Automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans has been such a success that a lot of people want to duplicate it with IRAs. Proposals that would require employers to establish automatic payroll deductions for IRAs have been kicking around …
Saving
Are the Money-Saving Strategies on ‘Extreme Couponing’ Bogus?
If you’ve ever watched the TLC show “Extreme Couponing,” at some point you probably thought something along the lines of: $500 worth of groceries for $6.79? There’s no way things could work this way in real life. At least in the …
Why Giving Your Kids an Allowance May Not Teach Them Anything
Parents have been paying their kids an allowance since the Industrial Revolution on the theory that it will help kids better understand budgets and spending choices as adults. Now a prominent academic says it’s all been a waste of time
Beans vs. Single-Serve Cup: Just How Much More Does K-Cup Coffee Cost?
We all know how much coffee costs at Starbucks—too much. But it’s hard to get a handle on exactly how much coffee made at home costs, and how the price of a cup from freshly-ground beans compares to a cup from a single-serve …
How to Get the Government to Cover Your Cell Phone Bill(s)
Last year, a federal program paid out $1.6 billion to cover free cell phones and the monthly bills of 12.5 million wireless accounts. The program, overseen by the FCC and intended to help low-income Americans, is popular for …
Personnel Finance: Productivity Down, Employers Target Debt Stress
Financial education advocates point to three primary places to reach those who need help with their money: in schools, the point of sale, and at work. A debate rages over the first two. But efforts to educate employees at the …
Why (Bill) Size Really Does Matter
In some Big Apple circles there’s a concept referred to as “The New York City Street Tax.” This isn’t anything official. Rather, the idea is that the simple act of walking through the city—walking through any bustling city, …
Does the Decrease in Defaults Mean Homeowners Are Getting Their Financial Houses In Order?
The social stigma of going into foreclosure seems to have decreased in the last few years as almost three-quarters of U.S. households found themselves underwater with their mortgages, and “walking away” from a home became …
The Weird Ways Gender Ratios Affect Dating, Spending, Saving—and the Size of Your Engagement Ring
Men are known to go to great lengths—and great expense—to impress women. This is most obviously the case when the male population outnumbers that of females, and laws of supply and demand kick in.
Class Warfare: Study Shows Tensions at 20-Year High
Tensions in the U.S. between rich and poor are at a 20-year high, according to a new study from Pew Research. This conflict now tops the discord between blacks and whites, young and old, and immigrants and the native-born.
Dollar Stores: The One-Stop Shop for Home Decorating?
Forget about Ethan Allen, or even IKEA. The hottest way to outfit nearly every room in your home is by scouring for treasures at dollar stores.
King of the Road: The 2012 Cars With the Most Bang for the Buck
Two major news organizations known for their rankings and ratings—Consumer Reports and U.S. News—have just released their latest lists of the automobiles offering the most value for the money. Which cars represent the wisest, …
