For another look at the information, check out the BLS' interactive graphs.

  

While wages have risen slightly, the increase has been relatively modest. As stated in a recent Business Insider article, average hourly earnings rose .3% from the previous month and 2.7% from the previous year. Companies are having to pay more to retain talent as well. 

Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC)  Industry 

Blockchain (decentralized ledger) technology is impacting industries across the globe. Many first heard of it as it relates the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, but it has a variety of uses and its adoption is growing. Many believe it will revolutionize the world! 

As stated by TechRadar, "the technology consists of 'blocks' that hold batches of timestamped transactions, with each block linked to the previous one through cryptography." Essentially, it enables efficient, secure transfers and the complete tracking of information. 

At this stage, the technology is still in its infancy. While it has a great deal of potential, there is a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding the technology as well. In fact,  McAfee recently released a report on the growing risks associated with blockchain. As early adopters rush to incorporate the technology, nefarious individuals and groups act to exploit knowledge gaps and any security weaknesses that were overlooked. As blockchain market growth is predicted to reach $9.6 billion by 2024,  McAfee urges users (individuals and organizations alike) to take a closer look at the growing number of potential cyber threats before making a commitment. 

Attackers have been using both old and new techniques with a great deal of success. Key attack methods include phishing or fraud, malware, implementation exploits and technology vulnerabilities. Other noteworthy threats include cryptojacking, the method of hijacking a browser to mine cryptocurrency and malicious data mining, often via ransomware or other malware.

At the end of the day, the use of blockchain technology will continue grow. In the meantime, remember that this is a relatively young technology and other technologies may not have kept pace. We simply do not know all of the risks.  Users should be prudent before making any commitments  and remain vigilant  regarding security threats moving forward.   

Traditional vs. Roth

Most employer sponsored plans allow you to contribute to the plan on a pre-tax basis (Traditional 401(k)) or an after-tax basis (Roth 401(k)). Determining which option is best for you can be a difficult question to answer. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option.

The Traditional 401(k) reduces your taxable income effectively lowering the amount of taxes you pay today. That money will grow tax-deferred inside of your 401(k) account until you withdraw it in retirement. When you begin withdrawing that money in retirement, the IRS requires you to pay federal and state income tax on that money. In addition, once you reach age 70.5, you must begin taking required minimum distributions (RMD) based on your actuarial life.

You also have the option of contributing to the Roth 401(k) with after-tax dollars, meaning that you do not receive a current tax deduction. The benefit of the Roth 401(k) is that those dollars grow tax-free and withdrawals in retirement aren't taxed. In addition, the IRS does not require you to make withdrawals at age 70.5.

Keep in mind that you have the ability to contribute to both Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans. It is not an either-or decision. Furthermore, unlike IRAs, there are no income limits inside of a 401(k) that would prohibit you from contributing to either option.

Start Early

The sooner you start contributing to your company's 401(k), the better. The reason being is that you are putting your money to work at an earlier age. By increasing the amount of time your money is compounding, you can accumulate significantly more at retirement. Here is an example that illustrates the benefits of starting early.

Assume that three individuals, age 25, 35 and 45, made an annual investment of $6,500 until the age of 65. The 25-year-old investor has an incredible advantage over the others, with a final value of $803,034. The 35-year-old achieves a final value of $441,662. The 45-year-old has a final value of $219,811. Remember that no matter how old you are, starting today is better than waiting to invest. It's never too early or too late to start saving for retirement.

* This chart shows an annual investment of $6,500 from the ages of 25, 35 and 45 until the age of 65. It assumes a steady return of 5%. This chart is for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to portray actual investments. There is no guarantee the results shown will be achieved or maintained over any period.

Increase Contributions Every Year

Not only do compound earnings make an impact, but small increases to your monthly contributions will add up over time. You can do this by increasing the percentage of your salary that you contribute to your plan. Increasing your contribution by as little as 2% may result in a bigger account balance and more financial security at retirement.

The example below is based on a salary of $30,000 and an average annual return of 5% for 10 years. The bar on the left shows a contribution of 3% of $30,000, which results in a balance of almost $12,000 at the end of the 10 years. On the right, the contribution has been increased to 5%. You can see how this contributor ended up with more than $19,000 - a big difference when the contribution rate was increased by only two percent. As you can see, just by increasing your contribution rate by 2% - from 3% to 5% - you can increase your overall balance. In this example, by a difference of $7,750. That's almost $8,000 more to put toward your retirement savings just by increasing your contribution rate by 2%.

* The calculation does not assume any mortality, disability, withdrawal, or salary increase. Example assumes a consistent salary of $30,000 and an annual return of 5% compounded monthly. Example is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Investment returns cannot be guaranteed.

Maximize the Company Match

Some companies will match all or a portion of your contributions to the 401(k) plan. This is essentially free money and all you have to do to receive the free money is to participate in t he 401(k) plan. Take a look and see if your company offers a match on your contributions and be sure to at least contribute to maximize the free money that your company offers.

The aforementioned content was sourced from the  Prosperity Consulting Group

According to the  Occupational Safety and Health Administration  (OSHA), an average of 6.5 million people work within the construction industry on approximately 252,000 job sites across the U.S. each day. While a  career in construction  can be extremely rewarding, it can be dangerous as well. Construction sites are inherently hazardous due to the nature of the work. If proper safety precautions are not taken, the likelihood of incidents - from minor injuries to fatalities - increases. In fact, the number of fatal injuries is higher for construction than the national average for all industries. Minimize risks by following the four safety suggestions given in the full article. 

The summer season often offers some of the best weather and driving conditions of the year - dry roads, better visibility, and longer daylight hours. However, the seasonal benefits can be negated by other factors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , a higher volume of holiday travelers cause nearly twice the number of automotive deaths during summer months than during the rest of the year combined, with August being the most dangerous month, closely followed by September and June.

The following four tips will enable summer drivers to  spot hazards early, evaluate risks and remove or control them before harm is done.

1. Avoid distractions behind the wheel. This tip is of utmost importance. Smartphones and other electronics have certainly simplified many things in our daily lives, but they do not add to our safety when behind the wheel of a truck or other type of vehicle. If you must use your smartphone or another mobile device, pull off the side of the road to use your device before heading back out on the road.
2. Follow basic driving safety guidelines at all times. Whether you're in a truck, tractor-trailer, or car, there are certain "safe driving" rules of the road that everyone should follow. These include buckling your seat belt, using turn signals when necessary, allowing plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicles in front of you, knowing where your blind spots are, maintaining safe speeds, and paying attention to road signs that alert drivers to other laws and regulations. In particular, note bridge capacity signs and grade indicators during stormy summer weather. Following these rules will result in safer roads for all drivers.
3. Never drive when you are tired. It's extremely important to have plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel. When you're tired, your reaction times are slower and you may not pay as much attention to the vehicles around you. The new hours of service (HOS) rule for truck drivers is a great aid in ensuring drivers are getting rest between driving shifts. Make sure you are well-rested before beginning each leg of your journey so that you can reach your destination safely.
4. Carry the tools you need to perform minor repairs or change tires. Keep the tools you may need for routine repairs on-hand. Additionally, if you're on a highway be sure to pull off the road as far as possible and turn on your flashers. This keeps you and other drivers safe if any repairs have to be made on the road. Remember, if possible, avoid pulling onto the shoulder of a road. Pulling onto the shoulder of the road can put you and other motorists in danger.

When you put these summer driving tips into play, your chance of reaching your destination safety is much greater.

 The aforementioned tips are courtesy of Prime, Inc.