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Author Archives: starklogic

The Benefits of Giving

The Benefits of Giving

A recent study using data from 136 countries suggests that spending money for the benefit of others promotes a feeling of happiness in the giver.1 This may not be surprising to the many people who donate to charity. Almost three-fourths of charitable giving in the United States comes from individuals (see chart). Charitable contributions could also […]

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Taming Taxes

Taming Taxes

Small-business owners and independent contractors may be more likely than other taxpayers to benefit from the home-office tax deduction, which has an average value of more than $2,600.1 But some taxpayers may be hesitant to claim this potential tax benefit on their personal tax returns, fearing that it could trigger an IRS audit. Their worries are […]

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Surprise! It’s Retirement Time

Surprise! It’s Retirement Time

  In a 2012 survey, 50% of current retirees said they retired earlier than they had planned, up from 45% in 2011.1 Many retirees reported reasons that were beyond their control, such as health problems or disability, company downsizing or closure, changes in the skills required for their jobs, or having to care for a […]

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Consider These TIPS

Consider These TIPS

Nobel prize-winning economist Milton Friedman once said that “Inflation is taxation without legislation.”1 You’re probably aware of how taxes reduce your earnings, but have you thought about the effect of inflation? Over the last 50 years, U.S. inflation (as measured by changes in the consumer price index or CPI) has averaged a little more than 4% […]

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Becoming a More Rational Investor

Becoming a More Rational Investor

Studies by the Investment Company Institute and the Federal Reserve Board indicate that investors’ willingness to assume risk tends to rise and fall with the stock market.1 Of course, it’s not surprising that people are more likely to pour money into stocks when the market is trending upward and to retreat when the market trends downward. […]

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How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

In a recent study, 40% of consumers responded that they don’t have enough life insurance to meet their families’ long-term needs.1 This concern raises an obvious question: How much life insurance is enough? What might be appropriate for a family with two young children and a stay-at-home spouse could be significantly different from the needs of […]

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Small Firms Still Face Credit Challenges

Small Firms Still Face Credit Challenges

Many small firms have found it more difficult to borrow money since the financial crisis hit, and business access to credit has yet to improve despite an economic recovery. A larger percentage of small-business owners who applied for financing were unsuccessful in 2011 (44%) than in 2010 (34%), primarily because there was more demand for […]

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Take Advantage of Medicare Open Enrollment

Take Advantage of Medicare Open Enrollment

Nearly 50 million Americans are covered by Medicare, including most people 65 and older and many disabled people under age 65.1 Medicare benefits can be valuable — the average benefit per enrollee was $12,042 for Parts A, B, and D in 2011.2 Because there are a variety of coverage options, you may have to do some […]

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