On MoneyFinance blog
Gail MarksJarvis
| ReadPaying your credit card isn't good enough
It's one thing to get hit with an interest rate increase on your credit card...
February 23, 2009 7:32 PM CST
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When you decide to purchase a car or house, or even rent an apartment or apply...
February 13, 2009 6:05 PM CST
Question for Gail on IRA
Gail, I have a traditional IRA and contribute the maximum allowed each year so I...
February 9, 2009 6:52 PM CST
Your Money stories
Surviving layoffs may mean new job responsibilities
Congratulations--you dodged layoffs, at least this time around. So why is the boss at your elbow wanting to talk? Because the job you've kept may not be the same job you've been doing.
Story gallery: Spending smart
Gregory Karp is a personal finance writer for The Morning Call, a Tribune Co. newspaper in Allentown, Pa.
Stimulus plan's $8,000 housing credit can be sweet in the right circumstances
Feb 22, 2009
Receiving $8,000 to buy a house is a tempting deal.
Tips for making the most out of tax filing season
Feb 22, 2009
Gather your W-2, charitable receipts and investments statements—tax season is here.
No such thing as 100% secure investments
Feb 22, 2009
After the worst year for the stock market in decades and a financial crisis that has rocked the nation's banks, who could blame investors for wondering if there is a safe place to put their money now?
Diversity in investments vital in turbulent economy
Feb 22, 2009
For many investors debilitated by the economic and financial downturn, rebuilding a portfolio is taking a back seat to avoidance mode.
Take opportunity while still working to build retirement cushion
Feb 22, 2009
QWe are 60. After 35 years with the same employer, I recently lost my job but was offered another position with the company at $85,000 a year, a pay cut of $27,000. My wife earns $19,000. We have $850,000 in savings. I will qualify for a company pension that pays $2,250 per month, and Social Security for both of us will add $2,900 per month beginning at age 66. We project our monthly expenses in retirement to be $6,000. Can we make it if we both continue to be employed another three years?
How to stay afloat if your mortgage is worth more than your house
Feb 22, 2009
Homeowners who bought at the peak of the real estate bubble may now be facing one nagging question: Should they try to pay down their mortgage faster?
Researchers say economic downturn may be longer than historical stock market averages suggest
Feb 15, 2009
Are you too optimistic or pessimistic about the economy and stock market?
Recession could mean more qualify for earned-income tax credit
Feb 15, 2009
The earned-income tax credit each year puts billions of dollars into the hands of millions of lower- to middle-income workers.
Tax-rate comfort, flexible withdrawals among selling points for Roth accounts
Feb 15, 2009
If you aren't investing in a Roth retirement account, Congress may be giving you reason to reconsider.
Would you relocate in retirement for better tax laws?
Feb 15, 2009
In retirement, would you be willing to relocate to a different state because it had better tax laws for your financial situation?
Which CEOs are a reason to consider buying stock?
Feb 15, 2009
Huge paydays during the deep recession have seemingly turned some chief executives into villains.
'Hybrid' meals an inexpensive alternative to dining out at restaurants
Feb 15, 2009
It's no secret that saving money on food starts with more time in the kitchen and less time in restaurants. But a third meal choice falls in between. Call them hybrid meals.
Unusual times make rebalancing a different, difficult task for investors
Feb 08, 2009
Normally at this time of year, financial advisers would be running their clients' money through an annual ritual that's almost a religion in the investing profession.
Companies consider re-enrollment as way to diversify employees' 401(k)'s
Feb 08, 2009
So far, employer efforts to persuade workers to diversify their 401(k) investments haven't been a resounding success.
Retirees often suffer from 'lump-sum mentality'
Feb 08, 2009
If your nest egg were a drink, have you been sipping frequently or chugging once in a while?
Recession offers potential bargains for spring break travelers
Feb 08, 2009
Looking to get away this spring break? You may be in for a deal.
Employees should take ownership of 401(k)'s
Feb 08, 2009
In an unforgiving market, many low-cost "balanced" mutual funds split 60-40 between stocks and bonds lost 22 percent or more of their value last year, shriveling the 401(k) account balances of even well-diversified workers.
Devil is in the details with tax filing - leave no stone unturned in search for deductions, experts say
Feb 22, 2009
Gather your W-2, charitable receipts and investments statements--tax season is here.
Housing credit could provide sizable boost
Feb 22, 2009
Receiving $8,000 to buy a house is a tempting deal.
No such thing as 100% secure investments - getting used to risk necessary in tough times
Feb 22, 2009
After the worst year for the stock market in decades and a financial crisis that has rocked the nation's banks, who could blame investors for wondering if there is a safe place to put their money now?
Building a cushion helps nest egg last
Feb 22, 2009
Q: We are 60. After 35 years with the same employer, I recently lost my job but was offered another position with the company at $85,000 a year, a pay cut of $27,000. My wife earns $19,000. We have $850,000 in savings. I will qualify for a company pension that pays $2,250 per month, and Social Security for both of us will add $2,900 per month beginning at age 66. We project our monthly expenses in retirement to be $6,000. Can we make it if we both continue to be employed another three years?
Success stories offer bright spot
Feb 22, 2009
Ryan and Christy Schrock began married life $80,000 in debt, just days after Ryan graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 2001.
With Americans angry, honesty is paramount
Feb 22, 2009
Actor Peter Finch told Americans to open windows and shout "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" in the 1976 film "Network."
Sounds like the anger of today's recession-weary Americans.
Paying down mortgage quickly may not be first priority
Feb 22, 2009
Homeowners who bought at the peak of the real estate bubble may now be facing one nagging question: Should they try to pay down their mortgage faster?
Store brands can offer savings, quality
Feb 22, 2009
Trying store brands is a low-risk way to cut spending without necessarily cutting quality.
Banking crisis weighs heavily on Wells Fargo
Feb 22, 2009
Q: I believed that Wells Fargo & Co. was recognized as a top bank. Why hasn't its stock done better?
A damaged portfolio will take time, effort to rebuild
Feb 22, 2009
For many investors debilitated by the economic and financial downturn, rebuilding a portfolio is taking a back seat to avoidance mode.
