Murphys, CA…IRA contribution limits: The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2020 is $6,000 (or 100% of your earned income, if less), unchanged from 2019. The maximum catch-up contribution for those age 50 or older remains at $1,000. You can contribute to both a traditional IRA and […]
New York, NY…Yes, there is a lot of water to yet flow under the financial rivers today before the markets close but they seem to be shaking off impeachment, trade and other worries and continue to march higher….
Angels Camp, CA…Free Dental Care For Veterans on Freedom Day November 8th at 1st Impressions Dentistry in Angels Camp on November 8th, 2019.
Murphys, CA…By one estimate, a 65-year-old couple who retire in 2019 may need about $300,000 in savings to pay their health-care expenses in retirement. This includes premiums for Medicare Parts B and D, supplemental (Medigap) insurance, and median out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses, but not other health expenses such as long-term care, dental care, and eye […]
New York, NY…Democrats in California have worked hard for years to inflate gasoline prices, but now they’re searching for a fall guy as voters gripe about how much they’re paying to fill up. Round up the usual fossil-fuel suspects! California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday ordered state Attorney General Xavier Becerra to investigate oil companies […]
Murphys, CA…Beginning on November 1, 2019, individuals (including families) may apply for new health insurance, switch to a different health-care plan, or re-enroll in their current plan through a Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The open enrollment period for 2020 health coverage ends on December 15, 2019. Individuals can use Health […]
San Andreas, CA…A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on October 4th in front of CCSO headquarters in San Andreas. It celebrated the completion of the county’s new communications site above Arnold. This new site is designed to improve radio coverage and capabilities of first responders. The American Red Cross expressed their commitment with funds after […]
Arnold, CA…Judy Bettencourt purchased a home in Blue Lake Springs in 2004 and decided to make it her full time residence in 2008. Judy has been helping clients with homeownership since 1998. Besides her desire to help people with their dream of home ownership, she has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys hiking and […]
Washington, DC…The unemployment rate declined to 3.5 percent in September, and total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 136,000, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment in health care and in professional and business services continued to trend up. This news release presents statistics from two monthly surveys. The household survey measures labor force […]
New York, NY…Dow Down Sharply Early in Trading Day. Dow is down over 300 points…
Sacramento, CA….California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 21 state attorneys general, urged Congress to pass the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment through Entrusting States (STATES) Act of 2019 or similar measures that would allow legal cannabis-related businesses to access the banking system. The STATES Act would bring billions of dollars […]
Washington, DC…Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in July indicates that the labor market remains strong and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Although household spending has been rising at a […]
Jackson, CA…Hospice of Amador & Calaveras’ signature fundraising event, the 20th Annual Art Auction, is almost underway, but tickets are going quickly. On Friday, September 20, this popular affair is once again being hosted at Karmère Vineyards & Winery in the Shenandoah Valley. The evening promises an unforgettable experience, including music, wine, food, art, and […]
Washington, DC…The U.S. Census Bureau announced today the median household income was not statistically different from the 2017 median, and the official poverty rate decreased 0.5 percentage points from 2017. At the same time, the rate and number of people without health insurance increased from 7.9%, or 25.6 million, in 2017 to 8.5%, or 27.5 […]
Washington, DC…Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 130,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment in federal government rose, largely reflecting the hiring of temporary workers for the 2020 Census. Notable job gains also occurred in health care and financial activities, while […]
New York, NY…The Dow Jones likes reports of Oct. trade talks with China and the ADP jobs numbers. We are up over 400 points early. Will it hold? We will find out this afternoon….
Murphys, CA…The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Proper Insights & Analytics recently released a survey detailing back-to-school spending for the 2019 school year. The survey looks at how American families plan to shop for clothing, supplies, and other items for the school year. Record spending expected for 2019. As students prepare to go back to […]
New York, NY….The spread between short term and long term bond yields inverted and that has proved in the past a potential signal of an upcoming recession. This and continued trade issues and weakening of the world economy rattled the markets today.
Washington, DC…The United States Trade Representative (USTR) today announced the next steps in the process of imposing an additional tariff of 10 percent on approximately $300 billion of Chinese imports. On May 17, 2019, USTR published a list of products imported from China that would be potentially subject to an additional 10 percent tariff. This […]
San Andreas, CA…Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) awarded Career and Technical Training (C&TT) scholarships to a total of twelve high school students during recent award night events. Three Calaveras High School students, seven Bret Harte High School students and two Mountain Oaks students each received $1,500. Calaveras High School students receiving awards and their fields of […]
Murphys, CA…The IRS continues to encourage taxpayers to review the amount of tax they have withheld to avoid an unexpected tax surprise when they file their 2019 tax returns next year. Preliminary 2018 tax filing data seems to show the need for taxpayers to review their withholding in order to make sure the appropriate amount […]
Washington, DC…Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in June indicates that the labor market remains strong and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Although growth of household spending has picked up […]
Murphys, CA…The federal minimum wage (FMW), currently $7.25 per hour, hasn’t increased since 2009—the longest stretch with no federal increases since 1938, when the minimum wage was created. Several presidential candidates as well as proposed House Bill H.R. 582, Raise the Wage Act, would raise the FMW. What effect would a wage increase have on […]
Jackson, CA…The Motherlode Cruisers again packed Historic Main St. in Jackson for their annual vintage car show on May 18. This year’s event showcased painstakingly restored vintage cars, including roadsters, sedans, muscle cars and more. As in past years, this year’s event included vendor booth with arts & crafts, live music and a raffle, making […]
New York, NY…Dow Reaches All Time High in Intra Day Trading.
Murphys, CA…The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 included a $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately) cap on the amount of state and local taxes that can be claimed as an itemized deduction on Schedule A of Form 1040. If you itemize deductions that include a deduction for state and local taxes and then […]
Washington, DC….”Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting.” President Donald Trump on Twitter
Tuolumne, Calaveras & Amador Counties….It’s Still Not Too Late to Claim Your Earned Income Tax Credit! The Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA), was created in 1981 as a public, nonprofit entity through a joint powers agreement between the two counties of Amador and Tuolumne, vested with the responsibility of improving the lives of residents […]
Washington, DC…Total nonfarm payroll employment edged up in May (+75,000), and the unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment continued to trend up in professional and business services and in health care. This news release presents statistics from two monthly surveys. The household survey measures labor force […]
Arnold, CA…Judy Bettencourt purchased a home in Blue Lake Springs in 2004 and decided to make it her full time residence in 2008. Judy has been helping clients with homeownership since 1998. Besides her desire to help people with their dream of home ownership, she has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys hiking and […]
