- The Fear and Greed Index: Definition and Examples
Investors have two primary emotions, fear and greed, according to CNN Money. The news service believes in this so much that it has created a metric around the idea. The Fear and Greed Index measures how investors across the entire… read more…
- What Is a Covered Call?
A covered call is an investment strategy designed to manage risk. In it, investors take two positions: First, they buy a number of shares in a given company. Then, they sell an equal number of call options on that stock.… read more…
- Can Your Social Security Benefits Be Garnished?
Social Security benefits can be garnished depending on the type of payments and debt you owe. These deductions are usually carried out for financial liabilities such as back taxes, student loans, child support payments and more. But there are limitations… read more…
- What Is a Regressive Tax System?
If you’re paying less in taxes as your taxable income increases, you’re likely following a regressive tax system. Regressive taxes offer an inverse relationship between income levels and tax rates; that is, a lower income will typically earn you a… read more…
- Small Business Investment Company (SBIC): Definition and Usage
A Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) is a specialized investment entity licensed and regulated by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide critical funding to small businesses in specific industries. These companies play a vital role in fueling the growth of emerging enterprises by leveraging a combination of private capital and government-backed funds. However, to… read more…
- What Is a Progressive Tax System?
The idea of a progressive tax system helps ensure that there is some standard equity in the taxes that individuals with various levels of income incur. At its core, this means you’ll pay more in taxes as your taxable income… read more…
- How Long Does the Underwriting Process Take?
If you’re planning on financing a home through a mortgage, you’ll have to go through the underwriting process. The underwriting process helps mortgage lenders and loan officers review your credit and financial history before approving you for financing. However, for mortgages, the length of the process varies depending on multiple factors. In this guide, we explore… read more…
- When Is Open Enrollment for 2025?
Open enrollment represents the yearly period where employees enroll in employer-sponsored insurance and healthcare plans. During this period, employees typically have the power to select new coverage, change their current benefit and coverage elections or maintain the same coverage they… read more…
- How to Invest $100,000 and Turn It Into $1 Million
As you invest for retirement, becoming a millionaire might be a reasonable goal. Yes, millionaire status is no longer rarefied air, and depending on your income needs, having at least $1 million in the bank might be necessary to last… read more…
- Should Your Business Get a Merchant Cash Advance?
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is an alternative form of financing for companies that need cash fast but lack credit and, thus, access to conventional business loans. Although credit rating and collateral requirements for MCAs are much looser than other… read more…
- A Guide to Social Security Survivor Benefits
Married couples often share their income both while working and in retirement. However, when one spouse dies, the other might still rely on the deceased’s income. This is where Social Security surviving spouse benefits may provide some financial support. Surviving… read more…
- How to Get a Business Loan in 8 Steps
Many businesses and entrepreneurs borrow money at some point to cover various costs. While going into debt has a bad reputation in some circles, business loans are time-tested tools for achieving business success. If the borrower can generate a greater… read more…
- Risk-Free Rate: Definition and Usage
When building an investment portfolio, finding the right balance between risk and reward is essential for meeting your goals while keeping losses in check. One investing term you may have come across is the risk-free rate of return. While this… read more…
- Operating Income: Definition & Calculation
Operating income is a value that is used to demonstrate a company’s profitability after it has deducted other costs such as cost of goods sold (COGS), employee wages and other operating expenses. This measurement also excludes both taxes and non-operating… read more…
- What Is Per Diem, and How Is It Taxed?
If you’re traveling for business reasons, you’ll probably incur lodging, meal and incidental expenses. This is where per diem payments come in. Your employer provides these as reimbursement for such expenses, and the payments usually aren’t taxable. But the rate… read more…
- What Does a Cosigner Do?
If you meet a lender’s credit and income requirements, you’ll normally have free rein to take out loans on your own. But in circumstances where your credit levels aren’t high enough, or if you have no credit history at all,… read more…
- Is Child Support Taxable Income?
Any child support payments you’ve received won’t be counted as taxable income. And if you’re the one making the child support payments, the income you used to do so won’t be tax-deductible. But there are ways to save on taxes… read more…
- What Is the Mutual Fund Turnover Ratio?
Mutual funds can help diversify your investment portfolio. When comparing mutual funds, there are several key metrics to pay attention to, including the expense ratio and the turnover ratio. A mutual fund turnover ratio refers to how often the underlying… read more…
- What Is a Business Line of Credit?
A business line of credit is a financing tool that provides firms with advantages not available from business credit cards or term loans. Unlike loans, business lines of credit let companies borrow only what they need and only get monthly… read more…
- Strike Price: Definitions and Uses for Options Trading
If you’re interested in building a portfolio that includes more than stocks, mutual funds or bonds, options trading is an investment alternative you might consider. Trading options involves purchasing contracts that give you the right to buy or sell an… read more…
- Does Concierge Medicine Make Sense for You?
Concierge medicine has established itself as a distinct type of healthcare delivery system due to its flexibility, efficiency and access. However, this membership-based access to quality healthcare doesn’t come cheap. If you’re looking for a doctor in a concierge medicine… read more…
- Does Medicare Cover Home Healthcare?
Many aging adults may need some form of in-home care later on in life. Since Medicare is a health insurance lifeline for many seniors in the U.S., many may wonder: Does Medicare cover home healthcare costs? With all healthcare costs… read more…
- Bullish vs. Bearish: What’s the Difference?
Over time, the major U.S. equity indexes go up and down based on internal and external factors. Performance like that excites investors, but typically in opposite ways. Constant gains lead some investors to expect more of the same. Others worry… read more…
- Why Is Gold Valuable?
Recent history, including the pandemic-caused recession, has piqued an interest in gold. That interest has further grown as inflation has soared and the value of the dollar has declined. As a result, many people seek gold as a more reliable store… read more…
- Gross Margin vs. Gross Profit
If you run a business or you’re considering investing in a particular company, you may be concerned with profitability. A company’s financial health can be measured in different ways, including gross margin and gross profit. While they may sound similar… read more…