There is a very interesting article in this week’s New Yorker magazine about Markus “Notch” Persson, his rise to fame as the creator of the Minecraft video game, and how he is handling his sudden wealth. Here’s one of his comments: “The money is a strange one,” he says. “I’m slowly getting used to it,…

JUST 88,000 NEW JOBS? In the wake of the Labor Department’s disappointing March employment report, puzzled analysts tried to figure out the reasons for such poor job growth. Did businesses fear the impact of the federal budget cuts in March and scale back hiring? Were there fewer food service, retail and temporary job openings? (More…

SOLID GAINS IN HOUSEHOLD SPENDING, INCOME According to the latest Commerce Department report, household spending was up 0.7% in February (the largest gain in five months) while consumer incomes jumped 1.1%. February’s 35-cent climb in gasoline prices influenced the first number, while an 11.9% surge in dividends influenced the second. Still, consumer spending rose 0.3%…

Most families that start 529 college savings plans have done their “homework” about these programs. Missteps are made, though, often with the distribution of 529 plan assets. Here are some of the major gaffes, and the major factors anyone should think about before enrolling. Assuming a university will withdraw 529 plan assets for you. When…

Did you make more than $1 million in 2012? Prepare for an IRS audit. While the IRS said it examined just under 1% of all tax returns filed and about 1% of all individual income tax returns during 2012, the IRS examined 12.1% of the 337,477 tax returns reporting income of $1 million or more!…

Imagine this . . . your co-worker comes by your office and tells you everyone is putting in $20 to play this week’s big lottery. You think about it, but then consider your odds of winning and tell your colleague, “No thanks.” To your shock and amazement, the next day your co-workers win $1 million.…

As April 15 gets closer, many Americans still haven’t filed their taxes. You may be one of them. As life requires us to do so much in so little time, it is understandable. If you are getting around to your taxes now, here are some things you may want to think about. Consider turning to…

WINTER DOESN’T DETER HOMEBUYERS   According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales rose 0.8% in February. The sales pace hit 4.98 million units, a 39-month high. The inventory of homes for sale increased 9.6% last month, recovering from a six-and-a-half-year low reached the month before. In related news, housing starts were also…

Estate planning is a task that people tend to put off, as any discussion of “the end” tends to be off-putting. However, those who leave this world without their financial affairs in good order risk leaving their heirs some significant problems along with their legacies. No matter what your age, here are some things you…

Decades of research has given us 12 insights into not only how our brains work, but simple things we can do to become better investors, remember more, and live better. These insights are taken from the book, Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by molecular biologist Dr. John…