Seven ways to slash the cost of a funeral
In addition to the emotional toll, dying can take a heavy financial toll on the living. The median cost of a funeral runs about $8,500, according to the latest figures from the National Funeral Directors Association, including embalming, viewing, a hearse, a metal casket, a vault and some other related services.And there are two important points to keep in mind about the $8,500 figure.... READ MORE
How to convince a store to give you a deal
The time and effort required to be an “extreme coupon” user is something that many of us would rather pass on. Instead, learn the right questions to ask store employees in order to score the best deal possible.Sometimes they’ll pass along an exclusive coupon, sometimes they’ll drop clues on the best day of the week to shop, and some might even mark down products ... READ MORE
Not afraid of risk? Invest in a start-up
Last year, Randy Murphy went to DietBet.com and bet $25 that he could drop 4 percent of his weight in four weeks. After shedding about 20 pounds, he won back $50.Now he’s making an even bigger bet: Murphy invested $1,000 in the company that owns DietBet, New York-based WayBetter Inc.Making the purchase — which was the first time he’s bought a company’s stock —... READ MORE
Cheapskate mutual fund investors do better
Stay cheap.Research keeps piling up to show that one of the best predictors for the success of a mutual fund is if it has low fees. Whether the fund specializes in stocks, bonds or other investments, having low costs tends to lead to higher future returns.The latest piece of support comes from Russ Kinnel, director of manager research at Morningstar. He recently looked at returns for... READ MORE
Q & A on rebalancing
Like many things in life, investing is all about balance.As the market moves and other forces take shape, different investments will grow at different rates. Over time, this may leave investors with a higher percentage of money in one type of investment than originally intended, such as more stocks than bonds.Rebalancing, as it is known, is the act of reviewing and shifting investments to... READ MORE
Alternatives for higher investment income
I have often written that even conservative investors can’t afford to restrict their investments to low-paying alternatives such as certificates of deposit, money-market accounts and Treasury bills.Even in retirement, I believe a diversified portfolio that includes a significant investment in some form of common stocks and bonds is best. (Although I have been retired for about 20... READ MORE
Has the time come for small-cap stocks?
A single dollar invested in a basket of large-capitalization stocks in 1926 and held, with dividends and capital gains reinvested, until the present would have grown to $511,502 by the end of February 2016.But even more dramatic is what would have happened had the dollar been invested in a basket of small-cap stocks. It would have grown to $2,490,588.Over the past 90 years, the typical... READ MORE
On a job search? How to market yourself
Our new career columnist Judy Smith, R.C.C. (a registered corporate coach), will answer reader questions on all aspects of employment searches, ranging from resume writing, to interviewing, to online job search and more. Q: I know job hunting has met with a number of changes over the years. As someone who is over 50, how do I go about getting a job in today’s marketplace? A:... READ MORE
Nine financial perks for older consumers
If you’re age 50 or older, be prepared to start getting carded again. Many discounts, tax breaks and other perks for seniors start earlier than you think.Here are nine ways that getting older can help you keep a little more cash in your wallet.1. Lower car insurance rates. Years of experience behind the wheel are a plus: Allstate cuts rates up to 10 percent for most drivers 55 and... READ MORE
Tax-free muni bonds: not sexy, but steady
The municipal-bond market looks to be regaining its reputation for delivering reliable if unsexy returns, following several big swings since the financial crisis.It’s remained sturdy in recent months, even as stocks and other types of bonds have jerked up and down. That has investors, mostly high income earners, once again pouring in dollars in search of safety.Municipal bonds are... READ MORE
