $150/kWh…but it needs to land at about $100/kWh to achieve what is referred to as “petroleum parity.” -The Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2020
Read MoreFact of the Day (Credit Cards)
On Oct 1, 1958, The American Express Co. introduced its charge card, which was made of paper with the account number and cardmember's name typed. Plastic came along a year later. The annual fee was $6.00. -History of Information
Read MoreFact of the Day (Social Security)
Age 62 is the most popular age to claim Social Security, with nearly 40% of men and nearly 35% of women claiming benefits as soon as possible. A study estimates that today’s older Americans will lose a total of $3.4 trillion in...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Zuckerberg)
Last year, Mark Zuckerberg earned $28,538 per minute which means, in two minutes, Zuckerberg made more than a full-time median U.S. worker earns in a year. -Business Insider, June 29, 2020
Read MoreFood for Thought (Restaurants)
During a normal year, restaurants employ 15.6 million Americans and generate $900 billion in revenue. Industry experts predict that up to 80% might never reopen.-The Week, July 5, 2020
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Cost of Logistics)
Seventy percent of food's final retail price comes from transportation, storage, and handling.-Peter Diamandis, Tech Blog
Read MoreFact of the Day (Pandemic Work Days)
A study of 3.1 million workers at 26,000 companies worldwide found that the average workday lasts 48.5 minutes longer than before the pandemic. The number of meetings has also increased by about 13%.-Bloomberg, August 3, 2020
Read MoreFact of the Day (Life Insurance)
The English astronomer, Edmund Halley prepared the first detailed mortality table in 1693. Life and death could now be studied statistically, and the life insurance industry was born.-MacTutor
Read MoreDiscussion Topic (S&P and the Government)
Since 1928, the median S&P 500 12-month return under a divided government is 11% versus 8% under a unified government.-CNBC, July 20, 2020
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Stock Market Predicts the Presidential Election)
Since 1928, the stock market has accurately predicted the winner of the presidential election 87% of the time, including every single election since 1984. When the S&P 500 has been higher the three months before the election, the...
Read MoreFun Fact (Digital Advertising)
Digital advertising on platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Alibaba are expected to account for more than half of the $530 billion global advertising industry in 2020, exceeding, for the first time, the spending on traditional media...
Read MoreHappy Valentine's Day
In the U.S., Valentine’s Day ranks 94th in the year for consumer spending at local restaurants, which is even below Cinco de Mayo. Unsurprisingly, Mother’s Day weekend is ranked both #1 and #2 as the top-grossing days of...
Read MoreFun Fact (Elvis Presley #2)
In 1956, Colonel Parker negotiated with 20th Century-Fox for Elvis Presley’s screen debut, Love Me Tender. The studio executives reportedly balked on paying Presley big dollars. Finally, they asked, “Would $25,000 be all...
Read MoreInteresting Fact (Elvis Presley)
In 1973, Elvis Presley was the top taxpayer in the country. His manager, Colonel Parker, was in the U.S. illegally and went to great lengths to stay off the government’s radar, including, allegedly, encouraging Elvis to overpay...
Read MoreFun Fact (Tesla)
There are only two American car companies that have never gone bankrupt: Ford and Tesla. And of the two, there is only one that has never opened fire on a crowd of protesters: Tesla.-Car Throttle
Read MoreFun Fact (Arctic Circle)
On June 22, the temperature in Verkhoyansk, a small Siberian town, hit 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s likely the hottest temperature ever recorded inside the Arctic Circle.-CBS News, June 23, 2020
Read MoreFact of the Day (Galileo)
On June 22, 1633, astronomer Galileo Galilei was forced by the Pope to recant his view that the earth orbited the sun and that the sun was the center of the solar system rather than the other way around. He was sentenced to indefinite...
Read MoreInteresting Thought (Hotels Closing)
As many as 25,000 hotel rooms, or roughly 20% of the New York total, may not reopen. For perspective, the number of closing rooms is equivalent to the entire hotel market of Jacksonville, Florida.- The Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2020
Read MoreQuote of the Day (Giovanni Boccaccio)
“The best thing for us to do in our present situation would be to leave the city. We should go and stay on one of our various country estates, having as much fun as possible. There we will have a clearer view of the heavens,...
Read MoreFact of the Day (College Revenue)
Colleges in the United States earn roughly $600 billion per year- equivalent to the combined annual revenue of the tech firms Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Netflix, and Twitter.-The Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2020
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