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The Philosophy Behind Democratic Economic Policy Generally, Democrats gear their economic policies to benefit low- and middle-income families. They argue that reducing income inequality is the best way to foster economic growth. Low-income families are more likely to spend discretionary money on necessities instead of saving or investing it. That directly increases demand and spurs economic growth. Democrats also traditionally support a Keynesian economic theory, which says that the government should spend its way out of a recession....

As an entrepreneur, you don’t have to worry about the market for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) being down. Chances are, you won’t be ready for that for awhile, and there are steps to take before that happens. Let’s first look at the differences between angel investors and venture capitalists and then move on from there with regard to obtaining financing. Differences Between Angels and VC’s Contrary to popular belief, venture capitalists seldom provide start-up funding to entrepreneurial ventures....

There are different types of personal loans, and understanding them and how they work can help you make the right decision for your finances. Here’s what you need to know. Secured and Unsecured Personal Loans There are two main types of personal loans: secured and unsecured. A secured personal loan requires that you provide some type of collateral to the lender, while an unsecured loan doesn’t require any. Secured Personal Loans When you get a secured personal loan, you might provide your lender with access to your savings account, or secure the loan with a valuable item....

On the one hand, people often believe that when they file a bankruptcy case, they will lose everything. That, of course, is not true. It is also a common belief that filing a bankruptcy case means that all their debt evaporates, and that they can keep their cars, houses and other property that served as collateral without having to repay the loans. This, likewise, is not true. When you’re considering filing a bankruptcy case, it’s important to understand what property you can keep and what you’ll have to do to keep it....

What Does a Registered Agent Do? All 50 states require businesses that register with a state as legal entities (LLCs, partnerships, corporations) to have a registered agent, sometimes called a statutory agent or agent of process. Everyone (including businesses) have a right to due process, with procedures to make sure that the legal process provides for fair procedures. That includes the right to be notified when legal action is taken against them....

What would you do if your vehicle was stolen? Do you know how the stolen car insurance claim process works? Through the bewilderment and adrenaline rush, you need to remain calm and think clearly. Your first response should be to verify no other possible explanation exists for the fact that your car is missing. Did you park illegally, making you susceptible to having your vehicle towed? Are you in jeopardy of having your vehicle repossessed?...

Buys and sells among insiders are not always noteworthy. However, a major trend in buying or selling by corporate insiders could provide good insights into the future of the markets. There are benefits to using insider selling activity to gauge where a stock’s value might be headed, but it’s not a perfect method. Be aware of the downsides, too. What Is Insider Selling? Some trading by corporate insiders is illegal insider trading, but most buying and selling by insiders is legal....

Between March and October, there were 181,000 fewer car accidents compared to the same time in 2019 in Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Texas, the four states analyzed in the study. Insurance companies, including Progressive, Allstate, and GEICO, all reported huge profit increases during this time compared to last year too, the study said. Despite the drop in accidents and increased revenue, few car insurers have issued refunds to drivers since the spring, when many companies provided two or three months’ worth of credits, refunds, or dividends, the study said....

You want your investments to perform well. Each investment instrument brings its own unique set of benefits and disadvantages. With so many different choices, many investors find it hard to decide what exactly to invest in when choosing between stocks and ETFs. It is important to know the differences and nuances of each to make an educated choice that aligns with your investment strategies. What’s the Difference Between ETFs and Stocks?...

Why You Need Retirement Savings The most powerful thing you can do for your retirement investing is put time and the power of compounding interest on your side. In the simplest terms, the earlier you start investing for retirement, the faster you’ll see progress and reach your goals. For example, if you start saving $500 per month at age 25 and earn 7% interest annually, you’ll amass roughly $1.2 million by age 65....

Here’s what you need to know about how the FDIC protects you, how it’s funded, and why it was created. What Is the FDIC? The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is one of the agencies that help promote a healthy financial system in the U.S. Its duties include insuring deposits and overseeing major financial institutions. By conducting this oversight and supervision, this independent federal agency hopes to increase trust in the banking system....

The Federal Open Market Committee said it would leave its benchmark short-term interest rate near zero, and continue pumping money into the financial system by buying Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities at the same pace it has since spring 2020. Low interest rates spur economic activity by making it cheap for businesses and consumers to borrow money, and bond buying helps keep longer-term rates low and flushes the financial system with cash....

These programs enable people with disabilities to cover food and housing expenses, pay for health care and prescriptions, and even assist with tax filing. Veterans with disabilities may qualify for special benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Find out more about the financial assistance options available and learn how you may take advantage of them. Income, Loans, and Daily Expenses Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program People with disabilities may be eligible to get assistance with food under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)....

What Is IRS Form W-4? Every employee working in the U.S. must fill out IRS Form W-4 when they are hired at a new job. This form, called the Employee’s Withholding Certificate, includes information for the employer to use when calculating the employee’s federal income tax withholding. It also includes worksheets to help employees figure out their withholding. When Must a W-4 Be Completed? An employee must complete the form at hire before their employer gives them their first paycheck....

The International Monetary Fund has measured the GDP of all countries in the world. As of 2018, the top 10 countries by GDP are: Combined, these countries produce 67% of the world’s total GDP of $87.5 trillion. The European Union is a trade and monetary union, not a country. But if it were, it would be the second largest. Its GDP is $19.6 trillion. If the top three economies – United States, EU, and China – were combined, their GDP would be $54 trillion....

For effective goal setting, you need to do more than just decide what you want to do; you also have to work at accomplishing whatever goal you have set. For many people, it’s the second part of the goal-setting definition that’s problematic. They know what they want to do and they’re perfectly willing to work on it, but they have trouble creating a plan to get there. Setting Personal and Business Goals The same goal-setting formula and strategies that work for business goals will also work for personal goals....

With group life insurance, a large entity such as an employer or association offers employees or members access to life insurance policies that are all under a single umbrella contract with the organization. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of group life insurance can help you decide on how best to take care of your life insurance needs. What Is Group Life Insurance? Most people will encounter group life insurance through work....

FG Trade /Getty Images Despite a pandemic year that closed businesses and put millions of people out of work, household net worth ended the fourth quarter of 2020 at an all-time high of $130.2 trillion, the Federal Reserve said on Thursday in its quarterly Flow of Funds report. That’s up 10.1% from 2019 and up 5.6% from the prior quarter. Much of that is attributed to rises in real estate and equity prices to record highs amid ongoing loose monetary policy, unprecedented federal stimulus, and the limitations imposed by the pandemic on discretionary spending....

Applying for a Credit Card Credit card issuers take a peek into your credit history when reviewing your application. The card issuer wants to know how you’ve handled your credit cards and other debts, the number of accounts you have open, whether you’ve paid on time or have serious delinquencies, and the balance you’re carrying across your credit cards and loans. Your credit report is the best place to get this information....

Since they work so differently from any other financial product, reverse mortgages have special rules about how much you can borrow. A few things go into calculating this amount for the most common type of reverse mortgage—a home equity conversion mortgage (HECM)—but one of the biggest factors is your age. You generally aren’t eligible for a reverse mortgage until you reach age 62, and the older you are after that, the more you’re often able to borrow....