money and happiness

What Not to Do When Filling a Prescription

Cold and flu season is upon us. Americans spend $400 million on prescription drugs to relieve the symptoms, according to one study, and some of them spend too much. DailyFinance's Laura Rowley looks at what not to do when filling a prescription.

The 4 Emotional Traps Making Us Miserable

Americans are unhappy. Consumer confidence is at lowest level in over 2 years, and the "misery index" is at a 28-year high. But there's a lot more to our distress than the numbers. The real source of our current unhappiness lies in a set of deeper emotional triggers -- triggers that we can change.

When Opening a No-Interest Credit Card Is a Bad Idea

While rolling your credit card debt onto a new card that offers 0% interest for a period of time is usually a smart money move, there are some people who shouldn't do it. This reader is one of them. DailyFinance's Laura Rowley explains why.

Is Safe Investing Possible? How to Manage Market Volatility

With all the volatility in the stock market today, some individual investors are wondering if they should be more active with a portion of their portfolio, or back away from equities entirely. But if you bail out of stocks, where can you find decent returns? DailyFinance's Laura Rowley talks with Stuart Ritter, financial planner with T. Rowe Price.

Should You Cash in an Annuity to Pay Off Your Debts?

Stacy is on a fixed income. She could free up more cash if she paid off her credit cards and mortgage. Should she cash in an annuity to make that happen? DailyFinance's Laura Rowley explains the key factor Stacy should consider in making the decision.

How to Stretch Out Foreclosure for Years

Janet's a lawyer who's losing her home, and she knows: When it comes to foreclosure, bureaucracy and paperwork can be your friends. Her foreclosure process has lasted for nearly 900 days, and counting. For homeowners in dire financial straits, her story is a lesson in how to keep a roof over your head as long as possible.

When Does It Make Sense to Pay Off a Mortgage?

Paul, 62, is like a lot of people near retirement: He wants a safe place to invest his money. But the interest rates on savings accounts barely keep up with inflation. Would it make sense to pay off a mortgage instead? DailyFinance's Laura Rowley reports.

A Reader Asks: How Can I Increase My Credit Limit?

A reader named Crystal wanted to increase the limit on her credit card, but got denied -- and she found the explanation the card company gave her cryptic. DailyFinance's Laura Rowley decodes the message and offers tips on accessing credit.

Balancing Student Loans With Saving for Retirement

A 52-year-old single mom needs to save for retirement, but her cash flow is strangled by rising student loan payments for herself and her sons. How can she minimize her loan payments and free up cash for retirement savings? DailyFinance's Laura Rowley offers some tips.

A Reader Asks: Is My Money Safe in the Bank?

More than 70 U.S. banks have failed this year, according to the FDIC. And one DailyFinance reader wants to know how safe is the money in our bank accounts? Laura Rowley responds.

Is It Smart to Tap Retirement Funds to Buy a Home?

A 53-year-old woman got divorced in May, and now, she wants to relocate to a new city and buy a little bungalow for herself and her 100-pound dog. But with her low income, she's wondering whether her best bet to get that home is deplete her retirement savings and buy it with cash. Our experts weigh in.

How to Find Seed Money to Restart a Family Business

A New York mom with two kids in college and income worries wants to relaunch her old catering business -- which would help the family budget and let her resume a career she loved. Where can she find the start-up money? DailyFinance's Laura Rowley whips up a few ideas.

Advice for an Exec Laid Off After 37 Years With One Firm

Rhonda, a 57-year-old Californian, was laid off in September after 37 years with a medical laboratory company. Now she needs to dust off those rusty job hunting skills, and figure out her financial next steps too. DailyFinance's Laura Rowley brought in a couple of experts to guide her.

Divorced Mom: How Do I Rebound Financially?

Splitting up makes a mess of your finances, as Lynn, a nurse living in Florida knows all too well. Her 2008 divorce from her husband of 28 years left her in debt, with bad credit, and with limited financial skills. She's already begun to dig out, but she needs a better plan.