Personal finance news - CNNMoney.com

3 ways to stretch your retirement dollar

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:30:34 EST

Question: I worked for the same company for more than 27 years and then was laid off eight months ago. Although at age 57 I have lots of experience, my employment prospects look bleak. My 401(k) has gone down the drain the past two years and is currently worth about $320,000. As I approach retirement, I wonder: Will this be enough to live on? --David, Los Angeles, Calif.

Make money in 2010: The economy

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:52:07 EST

The outlook: You may not feel as if we're out of the woods yet. But the consensus among the 50 leading economists regularly surveyed by the Blue Chip Economic Indicators is that the recession is indeed over, and from a technical standpoint at least, probably ended in the summer.

New ETF is a way into smaller China

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:36:10 EST

If Burton Malkiel, author of the famous "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" and Princeton University economist, is right, the majority of U.S. investors aren't profiting enough from China's rapid growth.

Be a smarter charitable giver

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:48:15 EST

When it comes to charitable giving, some well-intentioned moves can backfire.

Money's new More Money blog

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:48:50 EDT

Go the distance - Dividends for the long run

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:02:02 EST

This is shaping up as the worst year for dividend cuts in three generations. Striving to conserve cash amid the most severe slump since the Depression, companies are reducing or eliminating their payouts to shareholders.

Caterpillar stock: Rising from the rubble

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:14:44 EST

The maker of big machinery soared as construction boomed and commodity prices skyrocketed, boosting mining and oil drilling. When the economy tanked, Caterpillar saw sales slump, leading to workforce and production cuts.

Never too old for stocks

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:28:53 EST

Question: I'm nearing retirement, but would like to continue investing in stocks and bonds. My question: Should retirees continue to put money into the markets even after they have retired? --Lee Benge, Charlotte, North Carolina

Make money in 2010: Your job

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:43:14 EST

The outlook: Despite all the talk about economic recovery, you're probably still anxious about next year's job market -- worried not necessarily about your position but maybe your spouse's or your adult kids' or your best pal's.

Make money in 2010: Your savings and credit

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:50:20 EST

The Outlook: Like most Americans, you're probably pledging to save more next year -- already savers are socking away cash at a better pace than they have in years (3.7% of income recently, up from just 0.2% in early 2008). Pat yourself on the back -- because your thriftiness won't be rewarded with much more than that anytime soon.

Make money in 2010: Your investments

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:50:56 EST

The outlook: With the market up more than 60% since March, you're probably feeling a lot better about your portfolio lately than you did a year ago. The worry for 2010: Will the runup run out of steam?

Make money in 2010: Your home

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:40:44 EST

The outlook: After three years of slumping house prices, the end of the real estate bust may finally be in sight. Home sales are rising, inventories are shrinking, and most economists believe values nationwide will hit bottom in the second half of the year -- but not before falling another 5% to 10% first.

Personal bankruptcies surge 9%

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:50:53 EST

The number of Americans filing personal bankruptcies surged 9% in October, and were on target for the highest annual total in four years, according to a report issued Wednesday.

3 ways to save on health insurance

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:04:55 EST

1. Choose the right plan

50 Best Jobs in America

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:49:56 EDT

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

Retired early ... and getting scared

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:08:20 EDT

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.

How much you'll need in retirement

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:27:07 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

Leaving your job? Don't forget your 401(k)

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:04:01 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

Fixing a stock-heavy retirement account

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:25:37 EDT

Question: I'm 55 years old and have my entire retirement savings plan at work invested in a total stock market index fund. I'm worried, though, that my account is too heavily skewed toward equities given my age. Any suggestions for how I might take a more balanced approach? --Ray K., Oakland, California

An early start on good saving habits

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:18:39 EDT

Question: My 21-year-old daughter makes $80,000 a year working at a large firm. She has very low expenses, so I'd like to see her sock away a huge amount of money. I told her that if you get used to spending a lot each month on "fun" stuff, it will be much harder to save down the road. I'd also like to see her bypass the high-end investment firms in favor of less expensive alternatives. What do you suggest? --Tom F., Chatham, Illinois