Don't Ignore the Dangerous Side of Dividend Stocks
Conservative investors fleeing low-yield, fixed-income investments have flocked to dividend stocks. But they often ignore just how much more dangerous those stocks can be.
Conservative investors fleeing low-yield, fixed-income investments have flocked to dividend stocks. But they often ignore just how much more dangerous those stocks can be.
Smart personal finance rules dictate having an emergency savings fund set aside where you can access it fast. But do you really have to keep enough money for three to six months of expenses in a savings account where it earns almost no interest?
For conservative investors, bank certificates of deposit are a time-tested favorite for providing income. But fixed annuities seem to offer similar terms with better rates, so which investment is the smarter way to get the income you need?
Large numbers of middle-class Americans still aren't in a financial position to make saving for retirement a priority again, but on the whole, they're quite worried about it. Problem is, they may not be worried enough.
Interest rates have never been lower: That's good news for borrowers, bad news for savers unwilling to take much risk to grow their money. However, there's one safe option many people ignore that has become attractive again -- savings bonds.
Teens aren't consuming music the way that their parents do -- and it's not just the usual taste-related generation gap. An eye-opening Nielsen survey shows that teens are relying on YouTube to supply their tunes more than any other medium.
Low interest rates have made life a lot easier for many borrowers struggling to make monthly payments. But for retirees, who have to live off their portfolios, low rates have caused huge problems.
Obviously, what you invest in can mean the difference between getting rich and losing your shirt. But where you place those investments can be even more important -- especially if you end up picking winners.
It may seem hard to save money for retirement: Fully 76% of Americans have saved less than $100,000, and 56% have saved less than $25,000. But once you learn how Oseola McCarty managed to set aside so much with so little, you'll see how few excuses you have.
A retiree named Bob is confronting a dilemma many of his peers face: His nest egg is parked in safe cash investments, like certificates of deposit, and earning barely any interest. What can he do to get a better return? Laura Rowley looks at an increasingly popular alternative.
A few years ago, with $1 million invested in CDs, you could have lived off your interest, but with rates at historic lows, now your returns would barely cover a few mortgage payments. This is forcing retirees to find new, fairly safe ways to get those returns. The experts' pick? Dividend stocks.
As the stock market continues to spook investors, many are fleeing to the safety of bank certificates. Here's why they're looking good now and how to pick the right one for you.
Recorded music sales in America plunged another 7% last year as the sharp 16% drop in CD revenue more than offset gains in digital-media sales, according to new report. Overall sales fell despite the fact that illegal downloads of music have declined markedly since LimeWire was shut down.
Interest rates have no where to go but up. When that happens will you be ready? In this video, personal finance expert Jean Chatzky explains what you need to to do now to protect your wealth.












