Saving is hard enough. The payroll tax hike will cost the average worker $700, tempting you to cut saving instead of spending. Look out.
Planning
10 Tips for Getting the Most Out of College Financial Aid
Financing a college education is something that parents of both toddlers and high school seniors have to be concerned about. We talked to several financial aid experts about the best ways to get the most out of the FAFSA.
Cash Leaking Out of 401(k) Plans at Alarming Rate
A quarter of money socked away for retirement comes out early, much of it subject to penalties and income taxes. For many, the venerable 401(k) is just too darned inefficient
Selling Their Futures: College Grads Promise a Slice of Their Future Income for Cash Now
Upstart gives bright college students an opportunity to repay debt in a way that encourages them to take more business risks.
Celebrity Prepaid Cards: Will Justin Bieber Fare Better than the Kardashians?
Teen sensation Justin Bieber’s prepaid debit card goes live in coming days. He can only hope he gets a better response than the Kardashians, who had to withdraw their predatory card from the market and wound up in court.
Flashpoint: Young Workers with a 401(k) Finally Get Diversified
Young workers don’t save enough. But those that participate in a 401(k) plan are doing a pretty good job of managing their assets, thanks in big part to one-decision target-date mutual funds.
What the Current Economic Outlook Means for American Families
The economy is likely to keep improving, but slow growth could develop into chronic stagnation.
Better Start Saving: U.S. Health Awesome — After Age 75
A sobering new health report shows that Americans lag peer nations–until they retire.
New Mortgage Rules: Protection From Banks, or Ourselves?
The government is set to unveil new rules pushing mortgages down a more conservative path. Is it the banks we’re worried about? Or our own behavior?
Is Most Personal Finance Advice Useless? Author Exposes Industry’s ‘Dark Side’
According to a new book digging into the curious history and modern-day big business of personal finance, much of the advice doled out by “experts” in books, on Oprah Winfrey‘s couch, and on their own TV shows is simplistic, …
The Myth of the Four-Year College Degree
Though college is typically billed as a four-year experience, most students actually need much longer to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Fiscal Cliff Aftermath: New Option for 401(k) Savers
To raise revenue, lawmakers unlocked $12 billion in taxes owed by easing the rules on when you can convert traditional 401(k) assets to Roth 401(k) assets.