Law & Money

Investing overseas for dividends, income

By: Jeffrey R. Kosnett
Investing overseas for dividends, income

Despite the turmoil in stock markets around the world, this is a great time to home in on solid dividend-paying and growth stocks of foreign companies. Though it requires some extra research and may take you beyond your comfort zone, you’ll find hundreds of foreign stocks that trade in the U.S. as American depositary receipts (ADRs).

How to qualify for elder care tax breaks

By: Kimberly Lankford
How to qualify for elder care tax breaks

Q: My mother, who’s in the early stages of dementia, has moved in with me. She will attend an adult day care program while I’m at work. Can I deduct any of the expense of her care? A: You may be able to claim a dependent-care tax credit or set aside pretax dollars in a flexible spending account to pay for her care, as long as the expenses are necessary so that you (and your spouse, if you’re married) can continue to work.

Scams target used car shoppers online

By: Eileen AJ Connolly
Scams target used car shoppers online

It’s another case of “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The FBI is warning online auto shoppers to watch out for deals that offer cars at very low prices, then direct unwitting buyers to phony websites designed to separate victims from their money. The agency says more than $44.5 million was stolen through such scams from 2008 to 2010.

Utilities funds deliver in declining market

By: Mark Jewell
Utilities funds deliver in declining market

But will they continue to grow in 2012? There’s plenty to like about utilities companies. Investors looking for stability will find their stock returns aren’t as choppy as the broader market, and they’re a source of reliable dividend income. Those traits are an outgrowth of the typically stable demand for electricity and natural gas. Homeowners and businesses keep the lights on, and the heat or air-conditioning running, in good economic times and bad.

Income for life with longevity insurance

By: Dave Carpenter
Income for life with longevity insurance

Odds are growing that you’ll live past 85. But will your money last that long? And what if you make it to 95 or 100? With life spans lengthening, those nearing retirement may want to consider financial protection to guard against the possibility of outliving their money. It’s now increasingly available in the form of longevity insurance, which usually involves giving a sum of money to an insurer in your 60s in exchange for monthly payments that start at 80 or 85 and continue for the rest of your life.

Cut cable connection to watch TV for less

By: Lisa Gerstner
Cut cable connection to watch TV for less

Thanks to new offerings via the Internet, viewers are increasingly catching their favorite shows free or for a fraction of what their cable company charges. And going online to view TV shows doesn’t mean you’re stuck watching programs on your computer or tablet screen. The Apple TV box ($99), for example, streams iTunes, Netflix, YouTube and some sports programming to your TV. Or you may be able to use a video-game console or a device designed to stream TV shows and movies from the Web to television, such as a Roku box ($60 to $100) or Boxee ($200).

Avoid scams by checking on businesses

By: Kimberly Lankford
Avoid scams by checking on businesses

Q. It seems that every day I hear about someone being ripped off. Are there some good resources to help protect myself against scam artists? A. Although scam artists have been especially busy taking advantage of the economic downturn, there are resources to help you check out a company or an adviser before you become a victim — and help you file a complaint if you have a problem.

A good time to invest in discount stores

By: Mark Jewell
A good time to invest in discount stores

The economic news is gloomy, and the stock market is a roller coaster. So where are mutual fund managers finding real values, aside from bargain-hunting among stocks with depressed prices? Top fund manager Chuck Akre sees lasting value in the stocks of three discount retailers, each with a gain of more than 20 percent this year. They’re among the top holdings in the Akre Focus Fund.

Cash-rich stocks to consider purchasing

By: Kathy Kristof
Cash-rich stocks to consider purchasing

Is cash king, or is cash trash? If you’re an investor, the question has never been so pertinent or pervasive. Dozens of major corporations reacted to the recession the same way consumers did. They started paying off debts and building up cash reserves. The industrial companies in Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index are now sitting on a record stockpile, estimated at $959 billion, according to S&P. Plusses and minuses

The best options for stashing your cash

By: Dave Carpenter
The best options for stashing your cash

Cash is king again for many unsettled investors. The crisis in confidence that has spooked investors this summer is prompting many to pull their money from the stock market, with others poised to follow. The problem is, where to park it? Here’s a look at the safest options and what you can earn on your cash. If you’re primarily concerned about limiting your risk, you’ll want to focus on various bank products, such as certificates of deposit, savings accounts and high-yield checking accounts.