Inflation has been much in the news during the last few years, with notice of whether the rate is up or down a staple of reports. Inflation is the rate of increase in prices over a given period of time. (Historically, prices have rarely decreased; one example of such deflation would be the Great Depression Read more
Raise the Roof: The Housing Market Challenges
Spring home-buying season is here. Amid historically low housing stock, a combination of still-high mortgage rates and home prices continues to put homeownership out of reach for many—especially first-time buyers. Owning a home has many virtues. It creates stability for a family, supports longer-lasting connections in a community, and is a store of wealth for Read more
What Does That Mean? The Most-Often Searched Financial Terms and Acronyms
The terms and acronyms of finance can be perplexing, and it’s easy to become confused. Financial terminology can sometimes seem like an effort to use the most syllables or the longest string of letters possible to describe something. But it’s important to know what these terms mean when making your way through personal and business Read more
When Not If: Economic Data and The Fed’s Rate Cut(s)
The Federal Reserve increased rate in 2022 and 2023 as the central bank sought to contain surging inflation. Now, in 2024, with price pressures easing and the economy still strong, Fed officials are poised to bring rates down at a slower pace. Because the Fed’s benchmark rate influences lending costs for mortgages, cars, and credit Read more
W-2, 1099, 1098? A Tax-Day Translation
With Super Bowl Sunday, Mardi Gras, and Valentine’s Day finished, the holiday season is well and truly over. It’s time to get back to the grind, represented by the sometimes frantic, often less-celebratory Tax Day: April 15. So, pack away the team banners, sparkly beads, and heart-shaped cards. The W-2 is arriving (or the 1099 Read more
Getting a Good Start: A Guide to Investing
Think you don’t have enough money to start investing? Think again. Anyone can learn to begin investing, even if you start your journey with just $100. But when you do start investing, the most important part of the process is to have some basic knowledge. Investing is when you buy something in hopes that it Read more