Right now, a lot of investors are wondering about the uncertainty of rising interest ratesthe causes, effects and possible ramifications. Many people have been saying for weeks and months now that a rate hike is imminent and that September is the anticipated takeoff. read

Americans are utilizing the retirement savings features of IRAs more than ever. However, Roth IRAs are still underutilized, due in part to a misunderstanding of how the vehicle can be strategically used for retirement planning. read

Depending on your residency, as much as 41% of the gain on the sale of that collectible car might go to the combination of federal and state income taxes. Yet, tax planning for them has escaped all but the most sophisticated. read

Tsinghua University in Beijing has been ranked as Asias third best university, leading a strong Chinese cohort. read

One might be forgiven for thinking from all the media headlines that when the U.S. Federal Reserve eventually raises interest rates the world will be going to hell in a handcart. Whatever happens at the Feds meeting this week (16-17 September) - hike or not - history shows that rate tightenings dont always spell disaster. read

Last week, homebuyers gave acollective shrugto higher mortgage rates. Not that rates are higher.Theyre not. They will be, but house hunters have more important things to worry about. Not so much the Fed. This week, Janet Yellen & Co. will decide whether to raise rates for the first time in almost a decade. read

Later this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will consider including Chinas currency (known alternately as the yuan, renminbi, RMB) in the basket of currencies that make up its Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). SDRs were created about 50 years ago largely as substitutes for disappearing gold reserves. Currently, the SDR currency basket includes the U.S. dollar, British pound sterling, Japanese yen and euro (which, as a regional currency rather than a national one, has no sovereign authority[...] read

Try being a market optimist these days. I guarantee, youll be mocked and derided. Somebody will mutter something about the Fed, insinuating that you are a blithering idiot who has no clue about market manipulation. read

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