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Recent articles

  Understanding and Planning Around Penalties for Early Retirement Account Withdrawals
Making the most of some complicated tax rules
  Beware Annuity Salespeople
Worried stock market investors are prime prey for "advisors" over selling these products
  Dealing With the Loss of a Trusted Advisor
Q: I am well diversified with my investments thanks to my father-in-law (CPA and financial advisor)...He made a plan, diversified me and my wife...The problem is that he is no longer with us...I fear the world has turned more times in the past 2 or 3 years than my father-in-law might have ever imagined...
  The Greatly Misunderstood Risks of Investing
Fear over recent, severe stock market decline and online and media opportunists worsening situation
  Growing Older Together: Caring for Your Aging Parents
The key financial and personal steps to take and how to navigate challenging discussion
  Are Companies Goosing Profits Simply by Continued Cost Cutting?
An analysis of recent earnings' and industry reports in discretionary spending businesses
  What Are the Top American-Made Cars?
Ford? GM? Here's the surprising answer and why it has implications for smart global investors.
  Can You Save Too Much?
Like eating and exercising, you can get too much of a good financial thing...
  Accumulating Your Home Down-Payment
Q: While housing prices have come down, coming up with the down payment still seems daunting. How much of a down payment do you recommend and how can we come up with that before we are old and gray?
  Understanding the Pros and Cons of Renting
Q: My spouse and I don't agree about renting or buying a home. Renting seems like a good deal to me but my newlywed feels that we are throwing away money renting. What is your take on this?
  Strategies for Managing Your Expenses
Reducing your spending while still maximizing your fun and enjoyment
  Starting Out: Getting the Most for Your Housing Expenditures
Whether as a renter or homeowner, you've got plenty of ways to restrain these big costs
  Frequently Made Retirement and Estate Planning Mistakes
Learn from the mistakes of those who retired before you
  Should You Count Your Home's Equity Toward Retirement?
Living On the House: Reverse Mortgages
  Are Some Media Outlets (and Unnamed Sources) Exaggerating Europe's Debt Woes?
Are China and Japan really shunning European debt and why should you care?
  The Allure of Buying Things You Don't Need
Why we make unnecessary purchases and how to change the behavior
  Broadcaster Jane Pauley's Lawsuit vs New York Times: Advertising Corrupting Content
Advertorials and the merging of ads and content
  The Myth of Stop Losses Reducing Stock (and ETF/Fund) Investing Risk
Q: After reading "Using Stops in Volatile Markets," on a blog, I implemented stop losses for my stocks...I got stopped out of many of my stocks. Seeing how much the market is back up now, I am upset...
  The Keys to Balancing Work and Your Personal Life
Spend less, work less, plan ahead
  Before You Invest
Getting your financial house in order and goals straight before investing
  Should You Hire an Investment Manager?
Many firms are now targeting customers with $100,000+ balances
  Let's Not Do That Again!
Learning from tax mistakes and keeping more of your money
  Americans Say They Missed 73% Rise in S&P 500 as Economy Surged
Really? Could Americans be that dumb?
  iShares Target-Date Funds Offering Simplified ETF Investing
Q: The target date funds offered by iShares...seem like a great deal because they greatly reduce the fees I would pay in purchasing and rebalancing the separate funds. Are these funds as great of a deal as I think?
  Pathway to Real Estate Riches or Ruin?
The truth about buying real estate with No Money Down
  Leading Investment Publication Ranks 61 Mutual Fund Families
#1 Fund company may surprise you as Vanguard plunges 33 positions to 40th place
  Saving More Isn't Always Better
The keys to keeping money accumulation in proper perspective
  Nearly Everyone Invests in Mutual Funds and ETFs
But many make easily avoided mistakes - here's how to get it right
  Assessing Your Current Portfolio
You probably have investments you'd be better off selling
  Should Your Pension Affect How You Invest Your Own Money?
Q: I am 60, will receive a state pension when I retire that covers all my basic expenses...my portfolio is 50% bonds and 50% stocks. Because of my pension, does the regular 50-50 wisdom apply to me, or should I have less than 50% in bonds/fixed income?
  Do Congressional Leaders Care How the Stock Market Performs?
An examination of how key members of Congress invest their own money and whether they have a stake in the success of the American economy
  Dealing With Worries About Rising Interest Rates
Q: As I approach retirement...I would expect to put more of my investments in bonds and fewer in stocks. But I also hear warnings about the impending rise in interest rates...
  Using Mutual Fund Past Performance
Lessons learned from a top performing Fidelity fund
  Getting Value for Money with Cell Phone Services
Plan selection, bells and whistles and carrier choice influence cost and quality
  Should Your Financial Plans Include Part-Time Work in Retirement?
Working brings in income, keeps you in touch with people and keeps you out of trouble!
  Does Funding a Health Savings Account (HSA) Still Make Sense?
What are you best investment options for an HSA?
  Being Aggressive & Diversified at a Young Age
Q: My company changed the funds available through its sponsored 403(b) plan. I am 26 years old. Do you think my new funds and allocation is aggressive and balanced? My new allocations are...
  A Free Lunch When Investing!
Boost Your Returns by Reducing Your Investing Taxes
  Home Insurance: Many Folks Lack the Best Coverage at the Best Price
Here's how and where to get the best bang for your buck and what you might have overlooked
  Should You Contribute to an Annuity?
Why socking away more retirement money isn't always better
 
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