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One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of March thaw, is the Spring.
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Category Archives: AP
How loyalty programs influence the way you shop
Loyalty programs at supermarkets used to be as simple as getting access to the cheaper advertised prices on store shelves. But as companies fight to hold onto customers amid intensifying competition, they’re using shoppers’ purchasing histories to offer more personalized deals.
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Poll: Aging US in denial about long-term care need
We’re in denial: Americans underestimate their chances of needing long-term care as they get older — and are taking few steps to get ready. A new poll examined how people 40 and over are preparing for this difficult and often pricey reality of aging, and found two-thirds say they’ve done little to no planning. Read More
8 tips on saving money on a cruise vacation
Recent images of a cruise ship limping back to port after an engine malfunction didn’t do the cruise industry any favors heading into the summer vacation season. And cringe-worthy accounts from passengers who had to make do without power or working toilets for five days may have turned some travelers off cruising for good. Read More
Are you a savvy manager of your IRA?
When it comes to retirement planning, most of the focus is placed on 401(k)s. The reality is that individual retirement accounts represent the largest share of America’s savings. Read More
Poll finds caution 5 years after financial crisis
Americans have grown more cautious and disciplined in handling their money since the financial crisis struck in 2008, a survey by a leading mutual fund company suggests. People say they don’t spend as much, save as little or embrace as much risk as they did before the crisis, according to a survey of nearly 1,200 people by Fidelity Investments.
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6 key considerations when applying for a mortgage
For most would-be homebuyers, making a run at homeownership is going to mean getting approved for a home loan. It’s a process that, at best, can be stressful and confusing. Borrowers can be better prepared by taking steps to study their options and learn what to expect from a lender. Read More
Free tax help is available if you look
Free tax help is available, and it’s not only for those in financial need. Some organizations offer free services regardless of how much you earn. AARP, the nonprofit organization that advocates for people over 50, has relaxed income requirements for who can receive free tax preparation assistance and also helps people of different ages. Read More
6 tips on handling taxes for household employees
Taxes. They’re just about the last thing parents might think about when they hire someone to watch over their child. Yet a hefty tax bill is a possibility for anyone who pays a nanny, housekeeper, gardener or other household employee enough in annual wages to trigger a bevy of requirements under tax laws. Read More
Study sheds light on funds’ hidden trading costs
There is no shame in being cost-conscious. Price is often the critical factor when mutual fund companies compete for business. They want to be able to tout the lowest expense ratios for their funds. That’s the figure that shows how much investors pay to cover operational costs. But it isn’t the only cost you should be thinking about.
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Buying stocks now may be less risky than you think
Is it too late? If you’ve stayed out of stocks recently, you might be worried that you’ve missed your chance to get back in. After all, they must be expensive now that the Dow Jones industrial average has risen 120 percent in four years to a record high. Read More
6 tips on getting finances in shape to buy a home
After years in the doldrums, the housing market appears back on track. Home sales and prices are up, and mortgage rates remain near historic lows, reinvigorating the appeal of homeownership. Read More
Older entrepreneurs call shots after long careers
Calling the shots isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. But for people above 50, it’s become a more popular choice. Tony Uzzi knows all about that. After 30 years in traditional jobs, at age 52, he accepted a buyout from a pharmaceutical company and went into business for himself. Now, instead of having a fairly predictable schedule as a pharmaceutical salesman, work can interrupt just about anything — even dinners out. Read More
4 tips for investors to ease growing tax bite
This year’s tax-filing deadline is a couple months away, and many investors are beginning to review whether they made any rash moves with their portfolios to trigger potentially unnecessary tax bills. It’s a good instinct to follow, because it can become a teachable moment on how to become a tax-savvy investor. Read More
