The Downsides to Retiring Early
Many people may fantasize about retiring early; is this really a smart idea?
Household Debt Exceeds 2008 Peak
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced last week that total US household debt has just risen past levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis...
What Does Underemployment Mean for Retirement?
"Economists and others regularly bicker over whether the unemployment numbers are better or worse in 2017 than they have been in recent years, but many do agree that the nation isn't at full employment...."
A Little Tumble in Gold Is Great News for Patient Investors
Gold's slight tumble from mid-April to mid-May isn't an alarm bell for investors — historical trends indicate that gold always climbs back to new peaks. In fact, the slight decline in gold is actually good news for patient investors, especially those looking to hold gold assets long term as...
Are Interest Rates Going Up Sooner Than Expected?
The recent announcement from the Federal Reserve that it plans to shrink its balance sheet has got some investors nervous that interest rates may be about to significantly increase. This creates a substantial risk for those who are invested in rate-sensitive products, particularly ETFs and mutual funds that invest...
Thinking About Retiring Early? You May Be an Exception
The continuous pressure on pensions has forced many workers to reconsider retiring early or even retiring at 65 — the traditional date of retirement. Instead, they’re now being forced to retire at 70 due to reducing pension payouts and the increased cost of living.
Is Gold The Best Form of Money?
Through the years, money has been represented by beads, stones, metals or glass, depending on the culture. It was a way to barter for goods without needing to actually store and transport those goods immediately. The concept of money became particularly useful related to perishable goods, such as food.
Currency Outlook: The Dollar, Yen, Euro
Recent economic uncertainty has propelled the dollar down against the yen, resulting in a gradual reduction in the dollar's overall value. The dollar has also performed relatively poorly against the euro, and some are blaming uncertainty about the Affordable Care Act for sluggish performance.
Student Debt: How Much Do We Owe?
Public education after high school is now seen as a necessity by many Americans, particularly given that many companies require some form of degree to even be considered for an entry-level position. Unfortunately, this is coupled with spiraling college debt, which has recently exceeded $1 trillion.
What’s the Point of a Central Bank?
Central banks are a key part of public finance, as they manage money supply, currency and interest rates. But are central banks really necessary? What do they actually do?