Investors will resume trading after the Thanksgiving weekend, but all eyes will be on the outcome of Cyber Monday. Last year, it was the largest online sales day in history- shoppers spent a record $3.39 billion online, edging out the Black Friday online sales. This year, Cyber Monday sales are set to grow by 16.5 percent from a year ago, according to Adobe Digital.
Read MoreAnalysts say that the stable economy, an improving labor market and a longer holiday shopping season — one extra weekend day this year — are expected to boost holiday sales by about four percent from a year ago. [In case you missed it, check out my Evening News piece about how brick and mortar retailers are embracing a new concept, “Retail-tainment” to bring in holiday shoppers.]
Read MoreLong-term care is a tricky issue that is likely to impact a majority of Americans. According to the government, 70 percent of people turning age 65 can expect to use some form of long-term care during their lives. Although most of the care comes from unpaid caregivers (generally family members or friends), those who require more care are finding that the cost is rising.
Read MoreLast week, investors yawned as the bull market continued to roar. US stocks closed at new all-time highs–on the same day–for the 27th time in 2017. For the Dow it was the 59th closing high this year, the 53rd for the S&P 500, and the 64th for the NASDAQ.
Read MoreAt long last, the House Republican tax plan (the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”) is out and it is a huge and confusing bill. Contrary to promises of simplifying the tax code, it is just as dense and complicated as the current system. Winners and losers will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on where you live, whether you itemize deductions and how you earn your money.
Read MoreNow that President Trump has named Jerome (“Jay”) Powell as the next Federal Reserve Chairman, to succeed Janet Yellen, you may experience one of those, “Why do I care about this?” moments.
Read MorePresident Trump and Congressional Republicans are about to unveil two, potentially market-moving measures: a tax overhaul plan and a new Federal Reserve Chair. As if those were not enough, those events will occur amid a Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting, a monthly jobs report and stock markets soaring to new highs.
Read MoreIt’s open enrollment season, but if you are like most people, you will probably default to what you did last year. That’s a shame, because spending some time with your options can help you save money. Health Insurance: For the 151 million Americans, who participate in employer-sponsored health insurance plans, there is some good news: the pace of premium increases is slowing down.
Read MoreThe Senate’s passage (51-49) of the budget blueprint last week paves the way for Republicans plan to tinker with the tax code with just GOP votes, which means that tax negotiations have entered a new phase. Last week, the President’s Council of Economic Advisers argued thatPresident Trump's tax plan, which aims to reduce the top corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, would boost the average American family’s income by $4,000 under . Critics, including former treasury secretary Lawrence Summers, questioned the $4K promise.
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