High-dividend stocks have become a more popular option for income-oriented investors in recent years since traditional fixed-income investments such as bank accounts, certificates of deposit, and U.S. Treasuries pay next to nothing. At a time of low bond yields, the typical 1.5%-5% yield you can get from dividend-paying stocks becomes much more attractive. Benefits of Dividend-Paying Stocks High-dividend stocks tend to outperform the broader market over time. According to Ned Davis Research, U....

Over short time periods, an S&P 500 Index fund can deliver exceptionally high returns or exceptionally low returns, depending on the time period you are invested. The chart above looks at the one-, thee-, five-, ten-, fifteen-, and twenty-year rolling index returns of the S&P 500 Index over the time period of January 1973 through December 2016. The worst one-year rolling time frame delivered a return of -43%, which occurred over the twelve months ending in February 2009....

If you’re thinking about working from home, the good news is that there are remote jobs for workers in all kinds of industries, from healthcare to education to marketing. It’s not all customer service jobs, in other words—although there are plenty of those too if that’s where your skills and interests lie. 12 Best Remote Jobs Whether you’re an entry-level worker with basic computer skills or an experienced professional with advanced technical certifications, there are remote jobs that fit your background and goals....

Every business can set amounts for differentiating between part-time and full-time employees for purposes of pay and benefits. But if you want to set these differences in your company, you need to know the various laws that determine part-time and full-time status, and how these laws might affect your business. For example, you can set a specific number of hours a week as full-time for the purpose of giving health care benefits to employees....

Never attend a social or business event with the idea that it is all about you because it’s not. Networking is about relationship building, not making sales pitches where you force others to listen to you drone on about yourself. The same is true for social and professional networking through the internet. While building networks you must also give something back. To sustain good personal and business relationships, both parties must benefit in some way....

Why Crude Oil? Crude oil is one of the most important commodities when it comes to both global finance and geopolitics. That is because production and the majority of reserves of the energy commodity occur in one of the most turbulent regions of the world, the Middle East. Consumption is widespread. People and businesses all over the world depend on oil and oil products for the energy that makes the world work and move....

While the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2018 imposed a cap on the amount you can deduct, the local property tax deduction is still available to homeowners. Rules for the Property Tax Deduction You can claim a deduction for real property taxes if the tax is uniform—the same rate is applied to all real property in the tax jurisdiction. The revenues raised must benefit the community as a whole or the government....

Luis Alvarez / Getty Images Taxation can be very different depending upon how and if the beneficiary is related to the deceased. A surviving spouse has the most flexibility as to what they can do with an inherited IRA or 401(k). Roll the Account Over A surviving spouse can elect to roll the IRA or 401(k) over into their own retirement account. All the deferred income taxes associated with the IRA or 401(k) will continue to be deferred until the surviving spouse makes withdrawals from their account....

The term “U.S. dollar” refers to a specific denomination and the U.S. currency in general. It was initially traded as a coin worth its weight in silver or gold and then exchanged as a paper note redeemable in gold. During the 1970s, the gold standard was dropped, and the dollar’s value was allowed to float. Today, although its value fluctuates, it’s in strong demand. U.S. Dollar Symbolism The dollar symbol itself ($) is said to be derived from the previously used ps, which represented the Mexican peso, Spanish piaster, or “pieces of eight....

The realities of buying your piece of the countryside can cost you after closing. Obtaining a mortgage for your dream home might be tougher than you think, and a number of pitfalls can await the unwary. The Drawbacks of Building and Living in the Country Finding skilled craftsmen who are willing to travel to your location might be difficult. Those who are willing will probably charge more to compensate for driving the distance....

Being a resident doesn’t mean you have to live in the U.S. full-time. You’re considered to be a tax resident of the U.S. beginning in the year in which you receive your green card. What Is the Substantial Presence Test? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines “substantial presence” as being physically present in the U.S. for at least 31 days out of the year and for at least 183 days during the last three years, including the current year....

The average rate offered to homebuyers using a conventional 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 4.41% from 4.33% the previous business day, the highest it’s been since 2020. The average for a 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 3.56% from 3.49% the previous business day, matching its high since 2020. (Our daily mortgage rate data only goes back to April 2021, but our data on yearly highs and lows dates back to 2020, when the 30-year was as high as 4....

There are a surprising number of fields you can enter without completing long degree programs. Many offer salaries and job satisfaction similar to those that require four-year degrees. If you’re in the market for a job change, consider a short-term job training program in a growing occupation. You may find that you can qualify quickly for a rewarding new job. Top 10 Short-Term Career Training Programs The chart below shows the median, top 10%, and bottom 10% salaries for each training program....

But for the sake of your career, it’s important not to say or do certain things after you’re fired. Your actions right now can help set you up for bigger and better opportunities—or make your transition to new employment much more difficult than it needs to be. Review information on what not to do when you’ve been fired from your job, and what you should do instead. 10 Things Not To Say or Do If You’re Fired Have you recently been fired or think that you may be terminated from employment sometime soon?...

Some of the more traditional spreads are in the grain markets. A common trade is to buy one grain and sell another grain. For example, a trader might buy December corn and sell December wheat. When traders sell a commodity, they’re betting that it will decrease in price, so they sell it, wait for the price to drop, and buy it for less to close out the position and make a profit....

The right tax filing status may change from year to year, depending on milestones, like marriage and children, or your income. Regardless, understanding your tax filing status will help you pay less in taxes to the IRS come tax season. Tax Filing Statuses and Standard Deductions The IRS offers five statuses to choose from, but you can only use one of them when you complete your tax return. These include: SingleMarried filing jointlyMarried filing separatelyHead of householdQualifying widow(er) Choosing the right status from the above list matters because it will determine how much you have to pay in taxes....

Establishing a new “climate hub” to coordinate climate-related activities within the Department of the Treasury, the department on Monday said the ultimate goal is to create an economy with net-zero carbon emissions both in the U.S. and abroad. A former Obama administration official, John Morton, will lead the department’s climate change strategy with the new title of climate counselor. The Treasury Department will focus on climate-related economic and tax policy, the financial risks associated with climate change, and the financial aspects of transitioning away from fossil fuels....

How Remodeling With a Home Equity Loan Works A home equity loan is secured by your home. In other words, your home serves as collateral for the loan. If you’re taking out a home equity loan, you’ll want to find the best lender and rates that you can. Your credit and home value will affect your interest rate and how much you can take out. Shop for a Lender First choose a lender for your home equity loan, also known as a second mortgage....

It’s not just investors in the property who are interested in the net income generated by operations. They will almost always be seeking financing and potential lenders will carefully examine the income and expense details as well. They’ll want to be as certain as possible that their investment is protected. Lenders want to see normal occupancy rents that exceed expenses enough to make mortgage payments with a profit left over for owners....

The lottery-like nature of these savings accounts gives low-income individuals an opportunity to set aside money regularly with the potential for big winnings while holding their money risk-free in the account. Alternate name: Lottery-linked savings accountAcronym: PLSA How Prize-Linked Savings Accounts Work An early form of PLSAs first appeared in the U.K. in 1694 as a means to repay military debt. The U.K. has also offered a “premium bond” as a PLSA for over 60 years, but the concept has only been widespread in the U....