It is not uncommon for corporations to own stock in other corporations. The ownership could be either through an acquisition or the creation of a new corporation by the parent company. Sometimes, for various reasons, the parent company wants to separate their ownership in the subsidiary corporation, most of the time it’s because the subsidiary is in an unrelated business from the parent or the subsidiary has more growth prospects as a separate company from the parent. That separation from the parent corporation can be either through a spin-off, split-off, split-up, carve-out, or simply a sale of the subsidiary. This article will focus on the first three and briefly discuss a carve-out; a sale of a corporation is straightforward and will not be covered. 

3 Tips To Keep Your Finances In Order This Summer

School's out for summer which means vacations, outings, and camps for kids = $$$. So that you don’t end the summer having spent more than you expected, below are some tips to plan and budget your activities.

Can a fake bar help an alcoholic quit drinking? That’s what the researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) believe is possible. NIH researchers have set up a fully stocked lab-bar to test the efficacy of an experimental Pfizer drug that would inhibit a person’s desire to drink even in the most tempting environments, a bar. "The goal is to create almost a real-world environment, but to control it very strictly," said lead researcher Dr. Lorenzo Leggio.

I recently experienced another earthquake in Los Angeles, a fairly common occurrence for Angelenos. The earthquake was a reminder for my wife and me to check our emergency preparedness plan to ensure our spare batteries, medicines, and food supply are fresh, our children's clothes are the right sizes, and that all of our contact information is up to date. Whether it is an earthquake, hurricane, or a tornado, you must be prepared to survive in the aftermath of an emergency. Equally important to preparing a physical emergency kit is establishing and maintaining a financial emergency preparedness kit. What is a financial preparedness kit?

1. When should I use my emergency fund?
This is a fantastic question because I commonly write about how people should maintain an emergency fund commensurate with the nature of their jobs and their social safety nets. Just to recap, the more volatile your job or the less predictable your income, the larger your emergency fund should be. However, if you have a social safety net in that you have financially stable parents, close relatives, or friends who can help you financially if you are in a pinch, the smaller your emergency fund can be. Keep in mind that you can also use a Roth IRA to maintain your emergency fund because your contributions can be withdrawn at any time without tax or penalty. But when is it ok to use your emergency fund? Here is a short list to help you not feel guilty when dipping into your emergency fund: major car or house repairs, unexpected medical bills, job loss, death in the family, etc. A vacation does not qualify. Lastly, it should go without saying that if you deplete your emergency fund, your top priority should be to replenish it pronto.