Bank finance articles and tips

Long before recession caught the world in its grips, so many already lived in debt. The belief is that debt helps to fuel the economy. It is debt that enables society to pursue their quest for material satisfaction--to enjoy or have a taste of the good life. Debt does not respect social, age, economic or financial status of the debtor.

In economics, consumer debt is outstanding debt of consumers, as opposed to businesses or governments. In macroeconomic terms, it is debt which is used to fund consumption rather than investment. It includes debts incurred on purchase of goods that are consumable and/or do not appreciate. (reference)

For the 2011 tax year, the IRS has made mid-year standard mileage deduction rate adjustments for both business and health related car expenses; it has increased the rate of mileage deduction to cushion against the ever seemingly high and rising fuel prices. The IRS does not customarily make such mid-year adjustments and instead provides an annual standard mileage rate guideline once during fall to apply for the next tax year. However, when the fuel prices rise significantly within a year, the IRS can raise these rates as it did for 2011. The last time that the IRS made such mid-year adjustments was in 2008, when the fuel prices drastically rose following the economic recession.