Money
Avoiding Tax Identity Theft
BBB Column Tax season is upon us, and you have until April 15 to file your return. Scammers are also busy during tax season, hoping to steal money you earned. How will you know your tax return has been taken from you? When you go to file, you’ll get a written notice from the IRS…
Read MoreThe Information Age
The Information Age began in the year 2000. First, in human history we had the “Hunter-Gatherer Age” which continued for hundreds of thousands of years until about 10,000 years ago when the “Agriculture Age” began. That was followed by the “Industrial Age” beginning about 200 years ago. So far, I am under-whelmed by the “Information…
Read MoreTips from your BBB on Handling a Data Breach
BBB Column for Padre Island Business Association Emily Gaines, PR Coordinator for Better Business Bureau serving the Heart of Texas Major companies have made headlines this summer after data breaches have left their customers’ sensitive information unprotected. While some consumers were compensated, many are left wondering what to do if they find themselves in a…
Read MoreOur Human Brain, Mind and Soul
One of my interests in retirement has been reading several books about our human brain. Medical scientists know a lot about the human brain, including the number of brain cells (about 200 billion plus). They know how brain cells are constructed and the chemical reactions conducted in each cell to produce the cell’s energy and…
Read MoreUS Transportation Infrastructure Maintenance Plan
In response to an invitation from the US Chamber of Commerce for a plan to fund the maintenance of US roads, waterways and airports, I submitted the following plan; In a free market economy such as the US economy, the fairest and most economically efficient method to fund infrastructure maintenance is a user fee paid…
Read MoreHOW TO NAVIGATE THE MOST COMMON CHALLENGES IN A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION
Those of you who have ever been a seller or a buyer in a real estate transaction likely know firsthand that the process can often be riddled with twists and turns. It is the job of your real estate professional to not only talk you through it all, but to bare the brunt of the…
Read MoreThe Green Energy New Deal
Some members of Congress are promoting a “Green Energy New Deal’ to ban fossil fuels in the US within 10 years. That is economically and technically not feasible. If adopted, it will turn our economy back 200 years to 1819 and destroy the 18-fold gain in prosperity, wealth and well being gained over 200 years…
Read MoreBusiness Performance- 99 Percent Vs. 99 Percent Plus
Early in my career, I was assigned to work with an outside business consultant hired by my employer to reduce the work force and labor costs. After about one year, the consultant evaluated my performance and told me if I wanted to reach my goal to be a refinery plant manager, I Had to raise…
Read MoreTax Identity Theft Awareness
Tax season has officially begun, and scammers may be looking to steal your identity and your refund. The Federal Trade Commission declared last week “Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week”. This awareness week provides a great opportunity to learn more about what a tax scam looks like and how scammers can use your private information for…
Read MoreI Wish You Bad Luck
When John Roberts, Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, was asked to speak at his son’s ninth grade commencement, his theme was “I wish you bad luck.” During his talk, he explained how, if we use bad luck as a learning experience, it can make us stronger and better people. When I was a…
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