The bright spot of the dreary 2009 economy: savings for everyone.

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:05:27 EST

Photographer friends tell me that if you're picking out a point-and-shoot camera you shouldn't focus much on the megapixels. That measure of a camera's resolution is hyped by manufacturers, but most cameras on the market give you all the pixels you'll need.

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:17:25 EST

The percentage of American workers with virtually no retirement savings grew for the third straight year, according to a survey released Tuesday.

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:21:59 EST

Usually I cringe when our leaders in Washington try to help improve our finances. I'm afraid their efforts may do more harm than good. But two new ideas being discussed inside the Beltway could actually make it easier to prepare for retirement. Both center on the income you'll generate from your 401(k).

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:27:48 EST

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:48:50 EDT

1. Book a sweet getaway

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:29:25 EST

Ford is back. The automaker recently reported its first annual profit in four years; sales are improving; and investors have pushed up its stock 550% in the past year.

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:18:01 EST

Yes, Citigroup lost billions in the financial crisis. And yes, it's still swimming in toxic assets. But Bruce Berkowitz argues the worst is over.

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:53:27 EST

Whether it's steel, textiles, or auto manufacturing, Wilbur Ross has built a lucrative career finding gold in industries left for dead.

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:11:23 EST

With proper care, a good watch lasts virtually forever. But you don't need to spend a bundle to own one.

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:22:28 EST

Like many households, Wener and Tieun Vieux have suffered a few financial jolts of late.

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:06:51 EST

Getting old brings a host of changes. Achy knees. Way more time to play bridge. And, occasionally, the tendency to make unwise money decisions.

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:10:14 EST

Question: My husband and I have been happily married for 28 years. Careful spending and sound planning over time has provided us with a very comfortable financial future. Although we're compatible in many ways, our outlook differs when it comes to enjoying our money. I'm more of a saver and I hate to shop. I'm already retired, and when my husband retires in a year we'll begin drawing on our retirement savings. Can you suggest some tips on how we can communicate effectively about spending our money? How do we assure that we'll both have the independence to decide how we want to spend "our share" without judgment? --Margaret M.

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:26:18 EST

Diversification, the notion of spreading your investments among different baskets of assets that don't rise and fall in unison, has long been considered one of the safest and surest moves you can make with your portfolio. After all, if any one basket falls apart, most of your brood should remain intact.

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:25:29 EST

Money looked for careers with great pay, superior growth prospects, intellectual challenge, flexibility and more.

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:12:50 EST

Question: I'm 62 and have accumulated about $2.6 million in retirement savings, which is invested in stocks and bonds. My adviser suggests that I take a third of this money and invest it in a guaranteed 6% income variable annuity. The cost of the 6% rider is 0.95% of the account balance per year. Do you think this is a good idea? --J.H., Lansing, Michigan

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:07:59 EST

Question: I'm 25 and want to start investing in the stock market, but I'm unsure of how to do it. Any advice? --Kyle, Bentonville, Arkansas

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:59:50 EST

Question: I had the good fortune to be able to retire early at age 52, but last year's market meltdown has made me rethink the decision. I may still be okay, but I don't have the same level of certainty I once had. My question is this: How will Social Security be calculated for me and how does the fact that I haven't worked the last few years fit into the calculation? --Jack Ford, West Newbury, Mass.

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:08:20 EDT

Question: I always heard that you will need 80% or so of your working salary to live on in retirement. But is that a percentage of your gross income or your take-home pay? --Mary Taylor, Chalfont, Pennsylvania

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:27:07 EDT

Question: I'm in my 30's and have a 401(k) from a previous job, 75% of which is invested in a variety of stock portfolios. Although my stock holdings have recovered a bit recently, I'm still down about $7,000 from my peak balance. I'm planning to roll over this old 401(k) into either the 401(k) at my new job or into an IRA account, but I'm wondering whether I should do the rollover now while stocks are still cheap or wait until the market has recovered and then do it. What do think? --Todd Gerecke, Lynden, Washington

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:04:01 EDT