I've gotten lots of valuable help from your column over the years, but have always wondered about your personal retirement strategy. Have you been faithful to your own advice? -- Jim K., Madison, Wis. ...

Two things about higher education have become clear. First, your children need it more than ever to stay competitive -- and so might you, if you need to upgrade for a fast-changing job market. Second, ...

It was while folding tamales at a cooking class in 2007 that Jill Foucr� figured out exactly how to spice up her work life. Then regional vice president of UnitedHealth Networks, the Glen Ellyn, Ill., ...

Need some help getting off the couch, but not ready to spring for a personal trainer? Whether you're gearing up for a big race or trying to fit in a weekly power walk, there's a fitness device for you. ...

"I already invest in a target-date retirement fund. What should my next fund be?"-- Errick Chiasson, Baldwinsville, N.Y. Target-date funds are designed to provide not only a fully diversified ...

Chances are you or someone you know has diabetes -- or will soon. Some 26 million Americans suffer from the disease, in which sugar builds up in the blood: 7 million of those are undiagnosed. Another 79 ...

You may associate "spring cleaning" with activities like polishing the silver, prowling for dust bunnies, and paring down your sock drawer, but why not apply the spirit of the season to your ...

When Marcia Connelley and Terri Paradise, friends and colleagues at the Chicago office of payroll services company Paychex, first discussed starting a business together, the idea seemed like just a fantasy. ...

Bought or renewed a homeowners insurance policy lately? You've no doubt noticed that premiums have gotten pretty pricey. Rates have climbed 69% over the past decade to an average of $1,000 a year. What ...

Six years after prices collapsed, housing has begun to climb out of its hole. So what are the best moves to make now? In a three-part series, we offer smart strategies for buyers, sellers, and owners in ...

For as little as $100, here are some secrets you can unlock from your DNA: Whether you could have inherited a risk factor for certain kinds of cancer. Or how much of your genetic makeup comes from Neanderthals. ...

For many years credit unions have enjoyed a reputation as a friendlier alternative to big banks. Look closer and you'll find things aren't so simple. "It's not all rainbows and butterflies at credit ...

A recent court settlement now allows stores to nick you an extra 1% to 4% whenever you use a credit card. That would offset the fees retailers must pay to card issuers when you pay by swipe. Time to scrutinize ...

Bagging cheaper airfares depends not just on when you fly but also on when you shop. On average, the best time to buy a ticket for non-holiday domestic travel is 49 days before departure, based on CheapAir.com's ...

Are bills piling up on Mom's kitchen table? Are you worried Dad might fall prey to a scam? Time to discuss if they need help with their finances. Proceed carefully because they may not see things as you ...

For those lucky enough to have a spacious walk-in closet, an organizing system is a no-brainer.There's plenty of space for all manner of sweater shelves, lingerie drawers, shoe cubbies, and tie racks.So ...

I've worked with a financial adviser for more than 30 years. But I have a better understanding of finance now and more time to manage my money since I'm retired. So I'm thinking of taking my savings out ...

It's widely accepted as fact that fundamentals like earnings and economic growth matter to stock prices.So how do you explain that while Europe was mired in recession in 2012, equities there soared more ...

Own a money-market fund?When you next check your balance, you may see a lot more digits. Fidelity, Schwab, and other firms managing 40% of U.S. money fund assets said in January they would disclose the ...

For your account passwords or personal identification numbers, easy-to-recall codes are way too easy for others to guess.Yet the most popular passwords are "123456" and, yes, "password," ...

It's official: After years of little activity, homebuilders are dusting off their jackhammers.Last year housing permits hit their highest level since 2008, according to the Census Bureau, and new-home ...

I'm in my late 40s, single and have no idea of how to prepare for retirement. My employer offers health insurance, but no retirement plan. I don't want to have to rely just on Social Security. Please help. ...

Love your commute-free workday away from the glare of fluorescent lights?Just don't get too comfortable. A recent study in the MIT Sloan Management Review found that bosses are more likely to attribute ...

Meir Statman, a finance professor at Santa Clara University, is one of the most influential experts in behavioral finance -- the study of how your emotions and beliefs affect your decisions surrounding ...

Stressing out about how you'll pay for four years of college?You should be so lucky.Most students take five to six years to earn an undergraduate degree, the Department of Education reports. That adds ...

Would you please explain, in principle, what a lifetime income annuity is and how it works? -- Don Williams When the topic turns to annuities, people's eyes glaze over, their heads nod and before long ...

As far as unpleasant tasks go, asking a relative or friend to repay a loan ranks up there with getting your wisdom teeth pulled or spending a weekend alone with your in-laws.The best way to avoid this ...

I'm 40 and would like to begin preparing for retirement, but I don't know what to do. How should I start→ -- Nick Z., Astoria, N.Y.You, sir, need a plan.A recent survey shows that people who've prepared ...

What's my risk tolerance? I'm 31 and 90% in stocks, but I'm not willing to take a 50% hit. Craig Carlson -- Omaha, Neb.Considering how often the term "risk tolerance" is bandied about in the ...