More from Columnists

  • Planning pays off when buying policy

    By Bob Land | February 17, 2012 - 5:10pm

    You can pay $700 annually for a quality long-term care insurance policy. You also can pay $7,000 a year.

  • Manufacturing improves but still remains far off heyday

    By Dr. Mike Walden | February 10, 2012 - 7:32pm

    Perhaps you’ve read news stories saying, “U.S. manufacturing has made a comeback.” But is it true, and if so, why and what does it mean?

  • Don’t play politics with your investment decisions

    By Rocky Speight | February 3, 2012 - 7:32pm

    As the election season heats up, you will hear more and more promises and claims and counterclaims from the candidates.

  • Fund rollover must meet guidelines

    By Anthony Engrassia | January 27, 2012 - 6:06pm

    Unfortunately, 401(k) rollover is an area where mistakes can occur.

  • Three steps retain good employees

    By Christy Skojec Taylor | January 20, 2012 - 7:37pm

    The current economic climate has led to an interesting new trend in business.

  • Well-managed technology helps guide investments

    By Tim Dameron | January 13, 2012 - 6:13pm

    In addition to providing news, entertainment and access to social networking, mobile devices and apps also can make tracking your investments and the financial markets more convenient than ever.

  • Four issues factor into Social Security decision

    By Chet Osterhoudt | January 6, 2012 - 7:30pm

    When should you start taking Social Security?

  • Leaders know that workers want to offer their talents

    By Dr. Mark Frohman | December 23, 2011 - 3:23pm

    Wonder why your employees are more eager leaving work than they are when they come in to work?

  • Price isn't only stock consideration

    By Barden Winstead | December 16, 2011 - 6:44pm

    While the most visible and understandable way to judge a stock’s performance is by the growth of its share price, one often-overlooked aspect of investing is dividends.

  • Views differ on why credit is tight

    By Dr. Mike Walden | December 9, 2011 - 6:59pm

    Credit is the life-blood of an economy. Even the best-run business or household sometimes needs access to credit.

  • Checklist close out 2011 investing

    By Rocky Speight | December 2, 2011 - 6:40pm

    As an investor, you’ve pretty much seen it all in 2011 – slow-but-steady gains early in the year, a market correction during the debt ceiling debate, the U.S. credit downgrade and huge one-day up and down stock price movements.

  • Steps protect surviving spouse

    By Anthony Engrassia | November 25, 2011 - 5:16pm

    When a spouse is grieving, it can be difficult to consider practical matters.

  • Managers’ efforts improve work force

    By Christy Skojec Taylor | November 18, 2011 - 8:02pm

    The end of the year brings many traditions and celebrations such as holiday parties and gift exchanges to employees’ lives.

  • Steps give 2012 smart start

    By Tim Dameron | November 11, 2011 - 9:52pm

    You’ve seen governments worldwide struggle to balance their budgets and stay afloat.

  • Tax plan offers several factors to consider

    By Mary Currie | October 28, 2011 - 5:32pm

    I wanted to discuss the 9-9-9 tax plan, not in a political way but in a practical view.

  • Critical thinking reaches best solutions

    By Mark Frohman | October 21, 2011 - 3:30pm

    Business managers increasingly face situations calling for fresh thinking and new ideas.

  • Don’t just think about retirement

    By Barden Winstead | October 14, 2011 - 7:31pm

    Only a generation ago, planning for retirement was simple.

  • Demography drives many economic choices

    By Dr. Mike Walden | October 7, 2011 - 6:14pm

    When, as a child, I was confused about some problem, my father would say, “Son, maybe you’re missing the forest because of the trees.

  • Untrained employees cost companies

    By Christy Skojec Taylor | September 16, 2011 - 5:53pm

    Company leaders are in a place of great influence and responsibility, so if they lack training and knowledge in how to manage their workflow, problems quickly can spread throughout an organization.

  • Competing philosophies address economy

    By Dr. Mike Walden | June 3, 2011 - 10:20pm

    In many ways it’s a great time to be an economic educator. Almost everyone’s interested in the economy.

  • Gas prices rebound with economy

    By Dr. Mike Walden | February 1, 2011 - 11:18am

    I got into a little trouble recently when I told a reporter that the rise in gas prices can be viewed as a positive indicator for the economy.

  • Assess tolerance before investing

    By Tim Dameron | January 7, 2011 - 9:17pm

    Most economists agree that the threat of a double-dip recession has passed, but there still are serious concerns facing the U.S. economy in 2011.

  • Work now to lower taxes, raise income

    By Mary Currie | December 17, 2010 - 9:01pm

    We are coming to the end of another year, which means we should consider actions that may reduce our individual and business taxes for the current year and next year and increase our net income.

  • Best firms have open communication

    By Mark Frohman | December 10, 2010 - 8:18pm

    Let’s look at two elements of communicating consequences.

  • Savings plan can fund education

    By Barden Winstead | December 3, 2010 - 9:31pm

    With the cost of college tuition and expenses rising at a greater rate than general inflation, planning for a child’s education may be the most important financial decision of your life.