The Tooth Fairy is one girl gone wild. Some kids are getting $50 a tooth and the average bounty is up 42% in two years. Here’s what the trend says about the economy and our collective parenting skills.
Financial Education
Report: Fix Social Security Now–or Pay a Stiff Price
A bipartisan think tank finds that the costs of shoring up Social Security will skyrocket in coming years. We need to act now, while the costs are manageable.
The New Money Math: Start Saving at Birth
The evidence is mounting: The time to start learning about money and saving for college is at birth.
How to Talk to Kids About Money (Even if You Have None)
A Morgan Stanley adviser offers his thoughts for the rich — but there’s plenty here for normal folks
Back to School Shopping: Parent-Teen Worlds Collide
A renewed sense of thrift has overtaken back-to-school shoppers, setting the scene for parent-teen conflicts
Student Loan Rates Reset Lower — But Probably Not for Long
The student debt crisis is now being likened to such contentious issues as the draft and health care. We just got a near-term fix. But borrowing rates will rise substantially in a few years.
Your Funeral Home May Be Scamming You
Funeral homes have long been accused of taking advantage of their customers, who are forced to make a series of expensive decisions in the immediate aftermath of a loved one’s death, when they’re extraordinarily vulnerable. And a …
Gordon Gekko Lives: New Evidence That Greed Is Rampant on Wall Street
One in four bankers would cheat to make $10 million. This is one of many unsettling findings in a new survey of Wall Streeters. As always, you’re on your own out there.
Workers Revolt: Forget Stocks, Give Me Lifetime Income!
The do-it-yourself retirement has largely failed. Swapping traditional pensions for 401(k) plans sounded good while markets were roaring. But 15 years of choppy returns has brought us full circle: Most workers now say no benefit would be more valuable than guaranteed retirement income.
Four in five employees would forfeit at least 5% …
Philanthropists of the World: You’re Doing It Wrong!
A new book takes issue with those who give for the wrong reasons. Does it really matter why we give, as long as we give? Here are three ways to fix charity.
Will Wall Street Finally Put Clients First? Maybe Some Day — But Don’t Hold Your Breath
Efforts to compel all financial advisers to act in the best interest of their clients have been derailed–again.
The Real Lesson Behind Excessive Overdraft Fees
When you remove the financial safety net, and individuals understand the choices, they are surprisingly good at doing the right thing.