The tax laws of Hazzard county

Because of complicated tax law, Apple used an interesting tactic to avoid taxes in one case.  They set up a corporation in Ireland to hold a bunch of money.  Ireland taxes companies based on where you operate.  Apple operates out of the US.  The US taxes you based on where you incorporate, which was Ireland in this case.  So they just didn’t get taxed on the money.

Financial products you only buy because someone sells them to you

I was thinking recently about financial products you only buy because someone actively sells them to you.  Timeshares and variable annuities come to mind.  If someone tries to sell you one of these, run!  Timeshares are almost impossible obligations to be rid of even if you pay someone to take them.  Variable annuities promise continuous income under any circumstances but are full of such high fees that they destroy any benefit.