Michael Sheehan

The CBO estimates that tort reform would only cut healthcare expenditures by 0.5%, but new research suggests that fear of litigation is a more significant driver of costs than actual malpractice cases.

Many think the healthcare debate would have turned out differently if there were greater physician representation in Congress; currently only 16 MDs hold office. This number will undoubtedly grow come November as 47 doctors are running for House and Senate seats this year.

Don't be blinded by the extra income you could gain from a Roth conversion. In combination with the possible expiration of George W. Bush's tax cuts, a Roth conversion could have serious implications for your wallet.

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts have lately taken a back seat to 529 plans, and will likely become even more unpopular as rule changes further limit contribution amounts and the ways in which you can make tax-free withdrawals from them.

Money markets funds are supposed to provide investors with easy access to cash. New SEC rules, combined with severe economic pressure, are ensuring just the opposite.

Unless Congress eliminated the sustainable growth rate formula, two-thirds of physicians will limit the number of Medicare patients in their practice. $51.70 is just not enough.

Tax freedom day arrived on April 9. Most people began paying themselves, rather than the federal government, on that day. Most, that is, except Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. They'll finish up on April 27, 25, and 23.

There are tax advisors who will tell you that getting a fat refund check isn't a good thing, but it's too late to heed their advice now, so let the party begin!

The advent of online e-tailers lhas made avoiding sales taxes even easier, but some states are fighting back in the hopes of collecting upwards of $20 billion in lost revenue.

Reversing a long-standing trend, Congress has failed to forestall a major cut in Medicare fees. They've passed a postponement until October 1, but when will they enact the necessary overhaul of the SGR formula?

The problem with most investors? They have overly complex portfolios, with a jumbled mix of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that creates an avalanche of paperwork and record keeping, as well as so-so results.

Think your high income subjects you to all sorts of stealth taxes? Well, you're right...it does. But experts have some good news - there are plenty of tax breaks of which you can take advantage no matter how high your income.

If your investor is worth his salt, he or she should be able to navigate today's choppy financial seas. If you've tossed yours overboard, then it's important to ask these key questions of your new advisor before you hand over any money.

Financial planners have been advising clients for years to pay off their mortgages faster by making extra payments. Now, contrarians suggest that the money you put into those payments could work harder elsewhere.

Do you know what "residual value" or "money factor" mean? If not, you're not likely to get a good deal on the lease for the car of your choice.

A generation ago, a classic advertisement for the VW Beetle had a simple headline: Think Small. A good idea then, and considering current economic conditions, an even better one today.

Companies that advertise "free" credit scores are actually peddling a credit monitoring service for a monthly fee. Here's how you can avoid getting scammed.

Travel costs may be recovering from recession lows, but bargains are still to be found for those willing to search. You just have to know where to look.

Bank customers can get slapped with a $35 overdraft fee because the $3.00 latte they put on their debit card is more than they have in their account. What's worse, those overdraft fees can pile up with each transaction they make as long as their account is in the red.

If spring is almost here, summer weddings can't be far behind, and many couples planning to head down the aisle are already wrestling with projected costs. The recession has cut into the average cost of a wedding, which now runs around $17,500, down from about $20,000 back in the heady days before the economic meltdown.

When the ground rules changed for credit card issuers, some of the rules for consumers looking to keep their credit score high changed too. Certain moves, which used to be no-nos, can now actually improve your credit rating.

The stock market recently observed two significant anniversaries. March 9 marked the first birthday of the current bull market, which began a year ago when the market turned around from an intraday low of 666 on the S&P500 index.

Travel during March and April can be hazardous for adults and families who are headed for any of the spots favored by the hordes of college-age revelers on spring break. Steering clear of their favorite beach locales -- places like Cancun, Miami Beach, and Panama City Beach -- is a must for those who are looking for a more relaxing and peaceful vacation.

Lately, Toyota has been running ads that show happy customers who recently bought a new Toyota.

You're nowhere near ready to figure out your taxes and the filing deadline is only six weeks away. Here's an option: file IRS Form 4868 to request an automatic extension, which gives you until October 15 to get your act together.

Two bits of advice stand behind Warren Buffett's recent success during the economic recovery – buy when everyone else is selling and stand pat when everyone is buying.

Even wine experts can't reliably distinguish between the same bottle, so forget about price and fancy labels. Find a wine you like at a price you can afford and stick with it.

The new-car buyer's worst nightmare: shortly after you drive the car off the lot, you total it, and your insurance will cover much less than what you owe. That's where guaranteed auto protection comes in handy.

Bargain hunters looking to get their hands on a new car should look into a program called European Delivery, which can potentially save them big money while giving them a chance to enjoy a pleasant European vacation.

Open up a tax-deferred IRA at age 25 and put in $200 a month, with interest you'll earn $700,000 by age 65. Wait 10 years to start and you'll only have $300,000. That's the miracle of compound interest.