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Beware of Bond Indexes 10/22/2017 08:00pm • Index funds continue to take market share from actively managed funds, a multi-year trend that shows no signs of abating. Most debate between proponents of active and index approaches centers on equity investments, leading many investors to assume that the arguments in favor of indexation apply equ 5 Scary Tax-Filing Mistakes That Can Haunt You 10/19/2017 08:00pm • Tax filing time will be here before you know it, and while it may seem like an odd time to worry about such a faraway event, that may be the first clue you have a problem. You believe you only need to think about your taxes once a year. Sure, for plenty of individuals, if taxes come out of your payc Financial Tips That Stand the Test of Time 10/19/2017 08:00pm • Much is written about both the similarities and differences of the generations. Millennials, Gen X, baby boomers, and the greatest generation each have their own respective traits and habits, some good and some bad. And when it comes to financial planning, this is certainly no exception. However, ti 7 Tips to Fund College With Scholarships 10/18/2017 08:00pm • As the oldest of five children, Jocelyn Paonita Pearson knew her parents didn't have a lot of money to pay for her college education. So, as a junior in high school, she started applying for scholarships. Her strategy was to apply for everything that claimed to offer money for school, but she says Take Ownership of Student Loan Debt Repayment 10/17/2017 08:00pm • The Student Loan Ranger receives many questions from readers. On occasion, we like to share some queries that other borrowers are likely to find relevant. Here's a sample of some we've addressed recently. Letters have been edited for clarity and to protect readers' privacy. Q: I recently signed up Uncovering the risks of investing too 'conservatively' 10/17/2017 10:10am • WASHINGTON — In my article, Risky Business: Misconceptions That Could Put Your Money at Risk, I discussed how risk is often misunderstood by investors. Whole classes of investments are often deemed “riskier” or “safer” and investing decisions are made based on these broad generalizations. How to Grow Your Income 10/16/2017 08:00pm • With interest rates still at historical lows, the need for a growing income stream as well as capital appreciation over the long term is as important as ever for individuals to meet their retirement goals. To accomplish this, there are three investment options every investor should consider implemen Buy these popular toys now — before they sell out this holiday season 10/16/2017 08:00pm • Given that it's only October, you're probably thinking more about Halloween than holiday shopping. But if you have kids on your gift list and want to avoid another Hatchimals debacle (when one of the year's most sought-after toys sold out before Christmas), it's time to get serious. Walmart, Toys The Morbid Niche of Life Settlement Funds 10/16/2017 08:00pm • Life settlements are the sale of a life insurance policy to a third party. The buyer, who is now the policy's owner, takes over the premium payments in exchange for the death benefit when the insured dies. Most life insurance policies are considered assets under federal law, giving the owner the rig Pros, Cons of Paying Down a Mortgage to Fund College 10/15/2017 08:00pm • When their youngest daughter entered college, Leah Ingram and her husband refinanced their 30-year mortgage to find extra money for college bills. They had contributed to 529 college savings plans since their two girls were little, but they also needed to pull from their current cash flow. With exc How Credit Card Interest Is Calculated 10/15/2017 08:00pm • Nobody wants to pay interest on credit card purchases, but you'll have to if you carry a balance. Understanding how your credit card's interest is calculated can help you understand what steps you can take to minimize the interest you have to pay. However, you might be surprised at how difficult it 5 Ways to Invest a Financial Windfall 10/15/2017 08:00pm • Who hasn't dreamed of a huge bequest from a long-lost uncle? It has happened, but in real life windfalls are more likely to come from parents or grandparents, the lottery or a lawsuit settlement. Your first impulse might be to live it up -- tour Europe, buy a big boat, new home or vacation place. F Dividend Stocks: Is Yield Better Than Growth? 10/15/2017 08:00pm • There's an old saying on Wall Street that says, "Profits are a matter of opinion, but dividends are a matter of fact." As U.S. and global economies accelerate and companies earn fatter profits, dividends are the proverbial "area of interest" for fact-minded long-term investors. While various data d Millennials Should Try Dividend Stocks 10/12/2017 08:00pm • Dividends are the gift that keeps on giving, but not every investor is eager to buy in. According to a TD Ameritrade report, millennials largely steer away from dividend stocks, preferring to hold non-dividend tech offerings long term instead. This growth-focused mindset may explain why younger inv What would you give to wipe out your student loans? 10/12/2017 12:19pm • WASHINGTON — With student loan debt at a record $1.3 trillion and delinquency rates rising, Americans saddled with student loans, especially young adults, would be willing to do some drastic things to get out from under the weight of their debt burden. Credible.com, a sort of Kayak for comparin