Breaking Down Phil Town’s Investing Strategy for Beginners

The silhouette of a man looking at lines and charts for investing.

What skills do you need to manage your investment portfolio? How does Phil Town’s investing strategy garner good results? In Rule #1, Phil Town outlines the essential steps and considerations for successfully implementing an investment strategy known as Rule #1. The two major things you must consider when using this strategy are to eliminate any financial challenges and to gain skills to handle your own personal portfolio. Keep reading to learn more about Phil Town’s investing strategy.

The 2 Major Benefits of Platform Business Models

A businessman standing on a platform in the sky, representing the benefits of platforms.

What are the benefits of platform business models? How are platforms affecting politics and the economy? Platforms aren’t just an alternative to pipelines. Geoffrey G. Parker, Marshall W. Van Alstyne, and Sangeet Paul Choudary say platforms are outperforming pipelines and, in the process, transforming the world. We’ll explain why platforms are taking over the market and explore the economic, social, and political effects.

7 Ways to Invest Your Tax Refund Money Wisely

Coins being planted in soil with plants growing from them, visual for ways to invest tax refund money

What are some smart ways to invest your tax refund? Can investing your tax refund help you get ahead financially? If you invest tax refund funds wisely, such as by paying off high-interest debt, contributing to retirement accounts, or building an emergency fund, you can supercharge your financial stability. With effective management, this “unexpected” income can transform into a powerful tool to expedite your journey to financial freedom and make your hard-earned money work even harder. Dive deeper into how your tax refund can work significantly harder for you and steer you faster toward financial freedom.

Is Going to College Worth It, Amidst Rising Costs?

A college degree and graduation cap in the trash as some wonder, "is going to college worth it?"

Is going to college still worth it? How has public confidence in the value of a college degree changed in recent years? What can be done to reduce the financial risk for students? A recent study shows most colleges significantly increase their graduates’ earnings, even as public confidence in the value of higher education is declining. The 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, and swelling tuition and student loan debts are fueling Americans’ skepticism about the value of a college degree. Let’s take a look at the current value of a college degree.

The Childcare Crisis in the US Keeps Getting Worse

An empty classroom displays the childcare crisis in the US

How has the end of federal pandemic funding impacted the childcare industry and families? Why is the sector struggling financially? Can state efforts fix the funding gap? The September expiration of federal pandemic support has put the US childcare sector in a state of crisis and left families struggling with soaring childcare costs. Staffing shortages, low wages, rising costs, and unpredictable income streams have forced many childcare providers to raise tuition or close. Continue reading as we delve into the causes and effects of the childcare crisis in the US.

The Territorial Expansion of the United States: A People’s History

a map of the US during the first half of the 19th century illustrates the territorial expansion of the United States

How was the United States able to expand westward during its early history? What was the cost? In his book A People’s History of the United States, historian Howard Zinn discusses the country’s economic and territorial expansion during the first half of the 19th century. He focuses on how it led to the displacement of American Indians and the Mexican-American War. Keep reading to understand the territorial expansion of the United States from Zinn’s perspective.

The Socialist Challenge: A History of Socialism in America

woman holding an American (US) flag and a flag with a hammer and sickle illustrates the history of socialism in America

What’s the history of socialism in America? What have socialists aimed to advance, and why haven’t they been more successful? In his book A People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn delves into American socialism, tracing its growth and impact. The Socialist Party of America promoted workers’ rights and government regulation but faced challenges as it pushed for collective ownership. Keep reading to learn about “the Socialist Challenge” according to Howard Zinn.

A People’s History of the Labor Movement in America

Workers at a factory in the early 20th century illustrate the history of labor movement in America

What’s the history of the labor movement in America? Why did they organize? What obstacles have they had to deal with? Howard Zinn explains that in the decades following the Civil War, the US industrialized at a rapid pace and became a global power—at the expense of American laborers. He explores the consequences of industrialization, how laborers resisted them, and the challenges the labor movement faced. Continue reading to learn about the labor movement in America, according to A People’s History of the United States.

How Congress Is Working to Avoid a Government Shutdown

Capitol building in Washington DC where the United States Congress works to avoid a government shutdown

How is Congress going to avoid a government shutdown? What are the consequences of a shutdown if it does happen? To avoid a government shutdown, Congress is working on bipartisan funding bills to keep services running and federal employees paid. However, some critics argue that these temporary funding bills are insufficient for addressing the greater issue of overspending. Read this summary of a snippet from NPR News Now on the potential shutdown.

The Great Depression and the New Deal: A People’s History

A poor American family holding a “Job Wanted” in the street sign illustrates history of the Great Depression and the New Deal

What’s the history of the Great Depression and the New Deal? Did the New Deal truly solve the problems caused by the Depression? Howard Zinn analyzes the Great Depression and the New Deal, highlighting the surge in labor unrest and activism. Despite the introduction of social programs, the New Deal ultimately favored elite interests and failed to address racial issues, particularly the ongoing neglect of Black Americans. Read more to learn more about this historical perspective.