The Savage Truth on Money from Creators Syndicate

Stock Market Rewards Patient Investors for 02/14/2012

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

It happened so quietly and under the cover of volatility that you might have missed it. But two weeks ago, the stock market reached its highest level since May 2008. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at its highest level since before the September 2008 Lehman Brothers collapse — which triggered all sorts of mayhem and pushed the index down to the 6,700 level the following March.

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Updated: Tue Feb 14, 2012

First Comes Love -- but Before Marriage, a Financial Heart-to-heart for 02/07/2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and this column is meant to serve as a reminder. First, remember to buy a card for your valentine before they're all sold out. And second, don't get so caught up in the romantic season of hearts and flowers that you pop the question before you know you're financially compatible!

Sure, a marriage proposal is supposed to be romantic. But don't clo ...

Updated: Tue Feb 07, 2012

Your Financial Options and How to Weigh Safety vs. Risk for 02/04/2012

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

You have some basic investment choices, and not only do you need to understand how they work, you also need to allocate an appropriate portion of your savings to at least two or more of them.

All of this presumes that you have some savings or retirement investments to work with. So a special note to those who are just struggling to get out of debt. The toll-free number for credit counsel ...

Updated: Sat Feb 04, 2012

Chicken Money Earns Little, but Sky Is Not Falling for 01/31/2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

It's tough to be a saver these days. The entire government seems lined up against those who did the "right thing" and saved up for a rainy day or for their retirement.

— Today Treasury bills yield 0.01 percent — that's one one-hundredth of one percent.

— Money market funds have waived their fees, and they are also paying nothing.

— A six-mo ...

Updated: Tue Jan 31, 2012

2012: Politics, Policy, World Issues Will Play Role in Your Finances for 01/28/2012

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Every year brings different financial challenges, and despite the spate of predictions at the start of the year, very few forecasters can claim long-term success at looking into the future. Events and context change, demanding changes in investment strategy. But basic principles stay the same. The secret of all successes is to know which is which!

You need to hold firm to your basic stan ...

Updated: Sat Jan 28, 2012

Secret to Success: Put Your Mind Over Money for 01/24/2012

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Managing your finances successfully is just a question of "mind over money." All the knowledge in the world won't help you become successful if you lack knowledge — and self-discipline.

You've all heard the ordinary instructions about managing your money and investing successfully. Think rationally. Don't behave emotionally. Be disciplined. Well, it's easier said than don ...

Updated: Tue Jan 24, 2012

Understanding the Kiddie Tax for 01/18/2012

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Consider this news to be another step in the Tax Accountants Full Employment Act. ?The latest change in the tax law: The "Kiddie Tax" now applies to much older kids! The new tax law puts a crimp in the plans of wealthy parents who had planned to gift highly appreciated stocks to their college-age children, who could then sell the shares and pay a very low capital gains tax rate based ...

Updated: Wed Jan 18, 2012

Tackle Holiday Debt Now, Before You Find You Can't Keep Up for 01/17/2012

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Here they come — the post-holiday credit card bills. They're a potent reminder of the cost of the holiday season. In just the one week before Christmas, it's estimated that Americans spent $44 billion. Much of that last-minute shopping was done in a frenzy of emotion, without thinking about the cost of the gift — or the finance charges that will accrue until the bills are paid.

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Updated: Tue Jan 17, 2012

How to Start Over With Your Money in the New Year for 01/10/2012

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

It's the new year. That means you get to start over. Instead of berating yourself for financial mistakes and missteps in the year past, this is the time to look forward to the financial opportunities that may come your way in the year ahead.

The first step to getting ahead is to get organized. Not only is that the first step, it is the most difficult emotionally.

Here are four fre ...

Updated: Tue Jan 10, 2012

New Online Tool Revolutionizes Bill Paying for 12/31/2011

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

The shopping is done; the feasts have finished — and now you're left to prepare for the bills that will arrive in the new year. Well, I'm about to show you a bill-paying system that will absolutely change your life — freeing you from mounds of paper and getting you financially organized in a way that never existed before.

The U.S. Postal Service estimates that businesses mail ...

Updated: Sat Dec 31, 2011

Occupy America Through Your Generosity This Holiday Season for 12/20/2011

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Let's Occupy America this holiday season. Instead of sitting in parks and protesting, instead of lamenting our political choices, instead of waiting for the government to figure it out — let's occupy our country with the generous spirit of giving.

This is not my traditional year-end financial advice column, outlining steps you should take now to lighten your tax burden and improve ...

Updated: Tue Dec 20, 2011

Remind Lawmakers of the Job They Have to Do for 12/20/2011

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Have you been rushing to get everything done this holiday season? Perhaps you're headed off to a vacation in warmer climes — or maybe it's just getting prepared for a few days at home with your family. In either case, you know the feeling of trying to get everything done in the last few days.

But while you'll get all the important stuff at work finished because your boss is watchin ...

Updated: Tue Dec 20, 2011

Watch for New Bank Fees, and Safeguard Your Accounts and Cash for 12/13/2011

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

It's the holiday shopping season, a time when banks and pickpockets hope you're concentrating more on spending than on safeguarding your money.

Bank fees are on the rise again, especially since consumers won the protest against monthly charges for access to their own money in the form of debit-card fees. Now, banks are still trying to figure out how to make up for the money they no longe ...

Updated: Tue Dec 13, 2011

Treasure What America Still Offers for 12/06/2011

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Like most Americans, you probably spent Thanksgiving weekend eating turkey once or twice and then sitting stuffed on the couch watching interminable football games or dozing off to be roused only when a touchdown was scored. You may have ventured out to do some holiday shopping, getting caught in the crush of people seeking great deals on stuff they may or may not need.

Hey, this is not ...

Updated: Tue Dec 06, 2011

Time of Peace, Gratitude vs. Season of Frenzied Spending for 11/29/2011

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

The Thanksgiving weekend is over, and the holiday shopping season is upon us. And the combination is filled with enough ironies for an entire column.

The first irony is that we equate the two events — stuffing ourselves with turkey and then running out to shop like crazy. You'd think that those who have enough to be thankful for — including a nice holiday dinner with friends ...

Updated: Tue Nov 29, 2011

Hold Off on the Celebrations Until the Debt Crisis Is Over for 11/22/2011

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Before you start thinking of Thanksgiving turkey or holiday shopping, there's one big hurdle to surmount. It's the Nov. 23 deadline for the "supercommittee" of the U.S. Congress to come up with at least $1.2 trillion in cuts to the federal budget deficit over the next 10 years.

If they don't work out a deal, automatic budget cuts will take effect, as ordered by last summer's de ...

Updated: Tue Nov 22, 2011

Greece Trapped in No-win Situation for 11/15/2011

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

What's going on in Greece is a modern-day tragedy. The Greek people are facing a "damned if they do, damned if they don't" scenario — one in which there is no winning position.

If they follow the wishes of their creditors — other European banks and central bankers — their debt will be cut in half. But they will still be left with a huge burden — a debt ...

Updated: Tue Nov 15, 2011

VA Loans a Great Deal for Veterans for 11/12/2011

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

We just celebrated Veterans Day — and if this story seems familiar, its because I have written several times about the great deal that the Veterans Administration mortgage loan program offers to those who have served our country: 3.875 percent, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages.

So instead of starting todays column with the traditional question, let me start with some answers. Here a ...

Updated: Sat Nov 12, 2011

Don't Be Afraid to Correct Investment Mistakes for 11/08/2011

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Sometimes it's important to stick to your convictions despite the emotional urge or outside pressures to change your mind. But other times, you need to be flexible enough to change your mind when presented with a new set of facts.

Never has that been more apparent than in the business headlines in recent weeks. First, the CEO of Netflix decided to reverse his decision to split the compa ...

Updated: Tue Nov 08, 2011

MoneyShow Shows Fresh Ideas for Investments for 11/01/2011

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

MoneyShow Shows Fresh Ideas for Investments

The World MoneyShow came to Chicago recently, bringing thousands of curious investors to hear speeches and attend seminars and workshops on almost every aspect of investing. It's a spin-off of the famed Las Vegas and Orlando shows, which attract visitors from around the world. In the exhibit hall, the content was tilted toward technolo ...

Updated: Tue Nov 01, 2011