Browsing Category: "Personal Finance"
Credit card hikes raise Congress’ blood pressure
As credit card companies continue raising rates and fees, lawmakers are considering bills to stop such hikes until new credit card laws take effect.
Unemployed tap their 401(k)s
Nearly half of U.S. workers who left their job last year cashed out their 401(k) accounts, according to a study released Wednesday, despite ongoing efforts to dissuade Americans from doing so.
Pay less to stay warm this winter
This year you can score a rare recession-induced break on your energy bill: The combination of a weak economy and a production boom has dropped the cost of heating with natural gas to a six-year low and is keeping a lid on other heat sources as well. But you can still save more. These questions will help you figure out the most cost-effective ways to keep out the cold.
Year-end tax moves to make now
There’s plenty to distract you from financial planning this time of year, from cheering on your favorite football team to daydreaming about Thanksgiving dinner. But you don’t want to let some end-of-year deadlines slip by without taking steps to minimize taxes and maximize savings. Especially in this economic climate, a little extra cash can go a long way.
The best time to invest in a 401(k)? Now
Question: I’m 47 years old and would like to begin participating in my company’s 401(k) plan. But I don’t know if this is the right time to do so. Do you think I should start now or wait until the economy gets better? –Frank, Brighton, Mass.
Pick the right pro at the right price
For anything from a small upgrade to a major remodeling job, perhaps the most important decision you’ll make is whom to hire. You’ll seek out a top-notch worker with a stellar reputation, of course, but first you’ll have to decide what kind of expert you’re looking for.
5 evil things credit card firms can (still) do
The credit card reform bill tries to help cash-strapped customers, but companies are just coming up with new ways to boost profits.
3 signs of the next real estate collapse
When the FDIC closed Chicago’s Corus Bank last month, it may have signaled the beginning of the next shock to the banking system: commercial real estate defaults.
Getting back on the retirement horse
Jason and Patty Simkins, both 40, have saved next to nothing for retirement in the past year. They were rattled by the rocky market, which caused the value of their portfolio to tumble 40% at its low point.
Tips for an investing newbie
Question: I’m 30 years old and have savings of about $50,000. I’ve never invested in stocks or mutual funds, but I would like to start. Can you recommend some resources that can help educate me about investments and give me a better understanding of how they work? –Suresh T., Jacksonville, Florida
Is it time to dump your ARM?
If you are among the 6.5 million homeowners who took out a low-rate adjustable-rate mortgage during the housing boom, you’ve probably spent the past couple of years waiting for your day of reckoning to come.
Using buybacks to help pick stocks
The top job of managers at every company is the same: allocating capital. Should money be spent on internal growth or acquisitions? Should capital be returned to shareholders via dividends or share repurchases?
