If Inflation Is Low, Why Are Prices High? “Headline inflation,” as measured by changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was a low 1.5% in 2013 and running at an annual rate of just 2.1% through June 2014.1 Yet when you go to the grocery store or fill up your car at the gas pump, […]
Upside Down: Tightening the Rules on Corporate Inversions On September 22, 2014, the U.S. Treasury announced new rules making it more difficult and less profitable for U.S. companies to move their headquarters overseas through a process known as inversion. Inversions have received significant media attention over the last few months, and the action by federal […]
Who Controls the Cash? Once upon a time in American marriages, the husband “brought home the bacon” and made all the big financial decisions, and the wife received a “household allowance” to buy groceries and other everyday necessities. Today you might need to watch a 1950s sitcom to find that dynamic. Not only have women […]
Adding Real Estate to Your Portfolio Have you ever considered investing in an income-producing real estate property such as a rental house or apartment building? It might seem like a good idea, but this type of investment typically requires substantial capital. Even if you have the necessary cash or credit, you may not want the […]
Fighting Fraud: Shoppers Still Waiting for Security Fix In September 2014, Home Depot disclosed a data breach involving up to 56 million payment cards. It’s believed that the attack on Home Depot was larger and lasted longer than the December 2013 hacking of Target’s payment system in which 40 million accounts were compromised.1 Roughly one […]
File and Suspend: A Flexible Social Security Strategy The Social Security system may seem complex, but understanding your claiming options could help increase your benefits. One strategy to consider is “file and suspend” (sometimes referred to as “voluntary suspension”). The basic concept is to file for benefits at full retirement age (66 to 67, depending […]
Expenses in Waiting: Managing Costs on Your Property and Casualty Insurance You may not think of the deductibles and liability limits on your insurance policies as part of your financial strategy, but they could make a difference in your overall financial picture. Consider them “expenses in waiting” — potential costs that you should be prepared […]
Last-Minute Legislation: 2014 Tax Extenders After contentious congressional negotiations and the threat of a presidential veto, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 — extending 55 tax provisions through the end of 2014 — finally became law in December with less than two weeks left in the tax year. Unfortunately, the fate of these provisions […]
Highly Appreciated Giving The stock market has been strong over the last few years, with the S&P 500 gaining about 200% from its bottom in March 2009 through the end of 2014.1 The housing market has also turned upward, and national home prices have bounced back to 2005 levels.2 In this improving economic environment, many […]
Are You an Investor or a Speculator? Legendary investor and teacher Benjamin Graham — considered the “father of value investing” — once said, “The individual investor should act consistently as an investor and not as a speculator.”1 This simple quote captures a fundamental concept that could help you establish and maintain a sound financial strategy. […]