Helping you get out of debt and on to a stress free life.

3 moves to save your retirement fund

01 January 2007

When it comes to saving for retirement, it’s natural to think you can never have too much of a good thing: The more you sock away in tax-deferred IRAs and 401(k)s the better, right? Not so fast.

Early retirement: The magic number
Question: I’d like your view on what percentage of pay I should be putting in my 401(k) for retirement. I’m currently saving 15 percent of my annual salary of $74,000 a year, and have accumulated $392,000 so far. There is no company match in my company plan, nor any pension beyond the 401(k). I have another $46,000 in mutual funds and own a home that’s worth about $320,000, although I owe about $95,000 on a home equity loan.

Ugly Credit Card Trends

31 December 2006

Here are five ways credit-card companies will pad their pockets in 2007.

Many happy (gift) returns
So, despite all those hints you dropped about what you wanted this year, you still got stuck with a rhinestone reindeer sweater and a camcorder you’ll never use.

Early Retirement: The hurry-up offense
Ten years ago, Anne and Joe Raspanti said “I do” in Hawaii. Among the things those two words changed for Joe were his plans for how, and where, he’d spend the rest of his working life.

Millionaires, luv that 401(k)
Most people move into a bigger house when they have kids.

$1 trillion question: How much to retire?

30 December 2006

Question: My million-dollar question is: How much should I be saving each month to be sure I’ll have a comfortable retirement? My wife and I earn $145,000 a year combined and our total monthly expenses - which includes the mortgage on our home and an investment property, groceries, utilities and other living expenses - are about $6,500. Can you help me? - Asheesh Chabra, Ashburn, Va.

Early Retirement: The hurry-up offense

29 December 2006

Ten years ago, Anne and Joe Raspanti said “I do” in Hawaii. Among the things those two words changed for Joe were his plans for how, and where, he’d spend the rest of his working life.

Millionaires, luv that 401(k)
Most people move into a bigger house when they have kids.

The Claudios: Plan for all seasons
“No one looks after your money like you do,” says Jeff Claudio of Crestview, Fla. And few have been so successful at looking after their money as Jeff and wife Leonora.

A Curious Reaction

29 December 2006

The CVS-Caremark deal didn’t trade as planned. That’s an opportunity.

Good habits are hard to break
Some people get a thrill out of spending — the Turners are excited to save.

Ultimate cyber safety guide
How to guard against ID theft, online scams, computer break-ins and other 21st century threats.

Short and Sweet

27 December 2006

The inverted yield curve makes shorter-term CDs especially appealing right now.

Ultimate cyber safety guide
How to guard against ID theft, online scams, computer break-ins and other 21st century threats.

The Martins: Millionaires in the Making
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) For most of us retirement comes at the end of our career. But for Jeff Martin, 34, retirement from the Army is just over the horizon. Martin is five years away from being able to leave the Army with a pension of half his current $5940 monthly income.

Flat-panel TVs: 5 top picks

27 December 2006

Beat these 35 outrageous fees
What to watch for in travel, banking, credit cards, real estate, investments - and more. From Money Magazine.

Office Spies
From fake employees to hidden cameras, your employer is watching you.

Cheap Drugs
Wal-Mart now offers $4 prescriptions in many states. But that’s not the only way to cut costs.

Ultimate cyber safety guide
How to guard against ID theft, online scams, computer break-ins and other 21st century threats.

Lessons From My Father
The rules behind good investing are similar to the rules behind good living.

10 rules for building wealth

26 December 2006

Don’t panic. There are easy ways to get your money to work for you.

Spending every cent - and more
Don’t call us the Grinch for bringing this up with Christmas right around the corner but Americans are spending more than they’re earning, and some critics say the economy is at risk because of this.

The Marchbanks
If the idea of saving away 25 percent of your paycheck makes you think of a severely cramped lifestyle, meet the Marchbanks of Dallas, Texas.

Extreme House-Selling Strategies
How do you move a house fast in today’s buyer’s market without dropping the price?

Secured Debt Consolidation Loan - The Undeniable Exit

25 December 2006


What to Sell

24 December 2006

I’ve compiled my list of stocks that are too overvalued and worth selling.

The Claudios: Plan for all seasons
“No one looks after your money like you do,” says Jeff Claudio of Crestview, Fla. And few have been so successful at looking after their money as Jeff and wife Leonora.

Flat-panel TVs: 5 top picks

The Marchbanks
If the idea of saving away 25 percent of your paycheck makes you think of a severely cramped lifestyle, meet the Marchbanks of Dallas, Texas.