Author: Mark Garro

The rise of Airbnb and similar short-term rental (STR) platforms has sparked a significant debate over their impact on housing affordability. Urban centers worldwide face escalating rental prices and a shrinking pool of affordable housing. Consequently, these platforms face increasing scrutiny for their role in this crisis. Is Airbnb Reducing Long-Term Housing? Critics argue that […]

Understanding tax credits can be incredibly complex, yet to ensure one can benefit from all that is available it is crucial to know what opportunities lie within the U.S. tax system.  Understanding Tax Credits Tax credits are not mere deductions; they are even more valuable. As Eric Bronnenkant, head of tax at Betterment, states, “This […]

The road to retirement is a crucial aspect of financial planning, involving a variety of factors that influence when and how you can comfortably retire.  #1. Early Entry into the Workforce: A Head Start Beginning your career at 18 can significantly shape your retirement journey. An early start allows more years to contribute to Social […]

Buying a home can be a daunting financial challenge, especially for teachers. Fortunately, several programs offer substantial aid, making homeownership more accessible for educators.  Understanding the Good Neighbor Next Door Program The Good Neighbor Next Door initiative provides eligible educators with a remarkable opportunity to purchase homes at half their appraised value. This program, however, […]

Before COVID-19, nearly half of all working women — 28 million — worked in jobs paying low wages. Sadly, that hasn’t changed in three years. It’s even worse for women of color. Even in traditionally higher-paying and more equitable industries and careers, women are typically paid 92 cents for every dollar a man earns. Disrupted […]

Financial scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, causing substantial monetary losses to consumers. With a range of common types to be aware of, the ongoing need for vigilance is critical to avoid falling victim to these deceptive practices. Voice Imitation Scams: A New Frontier in Fraud Advancements in technology have led to the emergence of voice […]

America’s aging population faces a grim reality as Social Security trust funds teeter on the brink of depletion. Fund reserves for Social Security and Medicare will be exhausted by 2034, posing challenges to maintaining benefits for current and future beneficiaries.  Retiree Financial Crisis on the Horizon The situation presents a dire financial crisis for millions […]

As Baby Boomers approach their later years, they will transfer their wealth  — more than $75 trillion — to younger generations. This will mark one of the most significant financial shifts in history. Unprecedented Transfer of Wealth This unprecedented change is more than a transfer of assets. It represents a critical juncture for families grappling […]

Once bright with the promise of education and prosperity, the American dream is being overshadowed by a looming cloud of student loan debt. The Federal Reserve estimates total student loan debt now exceeds $1.7 trillion.  A Heavy Financial Burden  This financial burden is not only altering the course of individual lives but is also reshaping […]

It appears not even Valentine’s Day is safe from the cost of living crunch. American millennials are adjusting how they spend on this Hallmark holiday, finding new ways to celebrate love in the face of rising expenses. Budget Love: The New Norm This Valentine’s Day, a significant number of American couples, particularly millennials, are tightening […]