If one wonders whether the sharing economy is here to stay, one piece of data from “The Economist” will easily answer that question. In March 2015, more than 250,000 rooms were booked by 40,000 people in 192 countries across the globe through Airbnb. Airbnb provides individuals with the ability to rent or “share” their home,…
After months of speculation as to when the party was about to end, everything changed on Aug. 21 with steep declines in U.S. markets, followed by a rollercoaster ride that saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) start the trading day on Monday, Aug. 24 off by more than 1,000 points. Major ups and downs,…
For several months, the Federal Reserve Board has hinted that it will begin to raise the target range for the federal funds rate when it sees progress toward its objectives of maximum employment and 2 percent inflation. Many experts believe that rate hikes are likely to begin before the end of the year. Over the…
The Congress at Work series of articles is designed to give you a glimpse of various types of legislation currently under consideration. While either the Senate or the House of Representatives may initiate a bill proposal, be aware that many bills never become law; they may never make it out of committee, be blocked by…
In today’s world, most people know a bit about cyber thieves and data breaches. This being the case, why do we continue to learn of major data breaches here and worldwide? A couple of years ago, a major technology provider conducted a survey of users and IT professionals in the United States and nine other…
When it comes to selling your business, finding an optimal tax strategy depends on the purchaser. Transferring a business inside a family requires very different tactics and treatment compared to a sale to an independent third party. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy; the best tax treatment is always determined by the unique circumstances of the…
Roth IRAs have a lot going for them – investment options and tax benefits are just two advantages. One area where Roth IRAs are not advantageous is when it comes to paying for college, especially when there are better options. Keep reading to see why using a Roth IRA to pay for college is a…
Disability insurance has traditionally been offered in two forms: short-term (typically from 90 days to a year) and long-term (beginning after 90 days/year). Some companies offer a base amount of disability coverage at no cost to employees, giving them the opportunity to purchase a higher level of coverage using their own salary or benefit dollars….
The Congress at Work series of articles is designed to give you a glimpse of various types of legislation currently under consideration. While either the Senate or the House of Representatives may initiate a bill proposal, be aware that many bills never become law; they may never make it out of committee, be blocked by…
In the United States, approximately $7.3 trillion in assets are held in IRAs. Much of that money will not be spent during the lifetime of the account owners, but instead be passed on to their heirs. Unfortunately, beneficiaries have a way of squandering money when it comes to them in a large windfall. One traditional…
