This is most likely my oldest son’s last year believing in Santa. I think he’s onto the big lie my wife and I have been spinning.

Will he ruin it for his younger siblings? I sure hope not. After all, our six-year-old told me just yesterday, “Dad, if you’re naughty, Santa will give you Coke in your stocking.” Bless her heart.

As you know, my expertise isn’t in Mr. Claus; it’s in mystery clauses. Christmas has plenty to teach us about punctuation, so let’s delve down the chimney of Christmas present tense.

Semicolons can really slay if you use them the right way. In fact, they connect clauses better than Mrs. Claus Facetiming Santa from the North Pole. A semicolon...

Annuities often come up as a topic of discussion when considering retirement savings. Yet, misconceptions abound, possibly causing unnecessary hesitation for potential investors. Here’s a deeper dive into the most common misconceptions surrounding annuities:

1. High costs associated with annuities: Not all annuities are expensive. While it’s true that variable annuities (securities-based annuities sold by security licensed professionals) may often come with higher annual fees between 3% and 5%—which includes various charges like management and insurance—the landscape of annuities is vast. Other types, such as fixed-indexed annuities, have lower costs. Choosing a plan that fits...

I do my best to put a positive spin on grammar. After all, having a solid grasp of the English language can help you get ahead in life. I’ll take that truth to my grave.

However, I occasionally receive visits in the night from holiday hoodlums. In fact, just the other night, I recorded this conversation between the Grammar Grinch and Syntax Scrooge. These guys are the Statler and Waldorf of word nerdery. I recorded them airing their grammar grievances. Frank Costanza would be proud.

Scrooge: I can’t believe people still add apostrophes on their holiday cards. “Season’s Greetings from the Miller’s?!” The Miller’s what? The Miller’s dog? Never add an apostrophe to your...

Make a plan with these five factors in mind

The iconic song lyric “Time is on your side” might not resonate the same when you’re thinking about retirement. As retirement nears, one of the most pressing concerns is, “How much monthly income will I need?” While in your working years, paychecks fuel your lifestyle, but those constant streams may dwindle come retirement. Fact: Living off Social Security alone isn’t viable for most couples, and most people lack a guaranteed pension.

So, how does one ensure a comfortable retirement? Let’s break it down.

1. Mortgage – The Monthly Mammoth Mortgages often consume the most significant chunk of your income. Did you know that...