A combination of rising living costs, high inflation, unexpected financial emergencies, and reliance on credit has created a perfect storm for personal debt. In fact, American household debt increased from 16.9 trillion in 2022 to 17.05 trillion in the first quarter...
MKR Blog
How to Prepare Your Personal Finances for a Recession
With record high inflation and rising interest rates, an economic recession has been the subject of many conversations lately. Now with two consecutive quarters of a drop in GDP (gross domestic product)—the benchmark many economists use to gauge a recession—the...
How Late-Start Savers and Investors Can Make Up for Lost Time and Retire with a Solid Nest Egg
The Federal Reserve reports that 26% of working Americans have no retirement savings. And among the working Americans who have retirement investment funds, 45% feel that their savings projections fall short of their long-term goals. If you’re a late retirement...
Simple Steps for Staying on Target with Financial Goals
Setting goals is a necessary start to achieving a financially secure future, but sticking to those goals is another hurdle altogether. Unexpected expenses, the costs of day-to-day life, and failure to track spending all have the potential to derail any roadmap we may...
The Pros and Cons of Borrowing Against a 401(k) for a Down Payment on a Mortgage
If you’re in the market for a new house, you might be wondering if you can tap into your workplace 401(k) to cover the down payment. The short answer is yes, but there are definite disadvantages in doing so. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons to this...
Smart Money Moves and Goals for Financial Progress in 2021
The beginning of a new year has long been associated with starting from a blank slate and setting new goals for the year ahead. While 2020 taught us that plans and goals can quickly veer off course through no fault of our own, maybe 2021 can teach us the value of...
How Tariffs, Economic Uncertainty, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Are Impacting Small Business Earnings
Small businesses are finally seeing signs of life after a rocky few years. Since January, average earnings have climbed by 75%. That’s an encouraging statistic, yet monthly revenues still lag behind the record highs of the past two years. This signals that progress is...
Americans Spend Hours Thinking About Money: Financial Stress, Its Impact, and Practical Solutions to Ease Worries
Recent surveys reveal that Americans spend hours each week thinking about their finances. Rising prices, mounting debt, and uncertainty about the future all contribute to financial stress. Add in steep housing costs, concerns over tariffs raising the price of goods,...
How Small Retailers Can Use Local Partnerships to Drive Foot Traffic and Boost Sales
Small retailers have a rough go competing against big chains and e-commerce giants, but there’s one thing these smaller stores have that Amazon doesn’t: community. Local stores have the opportunity to build connections with their customers. Building partnerships...
Why 2025 Is the Perfect Time to Start or Buy an Independent Veterinary Practice
A noticeable trend in 2025 points to a resurgence in independent veterinary ownership. In an era dominated by corporate consolidation, 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point — especially for veterinarians ready to reclaim ownership, redefine care models, and build...
Why the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Could Be a Lifeline for Small Businesses Facing Tariffs and Inflation
As small business owners face continued inflation and rising tariffs, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) could provide critical financial relief for Main Street businesses. By extending key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), the legislation...
Understanding How Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Affects Social Security Benefits
President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has been making headlines, particularly for what it could mean for older Americans collecting Social Security. While many headlines have suggested that the bill would eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, that’s not...
How to Transfer an SBA Loan: Rules, Restrictions, and What’s Allowed
Transferring an SBA loan isn’t a straightforward process. Whether you’re selling your company or planning for a family succession, understanding how to transfer an SBA loan and what’s legally allowed is critical for staying compliant and protecting your finances. In...
Surprising 401(k) Features That Can Boost Your Retirement Savings
A 401(k) is often thought of as a set-it-and-forget-it kind of account—set a contribution amount, bank on a company match, and let the market do its thing. But if you haven’t checked in on your plan lately, you might be missing out on some significant new features....
Proven Strategies to Help Construction Firms Streamline Bidding and Win More Contracts
Winning new business isn’t just about offering a competitive price. It’s about creating a well-structured and convincing proposal that shows why you’re the best choice for the job. Whether your company is established or still growing, improving your bidding process is...
2025 Construction Trends That Will Impact Your Business’s Bottom Line
As we move through 2025, construction businesses are navigating a mix of challenges and fresh opportunities. A steady economic rebound, higher levels of government investment, and rising demand for infrastructure, housing, and commercial development are driving growth...