Simpler Is Better In Personal Finance

President Obama recently proposed creating a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency to help protect consumers from aggressive financial transactions. I don't know whether we need another federal agency, but what I can tell you is that the basic rule for personal finance is simpler is better. When transactions get complicated, you're probably reaching for something you can't afford or someone is pushing you into a high cost product. Either way, it's generally a bad deal.

• Jun 29, 2009

Have Doubts about the 401(k)? So Does Your Boss

One of the more chilling revelations on the sorry state of the U.S retirement system is this survey of employer attitudes towards 401(k)s from Mercer, the benefits consulting firm. Half of employers offering 401(k) plans believe that the plans are not up to the job that's been thrust upon them--that...

• Jul 9, 2009

Retire When You Want To

Yes, it's possible — if you make a few smart moves while you're working and reconsider where you'll live once you stop.

• Jul 2, 2009

Why the 401k Doesn't Work

As the default retirement plan of the United States, the 401(k) falls short, argues CBS MoneyWatch.com editor-in-chief Eric Schurenberg. He tells Jill Schlesinger why the plans don't work.

• Jun 29, 2009

Personal Savings Rate Jumps: Did Yours?

The personal savings rate jumped to 6.9 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. While there is much debate about how to accurately measure household savings, clearly people are spending less. The question is, are you actually saving more? It's one thing to stop spending, but it's another to have a strategy for the cash you aren't spending. Without a strategy, you'll likely find that your thrift hasn't translated into a higher net worth.

• Jun 26, 2009

10 Best and 10 Worst Housing Markets

While the national median home price is not expected to climb much, if at all, in the next five years, there will be lots of movement at the local level.

• Jun 30, 2009

Forecast: 3 Things to Know About the Housing Market

The real estate bubble was one of history's great financial mass delusions, and the market will take years to recover. But some buyers will do very, very well.

• Jul 28, 2009

Can Americans Really Stop Spending?

The "new frugality" sounds like a passing trend, but it looks like America is in for a real cultural shift. MoneyWatch.com editor-in-chief Eric Schurenberg explains the changes in store for us.

• Jun 25, 2009

Can Americans Really Stop Spending?

Get over that image of Americans as debt-ridden consumption addicts. The Great Recession will teach us to find better things to do with the time and money we have left — at least for now.

• Jul 9, 2009

A Long Life Is Expensive

In 1900, life expectancy in the United States was 49. No wonder people didn't do much retirement planning back then. Today, it's almost 78, and it's projected to steadily increase over the next 50 years. What these life expectancy numbers mean is that if you want to retire at 65, you need to plan on at least a 20 to 30 year period of supporting yourself from the return on your investments. That's expensive, and you'll likely need to take some financial risks to do it.

• Jun 24, 2009

CBS News Video: Decline of Wall Street

Recent government spending has shifted economic power in this country from New York to Washington. Anthony Mason reports.

• Jun 24, 2009

Is the U.S. Economy in a Tailspin?

Despite the rise in unemployment numbers and economic uncertainty, the U.S. maintains its strong competitiveness in the world economy.

• Jun 24, 2009

The 401(k) Has Failed. Let's Admit It

Why don't we just admit that the 401(k) is a failure and get on to designing something better? I say this as the writer of an admiring book about every employee's favorite saving plan (Take Charge of Your Future, Warner Books, 2003), and I still think that 401(k)s are fine as a supplement to ot...

• Jul 9, 2009

The New Job Market: Who Wins and Who Loses?

Recession, government spending, and demographics are transforming the workforce right before your eyes. To protect your career, make sure you're on the right side of history.

• Jun 30, 2009

CBS News Video: Revised Expectations

In the current bear market, many investors have found their 401(k) savings have evaporated. Now Americans are adjusting to a new economy and new expectations. Anthony Mason reports.

• Jun 23, 2009

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