What Is Logical Thinking? Logical thinkers observe and analyze phenomena, reactions, and feedback and then draw conclusions based on that input. They can justify their strategies, actions, and decisions based on the facts they gather. Logical thinkers don’t go with their gut or develop a strategy because it “feels right.” Logical thinking also requires clarifying assumptions and setting aside biases, as far as possible. Here’s an example: What Is Deductive Reasoning?...

What Is the Sharing Economy? Trying to define exactly what the sharing economy is would not do the term justice. The sharing economy is an economic principle that is constantly evolving. In the very simplest terms, it’s the use of technology to facilitate the exchanged access of goods or services between two or more parties. It’s derived from the notion that mutual parties can share value from an under-utilized skill or asset....

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Bankruptcy doesn’t have to be a last resort, but it is a serious step, and it does carry consequences. That said, most of the dire predictions people hear (on the Internet and elsewhere) about the “tragedy” of filing bankruptcy, or the inescapable complications they’ll face, just do not materialize. Let’s explore why. . . . Never Qualifying for a Mortgage (or a Car Loan or a Credit Card) Again Of course, you will be able to buy a house or a car or get a credit card again....

Let’s begin by looking at the types of power words, why they are important, and how to effectively use them. What Power Words Accomplish Power words are used for several reasons. First, many hiring managers quickly skim through resumes and cover letters due to the high volume they receive. These power words jump off the page, quickly showing the hiring manager you have the skills and qualifications to get the job done....

Then comes the transition back to the workplace, which can often be a challenge. Adjusting to the return to work, and being away from your baby, can be physically, mentally, and emotionally difficult. How to Return to Work After Maternity Leave If you’re approaching the end of your maternity leave, here are some tips to help prepare you to return to the workforce. Before You Go Back to Work Reconnect with the Office If it’s been some time since you’ve thought about work, do yourself a favor: ease into workplace culture....

The average rate offered to homebuyers using a conventional 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 5.11% from 5.17% the previous business day, while the average rate for the 15-year dipped to 4.21% from 4.24% the previous business day. Earlier in the week, both had been at their highest points since at least 2019—5.28% and 4.30%, respectively. (Our daily mortgage rate data only goes back to April 2021, but our data on yearly highs and lows date back to 2020, so we know they hadn’t been higher in 2020....

There’s a significant “gap” between the value of the federal estate tax exemption and the value of the state estate tax exemption in many of these states. The gap can result in a state estate tax being due when the first spouse dies even though no federal estate tax will be due until after the second spouse’s death. What Is the State Estate Tax Exemption Gap? The state estate tax exemption gap refers to the difference between a state’s estate tax exemption and the federal estate tax exemption....

When considering a job, it’s important to consider each company’s benefits. Read on to learn the most common employee benefits. Health Insurance The most common employee benefit is health insurance, which helps to cover your medical expenses. Many companies have different policies about when you qualify for health insurance. Generally, if you are working full-time, you qualify for this benefit. Some companies will completely cover you and allow you to purchase insurance for your family....

For historical data on U.S. unemployment trends, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the unemployment rate by year. It reports the annual percentage of the unemployed in the labor force, as far back as 1949. It also indicates the success or failure of the fiscal and monetary policies through the years, since they affect the rate of unemployment. Monetary Policy The first solution is expansionary monetary policy from the Federal Reserve....

Seattle has one of the hottest residential real estate markets in the U.S. right now—the typical home there went for $47,917 above list price, according to Redfin data—but sale prices above list are more common than you might think. Homes in almost two-thirds of the markets tracked by Redfin have an average sale price above the asking price. Prices have soared to record highs around the country and the number of homes on the market has dwindled, thanks to a rush on residential real estate sparked by low interest rates for mortgages and a desire for more space to work from home during the pandemic....

There are two basic ways to get more money to pay off your debts. The first is to decrease your expenses. The second is to increase your income. Below are some ideas to do both. As you read through each item, you’ll probably think “This will only save me $5 or $10 a month.” If you can cut back on 10 different things and save even $100 a month, that’s an extra $1,200 per year that you can put toward your debt....

Activist shareholders made public demands of 886 companies worldwide in 2021, according to Insightia. They launched 173 new campaigns globally with an aggregate value of $41.9 billion in 2021, Lazard reported. The U.S. accounted for 55% of global activism. The Impact of Activist Investors What do activist investors mean to average shareholders? It’s a mixed bag. There are many examples where their efforts have succeeded in boosting shareholder value and making money for the typical investor....

Capital goods don’t go straight into the manufacturing of other goods. Those goods are called “raw materials.” Instead, capital goods are part of the process of making other goods or providing services. Examples of capital goods include buildings, furniture, and machines like construction vehicles. All of these help drive economic work. Innovations in capital goods often drive business growth and can create new types of manufacturing jobs. As new capital goods are developed, businesses need workers to learn new skills to operate them....

Ordinary investors typically are not able to purchase raw commodities in large amounts. Even if you were able to buy commodities, such as barrels of oil or bales of wheat, you would need to invest in transportation and storage. For example, if you believe oil prices will continue to rise, you could buy shares of Exxon/Mobil, which generally rise with the price of oil. Example of a Commodity Stock Gold mining stocks can be attractive because they offer a “leverage effect” to the price of gold....

Typical buyers of these securities include institutional, corporate, and individual investors. However, if the homeowner defaults, the investor who paid for the mortgage-backed security won’t get paid, which means they could lose money. Acronym: MBS How a Mortgage-Backed Security Works President Lyndon Johnson paved the way for modern-day mortgage-backed securities when he authorized the 1968 Housing and Urban Development Act, which also created Ginnie Mae. Johnson wanted to give banks the ability to sell off mortgages, which would free up funds to lend to more homeowners....

For example, nowhere on the GFE did it spell out the borrower’s monthly PITI mortgage payment. Since the lender was not required to stand behind those numbers, they could be misleading and were often inconsistent among lenders. In an effort to provide more disclosure to borrowers, the federal government began requiring lenders in Oct. 2015 to provide prospective borrowers with Loan Estimates. Loan Estimate Explained A Loan Estimate is a standard form provided to prospective borrowers by lenders....

Dovish economists will want to keep interest rates low because they encourage an increase in borrowing by consumers and businesses. As consumers spend more money and businesses invest in their future, the economy will grow and businesses will hire more people. An example of a dovish economist is Janet Yellen, who was the Federal Reserve chairperson from 2014 to 2018 and currently serves as the Treasury Secretary. She has been described as a dove in the media because of the low interest rates maintained during her time as chair....

The Rise in the Gig Economy There are several factors that have created the perfect environment for freelancers working under 1099 contracts. The first factor is the technological advances of the past decade, which have made it easier for trained professionals to build a career online. These developments include huge leaps in cloud computing, social networking, and consumer hardware, especially within mobile devices. It’s common to see freelancers working in coffee shops, parks, or co-working spaces—but most work from comfortable home offices where they can juggle the responsibilities of both personal and professional life....

Here are three ways to handle your student card after graduation. Keep Using Your Card After you graduate, you can keep using your student credit card—especially if you like its rewards program, APR, or fee structure. Besides, the card may be very similar to an equivalent non-student card that your credit card issuer offers. This is the case with the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card, for instance, and the Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students....

Let’s say you currently have a $5,000 credit card balance with an 18% APR. You’re then approved for a credit card with a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 12 months. When you’re ready to transfer the balance, let your credit card issuer know the account details. Within a few weeks (sometimes sooner), the old balance is added to your new credit card. How Does a Balance Transfer Work?...