your money
Chris Farrell
Columnist | Your Money
Phone:
Email: cfarrell@mpr.org
Chris Farrell is economics editor for American Public Media's weekly "Marketplace Money" show and author of "The New Frugality." He answers reader questions on most Sundays. Send questions to cfarrell@mpr.org and put "Your Money" in the subject line.
In retirement, protect portfolio against the downside
Q Dear Ms. McGuire: Your portfolio is up 30 percent. Well, so is mine (in my IRA) but it is still way below what it was last year -- in fact, it is closer to what it was about four years ago. Is that a good time to sell? (I'm retired).
0 Comment
Short on credit, business traveler should try 'secured' card
Q I need to secure more credit for business travel and I have poor credit. My company policy is that we pay for trips and then submit the receipts. A brief overview: My outstanding debt is my home; Bank America credit card with balance of $3,500 (this account was closed by the bank), and Spire credit card with $3,000 balance. My car is paid for and my daughter is paying for her own college. My dilemma is the difficulty in getting credit while being required to travel about weekly for my position. Any creative suggestions would be wonderful.
0 Comment
Holidays bring out clash in money-handling styles
We're entering the holiday season. It's a wonderful time of year. But the holidays can also put stress on a relationship because the season often highlights the different approaches people have to handling money.
0 Comment
Social Security checks not rising
Q Can you explain why people on Social Security are not getting (for the first time) a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2010? Things clearly cost more -- including Medicare -- and raises, new jobs, etc. are hard to come by. So why isn't there a COLA?
0 Comment
Chris Farrell: For savers, the question has become when to spend
Q My husband and I are 41 years old. We have $65,000 in cash assets, $9,000 in money market, the rest in stocks and bonds with Fidelity.
0 Comment
Retirees wonder about home purchase: Pay cash or get loan?
Q I'm 71 and my wife is 67. We own a home. We are debt-free. We are thinking about buying a home in the $200,000 to $250,000 range in an active adult community in a sun state where we may spend up to six months each year. We have close to $375,000 in investments managed by a professional broker. Our pensions/Social Security give us a monthly income of $5,000 after taxes. We have no health issues. Our monthly budget right now is about $2,500.
0 Comment
Convert to a Roth IRA in 2010? It may be the wrong move for you
It drives me crazy that the folks in Congress are always making speeches that Americans need to save more for their retirement. But then they leave in place pension laws with far too many twists and turns while passing new ones that seem ever more complicated.
0 Comment
Pros, cons of converting your IRA to a Roth account
Last week's article focusing on Roth IRA conversions for low- and middle-income folks sparked an unusual number of reader responses (which was fun). The flurry reflects the growing excitement over conversion in 2010. But the e-mails also emphasized the complexity of the issue. So I've decided to recap the basics of conversion with some help from readers.
0 Comment
Well-informed giving should be part of any sound financial plan
Americans pull together to share their concerns and passions, especially when it comes to improving our communities and society. We give money and time to support the arts, contribute to schools, build affordable housing and tackle social problems. We do this through all kinds of charities, nonprofit organizations and religious institutions ranging from small groups of volunteers to multibillion-dollar enterprises.
0 Comment
Chris Farrell: Few more days to (thoughtfully) seek 2009 income tax deductions
2009 is almost over. That means there are only a few more days to consider any last-minute moves to save on federal income taxes for this year.
0 Comment
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters