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This post originally ran on Sarah Duran's blog, Fruition Initiatives. Scarcity slips in through the cracks of a slow month, whispers during client negotiations, and sits heavy in your chest when you check your bank balance. For freelancers, scarcity thinking feels both rational and suffocating; a voice that claims to protect you while slowly eroding your potential. Under scarcity's influence, every decision becomes a survival calculation. You say yes to projects that drain your soul because “money is money.” You undercharge because something is better than nothing. You hoard opportunities, clients, and even knowledge, afraid that sharing might somehow diminish your slice of an already too-small pie. Scarcity makes you small in your pricing, small in your vision, small in your willingness to take the risks that could transform your business. But perhaps most insidiously, scarcity thinking becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you operate from fear, you attract clients who take advantage of you. When you price desperately, you signal desperation. When you grab at every opportunity, you lack the focus needed to build something meaningful. Scarcity, in trying to protect you from having nothing, often ensures you never have enough. Why “Abundance” Isn't the AnswerThe typical response to scarcity thinking is to “think abundantly,” manifest prosperity, and believe there's enough for everyone. But after years of watching this advice both help and harm freelancers, I've realized that abundance thinking can be its own trap. Abundance mentality, taken to its extreme, can become a form of spiritual bypassing that ignores real constraints. I've seen freelancers go bankrupt because of abundance thinking: over-investing in tools, courses, and coaches because scarcity was supposedly holding them back. I've watched them give away their work for “exposure” because abundance meant trusting the universe to provide. I've seen the shame that comes when positive thinking doesn't magically solve cash flow problems, when the abundant life remains stubbornly out of reach. The opposite of scarcity isn't abundance, it's something more nuanced, more grounded, more sustainable. Resilience: Building for the Long GameTrue resilience isn't about having enough resources to weather any storm; it's about developing the capacity to adapt when storms inevitably come. Where scarcity hoards and abundance spends freely, resilience builds responsively. Resilient freelancers create systems that can flex without breaking. They diversify their income streams not from fear of losing everything, but from the practical wisdom that variety creates stability. They maintain emergency funds not because they expect disaster, but because financial cushions enable better decision-making. This kind of resilience shows up in how you structure your business. Instead of saying yes to every opportunity (scarcity) or waiting for the perfectly aligned client (abundance), you build a portfolio of work that balances security with growth. You create processes that scale, relationships that endure, and skills that transfer across industries. Resilience also means building emotional capacity for uncertainty. Rather than needing to control every variable or trust blindly in positive outcomes, you develop comfort with not knowing what's next. You learn to make decisions with incomplete information, to pivot without panicking, to see setbacks as data rather than disasters. The resilient freelancer asks not "How can I guarantee success?" but "How can I build the internal and external structures to adapt to whatever comes?" Faith: The Practice of Informed TrustFaith, in the context of freelance life, isn't blind optimism or religious certainty; it's informed trust in your ability to solve problems you haven't encountered yet. It's the quiet confidence that comes from repeatedly proving to yourself that you can figure things out. This kind of faith is earned through experience. Every time you navigate a difficult client situation, learn a new skill, or find a creative solution to a business challenge, you make deposits in your faith account. You build evidence that you're resourceful, adaptable, capable of growth. The faithful freelancer operates from a place of grounded confidence, asking not "Will everything work out perfectly?" but "Can I handle whatever comes and learn from it?" Opportunity: Choosing Your YesScarcity sees opportunity as scarce and grabs everything within reach. Abundance sees opportunity everywhere and struggles to choose. But mature opportunity recognition understands that every yes is also a no to something else, and the real skill lies in choosing wisely. This approach requires developing what I call "opportunity discernment," the ability to quickly assess not just whether you can do something, but whether you should. It means getting comfortable with letting good opportunities pass because great ones require space to emerge. Strategic opportunity selection also means thinking in portfolios rather than individual projects. Maybe you take one project that pays well but isn't creatively fulfilling, balanced by another that's lower-paying but builds skills you want to develop. Maybe you accept work that's slightly outside your comfort zone because it opens doors to new industries. The opportunity-savvy freelancer asks not "Is this a good opportunity?" but "Is this the right opportunity for me, now, given everything else I'm building?" Pivoting: Strategic AdaptationWhen scarcity forces a pivot, it feels like desperation, abandoning a sinking ship for any available life raft. When abundance drives change, it can feel like chasing every new shiny possibility. But strategic pivoting is different: it's a conscious adaptation based on clear signals and a coherent vision. Strategic pivoting starts with an honest assessment. What's working? What isn't? What external factors are changing that require adaptation? What internal factors are shifting? This kind of pivoting doesn't happen reactively in crisis moments; it's an ongoing process of small adjustments and periodic larger recalibrations. Strategic pivoting also requires vigilance against the sunk cost fallacy, the tendency to continue investing in something simply because you've already invested so much. Sometimes the most strategic move is to acknowledge that what you've built isn't working and redirect your energy, even if it means "wasting" previous investments of time, money, or reputation. The strategic pivoter asks not "What should I do to survive?" but "How can I adapt what I'm building to serve emerging needs, both mine and the market's?" The Space BetweenThe opposite of scarcity isn't a single thing; it's a dynamic balance between competing truths. You need enough security to take risks, but not so much that you become complacent. You need faith in your abilities, but tempered by an honest assessment of challenges. You need to recognize opportunities, but also decline them strategically. In this space between scarcity and abundance, sustainable freelance businesses are built; not on the shaky foundation of fear or the unstable ground of wishful thinking, but on the solid bedrock of skillful navigation through an inherently uncertain world. View the full article

This post originally ran on Sarah Duran's blog, Fruition Initiatives. Scarcity slips in through the cracks of a slow month, whispers during client negotiations, and sits heavy in your chest when you check your bank balance. For freelancers, scarcity thinking feels both rational and suffocating; a voice that claims to protect you while slowly eroding your potential. Under scarcity's influence, every decision becomes a survival calculation. You say yes to projects that drain your soul because “money is money.” You undercharge because something is better than nothing. You hoard opportunities, clients, and even knowledge, afraid that sharing might somehow diminish your slice of an already too-small pie. Scarcity makes you small in your pricing, small in your vision, small in your willingness to take the risks that could transform your business. But perhaps most insidiously, scarcity thinking becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you operate from fear, you attract clients who take advantage of you. When you price desperately, you signal desperation. When you grab at every opportunity, you lack the focus needed to build something meaningful. Scarcity, in trying to protect you from having nothing, often ensures you never have enough. Why “Abundance” Isn't the AnswerThe typical response to scarcity thinking is to “think abundantly,” manifest prosperity, and believe there's enough for everyone. But after years of watching this advice both help and harm freelancers, I've realized that abundance thinking can be its own trap. Abundance mentality, taken to its extreme, can become a form of spiritual bypassing that ignores real constraints. I've seen freelancers go bankrupt because of abundance thinking: over-investing in tools, courses, and coaches because scarcity was supposedly holding them back. I've watched them give away their work for “exposure” because abundance meant trusting the universe to provide. I've seen the shame that comes when positive thinking doesn't magically solve cash flow problems, when the abundant life remains stubbornly out of reach. The opposite of scarcity isn't abundance, it's something more nuanced, more grounded, more sustainable. Resilience: Building for the Long GameTrue resilience isn't about having enough resources to weather any storm; it's about developing the capacity to adapt when storms inevitably come. Where scarcity hoards and abundance spends freely, resilience builds responsively. Resilient freelancers create systems that can flex without breaking. They diversify their income streams not from fear of losing everything, but from the practical wisdom that variety creates stability. They maintain emergency funds not because they expect disaster, but because financial cushions enable better decision-making. This kind of resilience shows up in how you structure your business. Instead of saying yes to every opportunity (scarcity) or waiting for the perfectly aligned client (abundance), you build a portfolio of work that balances security with growth. You create processes that scale, relationships that endure, and skills that transfer across industries. Resilience also means building emotional capacity for uncertainty. Rather than needing to control every variable or trust blindly in positive outcomes, you develop comfort with not knowing what's next. You learn to make decisions with incomplete information, to pivot without panicking, to see setbacks as data rather than disasters. The resilient freelancer asks not "How can I guarantee success?" but "How can I build the internal and external structures to adapt to whatever comes?" Faith: The Practice of Informed TrustFaith, in the context of freelance life, isn't blind optimism or religious certainty; it's informed trust in your ability to solve problems you haven't encountered yet. It's the quiet confidence that comes from repeatedly proving to yourself that you can figure things out. This kind of faith is earned through experience. Every time you navigate a difficult client situation, learn a new skill, or find a creative solution to a business challenge, you make deposits in your faith account. You build evidence that you're resourceful, adaptable, capable of growth. The faithful freelancer operates from a place of grounded confidence, asking not "Will everything work out perfectly?" but "Can I handle whatever comes and learn from it?" Opportunity: Choosing Your YesScarcity sees opportunity as scarce and grabs everything within reach. Abundance sees opportunity everywhere and struggles to choose. But mature opportunity recognition understands that every yes is also a no to something else, and the real skill lies in choosing wisely. This approach requires developing what I call "opportunity discernment," the ability to quickly assess not just whether you can do something, but whether you should. It means getting comfortable with letting good opportunities pass because great ones require space to emerge. Strategic opportunity selection also means thinking in portfolios rather than individual projects. Maybe you take one project that pays well but isn't creatively fulfilling, balanced by another that's lower-paying but builds skills you want to develop. Maybe you accept work that's slightly outside your comfort zone because it opens doors to new industries. The opportunity-savvy freelancer asks not "Is this a good opportunity?" but "Is this the right opportunity for me, now, given everything else I'm building?" Pivoting: Strategic AdaptationWhen scarcity forces a pivot, it feels like desperation, abandoning a sinking ship for any available life raft. When abundance drives change, it can feel like chasing every new shiny possibility. But strategic pivoting is different: it's a conscious adaptation based on clear signals and a coherent vision. Strategic pivoting starts with an honest assessment. What's working? What isn't? What external factors are changing that require adaptation? What internal factors are shifting? This kind of pivoting doesn't happen reactively in crisis moments; it's an ongoing process of small adjustments and periodic larger recalibrations. Strategic pivoting also requires vigilance against the sunk cost fallacy, the tendency to continue investing in something simply because you've already invested so much. Sometimes the most strategic move is to acknowledge that what you've built isn't working and redirect your energy, even if it means "wasting" previous investments of time, money, or reputation. The strategic pivoter asks not "What should I do to survive?" but "How can I adapt what I'm building to serve emerging needs, both mine and the market's?" The Space BetweenThe opposite of scarcity isn't a single thing; it's a dynamic balance between competing truths. You need enough security to take risks, but not so much that you become complacent. You need faith in your abilities, but tempered by an honest assessment of challenges. You need to recognize opportunities, but also decline them strategically. In this space between scarcity and abundance, sustainable freelance businesses are built; not on the shaky foundation of fear or the unstable ground of wishful thinking, but on the solid bedrock of skillful navigation through an inherently uncertain world. View the full article

A reader writes: My manager let me know today that my work group is getting interns this summer, and the plan that makes the most sense is for me to be a peer mentor. I’m fine with this, and I’m kind of excited about it, but I have never supervised or officially mentored or been nominally in charge of helping interns work! Do you have any advice or suggestions on how to approach this role and do it well? Here’s a round-up of a bunch of past advice about working with interns. general advice how to survive your summer interns how to get the most out of your summer interns how much guidance should interns need? how to be an awesome mentor reader advice on managing interns you should be giving your interns mock interviews they are inexperienced and that is the point our interns are clueless about our office dress code how to talk to an intern about professional norms when you’re not her manager my intern is way too passive an underage intern told me she got drunk at a staff event specific problems you might encounter and how to deal with them our intern is driving everyone crazy! can an intern refuse to do menial office tasks? should I give feedback to our interns who come across as TOO peppy and enthusiastic? my intern has a terrible attitude my intern is a rude jackass I have to fire a highly inept summer intern I’m nervous about mentoring a smart intern I yelled at our intern coworker is rude to my intern dealing with an unpaid intern who’s chronically late saying no to an intern who wants to extend her internship should I comment on an intern’s limp handshake? some things for fun I think our intern prank-called us intern uses “stay gold” as her email sign off the completely fake project, the company-wide nap schedule, and other stories of summer interns the new alphabetization scheme, the identical twin caper, and other stories of summer internships the intern who set up a cot and other stories of internships gone wrong when internships go bad: stories of the world’s worst interns The post how should I mentor our summer interns? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Your ideas are fresh now. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

A six-point road map to follow. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

A six-point road map to follow. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) begin today in Florida. Program recipients can no longer use their SNAP benefits to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts. This is part of a broader effort by the The President administration to give states more control over the public assistance program. Through a federal waiver process, states can now submit a waiver proposal to limit which foods and drinks qualify for SNAP purchases. Twenty-two states have already applied for waivers and received federal approval. Here’s what you need to know. Florida becomes the 10th state to implement such restrictions An estimated 3 million Florida SNAP recipients will be affected by recent program changes. Beginning today, April 20, 2026, Florida beneficiaries can no longer use their SNAP benefits to buy the following food and drink items: Soda Energy drinks Candy Ultra-processed prepared desserts Florida is the 10th state to begin enforcing unhealthy food and drink bans through federal SNAP food restriction waivers. The following nine states have already implemented similar restrictions: Idaho Indiana Iowa Louisiana Nebraska Oklahoma Texas Utah West Virginia Eight more states will begin imposing bans later this year The USDA website lists 22 states that have been approved for SNAP food restriction waivers. States can submit waiver proposals for federal review. The federal government began approving state-submitted waivers in May 2025. Arkansas and Texas will begin implementing changes this July, with the following states rolling out restrictions later in the year: Hawaii Missouri North Dakota Ohio South Carolina Virginia According to Feeding America, more than 40 million people nationwide, or roughly 1 in 8 Americans, receive SNAP benefits. Experts warn against food and drink bans for SNAP recipients Food policy experts, nutritionists, and anti-hunger advocates have spoken out against SNAP food restriction waivers, arguing that they’ll cause more harm than good. One major concern is the added burden placed on retailers. The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), a nonprofit advocacy group, warns that small and independent stores, which serve as critical access points for millions of program participants could be at risk of losing their authorization to accept benefits. Many of these retailers, like convenience stores, rely heavily on sales of items that would be restricted under state waivers. Current rules require SNAP-authorized retailers to stock a minimum number of staple food items to maintain eligibility, and the added administrative strain could push some out of the program entirely. Critics also argue that the restrictions stigmatize low-income Americans and strip away their freedom of choice without addressing the root causes of hunger. The The President administration maintains that the bans promote healthier habits under its Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. But opponents point to a contradiction: While restricting what SNAP recipients can buy, the administration has also proposed cuts that would reduce access to nutritious foods. President The President’s proposed 2027 federal budget would slash fruit and vegetable benefits under the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program. If approved, monthly allowances would drop significantly, from $52 to $13 for breastfeeding mothers and from $27 to $10 for families with young children. View the full article

These days, many founders feel pressure to raise tremendous amounts of venture capital. But it wasn’t always like this. Most people are surprised to learn that four of the most valuable companies in the world barely raised any VC funding at all by today’s standards. Apple is believed to have raised less than $1 million before its IPO. Amazon raised about $8 million. Microsoft raised about $1 million. Google raised $25 million. Add it all up, and it’s less than $35 million in total VC funding. Granted, that’s about $74 million in today’s dollars, but it’s still a relatively small investment that led to four companies that are worth around $14 trillion today. Before billion-dollar VC rounds became common, there was a way of building companies that was capital efficient. I was there when it all changed, and I, too, came to believe that a growing company needed a massive VC war chest to succeed. Now I don’t, and you shouldn’t either. The rise of “get big fast” Our story begins when I was recruited to Kleiner Perkins by its legendary partner John Doerr in 1997. Amazon had just gone public. John was a proponent of “get big fast” (or “growth at all costs,” as it was later called). That playbook still exists. I had gone to business school at Stanford with the idea that I wanted to start my own company, but I got very caught up in this world of venture capital and the get-big-fast model. There couldn’t have been a more exciting time than the three years I spent at Kleiner Perkins. The last major project I worked on was Google. John was the lead investor, and I was his right-hand guy. I was the one reviewing the term sheet with Larry and Sergey. It wasn’t until a few years later, when I was running my own company, Good Technology, which was backed by Kleiner Perkins and Benchmark, that I started seeing the negative side of the get-big-fast model. As an entrepreneur trying to build something, the expectation for me was that the company would be worth $20 billion. That was a massive number in the early 2000s, and I felt a lot of pressure. Instead of building something to serve the customer base I was passionate about, I was looking for a big idea in a big market that could create a really big company quickly. The market we identified was the personal digital assistant space. At the time, Handspring was competing with Palm. We started with an MP3 player that plugged into the back of the Handspring Visor. Soon it became apparent that the even bigger opportunity was in wireless messaging and the ability to get your email, contacts, and calendar onto your device so they’re up to date all the time. So we started working on that, too, in our first year. That was a really stressful time for me. I was working extremely long hours. In the first 180 days, we hired about 45 employees. We launched the MP3 player in six months. In the early days of the company, my son was born and my father had an accident that left him hospitalized, so I was up at the hospital trying to be there for my family while also trying to get the company off the ground. And looking back, I had a serious problem: The company didn’t really have a purpose outside of “I need to make this really big and valuable.” I eventually hired a CEO to replace me who ended up effectively pushing me out of the firm. Motorola bought the company in 2006 for over $500 million, but I was burned out. I didn’t want to do another startup. I went back to VC, and was working on launching my own firm when I had a conversation with a founder that stuck with me. We had first met when I was at Kleiner Perkins. Her name was Jessica Herrin, and she had co-founded WeddingChannel.com, a pioneer in bringing registries online. Now she was launching a new company, and was looking for a modest amount of funding. She told me she liked me and my partners at Kleiner Perkins but hated our model. I couldn’t understand what she was saying. This is a great model, I thought. We’re building incredibly valuable companies. People were making a lot of money. She said she wanted to build something she could run for the rest of her life. To me, that sounded like a lifestyle business. She took that as an insult. “It absolutely is not a lifestyle business,” she told me. She wanted to build a big, international company. I said it wasn’t possible without major funding. According to the get-big-fast playbook, building a brand like that would take about a quarter-billion dollars of outside funding. She said I wasn’t looking at the right time frame. She was focused on building this brand over 20 or more years. I ended up giving her a bit of money, but I was skeptical. Five years later, her company Stella & Dot had passed $100 million in annual revenue and hit No. 67 on the Inc. 5000 list—all without raising a big VC growth round. An alternative funding path While Jessica was launching her company, I started my own early-stage venture capital firm in 2006. My goal was helping companies stay capital efficient and get to early profitability, an approach that looked more like the traditional venture playbook before the get-big-fast model. It took me very little time to figure out that I was swimming against an incredibly strong current. When any business I invested in got traction and needed to raise more money, the first question from other investors was, “Why aren’t you raising significantly more capital to grow faster?” We couldn’t write big follow-on checks, so founders would go back to the get-big-fast model. It just wasn’t working. I still wanted to help entrepreneurs build growing companies. So I decided to go on a learning journey. I wanted to talk to more founders who were ambitious and wanted to build a business of scale but had chosen not to raise venture capital or private equity. I met people like Mac Harman at Balsam Hill, a bootstrapped company that’s a leading designer and distributor of artificial Christmas trees. I also met with companies like Cargill, which is the largest private, family-owned company in the U.S. I started seeing some patterns in these interviews I was having with people who run the kinds of lasting businesses that I call (and have trademarked as) Evergreen companies. Evergreens are noble trees that grow every year. They are highly resilient and live to be hundreds of years old. I ended up inviting a group of these founders to come up to Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2013 to talk about what it’s like to scale a company without major funding. They seemed to appreciate being able to gather with others who were like-minded, because they had so few peers who were thinking this way. They were extremely generous in sharing their ideas, experiences, and mistakes. That gathering led to the founding of the Tugboat Institute, a community for CEOs of Evergreen companies. We now have more than 300 members, and hundreds of other CEOs have decided to use this model, which Bo Burlingham and I detail in our book, Another Way. Get-big-fast has endured and evolved in the modern era, and is now referred to as blitzscaling. But the vast majority of VC-backed companies fail, and the playbook is suited for a small few. Evergreen companies are refining an alternative model—one that proves you can grow without taking outside capital and with little debt. These companies design their business models to generate cash early and grow from their own fuel without significant capital expenditures. Many also focus on a single product for a long time. For instance, Andy Taylor, executive chairman of Enterprise Holdings, told me he credits the 69-year-old family business’s relentless focus on the rental car market for its longevity. It may seem novel, but almost all the great American companies were built like this before the venture industry exploded. I believe it’s time to bring back this rich tradition that created amazing companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon—one that lets founders grow a business that will withstand the test of time. —Dave Whorton This article originally appeared on Fast Company’s sister website, Inc.com. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy. View the full article

Rare books collection, including work by John Keats and Oscar Wilde, will be auctionedView the full article

When you think about forming a business, comprehending the difference between a corporation and a partnership is essential. A corporation offers limited liability protection, allowing owners to raise capital by issuing shares, but it faces double taxation. Conversely, a partnership involves two or more individuals sharing management and profits, benefiting from pass-through taxation, yet exposing owners to personal liability. Each structure has its own benefits and drawbacks, which can greatly impact your business path. Key Takeaways Legal Entity: A corporation is a distinct legal entity separate from its owners, while a partnership is a collaborative business structure between multiple individuals. Liability Protection: Corporations provide limited liability protection to owners, whereas partnerships expose owners to personal liability based on their partnership type. Taxation Structure: Corporations face double taxation, taxing both profits and dividends, while partnerships are pass-through entities, taxing income at individual partners’ rates. Funding Mechanisms: Corporations can raise capital by issuing shares, while partnerships typically rely on personal funds or loans for financing. Management Structure: Corporations have a formal hierarchy with a board of directors, while partnerships allow for shared management and decision-making responsibilities among partners. Understanding Corporations A corporation serves as a distinct legal entity, separate from its owners, which provides significant advantages, particularly limited liability protection. This means you’re not personally responsible for corporate debts beyond your investment. When you establish a corporation, you need to file Articles of Incorporation and draft bylaws to govern operations. Corporations can be classified into C corporations, which face double taxation, and S corporations, which allow pass-through taxation and have limits on shareholders. You might wonder, “Does an LLC get a 1099?” That depends on specific income types and arrangements. Regarding taxation, corporations aren’t taxed like partnerships; partnership taxation allows income to pass directly to partners. It’s also worth noting that although a corporation operates independently, it can’t be a partnership in a traditional sense, but it can have partnerships with other entities for business purposes. Comprehending these structures is vital for effective financial planning. Understanding Partnerships Partnerships offer a flexible business structure for individuals looking to collaborate, and grasping their types is vital for making informed decisions. You’ll find general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), each varying in liability and management responsibilities. Forming a partnership is typically straightforward and cost-effective, but it’s important to evaluate how liability can impact your personal assets and the overall business dynamic. Types of Partnerships When considering the various types of partnerships available, it’s essential to understand how each structure operates and the implications for those involved. Here are the main types of partnerships: General Partnership: All partners share ownership and management, with personal liability for debts. Limited Partnership: Comprises at least one general partner who manages the business and limited partners who enjoy liability protection but don’t manage. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): Offers liability protection to all partners, making it ideal for professionals. Formation Requirements Comprehending the formation of partnerships is key to ensuring a smooth start for any business venture. A partnership forms when two or more individuals agree to run a business together, typically requiring a partnership agreement that outlines roles and profit-sharing. Partnerships come in various forms, such as general, limited, and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), each presenting different management structures and personal liability levels. Unlike corporations, partnerships need minimal paperwork, often just a business license and optionally a DBA registration. Significantly, partnerships are considered pass-through entities for tax purposes, with profits and losses reported on partners’ personal tax returns. To protect all parties involved, creating a formal partnership agreement, regardless of whether it’s legally required, is advisable for clarity. Liability Considerations Comprehending liability considerations is crucial for anyone entering a partnership, as it directly impacts personal risk and financial exposure. In a general partnership, all partners share unlimited personal liability, meaning your personal assets could be at risk if the business faces lawsuits or bankruptcy. Limited partnerships offer some protection, with limited partners only liable up to their investment. Nonetheless, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) provides personal liability protection for all partners, safeguarding personal assets from business debts. Consider these key points: General partners face unlimited liability. Limited partners have liability limited to their investment. An LLP protects partners’ personal assets from business liabilities. Understanding these aspects can help you make informed decisions about your partnership structure. Key Differences Between Corporations and Partnerships Comprehending the key differences between corporations and partnerships is essential for anyone considering starting a business. Corporations are separate legal entities that offer limited liability protection to owners, shielding personal assets from business debts. Conversely, partnerships expose owners to personal liability for business obligations. Another significant difference is taxation; corporations face double taxation on profits and dividends, whereas partnerships are pass-through entities, meaning profits are taxed only at the individual partner level. Regarding capital, corporations can raise funds by issuing shares, making it easier to attract investors, whereas partnerships typically rely on personal funds or loans. Furthermore, decision-making in corporations is managed by a board of directors elected by shareholders, while all partners actively participate in management within partnerships. Recognizing these distinctions can help you make informed decisions about which structure best suits your business goals. Formation Process for Corporations When you’re ready to form a corporation, the process begins with filing the Articles of Incorporation with the appropriate state authority. This document outlines your corporation’s name, purpose, and structure. After that, you’ll need to establish corporate bylaws to govern your business’s internal management. Here’s a quick rundown of what to do next: Issue shares to initial shareholders, representing their ownership stakes. Hold an initial board of directors meeting to elect officers and set operational procedures. File IRS Form SS-4 to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax purposes. Completing these steps guarantees your corporation is legally recognized and ready to operate. Each step is essential for establishing a solid foundation for your business and complying with state and federal regulations. Formation Process for Partnerships When you’re forming a partnership, it’s essential to understand the key components involved. You’ll need to create a partnership agreement, which outlines profit sharing, decision-making, and how to handle disputes. Moreover, you’ll have to take into account registration and licensing requirements, along with tax implications that come with different types of partnerships. Partnership Agreement Essentials A partnership agreement is a fundamental document that lays the groundwork for any partnership, outlining the roles and expectations of each partner. This legal document can help prevent disputes and clarify responsibilities, although it’s not legally required. Here are some crucial elements to include in your partnership agreement: Names of the partners and the business name Purpose of the partnership and capital contributions Profit and loss distribution and decision-making procedures Comprehending these components encourages a smooth operation and a clear comprehension among partners. Partnerships can vary in structure, such as General Partnerships or Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and a well-drafted agreement will address these distinctions, ensuring everyone knows their rights and duties. Registration and Licensing Forming a partnership requires careful attention to registration and licensing, as these steps lay the foundation for your business’s legal operation. To start, you and your co-owners should draft a partnership agreement, which outlines roles, profit sharing, and responsibilities, though it’s not legally required. Typically, you’ll face minimal paperwork, often needing just a business license and registration of your business name, depending on local regulations. If you operate under a trade name different from your legal names, you may need to file a “Doing Business As” (DBA) certificate. Unlike corporations, partnerships don’t require filing Articles of Incorporation, making the process quicker and less costly. Remember to obtain any necessary permits or licenses specific to your industry. Tax Considerations and Filing Tax implications play a significant role in the formation and operation of partnerships. Since partnerships are pass-through entities, income and losses are reported on your individual tax returns, avoiding taxation at the business level. Here are some key points to take into account: You may not need formal filing with the state, but a partnership agreement is advisable to clarify roles and profit-sharing. Partnerships must file an annual information return using IRS Form 1065, detailing income, deductions, and other financials. Each partner receives a Schedule K-1, which outlines their share of the partnership’s finances for reporting on personal returns. While partnerships require minimal maintenance, compliance with local regulations, including business licenses, may be necessary depending on your industry and location. Liability Considerations When considering liability, it’s vital to comprehend the differences between partnerships and corporations, as these structures greatly impact personal risk. In a partnership, you and your partners face unlimited personal liability for business debts, meaning your personal assets can be at risk if the business encounters financial trouble or lawsuits. Conversely, corporations offer limited liability protection, which means shareholders only risk their investment in the company without exposing their personal assets to business liabilities. In general partnerships, all partners share collective liability, whereas limited partnerships protect limited partners from liability beyond their investment. Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) provide liability protection for all partners, safeguarding personal assets from business debts, particularly beneficial in fields like law and accounting. In a corporation, creditors can only pursue the corporation’s assets for debts, ensuring personal assets remain protected. Comprehending these distinctions is vital for evaluating your risk exposure in business. Taxation Implications Grasping the taxation implications of different business structures can help you make informed decisions about your enterprise. When evaluating corporations and partnerships, consider the following points: C Corporations face double taxation: First, they pay corporate taxes on profits, and then shareholders pay taxes on dividends. S Corporations allow pass-through taxation: This means income goes directly to shareholders’ tax returns, avoiding double taxation but limiting shareholder numbers. Partnerships are pass-through entities: Profits and losses appear on partners’ individual tax returns, usually simplifying the tax process and potentially resulting in lower overall taxes. C Corporations must file Form 1120, detailing corporate income and taxes owed, whereas partnerships file Form 1065, providing information on income and losses. Recognizing these differences can greatly impact your tax obligations and overall financial strategy. Management Structures Grasping the management structures of corporations and partnerships is crucial for any entrepreneur or business owner. In a partnership, you’ll find a more flexible management structure, where all partners share decision-making authority and can actively participate in daily operations. Key decisions typically require unanimous agreement from all partners, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Conversely, corporations have a more formal management hierarchy. Here, a board of directors is elected by shareholders to make strategic decisions, whereas appointed executives, like a CEO or CFO, handle day-to-day operations. Unlike partners, shareholders don’t engage in daily management but can influence major decisions through their voting rights. This structured approach allows corporations to operate efficiently, whereas partnerships rely on the strengths and expertise of individual partners, often resulting in a less formalized role distribution. Comprehending these differences can shape your approach to managing your business effectively. Ongoing Maintenance Requirements Grasping the ongoing maintenance requirements for partnerships and corporations is essential for any business owner. Partnerships typically have minimal maintenance obligations, whereas corporations face stricter regulations. Here are some key differences: Corporations must maintain accurate records and file annual reports to comply with state laws. Meetings are mandatory for corporations, requiring documented minutes and a board of directors to oversee management. Partnerships file an annual return using Schedule K-1, which is less complex than the corporate tax returns required for corporations. Failure to meet ongoing maintenance requirements can have serious consequences, especially for corporations, including penalties or loss of limited liability protection. Conversely, partnerships may not face such severe repercussions for non-compliance. Comprehending these requirements helps you manage your business effectively and avoid potential pitfalls. How to Choose Between a Corporation and a Partnership When deciding between a corporation and a partnership, you need to weigh factors like liability, taxes, and management structure. Corporations offer limited liability protection but face double taxation, whereas partnerships can be simpler to manage but expose you to personal liability for business debts. Comprehending these key points will help you choose the best structure for your business goals. Liability Considerations Choosing between a corporation and a partnership involves carefully evaluating liability considerations that can greatly impact your personal financial exposure. Corporations offer limited liability protection, meaning shareholders aren’t personally responsible for business debts beyond their investment. On the other hand, partnerships typically expose partners to unlimited personal liability. Here are key points to reflect upon: In a general partnership, all partners are personally liable for business debts and legal claims. Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) can protect partners from personal liability for the partnership’s debts. Corporations, as separate legal entities, shield your personal assets from business liabilities. For small businesses with low risk, a partnership might be suitable. Nonetheless, for ventures with higher liability exposure, a corporation often provides better protection. Tax Implications Tax implications play a critical role in the decision-making process when selecting between a corporation and a partnership. Partnerships are pass-through entities, meaning profits and losses appear on your personal tax returns, avoiding corporate tax rates. On the other hand, corporations face double taxation: first at the corporate level, then again on dividends to shareholders. If you’re considering an S Corporation, it offers pass-through taxation like partnerships but has limitations on shareholders. C Corporations, nevertheless, deal with complex regulations and higher tax liabilities. For small businesses or startups, partnerships might be more beneficial because of their simplicity, whereas corporations suit those expecting significant growth. Always consider your long-term goals and potential tax consequences when making your choice. Management Structure The management structure you choose can greatly impact how your business operates and grows. In partnerships, all partners typically share management responsibilities, promoting collaboration, whereas corporations have a formal hierarchy with a board of directors and appointed executives. Consider these factors when deciding: Control: Partnerships require unanimous consent for major decisions, whereas Control streamlines decision-making with appointed leaders. Flexibility: Partnerships allow for adaptable roles based on individual strengths, in contrast to corporations that follow established governance protocols. Accountability: Corporations hold regular shareholder meetings, ensuring transparency and oversight, a feature less emphasized in partnerships. Ultimately, weigh your desire for control, the complexity of management, and the need for formal governance to align with your long-term business goals. Long-Term Business Goals and Strategies When considering long-term business goals and strategies, comprehension of the fundamental differences between corporations and partnerships can greatly influence your approach. If you’re focused on scalability and attracting investors, a corporation might be your best option. Corporations can issue shares, effectively raising capital, and offer limited liability protection that encourages investment. Nevertheless, if you prefer a collaborative management style with hands-on decision-making and lower startup costs, a partnership could suit your needs better. It’s crucial to understand that financial planning varies between these structures. Partnerships benefit from pass-through taxation, which can help owners in lower tax brackets. On the other hand, corporations face double taxation but can retain earnings for reinvestment. If you anticipate significant growth or a future public offering, starting as a corporation may position you more favorably in the marketplace, whereas partnerships might require a shift to a corporate structure to expand effectively. Frequently Asked Questions How to Differentiate Corporation and Partnership? To differentiate between a corporation and a partnership, focus on ownership structure, liability, and taxation. In a partnership, you share ownership and profits with others, facing personal liability for debts. Corporations, on the other hand, are separate entities that protect you from personal liability. They likewise face double taxation on profits. Moreover, decision-making varies; partnerships involve shared authority, whereas corporations have boards managing operations, creating a clear distinction in governance and financial responsibilities. How Do I Know if LLC Is C or S Corp or Partnership? To determine if your LLC is taxed as a C Corporation, S Corporation, or partnership, check its structure and tax filings. If it has multiple members and hasn’t made a tax election, it defaults to partnership taxation. If you file IRS Form 2553, it can elect S Corporation status. Review your operating agreement and consult a tax professional to clarify your LLC’s classification and understand the tax implications for your situation. Can a Business Be Both a Partnership and a Corporation? No, a business can’t be both a partnership and a corporation simultaneously, as they’re separate legal entities. Nevertheless, a corporation can engage with partnerships through joint ventures or strategic alliances. Furthermore, some structures, like Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), blend aspects of both, offering limited liability while maintaining partnership flexibility. If a partnership decides to incorporate later, it can shift into a corporation, retaining some original partnership features. What Classifies a Company as a Corporation? A company classifies as a corporation when it’s recognized as a separate legal entity from its owners. This distinction allows for limited liability, protecting your personal assets from business debts. To establish this status, you’ll need to file Articles of Incorporation with the state, detailing your company’s purpose and structure. Furthermore, corporations must comply with regulations, including holding regular meetings and maintaining proper records to uphold their legal protections. Conclusion In conclusion, grasping the distinctions between corporations and partnerships is essential for making informed business decisions. Corporations offer limited liability and capital-raising opportunities but face double taxation. Partnerships provide flexibility and pass-through taxation, though they come with personal liability risks. When choosing between them, consider your long-term goals, management preferences, and the complexity of the formation process. By evaluating these factors, you can select the structure that best aligns with your business aspirations and operational needs. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Defines a Corporation and a Partnership?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Civil Aviation Authority’s draft decision comes despite criticism from carriers over airport’s expansion projectView the full article

When exploring the industries most often affiliated with franchises, you’ll find a diverse terrain that includes food and beverage, service-based sectors, retail, health and wellness, and technology. Each sector has unique characteristics driving its growth and appeal. For instance, quick-service restaurants dominate because of their brand recognition, whereas service franchises cater to consumer convenience. As you examine these industries, consider the factors contributing to their success and how they might evolve in the future. Key Takeaways Food and beverage franchises dominate the sector, featuring quick-service restaurants and coffee shops with strong brand recognition. Service-based franchises are expanding rapidly, focusing on convenience and specialized services like cleaning and maintenance. Retail franchises offer familiar shopping experiences and reliable products, benefiting from established brand loyalty and extensive training. Health and wellness franchises are thriving due to increased consumer investment in fitness, self-care, and preventive healthcare services. Technology and IT service franchises are growing, driven by demand for reliable tech solutions and supported by training and recurring revenue models. The Dominance of Food and Beverage Franchises When you consider the franchise terrain, it’s clear that food and beverage franchises dominate the sector, making up a significant portion of the market. This industry includes quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and coffee shops, which attract a broad customer base. Franchise success in this sector hinges on standardized recipes and operational systems, ensuring consistency in quality and customer experience across all locations. Furthermore, economies of scale play an essential role, reducing costs in purchasing and marketing through collective buying strength. Strong brand recognition likewise nurtures customer trust and loyalty, making it easier for you as a franchisee to attract and retain customers. For instance, Taco Bell’s ranking as the top franchise in Entrepreneur’s 2022 Franchise 500 list exemplifies this dominance. The Growth of Service-Based Franchises As the demand for convenience and specialized services grows, service-based franchises are experiencing significant expansion across various sectors. These franchises, which include cleaning, maintenance, and personal care, address ongoing consumer needs and generate repeat business. Compared to product-based franchises, many service franchises require relatively low initial investments, making them accessible to a wider range of entrepreneurs. The recurring revenue model, common in service franchises, guarantees consistent cash flow through maintenance contracts or subscription-based services. This adaptability allows them to thrive even in fluctuating economic conditions, as businesses often prefer outsourcing non-core functions. Furthermore, extensive training and operational support from franchisors help franchisees navigate industry regulations, contributing to the success of top RE/MAX franchises and real estate investment franchises. The Appeal of Retail Franchises Retail franchises have gained significant traction in the business environment owing to their ability to provide consumers with familiar shopping experiences and reliable products. Franchises are most often affiliated with diverse retail sectors, including food, specialty stores, fashion, and electronics, catering to various consumer preferences. The established brand loyalty and recognition of these franchises make them appealing to shoppers who value consistency. By leveraging advanced supply chain networks, franchisees guarantee product availability across locations, which improves customer satisfaction. Furthermore, retail franchises often benefit from high foot traffic locations, boosting visibility and sales potential. Extensive training and marketing support from franchisors further empower franchisees to effectively manage their businesses, adapting to evolving market demands and trends. Emerging Trends in Health and Wellness Franchises With the ongoing shift toward prioritizing health and wellness in everyday life, the franchise sector dedicated to these services is booming. Consumers are increasingly investing in fitness, self-care, and preventive healthcare, driving demand for franchises like gyms, yoga studios, and wellness centers. Notable brands, such as Planet Fitness, showcase success with substantial growth and brand recognition. Here’s a snapshot of emerging trends: Franchise Type Growth Driver Market Potential Gyms Increased fitness focus Stable revenue streams Wellness Centers Aging population High service demand Personal Care Salons Demand for standardized care Thriving consumer interest These trends highlight a robust market for franchisees in the health and wellness sector. The Expansion of Technology and IT Service Franchises The expansion of technology and IT service franchises is reshaping the environment of small business opportunities, driven by the increasing reliance on technology across all sectors. Companies like CMIT Solutions, with over 290 locations and more than $150 million in revenue, highlight this lucrative potential. You don’t need an extensive technical background to become a franchise owner in this industry, as thorough training and ongoing support are provided. The recurring revenue model allows you to secure multi-year contracts with clients, ensuring a stable income stream. As businesses increasingly depend on technology, managed IT services have become vital, positioning these franchises for significant growth opportunities. Strong consumer demand for reliable technology solutions makes this sector an attractive option for aspiring entrepreneurs. Frequently Asked Questions What Industry Is Most Likely to Franchise? When considering which industry is most likely to franchise, the food and beverage sector stands out because of its established brand loyalty and operational systems. Quick-service restaurants dominate this space, attracting many franchisees. Furthermore, service-based industries, like cleaning and maintenance, offer low initial investments, making them appealing. Retail, personal care, and emerging IT services likewise present franchising opportunities, reflecting diverse consumer needs and the potential for predictable revenue streams. Which Industry Is Especially Well Known for Franchising? The restaurant industry is especially well-known for franchising, particularly in the quick-service segment. Established brands like Taco Bell and Popeyes exemplify this model, benefiting from strong brand recognition and standardized processes. This consistency helps guarantee customer satisfaction across locations. Furthermore, franchises in food and beverage can leverage economies of scale in purchasing and marketing, reducing costs as they adapt to market trends, such as the growing demand for healthier options and delivery services. What Are the 4 P’s of Franchising? The 4 P’s of franchising are essential for your franchise strategy. First, the Product represents what you offer, highlighting brand consistency and quality. Next, Price involves setting a competitive yet profitable pricing strategy to attract customers. Place refers to the locations and distribution channels you choose, ensuring accessibility for your target market. Finally, Promotion includes marketing tactics that communicate your franchise’s value, enhancing brand awareness and customer engagement effectively. Which of the Following Industries Has the Highest Franchised Outlets? The industry with the highest number of franchised outlets is the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector. Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell lead this space, boasting thousands of locations globally. This popularity is driven by brand recognition and consumer demand for convenience. Other notable sectors include retail, service-based franchises, and health and fitness, but they don’t match the extensive reach and market penetration of QSR franchises. Conclusion In conclusion, franchises thrive across various industries, with food and beverage leading because of brand strength and consistency. Service-based franchises cater to convenience-seeking consumers, whereas retail franchises offer dependable shopping experiences. The health and wellness sector is gaining traction, reflecting a growing concern for personal health. Finally, technology and IT service franchises are broadening in response to increasing reliance on tech solutions. Comprehending these trends can help you make informed decisions if you’re considering franchise opportunities. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Industries Are Most Often Affiliated With Franchises?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Nikkei Asia has some bad news for anyone hoping for RAM prices to fall anytime soon: The outlet reported on Friday that the global shortage of memory chips will likely continue until around 2027. According to Nikkei, U.S. and South Korean memory suppliers are raising DRAM production, but are only going to be able to meet about 60% of the demand. What's more, the current conflicts in the Middle East are making electricity and other relevant goods more expensive. Even Samsung, which is launching a fourth RAM plant this year, won't be at full-scale production until at least 2027, if not later. The memory crisis is ongoingPart of the problem is split production needs: Samsung's fourth plant needs to make logic chips for computing as well, which means it can't use all of its resources to develop memory chips. And while the company is also building a fifth plant, that location will be designated for producing advanced high-bandwidth memory (HMB), a specific type of memory used for AI semiconductors. That could lower the demand for more general use RAM, but Nikkei reports that this fifth plant will not begin running until 2028 or later. Nikkei reports that memory prices for the first three months of this year are up 90% on the quarter. A silver lining though: SK Hynix, the second-largest memory chip producer in the world, is currently producing HMB chips, and has been since February. SK Hynix is also on track to start producing in a new plant in Seoul by February 2027, which is three months earlier than previous estimates. That said, Nikkei says this is the only production increase among the big three memory companies, which include SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron Technology (based in the U.S.) For its part, Micron will start producing in both Idaho as well as Singapore in 2027. Taken together, these three companies control 90% of the global DRAM, and are the only companies that can make HBM. Nikkei cites Counterpoint Research, which estimates that these companies would need to increase production by 12% per year through 2027 in order to fix the RAM shortage. Right now, it reports that growth looks to be about 7.5%. As such, the issue may not return to normal until sometime next year. The RAM shortage affects everythingThis news is disappointing, especially following positive developments in late March. Back then, we saw prices for RAM kits drop slightly—still far above historic lows, but $30 to $45 reductions in a time when the biggest AI companies on the planet were buying up as much RAM as possible. But following Nikkei's reporting, general prices likely won't fall (or stop rising) for at least another year and a half. Unfortunately, that has implications for everything that uses RAM, not just the RAM itself. While those who build or work with computers will notice the strain on RAM hardware, there's a long list of consumer devices that will continue to be impacted here as well. Smartphones, laptops, smart glasses, tablets, gaming consoles, cars: If it runs on a computer, it uses RAM. Coupled with market instability across the globe, expect prices on devices you buy to increase in tandem. This perfect storm likely caused Sony to raise prices on the PlayStation consoles and handhelds, for example. View the full article

If you’ve missed the tax deadline, it’s essential to act quickly to minimize potential penalties. Start by filing your tax return as soon as possible, regardless of whether you can’t pay the full amount owed. Comprehending what steps to take next can make a significant difference in your financial situation. From gathering necessary documents to exploring payment options, there are several paths available. Let’s explore the most effective strategies for addressing late taxes and what you need to know to navigate this process. Key Takeaways File your tax return as soon as possible to minimize penalties and interest on late taxes. Set up a payment plan with the IRS if you can’t pay the full amount owed. Check for eligibility for penalty relief programs, especially if you have valid reasons for the delay. Consider filing for an extension using IRS Form 4868 to avoid late-filing penalties. Act quickly to claim any potential tax refunds within three years to avoid forfeiture. Understanding the Importance of Timely Tax Filing In relation to tax filing, comprehending the importance of timely submissions can’t be overstated. If you’re wondering what happens if you file taxes late, be prepared for potential penalties that can escalate quickly. The IRS imposes a failure to pay penalty of 5% per month on any unpaid taxes, which can reach a maximum of 25% after five months. Furthermore, if you don’t file your return, you could face even steeper penalties, including a civil fraudulent failure to file penalty of up to 75% of the tax owed. Timely filing is essential, even in the event that you can’t pay your taxes immediately, as it helps mitigate these penalties and interest that pile up on late taxes due. Moreover, keep in mind that claiming a tax refund requires submitting your return within three years; otherwise, you forfeit your right to that refund. Common Reasons for Late Tax Filings Many taxpayers find themselves facing the consequences of late tax filings as a result of various unforeseen circumstances. Comprehending these reasons can help you avoid similar pitfalls in the future. Here are some common reasons for late tax filings: Unexpected life events: Illness or job loss can hinder your ability to prepare and submit returns on time. Documentation difficulties: Gathering necessary forms like W-2s and 1099s can be challenging, especially if you’ve switched jobs. Complicated tax situations: Multiple income streams or significant deductions require more time for accurate preparation. Procrastination stemming from assumptions: Some think they don’t owe taxes or expect a refund, leading them to delay filing. Lack of awareness: Changes in tax laws or deadlines can contribute to late filings if you don’t stay informed. Immediate Steps to Take After Missing the Deadline Missing the tax deadline can be stressful, but taking immediate action can help mitigate the consequences. First, file your tax return as soon as possible. Late filing incurs a penalty of 5% per month on unpaid taxes, capped at 25%. If you can’t pay the full amount, consider setting up a payment plan with the IRS. This can reduce your failure-to-pay penalty from 0.5% to 0.25% per month. Check if you qualify for any extensions because of federally declared disasters or other circumstances; this can provide additional time without penalties. If you’re a first-time offender with a clean filing history, you may be eligible for relief through the IRS‘s first-time penalty abatement program. Finally, act quickly even though you expect a refund, as failing to file within three years will forfeit your right to claim it. How to Gather Necessary Tax Documents Once you’ve taken steps to address your late tax filing, it’s time to gather the necessary documents for your return. Having the right paperwork will help you accurately report your income and claim deductions. Here’s what you need to collect: All relevant income statements like W-2s and 1099s Receipts for deductible expenses, such as medical bills and charitable donations Previous tax returns to identify carryover items, like losses or credits An IRS tax transcript if you can’t find specific documents Your Social Security number or taxpayer identification number Make sure you have these documents handy, as they’re crucial for filing your return correctly. Understanding Penalties and Interest for Late Filing When you file your taxes late, it’s essential to understand the various penalties and interest that can apply. You’ll face a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of unpaid taxes each month, capped at 25%, whereas a failure-to-pay penalty begins at 0.5% per month. Furthermore, interest on any unpaid balance starts accruing immediately, so knowing these details can help you navigate the consequences more effectively. Types of Penalties Comprehension of the types of penalties associated with late tax filings is crucial for managing your financial obligations effectively. Knowing these penalties can help you avoid unnecessary costs. Here are the key penalties you might face: 5% penalty per month on unpaid taxes, capped at 25% after five months. Minimum late-filing penalty of $525 or 100% of the tax owed if filed more than 60 days late. Failure-to-pay penalty starts at 0.5% per month, increasing to 1% after 10 days, in addition capped at 25%. Interest accrues on unpaid taxes from the filing deadline at 7% per quarter. No penalties apply if you’re due a refund, so timely filing can be beneficial. Interest Accumulation Rates Comprehension of the interest accumulation rates is important for managing the financial impact of late tax filings. The IRS imposes a late filing penalty of 5% per month on unpaid taxes, capped at 25% of the total owed. If you file more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty jumps to $525 or 100% of the tax owed, whichever is lower. Furthermore, a late payment penalty of 0.5% per month starts immediately, increasing to 1% if unpaid for over 10 days after notice. Interest on unpaid taxes begins accruing the day after the deadline, currently set at 7%. To minimize penalties and interest, file your return ASAP, even though you can’t pay the full amount owed. Waiving Penalties Options If you find yourself facing penalties for late tax filing, there are options available to potentially waive them. Comprehending the process can help ease your burden. Here are some avenues to explore: First-Time Penalty Abatement: If you have a clean filing history, you may qualify for the IRS’s First-Time Penalty Abatement program. Reasonable Cause Exception: Document circumstances like illness or natural disasters that hindered your timely filing. Waiver Documentation: Be prepared to provide supporting documents with your request. Penalties Only: Note that waivers apply solely to penalties; interest on unpaid taxes continues to accrue. IRS Resources: Visit the IRS penalties page for further details on eligibility and requirements. These options can provide relief in managing your tax obligations. Payment Options Available for Owed Taxes When you owe taxes, several payment options can help you manage the balance effectively. The IRS offers short-term and long-term payment plans, in addition to the Offer in Compromise program for those facing financial hardship. Furthermore, you can make payments electronically through Direct Pay or credit/debit cards, providing flexibility in how you settle your tax obligations. Payment Plans Overview Maneuvering late taxes can feel overwhelming, but comprehending your payment options can simplify the process. The IRS offers several payment plans to help you manage your tax debt effectively: Short-term payment plans allow you up to 180 days to pay your balance without extra fees. Long-term payment plans require monthly payments for those who owe $50,000 or less in combined taxes, penalties, and interest. You can apply online for these plans, often receiving immediate approval if eligible. The failure-to-pay penalty decreases to 0.25% per month as you’re on a payment plan. An Offer in Compromise (OIC) lets you settle for less than you owe if you demonstrate financial hardship. Understanding these options can ease your financial burden. Electronic Payment Methods To effectively manage your owed taxes, utilizing electronic payment methods can streamline the process and save you time. The IRS provides several options, like Electronic Funds Withdrawal, letting you pay directly from your bank account when e-filing, without extra fees. Alternatively, you can use Direct Pay to make payments from your bank account via the IRS website, as well with no transaction fees. If you prefer credit or debit cards, those are accepted through authorized processors, but be aware of processing fees. Digital wallets like PayPal and Venmo are also options, though they may carry fees as well. Finally, mailing checks or money orders to the IRS incurs no fees, but guarantee you use the correct mailing addresses for your state and payment type. Offer in Compromise If you’re struggling with tax debt, an Offer in Compromise (OIC) might provide a viable solution. This program allows you to settle your tax liabilities for less than what you owe, based on your financial situation. To qualify, you’ll need to show financial hardship and submit Form 656, along with a $205 application fee. Here are key points to evaluate: Demonstrate your ability to pay by sharing income, expenses, and asset equity. Apply through the IRS online portal or by mail. Stay compliant with all tax obligations during processing. If accepted, adhere to specific terms for five years to avoid default. The IRS typically accepts offers reflecting your maximum payment capability. Exploring Penalty Relief Programs How can you navigate the intricacies of penalty relief programs when facing late taxes? First, consider the IRS’s first-time penalty abatement relief, which may apply if you have a clean filing history. This option allows you to avoid penalties for late filing or payment under specific conditions. If you have a valid reason for your delay—like illness or natural disasters—you may qualify for relief by demonstrating “reasonable cause.” Remember, you’ll need to provide documentation to support your claims. As the IRS doesn’t waive interest on unpaid taxes, you can still reduce penalties by filing your return swiftly and paying any owed taxes as soon as possible. To formally request penalty relief, complete IRS Form 843 and include necessary documentation. For detailed information on various abatement options and eligibility requirements, check the IRS penalties page, which can help you effectively navigate these relief programs. Setting up a Payment Plan With the IRS If you’re facing tax debt, setting up a payment plan with the IRS can help ease the burden. First, check your eligibility—short-term plans are available for amounts under $100,000, whereas long-term plans cater to debts up to $50,000. Once you confirm your eligibility, you can easily apply online, by phone, or by mailing Form 9465 to get started on your repayment expedition. Eligibility for Payment Plans Comprehending your eligibility for a payment plan with the IRS is crucial when you’re facing outstanding tax liabilities. Here are key factors to take into account: You can set up a payment plan if you have an outstanding balance. The IRS offers short-term plans (up to 180 days) and long-term installment agreements (over 180 days). To qualify for a long-term plan, your total liability must be $50,000 or less, and all required returns must be filed. Once your plan is established, the failure-to-pay penalty drops to 0.25% per month, reducing ongoing costs. You can apply online, by phone, or by submitting Form 9465 with your tax return or separately. Understanding these points can help you navigate your tax obligations more effectively. Steps to Set Up Setting up a payment plan with the IRS is a straightforward process that can relieve some of the stress associated with unpaid taxes. Start by completing Form 9465, where you can propose a monthly payment plan for your tax liabilities. If your balance is under $100,000, you might qualify for a short-term plan lasting up to 180 days. For larger amounts, a long-term plan allows monthly payments until your balance is settled. Once you establish a plan, your failure-to-pay penalty drops from 0.5% to 0.25% per month, reducing extra charges. You can make payments electronically using IRS Direct Pay or credit/debit cards, though fees may apply. Filing for an Extension: What You Need to Know Filing for an extension can be a smart move if you need extra time to prepare your federal tax return. To do this effectively, follow these key points: Submit IRS Form 4868 by April 15 to request a six-month extension. Remember, the extension only applies to filing, not to paying taxes owed, which are still due by April 15. If you file on time, you won’t face a late-filing penalty, but late payment penalties do apply if taxes aren’t paid. Taxpayers affected by federally declared disasters can likewise get extended time without penalties. To avoid interest and penalties, estimate and pay any owed taxes by the original deadline. Seeking Professional Help for Tax Issues When dealing with late tax issues, seeking professional help can be a wise decision. Tax professionals, like CPAs and enrolled agents, have the expertise to navigate complex tax situations, including late filings and penalties. They guarantee compliance with IRS regulations, which can be essential for avoiding further complications. By engaging a professional, you may likewise benefit from their ability to negotiate payment plans with the IRS, potentially reducing your failure-to-pay penalties from 0.5% to 0.25% per month. In addition, they can help you qualify for first-time penalty abatement or reasonable cause relief, which might eliminate penalties altogether if you meet specific criteria. Moreover, tax professionals manage communications with the IRS, relieving you of stress related to tax obligations and potential audits. Many offer free consultations, enabling you to discuss your specific situation without any initial financial commitment, making it easier to determine the best course of action. Frequently Asked Questions How to Handle Late Taxes? When you handle late taxes, start by filing your return as soon as possible to limit penalties. If you owe taxes, pay as much as you can to reduce daily interest. Consider a payment plan with the IRS if full payment isn’t feasible, which can lower penalties. Gather all necessary documents, like W-2s and 1099s, to guarantee accurate filing. You might likewise qualify for penalty relief under specific IRS criteria. What Is the IRS One Time Forgiveness? The IRS One Time Forgiveness, or First-Time Penalty Abatement, lets you request a waiver for specific penalties if you’ve had a clean compliance history for the last three years. To qualify, you shouldn’t have previous penalties and must have filed all required returns. You can apply using Form 843 or by contacting the IRS directly. Keep in mind, this forgiveness only covers penalties, not the interest on unpaid taxes. What Happens if You Miss the October 15 Tax Deadline? If you miss the October 15 tax deadline, you’ll face late filing penalties starting at 5% of your unpaid taxes each month, capping at 25%. Although you won’t incur additional penalties if you’re due a refund, you must file within three years to claim it. Filing late can still reduce accruing penalties and interest, so it’s best to submit your return as soon as possible to minimize financial repercussions. What Are Acceptable Reasons for Filing a Late Tax Return? Acceptable reasons for filing a late tax return include serious illness, natural disasters, or unforeseen circumstances like job loss or family emergencies. If you’re hospitalized or affected by a disaster, you may qualify for extensions or penalty waivers. Furthermore, first-time offenders with a clean history might be eligible for first-time penalty abatement. Conclusion Handling late taxes can be intimidating, but taking prompt action can greatly reduce penalties and stress. Start by filing your return as soon as possible, and consider setting up a payment plan if needed. Explore penalty relief options to alleviate your financial burden, and document any valid reasons for your delay. If you’re overwhelmed, seeking professional help can provide clarity and guidance. Remember, addressing the issue quickly is key to minimizing consequences and moving forward. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How to Handle Late Taxes Due – A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a cornerstone of business operations, small business owners might find themselves wondering how the latest advancements in cloud technology can bolster their operations. Intel Corporation and Google recently announced a significant collaboration aimed at enhancing AI infrastructure, which could provide tangible benefits for small enterprises seeking to implement AI solutions. Intel’s Xeon processors will continue to drive Google Cloud infrastructure, reinforcing the essential role of central processing units (CPUs) in managing diverse AI workloads. With demand for AI only expected to rise, the collaboration emphasizes a move toward a more efficient, robust cloud landscape that can better serve businesses of all sizes. Intel and Google are particularly focusing on co-developing custom infrastructure processing units (IPUs). These specialized processors will offload specific tasks—like networking, storage, and security—traditionally handled by CPUs. This move is set to improve efficiency and performance, enabling businesses to scale their AI solutions without overwhelming their systems. The objective is clear: small businesses utilizing Google Cloud will benefit from a streamlined infrastructure that can effectively manage both extensive and latency-sensitive workloads. By improving energy efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership, the partnership aims to make cutting-edge AI technology more accessible. AI-Driven Benefits Small businesses can leverage the advancements from this collaboration in a variety of ways. Here are some key benefits: Cost Efficiency: The partnership is designed to enhance performance while lowering operational costs. By utilizing Intel’s Xeon processors, businesses can achieve better compute capabilities without a significant increase in investment. Scalable Solutions: With the new IPUs, businesses can scale their AI applications more readily. This is particularly important for small businesses with growing data needs, as they can adapt their cloud resources without incurring exorbitant expenses. Optimized Performance: The integration of CPUs and IPUs means that workloads, whether for data training or real-time analytics, can be managed more effectively. This should result in faster processing times and improved user experiences. Flexibility: The partnership reinforces an architecture that combines general-purpose computing with dedicated accelerators. For small businesses, this means the ability to handle a wider variety of tasks effectively while maintaining system simplicity. Insights from Industry Leaders Industry leaders underscore the importance of balanced systems for AI. Lip-Bu Tan, CEO of Intel, stated, “AI is reshaping how infrastructure is built and scaled. Scaling AI requires more than accelerators – it requires balanced systems.” This points to the fact that for small businesses looking to adopt AI, a well-rounded approach is crucial for long-term sustainability. Amin Vahdat, SVP & Chief Technologist at Google, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that “CPUs and infrastructure acceleration remain a cornerstone of AI systems.” For small business owners, this underscores the importance of not just investing in AI technology, but doing so in a way that considers the underlying architectures that support these innovations. Laying the Foundation The collaboration signifies a commitment to advancing open, scalable infrastructure for the AI era. For small businesses, tapping into these advancements can offer numerous possibilities for innovation. By adopting AI-driven cloud services, businesses can empower themselves to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and ultimately compete on a larger scale. However, it’s important to consider some potential challenges. Transitioning to a more sophisticated AI system can require upfront investment and a certain level of technical expertise. Small business owners should weigh these factors as they consider integrating new technologies. The collaborative efforts between Intel and Google not only highlight the evolving landscape of AI infrastructure but also signal that advanced technologies are becoming more accessible. For small businesses, embracing these changes could usher in a new era of efficiency and growth. For those interested in detailed technical insights and future implications, the full press release can be found at Intel’s newsroom: Intel Newsroom. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Intel and Google Forge Partnership to Revolutionize AI Cloud Infrastructure" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a cornerstone of business operations, small business owners might find themselves wondering how the latest advancements in cloud technology can bolster their operations. Intel Corporation and Google recently announced a significant collaboration aimed at enhancing AI infrastructure, which could provide tangible benefits for small enterprises seeking to implement AI solutions. Intel’s Xeon processors will continue to drive Google Cloud infrastructure, reinforcing the essential role of central processing units (CPUs) in managing diverse AI workloads. With demand for AI only expected to rise, the collaboration emphasizes a move toward a more efficient, robust cloud landscape that can better serve businesses of all sizes. Intel and Google are particularly focusing on co-developing custom infrastructure processing units (IPUs). These specialized processors will offload specific tasks—like networking, storage, and security—traditionally handled by CPUs. This move is set to improve efficiency and performance, enabling businesses to scale their AI solutions without overwhelming their systems. The objective is clear: small businesses utilizing Google Cloud will benefit from a streamlined infrastructure that can effectively manage both extensive and latency-sensitive workloads. By improving energy efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership, the partnership aims to make cutting-edge AI technology more accessible. AI-Driven Benefits Small businesses can leverage the advancements from this collaboration in a variety of ways. Here are some key benefits: Cost Efficiency: The partnership is designed to enhance performance while lowering operational costs. By utilizing Intel’s Xeon processors, businesses can achieve better compute capabilities without a significant increase in investment. Scalable Solutions: With the new IPUs, businesses can scale their AI applications more readily. This is particularly important for small businesses with growing data needs, as they can adapt their cloud resources without incurring exorbitant expenses. Optimized Performance: The integration of CPUs and IPUs means that workloads, whether for data training or real-time analytics, can be managed more effectively. This should result in faster processing times and improved user experiences. Flexibility: The partnership reinforces an architecture that combines general-purpose computing with dedicated accelerators. For small businesses, this means the ability to handle a wider variety of tasks effectively while maintaining system simplicity. Insights from Industry Leaders Industry leaders underscore the importance of balanced systems for AI. Lip-Bu Tan, CEO of Intel, stated, “AI is reshaping how infrastructure is built and scaled. Scaling AI requires more than accelerators – it requires balanced systems.” This points to the fact that for small businesses looking to adopt AI, a well-rounded approach is crucial for long-term sustainability. Amin Vahdat, SVP & Chief Technologist at Google, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that “CPUs and infrastructure acceleration remain a cornerstone of AI systems.” For small business owners, this underscores the importance of not just investing in AI technology, but doing so in a way that considers the underlying architectures that support these innovations. Laying the Foundation The collaboration signifies a commitment to advancing open, scalable infrastructure for the AI era. For small businesses, tapping into these advancements can offer numerous possibilities for innovation. By adopting AI-driven cloud services, businesses can empower themselves to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and ultimately compete on a larger scale. However, it’s important to consider some potential challenges. Transitioning to a more sophisticated AI system can require upfront investment and a certain level of technical expertise. Small business owners should weigh these factors as they consider integrating new technologies. The collaborative efforts between Intel and Google not only highlight the evolving landscape of AI infrastructure but also signal that advanced technologies are becoming more accessible. For small businesses, embracing these changes could usher in a new era of efficiency and growth. For those interested in detailed technical insights and future implications, the full press release can be found at Intel’s newsroom: Intel Newsroom. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Intel and Google Forge Partnership to Revolutionize AI Cloud Infrastructure" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

First damage assessment since US-backed ceasefire comes as progress on peace plan stalls during Iran warView the full article

Every digital PR (DPR) team’s been there: New data drops and the team huddles while someone stares at a blank Google doc spiraling over angles and journalist targets. Eventually, a pitch limps out the door just in time to hit “Send” before end of day. The pitch then lands in a top-tier publication, everyone celebrates, and the next month the whole team does the exact same thing over again, like it never happened. But here’s the thing nobody talks about: That winning pitch is a valuable asset, and most teams will just leave it sitting in their sent folder collecting virtual dust. Whether it was a data study, a product launch, or an expert quote, that pitch is a template. And with AI, you can clone its DNA onto every new campaign rather than reinventing the wheel every single time. By the numbers The stakes for getting this right have never been higher. About 46% of journalists receive six or more pitches every single workday, and of those, 49% seldom or never respond to a pitch, per Muck Rack’s State of Journalism report. Pitch volume keeps climbing while relevance drops, with 47% of journalists saying they seldom or never receive pitches relevant to what they cover, Cision’s 2025 State of the Media Report found. The volume problem is real, and AI is making it worse by enabling everyone to quickly and easily generate pitches. This means journalist inboxes are quickly filling up with content that sounds more generic than ever. So how do you get your pitches in front of as many journalists as possible while actually getting noticed? The answer is deceptively simple: Rather than blindly scaling your pitch generation, scale what you already know lands. Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with Meet the DPR duplication method I call it the “DPR duplication method,” and the idea behind it is simple: rinse, reuse, repeat. The process is straightforward. You take a pitch that generated coverage previously, determine exactly what made it work structurally, and then use AI to replicate that structure for your next campaign rather than prompting from a blank slate. It works across pitch types, too, which is the part I love most about it. Data studies, product launches, expert quotes, reactive commentary — it doesn’t matter. If the structure worked once, it can work again, and if it worked 10 times, it can work 20. One of my favorite pitches to use with this method is one I sent to an editor at PR Daily, and the subject line read: “Your basset hound is the cutest [New SEO study for PR Daily].” The pitch was built around a data study on YouTube thumbnail performance, with findings that were specific, visual, and easy for a journalist to turn into a standalone story without much heavy lifting on their end. It landed. Same-day response. Anatomy of a winning pitch: What made it work? So why did it work? There are four reasons, and you can replicate every single one: The subject line led with a personal connection before it ever mentioned the pitch, directly referencing the editor’s dog before dropping the study hook in brackets. This made it impossible to ignore because initially it didn’t feel like a pitch. Instead, it felt like a personal message from someone who actually knew them. The opening hook built rapport before it built a case, acknowledging their pet and sharing something personal before naturally transitioning into the actual reason for the email. By the time the data showed up, they were already reading and receptive. The stat sequencing moved from the broadest behavioral finding down to the most specific and visual. This gave them multiple angles to work with, depending on what their audience needed most. It didn’t force them to figure out the story themselves. Plus, it was also about a topic they were already covering. The CTA was framed entirely around their readers and not around my study or client. It asked whether their audience of growing businesses interested in videography would benefit from the findings. The CTA wasn’t simply, “Would you like to cover this?” Instead, it was, “Would your readers benefit?” That’s a very different ask, and journalists immediately feel the difference. Steal the structure: Prompt by prompt Don’t describe your best pitch to the AI. Instead, give it the pitch by pasting in the full text. Then, ask it to mirror the specific parts that made the pitch work rather than having it write something new from scratch. Here’s how that looks using a hypothetical campaign. Say you are pitching a new survey for a financial wellness company that shows one in three Americans have skipped a doctor’s appointment in the last year because of cost. This is strong data with a clear emotional hook that a lot of journalists covering personal finance or healthcare would care about. You need to pitch it, and you need it to land. So you open the PR Daily pitch above, and you use it as your blueprint, duplicating each component that made it work for the new campaign. Duplicate the subject line That PR Daily subject line worked because it opened with something personal to the journalist before it ever mentioned the study, and you want that same energy in every new pitch you send: “Create seven headlines with each provided stat. For example: [paste your winning subject line format].” “Make this subject line more focused on [new topic]: [paste winning subject line].” “Make this subject line more newsworthy based on the articles I provided: [paste current subject line draft].” “Make this statistic into a newsworthy headline: [paste stat].” “Make this headline more personal to a journalist covering [beat]: [paste headline].” Duplicate the opening hook The opening worked because it felt human before it felt like a pitch, and injecting that same warmth and specificity into a new campaign is as simple as showing the AI exactly what you mean rather than trying to describe it: “Love this opening. Make the new opening mimic more of this: [paste opening from winning pitch].” “Here is some trending news. Highlight this in the opening hook: [paste URL].” “Make this opening more [inflation/healthcare/financially] focused: [paste current opening].” “Here is another example of what is happening right now. Let’s incorporate it: [paste URL].” “Make this intro feel more like a journalist would write it and less like a press release: [paste current intro].” Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Duplicate the stat sequencing The stats in the PR Daily pitch moved from the broadest finding down to the most specific and surprising, which handed the journalist a ready-made narrative she could work with instead of a list of numbers she had to interpret herself: “Here are my key statistics: [paste stats]. Make the stats mimic this verbiage: [paste stat section from winning pitch].” “Make this statistic more clear and newsworthy but not misleading: [paste stat].” “Rewrite these stats so they flow like a story, starting broad and getting more specific: [paste stats].” “Make these stats feel more conversational and less like a press release: [paste stats].” Duplicate the CTA The CTA worked because it put the journalist’s readers at the center of the ask rather than the study or the client, and that shift in framing is something you want to carry into every pitch you send: “Make the CTA more like this: [paste CTA from winning pitch]. New topic is [insert topic].” “Make this CTA more [topic] focused: [paste current CTA].” “Rewrite this CTA so it leads with what the journalist’s readers will get, and not what we want covered: [paste current CTA].” “Make this feel less salesy and more like a genuine offer: [paste current CTA].” Duplicate the follow-up The follow-up gets the exact same treatment, because there is a version of your best follow-up already sitting in your sent folder. You should be using this winning follow-up as the model every time instead of writing a new one: “Mimic this follow-up and add the link [paste URL]: [paste your winning follow-up].” “Mention [insert trend] from [insert article] in this follow-up: [paste follow-up].” “Rewrite this follow-up so that it leads with a new stat we did not include in the original pitch: [paste follow-up and new stat].” “Make this follow-up shorter and punchier while keeping the same structure: [paste follow-up].” Every component has a proven version already sitting in your sent folder, so use it. Re-prompting with the actual text of the original rather than describing it will consistently yield more faithful results, as the AI won’t need to guess at your voice. Instead, it has a blueprint. You can duplicate anything Ask yourself what is preventing your current pitches from landing. The first answer that comes to mind probably isn’t the lack of a new AI tool. Rather, it’s likely a structural ingredient from something that already worked and that you stopped using the moment it landed coverage. The DPR duplication method can apply to every part of your outreach (e.g., headlines, pitch intros, stat formatting, CTAs, sign-offs, and follow-ups). Every single component can be duplicated and evolved from a version that has already proven its effectiveness. I know what you might be thinking at this point: Won’t pitches start to sound the same if they all pull from the same structure? The answer is no, because the structure is yours, built from your wins, your voice, and your relationship with a specific editor about her specific dog. Nobody else has that blueprint. Here are some questions worth considering before your next campaign: What group of stats did you love from a past pitch, and how can you use them as a formatting model for new data? What pitch generated an outsized amount of press, and what was the structural reason it actually worked? What headlines received responses from journalists, and what was the pattern that made them land? What in your past experience can be enhanced with AI rather than replaced by it? Using AI doesn’t require sacrificing the secret sauce of what generates press — because the strategy is still yours. AI just helps you execute it faster and more consistently without losing the specific ingredients that made your best work actually work. See the complete picture of your search visibility. Track, optimize, and win in Google and AI search from one platform. Start Free Trial Get started with Your next pitch starts with your last win Open the pitch that generated your best coverage in the last 12 months, whether it was a data study, product launch, or expert quote pitch. Identify the things that made it work, including the subject line, opening hook, stat or story sequence, and the CTA. Notice what made each one feel specific, human, and impossible to ignore. Then prompt AI to duplicate each component individually using that pitch as the model. Add current news context where it fits, combine everything, refine as needed, and duplicate the follow-up, too. You’re not copying. You’re compounding. Rinse, reuse, repeat. View the full article

A reader writes: I’m a former attorney from a government office, and I’ve been curious how you’d view something that was framed as positive but felt … off. Each spring, our office held a “Wellness Week” intended to promote work/life balance. We were divided into teams, and each day included a different “wellness challenge” to be completed during the workday. These ranged from things like a scavenger hunt outside, guided meditation sessions, or reading an article about wellness, to more involved activities like donating to charity. During this week, I often had to forgo my actual wellness activities to participate in the one-size-fits-all “wellness” challenges so as not to let my team down. On paper, this all sounded fine. Participation was repeatedly described as “optional” and “no pressure.” However, there was a competitive element: the team that completed the most challenges won a pizza party. In practice, this created a very different dynamic. Many of us were already overworked and underpaid attorneys with significant caseloads, and this particular week didn’t come with any reduction in workload or expectations. The activities — especially the charitable ones — often required additional time, coordination, and money. For example, one year we were encouraged to donate “professional clothing,” which meant providing fairly new items that needed to be dry cleaned and presentable. This largely fell on the attorneys, who were already carrying the heaviest workloads. Because participation was tracked by team, there was a subtle but real pressure not to be the person who held your team back. Even though no one explicitly said participation was required, it was hard not to feel like opting out would be noticed. At the same time, participating meant taking time away from already demanding work or adding tasks outside of working hours. What made it feel particularly tone-deaf was the disconnect between the stated goal (reducing stress and promoting balance) and the reality (adding more to already full plates). It also raised questions for me about whether this kind of programming unintentionally shifts responsibility for burnout onto employees — i.e., “do more yoga and scavenger hunts” — rather than addressing structural workload issues. Is this a common dynamic with workplace “wellness” initiatives? And how can employees navigate situations where something is labeled “optional” but carries implicit social or team pressure? From a management perspective, what would a more effective (and less burdensome) approach to supporting employee well-being actually look like? Yeah, when “wellness” becomes one more employer-imposed obligation, it’s not wellness at all. It’s just more stress. It’s also awfully invasive, frankly. If employers want to support employee wellness, they should look at what they themselves can do, not just come up with lists of things employees should be doing. If “wellness” is truly a company value, then the company can do things like offering free and healthy snacks, excellent health insurance, generous time off, schedules that allow time for rest and exercise, and workloads that are kept to a manageable level — things that they alone are uniquely positioned to do. Scavenger hunts and charity drives ask things of employees and take all the burden off the employer. But it’s a hell of a lot cheaper for employers than doing things of real substance on their end — and so as a result, it’s incredibly common. And as you point out, it becomes additionally offensive when you’re pressured to participate in activities but not given any real relief in your workload to make it possible; at that point, it’s just one more thing you need to juggle and can become antithetical to wellness. As an employee, the best thing you can do is to take it at face value when you’re told that participating is optional. Yes, there may be implicit to pressure to participate, but you can still say no. If coworkers press you to participate, you can say, “I just don’t have the room on my plate; it would end up being the opposite of wellness for me.” You just need to be willing to hold firm; the majority of the time, if you do, the reaction won’t be anything you can’t handle. Moreover, doing this will model for others that they can do it too — and you might find that once you do it, others feel more comfortable setting their own boundaries too. You can also speak up about the pressure, if you’re willing to! It would be a social good to say, “You know, tracking this by team creates pressure for people to participate when they might have reasons not to, and that’s at odds with the whole idea of a wellness initiative. Can we make this truly opt-in, where people who want to participate have the opportunity to, but it’s truly okay when people don’t? A team shouldn’t be penalized if someone on their team doesn’t have time or simply doesn’t want to participate.” You’d probably have the gratitude of your coworkers for being willing to say that. The post my office’s “wellness week” just adds to our stress appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Developers including D.R. Horton Inc., Lennar Corp. and KB Home all missed expectations last quarter and estimates suggest both sales and earnings have fallen further as conflict in the Middle East unsettled buyers and raised costs. View the full article

PM will update the Commons about officials’ failure to share findings of security checksView the full article

Treasurys posted solid gains Friday as oil futures dropped $15 a barrel, while the S&P 500 logged its 10th straight day of higher highs, according to the head of correspondent business development at AD Mortgage. View the full article

In 2026, news SEO content performance isn’t just defined by page views and clicks — brand awareness is taking center stage. With the emergence of multimodal search, digital editorial strategy is no longer just about the first page of Google. You have to meet readers anywhere and everywhere they consume content. Amid this industry shift, AI platforms are an increasingly important traffic source for publishers to consider. If publishers want to remain relevant, it’s critical to find ways to play ball with Google AI Overviews, chatbots, voice assistants, and other emerging technologies. Fortunately, utility news content is a key deliverable that can connect with audience needs across platforms throughout a variety of breaking news and evergreen windows. What is utility news content? Utility news content is service journalism that’s specifically crafted to provide simple and straightforward answers to topline questions. The recent rise of answer engine optimization (AEO) is driven by a similar methodology. Service journalism encourages readers to contemplate: What does this topic mean? Why does this angle connect with my interests and needs? How can I apply this information to my life? When constructing a utility content strategy, we must remember: Simple isn’t stupid. Don’t overcomplicate the process. Listen to the needs of your audience and let those signals guide you to the right places. In terms of execution, the “set it and forget it” days of evergreen content are fading in favor of more proactive audience engagement strategies. To maximize the impact of utility news content, it’s essential to: Map out evergreen targets in advance with trend forecasting around seasonal events and recurring search patterns. Track the breaking news cycle closely to pinpoint new areas of opportunity. Refresh existing explainers when corresponding breakout queries arise. Create new utility posts when content gaps exist. Recirculate related resources across appropriate platforms in timely windows. Track article performance to assess overall impact and share key takeaways with editorial stakeholders. Consolidate related articles in a streamlined content library for easy access and regular review. Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with What are traditional utility news content examples? These helpful guides show that simple and straightforward content can serve reader needs by breaking news within a crucial window of time, zoning in on evergreen themes of interest, and connecting with seasonal tentpole event calendars. Checklists – The Denver Gazette, “Know before you have to go: wildfire evacuation checklist” “Everything to know about [insert topic here]” – CBS News, “Everything you need to know about the Texas primaries” FAQs – CNN, “What parents need to know about The President Accounts: An FAQ” “How to [insert topic here]” – The New York Times, “How to Shovel Snow Safely” Localized guides – The Los Angeles Times, “The 70 best hikes in L.A.” Multi-purpose landing pages – ESPN, “MLB spring training 2026: Schedule, highlights, updates” Timelines – The Wall Street Journal, “A Timeline of Key Moments in American Capitalism” “How does [insert topic here] work?” – AP News, “How Social Security works and what to know about its future” “What happens if [insert topic here]?” – ABC News, “What happens if the government shuts down? A lot, history tells us” “What is [insert topic here]?” – People Magazine, “What is Fat Tuesday? All About Mardi Gras’ History and Meaning” ESPN utility news AI Overviews case study During my tenure as SEO Director at ESPN from 2022-2026, I spearheaded a utility content initiative that prioritized fan-forward queries throughout a variety of game and event windows. In managing that workflow, I picked up helpful dos and don’ts for making utility content shine within a newsroom. These examples demonstrate why utility news content can resonate in AI modules if you have a proper editorial strategy in place. Create content that can maintain relevance throughout long-term event cycles When the Indiana Pacers started trending for the “NBA teams that have never won an NBA championship” theme at the end of the 2025-26 NBA season, updating this evergreen piece of content to maintain accuracy secured consistent AI Overview placement through to the championship. Answer breaking news questions with evergreen resources Following his unexpected passing in July 2025, Hulk Hogan’s wrestling titles were a major search topic that translated well into this breakout explainer. Its evergreen potential can resonate with audiences beyond the initial post-demise trending window. Create evergreen lists in advance that can spike off of breaking news Candace Parker’s 2025 jersey retirement gave this previously published evergreen roundup a fresh window to reach new fans and drive traffic. Recirculate guides that can benefit from frequent updates With LeBron and Bronny James frequently in the news, this fun evergreen take reflects their evolving stats and provides a related link to feature complementary content. Lean into your brand Whenever possible, it’s great to showcase in-house talent with breakout posts that spotlight unique elements that are synonymous with your brand. Why is utility news content still relevant? With the rise of zero-click search, some concerns have been raised about investing in service journalism when related SERP modules regularly snatch up topline shelf space in time-sensitive windows. Though declining click-through rates are alarming, service journalism isn’t only about traffic. Publishers have a duty to showcase legitimate sourcing and provide accurate information that serves audience needs across top platforms. Among many recent studies, Ahrefs presented new data in December 2025 that showed how easy it is for LLMs to get confused and present inaccurate information to users. Google AI Overviews can also sometimes produce “predictions” that share outcomes on events that haven’t happened yet. Inaccuracies are especially concerning in breaking news windows, which AI Overviews have been increasingly staking their claim on (as noted by Glenn Gabe). Additionally, innocent online interactions can quickly turn dangerous, which The Guardian emphasized in a 2025 investigation that uncovered how Google’s AI Overviews gave “very dangerous mental health advice” to billions of searchers. Though visibility challenges are frustrating, we can’t sit idly by and let the general public be led astray when seeking timely information. In 2026 (and beyond), AI-friendly utility news content is still worth championing in your newsroom. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. How can publishers pinpoint the best topics for utility news content? An ideal utility content workflow should function under a healthy combination of breaking news reaction and evergreen trend forecasting. A variety of tools and interfaces can help publishers during the ideation process: Google Trends ‘Trending now’ section Toggle upper navigational features to explore trends within different regions, date ranges, and content categories. “Past 4 hours” is ideal for breaking news brainstorming. Use “Search volume” and “Started” filters alongside search interest activity chart to gauge the timing and format of potential pieces. Older trends can be repurposed past the breaking news window in the form of timelines and “bigger picture” explainers. Sift through the “Trend breakdown” section for angles of interest that could translate into breakout explainers. Tap into the “In the news” section for brand performance validation and competitor intel. Standalone topic searches Discover trending questions, people, places, events, and things in “Rising queries” section. Determine essential phrases to target in headlines and subheadlines with the “Top queries” section. Conduct localized research with the “Interest by subregion” module in “Classic Explore” view. Use the comparison bar to narrow down potential topics of interest for breakout articles and establish the most search-friendly phrasing for headlines. Experiment with “YouTube,” “News,” and “Image” search filters to assess how searches on topics of interest may vary by platform. Regularly share related insights with external departments that can incorporate search-friendly angles into their workflows and deliverables (e.g., The video team with “YouTube” search, the photo team with “Image” search). Use “Past hour” filter during breaking news windows to assess urgent audience queries and predict where search behavior may be going next. Use “Past 5 years” and “2004-present” filters to identify seasonal audience trends that can positively influence year-over-year content planning and “all-time highs” in search interest When do search interest spikes occur every single year? What content can you refresh on an annual basis to capitalize on cyclical audience behavior? How should you stagger your content rollout during a recurring event window? Experiment with the “Suggest search terms” Gemini feature for supplementary content research (Note: If you use AI tools in a prominent way during the content creation process, it’s important to be transparent with your audience and include a corresponding disclosure statement within the final deliverable). Curated pages (ad hoc basis) Zone in on trending takeaways around tentpole events with mass interest. Regularly check the Google Trends homepage for featured modules around elections, sporting events, awards shows, etc. Curated newsletter (typically Monday-Friday) Take the guesswork out of daily Google Trends analysis. Receive top trends, breakout queries, data visualizations, and interesting stats from industry experts that can be applied to breakout articles. Sign up on the Google Trends homepage. Competitor research throughout all modules Gauge where you’re winning and pick up on lingering content gaps where other publishers may have an edge. Google News Explore primary topics of interest in the “Top stories” homepage section. Dig into upper navigational bar content categories based off of newsroom beats. Discover regional opportunities in the “Local” section. Access the platform regularly to receive a curated selection of articles in the “For you” section based off of your personal user behavior and interests. “Follow” searches that would benefit from regular monitoring to streamline the daily research process. Press the star button on the upper right-hand side of an individual search to save topic to your “Following” section. Utilize standalone topic searches for targeted content ideation. Explore standalone source searches for validating brand performance and conducting competitor research. People Also Ask Converse with “AI Mode” to uncover topic clusters that extend beyond your initial search. Semrush Pinpoint high-volume Q&A angles that maintain long-term relevance in seasonal windows. Alternative search platforms Identify trends that can spark content with compatibility across a variety of formats, including articles, videos, and social posts: Google Autocomplete: Ideal for research on high-intent long-tail keywords. YouTube search bar: Ideal with topics that can be enhanced by strong visuals and/or a video walk-through approach. TikTok search bar: Ideal for targeting younger demographics. How should utility news content be constructed for success on AI platforms? Once the brainstorming process is complete, search strategists need to adopt the right techniques to make sure that corresponding content serves utility needs. Utility news content can be structured to be more “AI-friendly,” so to speak. Specifically, LLMs are more likely to cite content that contains: Simple and straightforward formatting FAQ styling Easily extractable answers Fresh updates Objective stats that lean into substance Include AI-friendly tactics like bullet point lists, numbered steps, tables, keyword-targeted subheadings, and snackable paragraphs to better position your content for LLMs. Don’ bury the lead Answer the most search-friendly questions in the top half of the article using the five journalism staples: Who, what, where, when, why, how? Break out the buzziest angles from live blogs, rolling roundups, and extensive features into standalone articles. Quick-hit explainers and deep dive analyses can cover the same general topic and serve different audiences. Important themes can get lost in bigger pieces and fail to surface in related external searches, whereas separate articles with targeted headlines can increase search potential. Highlight E-E-A-T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness) Promote need-to-know information that can appeal to the masses while elevating the unique value your brand can offer: Quotes from brand experts. In-house data. Original reporting. Regional angles. Historical context. Be sure to create author pages to consolidate content from in-house experts, make articles more discoverable, and encourage ongoing followership. Utilize timestamps to your advantage Implement a “Last updated” marker to produce the freshest search signal possible to readers and crawlers. Refresh articles with new and noticeable updates, such as content, headlines, photos, videos, and links. Tweak and recirculate content across a variety of related news windows to get articles back into feeds and provide readers with related context. Small-scale updates can build up to substantial traffic and AI Overview placements throughout a calendar year. You should also be adding new links to supplementary stories as news cycles evolve. These updated links send a fresh signal to Google, provide essential context to readers, and reinforce your E-E-A-T on top priority topics for your brand. Create short, concise titles and headlines that prioritize search-friendly entities When crafting headlines, avoid conversational fluff (including quotes, which are better utilized elsewhere) and instead zone in on people, places, events, etc. Try to keep your headlines within 60 characters or less to stay on the safe side with Google’s roulette of SERP formatting. Google is increasingly randomizing the appearance of search results with the influx of multimodal sources flooding the scene. For instance, “Top stories” carousels have been disappearing on more newsy searches, which can shift SERPs back to their traditional title tag structure (which can sometimes cut off titles and headlines at less than 60 characters) vs. a headline structure (which tends to have more wiggle room with character count). Though frontloading keywords isn’t a requirement in titles and headlines (variety and readability are helpful for UX), you should keep top-priority themes away from the 60-character cutoff point as a precaution. Remember, it’s okay to tweak titles and headlines if readers aren’t connecting with them. Fresh angles can provide a late traffic surge, especially when paired with homepage and/or app placement. If SERPs lag in reflecting your latest updates, re-index articles in Google Search Console. Be strategic with keyword placement As Google tests out AI-generated headline rewrites, it’s increasingly important to optimize original headlines with essential terms that readers are searching for. You’ll also want to showcase supplementary keywords in meta descriptions. Utilize a call to action when appropriate, especially with guides in urgent windows like natural disasters, shootings, etc. Mirror top keywords from titles and headlines into URLs, but tread carefully with years and specific numbers in URLs to maintain evergreen status as news cycles evolve. Don’t forget to optimize your images! Include keyword-rich alt text and captions on any images in your news content, which help AI models better understand visuals within your content and improve your odds of discoverability. Implement sitemaps and structured data Enable a news-specific sitemap to optimize delivery of timely content. This will emphasize freshness, streamline indexing, and boost overall search visibility. Additionally, employ schema markup to help ensure the proper indexation of articles. “NewsArticle,” “LiveBlogPosting,” and “FAQPage” are especially relevant for surfacing utility news content. How can you recirculate utility news content effectively? Once publishers have established a productive utility content workflow, it’s essential to employ a strategic recirculation strategy to maximize visibility in all appropriate channels. “SEO is dead” messaging has been spreading over the past year. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but I believe that as long as people are searching for the information they need online, traditional search best practices are still very much alive. However, certain old-school SEO ideologies are dying off, chief among them being that search performance lives and dies with the first page of SERPs. With ongoing AI visibility challenges, search strategies must extend beyond Google’s digital walls. We must recirculate always, in all ways In 2026, search strategists need to be audience strategists to surface content across all the places people visit online. Collaborate and find common ground with departments across your organization to be able to quickly elevate search-friendly angles and content within crucial news windows. A strong strategy is essential to ensure your brand stays top of mind across platforms when timely audience needs arise. Channels that can benefit from cross-departmental search and distribution strategies include: Your website/homepage Apps Alerts Newsletters Podcasts Instagram/Threads Facebook X Bluesky Reddit TikTok Linkedin YouTube Google Discover News aggregators (Apple News, Smart News, etc.) How should newsrooms assess the performance of utility news content? With a growing list of platforms in the content recirculation mix, performance tracking is evolving with additional nuances for publishers to consider. Prior to Google’s Search Generative Experience and AI Overviews, utility news content was primed for placement in knowledge panels, featured snippets, and “Top stories” carousels. Google started to take up more of that top shelf space with its own bespoke charts and modules over time, minimizing publisher activity during top priority events. The public rollout of AI Overviews in May 2024 changed the playing field in a big way, but the development didn’t come out of nowhere. As AI Overviews have become increasingly prominent in search results, respected institutions such as the Pew Research Center have noted declining click-through rates across the news industry. This development has pushed publishers to place greater emphasis on overall brand visibility alongside their traditional prioritization of page views and clicks. Though standard metrics remain important, publishers should rethink what “successful content” means as audience engagement shifts. In 2026 (and beyond), search strategists should pay extra attention to: AI Overview placements. Featured snippet placements. People Also Ask placements. “Top stories” placements. Percentage of traffic from chatbots. Overall search impressions. Organic search traffic across multiple utility pieces under one general topic. Year-over-year growth of evergreen SEO content. Other metrics that can indicate a positive editorial experience and encourage long-term brand loyalty include: Scroll depth. Time spent on site. Return visits on evergreen content. Bookmarked entry pages. Newsletter, app, and other subscription signups from individual pages. Dedicated AI platforms from companies like Profound, Semrush, Similarweb, Ahrefs, and other industry vendors can help demystify the performance tracking process. Though every AI interaction may not lead to a click or page view, consistent placements in related modules can psychologically trigger trust and encourage long-term reader loyalty, as pointed out by Go Fish Digital. Since this performance ideology may differ from what some stakeholders are accustomed to, ongoing newsroom search training is critical to ensure that leadership understands the broader industry implications. For instance, positive performance snapshots should be regularly shared with editorial partners to reinforce the impact of the content investment. Postmortem reports can also provide performance insights following tentpole events, driving home key takeaways and reinforcing best practices for the future. How does personalization play a role in surfacing utility news content? The recent rise in personalization features underscores the growing need for publishers to adopt brand-first editorial strategies. To maximize brand reach despite decreased visibility in traditional SERPs, it’s critical for publishers to leverage features that can strengthen brand loyalty. Preferred sources in Google “Top stories” carousels and new follow capabilities in Google Discover can increase the value of everyday interactions that are likely to trigger needs utility content can address. For example, Google shared that when someone picks a preferred source in “Top stories,” they click that site twice as often on average. With such benefits, publishers should demystify these offerings and encourage readers to curate their content consumption habits in their favor. Instructions to guide your readers to choose your brand as a preferred source in Google’s “Top stories” carousel: Log into your Google account. Search for a trending topic that would populate a “Top stories” carousel. Click on the star icon next to “Top stories.” Enter [source name] in the search bar and check the corresponding box. Reload results and watch the content shift based on your new selection. Once you pick your favorite sources, they’ll appear more frequently in “Top stories” carousels or in a dedicated “From your sources” section on search results pages. Instructions to guide your readers to enable the “Follow” feature in Google Discover: Log into your Google account. Scroll through your Google Discover feed. Find a story from your favorite source. Click the “Follow” button in the upper right-hand corner. Once you track sources, you’ll see more of their content in your feed. To maximize visibility around these new features and simplify the signup process, publishers can install related buttons on their article pages and create standalone documentation that illustrates implementation. How can utility news content benefit a newsroom and the industry at large? We know that readers benefit from personalized strategies, but there are also advantages to sharing the utility content ideation and creation process with more colleagues in your newsroom. Service journalism can have a positive internal impact by creating a pathway for more colleagues to participate in the content creation process. Opening up the utility workflow within your organization can encourage colleagues across the following departments to showcase unique expertise and encourage a culture of inclusivity that can elevate search-friendly coverage: Editorial sections: In-house experts to loop in during the research process and support with content gap coverage. Audience engagement: Trend trackers who pinpoint which emerging topics are worth creating content around and featuring on the website, apps, and other spaces. Social media: Cross-platform collaborators to link up with on shared trends that can maximize brand visibility in multimodal search. Data and analytics: Methodical minds who can explain how performance insights should influence future content roadmaps. Design: Visual visionaries who can create bold new environments for search stats to live on, including maps and infographics. Product: Technical talents who can build proprietary tools that address reader needs in unique ways during timely windows. Features: Outside-the-box thinkers with strong sourcing who can highlight newsy angles in a narrative and/or investigative fashion. Copy editors: Streamlined strategists who ensure maximum accuracy in explainers, guides, and other objective resources. Freelance writers: External partners who can bolster internal efforts with outside expertise and supplemental bandwidth. PR and communications: Internal partners who can spotlight brand priorities that can be elevated through search-friendly content. See the complete picture of your search visibility. Track, optimize, and win in Google and AI search from one platform. Start Free Trial Get started with Visibility, trust, and why utility content still wins Though the SEO industry faces unique challenges in 2026, publishers can still benefit from creating utility content. Amid LLM inaccuracies and AI growing pains, we must continue to serve our readers with accurate, authoritative articles in digestible formats that align with evolving content preferences. With Google testing out adding more links in AI Overviews, I remain cautiously optimistic that publishers and AI platforms can work in tandem to provide optimal editorial experiences to audiences in the future. In the meantime, keep these fundamental best practices in mind: Prioritize audience needs. Elevate newsroom expertise. Forge a path forward that champions evolution while honoring lasting fundamentals. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The My Arcade Atari Gamestation Go is down to $124.99 on Woot, compared to its usual $179.99, and still below the $148.99 it’s currently listed for on Amazon. Price-trackers show this is the lowest it has dropped so far. Shipping is free for Prime members, and the deal is expected to run for about 12 days, though it could end sooner if the stock runs out. My Arcade Atari Gamestation Go Handheld Retro Gaming Console $124.99 at Woot $180.06 Save $55.07 Get Deal Get Deal $124.99 at Woot $180.06 Save $55.07 Atari is no longer the dominant force it was in the 1980s, but its catalog still defines early gaming history. The Gamestation Go tries to package that legacy into a single portable device, both in how it looks and how it plays. The main draw is the library. You get more than 200 built-in games, including recognizable titles like Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Missile Command, Tempest, and Yar’s Revenge. Most of the collection comes from the Atari 2600, with smaller selections from the 5200 and arcade releases. There are also a few licensed additions like PAC-MAN and games from Jaleco and PIKO Interactive. If that is not enough, you can expand the library further using a microSD card. The hardware is also designed to match the games. There is a 7-inch color display, and instead of relying on one control scheme, it includes a paddle, d-pad, trackball, numeric keypad, and standard buttons. You’ll also find a “SmartGlow” feature that lights up the controls you need for each game, which helps when switching between very different input styles. As for connectivity, it connects to a TV through HDMI, includes wifi for updates, and runs on a built-in rechargeable battery. On the downside, the build quality feels basic, and the layout is not very comfortable for long sessions. Also, the controls are accurate to the era, but that does not always translate to modern ergonomics. Still, if the goal is nostalgia and variety, the Gamestation Go does a lot, especially at this price. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar — $99.99 (List Price $119.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen, 2-pack, White) — $59.98 (List Price $79.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article