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Rethinking a Mortgage While Retired 12/11/2016 07:00pm • It's one of the cardinal rules of retirement planning: pay off the mortgage before quitting work. Giving up your income while still supporting a big debt can mean chewing away at your retirement savings way too fast, and can leave you in a tight spot if something goes wrong. But paying off a mortga What's More Stressful Than a Root Canal? Finding a Job 12/11/2016 07:00pm • If you're a job-search candidate, you may not be surprised by the results of a new study that show "looking for a job" nearly tops the list of activities that are notoriously stressful. A recent report from Hired discovered that people find it more stress-inducing to try to find employment than to 10 Tax Breaks for People Over 50 12/11/2016 07:00pm • The perks of agingOnce you turn 50, and especially after age 65, you can qualify for extra tax breaks. Older people get a bigger standard deduction, and they can earn more before they have to file a tax return at all. Workers over 50 can also defer or avoid taxes on more money using retirement and h 4 Retail Leaders Worth a Look This Holiday Season 12/08/2016 07:00pm • 'Tis the season to go shopping. While your focus this time of year may be buying presents for little Timmy, you may also want to consider stocking up on retailers for your investment portfolio. This year, the National Retail Federation is projecting sales in November and December to rise 3.6 percent The Tax Benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance 12/08/2016 07:00pm • Long-term care insurance premiums have been rising for many consumers, but financial experts agree that everyone, including the very wealthy, should consider buying coverage. "I consider it portfolio insurance," says Ken Moraif, a certified financial planner and host of the radio show "Money Matters Think the Affordable Care Act Is Too Expensive? You Have Options 12/08/2016 07:00pm • As the deadline approaches to secure health insurance for 2017, some consumers are still scrambling. While most Americans who don't receive health insurance via their employer can buy plans through the Affordable Care Act exchange, some find the plans available too costly, especially if they're not Tips for avoiding a surprise tax bill on capital gains 12/08/2016 05:19pm • WASHINGTON -- Nobody likes a surprise tax bill, especially when it comes to their investments. Unfortunately, many investors don’t realize some investments distribute capital gains every year. Mutual funds are required to distribute substantially all net investment income to shareholders, and t MGM opening: Md. officials say casino will pump millions into county 12/08/2016 02:49pm • WASHINGTON — Maryland officials are hailing the opening of the massive $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor casino and resort as a boon to Prince George's County's economic development and a deal that will pump millions into the county's coffers. "The signal it sends to businesses is that this real Q&A: I-66 toll lanes west of the Beltway 12/08/2016 01:36pm • WASHINGTON — State transportation leaders are shedding some light on the details of a deal that Virginia signed Thursday with private companies to finance, design, build, operate and maintain new toll lanes along Interstate 66 outside the Capital Beltway. While what’s known as “commercial c 6 end-of-year tax moves to make now 12/08/2016 06:00am • Uncle Sam is waiting to collect his yearly bill once the calendar flips to 2017, but there are some money moves you could make now that could minimize the impact of taxes. Don't delay as many of these strategies need to be implemented before year-end. "Except for IRA and health savings account 8 financial gift ideas for children 12/08/2016 05:00am • Most children receive plenty of toys that are played with for a few days and then forgotten. Some parents and grandparents want to give a gift that will have a more lasting impact. Here are some of the ways to give a financial gift instead of merely stuff. 529 plan contributions. Investment e What Happens to Clean Energy Investing Now? 12/07/2016 07:00pm • Alternative energy stocks fell sharply after the presidential election in early November as President-elect Donald Trump advocates for loosening restrictions on fossil-fuel production and calls climate change a hoax. Many investors took that as a sign that the outlook for clean energy would be dimi How to Sell Your Home Quickly Over the Holiday Season 12/07/2016 07:00pm • It's tempting for many sellers to take a step back over the holiday season and wait to list their home until after the New Year. Some sellers may even pull their homes off the market temporarily to relist once the holidays are safely behind them. This strategy works well for sellers who may have ot Know How You're Invested 12/07/2016 07:00pm • Whether you manage your own money or hire a professional advisor to do so on your behalf, it is important to understand the investment strategy, even if only at a high level. Quite understandably, many Americans are intimidated or confused when facing the vast universe of financial products availabl Will Trump Burst an Interest Rate Bubble? 12/07/2016 07:00pm • The U.S. economy and the stock market have come a long way since the financial crisis in 2008. Now that the election is over and Donald Trump will be taking over in the White House, investors are trying to figure out what a Trump presidency will mean for financial markets. The Standard & Poor's