Business

Opposition To Auto Bailouts Is Now Below 50%

For the first time, most Americans don’t think last year’s government bailout of General Motors and Chrysler was a bad move.

Confidence In A Home As An Investment Remains Down

Belief that a home is a good buy for a family remains low.

30% of Homeowners Say They Owe More Than Their House Is Worth

Thirty percent (30%) of homeowners say the value of their home is less than what they still own on their mortgage. That's the lowest level measured since August but consistent with findings since April 2009.

Homeowners Still Show Little Confidence In Short-Term Housing Market

Homeowners continue to have little short-term confidence in the U.S. housing market but are much more confident about the picture five years down the road. The findings on both questions remain in the ballpark of where they’ve been for well over a year.

Americans Want a Chance to Vote on Deficit Commission’s Recommendations

President Obama’s bipartisan deficit reduction commission ultimately will propose tax hikes, spending cuts or a combination of the two to reduce the country's historic high debt, but most Americans feel they - and not Congress - should have the final say on whether the commission's proposals become law.

51% Say It’s Possible to Balance Budget Without Raising Taxes

While President Obama’s bipartisan deficit reduction commission is considering a mix of spending cuts and tax increases to tackle the country’s growing deficit, a slight majority of voters now say it’s possible to balance the budget without raising taxes.

Voters Still Give the Edge to Extending Bush Tax Cuts for All Taxpayers

Extending the so-called Bush tax cuts is front and center as the lame duck Congress returns this week, and voters still hold a slight preference for continuing those tax cuts for all Americans rather than continuing them for all but the wealthy.?

SUCCEEDING IN YOUR BUSINESS: Forming a Limited Liability Company To Shield Assets from Creditors

"I am starting a new Internet business in my spare time, and have considered forming a limited liability company (LLC) for this business. I also owe a ton of money to some people, and there's a good chance I may have to file personal bankruptcy in the next year to two years. I have heard that if an LLC has only one member, it doesn't really protect you because your 100 percent ownership interest in the LLC becomes just another asset your creditors can attack.

Americans Less Certain About Commission’s Plan to Reduce Deficit

The chairmen of President Obama’s bipartisan deficit reduction commission released draft proposals Wednesday that included plans for tax increases and spending cuts for entitlement programs that drew sharp criticism from both sides of the political aisle.Americans are now a bit less sure as to whether the commission will push more tax hikes or more spending cuts in order to reduce the deficit.

41% Now Say “Buying American” Is Top Factor When Purchasing a Car

When looking for a car, adults nationwide now say buying American-made is as important as finding the best deal.

America Wants What America Makes

When it comes to purchasing products, Americans want their goods home-grown.

Americans Say Free Trade Good for Economy But Costs Jobs

A plurality of voters continues to believe that the country’s economy will benefit from free trade, but they also think it will stunt job growth.

SUCCEEDING IN YOUR BUSINESS: Avoiding "Straw People" When Buying a Small Business

 "My wife and I are looking to buy a business together. We heard about a great local business that's for sale, but when we inquired with the business broker handling the sale, we learned that it was already under contract to be sold. However, the broker told us the buyer was getting 'cold feet' and probably wouldn't want to go through with the sale. Since the buyer was getting a terrific price for this business, what this broker suggested is that we contact the buyer and offer to buy the limited liability company (LLC) he formed to acquire this business. That way, we could become the buyer under the contract of sale and close on this business without the seller changing the deal. The buyer would stay on board as the 'President' of the LLC and sign all of the documents at closing as if he were still the party in charge, so the seller wouldn't suspect anything.

Optimism About a Bigger Paycheck Is At a New High for the Year

A plurality of working Americans still expects to be earning more money from their job a year from today.

Most Voters Continue To Say No to Higher Taxes, More Government Spending

Voters continue to believe that raising taxes and increasing government spending will dig our economy deeper in a hole, and they don’t see things getting any better under the Obama administration. 

Most Workers Say Current Company Offers Best Opportunity for Advancement

For the first time in over a year, a slight majority of working Americans say staying with their current company offers the best opportunity for advancement.

SUCCEEDING IN YOUR BUSINESS: The Tax Reform America's Small Businesses Really Need (Part 2 of 2)

Here are some more tax breaks America's small businesses really need.

Only 46% of Workers Plan To Use All Their Vacation Time This Year

So much for work-life balance.

Fewer than half of workers nationwide plan to use all of their vacation time this year, and a majority says they stay connected with work during the time-off they do take.

Discover ® U.S. Spending Monitor SM Rises 1.8 Points In October

Consumers may be feeling the holiday spirit early, as their increased optimism toward the economy and their personal finances in October led to a rise in the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor for the first time since May.

43% Say Men, Women Earn Equal Pay, 42% Disagree

Male and female workers continue to disagree over whether they earn equal pay for equal work.