If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. If you have any questions, please see my policies page or if you would like to contact me, you can do so here. You can find out more about me here. I sincerely thank you for visiting! The WaPo has an article [...]

CNNMoney has a good reminder that your abode isn’t the only thing that needs spring cleaning. Your finances could also use a good look-see.
Their five suggestions are:
* Shred paperwork you don’t need. Bank/Credit Card statements after one year, paystubs other than your latest. Titles and CDs as soon as you get rid of the investment.
* [...]

CNNMoney’s “Ask the Expert” column highlights one of the glaring weaknesses of the “consumer-driven retirement” idea. A worker just moved from a job that offered a 401(k) to one that doesn’t. They were dutifully socking away the max under their 401(k) plan ($18,000 including catch-up contributions) but now is wondering what they can do without [...]

“Ugh, my financial advisor called, it’s time for my yearly ‘check-up’”
“That’s good he makes you do it every year, even if it’s just more revenue for him.”
“Yeah, I should go, it’s at least less painful than the dentist”
“And just as important, can I ask you a question? Is he a ‘fee-only’ advisor?”
“I have no idea. [...]

In honour of the day, I thought I’d point out an article that says that married people build wealth faster than single or divorced people.
[P]eople who walk down the aisle and stay hitched accumulate nearly twice as much wealth as those who are single or divorced.
Economist Jay Zagorsky of OSU’s Center for Human Resource Research, [...]

The Motley Fool (which I love for general advice but not necessarily for stock picking) has a commentary on idiot-proofing your IRA.
While the list is not exhaustive, following these five ideas will go a long way to pumping up returns for retirement.
* Stop ignoring the little things
* Don’t overpay The Man
* Avoid overdosing on accounts
* [...]

This part two in a weekly series focusing on lowering tax bills and making the process of filing slightly easier. Today, I’ll focus on the easiest way to lower your tax bill using money you’re already spending.
Use Tax-Deferred Accounts
This past year, I used my Dependent Care and Health Care Spending Accounts, my 401(k), and my [...]

The headline to this AP article made me cringe. “Savings Rate at Lowest Level Since 1933″. What was worse were the details in the article.
The Commerce Department said Monday that consumer spending rose by 0.9 percent in December, more than double the 0.4 percent rise in incomes.
Basically, that means for every $1 in additional income [...]