- A Beginner’s Guide to Shorting the Stock Market
When the stock market is plunging, or at least stagnant, it may make sense to move your assets out of equity markets and put them into bonds or even cash. These don’t offer much in the way of growth, but… read more…
- Car Insurance Discounts During the Coronavirus Crisis
Several insurance companies have created relief programs to support their car insurance customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of these insurers are providing premium refunds, pausing policy cancellations, extending payment deadlines and more. And if you have an auto insurance policy in effect between April and May, you’ll probably qualify. However, while you’ll want to… read more…
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Forms
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a law that ensures that employees have access to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for qualified medical and family-related reasons. Up to 26 weeks of leave are available to employees caring for a servicemember with an illness or serious injury. As a result… read more…
- How to Spend Your PPP Loan to Ensure Forgiveness
The stated goal of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is to help small businesses keep employees on their payrolls. The program’s relatively simple loan application and relaxed requirements are meant to enable small businesses to get quick access to liquidity so they don’t have to resort to layoffs or furloughs during mandated closures and social distancing… read more…
- Stimulus Checks: Your Questions, Answered
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The bill includes a number of provisions that help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. These include expanded unemployment benefits and additional paid sick and family leave. But perhaps the most well known aspect of the CARES Act… read more…
- New House Coronavirus Relief Bill Includes More Stimulus Checks
Coming in at 1,815 pages, the new coronavirus relief bill proposed and approved by the House is a giant wishlist. Named the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, it includes: $540 billion for states, territories and tribal governments; $100 billion for a public health and social services emergency fund; $100 billion for… read more…
- Proposed Second Stimulus: Monthly $2,000 Checks
In April 2020, many Americans received their first economic stimulus payments as a result of the CARES Act. While these checks of up to $1,200 per person were helpful for many families, it wasn’t enough for many to make ends meet, especially as the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting quarantines have dragged on. With this… read more…
- The Give Together Relief Fund
While many of the relief programs created to aid people during the coronavirus pandemic have come from the federal and state governments, there are relief programs created by companies and nonprofits. One such program is the recently created Give Together Relief Fund. The fund was created by the Family Dependence Initiative and Stand Together Foundation to… read more…
- What Is a Holographic Will?
A holographic will sounds like something high-tech, but it’s quite the opposite: A will that’s completely written by hand, specifies what property or assets, such as bonds, stocks and fund accounts, are being willed and any circumstances that recipients must meet… read more…
- Real Property vs. Personal Property: Why the Difference Matters
All property falls into two categories: real or personal property. Whether something is considered real property or personal property depends on a surprisingly simple test: Can you physically move it? The outcome of that test determines the distinction between real… read more…
- Stock Buyback Bans in the CARES Act
The $2.1 trillion CARES Act, which Congress passed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, includes a ban on corporate stock buybacks. Specifically, the law prohibits large corporations that receive loans or loan guarantees authorized under the legislation from buying their own or their parent company’s stock. This ban continues until 12 months after such a loan… read more…
- SBA Debt Relief Program
Small businesses dealing with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic can qualify for several federal small business relief programs. Most of these take the form of Small Business Administration loans and grants (such as the PPP loan program, which is a loan that effectively become a grant if certain criteria are met). In addition… read more…
- Trump Considers Offering Loans Against Social Security
In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, which has left many Americans out of work and struggling to meet basic needs, President Donald Trump is considering proposing a plan to allow workers to take an early Social Security payment in exchange for getting lower payments later, after they’ve retired. This plan was developed by… read more…
- Don’t Miss This Stimulus Check Deadline
If you’re one of millions of Americans who has yet to receive a stimulus check from the government, you have until noon on Wednesday, May 13 to submit your direct deposit information to the IRS using the “Get My Payment” tool. If you miss the stimulus check deadline, you’ll still be able to receive your… read more…
- What Is a General Partnership?
When two or more people join forces to create a for-profit business, the result is a general partnership. A general partnership is an unincorporated business run by two or more people who are known as general partners. Although general partners may… read more…
- Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA)
A commodity trading advisor (CTA) has expertise in trading commodities and related instruments. Although a CTA can act much like a financial advisor, and some financial advisors may hold the designation, this designation is specific to advice related to commodities… read more…
- What Bank Failure Means (and Why You Shouldn’t Worry)
During times of economic uncertainty, it’s common to question the stability of banks and the overall banking system. After all, your bank plays a vital role in safeguarding your money, ensuring you can pay bills, manage everyday expenses and plan for the future. Concerns about what could happen in the event of a bank failure… read more…
- A Guide to Vanguard Index Funds
An index investing strategy often appeals to investors who are interested in taking a passive approach to the market. While there are many possibilities, Vanguard index funds are among the most popular options for low-cost investing. These funds, which seek… read more…
- What Is a Professional Risk Manager (PRM)?
Banks, brokerages, insurers and even some government agencies spend significant resources to identify, assess and mitigate financial risk. One of the top certifications for professionals in this line of work is the professional risk manager certification (PRM). Here’s what you… read more…
- Understanding Contractionary Fiscal & Monetary Policy
When inflation threatens an economy by becoming excessive, the government has two ways to dial back the problem: Contractionary fiscal policy and contractionary monetary policy. Congress handles the former, while the U.S. central bank, known as the Federal Reserve or… read more…
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
A master of business administration (MBA) degree is designed for those who want to hold leadership or management positions in corporate or public sectors. It’s the world’s most popular professional degree program, and there are thousands of MBA programs around… read more…
- Are We in A Recession?
The coronavirus pandemic has hammered the U.S. economy and Americans’ incomes. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) said on June 8 that in February 2020 the economy fell into recession, ending 128 months of growth – the longest growth period since 1854. The announcement was not altogether a surprise. Here’s why and a look at… read more…
- How Government Subsidies Are Supposed to Work
Subsidies, which are a kind of economic stimulus, are government payments made to businesses. Subsidies can target either specific companies or an entire industry, and they typically apply in one of two ways. In some programs the government supports an… read more…
- What Is a Trust and How Does It Work?
Drafting a will can help ensure your assets are passed on to your heirs according to your wishes when you pass away. But if you have a larger estate, you may consider setting up a trust to manage your assets… read more…
- Intestate: Definition, Risks and State Laws
Intestate refers to the situation where an individual passes away without a valid will in place, leaving their estate distribution subject to state intestacy laws. These laws dictate how assets are allocated among surviving family members, often favoring spouses and children, but varying widely depending on the state. Without a will, the probate court steps… read more…