In order to get the attention of serious investors, it is important to have realistic financial projections incorporated into your business plan. Projections can be a tricky business as you try to anticipate expenses while trying to […]
The United States is now in its 11th year of economic growth, making this the longest period of economic expansion in the country’s history. That sounds impressive, but is the boom actually having an effect […]
There are many big small-business “firsts.” First customer. First purchase. First loan approval. First major client. The list goes on. But one of the most significant “firsts” is a small business’s first employee. Hiring your […]
Something isn’t working. You did all the right things when you started your small business. You found a customer problem that needed to be solved, and you wrote a detailed business plan for your new […]
One of money’s greatest gifts is that it can reflect back to us where we are, and are not, living in step with who we truly are. Through more than 2 decades of work as […]
Open enrollment for a 2020 health insurance plan on Healthcare.gov ends Sunday. Through Nov. 30, 2.88 million people had selected plans on the online platform, down from 3.2 million who signed up over a similar […]
If your credit card bills are coming in fast and furious, and you’re having a hard time keeping up, you’re probably hoping for some relief. And in some cases, you might be able to get […]
The winter months might be enough to keep some people indoors, but for others, there’s no better reason to be outside. With ski season fast-approaching, there’s no time to waste if you’re considering picking up […]
When you think about employee theft in your company, you likely consider acts such as employees stealing inventory or company or customer information through cyber fraud. But, there’s another way that they can siphon off […]
Another year has flown by. While there’s still some time left in 2019, you should begin to set your money resolutions for the new year (and decade!). When building your list of goals for the upcoming […]
Does your tax return include all of your business expenses? If you’re self-employed and work out of your home, you may not be taking full advantage of the home office deduction. Figuring out the tax deduction […]
Social Security fraud now constitutes the top scam in the U.S. The Federal Trade Commission said it has received nearly 1.3 million reports of scammers posing as government agents since 2014, more than any other type of fraud reported […]
My first boss — Claire, the bleached blonde who ran the cosmetics counter at the corner drugstore where I worked part time during high school — taught me two valuable lessons about work and life. […]
Talking about your salary can be considered taboo. But how do you know if you’re being paid fairly? Sarah Kobos, a senior photo editor at Wirecutter, created an anonymous way for people in the media […]
Apply for a credit card, auto loan, or mortgage and the first thing the lender will do is pull your credit history. Your application hinges on a three-digit number called your credit score; “good” credit […]
Many people don’t work well under pressure, and you may face a time crunch to complete your personal tax return. It’s never too early to start preparing for your tax returns. So, before you let […]
I consider myself to be one of the cheapest people on the planet. I wear socks until they are threadbare and undies until the elastic is completely shot. Wasting money physically hurts me. But even […]
Employee retention is a hot topic these days. Just 3.5% of the country is “unemployed.” So companies must do all they can to keep great workers on the payroll, including offering benefits deemed “frivolous” or “non-productive.” Arguably, […]
As one of the most essential aspects of a business proposal, the financial plan utilizes current financial data to project long-term profits and losses for your company. As a business owner, having a strong financial […]
As a solopreneur, it’s important to align yourself with a banker who can help you vet your ideas, make introductions, and assist with collecting money and processing payments. But when you’re starting out, a bank […]
Remember when opening a savings account required visiting a bank? Or when the primary way to track spending was by recording purchases and deposits in your checkbook ledger? The rise of the internet and the […]
After a long year of ups and downs, the giving season is finally upon us! There’s just something about the vibe and holidays in November and December that brings out our desire to spend time […]
When you apply for life insurance, it can feel like the most intimate details of your life are on display. Most life insurance is medically underwritten, which means that the insurer looks at your health when […]
You want to trust people. You hired hard-working employees who have glowing references and you believe they are a large part of why your small business is so successful. But what if they’re also the […]
Whether you’re surprised to see them or knew they were there, it’s never fun to see derogatory items on your credit reports. From collections accounts to charge-offs to late payments to bankruptcies, these items can […]
Gift-giving season is here. For those in a relationship, it can be an added challenge to find the perfect gift for that special someone. And while you can’t put a price on love, some couples […]
While more than half of consumers use apps to help them manage their finances, new research suggests that most don’t understand how much of their financial data is being collected and how it’s being used. Given the […]
If you have any employees, you’re not only responsible for issuing paychecks on a set schedule, but also for deducting and paying federal, state, and local income taxes to the government. Some people are intimidated by this […]
Installment loans can be useful financial tools. But is it safe to get an installment loan online? Here’s what you need to know about online installment loans. What is an installment loan? An installment loan […]
The holiday season is supposed to bring tidings of comfort and joy. But for many, the Christmas spirit is overshadowed by burdensome shopping lists and pricey flights home. It’s easy to see why the holidays […]