Tax Time

The 'what if' questions of filing in a recession

The 'what if' questions of filing in a recession Photo

What if I lose my job? Is my unemployment check taxable? Can I afford to take money out of my retirement account? These are just a few of the "What If" questions people are dealing with these days.

The 'what if' questions of filing in a recession Photo

What if I lose my job? Is my unemployment check taxable? Can I afford to take money out of my retirement account? These are just a few of the "What If" questions people are dealing with these days.

Family finances: What to toss, what to keep

Worried about pitching documents that they may need at some point, many people decorate a spare bedroom with boxes stuffed with old financial records. But with a few key exceptions, you don't need to keep all that paper.

Software provides more real-life planning

I keep the family financial records current and organized. Still, it took me nearly two hours to find and enter the copious and detailed information requested by the financial planning software I tried.

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Personal Finance

What to do when you can’t make car payments

What to do when you can’t make car payments

If you have a car that's too costly, but are handling the rest of your financial life well, you do have options.

More on managing your finance
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Money Savers

MONEY SAVERS: Woman discovers style at Goodwill

MONEY SAVERS: Woman discovers style at Goodwill Video

Like many great ideas, Brenda Chenchar's was born out of necessity. "I moved back from Houston and I didn't have any winter clothes," she said. Instead of spending her budget on a few sweaters at the mall, Chenchar decided to try shopping at Goodwill in Urbandale.

MONEY SAVERS: Woman discovers style at Goodwill Video

Like many great ideas, Brenda Chenchar's was born out of necessity. "I moved back from Houston and I didn't have any winter clothes," she said. Instead of spending her budget on a few sweaters at the mall, Chenchar decided to try shopping at Goodwill in Urbandale.

MONEY SAVERS: Two stores offer free prom dresses

Like most 17-year-old girls, Kelsy Horner is shopping for prom. Like most girls, she has something special in mind, but unlike most girls Kelsy doesn't have to burn her entire prom budget on the dress. Horner said, "(I get to) spend more money on my hair and make-up and my shoes and my nails."

  • Submit Money Savers Tips

    Submit Money Savers Tips

    Everyone is looking for ways to make their dollars stretch. Sometimes the smallest change can make a... more

  • Money Savers Links

    Money Savers Links

    Looking to make the most of your money? These links could help you stretch the family budget even... more

Kids and Money: Practical approaches

Surviving the Recession

Deals & ways to save

10 ways to save $2K this year Photos

10 ways to save $2K this year
Last year my husband and I saved $2,670.79 with very little pain or deprivation. We kept track of our savings in a little notebook, an incentive that serves as a reward for planning. You can do it, too. Here are our 10 easy tips.

-- Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub
The economy

The economy

Walt Handelsman

Your Retirement: Get started now

  • Know the best time of year to retire

    You may have spent a lot of time thinking about what age to retire, but have you thought about the date? more

  • Retirement tips for individuals

    Your go-to guide for retirement plans, including what types, how they work, and the benefits of having one. more

  • Five great ideas for dealing with your taxes in retirement

    Benjamin Franklin famously said that "in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." With April 15 right around the corner, let's talk about the more palatable of Franklin's two certainties. more

  • How to find a good financial planner

    The financial planning profession is growing explosively as millions of aging baby boomers confront the challenges of planning for retirement security. Readers of this column have been writing to ask if they need a planner--and how to go about hiring one. more

  • Retirement strategies for all ages

    A successful retirement depends largely on the steps you take during different stages of your life. It's really never too late to start planning. more

  • Rebuilding a nest egg Photo

    It may be a hard pill to swallow, but shoveling more money into savings is the best remedy for ailing retirement accounts. And workers who will be 50 and older by the end of 2009 can take advantage of "catch-up contributions," which permit them to kick in an extra $5,500 in retirement-plan... more

  • IRA resource guide

    Wondering if it's time to start a retirement savings plan? The answer, no matter how old you are, is yes! more

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