The Wall Street Journal
Personal Finance
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Tuesday, November 30, 2010 As of 8:40 PM EST
The Wall Street Journal
Personal Finance
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![[sun1204lede]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-LE005_sun120_D_20101203181103.jpg)
Investing Moves
To Make NowInvestors confront a number of confusing trends. We examined key sectors and asked top analysts whether investors should be bullish or bearish in the near and longer terms.
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Business
![[PREPAID JUMP]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MI-BH312_PREPAI_A_20101205165002.jpg)
Banks Pin Revenue Hopes on Prepaid Cards
Big banks may soon start pushing a different type of plastic. Financial institutions such as U.S. Bancorp, Wells Fargo and Bank of America are exploring prepaid cards as a way to make up revenue that will likely be lost from federal restrictions on debit cards.
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Investing in Funds
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Investing in Funds
![[CATCH_cover]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/IF-AA394_CATCH__A_20101201180811.jpg)
Retiring in 10 Years? Uh-Oh.
Many people five or 10 years from retirement age have nest eggs that are too small to safely retire on. Investment professionals have some important advice about what to do and what not to do in order to have enough money.
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![[STOCK]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/IF-AA397A_STOCK_A_20101201110053.jpg)
Betting on Unpopular Funds
A new study by Morningstar encourages investors to do something that most have steadfastly refused to do this year: Put money in the stock market.
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What's No. 1 for Brokers?
Right now, securities firms don't have to put investors' interests first. New regulations may change that—and Wall Street isn't happy.
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Sunday Journal
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Tip of the Week
Tools to Check Drug Costs
Online drug-comparison tools can help consumers research a drug's cost, including less-expensive alternatives, and any potential side effects.
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Starting Out
Saying 'Yes' to a Prenup
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Al's Emporium
Information Overload
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Investor's Calendar
Fed to Release Credit Report
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Next
Year-End Financial Housekeeping
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Weekend Investor
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Tax Report
A Last-Minute Tax Checklist
Family Finances
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Weekend Investor
![[DONATE1]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BF-AA273_DONATE_A_20101203152336.jpg)
How to Donate Like a Pro
In a time of tighter budgets—for benefactors and charities alike—it's more important than ever to make your gifts count. Here's how.
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Do Retailers Inflate Their Discounts?
![[smsalesign]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-LD368_smsale_A_20101202115819.jpg)
SmartMoney: Ads that tout deep discounts have become the norm these days. But some of the companies behind those bold promotions might be breaking the law.
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![[SMgas1202]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-LD290_SMgas1_A_20101202093433.jpg)
Cheap Gas, at the Grocery Store?
Gas prices are up 9% so far this year. But loyalty to a supermarket or warehouse club can net savings of 10 to 15 cents a gallon--or even more. But you could end up spending much more in the long run.
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Flexible Spending Accounts Get Stingy
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The Wealth Report
How Many of the Rich Actually Work for a Living?
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What You Need to Know About Home-Improvement Tax Credits
Yoder & Sons
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![[sun1204ys]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-LE008_sun120_C_20101203181502.jpg)
Levi Gets a Cellphone, and a Lot of Rules
Steve and Levi Yoder debate the amount of freedom Levi should have after receiving his first cellphone at 15.
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The Intelligent Investor
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![[investor]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BF-AA284_invest_C_20101203153158.jpg)
Will Shaking Up the Market Watchdogs Work?
Next year, state regulators will assume oversight from the Securities and Exchange Commission of more than 4,100 financial advisers. Do states have the necessary resources to do the job?
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Real Estate
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10 Things Your Landlord Won't Tell You
![[smforrent]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-LB796_smforr_C_20101129120608.jpg)
SmartMoney: Tenants face bigger challenges than roaches and sky-high rent.
ROI
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Why Black Friday Is a Trap
For most people, shopping on this overhyped day is probably going to be a bad move. You have a much better chance of getting good deals across the board if you just wait.
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Five Ways to Bet On Ireland
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ROI: The Muni Market Goes Bonkers
The Wealth Report
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Bright Lights, Big Hedge Funder
Christmas is coming to Greenwich, Conn., after all. After months of uncertainty, it appears billionaire hedge-funder Paul Tudor Jones will be able to hold the annual Christmas light spectacular at his Belle Haven mansion after all.
- American Rich Lead the World in Philanthropy
- How Many of the Rich Actually Work for a Living?
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See All
RSS Feed
SmartMoney
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The Boomerang Vacation
In a shaky economy, young adults are taking more trips with Mom and Dad -- who are footing the bill.
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The Truth About a $25 Sweater
Those early winter deals may be hiding less cotton and low quality.
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Do Retailers Inflate Their Discounts?
A recent lawsuit claims the retail industry has a secret: Overblown savings claims.
- 3 New Ways to Save on Gas
- Weighing a Custodial Account for Your Kid
Family Finance
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![[FAMILY]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BF-AA245_FAMILY_A_20101126182204.jpg)
Mom, Dad, Can I Borrow $140,000?
As banks have tightened lending standards, growing numbers of families are stepping into the breach. But both lenders and borrowers need to carefully assess the risks.
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When Free Checking Becomes Fee Checking
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Personal Finance Calculators
Investing
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![[TARGET]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/IF-AA401B_TARGE_A_20101201181158.jpg)
When Target-Date Funds Diverge
These all-in-one funds are handy for retirement savings. But as your hoped-for retirement date approaches, understanding the asset allocation within a fund becomes more critical.
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Is an ETF Really a Fund? Maybe Not.
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Mixing It Up: Resisting Gold's Glister
Taxes
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New Debt Ceiling Part of Tax Talks
An increase to the federal government's borrowing limit is being considered in talks on extending the Bush-era tax cuts, people familiar with the situation said Friday. They warned, however, that the issue could be too politically toxic to be part of a final deal.
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Tax Breaks for Bailout Recipients Spark Debate
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Tax Questions Loom in Roth Conversions
Retirement Planning
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![[401k]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BF-AA207_401k_A_20101118171433.jpg)
Are You Too Wealthy for Your 401(k) Plan?
Many high earners are getting the unwelcome news that they will have to cut back on this year's remaining 401(k) contributions or risk getting some of that money refunded in 2011.
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Shining a Light on Murky 401(k) Fees
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Should I Pay Off the Mortgage?
Columns
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R.o.i.
By Brett Arends
Why Black Friday Is a Trap
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Getting going
By Karen Blumenthal
When Free Checking Becomes Fee Checking
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Family value
By Kelly Greene
Mom, Dad, Can I Borrow $140,000?
Real Estate
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![[Holdout]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/P1-AY500_Holdou_A_20101203203414.jpg)
A 25-Year Mortgage Standoff
The last time Patsy Campbell made a mortgage payment on her house was October 1985. The 71-year-old Florida retiree has been fighting off the lenders ever since.
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Negotiating Real-Estate Agent's Commission
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To Rent or to Buy?
Autos
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![[GearLede1]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OD-AC558_GearLe_A_20101201224949.jpg)
Jaguar XJ Supersport
Wrapping the driver in a nearly galling level of luxury, Jaguar's highest-performance sedan also delivers a stark, racy driving experience, says Dan Neil.
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Toyota's Etios Makes Global Debut in India
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BMW X3 XDrive35i: A Rote SUV—But Still a BMW
Fitness & Health
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Subscriber Content Read Preview
![[STENTJMP]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MK-BI065_STENTJ_A_20101205184332.jpg)
Abbott Hired Barred Doctor
Abbott Labs hired a Baltimore-area cardiologist as a sales consultant after he was barred from hospital practice last year for allegedly putting heart stents in hundreds of patients who didn't need them, according to Senate investigators.
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Subscriber Content Read Preview
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Subscriber Content Read Preview
Sigma Warns After Pfizer Change
Careers
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![[BIZEDQA]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MK-BH984_BIZEDQ_A_20101201160648.jpg)
MBA Grads Face Tough Job Market
The job market for business-school students is better than last year, but still isn't back to pre-recession levels, says the head of MBA Career Services Council.
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Subscriber Content Read Preview
Recruiters Expect Pickup In Hiring of Top Managers
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Offering Advice Free of Charge
Most Popular
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1.
Retiring in 10 Years? Uh-Oh.
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Investing Moves
To Make Now -
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Panel: Triple That Vitamin D
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A 25-Year Mortgage Standoff
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5.
Subscriber Content Read Preview
Citing Fatigue, Pfizer CEO Quits
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1.
Obama Signals Openness to a Tax-Cut Deal713 comments
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2.
Jobs Setback Clouds Recovery626 comments
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3.
Opinion: Liberalism: An Autopsy423 comments
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4.
Opinion: Presbyterians Against Israel295 comments
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5.
The 25-Year 'Foreclosure From Hell'281 comments
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![[Crystal ball]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://sg.wsj.net/public/resources/images/HC-GO489_crysta_AV_20100204152454.gif)
Test Your Prediction Skills
What's ahead for the share price of Bank of America, the country's largest bank?
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![[SMretire1020]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-KN238_SMreti_A_20101020092638.jpg)
SmartMoney: New Best Places to Retire
SmartMoney takes on the conventional wisdom about where to retire. The best cities and towns for retirees can't just be great places—they have to be affordable
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Do You Need a Retirement Coach?
![[smretirementcoa]](https://web.archive.org/web/20101206093242im_/http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-KS739_smreti_A_20101104140358.jpg)
SmartMoney: The field is expected to continue growing as baby boomers express growing puzzlement at what, exactly, to do with their lives. For $100 an hour, a coach will help you navigate retirement. But is it worth it?
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Consumer Interest Rates
| Loan Types | Rate | Last Week | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr CD | 1.03% | down ↓ | see chart |
| 6 month CD | 0.74% | down ↓ | see chart |
| 3 month CD | 0.45% | down ↓ | see chart |
| $10K MMA | 0.73% | down ↓ | see chart |
| MMA | 0.72% | see chart |
Financial Adviser
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Nine Articles You Need to Read this Week
Will the top performers of the year run strong into the end of the year. Will Groupon's rejection of Google be good for the entire universe? What do 3 different mega-billionaires have in common? And 6 other must-reads.
- Advisers and the Small Business Recovery
- Super-Rich Likelier to Outsource Post-Crisis
- Investment Managers or Investor Managers?
- The Good Leads
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See All
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This group is for anyone interested in taxes and how current laws and market conditions can change your yearly bill.
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