Variable annuities can hurt the unwary MUTUAL FUNDS WRAPPED IN AN INSURANCE POLICY, THEY CARRY TAX ADVANTAGES BUT HIGH FEES
After putting two children through college, Tim and Kay Plumlee still expected a comfortable retirement with help from $126,000 remaining in Tim's profit-sharing plan at work. By Paul Wenske / Knight Ridder
It's too late to panic
Tuesday marks the annual tax-filing deadline, but don't panic if you can't finish the paperwork. The government will gladly give you more time to fill out the forms. Use our tax guide to find out what to do before the clock strikes midnight.
SPECIAL REPORT: NET WORTH
Market downturn forces online investors, brokerages to adapt
Recent years have seen stock trading, banking, credit card applications, insurance and loan shopping gain major footholds with Internet users. But online investing, which roared into the new century as a killer application for the Internet, lately has slumped like a dog on the Dow.
Should portfolios be altered for tax act? Probably not
Who says there's no such thing as tax simplification? Thanks to three consecutive years of tax-cutting under President Bush, Americans now know when it's cost-effective to marry, have babies, go broke -- and even to die. By Mark Schwanhausser / Mercury News
A path to your dream
If you've hesitated to hop into the housing market for any reason -- cost, fear or just plain laziness -- here's a nudge. A step-by-step guide to the process, from getting a loan to picking up the keys.
