Category: Newsletters

On March 11, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, and two days later President Trump declared a national emergency.1 The unknowns surrounding a…

The Dogs of the Dow is a simple investing strategy that combines an emphasis on dividends and value. It involves investing in the 10 stocks from the Dow Jones Industrial Average (the…

Businesses are responsible for paying payroll taxes for Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment for their employees, but not for independent contractors. And when using contract workers, employers avoid related expenses such as…

Widespread smartphone use, loosening regulations, and employers seeking health cost savings are three trends that were driving the rapid expansion of telemedicine. And that was before social distancing guidelines to help control…

There are many types of employer-sponsored retirement plans. One that may appeal to small businesses and to self-employed individuals is the savings incentive match plan for employees (SIMPLE) because, as the name…

As a business owner, you may devote most of your time, energy, and profits to running and growing your business. But working for yourself means that saving money for retirement is also…

In 2018, Internet retail sales rose by more than 14% over 2017, while brick-and-mortar sales increased by less than 4%. About $514 billion in goods and services were purchased in cyberspace throughout…

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowered the marginal tax rates that apply to ordinary income, such as wages and interest from bonds and savings accounts, for 2018 through 2025. Fortunately for…

The Federal Open Market Committee raises or lowers interest rates to help keep inflation near a 2% target, which is the rate believed to be consistent with the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate…

Net farm income is forecast to grow almost 4.8% to $88 billion in 2019, but this broad measure of profits includes financial support from the federal government. Direct government payments (excluding crop…

Parents with young children might worry about whether they have enough life insurance to take care of their family’s financial needs if they should pass away. But as their children grow into…

The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book is an anecdotal economic report based on conversations with business contacts around the nation. In April 2019, companies in most of the Fed’s 12 districts noted a shortage…

If you are engaged to be married, or expect to be soon, it’s important to consider how this change in the relationship (and legal status) will affect your finances. Discussing the following…