Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Do the math before tapping into Social Security benefits

  August 3, 2010 in Business on Page A8 Q.When should I begin collecting retirement benefits? A.People are tempted to take Social Security early, but it is important to really think through the long-term ramifications that such a decision … 1

• Mortgage vs. savings a personal as well as financial decision

  July 13, 2010 in Business on Page A7 I’m 28, single, and just received an $86,000 inheritance. I don’t know if I should pay off my mortgage ($79,836) or invest for retirement. If I pay off my mortgage, …

• After divorce, finances need a fresh look

  July 6, 2010 in Business on Page A8 Divorce can be one of the most challenging and difficult periods that a person can experience in life. Once an agreement has been reached with the former spouse, and even … 1

• Securities protected from inflation are attractive to some

  June 22, 2010 in Business on Page A7 Q. I’ve heard about Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS. What are they? Are they safe investments with a healthy rate of return? What are their advantages, disadvantages and restrictions? How … 1

• Lead by example when teaching kids about money

  June 15, 2010 in Business on Page A8 Q.How do I train my kids to use money wisely? They just don’t get it. A.There are many tools parents can use to teach kids principles and skills in money …

• Plan your retirement for life’s surprises

  February 23, 2010 in Business on Page A8 Q: I have heard that if I only spend 4 percent of my retirement savings yearly I will never run out of money and it could possibly even grow. Sounds …

• Ask a Planner: Don’t let stock market consume your mind or time

  January 19, 2010 in Business on Page A6 If you went through a series of emotional lows and highs during 2009, you’re not alone. It’s human nature for emotions to overrule logic when it comes to investing. Academics … 1

• College aid seekers may welcome changes in application process

  January 17, 2010 in Business on Page E1 Filling out the form for federal college aid used to be regarded as the equivalent of a root canal. Thanks to some much-needed steps toward simplification, the Free Application for … 2

• Let temperament be guide in saving emergency cash

  January 5, 2010 in Business on Page A7 Q.In your “Planning Tips for the New Year” column (Dec. 29), you said everyone needs cash for emergencies. But if I have credit cards and a personal line of credit, …

• Having a plan best way to trim expenses, build up savings

  December 29, 2009 in Business on Page A10 Each January, my firm receives lots of calls from people who’ve resolved to get their financial house in order. Here are a few of the planning tips we offer to …

• Tax advice good idea for settlement in retirement account

  December 22, 2009 in Business on Page A11 A reader recently asked how to handle a lawsuit settlement received inside a retirement account. This could happen, for example, if stockholders sued a publicly traded company for manipulating the …

• Many youngsters don’t have a clue about money

  November 23, 2009 in Features on Page C1 Money doesn’t grow on trees, as the old adage goes. While some may take a lifetime to figure that out, high school students in Marty Jessett’s quantitative and financial math … 1

• Getting back into stocks has its risks, but so does sitting on the sidelines

  November 3, 2009 in Business on Page A8 The world changed dramatically for U.S. investors on Oct. 10, 2008. The Dow Jones industrial average closed at 8,451, dropping more than 18 percent for the week – the worst …

• Bailout buck would easily stop at Pop

  August 11, 2009 in City on Page A5 My Pop, bless his soul, had the mind of a mob accountant when it came to dollars and cents. Whenever I’d hit him up for movie money or an advance … 3

• More parents are teaching their children money management

  April 13, 2009 in Features on Page C1 Scrawled in big, pink letters across three envelopes are the words “spend,” “save” and “give.” It’s how second-grader Chloe McLaughlin organizes her $8 allowance. It may sound grown-up for someone …

• After layoff, game plan can help

  March 10, 2009 in Business on Page A8 DALLAS – Finding yourself unemployed can be frightening, as too many people are learning these days. If you find yourself in that position, try to keep from panicking. 1

• Put your financial fundamentals to the test

  March 9, 2009 in City on Page A5 When it comes to understanding money, Washington’s high school students are earning a failing grade. High school seniors could answer just 48 percent of the questions on a 2008 survey …

• Fiscal education may be lost on most Americans

  March 9, 2009 in City on Page A1 A lot of us don’t know much about money. In surveys across age groups, it’s clear that many Americans don’t understand fundamental concepts about the economy – from compound interest …

• Financial literacy may be impossible goal

  March 8, 2009 in News A lot of us don’t know much about money. In surveys across age groups, it’s clear that many Americans don’t understand fundamental concepts about the economy – from compound interest …

• In economic downturn, brown-bagging it can help

  March 1, 2009 in Business on Page E6 Packing lunch instead of eating out might be considered too obvious for anti-recession advice. But market research shows Americans still aren’t packing as much as they could. Brown-bagging has risen …

• The economic stimulus plan: What it means for you

  February 15, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A7 An examination of how the economic stimulus plan will affect Americans. Taxes

• Friday focus: Personal finance

  February 13, 2009 in Business on Page A12 Swiping your credit card would come with dramatic new protections under regulations considered by congressional lawmakers Thursday. Among the industry practices blasted at the Senate Banking Committee’s hearing was the …

• Credit course on horizon

  February 5, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page N4 Community Frameworks, 315 W. Mission Ave., will continue their series of personal finance and mortgage lending courses on Feb. 18 with “Understanding Credit.” The class will begin at 6 p.m. …

• Americans show shift in savings strategies

  February 2, 2009 in City on Page A5 There’s an irony about savings and the economy: When times are good, people save less, and vice-versa. That means the United States may be heading into a period of increased …

• Friday focus: Personal finance

  January 30, 2009 in Business on Page A10 It feels like someone kicked you in the stomach. Your pulse is racing. You’re not sleeping well. Many parents preparing to send children off to college in the next year …

• Friday focus: Personal finance

  January 16, 2009 in Business on Page A10 The best way to teach youngsters how to use credit responsibly is to let your son or daughter learn to manage cash responsibly. If you give your children an allowance …

• Tim Rutten: 401(k)s failed the test

  January 13, 2009 in Opinion on Page A11 As President-elect Barack Obama and lawmakers attempt to reach agreement on what sort of stimulus package has the best chance of arresting America’s economic free fall, the enormity of the …

• Apply resolve to your budget

  January 5, 2009 in City on Page A5 It’s never too late for a New Year’s resolution or two. So here are a few you might consider for 2009, gathered primarily from news reports and the Certified Financial …

• Friday focus: Personal finance

  January 2, 2009 in Business on Page A12 No doubt many consumers will be happy to say farewell to 2008 with its record home foreclosures, massive job losses and weak credit market. However, there are some valuable lessons …

• Live within your means this year – and every year

  December 29, 2008 in Features on Page B5 Here is a New Year’s resolution for which nobody asked: Do not try to live above your means. Yes, Miss Manners knows that everyone has resolved to cut back on …