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Can mom afford to work only part-time?
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Shawn and Mary Kate DeRose live comfortably on a combined $133,000 income. They pay their debts, save for retirement, even have room to splurge on dinners out and high-end gym memberships.
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4 tips for caring for mom and dad
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Caring for an ailing or aging parent is never easy, but the challenges only multiply when Mom and Dad live far away.
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Tips for getting homeowners insurance
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1. Loyalty is overrated
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Talkback: Where did you retire?
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Money's new More Money blog
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McDonald's sizzling stock
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Can these arches stay golden if the economy tumbles again?
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Second act: Software to wind energy
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Jim Maguire describes himself as being ahead of his time, and he's hardly bragging. In 2002, Maguire -- who managed software projects for large companies -- was consulting in Germany when he discovered "the next big thing."
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Are Americans de-banking?
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The financial crisis that destroyed some of the world's biggest banks and sent others to the brink of failure have changed Americans' idea of lending and borrowing. While most still seem to have no problems storing their money at banks small and large, a few trends indicate that everyone from consumers to some of the world's largest companies are straying away from large financial institutions as sources of funding.
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Quest for the perfect credit score
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A major league pitcher dreams of throwing a perfect game. High schoolers eyeing the Ivy League study furiously in hopes of earning 2400 on the SAT. Meanwhile, Chris Peplinski is pursuing his own brand of flawlessness: an 850 credit score.
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6 steps to improve your credit score
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Ready to embark on the quest for an 800 credit score?
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Nab the best rates on all loans
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To ensure the best deal on any loan, aim for 780-plus on your FICO score. But, that's not always possible. Here are the minimum scores for the best rates on loans.
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Credit card debt at an 8-year low
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The amount of credit card debt consumers are carrying dropped to an eight-year low and delinquencies continued to decline in the second quarter as consumers looked to shore up their savings.
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Boost your company's profits, boost your career
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The person at your office who routinely brings in millions of bucks worth of business probably doesn't have to worry about job security. Or begging the boss for a raise. Or advocating for a promotion.
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State tax hikes could go too far
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Some U.S. states facing steep budget gaps have resorted to tax policies that could be harmful over the long term, a non-profit research group said Monday.
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How financial reform will really work
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Almost two years after the near collapse of the U.S. financial system, a sweeping reform package has finally been signed into law. Now the real work begins.
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The U.S. is a mess. Should we invest overseas?
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Question: Looking into the future of the American economy, I see tons of debt, the yoke of increasing social spending, pork-fed bureaucratic waste, the exporting of jobs and the importing of poverty. While this may paint a negative picture, I feel it's reality. We all want to be patriotic, but aren't there more fiscally responsible places to invest in that may offer a better landscape? --Dave, Bethlehem, Penn.
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Do high-cost funds pay off?
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Question: I'm trying to choose between two funds in my 401(k) that invest in the same sector. One has higher fees, but it also performs better. How can I tell if a fund's performance is worth the higher price? --Jordan, San Antonio, Texas
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Will the next pop be the bond bubble bursting?
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Question: I'm within five years of retirement and currently have about 35% of my investments in bond funds. With rising interest rates a likely scenario, how do I stay diversified without exposing myself to a "bond bubble"? -- John Clay, East Helena, Montana
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Skeptical of too-good-to-be-true retirement plans
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Question: Are you familiar with something called a Plan B pension? Is it a legit investment and, if so, how can I sign up? --Lloyd, Decatur, Georgia
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Tired of living paycheck to paycheck
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Question: I've been trying to be a little more thrifty lately. I realize that a lot of the luxuries Americans have are "wants" not "needs." Basically, I'd like to balance my household budget so I don't end up with just $30 at the end of the month. I'd even like to start building some savings. Any suggestions? --Kim, Idaho Falls, Idaho
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