SPOTLIGHT -
Saving Strategies - Big or Small?
Some consumer advisors suggest that you get the best results for your efforts by making major lifestyle changes while others say small moves like clipping coupons can create frugal habits that translate into big savings.
Fraudsters Mimic Regulators
The easiest way to sniff out an investment scam is to check with real regulators. The North American Securities Administrators Association and the SEC should be the first people you call.
Psst! Your 401(k) Is Looking Better
The secret to whether your account is better off depends on several factors: your age, your portfolio mix, and whether you continued to contribute to the account, of which the latter is probably the most important.
GM Offers Money-Back Guarantee
GM is promoting a 60-day money-back guarantee on all its 2009 and 2010 model year Buicks, Chevys, and Cadillacs, but smart car buyers know to look for catches in the fine print and there are a few in GM’s deal.
Insurers Cancel Drywall Claimants
Homeowners who have Chinese drywall in their homes are facing a new problem – insurers are cancelling the homeowners policies of those who have filed damage claims over the possibility of future damage claims.
Credit Card Annual Fees - A Comeback?
Although Bank of America refers to its new credit card fees as a “test,” many industry observers believe the move to be the beginning of a trend, as banks act to recover lost revenue.
Fund Fees - Size Does Matter
If you compare the performance of high-cost, actively-managed funds to that of a low-cost index bond fund, chances are you’ll find that the extra money you’re paying isn’t buying you a track record that would justify the added cost.
Is Your Estate Thief-Proof?
There are a growing number of inheritance thieves who can sidetrack your estate in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common thefts, along with advice from estate planners on how to avoid them.
Savings Bonds - Know When to Hold ‘Em
Savings Bonds used to be a plain vanilla investment that combined low risk with a decent return, however, many Savings Bonds are now prime candidates to be replaced by better investments.
These Stocks Aren't for Amatuers
Unless you know your way around the stock market and enjoy taking on heavy risk, say financial gurus, certain investments probably aren’t for you.
Going for the Green
There’s a long list of home improvements that are eligible for tax credits in 2010, including upgrades to your insulation, windows, doors, air conditioning, and appliances.
How Inherited IRAs Work
The idea behind an IRA is fairly simple, but owners should be wary of the complex web of parameters that regulate inherited IRAs.
Holiday Air Travel Tips
Good news: average airline fare prices are down from last year by as much as 20%. Bad news: some airlines are trying to boost tepid revenues by imposing a “peak travel” surcharge of $10 per trip if you fly on certain days.
Figuring the Finances of Moving
Whether you’re looking to relocate for retirement or a better life style, strong planning opens up a whole vista of choices. Figuring out where you want to spend your next years means intelligent sifting through those choices.
Insurance Issues for Doctors
When your medical office is damaged by disaster, you face many of the same expenses that a homeowner does, but with additional business costs that homeowners don't experience.
What's in a Fund Name?
During one of the worst bear markets in history, Wall Street marketers created the “absolute return” fund. As with any scheme that sounds too good to be true, this one probably is.
Will Boomers Lead to Bust?
Worry over large-scale stock sell offs by retiring baby boomers looking to convert to equities into fixed-income assets is probably misplaced, say some stock market analysts.
Are the Holidays Here Yet?
Holiday shoppers looking for discounts may either have to settle for something smaller or wait longer than last year as retailers have cleared out inventory, giving them more room to maintain prices.
Banks Fall Back, Lawmakers Charge on Bank Fees
Faced with a storm of criticism from lawmakers, several banks have announced that they would eliminate overdraft fees in certain cases and limit the number of overdraft fees that can be incurred in a single day.
Checking on Errant Brokers
Shady brokers suspended by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority can reappear as insurance agents, mortgage brokers, or financial planners. You can check a broker's record through FINRA's BrokerCheck or your state securities regulatory agency.
Zombie Stocks Rise Again
Zombies aren't just popular in Hollywood, they are alive and well on Wall Street too. Several million shares of moribund companies like Washington Mutual and Lehman Brothers are being swapped every day.
Banking by Cell Phone - Is It Safe?
More than three million people used their cell phones to do their banking last year, but is it truly safe?
Outlook for Airlines Somewhat Rosier
Checked-baggage revenue has tripled in the past year, the Bloomberg Airline Index has beaten the S&P 500 2-to-1 since March lows, and airline execs say passengers aren't complaining that much about all the new for-fee services.
The Scoop on Stop-Loss Orders
Stop-loss orders can help your stock portfolio from sliding back to the lows of last March, preventing you from taking losses and locking in profits.
Tax Brackets -- No Change in 2010
Low inflation is the consumer’s friend, but can also cause some problems including static tax brackets and no cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security checks.
Extra Time for Offshore Account Holders
Holders of secret Swiss accounts have an opportunity to come forward under a limited-amnesty program that will require them to pay back taxes, interest, and a special fine, but avoid harsher penalties.
Recession a Wine Lover's Windfall
Last year's fourth quarter was one of the worst ever for wine sales, leaving a glut on shelves and in warehouses. That's a bonanza for wine lovers as retailers and distributors slash prices on high-end inventory.
Heating with Natural Gas May Be Cheaper This Winter
A crippled economy and tropical storms in gas-producing areas have contributed to a steep drop in the price of natural gas, a more than 80% drop from July 2008 highs.
Deja Vu on Wall Street
Financial institutions are going back to practices that got the country in trouble and, noting that behavior, President Obama is calling for new regulatory powers including a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
Looking at Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance is cheap compared to whole or universal life options, and is probably the first place someone should look to protect their family's financial future.