Imagine waking up to find Congress has gift-wrapped a single mega-package of tax tweaks, benefit rules, and border spending, plunked a bow on top, and called it the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Whether you’re clocking in at a café, running an Etsy shop on the side, or mapping out a retirement plan worthy of a spreadsheet…

I am constantly looking at my bills, my receipts, and bank balance. I’ve said before that I opt in to being a “Hard Sell” so getting the best deal everywhere I can is important… I’ve got other things to spend that extra money on, and you ought to try this too. Here’s the list to…

1. Greenville at a Glance Two forces shape the local market: Add the brand-new Interstate 587 link to I-95, and Greenville suddenly sits on a faster freight corridor to Raleigh, the Triad, and the ports at Morehead City and Norfolk. encalliance.comneusenews.com 2. What the Numbers Say Greenville Lacks Indicator (latest available) Greenville Peer-city median* Gap…

1. What Exactly Is Inflation? At its simplest, inflation is a sustained, broad-based rise in the general price level, meaning that each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services than before. Central banks monitor it through indexes such as the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index. In…

Cruelty-free isn’t a niche kindness play anymore—it’s a full-stack value engine that boosts animal welfare, lowers environmental liabilities, streamlines R &D, cushions your wallet, and grows shareholder value all in one swing. Below is a stakeholder-by-stakeholder breakdown of the benefits, supported by the latest data and regulatory shifts. 1. Test Animals: A Life Literally Saved…

Running a side hustle—or a full-blown company—can feel like you’re herding caffeinated squirrels on roller skates. There’s compliance paperwork in one hand, marketing trends in the other, and a looming cash-flow cliff straight ahead. Good news: every community college in North Carolina (and hundreds of campuses around the country) hosts a Small Business Center (SBC)…

You’ve probably heard some version of this advice on having a side hustle. The first person I remember saying it was in 1993, back when I was maybe 25. It was Edd Pelsmaeker, my Scuba Instructor at Appalachian State University said, “Everyone should own a business”. To me, just like that. Now as a CPA,…

What Even Is Social Security? Let’s kick things off with a question: What if the government promised to help you out with money when you get old, get hurt, or something bad happens to your family? That’s basically what Social Security is. It’s a program run by the U.S. government that helps people who are…

Because sipping your way through culture and discounts is smart economics Let’s face it: few invitations are as tempting as “Want to come to a wine tasting?” And yet, some people still hesitate. Maybe you’re not a wine snob. Maybe you’re on a budget. Maybe you think you won’t know what you’re doing. Well, it’s…

How Taxes at the Border Shape Your Wallet Introduction: The Silent Tax That Hits Your Grocery Cart If you’ve ever noticed the price of peanut butter suddenly go up and blamed the weather or your neighborhood store, here’s a fun twist: it might be global politics. Tariffs are like the cover charges of international trade—except…

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to uncork something fresh, flavorful, and—most importantly—fiscally responsible. At Fiscal Means, we believe you don’t have to blow your budget to enjoy great wine. In fact, some of the best bottles out there right now are hiding in plain sight at your local wine shop or grocery…

Let’s face it—cleaning isn’t exactly the thrill ride of adulthood. But neither is stepping on a rogue Lego, tripping over yesterday’s laundry pile, or wondering when your kitchen floor last saw a mop. If you’re tired of chaotic cleanups, passive-aggressive dust bunnies, and last-minute panic scrubs before guests arrive, it’s time to create a cleaning…

Introduction: It’s Time to Flex Those Fiscal Muscles We’re not telling you to stop buying coffee or live like a monk in the woods. Fiscal empowerment isn’t about deprivation—it’s about getting your money to work smarter, so you don’t have to work harder (unless you like that sort of thing). Whether you’re climbing out of…

Let me just get this out of the way: I’m that person who puts something in their cart, walks around the store for 40 minutes, then puts it back and leaves with nothing but a sense of righteous financial discipline. If you’ve ever asked me to sign up for something “with just a low monthly…

Why Your Future Self Will Thank You Let’s talk about one of the most underrated financial moves you can make—opening a Roth IRA. Now, before you hit snooze or dive into a sea of TikToks, stick with me. Because this one decision could mean the difference between future-you sipping margaritas on a beach… or future-you…