Another year will soon go down in the books … and what a crazy ride! As a point of reference and information, here are a few new updates to the tax laws regarding retirement accounts and contributions. The I.R.S. just increased the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely-used retirement plan accounts
Ebenezer Scrooge is an infamous Christmas villain. However, looking at him through an economic lens shows that he is, actually, a productive member of society who gets a bad rap. Scrooge owns a money-lending business. “Money-lending” has an unfair connotation, as Scrooge is just running a bank and issuing loans. Banking plays a crucial
When the whole family gets together for a holiday meal, it can be difficult to keep everyone happy while trying to modify traditional family dishes to make them healthier. You can’t change great grandma’s macaroni & cheese recipe unless you want a full-on family revolt! Those looking to serve lighter holiday fare will have
When it comes to the English language, there are three rules that newspaper reporters typically follow: Never use an Oxford comma. If you don’t know what that is, I’m reluctant to tell you in case you’ll start using them, but what the heck: An Oxford comma is the comma that sick, twisted minds insert
Northern Italy’s Lake Como: it’s a dream destination, right? It’s the land of Hollywood stars, VIPs and celebrities. It’s luxury and glamour and glitz. Isn’t it? Well, in the summer, yes. In those months, it’s bound to be full of Clooneys, footballers and the royals of Europe – all of them yachting and boating
There isn’t anybody in the world I know who loves Christmas more than my 12-year-old grandson, Noah. When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday in October, he told me he wanted a new Christmas tree for his bedroom. Last year, as we drove around looking at the neighborhood Christmas lights, we
Since the holiday season isn’t quite crazy enough, my husband and I had a great idea: we bought a new house. I know. First World Problems. A new house may sound awesome, and it is. Closing on a new house two days before Thanksgiving, when the house you currently live in hasn’t sold, is
The event programmers in my suburban school district in the late ’60s and early ’70s were somewhat adventurous, or so I like to think. They seemed to want to offer a diverse menu during our elementary and junior high movie breaks, rather than feeding time-killers through their humming 16mm projectors. Yes, we were beset
“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there …” A more recognizable poem may have never been written – 28 rhyming couplets thought by many to have inspired the universally jolly image of Santa Claus we have today. On December 24, 1822, prominent New York
So many investors are asking, “If the Democrats take back the House after the midterm elections, what’s going to happen to the markets and the economy?” Although I had to return my crystal ball to the store (because its past accuracy has been sketchy at best), I’d still like to offer my opinion. So, here
I used to think the worst thing that could happen would be to lose someone I love during the Holiday Season. I’ve often wondered how you could possibly ever celebrate the holidays again. I am quickly learning that the time of year it happens to be when you lose a loved one really doesn’t matter
The 2018 news cycle was dominated by political turmoil, evidenced by the controversy surrounding Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. This noise overshadows the fact that, all things considered, 2018 was a prosperous year. As Americans, we have a lot to be thankful for. The American economy was the strongest it has been
