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7 Ways to Cut Down on Holiday Gift-Giving 10/19/2015 08:00pm • As the holiday gift-giving season approaches, we often are filled with a sense of dread: How will we ever find the perfect gift for everyone on our list, the time to finish our shopping and the money to pay for all the stuff we need to buy? Some Americans are saving money and sanity by changing th 4 ways retirement savers are misunderstood 10/19/2015 08:00am • Early retirement is a road worth pursuing, but it can also upset people who don't understand what you are trying to do. Your loved ones may question why you are being unnecessarily frugal when they know you have money in the bank. And friends might encourage you to switch to an investment that made 5 Reasons Compound Interest Isn't What It's Cracked Up to Be 10/18/2015 08:00pm • To hear some financial planners tell it, compound interest is a magic carpet ride: Save early and often, and over 40 working years, your pennies will turn into millions. That's how it was explained to Chris Browning, assistant professor with the department of personal financial planning at Texas T Mapping Out an Emerging Market Investment Strategy 10/18/2015 08:00pm • The wisdom of investing in emerging market equities has been challenged by recent global events, including the sharp decline in China's growth, political and economic uncertainty in Brazil and last summer's Greek fiasco. So, are emerging market equities still a suitable core strategic asset class f Loan Modifications: Good Idea or Bad? 10/14/2015 08:00pm • If you've ever been significantly behind on a loan, you've probably been asked by a customer service representative if you'd like to apply for a loan modification. You will then hear that a loan modification will lower your monthly premiums and stop the incessant phone calls demanding that you catch Don't Get Scared Off By Halloween Prices 10/14/2015 08:00pm • Looking to celebrate Halloween in bloodcurdling high style at a low price? You need not pay a sawed-off arm or a leg, or have a wooden stake driven through your financial heart. Here are a variety of ways you can save and still have a werewolf-like "howling-at-the-moon" good time. No Screaming Becau How to Take Advantage of Discounts in Closed-End Funds 10/14/2015 08:00pm • A weaker stock market and worries about the Federal Reserve raising rates this year have hit a niche investment product often used to generate income. Closed-end funds became popular income investments since safe-haven investments like the U.S. Treasury 10-year note yield around 2 percent. Closed-e ETNs, MLPs and REITs: Trading Off the Beaten Path 10/13/2015 08:00pm • Even the newest investors typically have a good sense of what it means to put their money into a stock. Mutual funds are also well known, thanks to their inclusion in employer-sponsored programs, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans. In recent years, more investors have become familiar with exchange-tra Tips to Avoid Student Loan Default Before, During and After College 10/13/2015 08:00pm • Last week, the Student Loan Ranger talked about the most recent statistics on student loan default rates. The cohort default rate is published annually by the Department of Education; while few additional details are provided, this week's blog will revisit some strategies to ensure that you don't 5 Big Money Mistakes to Avoid in Your 30s 10/12/2015 08:00pm • Last week, I wrote a post called "5 Big Money Mistakes to Avoid in Your 20s." The article was chock-full of advice for people starting their professional life so that they avoid some common personal finance mistakes that could haunt them for many years to come.When your 20s slowly turn into your 30s 4 Dynamic Large-Cap Manufacturing Stocks to Buy 10/11/2015 08:00pm • For the year, U.S. stock market performance has been dominated by health care and consumer discretionary stocks, whereas energy, basic materials and industrial stocks have underperformed the market. As the economy continues to gradually improve, industrials (and in particular manufacturing stocks) Md. toll cheaters get one last chance to pay 10/09/2015 05:35pm • BALTIMORE -- Maryland drivers who skip out on paying to use toll roads and bridges will have one last opportunity to settle their bills before the state freezes their vehicle registrations. On Oct. 16, the Maryland Transportation Authority will begin a one-month amnesty program during which anyon Why tiny house living isn't always the frugal choice 10/09/2015 10:30am • Tiny house living has been a growing trend over the past few years. In fact, there are numerous television programs that follow supporters of the lifestyle. In an effort to scale back, live in a more environmentally-friendly way and be more frugal, tiny house supporters have cast aside sprawling hom 4 Ways Rising Interest Rates Will Affect Your Investments 10/08/2015 08:00pm • Brace yourself: Higher interest rates are on the way at some point this year or in early 2016. The $64,000 question, of course, is when will the Federal Reserve start the first cycle of interest rate hikes since 2006? Investors have become accustomed to an environment of low interest rates. The F Preparing for Retirement with a Disabled Child 10/08/2015 08:00pm • Planning for retirement is complicated, no matter what your situation. But if you have a severely disabled child for whom adulthood won't necessarily mean financial independence, it's even more complex. If your child will never be completely independent, you need to plan for not only your own retir