Investing
Congress to America: Sorry. Gone Fishin'
Did you lose money on last month's Facebook IPO? How about on Groupon or Zynga? Perhaps something seemed a little off when you logged on to your brokerage account and either couldn't place an order or couldn't get confirmation that your order was placed? Congress couldn't care less.
Continue reading »Taxes
These Little-Noticed Tax Hikes Are Raiding Your Wallet
In a tough economy, the last thing many people can afford is for the government to take more of their money. Yet at least in some places, recent tax increases have already taken a big bite out of taxpayers' wallets, and the worst may be yet to come.
Continue reading »People
Rich and Beautiful: World's Sexiest Billionaire Offspring
These dashing youths are not only attractive, but as the children of the world's wealthiest people, they are also devastatingly rich. Having billionaire parents has its perks, from $60 million weddings to private yachts.
Continue reading »Health Care
Consumers to Get $1 Billion in Health Insurance Rebates
Health insurers will dole out a total of $1 billion in rebates to 12.8 million Americans this summer -- an average of $151 per family --as a result of the 2010 health care reform law, the government said Thursday.
Continue reading »Economy
Fed Extends 'Twist' Program to Drive Interest Rates Lower
The Federal Reserve acted Wednesday to lift an economy that's being held back by a weakened job market, extending a program designed to spur borrowing and spending through lower long-term interest rates.
Continue reading »Credit Cards
You're a Responsible Borrower? 'So What?' Say Credit Card Banks
Lately, the banks that issue credit cards have seen some big improvements in the way their customers have been handling their bills. But no surprise -- the card companies aren't repaying the favor.
Continue reading »Family Money
8 Easy Ways to Slash Your Food Bills by $2,000 or More
Odds are you overpay for food much more often than you realize, and that can add up to thousands of dollars of wasted money over the course of a year. Check out these overpriced edibles, and how you could save a bundle on them.
Continue reading »Investing
The 2 Devils That Could Ruin Your Portfolio (and How to Beat Them)
Right now, there's probably one of two very different devils sitting on your shoulder, whispering in your ear. And it's dictating your every financial move -- either paralyzing you or compelling you to overreact.
Continue reading »Food
Starbucks Goes South with a Big Surge in Latin America
Starbucks fans hoping to satisfy a Frappuccino craving in Costa Rica used to be out of luck -- until Wednesday morning, when it opened its first store there. But that's just the tip of the iceberg in Latin American for coffee powerhouse.
Continue reading »Stocks in the News
Remember When Apple Was the J.C. Penney of the Tech World?
There's no question that what Apple has accomplished in the past 15 years is truly remarkable. But even more remarkable is where Apple was when Steve Jobs returned to the company in 1997 -- struggling to even survive.
Continue reading »Earnings
Adobe Can't Photoshop Away Its Own Fading Prospects
Adobe is No. 1 when it comes to arming publishers with the tools to stand out in cyberspace. Adobe Flash, Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader are everywhere. But there are big clouds on the horizon for the software company -- and one is the Cloud itself.
Continue reading »Personal Finance
How This Family Beat the Recession -- and You Can Too
The recession was brutal to the typical American family: On average, household net worth fell by 39% between 2007 and 2010. But reporter Chuck Saletta's family bucked that trend with these four simple strategies.
Continue reading »Consumer Ally
Bitter Truth About Why Coffee Isn't Tasting as Good Lately
If you feel like your morning cup of coffee has gotten more bitter lately, its not a gustatory illusion: Many of America's major brands have been quietly tweaking their blends to keep their prices level.
Continue reading »Investing
Back on Burger King's Menu After 2 Years: Publicly Traded Stock
Burger King is returning to the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday. The world's No. 2 hamburger chain last traded in 2010, when it was purchased and taken private by investment firm 3G Capital, which has been overhauling its operations.
Continue reading »International
Why China Doesn't Like Barbie, Best Buy or DIY
U.S. companies see China as a market of near limitless potential, but plenty of big names have learned the hard way that the American way doesn't always sell in Shanghai. From Mattel to Home Depot, here are some notable attempts that got lost in translation.
Continue reading »Retail
What the Exit of JCP's President Means for Its 'No Sale' Strategy
J.C. Penney president Michael Francis, the junior partner in the executive duo leading the chain's radical makeover, resigned Monday, after just eight months on the job. Will "fair and square pricing" follow him out the door?
Continue reading »Retirement
401(k) Road Trip Team Returns with Tales of Pessimism, Progress
The Online 401(k) team is back from their cross-country documentary trip to investigate our nation's soured financial dreams. And whatever else Americans are running low on, there's no shortage of pessimism about our retirement prospects.
Continue reading »Earnings
Barnes & Noble's Week: A Disappointment With a Sequel
It's been a rough few days for Barnes & Noble. First the rumors of a big announcement around Microsoft's partnership with the Nook were dashed Monday, and then we received at Tuesday morning's painful quarterly report.
Continue reading »Credit Cards
6 Practices of Savvy Rewards Cardholders
Rewards credit cards often carry higher interest rates and fees than traditional cards, so they don't make financial sense for everyone. Here's a look at how smart rewards cardholders rack up points or miles-without racking up debt.
Continue reading »Retirement
On Your Own: How to Manage the Finances of Single Retirement
Between battles over Social Security, disappearing pensions, and faltering 401(k)s, the path to a secure retirement is tenuous at best. And for many of us, there will be an extra complication: facing old age solo.
Continue reading »Technology
Microsoft Surface: 5 Reasons to Pay Heed to This iPad Challenger
Microsoft's unveiled the Surface tablet Monday, and this new iPad foe will of course be met with some skepticism. But there are plenty of reasons to take the world's largest software company seriously here. Here are five reasons to get excited.
Continue reading »Economy
Builders Start More Single-Family Homes; Permit Requests Surge
U.S. builders started work on more single-family homes in May and requested the most permits to build homes and apartments in three and a half years. The increase suggests the housing market is slowly recovering even as other areas of the economy have weakened.
Continue reading »Health Care
Does Johnson & Johnson Need a Lot More than Just a Band-Aid?
Everyone knows Johnson & Johnson, but not everyone knows how big this pharmaceutical and medical device giant really is. And they also may not realize how much it's recent series of drug recalls and management missteps have pummeled the blue chip stock.
Continue reading »Credit Cards
Online Credit Card Complaint Database Debuts
A new online database devoted to cataloging consumer complaints against credit card companies launched Tuesday. The website, created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, will begin by posting grievances against credit card companies, and will eventually include complaints regarding mortgages and student loans.
Continue reading »Crime
Teaching Doctors to Diagnose a Grandma Money Scam
The elderly can be easy prey for financial scammers, and it's up to their families to help keep them safe from cons. But a new program is putting another group of defenders onto the front lines: medical professionals.
Continue reading »Family Money
5 Surefire Tips for Saving on Summer Air Travel
If you're one of the many people taking to the not-so-friendly skies this summer, you'll pay extra for nearly everything but the security pat down. Hoping to glide past some of that nickel and diming? Here are five foolproof tips:
Continue reading »Personal Finance
From Clutter to Cash: The Best Places to Sell Your Stuff
There are so many ways to unload items you no longer need or want. But what's worth your time to sell and where will you get the most for a given item? Here's a quick guide to raising cash from your cast-offs.
Continue reading »Market News
What to Watch This Week: Tablets, Teslas, Books and Bedding
Here are a few things that will shape the week ahead on Wall Street: Microsoft will show off Windows 8 tablets; Tesla's hot Model S will reach buyers; Cricket gets the iPhone; Barnes & Noble opens its books; and Bed Bath & Beyond turns back the covers on earnings.
Continue reading »Ready to suit up for summer? Here are tips on how to score a great deal on a new swimsuit, and how to keep it in mint condition for seasons to come.
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