What is the stock market? It doesn’t have to be mysterious
If you have never invested in stocks, the very idea of the stock market can seem mysterious’but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a beginner’s guide. What is…
Author: Rick Good
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader's money, real estate, and business coverage.
Money Basics: What are mutual funds?
What Are Mutual Funds? If you have a 401(k) or IRA, you’ve likely seen mutual funds listed as investment options, maybe with serious sounding names, but…
Coffee prices just keep climbing
Coffee isn’t like filet mignon or cashmere sweaters — most coffee drinkers consider it a daily necessity and keep buying it even when prices spike. And…
What are rare earth elements?
Rare Earth Elements (REE) are a group of 17 metals critical to modern technology. They are irreplaceable in electronics, where europium is used in screens…
Rare earth elements: How China took over
About 25 years ago, China began to move to corner the world’s supply of rare earth elements (REE) and control their processing and distribution. According…
Ask the Expert: Mortgage points
I don’t understand mortgage points. Do I have to pay them? There are two types of points: Discount points and origination points, or fees. Discount points…
Interest rate carnival game: What the experts are guessing
No one really knows where mortgage rates go from here, but all the experts are making their best guesses — and they are guessing lower rates. Whether you…
Get your resume past AI screening tools and in front of a real human
The traditional professional resume just isn’t what it used to be. These days, the first person to review your application when you hunt for a new job…
To keep the bedroom healthy, keep on dusting
The dust that accumulates on your furniture, floors and knickknacks has nothing to do with poor housekeeping. It’s a natural and continual collection of…
See another hobby picture on page 25 Miscellaneous.
Turn a hobby into a business Do you want to turn your hobby into a source of income? With the right product or service and some thoughtful planning, it…