How safe is your ATM?
When hackers infiltrated Citibank ATMs at 7-Eleven stores, they revived the fear of everyone looking to get out a few bucks for a Slurpee - is using this machine safe?
|
Adjusting to a softer real estate market
A big reason that Fiona Saulness has saved as much as she has for retirement is real estate.
|
Bear market freak out
Question: I have a pretty vanilla investment portfolio and an advisor who tells me to stay the course every time I call him while freaking out about the market. This money is my nest egg. I invest conservatively with mutual funds not individual stocks/ bonds. In other words, should I stay the course or freak out and sell?
|
New ways to save on drugs
We've reached a dubious health milestone: More than half of insured Americans are now taking at least one "maintenance" drug for a chronic condition, according to a recent health industry report.
|
Lured into cloak-and-dagger investment pitches
If you don't fully understand what they're selling, you probably shouldn't be buying.
|
The best way to take a pension
If you're one of the lucky 30 million American workers still covered by a traditional defined-benefit pension plan, you'll likely be faced with a crucial and irrevocable decision when you retire: should you take your pension in the form of a guaranteed monthly check for life or should you grab all of your pension money up front and manage the funds yourself? The vast majority of retirees choose the lump sum - 90% of them, according to the Society of Actuaries. Before you join them, consider the risks.
|
Putting a price on money management
If you don't have the time or the skills necessary to manage your portfolio, it might be worth hiring a professional financial adviser.
|
Sold out? No problem
Getting to this summer's Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium requires patience, persistence and determination - and that's just for the fans.
|
Energy's easiest fix: Use less
Want to help the country save a quick million barrels of oil a day? Drive 5% less. Slow down. Inflate your tires.
|
Bear Market Guide: Relax, make money
Worst month for stocks since the Great Depression. A bear market. Oil blows past $140. These are the times that try long-term investors' souls.
|
Raw deal: Buying green
Would you pay over $5 for all-natural cleaner made with eucalyptus essence? How about a 20% premium for paper towels made from 100% unbleached recycled paper? Shoppers are often asked to pay more for environmentally friendly goods, but they might want to think twice before shelling out.
|
Why fat fund fees are such a drag
High expense ratios don't necessarily mean better fund performance, but they do take a bite out of your overall returns.
|
Divorced but still married to your money
As you may already know, June is the most popular month in this country for weddings. So now that the marrying month is almost over, I thought it might be a good idea to turn the focus to - what else? - divorce!
|
A fee for finding lost money
A tracer firm says it's found $14,000 in lost assets for us. Do I pay them the fee they want, or do I even trust them?
|
What Obama means by tax the wealthy
Most voters are aware that Barack Obama wants to raise taxes on high-income taxpayers if he's elected president in November.
|
My sister can't manage her money
Finances can be a touchy subject among family members. If you try to offer help, proceed with caution, says Money Magazine's Walter Updegrave.
|
Death of stocks? Reports greatly exaggerated
Bonds will occasionally outperform the stock market in the short run, but over the long haul, stocks still tend to come out on top.
|
A recession won't wreck your retirement
With the 'R' word looming, a lot of investors are ready to jump ship to shield their retirement. Look before you leap, says Money Magazine's Walter Updegrave.
|
Your kids don't need life insurance
Don' be misled by advertisements promising a high cash value for a small premium. There are better steps you can take to secure your child's future says Money Magazine's Walter Updegrave.
|
Invest now? Or in dribs and drabs?
Question: Each year my wife and I contribute the maximum to our retirement accounts. My question concerns the timing of our investments. Are we better off spreading out the money we invest over the entire year - or should we invest the money as soon as we can? - Eric, Seattle, Washington
|
