Budgeting for Uncertain Events

Nov 10, 2011
Here's a list of reasons why we save. A lot of things can go wrong. Age to die Need for extraordinary health care Close relative needs money Lo...

Sell down to the sleeping point

Nov 2, 2011
Question: With the roller coaster-volatility of the stock market, would it be wise to tell my investment management firm to sell all mutual fund...

A decent return on savings

Oct 28, 2011
Millions of Americans are struggling to save more. The worst job market since the 1930s has convinced us that we need to shore up our personal...

Cash is king

Oct 7, 2011
Question: I have about 30,000 dollars saved in a savings account that is giving me about 0.85% interest. I put about $ 800 a month into this...

I-bonds and emergency savings

Oct 3, 2011
Question: My house is almost paid off. I now want to build a larger emergency fund. Putting money into a savings account or CDs will not keep up...

For public good, not for profit.

Smoothing out income

Sep 26, 2011
Question: I just started a job as a professor. I have a 9 month salary. I know many institutions divide a nine-month salary into twelve paychecks,...

Refinance or embrace a shorter mortgage

Sep 22, 2011
Question: We're a family of 3, and I'm about 40yrs old. We are considering a refinance of our house to get a better rate. We're fine financially -...

The wealth gap

Sep 21, 2011
Here's more financial damage from the Great Recession. The largest economic gap between blacks and whites isn't income, but wealth. Sad to say--but...