Michelle Lodge

1 month ago | blog.hubspot.com | Michelle Lodge

Most people are unaware that they’re doing business with a holding company when they bank, buy a jacket, or sign up for a health club membership. I know firsthand because that was me. Until I launched into the world of business reporting, I never considered the underpinnings of a company offering the service or goods I wanted. Back then, I was looking for a good price and a good value — and sometimes, perhaps shamelessly, for bragging rights about my latest purchase.

Mar 3, 2025 | blog.hubspot.com | Michelle Lodge

My interest in the world of finance started during my tween years. My entrepreneurial family would tune into the closing stock report every weekday. Terms like fiscal quarters, dividends, and year-over-year growth were tossed around the dinner table in response to the news. Years later, I became a business reporter. Now, my life is structured around fiscal quarters, reporting on company performance at each quarter’s end.

Jan 26, 2025 | forbes.com | Michelle Lodge

TABLE OF CONTENTSSix months in the stock market is a blip. The first half of 2025 promises to be different, due to the beginning of Donald J. Trump's second term as president and the many changes he’s promised—looser regulations, mass deportations and tariffs. Then, there’s the Federal Reserve, whose announcement December 18, 2024 tanked the market; more Fed announcements are coming in 2025.

Dec 16, 2024 | forbes.com | Michelle Lodge

Each year the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sets higher limits on how much an individual and their employer can contribute to 401(k) retirement plans. In this article, I lay out what those limits are for 2024 and 2025, how you can benefit the most from the contributions, how such regular deposits help set you up for a more abundant retirement and the tax advantages of those savings along the way.

Nov 26, 2024 | forbes.com | Michelle Lodge

TABLE OF CONTENTSFor high earners looking to supercharge their retirement savings, enter the mega backdoor Roth. This financial strategy serves as a tax-shelter for retirement funds, which allows you to add tens of thousands of dollars more annually after-tax than allowed for pre-tax investments. What is a Mega Backdoor Roth?