Posts by Scarlet Oak
Hiring Surge Brings Good News in February
In this week’s recap: a hiring surge, a noteworthy remark from Jerome Powell, a dip for a respected household confidence index, and gains on Wall Street. Weekly Economic Update February BEGINS WITH SOME EXCELLENT ECONOMIC DATA Payrolls swelled with 304,000 net new jobs last month, according to the Department of Labor’s February employment…
Read MoreAtlanta, How do You Stay Out of Debt Once You Get Out of Debt?
As you reduce your liabilities, embrace the behaviors that may improve your balance sheet. Paying off a major debt produces a sense of relief. You can celebrate a financial milestone; you can “pay yourself first” to greater degree and direct more money toward your dreams and your financial future rather than your creditors. …
Read MoreYour Tax Help-Should You File Jointly, Or Not?
For many married couples, filing jointly is a good idea, but there are exceptions. Ninety-five percent of married couples file joint federal tax returns. Filing jointly can be convenient. Frequently, there’s a financial advantage, but that does not mean it should be done without consideration.1 Years ago, there was less incentive to file…
Read MoreSome Changes Are Coming for 401(k)s
Take note of them for 2019. Some notable developments are about to impact 401(k) plans. They follow a major change that became effective in 2018. Thanks to the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, workers who borrow from 401(k) accounts and leave their jobs now have until October of the following year to repay plan…
Read MoreHome Sales Slip in Atlanta
HOME SALES QUICKLY FALTER Seldom do existing home sales fall 6.4% in a month, but that was what happened in December. National Association of Realtors economist Laurence Yun called the drop a reflection of “consumer search processes and contract signing activity in previous months when mortgage rates were higher than today,” and noted that the…
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