|
Savings: Get more yield on your cash
|
When you think of the words "safe income," a savings account probably doesn't spring to mind.
|
|
The right way to play a takeover
|
The sharp jump in dealmaking lately -- mergers and acquisitions soared more than 20% in the first quarter -- may have you thinking about hunting for the next big takeover target.
|
|
The European crisis and your portfolio
|
Question: With all the discussion about Greece, Portugal, Spain, etc., I'm concerned about how failing economies in Europe will affect my retirement savings. My portfolio is diverse, but I'm still worried that I am going to take another major hit. I am nine years from a potential retirement. Should I be concerned? --Gary, Buffalo, New York
|
|
Betting on financial stocks
|
Some of the most scorching returns these days are coming from funds that have made big wagers on the financial sector. There's Legg Mason Capital Management Opportunity, run by Bill Miller, with a 54% return over the past 12 months. Bruce Berkowitz's Fairholme is up 36%. Such numbers are awfully tempting -- all the more so because they aren't coming from go-go tech junkies but from "value" stock pickers who specialize in beaten-down, bargain-priced stocks, which is conventionally considered a safer approach. So should you get into one of these funds?
|
|
Money's new More Money blog
|
|
|
Which bank deserves your money?
|
Shopping for a new bank? It's nice to have a branch on every corner, but that's not the only quality that makes an institution worthy of your business.
|
|
Is this the start of a new bear market?
|
Sell in May and go away may seem like a silly Wall Street saying. But if you actually followed those words of wisdom, you'd be breathing a lot easier right now.
|
|
Restore order to your garage
|
No room in your garage ... for your cars? Welcome to the club. A quarter of Americans with two-car garages can't park in theirs, and another third can squeeze in only one vehicle, according to the Department of Energy. Getting a grip on the jumble of yard tools, sports gear, and random junk is daunting, sure. But you'll make the space more attractive and useful -- and spare your car from the elements too. Just follow this game plan.
|
|
Stocks: Best moves to make now
|
You may want your portfolio to throw off a decent amount of income, either to fund current needs or because you (quite sensibly) don't want to rely on capital gains for all your investment returns.
|
|
Euro's woes a win for U.S. tourists
|
The troubled euro zone is being eyed by Americans as this summer's hot spot.
|
|
Why sales matter more than profits
|
Whether you're speaking the language of Wall Street or just plain English, you know the "bottom line" is what's supposed to matter most. And corporate America's bottom line, otherwise known as profit, is shaping up nicely.
|
|
Solve 7 health care challenges
|
Premiums soaring? Your insurer denied your claim? Retiree benefits got slashed? Try these strategies to cure what ails you when it comes to getting and paying for medical care.
|
|
60 years old and no retirement savings
|
Question: I'm one of those Americans who are just not financially prepared for retirement. I'm 60, but have very little saved because my money went into my own businesses, all of which eventually failed. I'm now working for a company and participate in its 401(k). But short of winning the lottery, I don't know what to do to be able to retire. Any suggestions? --Tony F., St. Louis, Missouri
|
|
Armageddon, brought to you by the FCC
|
Your Internet bill will go up $50 a month! You won't be able to access your favorite Web site! Your Internet connection is going to slow to a crawl!
|
|
5 things to know about getting audited
|
1. Audits are on the rise
|
|
Dirty tricks financial advisers play
|
Question: I'm 29, make about $260,000 a year and am thinking about purchasing a house. I was approached by a financial adviser who wants me to invest in an equity indexed universal life insurance policy, which he called a "surefire" way to develop a sizable nest egg that grows tax-free and can also be tapped tax-free via a loan. He suggested that I purchase a house using an interest-only mortgage, which would have lower payments than a regular mortgage, and then invest the difference into the life insurance policy. He also suggested I take out a home equity line of credit on the home and invest the loan proceeds in the insurance policy. He threw around claims like "do what the banks do" and "make money off of borrowed money." I would like to get an unbiased second opinion, so any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. --Randolph, Northampton, Mass.
|
|
An aggressive saver who can't save enough
|
Question: I'm 27 and have had a Roth IRA since I was 16 years old. I've been maxing out that account since I graduated college, and I now also max out my 401(k). But this year my income will be too high to allow me to contribute to either a Roth IRA or traditional deductible IRA. I still have money I want to save, so I'm wondering whether I should just open a regular taxable account and invest in muni bonds, annuities or something else. Any suggestions? --Donald J.
|
|
Paying off debt with a 401(k) loan
|
Question: Should I borrow from my 401(k) to pay off debt? -- Verlyn Regehr, Denver, Colorado
|
|
When is an annuity worth it?
|
Question: I just don't understand annuities. There seems to be a lot of buzz about their guaranteed income as a crucial piece of any retirement portfolio. But if I have $100,000, then I already have guaranteed cash to pull from that is not subject to fees or penalties. And I may benefit from higher interest rates in the future. So why would I buy a $100,000 annuity? What am I missing? -- Dave, Denver, Colorado
|
|
To build or not to build your own portfolio?
|
Question: Our retirement savings plan at work now offers several target-date retirement funds. I'm about 20 years from retirement, and I'm wondering whether I should consider one of these funds or try to keep a diversified portfolio on my own? -- Michael P., Chillicothe, Ohio
|
