- 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…
- How a 1031 Exchange Works
Investing in real estate can offer a hedge against inflation while helping you create a diversified portfolio. If at some point you decide you want to shift your real estate investment dollars, you may consider a 1031 exchange. This type… read more…
- How Does a 1035 Exchange Work?
A 1035 exchange can be a complex process, but it essentially involves transferring the cash value of one insurance policy to another policy without incurring tax consequences. This can be particularly useful for those looking to upgrade their insurance coverage… read more…
- What Is the 2025 Federal Poverty Level (FPL)?
The federal poverty level is a key consideration in assessing anyone’s eligibility to receive government benefits. Your access to many state and federal safety net programs is often based on where you or your household falls on the federal poverty… read more…
- CEO vs. President: What’s the Difference?
The chief executive officer (CEO) and the president of a corporation are normally the two highest-level leadership roles in a business. Sometimes the same person fills both roles, but there are often significant differences in responsibilities, powers and objectives. The… read more…
- What Is Fair Market Value (FMV) and How Is It Calculated?
Fair market value is the price a business, property or other asset would sell for in an open and competitive market where the buyer and seller have adequate information of relevant facts, a reasonable time to complete a deal, are… read more…
- A Guide to Business Credit Scores
A business credit score, which is distinct from a personal credit score, is a number that lenders and suppliers use to determine the availability and pricing of loans and other forms of credit for a firm. It’s based on a… read more…
- What Is Asset Location and Why Does It Matter?
As you build an investment portfolio, you probably make a point of considering your asset allocation and how that squares with your risk tolerance. But don’t confuse asset allocation with asset location, which is a distinct part of your investment… read more…
- Trustee Fees: What Are They and Who Pays?
When creating an estate plan, it may be necessary to name a trustee to handle your assets. For example, if you’re establishing a revocable living trust to pass on wealth to your spouse or children, a trustee would be responsible… read more…
- What Is a Stock Exchange?
Stocks can be an important part of a diversified investment portfolio. Individual stock shares are bought and sold on a stock exchange. There are multiple exchanges where stocks and other securities can be traded. If you’re new to investing, you… read more…