Personal Finance

Fund a Roth IRA for the grandkids

Perhaps your grandchild earns money babysitting for the neighbor's kids. You can help them open a Roth IRA and thanks to the power of compounded returns, she'll be thinking of you with great affection when she retires.

Long-term investment Photo

Surviving the Recession

Tips for safe online shopping

Tips for shopping safe online more
Taking smaller steps toward new career Photo

Steady job? Check. Decent paycheck? Check. Professional fulfillment? Hmm. more
Don't miss out on tax deductions Photos

Every year, the IRS dutifully reports the most common blunders that taxpayers make on their returns.... more
Consumers' optimism rising, survey shows

Consumer confidence and expectations have risen, and more employers are planning to hire workers... more
Several steps can protect against identity theft Photos

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Kathy M. Kristof: One debit-card overdraft can trigger an avalanche

One mistake could cost Trina Lee her Christmas. more
'Super Freakonomics' by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner Photo

It's not easy being an economist. more
Cheap dates that make you look rich Photo

Dating when money's tight can be a challenge. You want to make a big impression on a small budget --... more
Web sites that show you the money Photo

The Internet has made it possible for individuals -- even math phobics or terminal procrastinators... more
10 tips to help you navigate market downturn Photo

Many employers are setting up financial advice sessions for employees to help them navigate... more
UCLA Forecast: Worst of the Recession May Be Over Photo

LOS ANGELES -- The worst of the recession is beginning to ease, but there are still tough times... more
Tip of the day: Know your rights with collection agencies Photos

Just because you owe money doesn't mean collection agencies can harass you. The Federal Fair Debt... more

Deals & Ways to Save

10 ways to save $2K this year Photos

Last year my husband and I saved $2,670.79 with very little pain or deprivation. We kept track of... more
30 ways to trim the family budget Photos

-- from Parenting.com more
Coupon use up as people hunt for bargains

The coupon is back, thanks to the recession. more
How to sell your gold and diamond jewelry Photo

All you need to do is turn on the television, listen to the radio or walk past a jewelry mall to... more

Kids and Money: Practical approaches

Filling out student loan form gets easier Photo

I think it's safe to say most high school seniors and their parents would rather sandblast the oil stains from the garage floor or rearrange the attic than fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. more
Teaching teens to tip Photo

You know the symptoms when the waiter delivers the bill: the sweaty palms, the frog in your throat, the brain cramps. more
Consider Insuring Your Student's Tuition

You probably carry insurance on your college student to cover trips to the hospital emergency room, automobile fender benders, and perhaps even dorm or apartment thefts. It's second nature. more
Glitzy Shopping District Drives Home Economic Reality for Teens

The air was warm and the sidewalks were packed on a recent Saturday afternoon when a woman driving a black Mercedes pulled alongside a couple in a red Corvette. more
Financial lessons for college graduates Photos

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Your Retirement: Get started now

Know the best time of year to retire

You may have spent a lot of time thinking about what age to retire, but have you thought about the date? more
Retirement tips for individuals

Your go-to guide for retirement plans, including what types, how they work, and the benefits of having one. more
Five great ideas for dealing with your taxes in retirement

Benjamin Franklin famously said that "in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." With April 15 right around the corner, let's talk about the more palatable of Franklin's two certainties. more
How to find a good financial planner

The financial planning profession is growing explosively as millions of aging baby boomers confront the challenges of planning for retirement security. Readers of this column have been writing to ask if they need a planner--and how to go about hiring one. more