It doesn't have to permanently break the bank.
(New York Times) — Savers just can’t catch a break. Because of persistent low interest rates, anyone looking for decent returns that are also safe has had a tough time this year. Most of the best savings accounts, for instance, don’t even top a 1.5 percent annual yield. Sure, some people have made out nicely […]
(AJC) — At 61, Mohammed Ramsey is quasi-retired, but that’s not because he planned it that way. Ramsey and his wife shut down their day care business in Gainesville a year ago because of dwindling revenues. Unable to sell their five-bedroom house in Johns Creek without taking an $80,000 loss, they leased it out and […]
(LA Times) — Because economic recessions are cyclical, having an adequate capital reserve is imperative for small businesses. It’s also important to hedge against seasonal downturns and family emergencies or health problems. Just as individuals are advised to save enough to meet personal expenses for three to six months, companies should do the same, said […]
(Chicago Sun Times) — African Americans who’ve had to cut back their savings and investments because of the recession can get back on track. That message for blacks and others in a similar predicament comes from Ariel Investments President Mellody Hobson. “It’s certainly possible to recover from this setback,” she said. “We need to be […]
(Second Act) — The economic signs are mixed, and the stock market has replied in kind. One positive signal and equities soar; then a disappointing report comes in and your portfolio dips again. The experts say things are getting better and we’re in a recovery. Or maybe it’s a double-dip recession. Recent months have felt like […]
(SmartMoney.com) — Saving diligently for retirement can be stressful. Finding out that you actually have to save almost twice as much as you thought? That’s panic-attack territory. Still, that’s where many people are now finding themselves as they get closer to retirement. The stock market and the economy have bounced back, but not far enough to restore […]
(Money Magazine) — Question: My wife and I have $25,000 in a money market account earning almost nothing in interest. We would like to place $20,000 in some kind of an account that will give us a better return. This is our emergency money, so we’d like to invest it in something fairly safe. We […]