Bob's Journal
Found 589 Articles.
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Bob’s Journal 9/18
How Stablecoins Are Likely to Affect the Dollar, Interest Rates and More The GENIUS Act, signed into law in July, could have far-reaching effects on U.S. interest rates, the value of the dollar and other aspects of the economy. A stablecoin is a digital currency that is fully backed by one or more types of […]
Bob’s Journal 9/11
The Fed Might Not Be Able to Fix Slow Job Growth The labor market slowed considerably in 2025, increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates. But lower rates might not be as effective at increasing employment as they were in the past. In the 2025 monthly government jobs reports to date, an […]
Bob’s Journal 9/4
Stealth Taxes Make the Top Marginal Tax Bracket 45.5% for Some Taxpayers Congress is relying more on Stealth Taxes, as I’ve warned taxpayers for years. That makes the tax code more confusing and causes taxpayers to fall into expensive traps. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) created several new Stealth Taxes, which I detailed […]
Bob’s Journal 8/28
Don’t Make This Medicare Advantage Mistake A high percentage of Medicare Advantage plan members make a critical mistake, according to a study from Mass General Brigham, a major hospital system. Medicare beneficiaries can choose between original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan. Advantage plans are required to cover everything that original Medicare covers. Advantage plans […]
Bob’s Journal 8/21
Social Security Marks 90th Birthday with Mixed Legacy, Future Prospects Last week marked the 90th anniversary of the enactment of the Social Security Act. The Social Security Administration (SSA) noted the date with a statement that “the program has grown into one of the most successful and trusted institutions in American history.” The agency pledged […]
Bob’s Journal 8/14
The Latest Earnings Season Was Different in Several Ways Earnings season for the second quarter is winding down, and the results so far have been exceptionally good. Over the last 10 years, on average 65.7% of companies exceeded earnings expectations each quarter. But in the second quarter of 2025, 78.9% of companies reported earnings above […]
Bob’s Journal 8/7
Turmoil in Medicare Advantage Plans Continues Significant changes occurred in Medicare Advantage plans the last couple of years, and more changes are on the way in 2026. In 2024, I documented the factors that would cause higher costs and fewer benefits in Advantage plans in 2025. Those changes happened. For example, in the September 19, […]
Bob’s Journal 7/31
Plan for Big Increases in Medicare Part D Premiums The final numbers aren’t in yet, but it looks like premiums for Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance policies will increase for 2026. Part D consists of insurance policies issued by private sector companies and overseen and regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services […]
