The dangers of coastal living
And more of the week's best financial advice
Here are three of the week's top pieces of financial advice, gathered from around the web:
A warning on coastal properties
Prices are falling for seaside houses as sea levels rise and storms strengthen, said Ed Leefeldt at CBS News. Domestic properties located close to beaches that are exposed to rising water levels sell at a 7 percent discount compared with homes that are "just as close to the water," but more protected. The discount, according to a study from the Journal of Financial Economics, is "driven by sophisticated buyers and communities worried about the long-term effect of global warming." That global-warming discount seems to be figured into the price of about a third of coastal homes; the effect is greatest in areas of high income and education. Economists warn that a major flood could cause a "wealth shock" with a sudden drop in coastal values.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Last chance to report foreign assets
"If you're holding a bank account or an investment account overseas, you're running out of time to come clean to the IRS," said Darla Mercado at CNBC. On Sept. 28, the Internal Revenue Service is pulling the shutters down on its voluntary disclosure program for those who have funds held in foreign bank accounts. That means U.S. citizens with assets in foreign accounts "who have failed to participate could be subject to large fines, penalties, and criminal prosecution." The program was launched back in 2009 and led to more than 56,000 taxpayers reporting in — and eventually forking out $11.1 billion in back taxes, interest, and penalties. By law, Americans are required to report overseas accounts to the IRS and Treasury. "Frustration over those requirements — and the related cost of remaining in compliance — has led some citizens abroad to renounce their citizenship."
Downside of summer jobs
"Working more hours as a student may backfire" if your family has qualified for financial aid, said Gail MarksJarvis at Reuters. Roughly 78 percent of college students spend a portion of the year working, and 45 percent have jobs year-round. An estimated 58 percent of freshmen depend on outside work. That makes sense: Tuition, room and board, and other costs can add up to more than $30,000 at public colleges and as much as $70,000 at private universities. But the financial aid formula dings students who earn more than $7,000 a year. For instance, a student who had already earned $7,000 for 2018 and tried to fit in another $3,000 in the summer could lose about $1,300 in financial aid.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Nutcracker: English National Ballet's reboot restores 'festive sparkle'
The Week Recommends Long-overdue revamp of Tchaikovsky's ballet is 'fun, cohesive and astoundingly pretty'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - December 18, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - thoughts and prayers, pound of flesh, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The pros and cons of noncompete agreements
The Explainer The FTC wants to ban companies from binding their employees with noncompete agreements. Who would this benefit, and who would it hurt?
By Peter Weber Published
-
What experts are saying about the economy's surprise contraction
The Explainer The sharpest opinions on the debate from around the web
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
The death of cities was greatly exaggerated
The Explainer Why the pandemic predictions about urban flight were wrong
By David Faris Published
-
The housing crisis is here
The Explainer As the pandemic takes its toll, renters face eviction even as buyers are bidding higher
By The Week Staff Published
-
How to be an ally to marginalized coworkers
The Explainer Show up for your colleagues by showing that you see them and their struggles
By Tonya Russell Published
-
What the stock market knows
The Explainer Publicly traded companies are going to wallop small businesses
By Noah Millman Published
-
Can the government save small businesses?
The Explainer Many are fighting for a fair share of the coronavirus rescue package
By The Week Staff Published
-
How the oil crash could turn into a much bigger economic shock
The Explainer This could be a huge problem for the entire economy
By Jeff Spross Published