Medicare Premiums and Other Costs for 2016
Some Medicare premium increases are less than projected because of provisions in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. We explain in this week’s Insurance Tip.
When a Saver Marries a Spender, Every Penny Counts
What happens when a saver loves a spender? A compromise on your future money habits is necessary. Learn more in this week’s Financial Tip.
Understanding Risk and Your Investments
Our experts discuss risk and the jargon that comes with investing.
Market Roundup: Markets Have a Strong Week Ahead of the Holiday
The markets started the week on a positive trajectory with gains in both the Energy and Utilities sectors. Trading ended mixed on Tuesday. The Energy sector weighed on the markets as a result of a downswing in crude oil. The Consumer Price Index ticked up by 0.2%. Industrial production decreased by 0.2% in October, while manufacturing output, however, increased by 0.4%. Mid-week, investors reacted favorably to minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Comments from the October meeting indicated the majority of members supported a rate hike in December, although no decision had been made, and any move continues to be data dependent. The markets pulled back on Thursday with Healthcare stocks trading lower while Technology stocks traded higher. Labor Department data showed initial jobless claims decreased by 5,000 to 271,000 last week. On Friday, the markets were buoyed by news of stronger-than-anticipated sales from retailers. The weekly results ended strong ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday and the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
Exploring Finance Options for a Home Renovation
Ready to update the kitchen? We explain what your home renovation finance options are in today’s Marietta Daily Journal. Read the Article
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Are Valuable Tools for Small Business Owners
Need an objective, black and white measure of your business processes? Implement Key Performance Indicators. We explain in this week’s Business Tip.
Comparing Health Insurance Options During Open Enrollment
During open enrollment, you’ll want to review the copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance associated with each plan. Read more in this week’s Insurance Tip.
Increase Your Withholding to Avoid Underpayment Penalties
The IRS can penalize you for underpayment during the year. But you can increase your withholding to avoid it. Learn what to do in this week’s Tax Tip.
Finance Options for a Home Renovation
Our experts discuss the options homeowners have when trying to finance a home renovation project.
Market Roundup: Markets Tumble on Economic News
The week began on a down note with consumer brands dragging the markets lower. Investors were also likely worried about a potential interest rate rise and the health of the global economy. On Tuesday, the both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index inched higher while the NASDAQ shed some points. Materials, Technology and Telecom sectors traded slightly lower. Stocks retreated amid a variety of economic news mid-week. The MBA Mortgage Applications Survey showed applications fell in the last week while mortgage rates were higher for the third consecutive week following a strong October jobs report last Friday. Barring any significant hit to the economy, the Federal Reserve will likely begin to raise rates in December. Indices closed well into red territory on Thursday with Financial and Energy stocks leading the way down. Labor Department data, released today, showed initial jobless claims held steady at 276,000 last week, while the four-week moving average increased by 5,000 to 267,750. The decline continued Friday with Energy stocks continuing to decline amid lower crude oil prices. Retail sales showed a 0.1% increase while U.S. Producer Prices decreased 0.4% in October. In a preliminary measure, the University of Michigan Sentiment Index hit 93.1 for November from 90 in October. Economists had expected a reading of 91.