Michigan is preparing me to be a food, agriculture and community health leader.

I believe the three most important documents a person needs are a will, a financial power of attorney and a health care power of attorney (or a patient advocate designation). These three documents are the building blocks toward a solid estate plan and peace of mind. With them you are able to…

Smart money chased gold prices higher all week in “flight to quality” buying fueled by geopolitical fears, continuing ultralow interest rates, the trade dispute with China, and thoughts that Washington will allow bigger and bigger deficits.

People are starting to worry about a recession. Based on the Federal Reserve’s reaction, it is too. Yet, recessions don’t just happen without warning and economic expansions don’t come with set expiration dates.

This spring has been cool and wet, and I am sure I don’t need to remind area citizens of this weather pattern. We are all hoping spring will arrive soon!

When speaking to young people about how to grow and prosper in this life, I am quick to say that the absolute best thing one can do is to invest in one’s self. There is no question that those who invest in their education, skills, family and community have the best opportunity to succeed. Ea…

Much talk and attention has been given over the last several years to the implications of the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, and the associated transfer of wealth — the largest inter-generational transfer of wealth in our nation’s history.

As consumers, we know that having a good credit score is important. Whether you are applying for a loan or signing up for a credit card, your credit score plays a major role in determining if you will be approved. Your credit score can also have a significant impact on loan terms and borrowi…

I began thinking about our food web — and the holes in it — while digging a sliver out of my hand Sunday morning.

It seems that at least once a month I hear about of a case of embezzlement — right here in our own community.

Corn prices popped this week as markets grew increasingly concerned about severe planting delays across the Corn Belt. Nationwide, only 30 percent of the crop had been planted as of last week, compared to a recent average near 60 percent.

President Trump this week threatened China with stiffer tariffs ahead of trade talks. On Friday, he raised tariffs from 10 to 25 percent on a $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. For U.S. consumers, this will mean higher prices on goods imported from China, on items from toothbrushes and toi…

Traverse City has a long history of spinning along in sync with the changing seasons. Summer tourism isn't our only lucrative pursuit up here, but it remains a shining star of our economy. Summer brings out spoke wheels, sunscreen, sails — and sales.

Whenever I am asked about the core strength of our organization, my reply is always “the people who work here.”

The line between carnivores and vegetarians is getting blurred as scientists continue expanding on meat substitutes. From plant-based burgers that “bleed” to lab-grown meat, more alternatives are appearing on grocery shelves and on menus. The trend was underscored this week by a record-break…

Oil prices shot to a six-month high this week amidst ongoing concerns about global supply shortages.

As Americans prepare for the Easter holiday, they may have a hard time finding bargain hams due to the ongoing run up in pork prices.

Axios recently reported that 62 health care company CEOs earned a combined $1.1 billion in compensation in 2018. They also pointed out that that’s $157 million more than the CDC spent on research for chronic illness prevention.

Call me an old-fashioned Midwesterner, but I believe strongly that working and having a “job” is critical to every person’s mental and physical well-being. However, a desire to work, being hard working and receiving a paycheck often isn’t enough.

College admissions across the country came under scrutiny last week when it came to light that families who had hired Rick Singer may have crossed the line in a cheating and bribery scandal.

In a 2015 interview with the Daily Signal, a conservative publication affiliated with the Heritage Foundation, then-candidate Donald Trump said, “I’m not going to cut Social Security like other Republicans and I’m not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid.”

After almost two decades counseling clients on many financial topics, I certainly run into recurring themes. I suppose this is why 88-year-old Warren Buffett claims that, like wine, he gets better with age!

I’ve always hated tax season. It forces me to do math. It makes me think about how much money I didn’t earn last year. It takes time away from important evening activities like watching Jeopardy! and dusting my collection of thrift store cameras.

The U.S. national debt stands at more than $22 trillion and continues to climb.

Most of us who know of or practice forest bathing think of it as a spring, summer or fall practice — but it can be very rewarding in winter as well.

Corn and wheat prices collapsed to new lows this week, disappointing farmers.