As featured in The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, and more!

Search: government

Spending and Income Increased

by Flexo

It’s time for some numbers from the government. In February, consumer spending rose 0.1 percent and personal income grew 0.3 percent. Even though the income gain was higher than the spending gain as a percentage, we are on average spending more than we have available. Living above our means in the American way, and I don’t see ... Continue reading this article…

0 comments Read the full article →

Walking Away From Your Money

by Flexo

If you don’t itemize your taxes, you may be overpaying the government, according to Bankrate.com. The General Accounting Office has found that filers of 1998 returns who used the standard deduction instead of itemizing paid the Internal Revenue Service almost $1 billion more than they should have. Should you itemize? It depends on your expenses ... Continue reading this article…

9 comments Read the full article →

You Know, The Federal Reserve… For Kids

by Flexo

While we’re all anticipating an increase in the Federal Reserve’s short-term interest rate, the Fed has been busy creating a website for kids. The aptly named Federal Reserve Kids Page contains an eagle with large talons and mildly interesting trivia aimed at middle schoolers and those needing a refresher course on the twelve Federal Reserve ... Continue reading this article…

12 comments Read the full article →

Thinking About The Future

by Flexo

Most of my investing is for the future — the far future. While I can’t predict what the future will bring, other people have some good ideas. Take global warming for instance. Sure, there’s a lot of political disagreement about the science, but all sides agree the Earth’s climate is changing regardless of the causes. ... Continue reading this article…

0 comments Read the full article →

Historically Inaccurate Numbers

by Flexo

I generally like the articles Bill Fleckenstein writes for his “Contrarian Chronicles” column at MSN Money. Today he published an article about the way the government manipulates the rules of arithmetic to maintain an happy economic outlook. Here’s the first example: unemployment. If unemployment data are calculated using the same methods that were used during ... Continue reading this article…

4 comments Read the full article →

HOWTO Deal With Winning the Lottery

by Flexo

Are you more likely to play the major lottery when the jackpot is more than $250 million? If you happen to play, and if you’re really lucky, there’s a chance, however slim, you might win it all. Let’s say you just realized you’re taking home the grand prize and you’re the only winner. Now what? ... Continue reading this article…

12 comments Read the full article →

Tax Bill or Tax Refund, Which is Better?

by Flexo

There are two typical responses when a person finishes preparing his tax return, depending on the result. If he owes money, I hear, “Do’h! I have to pay the government more. I wish they’d use my money more efficiently.” If he is due a refund, I hear, “Woohoo! I’m going to get a big fat ... Continue reading this article…

13 comments Read the full article →

Seven Tax Mistakes You Might Make, Part 1

by Flexo

First of all, I finished my taxes over the weekend. I started out using Turbo Tax Online, which I have used for the last three years. I decided to look around for better deals, and I’ve settled on Tax Act for now. I may not file online, however. While my initial estimates had me owing ... Continue reading this article…

6 comments Read the full article →