Can the digital tip jar save electronic publishers?

Digital publishers continue to struggle with finding the right monetization method, with some pursuing subscription paywalls and micropayments while others rely on ads or a combination of all of the above. In an era when adblocking software is prevalent and consumers continue to insist on free content, however, these strategies may not be enough to keep e-content peddlers in the black. Interestingly, a new twist on an alternative revenue generator has emerged: the democratized digital tip jar. The latest example is Flattr Plus, a browser extension/app that enables users to remove online ads from sites they visit while also contributing a monthly payment in an amount they choose that will be distributed proportionally to publishers of the sites they surf.

Learn more about this trend by reading my newest article for EContent magazine, available here.

Mortgage rate forecast for the rest of 2016

Keeping a close eye on fixed mortgage interest rates and curious as to where they are headed? Itching to lock in soon but worried that you’ll regret that decision if rates tick lower soon afterward? You’re not alone – many prospective borrowers wish they had a crystal ball that could peer into the future and help them decide when to pull the mortgage trigger.

In my newest article for The Mortgage Reports, I ask the experts where they think rates will go before the end of the year. Read more by clicking here.

Tapping into the truth about drinking water

The toxic water crisis in Flint, Mich., has caused many Americans to ask a very important question as they thirst for the truth: How safe is my tap water? The answers can be slippery to obtain and startling to grasp yet imperative to pursue—along with available solutions—if you want to safeguard your family’s health, say the experts.

In my latest article for The Costco Connection magazine, I investigate healthier drinking water options.

Dollars and sense

Convenience store retailers may be the ultimate multitaskers—after all, they’re responsible for keeping tabs on the pump, counter, aisles and everything in between. But at the end of the day, their main concern remains the same: It’s still all about bills in the till. And therein lies the rub. Because opening that cash drawer is often akin to opening Pandora’s box. Whether it’s miscounts, skimming off the top, stickups, or not-so-smart safes, a plethora of cash management and handling challenges come with the convenience territory—a land where cash is still king and the coin of the realm can be a downright heavy burden.

These are the challenges I explore in my newest article for CSP Magazine, which summarizes the results of an exclusive survey about cash management issues--read it here.

Beating the office bully

It can happen suddenly and without provocation – often face-to-face, on the phone, or in an email, text or post. It can take the form of an insult, shout or unfair criticism. Some experience it as an obscene gesture, slanderous statement, push, poke, or act meant to isolate them from others. Many are afraid to acknowledge or even call it by name – despite becoming a familiar term in the vocational vernacular. It’s called workplace bullying, and it’s far from an uncommon occurrence: over 1 in 3 employees have suffered its cruel effects.

Learn more about the epidemic of being bullied on the job by reading my latest article for AARP online, which you can access here.

Fast stepping to the home equity tap dance

With the resurgence of the housing market in recent years, home values aren’t the only things on the rise. Home equity—the difference between how much your property is worth and the amount you owe on your mortgage—is also increasing, as are the average homeowner’s chances of qualifying for a home equity line of credit (HELOC), a valuable loan that can come in handy and cost less overall than other borrowing options.

I explore HELOCs and their pros and cons in my latest article for Content That Works, which you can read by clicking here.