When two people with kids decide to get married, the emotional side of the equation is already complicated.  How will the kids get along under the same roof?  How will parents handle disciplinary issues, particularly when the other spouse's kids are the target?  How will ex-spouses be involved in the ne

For people who can afford to put away money in their retirement accounts, the decision of how much to put in often comes at the last minute, meaning at yearend or at the minute they're filing their taxes.  But it's very important to keep track of contribution limits on a yearly basis so you can plan ahead to have

It may be many months - if not years - before U.S. troops make a permanent exit from wartime service.  However, it's never too early for military personnel and their families to start talking about the right financial steps to make when returning home. One of the smartest moves a serviceman or woman can make i

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a basket of securities created to track as closely as possible a particular market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index or the Dow Jones Industrial Average.  They're similar to mutual funds in that they represent investments in the same types of securities, but they

In June, the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) issued an investor alert on indexed annuities, calling them "A complex choice."  The Securities and Exchange Commission also sent letters of inquiry to the various providers questioning their marketing tactics. Annuities can be complex in any form,

For the last two decades, employees in self-directed retirement plans like 401(k)s have had to largely go it alone for advice on the investment choices offered within the company’s plan.  A new federal law indicates that’s about to change, but there’s plenty of controversy swirling around it.  

The Federal Reserve has taken what many believe is a temporary pause in the interest rate hikes it began back in 2003. But that won’t be much comfort to mortgage holders who signed up for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) set to readjust this year, particularly those who signed on for interest-only mortgages. Accord

One way to cut the sting of the post-holiday credit card bills is to set a new agenda when it comes to credit.  So consider the following ideas when setting your credit resolutions for 2007: Set dates for getting your credit reports: Each year, you should check each of your credit reports from annualcreditre

The temptation of a company 401(k), like any passive investment, is to let it sit for years without a checkup.  But it makes sense to set a time each year when you can look over your retirement investments and make sure they're still right for you. This is particularly important now that the Pension Protection

At a minimum, your car insurance rates jump 50 percent the minute you put your kid on your policy. In some families, it's as much as 200 or 300 percent. Why? Because car crashes are the leading killer of people between the ages of 15 and 20. So as the prime teen driving months of summer approach, it's worth discuss

You have until April 17 to make your contributions to a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP-IRA and Keogh plans. A SIMPLE IRA has two separate deadlines: January 31 for salary reduction contributions, and April 17 for employer contributions. Here's a look at contribution limits and other key information you should consider

Tax deadline is April 17, so if you haven't begun gathering your annual tax records it's time to do so. Every year, however, people's lives change - they buy and sell houses and move, they take new jobs, have kids, buy and sell stock. Those and dozens more reasons might give you cause to hire a tax preparer. It's

You have only one credit score, so you only have to check with one of the three major credit bureaus to find out what that number is. MYTH: You have three credit scores, and they can vary widely. That's why it's important if you're applying for a loan to check with that prospective lender to see which agency's sc

Do you want a wedding or a car? How about a wedding or a down payment on a home or condo? How about a wedding or no student debt? With the average American wedding costing approximately $27,000, (not including the ring or the honeymoon trip), couples really need to consider whether the cost of their special day is wor

National statistics show that single people are starting to wield increasing economic power in the United States, either living alone or with other singles. For instance, the National Association of Realtors recently reported that single women are the fastest-growing force in home buying, while the overall number of m

Weather delays, terrorism scares and general overcrowding in the skies have lead to plenty of frightening travel news on the airwaves. If you've ever been stuck on the airport tarmac for hours or had a flight cancelled on the way to a brief but desperately needed vacation, you've probably faced the irritating possibil

Most of us would rather just lie down after mailing our taxes - it's an exhaustion that comes from the suspicion of paying too much or wondering if we've missed deductions that could have saved us money. Yet one good way to avoid that overtaxed feeling is to get a jump on planning for Tax Year 2007. Here are a few

New college graduates will be entering the workforce this summer with plenty of excitement - and plenty of debt. This year, the average college debt stands at $20,000 for the first time ever. Though your first job is probably not going to be your last job, the financial moves you make on that first job can create b

While no one can count on rate forecasts, the prospect of lower mortgage rates later this year should have borrowers thinking about taking advantage of cuts if they happen. The first step anyone should take is a regularly scheduled check of his or her credit report. The second is taking the necessary steps to impro

Very few people are in the mood to hunker down with their financial files when the summer weather beckons. But a midyear review of your tax situation, retirement and spending issues can be far more valuable than the rushed attempt most people make at the end of the year -- or when it's too late at tax time. Summer'

In June, Chicago outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that job reduction announcements by major U.S. corporations in May were up only a slight amount from April's totals, but up a whopping 32 percent from May 2006. What does this mean to you? As Harry Truman once said, "It's a recession when