If you own a small business, you know the importance of maintaining its financial stability. Everything from managing cash flow to keeping current with tax liabilities is crucial to ensure you’re able to keep your company profitable and in compliance with the law.
If you’ve been reading my column for a while, then you probably know that I spent considerable time in my younger years traveling through wilderness areas in North America.
Fears of global recession, higher interest rates, poor exports and rain forecasted in some of our driest areas triggered huge selling and money flows from funds midweek. Thursday brought the biggest crash in weeks for grains, beans, cotton, copper, energies and most other commodity futures. …
Q: If a will is handwritten and signed by the testator, does it still have to be witnessed to be valid?
Watching your investments take a tumble in the stock market generally isn’t a fun experience. But seasoned investors know that market volatility — and the inherent ups and downs that come with it — is a natural part of the process, and that historical trends show that market swings even out …
Cattle in Kansas died by the thousands recently. Hogs and poultry farms are suffering too, as livestock are unable to cool down. Record temperatures have suddenly exceeded animals’ ability to cool themselves, both naturally and even in confined feed operations. Overall production levels are …
The Federal Reserve has begun what it says will be a series of interest rate increases in an effort to slow the economy and temper the current surge in the inflation rate. At the start of 2022, the federal funds rate stood at near zero percent. By May, the Fed moved the federal funds rate 75…
Q: My mother has made changes to her will by crossing out a couple of names and writing in new ones. She has initialed the changes. I think she should make a new will but she doesn’t want to spend the money because she thinks this enough. Should she make a new will?
The Federal Reserve has begun what it says will be a series of interest rate increases in an effort to slow the economy and temper the current surge in the inflation rate. At the start of 2022, the federal funds rate stood at near zero percent. By May, the Fed moved the federal funds rate 75…
Inflation has returned with a vengeance, and not long after it was clear the trend was not going to be transitory, the questions and conversations about gold and silver as possible hedges against this unpleasant trend returned to my practice as well.
In addition to production problems related to both the war and dry weather, the storage and export of wheat from Ukraine was further blocked by Russia. Early last week, Russia bombed two major storage facilities in ports on the Black Sea and shut down shipping with naval blockades.
Q: What can be done if a trustee refuses to give the beneficiary a copy of the trust and isn’t following it?
Making financial decisions takes time, attention and energy at any age. In the case of elderly adults, it may become increasingly difficult to manage daily finances, particularly if their health is declining or they’re experiencing a cognitive issue. If you’re providing support to aging pare…
Let me apologize ahead of time; I’m afraid this column may be a tough. Maybe even a sleeper. But the topic is timely and extremely significant so I’m going to do it anyway. Once again, sorry.
Wheat and corn prices plummeted all week on reports that Russia may allow exports from Ukraine.
Q: Do you need an attorney to file a will?
Buying a second home brings with it exciting possibilities. Perhaps it’s a place where you plan to make lasting family memories — or it will be your quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whatever your vision for the property, it’s important to consider whether you’re read…
Here we go again. The warning sirens are growing louder and louder, the winds of change seem to be blowing, and it looks like a storm is moving in.
Natural gas exploded to the highest level since 2008 and crude hit the highest prices since March.
Q: If I name both of my daughters trustees of my trust after my death, do they have to work together or can they each handle part of it?
If you’re retired, one of the biggest expenses you may be confronted with on a regular basis is health care. Even if you’re enrolled in Medicare, you may need to pay various medical costs out-of-pocket — and, in general, costs are going up, not down. Fortunately, there are tools that can hel…
As has been quoted many times in this column, renowned economist Milton Friedman famously said, “Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon.” Which means inflation is always caused by an imbalance in the supply of money, usually due to some sort of monetary system mismanagement.
Content by St. Louis Union Station. St. Louis Union Station makes a great one-stop destination where the whole family can discover fun and memorable things to do!
Chef Jodie Ferguson has partnered with Feast and Field to share a new signature recipes: Breakfast Foccacia
Chef Jodie Ferguson has partnered with Feast and Field to share a new signature recipes: Toasted Brioche with Ham, Gruyere and Apricot Jam served with Habanero Sweet Potato Bisque
Chef Jodie Ferguson has partnered with Feast and Field to share a new signature recipes: Maple Bacon Yeast Rolls
Our lungs, tides and markets cannot endure by moving in one direction only. Our bodies would perish, continents would flood, and economies would self-destruct were it not for corrections and cycles creating sustainability or relative stability.
Q: Our father passed away recently and we can’t locate his will. We know that he created one but we can’t find it. How can we get a copy of it? Can the bar association help us out?
As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has reminded us, when disaster strikes, people spring into action to help. Images of volunteers providing medical aid, shelter and meals to injured and displaced civilians are a heartwarming antidote to the otherwise horrifying backdrop of war.
Foot travel through wilderness is hard. Every time I go into a wild place, such as our mountain region parks or the north woods, I am reminded even using the best topographical software and incredible tools like Google Earth to plan a route, you never really know how tough a hike is going to…
Inflation was reported to continue rising this month at both retail (8.3%) and wholesale (11%) levels. These numbers confirm inflation is at its fastest pace in 40 years.
I was in the Lake County Recorder’s Office recently and I met the county recorder for the first time. I’m a regular in the office so it’s a little surprising that I haven’t met the recorder sooner. She was working the counter with her staff which, I don’t mind saying, impressed the heck out …
If you drive a car, chances are you’re feeling the “pain at the pump” caused by inflationary pressures and global supply chain disruptions from Russia’s invasion on Ukraine that have caused the price of gasoline to surge in recent months. But the sticker shock goes beyond gas stations. In 20…
We had a rare weekend free of obligations last week. With nothing holding us down, my wife Tracy, 12-year-old Ethan and I headed up to Southwest Michigan to enjoy the day bumming around and searching out some locally made snacks to have on hand for the coming summer season, and the return of…
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