personal finance
Net Worth: Take advantage of a lower-income year
If you have been laid off and your income is abysmal this year, consider taking advantage of your low tax bracket by converting a regular individual retirement account or 401(k) plan into a Roth IRA before year's end.
Do women undercut their financial future?
Hidden behind the stories about highly paid female CEOs, business owners, politicians and athletes, there remains one stubborn financial fact.
On average, U.S. women earn about 80 cents to every dollar earned by men.
While there's plenty of research on why, some of the debate gets down to women themselves, says a longtime financial counselor.
Real: Help for mortgage-scam victims
Government agencies have issued repeated loud warnings about a nationwide epidemic of loan-modification and foreclosure-rescue scams. But some homeowners haven't heard these warnings and have fallen victim to especially clever scams.
Debtadviser: Pay debt off to keep your credit good
Dear Debt Adviser,
If collection agencies are calling me and I settle with them on an agreed price and terms, can the original party that I owed the debt to come after me? Or once settled, is that debt no longer "alive"?
-- Harvey
Dear Harvey,
Money tips for college students
For students who don't have access to a money class, this column's for you. I asked a handful of professors and financial aid directors what every college student should know about money going into this school year. Here's their list:
Real: Use first-time homebuyers' credit upfront
Some potential homebuyers who have been waiting to get into the market are now taking action, thanks to the new federal housing tax credit.
Real: How long will low mortgages rates last?
How much lower will mortgage rates go?
That question is on the lips and minds of mortgage shoppers from Seattle to Miami. In recent months, rates have sunk to near historic lows, presenting Americans with a rare opportunity, according to economist Bob Walters.
New credit-card rules bring benefits and turmoil
Life with a credit card presumably got a little easier this month. Under new federal regulations, credit card companies have to give more warning before upping your interest rate and more notice before your bill is due.
