Work Longer, Live Healthier? A recent article in a British journal says retirement can be harmful to one’s health, and continued work contributes to good health. Their findings: Retirement decreases the likelihood of being in “very good” or “excellent” health by 40% Retirement increases the probability of suffering from clinical depression by about 40% The article admits …Read More
Make Year-End Charitable Contributions Easier
Make Year-End Charitable Contributions Easier Especially at year-end you may receive requests for contributions to charities. Making the contributions before year-end can accelerate the tax benefit compared to waiting. The only potential drawback to making lots of different contributions is keeping track of the receipts and getting them onto your tax return. A donor-advised fund …Read More
What is Bitcoin?
What is Bitcoin? There’s been a lot of interest in Bitcoin lately. Is it real? Bitcoin is a virtual encrypted currency, somewhat like foreign currency except there is no government backing its value. Its value (conversion rate) changes based on the demand for them. Right now, there are a lot of speculators driving up the …Read More
Inflation Hits Cost of Gifts for 12 Days of Christmas
Inflation Hits Cost of Gifts for 12 Days of Christmas The “PNC Christmas Price Index” which computes the cost of all items in the Twelve Days of Christmas carol is up 7.7% to $27,393. The total increase over the 30-year history of the index is 116%, almost the same as the US Consumer Price Index increase. …Read More
Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving
Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving President Abraham Lincoln issued the Proclamation of Thanksgiving on October 3, 1863, in the 88th year of independence, in the midst of the Civil War. The Union had won the Battle of Gettysburg just three months earlier. There was a long American tradition of Thanksgiving before 1863, but on different days in different …Read More