Thursday Oct 30, 2008
Do you feel like your 401k is at ground zero? You're not alone.
Wednesday Apr 22, 2009
When it comes to direct investing in residential real estate and becoming a landlord, you should ask yourself: “What am I getting into?”
Friday Apr 17, 2009
The equity markets have plummeted since the beginning of 2008, and investors have flocked to fixed income options in droves. Bonds are not flawless, so buyers should beware of the associated risks.
Monday Apr 20, 2009
The rule of 72 is a good heuristic for estimating the doubling time of compound interest. Other rules are handy for estimating continuous compounding or the effects of inflation when your HP-12C isn't at hand.
Tuesday Jan 27, 2009
Dave Kansas, FiLife Editor at Large, just published The Wall Street Journal Guide to the End of Wall Street as We Know It. We sat down with him to get his thoughts on what happened and what happens next. FiLife: Wall Street "died" in the fall. But job cuts are hitting now at major companies. How are the two related? ...
Monday Jan 26, 2009
In The Wall Street Journal Guide to the End of Wall Street as We Know It, FiLife Editor at Large Dave Kansas looks back at the issues and circumstances that lead to the stock market crash of 2008.
Follow these steps to size up a closed-end fund and get the best deal.
Let’s be honest: In recent years, closed-end funds have fallen out of favor with average investors. That’s due largely to the rise in popularity of open-end funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
There are two types of mutual funds —open-end funds and closed-end funds. Imagine they’re twins who share the same DNA but go through life doing things very differently.
Here are questions you need to ask when looking for a closed-end fund.
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Year Fixed | 4.62%  |
4.67% |
| 30 Year Fixed | 5.15% | 5.15% |
| 1 Year ARM | 3.48% |
3.51% |
| 5/1 Year ARM | 3.62% |
3.68% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Line of Credit | 4.89%  |
4.88% |
| 10 Year Loan | 7.47% | 7.47% |
| 15 Year Loan | 7.61% |
7.60% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Checking | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Money Market/Savings | 0.38% | 0.38% |
| 12 Month CD | 1.13%  |
1.15% |
| 60 Month IRA CD | 2.40% |
2.41% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Back Cards | 12.66% |
12.68% |
| No Annual Fee Cards | 12.08% |
11.97% |
| Reward Cards | 12.75% |
12.61% |
| Small Business Cards | 11.01% |
10.94% |
| Student Cards | 13.77% |
13.49% |
| Platinum Cards | 12.26% |
12.11% |
