Introducing a Special Section
By RON LIEBER
From college to retirement and everything between, planning smoothes the journey.
Special Section: Money Through the Ages
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The Teens: Balancing Debt Against College Choice
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The 20s: Out of College, Not on Her Own
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The 30s: Too Busy for Finances, but a Baby Changes That
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The 40s: Setting Up a Plan to Get Back on Track
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The 50s: Repairing a Long-Neglected Nest Egg
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The 60s: Pondering Risks in Retirement
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The 60s: Navigating the Benefits Maze
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The 70s: Finances That C.E.O.’s May Not Be Watching: Their Own
April 21, 2011
Homeowners’ Policies Not All Alike
By ANN CARRNS
New research has found that homeowners' insurance policies are not all alike.
April 21, 2011
Thursday Reading: Unplugging for the Week
By ANN CARRNS
Marking screen-free week, marketing to kids with online games, apps for the royal wedding and other consumer-focused news from The New York Times.
April 20, 2011
Secured Credit Cards: Not Everyone Qualifies
By TARA SIEGEL BERNARD
Using a secured credit card can be a good way to rehabilitate your credit score, but a bankruptcy may prevent you from qualifying right away.
April 20, 2011
Gold’s Price and Your Jewelry Stash
By ANN CARRNS
Why an appraisal might be a good idea with gold prices hitting $1,500 an ounce.
More About Your Money
Strategies
The Wall of Worry Has Never Looked So High
By JEFF SOMMER
The consensus among Wall Street strategists is bullish despite the many disasters and setbacks of late.
Mortgages
Broker Fee Rules Take Effect
By MARYANN HAGGERTY
Regulators and consumer advocates say borrowers are bound to benefit from the federal rules covering how mortgage brokers are compensated.
Fair Game
Homework Regulators Aren’t Doing
By GRETCHEN MORGENSON
A bankruptcy court judge in Louisiana imposed sanctions against Lender Processing Services, which provides payment software to much of the mortgage servicing industry.
For Consumers, Little to Cheer in AT&T; Deal
By JENNA WORTHAM
A merger with T-Mobile would leave just three major cellular carriers in the United States, which could lead to higher prices.
Graphic: For AT&T;, Back to the Future
Reuters Video: AT&T; Deal May Raise Consumer Costs
Mortgages
More Borrowers Are Opting for Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
By LYNNLEY BROWNING
This time around, mortgage experts say, lenders are offering more conservative ARM products, without the gimmicky “teaser” rates and features.
Mortgages
More Loan-Modification Options for the ‘Underwater’
By LYNNLEY BROWNING
Nearly two dozen lenders have agreed to participate in a new F.H.A. loan modification program called Short Refi.
New Worries for Buyers Seeking Mortgages
By MARC SANTORA
While homes may be more affordable, many buyers are still having trouble getting mortgages to buy them.
Advertising
Cashing In Coins and Skipping the Surcharge
By ANDREW ADAM NEWMAN
Coinstar is teaming up with retailers, who essentially pay the service fee on behalf of consumers, who then choose retailer-specific gift cards.
Fundamentally
The Case for Europe’s Blue Chips
By PAUL J. LIM
European stocks are now cheaper, on average, than domestic ones. And a strengthening euro could give American investors another reason to look across the pond.
Shortcuts
It’s Just Fine to Make Mistakes
By ALINA TUGEND
In a new book, “Better by Mistake: the Unexpected Benefits of Being Wrong,” the author says perfectionism is good, but only up to a certain point.
Debit Card Fees Prompt a Push Near Deadline
By EDWARD WYATT
The Federal Reserve is scheduled to write rules for debit card fees in April, and lobbyists for merchants and the banking industry are determined to sway the outcome.
MERS? It May Have Swallowed Your Loan
By MICHAEL POWELL and GRETCHEN MORGENSON
An obscure company claims to hold title to roughly half of the home mortgages in the nation — 60 million loans.
Strategies
Opportunity in a Muni Maelstrom
By JEFF SOMMER
The financial woes of state and local governments have heightened the muni market’s volatility. But that has also created conditions for some potentially good deals.
Mortgages
A Plan to Phase Out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
By LYNNLEY BROWNING
A government proposal is currently in draft form, but industry experts say it will most likely affect borrowers even before it is finalized.
Your Money
Adding It Up: Amazon Ship vs. Costco Shop
By RON LIEBER
Costco is popular for its low prices, but shopping there can take time. Does Amazon’s Subscribe & Save service provide a better alternative?
Your Money Primers
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Steps to Prevent Identity Theft, and What to Do if It Happens
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Life and Disability Insurance: What You Need to Know
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Health Insurance: What You Need to Know
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401(k)’s: What You Need to Know
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About Financial Planners: What You Need to Know
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Annuities: What You Need to Know
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Credit Scores: What You Need to Know
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Credit and Debit Cards: What You Need to Know
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Estate Planning: What You Need to Know
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Exchange-Traded Funds: What You Need to Know
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Income Taxes: What You Need to Know
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Home Insurance: What You Need to Know
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Mutual Funds: What You Need to Know
Multimedia
Talking Money With Elmo
In the wake of the financial crisis, "Sesame Street" is teaching children financial literacy. Ron Lieber talks to Elmo about saving and sharing.
Managing Your Money Through the Ages
An interactive checklist to help navigate ways to prepare and secure your financial future at each stage of life.
Marketplace Money, from American Public Media, dedicated a one-hour program to Money Through the Ages, including a more intimate look at many of those profiled in a Your Money special section. You can listen to the show online or download the podcast.
Room For Debate
The Sorry Lot of the Risk-Averse Saver
What do low interest rates and rising consumer prices mean for the frugal American who is terrified of the word “portfolio”?
Your Money
Too Young for Finance? Think Again
By RON LIEBER
A number of people and organizations have taken up the cause of helping the next generation form better money habits at an earlier age.
Wealth Matters
After Recession and Scandals, Private Residence Clubs Start to Resurface
By PAUL SULLIVAN
The second-home alternative market offers upsides like exotic locations, large properties and hotel-like amenities. But there are downsides.
Patient Money
Using Hypnosis to Gain More Control Over Your Illness
By LESLEY ALDERMAN
Doctors say hypnosis can help patients undergoing medical procedures feel more relaxed and in control.
Shortcuts
Helping Your Teenager Become a Safe Driver
By ALINA TUGEND
Driving schools can teach the basics, but safe driving takes experience, which means parent-supervised practice time behind the wheel.
Special Section: Your Taxes
Help on the 1040 and Beyond
President Obama and both parties have proposed simplifying the tax code, but in the meantime many Americans can still use some guidance.
A Step-by-Step Guide to the 1040Mutual Funds Report
First Quarter
How domestic equities fared during troubles abroad, the success of commodities and more.
The Sketchpad: Personal Finance on a Napkin
Financial planner Carl Richards has been explaining the basics of money through simple graphs and diagrams.
31 Steps to a Financial Tuneup
A customizable checklist to guide your own financial tuneup, providing tips, the time needed to achieve them and links to additional resources.
Calculators
The 1% More Savings Calculator
What would happen to your savings balances if you saved just one percent more a year?
Calculate Your Financial Comeback
See how long it could take for your portfolio to return to its peak value.
Your Money Contributors
Paul Sullivan
writes Wealth Matters, a column looking at strategies that the wealthy use to manage their money and their overall well-being.
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