Social Security IRAs: A Partial Fix to the Reform Problem?

While Congress and President Obama battle over ways to "fix" Social Security, a small conservative seniors group, the Association of Mature American Citizens, sees a possible solution to part of the reform brouhaha -- a Social Security IRA.

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Market Update: Stocks close losing week with a day of gains

If the financial collapse taught us anything, it's that opacity and self-serving behavior rule at the big Wall Street firms -- so how can the little guy trust their advice? Wikinvest's Mike Sha explains how crowdsourcing can provide better, less biased investment advice to average investors.

The weak economy is affecting most businesses, but not tattoo parlors. Even in bad times, people will splurge on body art. And for those who later elect to have them removed, it's often a tattoo business that lasers away the ink. DailyFinance's Loren Berlin visited Tattoo Lou's to check out the state of this colorful industry.

For some of us, getting a financial fresh start might begin with paying back taxes. More than 1 million taxpayers had federal tax liens filed against them in 2010, a 60% increase from 2007. On Saturday, the IRS will host open houses at 74 Taxpayer Assistance Centers around the country to provide assistance with getting liens withdrawn and answer questions about ongoing issues.

There's no such thing as a summertime lull when earnings season is upon us. Next week will bring plenty of headlines -- among them box office receipts for the last Harry Potter film and quarterly results from Apple, Cintas, and Microsoft.

Earlier this week, the FCC proposed new rules designed to crack down on "phone cramming," a widespread, illegal practice that robs billions of dollars from phone users. And with 300 million third-party charges hidden in phone bills every year, odds are, you've been a victim.

When it's time for some R&R; in the sun, Americans have a wealth of options. But based on summertime hotel room rentals, which one takes the crown? Orlando with its theme parks? New York with its culture? Washington with it's history? L.A. with its beaches? None of the above. Curious? Read on ...

Research studies by Betsy Sparrow of Columbia University "support a growing belief that people are using the Internet as a personal memory bank: the so-called Google effect." Yes, the awareness that we can look things up easily later makes our memories worse. But when it comes to retrieving that online data, she notes, "We're remarkably efficient."

It's a classic tale, retold a million times: The brash young gunslinger rises to the top of his craft, only to find himself facing a new generation itching to unseat him. But for Zagat surveys, the most famous name in restaurant reviews, the revolution is far from over.

Great selection, low prices, and tolerable shopping conditions have long been recognized as Wal-Mart's winning formula. Fortunately, the company itself is starting to see it that way too. It hasn't been easy to attain, but Wal-Mart's self-knowledge should be good news for investors.

Given Google's increasing centrality to our digital lives, it might shock you to learn that analysts had been rushing to trim down their estimates for the company's earnings in recent months. That was a mistake: Last night Google delivered second-quarter earnings that sent its shares skyrocketing.

Teenage boys talking about business and investing? It happens in this household. The Bush family has even made a household contest out of following the market. But mother Joan, who says that the investment education goes in both generational directions, is hoping for tangible returns.

More than 8,000 Baby Boomers are turning 60 each day, and many have made serious miscalculations about what they'll need in retirement. So Elder advocate Marion Somers, Ph.D., is crisscrossing the country again to spread the word: "This country is going to be hit with a geriatric tsunami and we are not prepared."

Warehouse club Costco is adding gas pumps to more stores as it seeks to expand its sales of fuel to America's price-sensitive drivers. Find out what effect Trefis sees the discount gas business having on the retailer's bottom line, and where it sees the stock price going.

Free clinics and the uninsured are paying a heavy price for the nation's teetering recovery: More than half of the clinics are now time turning away eligible patients -- many for the first time -- according to an AmeriCares report published Wednesday.

Described as a "fear tactic" by critics, the White House warned Tuesday that if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling soon, come August, millions of Social Security recipients may find themselves without a check. The comments were met with a firestorm of criticism by seniors and their advocates.

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