Searching...-
No Results
Your search did not match any documents.Suggestions- Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
- Try different kewords.
- Try more general kewords.
News & Views
Get interesting insights—and share your own
Ask Carrie: The Personal Side of Money
Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz is a champion of personal finance education. In her columns she shares her perspective on everyday financial challenges, offering answers and insights that combine her professional experience as a financial expert with her personal perspective as a daughter, wife and mother. Get answers and ask your own questions here.
- Kids & Teens
- Couples & Families
- Saving & Spending
- Credit & Debt
- College Planning
- Homes & Mortgages
- Investing
- Insurance
- Retirement Planning
Most Recent Article May 27, 2009
Get Someone Started on a Lifetime of Investing
Dear Carrie
My 15-year-old grandson called me the other night and asked if he should open a brokerage account now that the market is so low. (He has $100 to invest.) What should I tell him? —A Reader
Dear Reader
Someone must be doing something right with this teen who not only wants to invest $100 rather than spend it—but who knows that the market’s decline could signal a good opportunity to buy stocks. I would absolutely encourage and support him. You’ll be starting him out on a lifetime of investing, and what he learns with this modest beginning could pay enormous dividends in the years to come. Read More
More articles about kids and teens
- Helping Young Adults: There's More to It Than Writing a Check
- Giving Grandkids a Financial Head Start
- Teaching Kids Investing Basics
- I've Started Saving for the Kids...Now What?
- The Kiddie Tax and a New Law for 2009
- Leaving the Nest: What Your Young Adult Needs to Know About Money
- Investing in Your Children
- Should My Teen Open an IRA?
- Helping Kids Get Smart About Advertising
- What Do My Kids Need to Know About Credit?
- Encouraging Kids to Save Early
Related topics
Most Recent Article December 23, 2009
Financial Gifts: Is It Better to Give Cash or Stock?
Dear Carrie
I'm 75 and would like to give my three grandchildren a financial gift. I'm trying to decide if it would be better to give each of them cash or some stock that I've been holding for years. What do you recommend? —A Reader
Dear Reader
This is a great question—and a great time to ask it—because certain capital gains tax legislation that's due to expire after 2010 could have an impact on your decision. Read More
More articles about couples and families
- Giving Money to Your Adult Children? Use It as an Introduction to Investing
- Suddenly Alone—Where Can You Turn for Help?
- Making Sense of the Gift Tax
- Tax-Free Giving: It Can Be Good for Both Giver and Receiver
- Nonworking Spouses Can Save for Retirement, Too
- Yours, Mine and Ours: Investing Together—or Not
- Marrying Debt: How to Think About It, How to Pay It Off
- Passing the Torch: Helping a Son Become His Own Investor
Related topics
Most Recent Article November 4, 2009
Is Your IRA an Emergency Fund? Possibly—but Don't Touch It If You Don't Have To
Dear Carrie
I was laid off and am seeking employment. I am 60. Would you advise using my IRA funds in an emergency if my unemployment benefits end? What would the penalties be for doing so? —A Reader
Dear Reader
The technical part of this question is easy to answer: There are no penalties for withdrawing money from your IRA once you've reached the age of 59 ½. Nonetheless, I advise you to think about your IRA assets as a last resort. Read More
More articles about saving and spending
- How Much Should I Be Saving?
- Advice for 20-Somethings: How to Make a Good Financial Start Even Better
- Preparing for the Worst: How Much Should I Save for an Emergency?
Related topics
Most Recent Article February 10, 2010
Credit Cards for People with Little or No Credit History
Dear Carrie
What's the best credit card for people with no credit history? —A Reader
Dear Reader
The reality is that there is no "best credit card" for people with no credit history. And in fact you will likely have to settle for a card with less than ideal terms. So your first order of business is to focus on building a good credit history. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to do that. Read More
Most Recent Article January 20, 2010
Is a Private College Worth the Cost?
Dear Carrie
My daughter will be a freshman in September 2010, and while we wait to learn where she's been accepted, we're wondering your thoughts on public versus private colleges. The tuition difference is enormous; is a private university worth all that extra money? —A Reader
Dear Reader
Paying for college is always a hot topic, but you've raised a particularly interesting aspect of it: Is there a way to compare the value of a private college versus a public university? Read More
More articles about planning for college
- You Could Use Your Roth IRA to Pay Off Student Loans—but Should You?
- What's the Best Way for a Parent to Help Pay Off Student Loans?
- Investing for College: A 529 Plan Is Still a Good Idea
- Financial Aid and Personal Assets: Is There an Optimal Strategy?
- Fitting Grad School Plans Into Your Financial Future
- College Kids and Money: Budgeting 101
Related topics
Most Recent Article February 3, 2010
Should We Tap Our Savings to Pay Off a HELOC?
Dear Carrie
We have a credit line second mortgage on our house. I would like to pay this down with savings because the interest rate for the mortgage is much higher than the savings interest rate. My husband wants to maintain the savings for emergencies. Is it better to reduce the long-term debt of the mortgage? —A Reader
Dear Reader
The question of whether or not to pay off a mortgage comes up often. Usually it's not only a matter of the interest you're paying, but also how a mortgage fits into your overall financial picture. For instance, you need to factor in things like tax deductibility and other ways you could put that money to use. Read More
More articles about homes and mortgages
- Does It Make Sense to Pay Off Your Mortgage?
- Can I Use My Roth IRA to Buy a House?
- Reverse Mortgages: Get the Facts First
Related topics
Most Recent Article December 30, 2009
Recouping Losses Is a Balancing Act
Dear Carrie
I’m 49 and have about $200K in a 401(k). I will get a pension. I did have almost $260K in my 401(k) and got whacked in 2008. What should I be invested in to catch up after the loss I took? Also, how would I allocate between my traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k)? —A Reader
Dear Reader
This is a great and timely question because so many people are in the same situation. And your attitude is right on—keep saving and investing in your retirement accounts. Suffering losses can stop some investors in their tracks, but now's the time when you need to double your efforts and reevaluate your strategy. Read More
More articles about investing
- Can You Protect Your Portfolio from Inflation? Should You Try?
- Is It a Good Idea to Borrow in Order to Buy Stocks?
- Recovering from the Downturn: You Can't Change the Past, but You Can Help Shape the Future
- Managing Your Portfolio: What to Think About When You Want to Do It Yourself
- Looking for a Safe Port in the Economic Storm
- In Today's Market, Where Do You Put Your Cash?
- Taking the Mystery Out of Diversification
- Market Timing: The (Nearly) Impossible Challenge
- Portfolio Blues: Advice Through the Ages
Related topics
Most Recent Article January 27, 2010
Protecting My Assets: What Kind of Insurance Is Right for Me?
Dear Carrie
I'm a 47-year-old single mom, and I'm looking for the best way to protect my house and provide for my 15 year old in case I die. At the very least, I want the trustee of my estate to be able to pay off my mortgage ($600,000) and have something left over for my child. I know that term policies are relatively inexpensive, but is there a better option? —A Reader
Dear Reader
Insurance is a critical part of personal finance, and you've brought up an important question. At first blush, your choice may seem straightforward: Do you buy low-cost term insurance, or a more expensive policy with an investment component? The answer depends on a lot of factors, with the key question for you being, "What is my objective?" Read More
Most Recent Article December 16, 2009
Close to Retirement? Don't Miss These Dates and Deadlines!
Dear Carrie
I'm turning 60 next year and keep hearing about different age-related requirements and milestones. For example: FRA? RMD? And when can I start withdrawing money from my 401(k) without a penalty? I want to make sure I don't miss something important. —A Reader
Dear Reader
Although a lot of us may try to forget our age as the years go by, when it comes to reaping the financial rewards of getting older, you're wise to keep certain age-related milestones top of mind. Here's a checklist of basic ages to keep in mind along with the significance of each. Read More
More articles about retirement
- Your Retirement Comes First—Even When "Kids" Need Your Help
- Preparing to Support Yourself—How Much Do You Need?
- Are You Saving Enough for Retirement? Only You Can Decide.
- Maxing Out Your Tax-Deductible IRA
- How to Plan for a Shorter Retirement
- Social Security Benefits: Timing Can Make a Difference
- Retirement Can Last a Very Long Time: Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?
- Do I have Enough Money for Retirement?
- Re-Entering the Workforce: Retirement Savings in Retirement
- Starting Late—Catching Up
Related topics
We respect your privacy. Your email address will be used only to respond to your questions. It will never be used for any other purposes. All responses to polls and surveys are anonymous and results will be aggregated to support findings related to financial education. For your added protection, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your response.
The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal or investment planning advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, financial planner or investment manager.