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Paying for College
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 [...]
Holiday Greeting – What is a Father’s Role?
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 [...]
In Pursuit of Tax-Free Opportunities: Roth IRAs
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, [...]
Holiday Greeting – A Day for Gratitude
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 [...]
Holiday Greeting – What Makes Your Mom So Special?
When you think “Mom,” it’s likely your brain conjures up a scent or a story or a song that feels like home. Here are a few inspiring and heartfelt words that have been written about the value and importance of mothers: “A mother enables you to realize that there are different levels of beauty and therein lie the sources of pleasure, some of which are popular and ordinary, and thus of brief value, and [...]
Where is the Best Place to Retire?
It all depends on you. Thanks to the Baby Boom generation, pre-retirees and retirees have a lot more options than did previous generations of Americans. There is a lot to consider before you decide where to live during retirement: your savings and investments, monthly income, family, friends, legacy, work options, weather, interests, health, and a variety of other factors. As you determine your priorities, keep these options in the back of your mind: Tax-friendly [...]
LifeStyle Newsletter – The Future is Almost Here!
Before you know it – thanks to smart phones, tablets, and wireless technology – your home will be connected to the Internet of Things. Sure, home automation costs a few shekels, but just imagine it! You could be the envy of Jane Jetson, receiving text messages from your slow cooker, giving voice commands to water the lawn, and using a smart phone app to open the locks on your door.1 Home automation could help you: [...]
Holiday Greeting – What Do You Know About St. Patrick?
St. Patrick, the apostle of Ireland, is one of the most well known and popular Catholic saints. Of course, he wasn’t actually Irish and his birth name wasn’t Patrick! Maewyn Succat was born to Calpurnius and Conchessa, a Roman couple who lived in Britain overseeing the colonies, according to Catholic Online.1 Take this brief quiz to learn more about St. Patrick and the holiday held in his honor. 1. St. Patrick’s color was not green. [...]
Holiday Greeting – The Economics of Love
Romantics welcome Valentine’s Day and having the opportunity to lavish loved ones with attention. Economists appreciate Valentine’s Day, too. Sure, the $13 billion spent on Valentine’s Day is just a drop in the $17 trillion bucket of goods and services produced in the United States, but love is powerful and has value beyond the candy, flowers, cards, jewelry, meals, clothing, and other gifts purchased for the occasion.1 In Bloomberg View, one economist offered this insight, [...]
The Necessity for Innovation
You’ve likely heard of "planned obsolescence," also known as "shortening the replacement cycle." This strategy, developed by manufacturers, ensures that consumers buy products multiple times. Instead of relying on brand strength and product quality to inspire repeat purchases, companies create goods designed to deteriorate, become outdated, or lose their usefulness after a set period. Planned obsolescence can boost corporate profits—think of the long lines for the latest smartphone model. However, it can also lead [...]
Lifestyle Newsletter – Giving Great Gifts
Some people have a gift when it comes to gifts. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, baby shower, Christmas, Hanukah, or some other occasion, they always seem to find just the right thing for each person. If you’re not an insightful gift giver, here is an idea which may help. This present is not easy to create. It will take time, thought, and patience, but it’s likely the people who receive it will treasure it. [...]
The Need for Something New
You have probably heard the term ‘planned obsolescence.’ It’s also known as ‘shortening the replacement cycle.’ No matter what you call it, the strategy was developed by manufacturers to ensure consumers would buy products more than once. Rather than inspiring repeat purchases with the strength of their brands and the quality of their products, companies sold goods that were engineered to deteriorate, become out-of-date, or stop being useful after a specific period of time.1 [...]
