DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Bitcoin has smashed records. Should you invest?
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —In the first quarter of this year, the price of bitcoin broke records in the wake of approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first exchange-traded spot bitcoin funds. But in the past few years, education about crypto assets has been made more available to professionals. While it’s called a currency — and in some instances can be used like money — bitcoin is not legal tender in the United States or most other countries. He advises his clients who insist on exposure to limit their portfolio allocation to bitcoin to no more than 5%. Using a bitcoin ETF for exposure is the easiest option for most individuals who are not dedicated crypto investing experts.

Persons: bitcoin, Donald Trump’s, Michael Saylor, ”, Paul Brahim, Satoshi Nakamoto —, it’s, “, Trent Porter, Mike Turi, don’t, ” Turi, Matt, Elliott, Porter, Trump, you’ll, they’ve, ” Porter Organizations: CNN, Securities and Exchange Commission, CNBC, Financial, Association, SEC, Morningstar Locations: bitcoin, Bitcoin, United States

☆ A Controversial Vacation Homes Tax Is Dividing Lake Tahoe
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Amanda Yen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

My grandparents' vacation cabin in Lake Tahoe is the stuff of legend. My grandparents' little house in South Lake Tahoe, which they bought for $113,000 in 1984, quickly became a haven for my family. Framers of the Tahoe tax measure took inspiration from Berkeley, California, which adopted a vacancy tax this year. Since the city of South Lake Tahoe was incorporated in 1965, it's been populated by a healthy mix of year-round and seasonal residents. As of October 2024, the median sales price for homes in South Lake Tahoe was $750,000, according to Realtor.com.

Persons: George Rose, it's, Amelia Richmond, —, Steve Teshara, Teshara, Frederic Lewis, Sherri Maslyar, Jeff Cowen, we'd, Amanda Yen, I'd Organizations: of Commerce, South Tahoe Association of Realtors, BI, Colorado and, Survey, Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, Realtors ' Association, Business, Tahoe, Planning Association Locations: Tahoe, South Lake, Berkeley , California, Oahu, Colorado, Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Bay, Colorado and Utah, Park City , Utah, Richmond, Emerald

☆ China on track to record lowest number of new marriages since 1980, official data shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Some 4.74 million Chinese couples registered their marriages in the first three quarters of 2024, a decrease of 16.6% from the 5.69 million recorded in the same period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs on Friday. A rebound in marriages last year after stringent Covid restrictions were lifted appears to be an anomaly largely driven by pent-up demand. Many are postponing marriage and childbirth – and a growing number of young people even choose to eschew them entirely. The stubborn downward trend is also a result of changing attitudes to marriage, especially among young women who are becoming more educated and financially independent. In the first nine months of this year, some 1.96 million couples registered for divorces, a slight decline of 6,000 year-on-year, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Persons: ”, Cai Jingyu, – Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Association, China isn’t Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, People’s Republic, India, Shenyang Imperial, Shenyang, Japan, South Korea

☆ The money you forfeit when you cash out of your 401(k) can be staggering
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —When you quit your job, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is what to do about the money in your retirement account if you’ve been saving in your company’s 401(k). Roll it over to another tax-deferred retirement account such as an IRA or the 401(k) at your new job. While a majority of 401(k) participants who switch jobs choose the first or second option, a large minority cash out, according to recent studies. Here’s why: The features of a 401(k) plan may differ from employer to employer. While many now auto enroll employees in the plan, the default savings rate coming out of your paycheck may differ.

Persons: you’ve, Robert Persichitte, Tom O’Saben, she’ll, “, ”, Paul Brahim, — Organizations: CNN, Vanguard Investments, Yale School of Management, National Association of Tax, Financial, Association, Vanguard, ” Vanguard Locations: New York City, Los Angeles, Colorado

☆ How to know if a financial robo-advisor is right for you
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

So if you’re looking for help along the way, there are plenty of increasingly low-cost digital and human adviser options. Now they offer a much wider array of services and financial planning tools. Many also offer hybrid solutions: automated portfolio management plus access to human advisers who can help with your more holistic financial planning needs. To figure out if a robo-advisor might be a good fit for you, here are some things to consider:Preference: Digital first or human first? “Perspective, judgment and coaching — talking through something and addressing fears and concerns, such as managing (a client’s) reaction to short-term (market) volatility,” said Paul Brahim, president-elect of the Financial Planning Association and managing director of the Wealth Enhancement Group.

Persons: It’s, ”, Paul Brahim, ” Brahim, Brian Concannon, —, ” Concannon, you’re, “, Ben Johnson, Morningstar’s, it’s, Johnson, Schwab Organizations: CNN, Financial, Association, Vanguard, Vanguard Digital, Fidelity

☆ Shohei Ohtani’s $700M Dodgers contract is huge — but its actual value is much lower
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-15 | by ( David K. Li | Kate Dore | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani attends a press conference on his presentation after signing a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Dec. 14, 2023. At first glance, Shohei Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is nothing short of a Ruthian blockbuster, topping all other free agent pacts. The deal was originally reported as a $700 million, 10-year deal, which drastically tops all previous MLB contracts in terms of total compensation and average annual value. And on the other side of the spectrum, annual inflation was consistently less than 2% for much of the 2010s. For him, the decision to sign the deal with the Dodgers had more to do with earning things on the field than off.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Colin Gerrety, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Chavez, we've, Christopher Woods, Woods, he's, It's, I'm, Ohtani, David K, Li Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, NBC, Wealth, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, The Dodgers, Star, Silvis, Labor Department, Federal Reserve Locations: Los Angeles , California, Vienna , Virginia, Charlotte , North Carolina, L.A

☆ These are the 3 biggest retirement plan rollover mistakes, expert says. Here's how to avoid penalties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The one-year rule is an "archaic belief," according to career expert Sarah Doody. PHOENIX — If you're saving for retirement with a 401(k) or individual retirement account, it's easy to lose money to taxes and penalties when moving money between accounts. A lot of investors make costly rollover mistakes without consulting a professional for guidance, according to Denise Appleby, CEO of Appleby Retirement Consulting. "We need to band together and help to protect those assets," she said, speaking at the Financial Planning Association's annual conference Thursday. Here are three of the most common rollover mistakes to avoid, Appleby warned.

Persons: Sarah Doody, Denise Appleby, Appleby Organizations: Appleby Retirement Consulting, Finance

But "retirement spending is not pass-fail," said certified financial planner Justin Fitzpatrick, co-founder of Income Lab, a retirement planning software company. Your retirement spending isn't static, meaning there's room for adjustments over time, depending on your needs and goals, he said, speaking at the Financial Planning Association's annual conference Wednesday. However, Fitzpatrick sees retirement expenses as "a series of small liabilities," and many of these costs can be flexible. "These are not necessarily the things you would prefer ahead of time, but they're different from financial ruin," Fitzpatrick said. Total financial ruin is "almost impossible," because individual liabilities can be small and spending generally happens slowly enough to make "minor and temporary adjustments" over time, he said.

Persons: Martin Barraud, Justin Fitzpatrick, It's, Fitzpatrick Organizations: Caiaimage, Getty, Cerulli Associates

☆ Meet the typical Hong Kong millennial: They're supporting their parents, can't afford to buy homes, and have zero interest in moving to mainland China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Faye Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

He earns 1.5 million Hong Kong dollars a year, or $191,000, including the base salary and three months' bonus — well above the average annual salary in Hong Kong. A protester on June 12, 2019 in Hong Kong when crowds gathered in central Hong Kong as the city braced for another mass rally. Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesThe Hong Kong protests took place between 2019 and 2020, with many students and adults taking to the streets to fight back against the government's decision to introduce an extradition bill between Hong Kong and China. University of Hong Kong was ranked 31st and Chinese University of Hong Kong was 45, on the World University Rankings in 2023. Hong Kong millennials struggle to prioritize well-being, according to a survey run by British health insurance company Bupa.

Persons: Hong Kong's, Ken Ho, Hong Kongers, Ho, Kongers, —, hasn't, Summer Ng, Tau Kok, Ng, Hong, Kong's, Getty, Hong Kong millennials, it's, Aniqah Bhatnagar, Bhatnagar, Wilson Ho, Wilson Ho Wilson, Kai Tak, Anthony Kwan, Xu Huang, Huang, millennials, Gen Zs, Morgan McKinley, Zurine Lau, I'm, Yuen Long, Lau, Nick Shin Nick Shin, Tai Koo, They're Organizations: Service, University College London, Imperial College London, Fidelity Investments, Hong, HK, BBC, Property Management, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Deloitte Global, Statistics Department, University of Hong Kong, University of Hong, World, Family Planning Association, millennials, Hong Kong Free Press, CNN Locations: Hong Kong, Wall, Silicon, Kennedy Town, Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong's, United Kingdom, People's Republic of China, British, Asia, Hong, millennials, India, Kowloon, Kai, China, Singapore, Sydney, South America, ymgerman, South Korea, Hong Kong . Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Tai

☆ China's fertility rate drops to record low 1.09 in 2022- state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Aug 15 (Reuters) - China's fertility rate is estimated to have dropped to a record low of 1.09 in 2022, the National Business Daily said on Tuesday, a figure likely to rattle authorities as they try to boost the country's declining number of new births. The state-backed Daily said the figure from China's Population and Development Research Center put it as having the lowest fertility level among countries with a population of more than 100 million. China's fertility rate is already one of the world's lowest alongside South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. High childcare costs and having to stop their careers have put many women off having more children or any at all. Gender discrimination and traditional stereotypes of women caring for their children are still widespread throughout the country.

Persons: National Business Daily, Xi Jinping, Farah Master, Angus MacSwan Organizations: National Business, Daily, Development Research Center, South, Authorities, Planning, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, China, Hong

☆ Some advisors are flocking to alternative investments, survey finds. What investors need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

After a tough year for the stock and bond markets in 2022, some advisors are turning to alternative investments, according to a new survey from the Financial Planning Association. Nearly 30% of advisors are actively investing in or seeking alternative investments, or "alternatives," for clients, the findings show. These assets typically fall outside traditional investments in publicly traded stocks, bonds and cash. Some investors are drawn to alternatives for diversification, lowering portfolio risk and boosting returns, said certified financial planner Ashton Lawrence, director at Mariner Wealth Advisors in Greenville, South Carolina. It's not zeroHow jobless workers use side gigs to make ends meetIndeed, "diversification" and "risk mitigation" were top objectives among advisors who recommend alternatives, according to the FPA survey.

Persons: Ashton Lawrence, Lawrence Organizations: Financial, Association, Mariner Wealth Advisors, Finance Locations: Greenville , South Carolina

☆ China records fewest marriages in more than three decades as population crisis looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Some 6.83 million couples married in 2022, according to data released by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs on Friday. That’s down around 10.5% from the 7.63 million marriage registrations in 2021 and marks a record low since 1986, when the ministry began releasing statistics, according to state media. Chinese officials see a direct link between fewer marriages and falling births in the country, where social norms and government regulations make it challenging for unmarried couples to have children. Efforts from Chinese officials in recent years to reverse trends of falling marriages and births have yet to see results amid the looming economic and social issues at play. The Ministry of Civil Affairs’ recent data release also showed a slight fall in divorce registrations, with 2.1 million couples divorced in 2022, down from 2.13 million couples the previous year.

Persons: That’s, – Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, Communist, United Nations, Authorities, Communist Party, Communist Youth League, China Family Planning, Ministry, Civil Affairs, China isn’t Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Communist China, India, Japan, South Korea

HONG KONG, May 15 (Reuters) - China will launch pilot projects in more than 20 cities to create a "new-era" marriage and childbearing culture to foster a friendly child bearing environment, the latest move by authorities to boost the country's falling birth rate. Promoting marrying, having children at appropriate ages, encouraging parents to share child-rearing responsibilities, and curbing high "bride prices" and other outdated customs are the focus of the projects, the Times said. The association already launched projects in 20 cities including Beijing last year, the Times said. "The society needs to guide young people more on the concept of marriage and childbirth," demographer He Yafu told the Times. Reporting by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Sonali PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

If you're in debt or need help with your taxes, you can often get free help. Some situations may require the help of a financial advisor, and a fee-only advisor can be a good choice. Whether you simply don't want to pay for a help or are unable to, there's good news: Expensive professional help isn't the only way to solve your financial problems. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling provides credit counseling for any income level. Investing for retirementThe Financial Planning Association allows financial planners to provide free advice for families experiencing cancer, households needing help after COVID-19, and more.

☆ How to Pick a Financial Advisor
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +12 min

Read on to get started:Types of financial advisorsMany financial professionals, including financial planners, securities brokers, investment managers, and insurance brokers call themselves financial advisors so it’s important to know exactly what services an advisor provides before hiring one. Financial advisor designationsThere are myriad designations for financial advisors but only a handful that indicate the expertise most consumers need. CPAs, or Certified Public Accountants, can be certified with a Personal Financial Specialist credential, which combines their tax expertise with personal financial planning knowledge. How to find a financial advisorFinding a financial advisor is not so different from finding any other specialized service you’re in the market for. The right financial advisor can help navigate your financial life, from budgeting everyday spending to fulfilling long-term financial goals over a lifetime including the purchase of a home and a comfortable retirement.

☆ China needs stronger family-focussed policies to spur births, Chinese expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 12 (Reuters) - China should enhance incentives for people to build families and boost the birth rate as the country's now-falling population could threaten the world's second-biggest economy, a Chinese family planning expert said. Wang Pei'an, deputy director of the China Family Planning Association, said on Saturday more tax incentives should be created based on the family unit that could encourage births. Speaking at the third Chinese and Development Forum in Beijing, Wang cited a growing trend among younger generations to forestall having children. He called for more incentives around employment, medical care, social security and housing that could encourage people to build families. Reporting by Ethan Wang; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 5 tax and investment changes that could boost your finances in 2023 amid economic uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Bigger contribution limits on retirement accountsIf you're eager to boost your retirement savings, there's good news for 2023: higher contribution limits for your 401(k) and individual retirement account. The contribution limits have also increased for IRAs, allowing you to save up to $6,500 for 2023, up from $6,000 in 2022. Higher income limit for Roth IRA contributionsThe 2023 inflation adjustments also mean more investors may qualify for Roth IRA contributions, experts say. "But how about Roth [IRA] contributions?" While some investors may seek "complicated" moves, like so-called backdoor Roth conversions, which transfer after-tax 401(k) contributions to a Roth IRA, Pon urges investors to double-check Roth IRA contribution eligibility first.

☆ How to Build an Emergency Fund
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

“Covid really drove home the importance of having an emergency fund,” says Diana Linn, a wealth advisor in Newton, Mass. But the rest of setting up an emergency fund, from estimating your needs to opening an account, is relatively simple. Chen recommends multiple emergency funds, with different time frames and purposes: a short-term fund for any last-minute necessary purchase like a new car battery that you’d otherwise charge on a credit card; a midterm fund for repairs, like a new water heater; and a long-term emergency fund for when you lose your job. Decide how to reach your savings targetThe surest way to build up an emergency fund is to regularly put aside a portion of your earnings into an emergency savings account, preferably as an automatic debit from a checking account. Decide where to keep your emergency fundThere are several savings vehicles you can use for your emergency fund, both online and otherwise.

☆ 'There may be a false sense of security.' How to know if your workplace disability insurance is enough
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you've opted into your company's group disability insurance plan, you may assume there's sufficient income protection if you can't work due to illness or injury. But experts say your workplace coverage may not be enough. John Ryan, founder and CEO of Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants, urges employees to embrace group disability insurance, but warns "there can be a false sense of security with the employer plan." For employees, group disability insurance offers guaranteed coverage at low or no cost, but you need to know what's "under the hood," he said, speaking at the Financial Planning Association's annual conference in Seattle on Wednesday. There are two types of group disability insurance: short-term, which pays a temporary benefit, and long-term, which lasts for an extended period of time.

☆ This 529 savings plan myth is making college pricier for families, consultant says: 'It's candidly, blatantly not true'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SEATTLE — For many families, paying for college is a financial burden, and experts say education-funding myths may be adding to the student loan debt crisis. "There's often this perception that somehow people are being penalized for saving for college," said Cozy Wittman, national education and partnerships speaker with College Inside Track. Parent-owned 529 college savings plans are assessed at 5.64% when filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, she said, speaking at the Financial Planning Association's annual conference on Tuesday. That means for every $10,000 of 529 plan savings, roughly $564 counts toward the parents' expected family contribution, potentially reducing financial aid by roughly the same amount, according to the College Savings Plans Network. The average 529 account value was $30,287 in 2021, the College Savings Plans Network reported.

☆ 'It could be a blessing and a curse.' Here are 3 unexpected financial pitfalls unmarried couples need to know
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SEATTLE — If you're living together before marriage or committed long-term without plans to tie the knot, you'll need to prepare for the future — or you may face challenges later, experts say. There are "rising rates of cohabitation," with many couples skipping marriage because "they don't see the benefit," said Michelle Petrowski, a certified financial planner at the Phoenix-based financial firm Being in Abundance. Financially speaking, "it can be a blessing and a curse," she said, speaking at the Financial Planning Association's annual conference on Monday. While some couples opt out of marriage for financial reasons, they may not understand the pitfalls, Petrowski said. Here are some unexpected financial issues unmarried couples need to consider.

☆ How to Find a Financial Advisor
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +12 min

Read on to get started:Types of financial advisorsMany financial professionals, including financial planners, securities brokers, investment managers, and insurance brokers call themselves financial advisors so it’s important to know exactly what services an advisor provides before hiring one. Financial advisor designationsThere are myriad designations for financial advisors but only a handful that indicate the expertise most consumers need. Advisor fees and minimumsHow a financial advisor gets paid can be as important as how much you pay them because you want an advisor whose paramount consideration is your best interest, not their own, and whether or not that is the case is largely determined by how you pay them. How to find a financial advisorFinding a financial advisor is not so different from finding any other specialized service you’re in the market for. The right financial advisor can help navigate your financial life, from budgeting everyday spending to fulfilling long-term financial goals over a lifetime including the purchase of a home and a comfortable retirement.

☆ YouTubers are pushing dodgy crypto investment advice. Here’s why you should ignore it.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Rob Price | Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Together, these revenue streams mean cryptocurrency influencers profit off their viewers no matter which way the market turns. Of course, crypto YouTube is a far cry from the regulated world of traditional finance. Armstrong told the Post that he made "maybe close to a million" from before dropping sponsored content in January 2022. A price list leaked by ZachXBT appears to show that dozens of small crypto influencers also have menus for similar undisclosed deals. But with little regulatory oversight, crypto influencers show little sign of slowing down — despite the precipitous decline of the crypto market.

☆ Military families find money matters complex
▼ + stars: | 2019-05-23 | by ( Dick Powers | Power Plans | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Almost half of service members are under the age of 25, and a high percentage are married with children. So, what do they need to do to stay financially ready, for both the military life and after they leave? SGLI is a group life insurance policy purchased by the Department of Veterans Affairs from a commercial life insurance company. Perhaps the most important thing service members and their families, or any young couple, can do is to have a budget. Of course, service members need to be willing to ask for some assistance with their money matters.

Search resuls for: "Planning Association"

24 mentions found