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A number you’re probably not looking for is 1.5 billion. That’s the number of pounds of pumpkins grown every year. History.com said that’s more than twice the weight of the Empire State Building. Here are a few other interesting statistics related to Halloween:1 • 9 billion pieces of candy corn are sold each year (about 36 million pounds). • 72 percent of Americans give candy to trick-or-treaters. • 30 percent of children sort their candy after trick-or-treat time. • 24 pounds of [...]

If you’re 57 or older, it’s a pretty good bet you take at least one prescription medication. If you take more than one, it’s really important to understand how the drugs may interact with one another in your system – particularly, if different doctors have prescribed them. Knowing how drugs may interact with each other isn’t enough, though. Medications may affect existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, or interact with foods you [...]

Twenty-five years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, guaranteeing disabled Americans – people with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities – equal opportunity in employment, transportation, government service, and public accommodations. The most recent statistics show about one-in-four Americans has a disability. Many are children with special needs.1 So, it seems an appropriate time to celebrate the advent of 529 Able accounts. They’re not available yet, but the federal government authorized states [...]

Workers are essential to innovation and success. According to the London School of Economics (LSE), they’re a source of ideas for new products, new services, new approaches to work, and new business models.1 Worker-led innovation must be nurtured by organizations. It requires a workplace environment that frees people to do more than they’re being paid to do. The LSE report suggested workers need: •Innovation time: Give time for creative thought  •Broad roles: Help employees see the bigger [...]

Healthcare. Retirement. Those may be two of the most stressful words in the English language today. Especially when you include them both in the same sentence. For instance, a married couple that saves $326,000 has a 90 percent chance of having enough money to pay healthcare expenses in retirement. A single man would need to save $116,000 for retirement healthcare expenses, and a single woman about $131,000 to have the same odds, according to [...]

How Do You Make Money in Stocks? Have you ever watched Family Feud? Perhaps you were a child when Richard Dawson hosted the game show or maybe you enjoy the current version. No matter, take a moment and: • Name a three-letter word that ends in –ow • Name a chess piece • Name a one-word color for a pair of socks • Name how many batteries are used in a flashlight • Name one way people may make [...]

People think about character in many different ways. You have probably heard or may have commented on someone else’s character by saying: • She is a woman of good character. • What a character! • That was really out of character. • He has character as well as looks. • It was an attack on his character. Character isn’t really one thing or another. It’s the many distinct qualities and traits that make us who we are: unique and [...]

Achieving U.S. citizenship can be life changing, but it is not easy. Those who aspire to become American citizens must pass a 100-question naturalization test and answer six of 10 questions correctly during their naturalization interviews. Test your knowledge on these four sample questions: 1. Who is in charge of the executive branch? a. President b. Speaker of the House c. Chief Justice d. Majority Whip 2. How many U.S. senators are there? a. 50 b. 100 c. 200 d. 435 3. How many amendments [...]

While your high school student is taking standardized tests, parsing college choices, and raring for graduation, you’ll probably find yourself spending some time with net income calculators on college websites. Whether your family’s income level qualifies you for significant aid or limits you to merit scholarships, you’ll quickly discover that tuition is not the only expense you need to consider. College Board’s ‘Trends in College Pricing Report 2014’ reported tuition and fees were 39 percent [...]

Modern dads are a diverse bunch. They may go to work or stay at home with the kids. They may be single, married, or dating. They may be birth parents, adoptive parents, or step-parents.1 They may be expected to teach children morals and values, offer emotional support, enforce discipline, and/or provide financial support.2 The most important responsibility dads have, according to the American Psychological Association, is family involvement. “…Research across families from all ethnic backgrounds [...]

Lots of Americans are passionate about taxes. Many would like to pay fewer taxes, so they fervently embrace tax-free opportunities. You know you’re a tax-free fan if you: • Always shop in the duty-free store when you come through customs.1 • Contribute to 529 plan accounts for all your grandchildren.2 • Hold off on purchases until your state’s sales tax holiday.3 • Have considered moving (or moved) to a state such as Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, [...]

There are many ways to show gratitude for the sacrifices made by the men and women who have died while fighting for our freedom. In 1868, General John Logan issued a Memorial Day Order that said:1 “Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let [...]