http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:53:20 -0700 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:07:50 -0700 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d20-Money-choices?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner We make money choices from the first time we become aware of the barter system as kids. Yet, adults often struggle with choosing between spending today and saving for tomorrow, setting aside money for their retirement or their children's futur... Personal finance Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:07:50 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d20-Money-choices?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d18-When-to-start-taking-Social-Security?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner If you're within 5 years of retirement, you might be wondering when is the best time to start taking Social Security payments. Because Social Security is complex, the answer is not simple, but here are some things to keep in mind. A... Personal finance Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:50:49 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d18-When-to-start-taking-Social-Security?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d16-How-to-take-a-tax-loss-on-your-529-College-Savings-Plan?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner If you have a 529 College Savings Plan (the investment type), you might consider closing the account to lock in the investment loss and to take a tax deduction, but there are some fine points to keep in mind. For example, if yo... Taxes Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:55:09 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d16-How-to-take-a-tax-loss-on-your-529-College-Savings-Plan?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d13-How-to-fix-a-broken-retirement-portfolio?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner If you're 10 or more years away from retirement, how do you fix a retirement portfolio that's been broken by recent investment conditions? If you sell your equities now, you lock in losses and reduce the potential return on your portfolio.... Investing Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:55:10 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d13-How-to-fix-a-broken-retirement-portfolio?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d11-Choose-an-investment-approach-and-stick-with-it?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner If you've read any of my columns on investing, you know I'm a dedicated "passive" or index investor. I believe that a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds is the best way for me and most people to invest. However, this a... Investing Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:11:22 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d11-Choose-an-investment-approach-and-stick-with-it?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d9-Where-to-put-your-cash?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner It’s time for the monthly check-up on CD and high-yield savings rates. As usual, I used the fabulous service of MoneyAisle, the on-line auction house. All MoneyAisle participating banks are FDIC insured. For a $10,000 deposit, here is what the ... Saving Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:51:26 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m11d9-Where-to-put-your-cash?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d30-Recession-over--so-what?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner Yesterday,  the Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5% during the third quarter, after declining in five of the last six quarters. By definition, this means the latest recession is over, for now. It ... Investing Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:16:17 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d30-Recession-over--so-what?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d29-Reverse-mortgages-part-2--borrower-beware?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner In my last column,  I covered the basics of reverse mortgages. In this column, I'll cover some of the details like costs, lenders, scams and other considerations. The best candidates for a reverse mortgage are homeowners with a very... Personal finance Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:29:17 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d29-Reverse-mortgages-part-2--borrower-beware?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d26-Reverse-mortgages-part-1--the-basics?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner An older person with a large percentage of their net worth tied up in their house may need that money to live on or to pay a sudden large bill. A reverse mortgage gives an older homeowner access to their home equity without having to sell their ho... Personal finance Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:43:56 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d26-Reverse-mortgages-part-1--the-basics?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d24-Will-I-be-able-to-retire?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner That's a question most of us have asked in the last year. Because this is the last day of National Save for Retirement Week (October 18-24), I decided to talk about this 800-pound gorilla. Here is a one perspective from Meir Statman, a p... Retirement Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:07:19 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d24-Will-I-be-able-to-retire?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d23-Seven-keys-to-finanical-plans-for-retirement?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner We’re almost at the end of National Save for Retirement Week (October 18-24) and I’ve been focusing on retirement issues this week. When all is said and done, there are seven keys to preparing financially for retirement. Please n... Retirement Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:59:15 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d23-Seven-keys-to-finanical-plans-for-retirement?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d22-Best-places-to-retire?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner We're in the midst of National Save for Retirement Week (October 18 - 24) so I'm focusing on ways to help you plan for your retirement in this week's columns. John Nelson, co-author of What Color Is Your Parachute for Retirement,... Retirement Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:05:28 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d22-Best-places-to-retire?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d21-Common-mistakes-when-investing-for-retirement?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner In honor of National Save for Retirement Week (October 18 - 24), I'm focusing on ways to help you plan for your retirement in this week's columns. There are 6 investing mistakes many people make while saving for retirement: Not ... Retirement Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:53:59 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d21-Common-mistakes-when-investing-for-retirement?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d20-Books-to-help-you-plan-for-and-enjoy-retirement?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner In honor of National Save for Retirement Week (October 18 - 24), I'm focusing on ways to help you plan for your retirement in this week's columns. Sometimes the idea of retirement can seem pretty daunting with so much to consider. To... Retirement Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:54:13 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d20-Books-to-help-you-plan-for-and-enjoy-retirement?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d19-Check-progress-on-your-retirement-plans?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner National Save for Retirement Week is October 18 through October 24, 2009. This is a good time to check your progress towards the goal of retirement, however you may define it. Start by using a good retirement calculator or savings calculator... Retirement Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:39:51 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d19-Check-progress-on-your-retirement-plans?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d13-Money-language?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner Is the pursuit of both wealth and happiness a doomed quest? Fortunately, the answer is 'no.'This is one of the main themes of the excellent new book by David M. Krueger, M.D., The Secret Language of Money. He believes that we complicate our relations... Personal finance Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:01:18 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d13-Money-language?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d12-Investing-in-Christopher-Columbus?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner  Because we celebrate Columbus Day today, I thought I'd look at this controversial figure from an investment standpoint. Maybe we can learn something about personal finance from this tale. Was Christopher Columbus a good investment? The a... Investing Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:02:29 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d12-Investing-in-Christopher-Columbus?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d9-Money-facts-that-make-me-go-hmmm?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner Time for my irregular look at money facts that make me go "hmmm." Which ones surprise you?38% -- the percentage of Americans who have had at least one negative personal financial event in the last 30 days according to Consumer Reports;... Personal finance Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:19:54 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d9-Money-facts-that-make-me-go-hmmm?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d8-A-penny-saved-is-a-penny-earned?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner Even though the Great Recession seems to be about over, what comes next may not be a return to the "good old days" of escalating home values and rapidly rising incomes. But whatever the next few years brings, one thing you can control ... Personal finance Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:13:33 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d8-A-penny-saved-is-a-penny-earned?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d7-Time-to-buy-gold?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner The price of gold hit an all-time high today at $1,049.70/ounce. But that's not as good as it seems: the inflation-adjusted high price is actually $2,200, set in January 1980 when the price of the gold stuff was $850/ounce. That aside, what's going o... Investing Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:07:08 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-2836-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner~y2009m10d7-Time-to-buy-gold?cid=exrss-Seattle-Personal-Finance-Examiner