Question: I lost about 40% of my retirement savings after taking early retirement. I’m now 55 and have $650,000 left. Can you suggest a portfolio that provides capital appreciation, income and growth? I require about $6,000 a month to live on. –Bill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This year you can score a rare recession-induced break on your energy bill: The combination of a weak economy and a production boom has dropped the cost of heating with natural gas to a six-year low and is keeping a lid on other heat sources as well. But you can still save more. These questions will help you figure out the most cost-effective ways to keep out the cold.
A few things seem certain: A final bill won’t be bipartisan, it will require tax increases, and the political implications will be huge. The rest is harder to predict.
The credit card reform bill tries to help cash-strapped customers, but companies are just coming up with new ways to boost profits.
Daryl Strenke murdered his girlfriend and then tried (but failed) to kill himself. He ended up blowing off part of his face, leaving him unable to speak normally or chew. Now Wisconsin taxpayers are going to have to foot the bill for a series of expensive surgeries to repair this convicted killer’s face.
• “Prepaid, but Not Prepared for Debit Card Fees”: The New York Times
• “Credit Cardholder’s Bill Of Rights: Sooner Would Be Better”: The Wall Street Journal
• “Investigating Old or Inaccurate Addresses on Your Credit Report and Why You Should”: MasterYourCard.com
• “How to Improve Your Credit Score When Paying Down Debt”: NoDebtPlan.net
• “Gen Y Faces Credit Hurdles”: The Sydney Morning Herald
• “Prepaid, but Not Prepared for Debit Card Fees”: The New York Times
• “Credit Cardholder’s Bill Of Rights: Sooner Would Be Better”: The Wall Street Journal
• “Investigating Old or Inaccurate Addresses on Your Credit Report and Why You Should”: MasterYourCard.com
• “How to Improve Your Credit Score When Paying Down Debt”: NoDebtPlan.net
• “Gen Y Faces Credit Hurdles”: The Sydney Morning Herald
Next year, for one year only, the federal estate tax is to drop to zero, thanks to a GOP bill passed in 2001. But will today’s Democrat-controlled Congress let that happen?
More than a million people could receive an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits under a bill the House is set to take up on Tuesday.
It’s only a couple of weeks or even days until school begins. And if you don’t think you’ll be able to get a handle on your college tuition bill, here with your guide to last minute money.
After being shell-shocked by nearly two years of brutal losses, investors are finally emerging from their T-bill and CD foxholes, looking for bigger returns. And high up on their wish list are emerging-stock funds.
After being shell-shocked by nearly two years of brutal losses, investors are finally emerging from their T-bill and CD foxholes, looking for bigger returns. And high up on their wish list are emerging-stock funds.
Question: I’m 63 and my employer has eliminated my health insurance and dramatically cut my pay. If I retire now, I’ll get about $1,300 a month in Social Security, plus I can collect another $2,000 a month by investing my $310,000 in savings in an immediate annuity with lifetime payments. All in all, I should have about the same income I have now. So I figure why work without health insurance when I can retire and not have health insurance? Do you think my plan makes sense? –Bill P., Martins Ferry, Ohio
Now that the “Cash for Clunkers” bill is federal law, it’s a good time to see if your car is eligible for the $3,500 or $4,500 rebate when buying a new car with better gas mileage. Find out if you qualify.
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