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Inflation is on everyone’s mind these days, and with good reason. While the technical definition of inflation is “excess growth of the money supply,” everyday price increases constitute the most in-your-face indicator of inflation’s presence. We Americans deserve an accurate assessment of annual inflation, due to its impact on our lives. Within the vast Federal […]

In the aftermath of COVID-19, which invaded our lives in early 2020, we were informed of a disturbing societal trend. Between 2019 and 2020, Americans’ life expectancy at birth fell by 1.8 years, reversing a series of increases we have enjoyed for decades. Worse yet, between 2020 and 2021, life expectancy from birth dropped further, […]

In the arena of moneylending, there is perhaps no more controversial topic than the so-called “payday loan” industry. Payday loan companies have long been a center of controversy. Generally, claims against the industry refer to the rate of interest charged as exorbitant (“usurious”). The payday loan industry presents an easy target, charging an average annual […]

In a recent survey of 1,500 affluent and high-net-worth clients of financial advisors, 20% intended to retire earlier than they had planned prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a heavy tilt toward younger investors. 45% of survey participants under 35 years old, and 39% of investors from 35 to 44, have earlier retirement expectations, specifically […]

As soon as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 passed both chambers in Washington, D.C., proponents began to refer to the 700+ page leviathan as a “Climate Change Bill.” Why the sudden shift? In reality, this is an installment on Biden’s failed “Build Back Better” plan, as well as the progressives’ Green New Deal. We […]

In times of rising uncertainty, increasing inflation, and market turmoil, such as 2022 so far, investor preferences trend toward certain investments that are perceived as “safe havens” and stores of value. Among the likely recipients of investment dollars are annuities and precious metals. Fixed annuities are thought to hold their value during market pullbacks, and […]

In the Vice-Presidential debate of 2008, Sarah Palin uttered the famous line, “Say it ain’t so, Joe.” That was said to Joe Biden, but this week I was reminded of Sen. Joe Manchin, who previously would not support the latest Democrat spending bill until he saw July’s inflation numbers. Sen. Manchin suddenly couldn’t wait, so […]

Assuming you don’t have some unusual, complicated tax situation, we assume that your 2021 Income Tax Return has already been filed. For most people, income taxes are now “out of sight, out of mind” until next spring. However, some small businesses and self-employed people may still have a chance to improve their situations retroactively, simultaneously […]

Believe it or not, more than half of 2022 is in the rear-view mirror, and it is time to start planning year-end financial concerns. For many of us that includes tax considerations, including charitable contributions. Simply sending money to favorite qualified charities does not assure receiving the most favorable tax outcome. It is not much […]