Since the downturn in 2008 and the bankruptcy of General Motors in 2009, many employers have discontinued defined benefit plans – commonly referred to as pensions. Many have either discontinued the plans or have frozen them as “cost saving” measures. Others have replaced these costlier plans with the less expensive 401k plans. A 401k is
This month, the Flint Institute of Arts presents multiple films that look at the funny side of life. But are they “funny” as in ha-ha, or “funny” as in weird? The viewer may have to decide, especially in the case of Tickled, a documentary coming to the museum’s Friends of Modern Art film series on
Since becoming a fashion stylist, I’ve been asked more times than I can count about fashion dos and don’ts. I understand! Putting your best foot forward is important and no one likes to commit a fashion faux pas. Well, one thing is for sure – all the antiquated rules that have been followed for generations
Celebrated September 15 to October 15, the observation started in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded on that to cover a 30-day period, and it was enacted into law in August 1988. The day of September 15 is significant, because it marks the anniversary of independence
The days are growing shorter and the evening air is crisp and cool. The leaves are changing and autumn is upon us! I love this season – and what I like best about it is the food. The last of the summer’s bounty is ready for picking and there is still corn at my favorite
A female friend of mine recently asked me, “Do you know what season it is?” “Well,” I replied, “since the leaves are beginning to turn and the stores are already changing over from Halloween crap to Christmas crap, I’m going to take a wild guess and say early fall.” She frowned. No one appreciates sarcasm
First of all, when did I become the kind of person who follows sheep-like the bumbling visitors on a tour around a city? Well, when I first went to Mexico, I suppose. The taco truck tour was epic and worth every penny and mouthful. And then, of course, wine tours are lovely, because … wine.
As a result of this year’s market volatility and the unexpected news of Great Britain leaving the Eurozone, I’ve recently been approached by multiple people regarding the merits of having gold or goldminers as a part of their investment portfolio. I will make this very clear: the answer to this question is very situational and
A new puppy! They are pretty irresistible – they have that puppy breath, which is why thousands of people visit animal shelters every day, and leave with a brand new, cuddly best buddy. There is no sweeter happy ending. Puppies who find fur-ever homes are often born to dogs that fall into the “less adoptable”
Over the last 50 years, General Motors lost more than half of its market share. The rank-and-file workers aren’t to blame for this. Instead, they were let down by their leadership. The average price of a new car in 1980 was the equivalent of 37 percent of a worker’s average yearly income. For such a
As a father of two very active daughters ages 12 and 10, I’m always looking for things to keep my family engaged while trying to fully experience Genesee County. We are very fortunate to have so many unique local attractions, many of which are provided at no or little cost to the community and offer
It’s good to have friends. Well-connected friends? Even better! So, my husband and I were in Amalfi, and had arranged with Maria, one of my dearest Italian friends, to spend the day on the Isle of Capri. Our ferry tickets purchased, we patiently waited for said ferry … and there was no Maria. The boat
