Personal Finance News, Banking, Budgeting, Saving & Investing News at WSJ.com

Cheapskate

Does Paying for a Gym Make You a Dumbbell?
Gym memberships are worth it if you use them. But you can keep in good shape spending a lot less money, writes Neal Templin.
- The Wallet: Can You Really Stay Fit on a Budget?

Retirement Planning
Slide in 401(k)s Spurs Calls for Change
The stock-market rout has ignited a crisis of confidence for millions of Americans who manage their own retirement savings through 401(k) plans.
- Discuss: Retirement Expenses and Your 401(k)

Money
UBS Swiss Accounts Fare Well at IRS
A wide range of people continue to turn themselves in to the IRS for not reporting taxable securities in UBS-managed Swiss bank accounts, and so far seem to be avoiding serious punishment.
Taxes
Confusing Tax Rules Under Fire
The No. 1 problem facing taxpayers? A tax code so complex that Americans spend billions each year to figure out how much they owe, says the National Taxpayer Advocate.
SmartMoney Stock Screen
Price/Book Value Ratios
If you're looking for low price/book companies, best to look for signs of financial strength, too
ROI
Why Forester Finished First
The only American mutual fund manager to end 2008 in the black says he did it by watching the downside.
- Quarterly Funds Report
Tax Report
New Laws May Help Many Taxpayers
New Year's Day brought relief for most taxpayers, especially upper-income ones -- even as Obama is proposing new tax cuts as part of his stimulus package.
Common Sense
Investors Should Stick to a System
It's exactly when you feel like abandoning the system -- when the market is at its lowest -- that you must summon the discipline to keep going, writes columnist James B. Stewart.
Technology
Online Applications for Social Security
The Social Security Administration is introducing an online application that will allow people to apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes.
Taxes
IRS Offers Leniency Plan for Taxpayers
The IRS announced steps to be more lenient on taxpayers who are unable to pay taxes owed, in recognition of the financial troubles reverberating throughout the economy.
Wealth Manager
Funding Senior Living In a Downturn
In these rough economic times, funding long-term care poses a challenge for seniors and their families – but there are a range of strategies you can pursue.
ROI
Small Investments, Major Returns
There's no such thing as a hot stock tip right now, but these small investments could add thousands to your bottom line, writes Brett Arends.
Investing
2009 Could Be Better Than You Think
Why you can be financially optimistic when looking forward to the coming year.
Encore
Congress Revises IRA Rules
A new tax law will allow retirees to skip required withdrawals from IRAs this year to give nest eggs time to rebound from the brutal bear market.
Smart Money
Risky Business: 12 Stocks for 2009
Experts advise investors to create a portfolio of stocks that have a wider range of risks than usual in 2009.
Marketwatch
Tool Up for Midcareer Job Hunt
While finding a new job in a recession is tough, midcareer job seekers have some advantages, career experts say.
Yoder & Son
Dad and Son Resolve to…
Stephen and Isaac share what they've learned over the past year and resolve to make some financial changes in the year to come.
Starting Out
Twitter Yourself a Job
Young job seekers are using social networking Web site Twitter.com to bolster their job searches.
Barron's Insight
Looking Ahead After Lucky Bets
Mark Roberts of the Off Wall Street Consulting Group is among the few analysts whose picks did well in 2008.

The Intelligent Investor

Do as Experts Say, Not as They Do
If you think it is hard to stick to your New Year's resolutions, consider how some of the investing world's leading experts don't always take their own advice.
Yoder & Son
Readers' Turn: Clunkers, Job Loss and More
Readers respond to recent Yoder & Son columns.
Tax Report
Taking Credit for Energy Efficiency
Thinking about energy upgrades for your home in 2009? A look at various federal and state incentives to make your home more energy efficient.
Crunchonomics
A Survival Guide for the Downturn
A collection of recent Journal articles and past advice on what readers can do to secure their family finances, careers, retirement savings and homes during financial turmoil.

The Wallet

Gadget Gorging, After the Downturn
Americans tightening their wallets won't stop thousands of retailers from displaying pricey gadgets this week at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Can You Stay Fit on a Budget?
Morningstar's Fund Managers of the Year Still Lost Plenty of Money
See All

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The Wealth Report

Should Private Jet Fliers Have to Suffer Security Checks?
Private jet companies and their lobbyists are fuming over new rules that could subject some of their well-heeled passengers to security reviews. But don't worry-private jet-setters still wouldn't have to go through a metal detector or suffer the indignity of a buzz wand if the rules go through.
The Country Club Crash
Millionaires Lose 30% of Their Fortunes
See All

RSS Feed

Journal Community
- Ask & Answer ▶
“Are investments in mutual funds protected by the SIPC just as brokerage accounts are?”

Family Finance

College Bills Wallop Families
As the economy shrinks, many students and their parents are struggling to make payments for the second half of the academic year.
Nothing Says Christmas Like a Used Bicycle
In Tough Times, Nannies Get the Ax

Insurance

Surprise Health Bills Incite Anger
What to do if you're hit by balance billing, a practice that can leave insured patients with an unexpected medical bill.
Beware of Out-of-Pocket Costs
Is Your AIG Policy Safe?

Investing

New Rules Could Mean More Investor Complaints Get a Hearing
The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved new arbitration rules that limit securities firms from filing frivolous motions to dismiss investor complaints.
ETF Investors Expect Tax Hit
Obama Team to Create Stimulus

Loans & Credit

'Underwater' vs. Foreclosure
Why most people who owe more than a property's worth will still keep their homes.
Debt-Relief Firms Attract Complaints
Your Cash: How Safe Is Safe?

Taxes

Last-Minute Tips for Slashing '08 Taxes
Tom Herman offers a few last-minute ideas for filers to cut their tax bills for 2008.
Many Distributions Still Apply for 2008
IRS Revises Its Mileage Rates

Retirement Planning

Roth Is a Good Way to Hedge on Your Future Taxes
Investing in a Roth 401(k) account is almost always a good way to hedge your bets against the potential for higher taxes in the future, according to several financial planners and accountants.
Pension Funds Rethink Strategy
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Converting to Roth IRA Has Advantages

Columns

R.o.i.
By Brett Arends
Why Forester Finished First
Ask encore
By Kelly Greene
Roth Is a Good Way to Hedge on Your Future Taxes

Tax report
By Tom Herman
New Laws May Help Many Taxpayers
The intelligent investor
By Jason Zweig
Do as Experts Say, Not as They Do

Real Estate

Hitting the Home Gym
For those with New Year's resolutions to get in shape, here are three homes that feature their own fitness facilities.
Super Bowl Hope Is High in Tampa
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Commercial Property Loses Shelter

Autos

Ford's Sync Adds Interactive Features
Ford is adding real-time traffic, turn-by-turn directions, personalized sports and weather reports to its in-car Sync system.
Audi Defies Industry Gloom
Nissan Recalls Trucks Over Air Bags

Fitness & Health

Daschle Faces Confirmation Hearing
Former Sen. Tom Daschle testified during his confirmation hearing that providing universal health coverage will be integral to the mission of the Department of Health and Human Services and that "the cost of failure is simply too high."
Scientists Ask Obama to Restructure FDA
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Cardinal Health Lowers Outlook

Careers

Doing the Math to Find Good Jobs
Mathematicians have landed the top spot in a new study ranking the best and worst jobs in the U.S. A look at how other occupations fared.
Job Test Spawns Culture of Cheating
Job Hunters Seek High-End Help

Highlights

New Rules Could Mean More Investor Complaints Get a Hearing
The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved new arbitration rules that limit securities firms from filing frivolous motions to dismiss investor complaints.
Gadgets for Leaner Times
Vendors at this year's Consumer Electronics Show are offering products with an eye toward helping users save money. Here's a look at some of the money-conscious gadgets.
Ways to Keep Track of Receipts
How to organize your expenses as tax season approaches.
Credit Card Companies Slash Limits
Credit card companies are slashing consumer credit lines and closing inactive cards - a move that could harm borrowers' credit scores and restrict access to loans.

Market Data

* at close Source: Dow Jones, Reuters
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Wealth Manager

Encore

Marketwatch

Yoder & Son

Barron's Insight

The Intelligent Investor

Yoder & Son

Tax Report

Journal Community

By Brett Arends

By Kelly Greene

By Tom Herman

By Jason Zweig

Highlights

Highlights