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Locking Out Identity Thieves
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that identity theft happens to 9 million Americans each year. Identity
thieves steal credit cards and wallets, or use machines to store numbers at ATMs. Thieves pose as companies on
the phone or through e-mail, tricking people into revealing personal information. They can steal mail,
taking information from pre-approved credit cards and financial statements.
Quick Tips to Get You Back in the Black
Saving money for your future is hard enough when the economy is in an upswing, but the task becomes even more
daunting during an economic downturn when consumers find themselves struggling just to pay monthly bills. Here are a few
quick and easy tips on how saving a little can add up to a lot
How the Cards in Your Wallet Stack Up
American's wallets feel heavy, but they're not stuffed with bills. At any given time, the average American carries 11 cards in their wallet, a mix of credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards.
Why the plastic? Each type of card carries its own rewards and drawbacks.
International Investing: Why it Makes Sense
Of the world's 40,000 publicly traded companies, 77 percent are located abroad, a pretty good sign that there are compelling investment opportunities outside the United States. Viewed another way, 51 percent of the world's $38 trillion total market capitalization belongs to the international arena. U.S. mutual funds hold $491 billion in overseas investments.
Gold: A True Barometer Of Public Confidence
Gold and silver coins, the famous "old world" currency, are fast becoming the "new world" currency because they offer the missing link in all paper currencies: a store of value.
When Going Gets Tough, Look To Dividend-Paying Stocks
Dividend-paying stocks may provide investors with solid results and, quite possibly, a smoother ride along the way. An expanding dividend supply is presenting itself when investors need it most: a volatile market and a volatile world.
What's Really Driving Your Portfolio Performance?
According to Roger Ibbotson, chairman and founder of Ibbotson Associates and a professor in the practice of finance at the Yale School of Management, what really drives performance over the long term is asset allocation - the assignment of money to different categories of assets, such as large- and small-cap funds, international funds, bonds and cash.
Take the Guesswork Out of Asset Allocation
Talk to any financial adviser and the mantra these days is diversify, diversify, diversify. But to average investors, that's not so simple. What exactly does that mean and how do they go about doing it?
Incorporating Bond Funds Into Your Investment Strategy
Bond funds can offer investors many of the same benefits of individual bonds, in addition to the advantages of diversification and professional management, according to "Bond Funds: The T. Rowe Price Investment Guide."
'Human Capital' Key Part Of Investment Portfolio
Age doesn't single-handedly dictate an investor's stock-bond blend. Instead, an investor's current savings versus future potential savings should set the mix, according to financial experts.
The Right Choices Can Reduce Investment Taxes
Given fluctuations in the market and changing tax law, there's nothing certain about the amount of taxes individuals will pay annually on their investments, but there are some choices investors can make to reduce their tax bill.
New Data Shows How Investors Fare
Investors often choose funds based on their past performance, buying too late and selling too soon. As a result, they lose money by investing in highly advertised hot funds or fleetingly popular sector funds.
"Investors know they should hold diversified portfolios, but many chase past performance," said Don Phillips, managing director of Morningstar.
Childhood Investments Can Build Nest Egg for Later in Life
"Investing early in life is important - not only does it give young investors a head start in building a nest egg for a first home, a college education or retirement, but it also creates good investing habits," said David Kathman, fund analyst for investment research firm Morningstar Inc.
Wall Street: the Road Block To Your Investing Success
Investors today face a barrage of conflicting information and exaggerated return claims from what most people consider the "market" -; the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. But these indexes only comprise about 12 percent of all U.S. stocks. The reality is that these stocks can't be predicted with any consistency, especially long-term.
In the complicated world of financial services, you're being misled.
What a Company's Stewardship Means for Your Investment
What really distinguishes good corporate governance from bad? Does it really matter to the individual investor what a management team does as long as the stock price goes up and dividends get paid?
Is an Exchange-Traded Fund Right for Your Portfolio?
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been around for years, but new offerings have increased their profile even more.
ETFs have several clear advantages over traditional funds: lower annual expense ratios, greater tax efficiency and flexible trading. Nevertheless, they aren't suitable for everyone.
Private Company Index Compares Main Street to Wall Street
Founded by Entrex Inc. in mid 2005, the Private Company Index, also called PCI, is the only indicator tool of its kind that measures trends in the performance of North American private business on a monthly basis.
Morningstar Firm Helps Identify Economic 'Moats'
Independent investment research firm Morningstar Inc.'s "fat-pitch" investment philosophy - find great companies that boast competitive advantages and buy them at a discount to fair value - is simple to understand, but difficult to employ. Outstanding businesses rarely come cheap.
Tips on Finding a Qualified Financial Adviser
Retirement planning. Long-term care insurance. College savings. These complex financial topics can be downright baffling.
As their financial needs change, many people find it a good idea to consult a qualified professional to help them navigate the nuances of financial planning.
Are You Building Enough Wealth to Support Yourself in Retirement?
Americans today generally are saving less, spending more and living longer than previous generations. A longer life span means the need for increased savings. And the sooner workers start saving, the better. In financial planning, time is your best friend.
Make Real Estate Investment a Snap
History has shown that the best time to be an investor is in a buyer's market not a seller's. And while across America housing sales have continued to slump, foreclosures are at an all-time high -; meaning that for serious investors, the time to focus their energies on buying real estate is now.
Despite Cool Market, Investing in Real Estate May Be Worthwhile
The real estate market has cooled off a little bit, but the boom hasn't exactly come to a halt. If purchased properly, some say real estate is one of the safer investments in our nation. The population will likely continue to increase, and people need shelter - whether it's for their home or their business.
Personal Wealth: Give to Receive - Five Tax Tips
According to Jim Tyrpak, CLU, ChFC, AEP, MSFS, president of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, there are more than a few ways being charitable can benefit you as much as the gift receiver.
Education: The Ins and Outs of 529 College Savings Plans
Saving for college is an important part of many families' financial picture. Families may choose to explore state-run 529 plans, which allow investors seeking tax-free growth of assets to pay for higher education.
Education: Leveling the Playing Field Among 529 College Savings Plans
Many people are already aware of the benefits of investing in a state-sponsored 529 college savings program. What might not be as well known yet are tax parity laws.
Education: Personal Finance 101 Saving Money Before and During College
According to the College Board, the average yearly cost for a public college is $5,836, and the cost for a private college is more than $22,000. So when you're planning your educational future, it's a good idea to create a clear financial plan before you ever set foot on campus.
Education: Budget-Wise Tips for Managing College Costs
The average college student spends nearly $3,000 for various expenses beyond tuition, according to the College Board.
Good financial habits learned early will serve the student throughout his or her college years and well beyond, says Rich Linsday, president of the Society of Financial Service Professionals.
Is Your Kid Covered?
(BusinessWeek) Insurers make big profits from college students, but some families are left with huge bills.
Student Health: What You Need to Know
(BusinessWeek) The college insurance plan your school offers may not be the best deal. Here are some things to look at if you decide to shop for your own.
Roundtable: Is Your Retirement in Trouble?
(The Motley Fool) Rising health-care and food costs and a slowing economy have hit many Americans in their debit cards -- and their retirement plans.
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
(AskMen.com) Figuring out which debt to carry -- good vs. bad -- can help you maneuver your personal finances into positive territory.
If You'd Had $100,000 in 1998 ...
(The Motley Fool) New York magazine recently examined the hypothetical performance of various $100,000 investments made in 1998.
College Credit
(Registered Rep.) Parents reluctantly turn to public and private education loans. Their reticence is unfounded though, because it's much better to borrow money to pay for college than to not go at all.
Scoring a Private Loan for College
(BusinessWeek) The credit crunch means those seeking private loans for the coming academic year are likely to encounter problems, from higher interest rates to lenders that balk at making loans to any but the most creditworthy.
Navigating the Crunch
(BusinessWeek) A financial aid expert explains how borrowers can best ride it out.
Don't Overlook Long-Term-Care Insurance
(Smart Money) Don't overlook this essential part of retirement planning.
"Debit or Credit?"
(The Motley Fool) The cashier is waiting for your answer. Which is the better choice? Debit or credit?
Roundtable: Is Your Retirement in Trouble?
(The Motley Fool) Rising health-care and food costs and a slowing economy have hit many Americans in their debit cards -- and their retirement plans.
5 Stocks That Fit Anywhere
(The Motley Fool) No matter what type of account you've got, these five stocks will serve you well.
Retirement Good Fortune
(Financial Advisor) Silver Financial Planner from MoneyTree Software is one of the top choices for advisors looking for a dedicated retirement planning tool.
Under Pressure
(Financial Advisor) Financial advisors who provide services to businesses with 401(k) plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act have a new reason to review fiduciary practices and double-check professional liability insurance.
Sweet Deal
(Financial Advisor) Starting in 2010, anyone, regardless of income, can convert his or her traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Will higher-income investors be prepared to do so?
Don't Overlook Long-Term-Care Insurance
(Smart Money) Don't overlook this essential part of retirement planning.
Time To Convert?
(Financial Planning) If your client wants to convert employer plan funds directly to a Roth IRA, there are some new Internal Revenue Service rules you should be aware of.
Are You Prepared for a Market Apocalypse?
(The Motley Fool) Never ever stop thinking about tomorrow.
Out of the Penalty Box
(Financial Planning) Lots of forty- and fiftysomething retirees want to milk their IRAs before age 59 1/2 -- and naturally, they'd like to do it penalty-free. How can retirees manage this feat? There is a way.
Don't You Dare Retire Early!
(The Motley Fool) You might regret leaving that job. As appealing as early retirement seems, for many Americans it's not so wonderful.
Sin Tax Creep
(Reason) Supporters of the proposed New Mexico "No Child Left Inside" tax say it will raise $4 million, which would go toward busing students to state parks and training teachers to integrate outdoor learning into their lesson plans.
Another Door Closes
(Financial Planning) The Supreme Court recently reached a decision that ends the ability of most trusts and estates to deduct investment management fees. It is vital to understand the rules so you can help clients maximize the deductions they might qualify for.
Keeping Up With Recent Tax Law Changes
(AFP eWire) A recent article offers some helpful reminders for fundraisers and donors alike for navigating tax deductions for charitable gifts.
IRA Rollover Provision Introduced by Key Senators
(AFP eWire) The chair and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee have introduced comprehensive tax legislation that includes an extension of the IRA Rollover provision until Dec. 31, 2009.
Death and Taxes Respect No Borders
(Investment Advisor) For global families, advanced planning teams look for global solutions
Changes in Charitable Compliance
(Investment Advisor) Revised not-for-profit tax reporting offers opportunities for advisors.
Introducing the Wealthy to Roth IRAs
(Investment Advisor) Advisors take heed: The income limit on participants in Roth IRAs disappears in 2010.
Need a Boost?
(Entrepreneur) When President Bush signed the stimulus package in February, it not only promised cash rebates for tax payers, but also spelled assistance for entrepreneurs.
Use It Or Lose It: Tax Planning For 2009
(Registered Rep.) Proper and timely planning throughout the year can yield superior tax savings for your clients.
Avoiding Taxes When Selling Short
(Smart Money) Answers to tax questions about short sales, IRAs, and more.
Putting Off that Life or Health Insurance Policy? Be Ready to Pay More.
I found a story recently about a town in Iowa that is considering buying earthquake insurance after there were a couple of earthquake tremors from nearby areas. Unfortunately, their insurance...
Insurance Tip for the Weekend: Get Life Insurance for Your Non-Working Spouse
Have you seen the cost of childcare lately? Add that along with housekeeping, food preparation, home accountant, and school transportation. From that list alone one can see how much a...
New Life Insurance Selector Tool
Metlife has recently launched a great life insurance tool. It is called the Life Insurance Selector. It is very handy and will "help you figure out how much...
LTC Insurance: A Need for All Incomes
Long term care insurance is designed to provide you help with assisted living care and home care due to a long term illness or long term disability.
A lot of...
Weekend Insurance Tip: Think Insurance Benefits Before Switching Jobs
Advancing your career can often mean regular job changes. Now, more than anytime in the past, people have more job changes and are regularly doing online career searches. With new...
Don't Lawyers and Chiropractors Make Enough?
I guess greed just is too strong of a force for the weak. According to www.eagletribune.com, a "34-year-old Methuen resident was named by state Attorney General Martha Coakley's office...
Ouch! The Costs of Working for Someone Who Has No Worker's Compensation Insurance
Worker's compensation insurance is insurance that your employer is required to have. It provides benefits such as medical payments and living expenses if you are injured on the job....
Weekend Insurance Tip: See if Endowment Life Insurance Can Help You Pay for Your Child's College
What? Life insurance that can pay for college. It may be a choice for some with endowment life insurance.
Some families turn to endowment life insurance policies when adding...
Water Parks and Liability Insurance
It is so close... summer is right around the corner and that means multiple trips to the local water park. But, there may be one thing you have not...
What does Mrs. Butterworth and Insurance Claims Have in Common?
The best I can come up with is making money. And they are both helping each other out. Have you seen the latest Geico commercial? Geico has...
About Personal Insurance
Personal Insurance
When to get long-term-care insurance
It's not alarmist to think that you'll need long-term care in your lifetime. Among Americans who reach their 65th birthday, 45% will have to pay for some kind of long-term-care services, according to the actuarial firm Milliman.
Private nurses for common folks
You may think of private nurses as a luxury for the ultra-rich, like a butler or personal chauffeur. But hiring in-house medical care has become an increasingly viable option for regular folks too.
The cost of long-term care
Some insurance decisions are easy. Take life insurance. You know you need it to replace the income your spouse and kids would lose if you died. Insurers don't have much leeway to dispute claims for death benefits because "deceased" is a pretty definite condition.
Health costs race past inflation
Health insurance premiums in 2007 rose 6.1 percent, the lowest growth rate in eight years but still well above inflation and worker earnings, according to the latest annual survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Teetering on the edge of insurance
Small business owners Gordon and Babette Brennan used to pay as much as $800 a month for health insurance. But the Jupiter, Fla. couple felt like they received little in return: Claims for ordinary pediatrician visits for their son Ryan were denied. Procedures like blood tests weren't covered. Co-pays were $40 a pop.
If a storm hits, are you covered?
The floods and rain in the Midwest continue to cause severe problems there. We spoke with one family whose home was destroyed by a mudslide.
Bad credit? Insurers will make you pay
By now you know that you need to keep tabs on your credit history to make a good impression on lenders, landlords and employers. But did you know that your home and auto insurers are also looking?
Correct medical billing snafus
Consumers have to be vigilant when it comes to unraveling billing mistakes.
Allstate: No new homeowners policies in Calif.
Allstate Corp., the largest home insurer in the United States, said this week it would no longer write new homeowner policies in California, marking another reduction in its property coverage nationwide.
The wrong (and right) way to get income for life
You've no doubt seen those AXA Equitable commercials in which an 800-pound gorilla advises a couple nearing retirement to consider annuities as a way to guarantee income for the rest of their lives.
Tornados: Are you covered?
The devastation in Florida could happen anywhere. Here's what you need to know about your homeowners' insurance.
Save on your insurance costs
Earlier this week, we told you how to cut your fees. Now, how to save more money on your insurance.
Medicare in 2007: What you need to know
When Medicare began offering Part D prescription drug coverage for the first time this year, seniors had six months to sort through the chaos - and it was chaos - to pick a plan.
How to buy long-term care insurance
It's no surprise that healthcare costs are soaring. The cost of a nursing home today is about $71,000 annually, or about $200 a day. The cost for assisted living is about $32,000 a year or $88 dollars a day.
Thinking twice about variable universal life
QUESTION: I'm single, in my 30s and I'm already maxing out my 401(k) and IRA account. My financial planner is recommending I purchase a variable universal life policy, the rationale being that I have exhausted all of my other tax-advantaged investment opportunities. I trust my adviser, but I don't understand whether a variable universal life policy is really a good deal. What do you think? George K., Hartford, Conn.
What I learned when my tree fell down
I consider myself financially savvy, so when my husband told me that our beautiful, 200-year-old red oak had fallen during a rainstorm while I was away, I was sad but not worried.
Home insurance you need
Getting the enough insurance coverage for your home is the only way to protect your most valuable asset. In today's tips we're going to tell you what you need to know BEFORE a storm strikes.
Get the right amount of life insurance
QUESTION: My husband and I own our home, plus we have two rental homes and two investment homes that are now for sale. My husband recently cashed out his whole life policy and ended up with around $6,000. Given the assets we own and the fact that we have a $250,000 line of credit, my husband feels we don't need life insurance any longer, so he also wants to terminate my policy. I think we still ought to have term life insurance, however, as we have seven children, three of which are still at home. Who do you think is right, me or my husband? - Cindy, Tempe, Arizona
Growing number of working uninsured
It's not just the unemployed going without health insurance. Faced with soaring premiums in company-provided plans, millions of employed Americans are opting out.
Do It Now: Save on auto insurance
When it's time to renew your car insurance, don't automatically sign up with your old insurer: You may miss a chance to save.
Home, life, car, and health insurance advice and news - CNNMoney.com
From CNN and Money magazine, CNNMoney.com combines business news and in-depth market analysis with practical advice and answers to personal finance questions.
This site is currently unGuided
Are you an expert on Insurance? Check out Be a Guide on the About.com network All About.com Guides are freelancers who work online and set their...
How Should You Insure Property That Belongs to Your Customers?
Many businesses temporarily hold their customers' possessions to perform maintenance services or repairs. These types of businesses most commonly include dry cleaners, jewelers and other repair shops such as those...
Lawsuits Against Directors and Officers are on the Rise. Does Your Firm Have D&O Insurance In Place?
Forgoing D&O insurance coverage can be a serious business mistake. Therefore, most businesses should purchase Directors and Officers Liability Insurance. Even if your company has a single owner, it is...
Be Prepared! Follow this Emergency Response Checklist, Before and After a Disaster
All businesses no matter how great or small need a plan for responding to emergencies. Does your business have a plan? Try following this helpful checklist....
Are You Purchasing Your Business Insurance From Your Home Insurance Agent?
Many small business owners make the mistake of placing their commercial insurance with the same agent from whom they purchase their personal home/auto insurance. A few potential problems exist with...
How Does Your Business Owner Policy (BOP) Respond to Business Interruption?
There are important features embedded in a Business Owners Policy (BOP) to address business interruption.
Let's look at how the policy responds for Extra Expense, Extended Period of Indemnity, and Civil...
Four Considerations for your Business Auto Coverage.
If your business owns one or more vehicles that your employees use to make deliveries, sales calls or run errands, then you need commercial automobile insurance. Even if your business...
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