Author: online.bizshow@gmail.com

Illinois’ consolidation of suburban police and fire pension funds is beginning to pay off, with records showing improved investment returns and significant cost savings for some local governments. While challenges remain, the overhaul has boosted funding levels and eased financial pressure on communities long burdened by rising pension obligations. Source link

Florida A&M Marching 100 perform in Leon County’s commission chambersAfter a proclamation recognizing the Marching 100 winning HBCU Band of the Year by ESPN, the band performs in commission chambers, Feb. 11, 2025.The Leon County Commission wants to hear from voters about the prospect of combining city and county governments – even though the topic has a history of failing to gain support during past referendums.After a nearly 6-hour meeting, with many of those being taken up by a lengthy conversation on the comp plan, county commissioners voted 5-2, with Commissioners Nick Maddox and David O’Keefe in dissent, to create…

A Florida lawmaker is seeking answers from Duval County Public Schools about why more neighborhood schools are being closed. Source link

In a recent Meet the Press appearance, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) joined a growing number of Republicans who are speaking out against Obamacare. One of his lines of attack: that the Affordable Care Act fueled health care consolidation. “What Democrats did 15 years ago was they radically changed all health care in America. They moved all physicians under hospitals. They changed all the reimbursement programs. They shifted everything in,” Lankford said Nov. 9. This is one of a collection of Republican talking points related to the ACA that’s been regularly reprised, and there’s a reason for it. Democrats have been…

Choosing between renting vs. buying a home has long-lasting implications for your personal and financial affairs. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Which one makes the most sense for you depends entirely on your circumstances.  This guide will explore the pros and cons of both options in detail to help you determine which best fits your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals.  Overview: What Are the Pros and Cons of Renting vs. Buying?  There are many factors to consider when deciding between buying a house vs. renting. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of each.  Renting  Renting your home comes…

American Airlines has been on a premium push, rolling out new planes with more business and premium economy seats.Earlier in 2025, the airline started flying its Boeing 787-9P aircraft (yes, the “P” is for premium). Soon, it will be the first U.S. carrier to fly the Airbus A321XLR.The A321XLR is a single-aisle jet with extra-long range (hence, XLR), capable of transatlantic flights. Because it’s a smaller plane, airlines can justify flying it to less-visited locales, such as secondary cities in Europe and South America that U.S. airlines have traditionally overlooked in favor of more popular tourist destinations. (Photo by Benjamin…

Tax season is coming. Whether you love it or loathe it, getting your federal tax return filed can be a simple and pain-free process. With so many services out there — all making lofty promises — it can be overwhelming. There are seemingly hundreds of apps and tax service pop-ups and kiosks everywhere. But this doesn’t mean you need to go with the first tax return program you see. Or just go with last year’s provider again. Because not all tax services are the same. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular tax software: TaxSlayer vs. TurboTax.…

Today’s episode tackles a wide mix of practical questions. We explore the pros and cons of unions for doctors, how to protect yourself from ACATS fraud, and what you need to know about vesting rules. We also dig into an asset allocation question, upcoming changes to HSA plans in 2026, and whether it makes sense to exchange a mutual fund for its ETF counterpart. It’s a packed episode with insights you can put to use right away. How Does Vesting Work? “Could you go into some detail about how vesting works? I’m a new attending, and my vesting period is…

With 2025 coming to an end, it’s time for my annual tradition of gathering my favorite investment writing of the year. I started this tradition in 2017, and have continued it ever since (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). 2025 was a year of turbulence (in April) and a year of growth. And though AI has infiltrated the writing space like never before, there are still many great human writers doing their thing. With that being said, I present my favorite investment writing of 2025: Howard Marks is one of the best investment writers and thinkers in our industry…

Home prices have outpaced wages for more than a decade, and first-time buyers are stretching further every year. Now a new idea is entering the conversation, the 50-year mortgage. It promises lower monthly payments, yet it reshapes everything from equity growth to long-term risk. In this episode we sit down with Karsten Jeske, PhD, CFA from Early Retirement Now, a former Federal Reserve economist known for forensic financial modeling. Together we walk through when a 50-year mortgage might make sense, when it clearly does not, and why the math is rarely as simple as “higher payment versus lower payment.” We…