You’re sitting in your office hurrying to get that last project accomplished before time runs out. It’s not just the usual deadline. It’s your deadline. It’s your retirement. You really want to finish this career capstone, but that’s not all that’s on your mind. You can’t help but sense the joy you’ll soon have when you pocket that gold watch. In a little more than a year, life will be nothing but golf courses and grandkids. And maybe an occasional grand tour of that place you always wanted to visit. The last thing you want to hear is that there’s…

I have completed a no-buy challenge several times. A no-buy challenge is choosing a specific category and timeframe and resolving not to purchase these items. My challenges have included clothing, personal care items, and even groceries. The Clothing Challenge: Breaking The Cycle Of Consumption Each challenge helped us save money, waste less, and get organized. The first no-buy challenge I experimented with was clothing. This was an area of our budget we wanted to reduce. We ran the numbers for the past year and found I was spending $500-$750 each quarter. And yet my closet was always full. Twice a…

The Trump Administration has taken multiple steps that risk permanently damaging or eliminating important federal data sources. And senior current and former government officials as well as researchers worry that more serious threats are on the horizon, including to critical information that is key to informing tax policy. Why should the public care? Because those data can help explain everything from burgeoning health risks to changes in weather, inflation, and employment. They provide important information about the tax system as well as the effectiveness of government programs such as education assistance, Medicare, and Social Security. Part Of A Broader Effort…

Introduction: McMahon’s Bold Statement On Education Department Layoffs Education Secretary Linda McMahon is heralding the Education Department layoffs as the “first step” toward shutting down the agency – an unprecedented move in federal education policy​. Appearing on Fox News, McMahon confirmed that President Donald Trump mandated her to dismantle the department. “Yes, actually it is [the first step] , because that was the president’s mandate, his directive to me, clearly, was to shut down the Department of Education,” McMahon said, adding that Tuesday’s mass layoffs began “eliminating what I think is bureaucratic bloat.” The department announced it is cutting nearly…

Claiming Social Security Early Is A Monumental Decision The Social Security Administration is facing unprecedented turmoil. A new cost-cutting task force, the Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, has targeted the agency for deep budget cuts and layoffs. SSA leadership announced plans to eliminate 7,000 jobs (reducing staff from about 57,000 to 50,000) and consolidate offices​. Headlines now warn of office closures and months-long service delays. Musk’s incendiary commentary has only fueled public anxiety, including his comment about Security being the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time. With Social Security’s administration in disarray, many near-retirees are likely…

The Sudden Illness of John Dalaly In mid-March 2024, John Dalaly began experiencing lower back pain—something he initially dismissed as a minor issue, possibly from work or exercise. However, serving a 28-month sentence at the satellite prison camp near USP Hazelton (WV) for bribery related to the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board, he soon realized the pain was worsening. As the weeks passed, his condition deteriorated. He repeatedly called his family, describing his worsening symptoms, and sought help from the prison’s medical staff. Despite his visits, Dalaly claimed the prison doctor misdiagnosed him with diabetes. By mid-April, the pain had…

To rent or buy a home is a significant decision. It involves your financial situation, personal preferences, lifestyle considerations, and market conditions. While homeownership offers the potential for equity growth and stability, renting provides flexibility and lower upfront costs. This article discusses the factors involved in the rent-versus-buy decision-making process, equipping you with the insights necessary to make an informed choice. 1. Financial Situation And Stability Income And Employment A stable and secure income is a crucial factor when considering homeownership. Mortgage lenders evaluate job security and income consistency to determine loan eligibility and interest rates. Individuals with steady employment…

As your business grows each year, it may also feel like your tax bills keep growing more painfully. Generally speaking, America has a progressive tax system, which means most people pay less taxes on their first dollar of income than their last. Proactive tax planning is a great way to ensure you increase your take-home pay without working more hours or adding more clients (unless you want to). Business owners’ most valuable tax deductions come from expenses they already pay. Over 296 million cars were registered in America for the year 2024, which led this certified financial planner to believe…

The new Consumer Price Index — CPI for short — data is out. It shows some slowing, but there is still enough to remain wary. You can bet the Federal Reserve will. The month-over-month so-called all-items price growth between January and February was 0.2%. Comparing last month to February in 2024, the inflation rate was 2.8%. The details of different inflation are important. If you didn’t know, the U.S. maintains lists of goods and services consumers typically purchase. Each takes up a percentage of the theoretical shopping basket. Government analysts check prices in many parts of the country monthly to…

Earlier this week, the Department of Education announced mass firings of its employees. The dramatic reduction in staff will likely have significant impacts for millions of student loan borrowers in repayment, those who are seeking student loan forgiveness, and college students applying for federal student aid. Department of Education officials indicated on Tuesday that they had fired more than 1,300 employees. Another roughly 600 employees had been previously laid off or had accepted buyout offers. That represents a reduction of approximately half of the department’s 4,100 total employees. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon suggested that the reduction in staff would…