Monthly Archives: December 2012

http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/225344  The coming year isn’t likely to be a home run for franchise growth, but it won’t be a no-hitter either. The number of franchise establishments in the U.S. is expected to rise by a modest 1.4 percent to 757,055 … Continue reading →

http://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/225191 Franchises have taken to social media in a big way–with varied results.From Moe’s Southwest Grill’s viral video of items exploding in a microwave to Pizza Hunt’s odd pizza topping tie-in to the Presidental debates, it was a memorable year … Continue reading →

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/12/14/estate-taxes-gift-taxes-rising-planning-wealth-transfer/ –Currently gifts and estates of up to $5.12 million are exempt from taxes, but as part of the fiscal cliff, any portion of a bequest that exceeds $1 million will be taxed next year — and at a 55% … Continue reading →

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/12/13/529-college-savings-plans-morningstar-rankings/ Morningstar (MORN) has published its annual analysis of America’s best and worst 529 college savings plans. If you have kids — and higher-education-related hopes for them — here’s what you need to know. Good news first. According to Morningstar, … Continue reading →

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/12/17/year-end-review-give-your-workplace-benefits-this-3-step-check/ As the end of the year approaches, it’s important to make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table when it comes to your workplace benefits. Making the most of what your employer offers can save you a … Continue reading →

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/12/18/chained-cpi-how-washington-is-likely-to-slice-social-security-b/ An arcane change to the way Social Security’s annual Cost of Living Adjustments, or COLAs, are calculated may be part of a deficit reduction deal between President Barack Obama and Congress. The revision, known as the “chained CPI,” could … Continue reading →

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/your-money/for-student-borrowers-a-tax-time-bomb.html?ref=business_r=0 Stephanie Day may owe tax on $100,000 in forgiven loans. Those breathing a sigh of relief that their student loan payments are now in line with their income may want to re-examine the rules that set the payment in … Continue reading →

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/12/11/truth-or-consequences-lying-to-insurers-is-costly/ Everyone knows that torching a car and lying about it to your insurer to get a payout is fraud – and that you’ll pay dearly if you’re convicted. But fibbing to your insurer about less explosive things — your … Continue reading →

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/12/20/fiscal-cliff-deal-could-mean-higher-medicare-premiums-for-many-r/ WASHINGTON (AP) – It’s a health care change that President Barack Obama and Republicans both embrace: Expand a current, little-known law so more retirees the government considers well-off are required to pay higher Medicare premiums. That plan is likely … Continue reading →