The Most Common Tax Deductions & 3 You Didn’t Know About

A piggy bank in hands depicting the money you can save with common tax deductions

How can tax deductions save you money? What are some examples of deductions that might apply to you? Both common tax deductions like those for dependent care and lesser-known deductions like those for energy efficient home improvements can lower your taxable income, meaning you’re taxed on a smaller amount. Understanding what you can deduct can help you save more money this tax season. Let’s explore how to determine which common tax deductions you qualify for and how to claim them on your tax return.

How to Release Negative Emotions From the Body & Mind

A brain emerging from a top hat with emotions coming out of it, representing how to release negative emotions from the body.

Have negative emotions been preventing you from living your best life? Do you know how to release negative emotions from the body? David R. Hawkins argues that the best way to handle unhelpful emotions is to completely release them. Once you learn how to do this, you’ll feel less attached to external experiences and objects. Here’s how to let go of the emotions you’ve been desperately avoiding.

What the Blackcat Hack on UnitedHealth Group Exposed

A black cat hacking computer code in a dimly lit room.

How did the Blackcat hack impact the US healthcare system? What vulnerabilities did it expose? How did UnitedHealth Group and the federal government respond to the breach? A February cyberattack on Change Healthcare severely disrupted the healthcare system’s operation and exposed its vulnerability to cyber threats. The attack highlighted the sector’s systemic weaknesses, including outdated technology, a lack of dedicated cybersecurity staff, and inadequate emergency protocols. Below we’ll look at the cyberattack, what happened in the wake of the attack, and what can be done to prevent it from happening again.

The Top 3 Platform Competition Strategies for Businesses

A manager leading an employee in a meeting talking about platform competition.

How can your business compete with other platforms? What are clever platform competition techniques? According to the book Platform Revolution, traditional competitive strategies don’t fully account for the nature of competition among platforms. You need strategies that are more catered to the platform business model instead. Continue reading for three platform competition strategies.

Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion (Overview)

A young man reads a book in a cozy library or bookshop with tall bookshelves and a bright window

What if you applied martial arts principles to communication? What difference could it make in your ability to make your message heard? George Thompson argues that Verbal Judo is the most effective way to resolve conflicts and respond to confrontations. He explains each of his method’s principles and how to apply them, even under pressure. Continue reading for an overview of Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion by George Thompson.

Verbal Judo for Law Enforcement: Using Words, Not Force

A police officer talks calmly and compassionately with a troubled man, illustrating Verbal Judo for law enforcement

How is Verbal Judo applied to law enforcement? What happens when police officers practice empathy? Law enforcement trainer and English professor George Thompson wrote Verbal Judo to explain how to handle any tense situation calmly. He argues that, in a high-pressure situation, it’s most effective to act as if you’re practicing judo. Keep reading to learn about Verbal Judo for law enforcement.

Will TikTok Be Banned in the US? A Full Breakdown

The TikTok app on a phone, which could be banned in the US soon.

Will TikTok be banned in the US? Why does the House want a TikTok ban? What challenges do potential buyers of the app face? The US House of Representatives recently voted to ban TikTok unless its parent company, Chinese-owned ByteDance, sells its stake in the app. The House cited concerns about China’s access to Americans’ data and its potential to use the app to spread misinformation. A forced sale of TikTok, while plausible, appears unlikely. Continue reading to learn why the House wants to ban TikTok, what TikTok’s options are, and the outlook for the future of the app.

Is Going to College Worth It, Amidst Rising Costs?

A college degree and graduation cap in the trash as some wonder, "is going to college worth it?"

Is going to college still worth it? How has public confidence in the value of a college degree changed in recent years? What can be done to reduce the financial risk for students? A recent study shows most colleges significantly increase their graduates’ earnings, even as public confidence in the value of higher education is declining. The 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, and swelling tuition and student loan debts are fueling Americans’ skepticism about the value of a college degree. Let’s take a look at the current value of a college degree.