The number of real Christmas trees sold has reportedly been dropping—from, for example, 37 million in 1991 to 31 million in 2007. By some indication, sales of artificial Christmas trees have also soared in recent years. To push …
Taxes
Bond Yield Hits Historic Low: 0%
The Treasury Department set at zero the fixed portion of the yield on Inflation bonds, guaranteeing that new buyers will never earn more than the rate of inflation for the 30-year life of their investment.
5 Ways to Recognize a Financial Scam
With a tough economy making timely retirement less likely for many folks, retirement-related financial scams may be on the upswing. Here are five ways to know if you are being played.
Maybe Millionaires Aren’t So Bad? Most Support Higher Taxes on the Rich
In a survey of Americans holding at least $1 million in investments, more than two-thirds of respondents (67%) say that taxes should be raised on people earning $1 million and up annually.
The Tragic Bungling of a ‘Class’ Act
Long-term care insurance for the masses came and went without much notice. Last week, the Obama administration quietly abandoned the CLASS Act, a provision slipped into health care reform two years ago that would have ensured …
Matters of Taste Aside, ‘Jersey Shore’ Is a Bad Investment for New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and possible presidential candidate garnered headlines today for rescinding a $420,000 economic credit for MTV’s hit reality show “The Jersey Shore” because of the damage he feels it does …
Why You Should Get a Tax Credit for Volunteer Work
With millions of people down on their luck the past three years, older folks have filled big voids and provided real economic value through volunteerism. Now we’re going to slash their benefits?
Why Buffett’s Plan To Tax the Rich Won’t Fix the Debt
The chattering class is agape over an op-ed in The New York Times on August 14, written by a billionaire, for billionaires, and about billionaires. The op-ed was penned by investment legend Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire …
Paul Krugman: An Alien Invasion Could Fix the Economy
According to the New York Times columnist and Nobel Prize laureate, you know what would end the economic slump in 18 months? Aliens.
Airline Tax Question No Longer Up in the Air
Here’s the final chapter in the FAA shutdown that led to airline taxes not being collected for a couple of weeks. Congress reinstated the agency’s authority on Aug. 5, but plenty of confusion remained surrounding taxes not levied or not collected during that period. Were travelers who purchased their ticket prior to the shutdown but flew …
Comcast’s Internet Essentials: $10-a-Month Service for Low-Income Families
If you live in an area served by Comcast and your kids receive free lunches at school through the National School Lunch Program, you may qualify for a new Internet service from Comcast, which costs just $9.95 a month.
Get Ready for Higher Property Taxes
The property taxes on my condo just went up 17%. That would be a breathtaking number if I wasn’t so used to it: Last year they jumped 16%. The problem here in New York City is that there are fewer real estate sales than during the boom, so the city has to make up the missing revenue from somewhere. And guess what? Existing homeowners are …