Practice Finance

I recently bred my two Norwich terriers and sold the puppies. It was so much fun that I may start breeding dogs as a side business. What must I do to be able to deduct the related costs on my tax return?

I want to leave part of my estate to my favorite charity, but rather than give individual assets or specify an amount of cash, I'd like it to receive whatever is left over after my kids get their inheritances. Can I do that?

I don't like having credit card balances so I tend to use my debit card instead. But my daughter, who works at a bank, says credit cards offer more protection. Is she right?

I've heard that laddering can help protect a bond portfolio, but I'm not sure what the strategy is or what it accomplishes. Does it make the portfolio less susceptible to defaults?

I want to give $10,000 or so to charity and claim the tax deduction for 2008, but I'd like to take my time evaluating potential recipients first. Is there any way for me to get credit for the donation now but make it later?

A new rule proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission would speed up the time it takes to compare funds.

The disparity in medical outcomes between black and white patients is largely because minorities have poorer access to high-quality care, according to conventional wisdom. How, then, to explain a new study that found such disparities between white and minority patients who went to the same physicians?

By putting your money thoughts to paper and spelling out why you made the purchase in the first place, you're more likely to make sure the investment has stayed true to your original aim.

I'll be moving across the country to take a new job, but my wife and daughter won't join me until my daughter finishes school next summer. Will this delay prevent us from deducting our moving expenses?

I have disability insurance through my employer and may soon have to file a claim. Will I owe tax on the proceeds?

My shares in a technology stock have hovered near $7 per share for two years, but last week the price shot up to $12. I can't find any significant news to explain the jump, only some online chatter that one of the company's products could be marketed as an iPhone accessory. Should I sell my shares or wait to see whether this price rise is finally the start of a growth spurt?

I've invested in three Vanguard mutual funds and see several more that I like, but should I put some cash in funds from another fund family to make sure I'm diversified enough?

Dividend-paying stocks and funds

A company told its employees they could use contributions to their 401(k) plan to pay for long-term-care insurance premiums. The IRS said this wouldn't work.

Workers who are over 50 and don't expect to receive employer-provided healthcare benefits in retirement are more likely to choose the coverage rather than retire.

When the wealthy start plowing money into the stock market, maybe it's time for everyone else to take notice.

The IRS warns of a rash of e-mail and telephone scams whose aim is to latch onto a taxpayer's personal and financial data.

I've noticed that a stock can have different price-earnings ratios depending on which sources I consult. Why is that?

My wife was advised to set up a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP-IRA) so she could set aside more annually than a traditional IRA would allow. Now she's earning only half as much and wants to switch to a regular IRA. How can she terminate the SEP?

Don't trust your nest egg to just anyone. These advisers have the expertise you deserve.

You want to give back, but don't know how to go about it? Here's help.

The right professionals will more than justify their fees. Here's what you need to know to hire the best.

When you rely on tips, you quickly learn how to make the customer happy.

You've got to have a will, but it won't cover all your estate planning needs.

Our Financial Survey shows that it's moving ahead briskly, but doctors must step up their efforts to maintain the pace.