Is it all negative, or are there opportunities to consider because of the crisis? Many economists think a Greek default is inevitable. As we enter 4Q 2011, Greece has a debt-to-GDP ratio of about 160% (and that percentage is rising). While Greece accounts for less than...
WEEKLY QUOTE“Experience is a dear teacher, but fools will learn at no other.” – Ben Franklin WEEKLY TIP Starting a small business? A written plan is handy for forecasting, risk management and raising capital. A written plan is far preferable to one you keep in your head. WEEKLY RIDDLE What can run but...
A closer look at the provisional income rules. Many new retirees assume that Social Security income is tax-free. That is not always the case. The Social Security Amendments of 1983 opened the door to taxes on some SSI, depending on the amount of income someone earns...
WEEKLY QUOTE“A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” – Robert Quillen WEEKLY TIP If you’re a new parent, you have 18 years to save for your child’s college education. Start now, because who knows what college will cost by 2030. WEEKLY RIDDLE A man brings a silver antique wrapped up...
Key indicators point to an economy (slowly) on the mend. This year assorted economists and journalists have contended that the U.S. is on the edge of a new recession. Yet recent indicators hint that the economy is doing a bit better than some analysts think. U.S. retail...
WEEKLY QUOTE“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.”– Fulton J. Sheen WEEKLY TIP Many small business owners don’t have succession plans. If you haven’t created one, now is as good a time as any to start; this will not only enable continuity, but also address possible gift, income...
Can the last quarter of 2011 live up to historical averages? Is a rally ahead? You may have heard that stocks tend to do well in the fourth quarter. History affirms that perception: while past performance is no guarantee of future results, the last quarter of the...
WEEKLY QUOTE“There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.”– Buckminster Fuller WEEKLY TIP Self-employed? Have your accountant look at your balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement before 2011 ends. Some tax-saving strategies may come to mind, and an up-to-date set of books means...
Some things to think about this year – and every year. This is the year. You can make 2011 the year you alter your financial life for a better financial future. Let’s look at some steps you might think of taking with the goal of financial...
QUOTE OF THE QUARTER“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear.” – Norman Vincent Peale QUARTERLY TIP When companies offer health insurance benefits to domestic partners, they are often taxable. A cost-benefit analysis can be illuminating and...