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One way to get your application noticed is to write a unique, engaging cover letter that shows not only your qualifications but also your personality. Go beyond some of the clichéd, formulaic language found in many letters. Of course, there is also such a thing as putting too much personality in your letter. You want to remain professional, and focus on what makes you an ideal candidate. Find the right balance between showing your personality and being professional in your cover letter, and you will be on your way to a job interview....

8 Steps To Starting a Small Business You can start a small business in just eight steps. Clarify How Your Business Idea Fits Into a Market Niche All successful businesses have one thing in common: They’re in demand. To be successful, people must want or need what you’re offering. It’s important to figure out whom your company will serve, which companies you’ll be competing against, and how you’ll stand out among them....

This article gives details on deadlines, extensions, and how to mail or e-file W-2 forms. Preparing To Send the W-2 Forms Before you prepare W-2 forms you must gather information for the tax year for each employee, including: Their total taxable pay (wages, tips, and compensation) for the yearSocial Security and Medical payFederal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax withheldOther information about taxable benefitsState taxable pay and state taxes withheld...

While you’re hoping to get paid for your losses with as little hassle as possible, your car insurance company’s main goal is to ensure that it doesn’t end up paying any more than it has to. As is the case with every claim, it is also on the lookout for fraud. As you go through the auto insurance claim process, you should know what to expect, what documents to keep handy, and when and whether you should hire a lawyer....

With inflation pressures showing no signs of abating, the share of respondents in the latest National Association for Business Economics (NABE) survey who expect the Fed to raise rates at least twice in 2022 more than doubled to 38% since September, when only 15% expected two hikes. The survey of 48 professional forecasters, released Monday, was taken Nov. 12 through Nov. 21. In another development, St. Louis Fed President Jim Bullard, who, unlike some others, has been predicting higher inflation all year, told reporters last week that the Fed should end its asset purchases faster than originally planned, which would give it the option of raising the benchmark fed funds rate sooner, if necessary....

The reason behind this rule is based on the notion that as people move closer to the age at which they plan to retire, they should replace the risk of stocks with the more stable actions of bonds. For example, if you are age 25, then 25% of the value of your portfolio should be in bonds. If you are age 60, then 60% of your assets should be in bonds....

A good method to understanding different approaches is to break investment income into three categories: predictable, variable, and guaranteed. Each has its pros and cons. Predictable Investment Income Interest income from corporate bonds and dividend income from stocks are two good examples of predictable investment income. These sources of income can be relied upon in most circumstances, but they are not guaranteed. You can create a fairly stable source of retirement income by buying interest and dividend paying investments, or by buying mutual funds that own such investments....

You can do this yourself with your written checkbook register. This register should record every transaction that you have completed during the month. Some people use duplicate copy checks that provide a carbon copy of any check they write and allow for easy record keeping. If you are using money management software, you can do this using your computer program. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to balance your checkbook....

The person who gives the gift is responsible for paying the gift tax, meaning you can give away this much in cash or property value each year without incurring a gift tax and without it counting toward your lifetime gift tax exclusion (called your “lifetime exemption”). Gift Tax Exclusions and ATRA The gift tax is designed to prevent individuals from giving away their wealth during their lifetimes in order to avoid estate taxes for their beneficiaries after they die....

If you’re trying to avoid medical debt, looking for options you can afford is one way. There are social welfare programs, discount clinics, and methods to help you save money on health insurance, but for certain types of care or treatment, these options might not be enough. It may be worth looking into medical loans instead. If you’re thinking of taking this route, here’s how to get one and how they work....

That said, there are a few ways investing with CDs can have downsides. Read on to learn about five of the most common CD investing mistakes and how to avoid them. How CD Investing Works When you invest in a CD, you deposit a fixed amount of money into a savings account for a set amount of time to earn interest. CD terms typically range from one month to five years, but you can find CDs for 10 years or more....

Learn more about Nasdaq, its history, and how it affects the U.S. economy. What Does Nasdaq Stand For? Nasdaq is an acronym for the National Association of Securities Dealer Automated Quotation system. Founded in 1971, it introduced the world’s first electronic stock market. The Nasdaq provides quotes for over-the-counter stocks not listed on other markets. As a result, it is commonly associated with technology stocks. How Many Stocks Are in the Nasdaq?...

Defining Negative Working Capital Negative working capital describes a situation where a company’s current liabilities exceed its current assets as stated on the firm’s balance sheet. In other words, there is more short-term debt than there are short-term assets. It’s easy to assume that negative working capital spells disaster. After all, if your company doesn’t have enough assets to cover its bills, you may have to seek the protection of the bankruptcy court because your creditors are going to start pursuing you....

Day began her real estate career working for a national commercial real estate brokerage and investment firm. She spent four years supporting brokers who handled multi-million-dollar deals, helping new agents get on their feet, creating a client feedback system, and assisting with key public relations and marketing campaigns. After receiving her Master’s in journalism from USC, Day served as contributing editor and associate editor of a Southern California-based commercial real estate publication and online news website....

Offering no signs of relief on the horizon, U.S. prices rose three times as fast in May as in April, leaving them 8.6% higher than in May of last year and disappointing economists who had expected the annual inflation rate to stay at the 8.3% seen in April, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Friday. Before now, March’s 8.5% was the highest since December 1981....

Employees and contract workers have the right to expect to get paid, and it’s difficult to know what to do when your paycheck doesn’t arrive. Employee or Contract Worker? Employees and contract workers (independent contractors) (including freelancers and at-home contractors) have different pay situations and legal protection for non-payment. Employees receive payment on an hourly or salaried basis and are under the control of the employer.Contract workers work independently, often have contracts, and are paid by the hour or project....

Obama’s deal revived the inheritance tax that had been eliminated in 2010, but had been set to return to higher level. It applied a 35% tax rate to estates worth over $5 million for individuals. Obama also signed legislation cutting taxes in 2009 and 2013. In 2009, $288 billion were cut as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In 2013, Obama approved the permanent extension of the Bush tax cuts for those below a certain income level as part of the fiscal cliff package....

In general, it’s the same way you’d quit a full-time job. Even though the job isn’t full-time, it’s important to resign gracefully. You may need a reference from your employer in the future. It’s always a good idea to keep it professional when you leave a job, even if you’re only working a few hours a week. Here are tips for quitting a part-time job, with examples of resignation letters to use to quit....

Now, with the advent of the internet (and with a pretty strong nudge from a bad economy), a new form of financing has appeared in the last few years: peer-to-peer lending. Peer-to-peer (also known as P2P) loans are growing in popularity in a number of areas, including auto financing. History Peer-to-peer lending, in general terms, refers to the practice of loaning money, typically to unrelated borrowers, through non-traditional means. By “non-traditional,” I’m talking about an institution that is not a bank, insurance company, investment firm, credit card company, or loan shark....

The goods category includes two sub-categories. Consumer durable goods are long-lasting items, such as cars and washing machines. Non-durable goods are items that households use quickly, like groceries and clothing. Services are functions businesses provide, so households don’t have to do it themselves. Governments, non-profits, and household workers also offer services. Some examples are dry cleaners, yard maintenance, and financial services. Personal consumption drives almost 70% of economic output. That’s measured by gross domestic product....