Personal Finance

Challenger: Job cuts increased in January

Planned job cuts for January totaled 53,486, according to a report from outplacement consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a 28% increase. More

Investing overseas: Find the right balance

Overseas markets, roiled by debt woes in Europe and slowing growth in Asia, look like a high-wire act. A few simple moves can help you cash in on the opportunities while lowering the risk your portfolio will tumble. More

Community cash: In each other we trust

The Cascadia Hour Exchange is a community that uses the CHE, an hour-based currency, to exchange goods and services in Portland, Oregon. Play

Obama proposes new home loan refinancing plan

The Obama administration proposed a plan aimed at helping millions of homeowners refinance their mortgages to today's historically-low rates. To make it work, he'll need $5 billion to $10 billion -- and approval from Congress. More

Executives to new grads: Shape up!

Most senior managers are unimpressed with the entry-level job applicants they're seeing, reports a new survey. More

Don't rush into REITs

Bonds are barren of income, so investors are racing toward real estate investment trusts, or REITs, promising bigger yields. But bets on commercial real estate come with big risks. More

Laid off and making the retirement savings last

After being laid off from his job, Ed Parker and his wife have been living frugally. But there's still room in their budget for travel. More

Become your kid's mortgage lender

Giving or lending money to help your child buy a house can offer financial benefits to both parties - if it's done the right way. More

From six figures to the poverty line

Meet one family of five that is barely getting by on what they describe as 'teenage salaries' Play

Is J.C. Penney the future of retail?

Investors are clearly hoping that's the case. The stock has been on a tear since former Apple retail exec and new CEO Ron Johnson launched a bold, new pricing strategy. More

Watchdog: Auto insurers overcharging the poor

The Consumer Federation of America released a report claiming auto insurers are frequently charging low-income drivers much higher premiums than higher-income drivers and providing them with less coverage. More

Home prices post steep decline

Prices fell steeply for the second month in a row in November, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city report. More

Worst place to lose your job: Florida

Florida has the highest rate of long-term unemployment in the nation. Some 53% of those without jobs have been out of work for at least six months. More

Don't outlive your savings: How annuities can help

An immediate annuity or a deferred income annuity may protect you against the risk of outliving your assets. Just be sure to take the time to understand them before buy. More

Dating and business: Not all that different

Just as healthy individual relationships require constant monitoring and care, the new paradigm for company and customer relationships values greater symmetry of power and dialogue. More

REITs to avoid

While equity REITs are looking pricey, you're still better off in them than these other types of real estate vehicles. More

$30,000 for ultra first-class in the air

Singapore Airlines offers couples private suites with double beds on the A380 jet. Play

Which pays better: Government or private sector?

CBO report finds average compensation is higher for federal workers who have a master's degree or less. Those with more advanced degrees do better in the private sector. More

How I retired right

Successful retirees give advice on how they planned for and managed their retirement to live the good life. Play

Uber-lux green car

The Fisker Karma isn't your mother's Prius, but it uses the same electric hybrid technology to minimize its environmental impact. Play

The housing recovery that wasn't

The evidence for a recovery is compelling, but optimists should actually be watching rising interest rates. More

Newt's moon colony: What would it cost?

Newt Gingrich wants to build a permanent colony on the moon and, if his dream is fully realized, the price tag could be huge. More

When friends and work just don't mix

An innocent attempt at networking could cost you your job, your friendship, or both. Here's how you can avoid disaster. More

Local currencies: 'In the U.S. we don't trust'

Alternative currencies have seen a surge in popularity as more Americans grow wary of the U.S. government and seek to keep wealth within their communities. More

3 ETFs with healthy dividends

Exchange-traded funds offer a wealth of smart options for those investors on the hunt for solid yields. More

Romney's real estate deals

Out of all of the presidential candidates, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney owns the most real estate -- even after unloading a couple of sizable properties. More

Obama expands foreclosure prevention program

The administration said it was expanding eligibility for its HAMP program to borrowers with higher debt loads and that it would offer incentives to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reduce principal on loans. More

Retirement saving: Don't shortchange the later years

A retirement savings plan that assumes you'll spend less in your later years doesn't take into account the potential for unexpected health care and other costs. More

Recovering from a too risky portfolio

After dealing with a leukemia diagnosis and a layoff, the Mitchells are ready to take a much more conservative approach to their finances. More

How I buy groceries without cash

Philadelphia locals volunteer their time to earn Equal Dollars, an alternative currency that can be spent on food and medicine. Play

Spaceship house on a volcano

For $750K you can own The Volcano House on top of this once-active volcanic peak in the California desert. Play

Foreclosures were 20% of home sales

Sales of foreclosed homes comprised 20% of U.S. residential sales during the third quarter, according to RealtyTrac. That's a significant decline from the same period in 2010, but it's still a far cry from levels seen during healthier housing markets. More

Facebook's Zuckerberg may face $2 billion tax hit
Foreclosure deal has 40 states, but others balk
Stocks on hold for Greece, Bernanke
The Romney kids' $100 million trust fund
University of Charleston: How we cut tuition by 22%

Overnight Avg Rate	Latest	Last Week
30 yr fixed	3.88%	3.85%
15 yr fixed	3.20%	3.17%
5/1 ARM	2.88%	2.85%
30 yr refi	3.95%	3.91%
15 yr refi	3.29%	3.25%