Columns

A prominent economist says the recent recession was long and painful but that Americans have learned their lesson about savings and debt.

Although the Baby Boom generation has done a lot of things differently than their parents- especially in terms of child-rearing- many still resemble grandma and grandpa in their attitude about talking to the kids about money.  It remains a taboo topic in many families.

We all know that we need to create an emergency savings account, but that's easier said than done. Here are some expert tips to help get your fund started.

Dave Says: If you are getting ready to walk down the aisle, here's what you need to know about prenups. And is AAA a worthwhile expense?

Working with a professional financial planner doesn’t guarantee fiscal security. Money managers share seven secrets they wish clients knew.

Dave Says: Owning raw land is an ok investment, but remember it doesn't normally provide a cash flow. And don't worry you don't inherit your parents' debt--unless you were a co-signer.

Dave Says: When it comes to making financial decisions, sometimes you have to go with the solution that works best overall, in spite of what the technical math shows.

Arranging your assets in the right buckets can mean you are able to reduce the risk in your overall portfolio. If you manage your taxes correctly, you should be able to invest in things that earn a lower, less risky return, and still generate the same amount of income on an after-tax basis.

In his sixth State of the Union address, the president outlined retirement, housing and tax reform plans. Here's how they could impact your personal finances.

Dave Says: When it comes to making your debt pay off plans, anything owed to the government should get priority.

Dave Says: when it comes to creating a budget, it doesn't matter if it's a household of one or 10. And is it ever a good idea for parents to pay off their children's debt?

Dave Says: In the real estate world, family and business sometimes don't mix. 

The cardinal rule to investing sounds simple: Buy low, sell high. But that’s easier said than done. So before first-timers take their leap into the markets, here’s what experts say are the most common investing mistakes and how to avoid them.

Sorting through a cell phone bill can make anyone's eyes gloss over. But cell phone customers are paying on average an extra 17% in surcharges on their monthly statements. Here's how to fight back. 

The U.S. might be known as the land of the free, but we're also tied to our office desks with no federally-mandated vacation days. 

Dave Says: What are essentials for three to six months of expenses and what should an ex-spouse do with unknown credit card debt?

Dave Says: You should always strive to have three to six months of living expenses in your emergency fund, but are there any circumstances when it's ok to dip into it before a crisis?

Wall Street hit record highs last week, but we should put our celebrations into perspective. We were celebrating the same milestone October 2007, and we all know what followed. 

In a major show of U.S. military firepower and know how, the U.S. Air Force just announced an EQ-4 Global Hawk completed its 500th flight, "marking the first time the unmanned aircraft reached the 500-sortie milestone .” 

We all have our dream job or height on the career ladder that we wish to achieve, but there are many steps to turn that vision into a reality.