Catching up with Palm Springs Follies alums
Lisette Haigler is still the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies uberfan. She almost sets a record for attending the gala production — close to 40 times.Rather an honorary Follies person, she counts many of the super-fit senior performers as dear friends. She and her husband, Boyd Haigler, often entertained the entire cast at their Palm Springs home. So it was inevitable they hosted the... READ MORE
Investors looking abroad for dividends
In the search for dividends, it can pay for investors to head abroad. Markets outside the United States have long been fertile ground for dividend hunters because their stronger cultures of paying dividends have resulted in higher yields. U.S. companies have boosted their own dividends, and paid a record amount last year. But many mutual-fund managers say the most attractive dividend... READ MORE
Do you cheat on your spouse (financially)?
According to a recent survey, one-third of adults who combine finances with a partner or spouse have committed financial infidelity. Of those who said they had cheated, three in 10 hid cash, a purchase, a statement or bill, or even a bank account from their significant other. And 13 percent engaged in more-significant deceptions, such as lying about how much they earn or what they... READ MORE
How to get a sweeter deal on a used car
Used-car deals are getting better. Desirable trade-ins and vehicles at the end of their lease are streaming onto the used market, and that means more choices at lower prices.New-car leasing and finance deals create competition with used cars, too, and that also helps drive down used-car prices, according to Laurence Dixon, senior manager of market intelligence at www.NADAguides.com.Look to... READ MORE
Alternative accounts for retirement savings
Say you’re saving the maximum in your retirement accounts. For most employees, that means you can stash up to $17,500 in 2014 in your 401(k), 403(b), federal Thrift Savings Plan or 457 plan.You can also contribute up to $5,500 to a traditional or Roth IRA. And if you’re 50 or older, you can make “catch up” contributions of up to $5,500 to an employer retirement plan... READ MORE
Israeli stocks show nice growth potential
With more start-up businesses per capita than anywhere in the world, Israel is brimming with tantalizing investment prospects. Moreover, many Israeli stocks trade in the U.S, making it simple for Americans to buy in.Granted, the risks are substantial. Not only do the country’s businesses grapple with a hostile geopolitical environment, but many are youthful enterprises that have yet... READ MORE
Frontier markets feature attractive stocks
Finding stocks that zig when others zag is a key goal for investors, and mutual fund managers say they’re finding candidates in places that may be unfamiliar. They’re delving deeper into less-developed economies, buying stock in Nigerian breweries, banks in Kazakhstan and cement companies in Colombia. Trading in such markets is more difficult, and the threat of big losses is higher.... READ MORE
Why you might give gold funds another go
Gold is back on the rise after dropping like lead last year. Although it has recovered just a portion of its steep loss from 2013, the shift in momentum has been enough to halt the stampede of investors from gold-related funds.The price of gold has jumped 14 percent this year, towering over the nearly flat performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. The stocks of gold-mining... READ MORE
Don’t be mislead by funds’ 5-year returns
Fabulous can have a flip side.It’s something investors should remember as mutual funds’ five-year return figures grow more eye-popping by the day. Many funds have more than doubled over that time, but that’s due in part to the calendar hitting the five-year anniversary of the March 9, 2009 bottom for the market.That means the darkest days of the financial crisis are no... READ MORE
Computer-driven cars have big benefits
In some ways, computers make ideal drivers: They don’t drink and then climb behind the wheel. They don’t do drugs, get distracted, fall asleep, run red lights or tailgate. And their reaction times are quicker.They do such a good job, in fact, that a new study says self-driving cars and trucks hold the potential to transform driving by eliminating the majority of traffic deaths,... READ MORE
