After a loved one passes away, it may fall to you to find and collect their assets. Not just those in obvious places, such as bank accounts, insurance policies, and property (i.e., cars and houses). In addition to selling the property, it’s a good idea to search it thoroughly first for any valuables hidden by Read more
The Strong Dollar: Good for U.S., Dangerous for Global Economy
While other currencies are declining, the U.S. dollar is on a roll. An index of the dollar versus major currencies is trading around a two-decade high. The nominal effective exchange rate of the U.S. dollar appreciated by 12 percent between December 31, 2021, and September 26, 2022, according to JPMorgan estimates. During the same period, Read more
Two Sides to the Coin: Gross Domestic Product and Gross Domestic Income Disagree on the Economy
News about the economy usually highlights Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a measurement familiar to even the most casual follower of economic news. Most of us know that one of the traditional benchmarks for a recession is two straight quarters of negative GDP. The latest GDP estimate says the economy contracted the equivalent of 0.6% per Read more
The Span of SPACs: What to Know
You may have seen the term SPAC in the news in announcements about new businesses backed by athletes, entertainers, and political figures (as well as in recent stories about SPACs suddenly cooling off as a hot investment). While they may seem to be a relatively recent development, SPACs have been around for decades. The acronym Read more
The Recession Mystery: Mid-Year Economic Report
The U.S. economy is following an unusual trajectory, with weakening output but strong job gains. Gross domestic product (GDP), a broad measure of the goods and services produced across the economy, fell at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.6% in the second quarter, following a contraction of 1.6% in the first quarter of 2022. Read more
Home Economics: Budgeting in a Time of Inflation
As inflation hits home and prices continue to rise, budgets must be adjusted. Whether in good times or bad, keeping track of your money is always a smart move. Everyone needs a budget. Although the belt-tightening may be uncomfortable, it doesn’t have to be painful. Sometimes, the best advice on spending habits is just common Read more