By Ann C. Foster Entertainment has long been a household budget staple. Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE) data from 1934–1936 show that, even during the Great Depression, spending on entertainment accounted for 5.4 percent of the household budget.1 In 2008, during…
Category: Money
Real estate investment scheme bilked victims out of more than $5 million
An Essex County man was sentenced today to 135 months in prison for running a real estate investment scheme that bilked victims out of more than $5 million, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced Abbe Edelman, 51, of Livingston, previously…
Unity Bank booming
Unity Bancorp, Inc., parent company of Unity Bank, reported net income available to common shareholders of $1.7 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2014, a 34.4% increase compared to net income available to…
NJ taxpayers got smoked in tobacco bond deal
Behind New Jersey’s Tobacco Bond Bailout, A Hedge Fund’s $100 Million Payday by Cezary Podkul | ProPublica TRENTON, N.J. — When state Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff briefed lawmakers on New Jersey’s ailing budget in April, he brought good news. His office had just…
Boost business by raising minimum wage
by Chris Sommers As a restaurant owner operating in four states and looking to expand, I’m happy to see the minimum wage going up in 21 states to kick off the new year. I’d like to see the federal minimum…
IRS offering year-end tax tips
Tax year 2014 is almost over and the tax filing season is just around the corner, so IRS Spokesman Mark S. Green is offering helpful year-end tax tips for you to consider. “Taxpayers should review and gather documents now as part…
The richest .01 percent have been investing in politics
The richest Americans hold more of the nation’s wealth than they have in almost a century. What do they spend it on? As you might expect, personal jets, giant yachts, works of art, and luxury penthouses. And also on politics.…
Small business marketing conference
Stop wasting time trying to figure out the “secret” to marketing your business online and instead invest a few hours attending in person or through a webinar the New Jersey Small Business Centers network 2014 Marketing Conference from 5:30 p.m.…
The Red Cross’ Secret Disaster
by Justin Elliott and Jesse Eisinger for ProPublica, and Laura Sullivan for NPR IN 2012, TWO MASSIVE STORMS pounded the United States, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless, hungry or without power for days and weeks. Americans did what they so often do…
Study mark cities on the rise in New Jersey
by Kamran Rosen for NerdWallet For a state that represents less than 1% of the America’s total landmass, New Jersey is big when it comes to business. The Garden State’s strength comes from industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and biotech to tourism and…