Economics

• Here is an interesting, though depressing look at the employment trends and lack of upward mobility among workers in the lowest quartile.
• The markets seem to be taking the impending trade war seriously this week.

Student Loans

• Student debt forgiveness is good news. The bad news? Forgiveness comes with a tax bill.
• Employers offering help repaying student loans to attract workers in a tight labor market.

Personal Finance

• Taxes: Have you heard about the post card sized 1040? Here is a review.
• Social Security: Here is one take on the future of social security from Daniel P. Johnson, CFP.
• 401k: Do you have a 401k with matching? Is the matching in your company stock? Mine was, and when I was laid off the stock plummeted before I could sell it. GE employees' 401ks have been hit hard.
• Financial Planning: The fiduciary rule is now dead.
• Credit Scores: More and more consumers are doing what we tell our students to do….checking their credit scores!
• Credit Cards: AMEX “wins” Supreme Court ruling--prohibiting merchants from offering deals for cheaper payment methods was NOT found to be anti-competitiv

Personal Development

• Can you have too many friends? Jeff Stibel at USA today believes social networks “may be too big to succeed.”
• Quartz has an interesting take on how “finding your passion” may not be good advice to give to young people.

Infographic

The world's most valuable brands....in a picture!  

• Although this article claims Amazon brand is bigger than Apple now, and that was before Thursday's announcement that Amazon is buying online pharmacy PillPack.

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