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The Mutual Fund Fees We Don't Talk About 03/03/2015 07:00pm • Mutual fund fees are often discussed, but not fully appreciated by many investors. The ultimate cost of owning a fund is far greater than what meets the eye. This is primarily due to two reasons. First, only about a third of the total cost is reported by the expense ratio. Other hidden fees can mor What to Do When Your 401(k) Doesn't Cut It 03/03/2015 07:00pm • Financial experts may disagree on many investing strategies, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one who won't sing the praises of retirement plans, such as the 401(k). Yet there comes a juncture when any plan's investment formula must be questioned, and possibly retired in favor of something better. Understand the Consequences of Student Loan Default 03/03/2015 07:00pm • Recently, the New York Federal Reserve released some alarming information on student loan defaults that indicated up to a quarter of all borrowers from the last nine years have defaulted on their loans. The report also showed that up to 37 percent have missed at least one payment. These numbers are A To-Do List for the Year You Retire 03/03/2015 07:00pm • Many workers face a dilemma very close to their planned retirement date. They want to keep working and saving to be sure they won't ever run out of money, but work frustrations and a desire to do other things keep reminding them they can probably get by quitting. Here are some things you should do i Things to be aware of when you file your taxes 03/03/2015 09:43am • things-to-be-aware-of-when-you-file-your-taxes Idle Hands Eat the Devil's Food 03/02/2015 07:00pm • You might think really busy people never struggle with boredom -- but it is so often the case that they struggle with it the most of all. When our lives are moving 200 mph all the time, the breaks in action can feel really uncomfortable. It's that calm before the next storm where we say, "Hey, I fi The Cost of Retirement in Ireland Versus Arizona 03/02/2015 07:00pm • When Donna Deeks and her husband decided to move from Arizona to Ireland for retirement, they were concerned about the cost of living. They wanted to buy a place of their own for their retirement overseas and worried that property prices in Ireland would make that dream impossible. They weren't eve How Sudden Windfalls Can Impact Your Taxes 03/02/2015 07:00pm • For many Americans, every penny counts, and the idea of a sudden influx of cash -- an inheritance, gambling win or game show prize -- conjures images of new cars and sunny beaches. But, experts warn, don't take that luxury vacation before understanding the tax implications of your windfall. It's N How New ABLE Accounts Will Help Americans With Disabilities 03/02/2015 07:00pm • Americans with disabilities and their families often face a myriad of financial challenges, but they will soon have a new financial vehicle allowing them to save for expenses and enjoy tax-free growth similar to 529 college savings accounts. Congress passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Ac 9 Tax Mistakes You Should Never Make 03/02/2015 07:00pm • Since tax rules change slightly every year, as deductions expire or income thresholds for tax credits adjust, staying on top of all the updates can be, well, taxing. As a result, it's easy to err when it comes to filing your forms, and thousands of Americans make these common mistakes every year. C 6 Steps to Get the Best Mortgage Rates This Spring 03/02/2015 07:00pm • If you've got the itch to ditch your landlord and take the leap to homeownership, mortgage rates are still low by historical standards. But beware because they are expected to begin creeping higher throughout the year. "The cost of renting is really high right now. Rents have been rising and risin How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefit 03/02/2015 07:00pm • Social Security took a cut out of every paycheck we ever earned. The money was used to pay benefits to our grandparents, parents and older siblings. Now it's our turn. It only makes sense that we want our fair share of benefits, too. The rules for collecting Social Security are incredibly complica What to buy and what to skip in March 03/02/2015 09:00am • March is finally here. Soon enough, spring will have officially sprung. Descendents of the Emerald Isle will have recovered from St. Patrick's Day celebrations, and frugal shoppers will have scored serious savings by buying the right things at the right time. If you'd like to see even more green thi Retirement Milestones to Look Forward To 03/01/2015 07:00pm • Retirement is a transition into a new stage of life. Retirees get the freedom to choose how to spend their time, but they also walk away from the comfort of a steady paycheck and need to make important financial decisions. Here are some retirement rites of passage. Reaching financial freedom. You h Do 4 Things If Your FAFSA Is Selected for Verification 03/01/2015 07:00pm • As families file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid -- making sure to get it in before state and institutional deadlines in February and March -- they shouldn't forget about one important, final step. About one-third of FAFSAs are selected for verification, says Nancy Coolidge, associate