Data Breaches: Tips for Protecting Your Identity & Money

Large-scale data breaches are in the news again, but that’s hardly surprising. Breaches have become more frequent—a byproduct of living in an increasingly digital world. During the first six months of 2019, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), a nonprofit organization whose mission includes broadening public awareness of data breaches and identity theft, had already tracked 713 data breaches, with more than 39 million records exposed. Once a breach has occurred, the “aftershocks” can last for years as cyberthieves exploit stolen information. Here are some ways to help protect yourself.

How Geopolitical Tensions May Impact Oil Prices and the Economy

Conflict in the Persian Gulf has spurred modest oil price volatility in recent weeks, but prices didn’t spike to high levels seen during some past conflicts. That’s partly because rising U.S. oil production has shaken up the global oil market since 2010.

Crude oil prices still react to geopolitical events and other unplanned supply disruptions. However, global oil supplies exceeded demand by 0.9 million barrels per day in the first half of 2019, creating an oil glut that is helping to hold down prices. The International Energy Agency predicts that global demand for oil will rise at a slower pace than previously expected during the second half 2019, while noting deteriorating trade and manufacturing activity. Here’s an update on current events that are sparking oil price movements as well as some potential effects on the economy.

Including ‘Equity Compensation’ as Part of Your Total Financial Picture and Its Tax Implication

Equity compensation is pay in the form of company ownership or stock. It can be awarded instead of, or in conjunction with, regular cash compensation. Many employers consider equity to be a way of aligning an employee’s interest with the goals and growth of the company. It could take the form of: Restricted Stock, Stock Options, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Phantom Stock. We will focus on the most common types, Restricted Stock and Stock Options, looking at the top factors to consider.

Winning the Financial Advisor “Name Game”

It might make sense to seek advice from a financial professional as you plan for retirement, so you start your research. Unfortunately, this results in a myriad of confusing titles: Financial Consultant, Financial Advisor, Advanced Retirement Specialist, Wealth Manager, Retirement Counselor, Financial Planner and other variations on the theme. It all seems like a name game. Since investments are an integral part to your overall plan, a good approach may be to sort prospective advisors by the legal standard of care to which they are held. Those who are acting as a broker or sales agent are held to a “product suitability” standard. This group typically consists of stock brokers and life insurance agents, whose primary function is that of a salesperson; investment advice is merely incidental to their role.