The Future of Transportation
China appears to be leading the charge in the future of transportation infrastructure — but it’s happening today. The government has constructed a test section of solar-panel comprised road, mapping sensors and electric-battery rechargers to create an “intelligent highway.” The design enables on-the-go recharging of electric-vehicle batteries as well for traffic updates and accurate mapping.…
Read MoreFood for Health
We love our bacon. In recent years, this pork delicacy has seen a resurgence in popularity alongside new ways to enhance recipes ranging from bacon-infused macaroni and cheese1 to the not-quite traditional bacon-wrapped holiday turkey.2 But just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s good for you. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, one…
Read MoreJob Trends
For decades, young people were told college was the surest route to financial success as an adult. Get a degree, get a good job. However, this formula seems to be broken. During the recession, jobs for recent college graduates were scarce, causing many to continue their higher education and sink deeper into student loan debt.…
Read MoreLong-Term Care Update
Long-term care continues to be a challenging issue in the U.S. It appears the second wave of baby boomers is even more determined to “age at home,” while at the same time, they are more likely to suffer from multiple chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.1 This confluence of factors makes it all…
Read MoreVarious Types of “Economies”
As recently as five years ago, few people had heard of emerging businesses like Airbnb and Uber that allow proprietors to share their personal residences and cars to generate income. This business model is now commonly referred to as the “sharing economy.” 1 However, just as capitalism morphs, so does the concept of sharing. For…
Read MoreFamily Business Considerations
Family businesses that manage to survive generation after generation leave not only a family legacy, but also the potential for tremendous wealth. For example, Arkansas-based Walmart is presently the largest business in the world in terms of revenue, earning more than $485 billion in 2017. In 1992, founder Sam Walton passed away and left…
Read MoreThe Psychology of Economics
Countries with a longstanding track record of economic stability and security tend to have the happiest citizens, reports journalist Dan Buettner, who has studied what makes people happy. Education and health care are two primary reasons why, combining to create an upwardly mobile lifecycle.1 Mothers with higher education levels tend to have fewer children,…
Read MoreFor Some Retirees, Home is Where the Debt is
Today’s pre-retirees and retirees tend to have far more debt than those in years past. In addition to factors like credit card payments and medical expenses, this generation is seeing the effects of higher home prices and easily obtained low down-payment mortgages in the early 2000s.1 Between 2003 and 2016, Americans 60 and older nearly…
Read MoreMedicare News
Earlier this year, Congress passed a last-minute budget deal that included provisions affecting Medicare benefits. Specifically, one provision will permit certain therapies to continue beyond the previous caps, subject to conditions. All therapy (physical, speech and occupational) must continue to be classified as “reasonable and necessary to treat the individual’s illness or injury.” 1 …
Read MoreConsider Having a Backup Plan
When looking ahead in anticipation of Social Security benefits, many people expect to wait until an average age of 66 to make a claim.1 However, Nationwide Retirement Institute’s fifth annual Social Security survey found many retirees start drawing Social Security at the earliest possible age of 622 — frequently the result of being laid…
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