Americans like being the best at things. We’re the best at baseball, jazz, freedom, national parks—pretty much anything Ken Burns has already covered. Yes, living in the Land of Opportunity is glorious. Now, I’d like to award us (and, by us, I mean U.S.) a super-sized gold medal for smashing words together more efficiently than anyone else in the world.

Because Americans value efficiency, we combine multiple words into one super word. One way we do this is through contractions.

Don’t worry—I’m not talking about the kind of contractions that lead to babies. I’m talking about combining two words to make one short word. These words include don’t (do not), we’ve (we...

The power of diversified portfolios with annuities

Regarding your retirement, few things are more exciting than picturing all the relaxing beach vacations, meaningful family time, and newfound hobbies you might enjoy. But here’s the catch: to make these dreams a reality, you’ve got to have the financial stability to back them up. Enter the world of diversified retirement portfolios.

First, let’s decode the term “diversified retirement portfolio.” Imagine a jigsaw puzzle. It has many pieces that contribute to the complete picture. Similarly, a diversified retirement portfolio combines different investment vehicles that provide income for your golden years.

Why is it so...

I don’t know much about street art. I’m no graffitist (a person who does graffiti), but I do know that to “tag” something is when someone quickly spray paints a surface, or it can indicate how a graffiti artist signs his/her work. I know I’m breaking down basic graffiti terms mostly to win points with the Gen Z crowd. You can take that one to the Banksy!

I appreciate clothing companies that have stopped adding tags to their shirts. Instead of adding the tag, they print the size and washing instructions directly on the inside of the shirt. Just like that—no more back-of-the-neck irritation!

I’m glad someone finally figured that out. If there’s a sartorial equivalent of...

A historical journey since the Revolutionary War

As we delve into the history of annuities, an intriguing parallel emerges between these financial products and the journey of America since the Revolutionary War. From their early origins to their transformative impact on individuals’ lives, annuities have mirrored the growth and development of the United States, creating a fascinating historical connection.

THE BIRTH OF ANNUITIES AND AMERICA: In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, America faced the challenge of supporting its veterans who had fought for independence. To address this, the federal government offered annuities—pension-like payments—to soldiers as a way to...