Brazil has a thriving mining industry, with iron ore exports worth $23 billion. The nation is also an important producer of energy. Perhaps Brazil’s largest commodity output comes from the agricultural sector, with soybeans as the top export, generating over $26 billion in 2019. The climate in Brazil puts the nation in a unique position and makes the nation the largest producer in the world of several important agricultural staples....
Retained earnings belong to the shareholders since they’re effectively owners of the company. If put back into the company, the retained earnings serve as a further investment in the firm on behalf of the shareholders. Companies typically calculate the opportunity cost of retained earnings by averaging the results of three separate calculations. The cost of those retained earnings equals the return shareholders should expect on their investment. It is called an opportunity cost because the shareholders sacrifice an opportunity to invest that money for a return elsewhere and instead allow the firm to build capital....
You might find it more troubling when a debt collector comes to your house asking for payment—it can feel like harassment, and it’s downright scary for some borrowers. So, how likely is it, and what can you do if a bill collector is knocking at the door? Get educated on your rights so that you know how to handle the situation. Collectors Can Come to Your House Most creditors will mail letters and make phone calls in attempts to collect....
Yes, it’s legal in both scenarios—and you may even qualify for a mortgage to purchase your new home. However, before you start scrolling through real estate listings, it’s essential to understand what goes into making a U.S. property purchase as a foreigner. Can Non-Citizens Buy Property in the U.S.? “How difficult is it to buy in the U.S.?” is the most common question fielded by Alicia Cervera Lamadrid, managing partner for Cervera Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International in Miami, Florida....
The short answer is no, you can’t directly pay your credit cards with another card, and for good reason. Paying off debt with more debt is risky to your finances and to your credit. However, if your situation is dire, you do have options. Let’s take a look at the different methods you can use to make those payments, including using credit card balance transfers and cash advances. Making Monthly Payments With a Credit Card Unfortunately, it’s not possible to make your monthly payments with your credit card....
This article explains the difference between capital expenses and operating expenses and how the former can affect your business taxes. What Are Capital Expenses? Capital expenses are costs associated with your investment in your business. In other words, they are expenses for capital assets. Capital assets are things of value bought by a business to make the goods and provide the services it sells. These assets are expected to last longer than a year, like buildings, furniture, equipment, and vehicles, To “capitalize” means to spend money on capital assets, a different method from deducting the cost of operating expenses (continuing costs of running your business)....
To ensure that your letter helps your contact make a good impression, review sample reference letters for a child care position. Remember to include specifics and use these examples as a guide to help you get started. How to Write a Reference Letter for a Child Care Position Keep in mind the following tips when you’re writing your letter: Be Specific Include examples of the applicant’s interactions with children. You can highlight skills and qualifications that make them a strong candidate, such as multitasking, communication, and any related coursework or certifications....
This type of resume affords you the opportunity to give pride of place to your most recent and outstanding talents, skills, and expertise, ensuring that a hiring manager will be interested enough to read through your entire resume. Review information on when to use a chronological resume, when to choose a different format, what to include, writing and formatting tips, and examples. When to Use a Chronological Resume Chronological resumes are the most commonly used format, and for good reason....
Combining at least some of your accounts is a good way to simplify your retirement planning. For instance, you will have fewer accounts to take required minimum distributions from once you reach age 70 1/2. And having fewer accounts should mean you’re paying less in fees overall. What Is Your Account Type? In most cases, accounts that function in a similar way can easily be combined without any tax penalty....
Consisting mostly of credit card debt, revolving credit balances grew at an annual rate of 3.6%, the smallest month-to-month change since April, according to a Federal Reserve report, released Wednesday. August’s $3 billion increase—the fourth straight gain—brings balances to more than $1 trillion, closer to the pre-pandemic peak of $1.1 trillion. Earlier in the year, when vaccines became more widely available, consumers were optimistic life would return to normal and started spending again on restaurants, bars and travel....
While it’s always best to pay more than the minimum required, you should understand how the minimum is calculated and what happens if you don’t pay it. Credit card issuers use different methods, but there are some general principles that apply. Here’s what you need to know: Methods of Calculating Method 1: Percent of the Balance + Finance Charge Some issuers calculate the minimum payment as a percentage of the balance at the end of the billing cycle, plus a monthly finance charge....
Premiums are also means-tested, so they’re somewhat dependent upon your income. The more income you have, the higher your premium will be. You’ll generally see increases in your Medicare Part B premiums if your earnings rise over certain limits and the cost of living continues to increase. 2023 Medicare Part B Premiums Premiums for Medicare Part B decreased by about $5 year-over-year. This is the first time premiums have decreased in about a decade....
A bond’s yield is measured in different ways. Two common yields that investors look at are current yield and yield to maturity. Current yield is a snapshot of the bond’s annual rate of return, while yield to maturity looks at the bond over its term from the date of purchase. What’s the Difference Between Current Yield and Yield to Maturity? A price below 100% is considered a discount, and a price above 100% is considered a premium....
Lack of Confidence in Method When you really believe in something you just do it. Your trading strategy should be like that. Make it so ingrained and practiced that it becomes second nature. Know that following your strategy works, and doing anything outside of the strategy is an unknown, and therefore not worth the risk. How do you gain this sort of confidence in your method? There is only one way, and that’s to practice it until there’s no doubt in your mind that it works....
What Is a Debt Consolidation Program? A debt consolidation program is typically a service that involves combining multiple loans into a single payment. In most cases, a “program” is a service or a combination of services offered by a credit counseling company or organization: You might make a single payment to the company, and they forward your payments to creditors. Loans and programs have similar results, although they work very differently:...
Individuals can deduct personal property taxes paid during the year as an itemized deduction on Schedule A of their federal tax returns, at least up to a point. This deduction was unlimited until the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) imposed an annual cap of $10,000 effective in the tax year 2018. Married taxpayers who file separate returns are limited to $5,000 per tax return ($10,000 total). The cap applies to all state and local taxes, including real estate and income taxes, inclusively....
Here are some strategies for business planning and the ways it can benefit your business. What Is Business Planning? Business planning can play out in many different ways. Anytime upper management comes together to plan for the success of a business, it is a form of business planning. Business planning commonly involves collecting ideas in a formal business plan that outlines a summary of the business’s current state, as well as the state of the broader market, along with detailed steps the business will take to improve performance in the coming period....
The owner or landlord and tenant agree to certain rights and obligations for these periods but do not specify an ending date, so it’s an indefinite period of tenancy. Since no ending date is specified, notice per the agreement must be given for termination and vacancy. Also Known As: Estate from period to period A Popular Investment Class While generations of Americans have striven to own their homes, there are still millions of single-family, condominium, and apartment rental homes....
Employees and Independent Contractors – Defined Employees (sometimes called common law employees) are individuals who works for an employer that controls the work of the employee – what will be done and how it will be done. Independent contractors are professionals or workers who are in a trade or business offering their services to the general public. People like doctors, dentists, building contractors, and freelancers are considered independent contractors. Independent contractors are considered to be self-employed and their earnings are subject to self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare)....
Call Your Insurance Company and the Hospital Start off by calling the insurance company and the hospital regarding the dispute. If you are disputing an incorrect claim, then you need to request a complete copy of all the services that were billed for. Gather Documentation Next, you need to collect the documentation to prove that the medical bill was in error. The sooner you do that, the better. You may need your doctor to write a statement regarding which services you had and which you did not....
