Take a look around your home. Almost every product you see—from the simplest grocery item to the most sophisticated device—took hundreds, if not thousands, of steps to get there. It required numerous resources, activities, and people to get from an idea to its end state. From raw materials and creation, to marketing, sales, and transportation—there’s a flow to the...

　　 　　The record-low interest rates common in the 2010s may have made you hesitant to put your money into a money market account or especially a certificate of deposit (CD). But since the Federal Reserve has hiked interest rates, the yields offered on these accounts have risen significantly. That’s prompted savers to once again consider these traditional savings accounts—and perhaps...

　　 　　FrauenkircheThe Frauenkirche, Dresden, Germany.(more)Frauenkirche, Lutheran church in Dresden, Germany, that has long been the symbolic heart of the city. It showed the beauty and power of Dresden and its dedication to Lutheranism, then later recalled the horrors of World War II, and now stands for the city’s resilience and the reconciliation between former enemies. 　　Dresden’s city council commissioned the...

　　 　　In the realm of health care planning, few documents hold as much weight and significance as a living will. This legal document is a type of advance directive that allows you to specify your preferences for medical treatment in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes. 　　Unlike a traditional will, which addresses the distribution...

　　 　　It’s time to file taxes again this year. You might prepare your taxes yourself or have a tax preparer help you. But as your return gets more complex—maybe thanks to your investments, or your home business, or your kids’ college expenses—more schedules and forms will be needed to help report your income and deductions to the IRS. 　　The individual...

　　 　　There sure is a lot of air in this bag of chips. A “fun size” candy bar was a lot more fun when we were kids. That new “easier-to-hold” sports drink bottle is the same height, but thinner in the middle. And why is Fluffy suddenly doing her “I’m hungry” meow two hours after dinner? 　　It’s not your imagination—it’s...

　　 　　As an investor, you may be looking for stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can provide you with a little extra value over the long term. 　　If you’re planning to hold shares of a company for the long haul, you might want to consider looking at the S&P 500 dividend aristocrats and dividend kings. These are stocks with long...

　　 　　A checking account is a financial workhorse. From paying bills, to shopping, to getting quick cash, a checking account can do it all—except when it comes to paying you a decent interest rate on your balance. 　　The yields on most checking accounts are minimal at best, and many pay nothing at all. But there is an alternative. A money...

　　 　　A power of attorney (POA) doesn’t refer to a lawyer. Rather, a POA is a legal document that you (the principal) can use to delegate your wishes to a trusted agent who can act on your behalf in legal, financial, or health care matters. 　　This delegation of power is typically used when you’re incapacitated, perhaps because of an illness...

　　 　　If you have debt, it’s easy for your obligations to become unmanageable. You may be feeling stressed—that’s relatable!—but you may be able to find some relief through credit counseling. A credit counselor can provide you with crucial support and education throughout your debt repayment journey. 　　If you’re ready to tackle your debt head-on and carry out a repayment plan,...

　　 　　When investors look to yield-bearing assets in the alternative debt universe, it’s usually to pursue higher yields compared with traditional debt and fixed-income securities, and to achieve a deeper level of diversification beyond conventional stocks and bonds. 　　One alternative investment that’s grown considerably over the last few decades is private credit, a subset of the private debt market. The...

　　 　　Measuring a company’s liquidity ratio is like checking a car’s fuel or electricity gauge. 　　Even a zippy Lamborghini or top-of-the-line Tesla won’t get you to your destination if it runs short of juice. Likewise, if a company runs out of cash—or assets to be converted to cash—to pay its short-term liabilities, well, that’s potentially the end of the line...