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stockfresh_7251761_consultant-showing-document-to-couple_sizeS-300x200We did not get good news from the Consumer Price Index in May. Inflation went up 8.6% from last year, the highest rate in over 40 years. Washington has promised to do something about inflation, but we do not know when we will see positive results. In the meantime, consumers must deal with the rising cost of nearly everything.

It means that pay raises and promotions, which ordinarily provide more spending income, can barely cover the rising costs. That causes considerable stress and aggravation. Unfortunately, we do not have any magic spell or potion to cure inflation, but we will give you a few tips on how to do some due diligence on your budget. Continue reading

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stockfresh_1627257_estate-planning-word-cloud-concept_sizeS-300x300We understand why people hesitate to draft a final will. It is not easy to put it on the bucket list when there are bills to pay and kids to raise. Nevertheless, this is an essential document.

Lawyers Are Essential

A simple will does not have to be a chore. Six pages of text are sufficient for most people. We do not recommend the simple will as a DIY project, however. The legal language used in the document is very precise, and mistakes will lead to heartaches and headaches. Continue reading

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stockfresh_6779024_person-hand-over-social-security-disability-claim-form_sizeS-300x200Libertarians can say all they want, but the government is necessary for everyday life. There are services that public agencies provide, such as Medicare, transportation services, special tutors, and other forms of assistance to make life easier for many people. There is a high level of frustration with government agencies, however. Too many people are convinced that public employees are just bureaucrats in very comfortable jobs who do not care about anything. The stressful situations folks have with government agencies can be made easier with some outside help.

So, what is the Problem?

There are some common areas of anxiety when dealing with government. Continue reading

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stockfresh_4971788_student-loan-debt-installment-payment-check-money-paid-back_sizeS-300x300A lot of excitement has been generated by recent news. The US Department of Education canceled nearly $5.8 billion in outstanding student loans, affecting over 500,000 people in debt. It is a fantastic development but look again before you celebrate.

 

The cancellations affected former students of Corinthian Colleges. This was a large for-profit education company that filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2015 and was sued for false advertising and recruiting. Those students who attended Corinthian Colleges are the only ones who are thus far forgiven any debt. Continue reading

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stockfresh_2662466_last-will-and-testament-concept-of-estate-planning_sizeS_124228-300x196Death and taxes are the only things we can be assured will happen. Drawing up the last will is low on the bucket list for many young people, but it should not be. You never know what the future will hold, and if you have a young family, your children must be taken care of by a sensible guardian.

If you think all you need to do is write something down on paper, forget it! You must specify some items in the last will, and the wording must be accurate. There are some things that any sensible person should keep in mind when it comes to preparing life’s final document. Continue reading

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stockfresh_1701311_stethoscope-and-dollar_sizeS_f73430-300x200Experienced gardeners will tell you that the yield of ordinary garden vegetables is enhanced by companion plants. For example, placing basil next to a tomato plant will improve the quality of the taste and permit you to grow larger tomatoes. The same can be said about employee benefits.

Organizations have a core group of benefits they offer to employees. Health insurance is a sine qua non for effective employee benefits program; you do not have much without it. Health benefits help with paying for all kinds of medical treatments and medications. However, employees have difficulty with copayments and deductibles. They spend money from their own pockets in addition to the premiums they pay. Help with managing medical costs would be deeply appreciated but benefits administrators are not necessarily financial experts. Continue reading

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stockfresh_2064336_identity-theft-word-cloud-concept_sizeS-300x300Remote work is now a part of the American work environment. Increasingly more companies are allowing their employees to work from home and many people enjoy the change of scenery. Employees feel that this is a way to enable them to be more productive. Computer hackers think the same way.

A Genuine Danger

Employees who work from home and use their own computers are at serious risk. Hackers will use the email for phishing expeditions and include malware as attachments. Unfortunate, many of these cyber thieves have been able to break into the computers of remote workers. Continue reading

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stockfresh_7560715_multitasking-woman_sizeS-300x300The rising inflation rates are on everyone’s minds, and the costs affect a lot of decisions. Employees are worried about being able to meet certain charges, and they are not sure if their paychecks can cover everything. The reason for this stress is that the average person does not know their total value.

 

What we mean is that folks know the balances in their savings account and checking account. However, they may not understand how much their assets are worth. Having an idea of total asset value, including stocks, bonds, insurance policies, collectibles, etc., can help.

 

Some of the Expenses Continue reading

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stockfresh_5987416_customer-relationship_sizeS-300x200A lot goes into providing high-quality employee benefits. A program can have a primary selection of benefits that will draw employees’ attention, but that is often all. There has to be more to convince employees that a given benefit is worthwhile.

A good employee benefit needs additional secondary services that enhance the offerings. These can make service delivery more convenient, effective, and deeply appreciated by the employees. Group legal plans all offer some essential options. Some, unfortunately, do not give anything more than bare-bones service. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services is not like that at all.

We Back up All of Our Benefits Continue reading

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stockfresh_5943479_african-american-family-with-ghosted-house-drawing-behind_sizeS-300x200If San Diego, California can be used as any predictor, both house prices and mortgage rates will go up in the future. Inflation is a bear, and things will not get much better soon. It can cause people who want to buy a house to temporarily give up hope of ever having their piece of the American Dream. That is a pity, and it does not have to happen.

 

Sorting through the Options

 

Most first-time homebuyers realize they must have a sizable down payment to afford a good house. However, they are not so sure about where to get a mortgage. In fact, they do not know anything about the real estate industry and what to do. The house is perhaps the most significant financial investment these people might make, and the whole prospect of being a homeowner can be intimidating. Continue reading