Investing News

Dental insurance premiums may be tax deductible. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says that to be deductible as a qualifying medical expense, the dental insurance must be for procedures to prevent or alleviate dental disease, including dental hygiene and preventive exams and treatments. Dental insurance that is for purely cosmetic purposes, such as teeth whitening

Many authors have written on psychological or behavioral traps that lead people in the wrong direction with their lives in general. Quite frequently, some classic forms of dysfunctional psychology are directly evident in investing behavior. Here, we take a look at eight common psychological traps that investors can fall victim to, as identified by behavioral finance.

Financial advisors today have a myriad of challenges facing them in their daily practices. They must wear many hats including those of asset manager, financial planner, psychologist, or marketer in order to succeed. While most advisors can wear some of these hats well, it is very difficult to manage several roles, especially if switching from

What Is Pet Insurance? Pet health insurance is property and casualty (P&C) insurance. It’s not technically in the health insurance category. Despite this, it is health insurance. The current model of pet insurance is reimbursement insurance. You pay the veterinarian, then file a claim, and the insurance company reimburses you an amount that’s had the

Blue-Collar vs. White-Collar: An Overview Workers are often divided into categories using different classifications. One of the most common ways is by using collar colors. Two of the most popular types are blue-collar and white-collar workers. Both terms have meanings that evoke different images, including the type of work involved and how people are paid.

Xoom is an online money transfer service that lets you send funds within the U.S. and to countries around the world quickly, easily, and affordably. You can also use Xoom to pay the bills of family and friends who live abroad. What’s more, Xoom provides the means to reload prepaid mobile phones located internationally. All

Borrowing money can fund a new home, pay for college tuition or help start a new business. Financing options range from traditional financial institutions, like banks, credit unions, and financing companies to peer-to-peer lending (P2P) or a loan from a 401(k) plan. Key Takeaways Borrowing money can fund a new home, pay for college tuition

CapEx vs. OPEX: An Overview Capital expenditures (CapEx) are major purchases a company makes that are designed to be used over the long term. Operating expenses (OpEx) are the day-to-day expenses a company incurs to keep its business operational. Key Takeaways Capital expenditures (CapEx) are a company’s major, long-term expenses while operating expenses (OpEx) are a

As the cost of attending college increases across the United States and around the globe, how to pay for it remains a big concern. Many students and families who opened 529 plan accounts to fund their education here are discovering that the money can also be used to study abroad, if you follow the rules. Key

Costco may not be the first store that comes to mind when you think about shopping for a diamond ring. But the sparkly jewelry case often positioned near the wholesale club store entrance is enough to make many shoppers curious about the wisdom of buying fine jewelry there. Here are some things you should know

When you’re in need of cash and can’t get to your own bank, you’re probably going to have to visit another bank’s ATM. But remember, you may be stuck with that dreaded automated teller machine (ATM) fee. These days, many banks reimburse their customers for ATM fees by keeping track of the charges incurred over

Rates on most mortgage types moved moderately lower Thursday, with the 30-year average easing off the four-week high it hit Wednesday. The exception was Jumbo rates, with all Jumbo averages rising Thursday. Today’s National Mortgage Rate Averages After climbing almost three-tenths of a point Wednesday, 30-year mortgage rates dropped seven basis points Thursday, lowering the

Who Enforces GAAP? Responsibility for enforcement and shaping of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) falls to two organizations: The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC has the authority under securities law to both set and enforce accounting standards, while the FASB, an independent non-governmental body tasked by the

Earning a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) can help professionals enhance their career opportunities, increase compensation, and lead to job promotions. An MBA can provide the skills and knowledge necessary to start a new business, and many employers require an MBA for certain management or leadership positions. On the other hand, an MBA from a top

Nearly two-thirds of a typical American household’s wealth comes from homeownership, making it crucial for prosperity. Since most individuals can’t afford to purchase a home outright, they need to be approved for a loan. This approval process involves a series of steps that will help get them a mortgage. The lending industry is key for

Whether you’re buying a home using a mortgage, refinancing your existing mortgage, or selling your home to anyone other than an all-cash buyer, a home appraisal is a key component of the transaction. If you’re a buyer, owner, or seller, you’ll want to understand how the appraisal process works and how an appraiser determines a

Your 20s can be a time of great financial challenge: You’re not quite skilled enough to get the job of your dreams in the “real world,” yet you have bills and financial responsibilities that may demand a salary you can’t command. Worse yet, you may be contending with a mound of student loan debt, credit

Many American investors have been obsessed with initial public offerings (IPOs) since the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, and even that bubble’s burst didn’t curb their enthusiasm for long. Some investors are in it for a quick buck but others want to get in on Day 1 and stay in for a company’s earliest

Running a business is not for the faint of heart; entrepreneurship is inherently risky. Successful business owners must possess the ability to mitigate company-specific risks while simultaneously bringing a product or service to market at a price point that meets consumer demand levels. While there are a number of small businesses in a broad range

Biotech companies use or modify biological processes to create new pharmaceuticals or therapies. Some of the most prominent biotech companies include Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (REGN). Investing in the biotech sector can be risky. The scientific and regulatory issues involved with gaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)