Posts by Brett King

When the economy thrives, consumers tend to spend more money. Unfortunately, many Americans have a habit of spending money they haven’t yet earned, so debt also tends to rise when things are going well. According to a new study by Northwestern Mutual, many Americans have accumulated nearly twice as much debt as savings. Specifically:1 The…

“And that’s the way it is.” This is how Walter Cronkite signed off at the completion of his CBS Evening Newscast, which he anchored from 1962 until 1981. Widely recognized as a trusted source to deliver the news, Cronkite was known for his honesty and impartiality.1 These days, it’s hard to find impartiality. Many cable…

Many Americans who enroll in original Medicare also purchase a supplemental insurance policy, colloquially known as “Medigap.” Medigap covers some or all of the out-of-pocket costs associated with original Medicare — deductibles, copayments and coinsurance — helping to reduce financial risk. However, there is a wide array of Medigap plans with a variety of different…

Every couple who decides to marry runs some risk of divorce in the future. The only way to definitively avoid divorce is to remain single, but plenty of people are willing to take their chances.   Among the many unintended consequences of divorce is the toll it can take on a couple’s finances. Of divorced women, 46…

There’s an age-old insight that’s often cited when referencing entrepreneurship: “90 percent of startups fail.” In fact, that may not be the case. According to new research by Cambridge Associates — assessing more than 27,000 venture-backed startups — the average failure rate was 60 percent.1 It could be that new technologies and the ability to…

Many areas of the U.S. experienced sweltering heat throughout this past summer. As the seasons change, now is a great time to take a vacation and enjoy the cooler air. Plan to get away If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, consider locations not necessarily off the beaten path but adjacent to popular hotspots. For…

On one hand, low interest rates are good for those borrowing money. On the other hand, easy cash can lead to excess debt — a place far too many Americans find themselves. Today, the median credit card debt is $2,000 per person, the median student loan debt is around $9,000 and the median mortgage debt…

Different strokes for different folks. One of the many advantages of living in the United States is there are so many different places to live. You can opt for the mountains or live by the sea. You can live in open country and rural farmlands, bustling cities or remote forested areas. Hot, cold or temperate…

Chemotherapy may be highly effective in treating cancer, but its side effects also can be a nightmare for patients. Medical researchers have long tried to determine how to successfully cure cancer without chemotherapy, and a recent study yielded some very positive results.1   In the largest-ever study on breast cancer treatment, funded by the National…

There’s an old saying: A rising tide lifts all boats. Applied to the economy, this means that general improvements could benefit all participants within the economy. The same appears to be true for women.1   As the U.S. economy continues to grow, there is an influx of money available for small business startups. This is…