Category: Investments
Three Financial Issues to Watch Under the New Administration
On January 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Between now and then, attention should largely focus on efforts to facilitate an orderly transfer of power. However, there will be no shortage of conjecture over what may happen after the inauguration. While changes are likely, … Read More
Consider Munis for Tax-Free Income
The city of Detroit’s 2013 bankruptcy and the continuing debt crisis in Puerto Rico have cast municipal bonds in a negative light for some investors. In general, however, “munis” are considered to be a relatively safe investment. They are more stable than corporate bonds. A 2015 study found that only 0.14% of municipal bonds default … Read More
Finding Lost Money
The idea of finding buried treasure or receiving an inheritance from a long-lost relative is a staple of fantasies and adventure stories. Though finding treasure is unlikely, discovering “lost” money or other assets from a relative, a business, or a government agency may not be a fantasy after all. The Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization estimates … Read More
The Status of Women-Owned Businesses
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners, the total number of U.S. businesses grew just 2% between 2007 and 2012. Meanwhile, the number of women-owned businesses grew by about 27% to 9.9 million. At last count, women-owned businesses employed almost 9 million people and added more than $1.6 trillion annually to the … Read More
Bipartisan Budget Act Impacts Medicare & Social Security
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, signed into law on November 2, 2015, ensures federal government funding through the fiscal year 2017, primarily by suspending forced across-the-board spending cuts called “sequesters,” which were triggered when lawmakers failed to reach a budget agreement in 2011. Among a variety of other provisions, the law limits Medicare premium … Read More