Web Wealth

Tax help

The extended deadline for filing last year's tax returns came and went last week. If you find yourself enmeshed in a dispute with the IRS, or if you see one coming, these sites may assist you.

Sell stuff online

To boost your household bottom line, would you like to sell stuff online? The number of people who have done so is in the millions. Still, getting started can be confusing. These sites help.

Web Wealth: Auto insurance

Auto insurance can be costly, and shopping for it requires navigating a maze of decisions that could raise or lower your premium. These sites will ease the process and, we hope, reduce expenses.

W-shaped recovery

Just when you thought it was getting safe, some economists are predicting a "W"-shaped recovery. What's that? It means things could get worse again before they get better for the long term.

Web Wealth: 401(k) tracking

Keeping track of your 401(k) retirement plan is more challenging than ever. What if your boss cuts the company contribution? Or, how can you begin to make up for recent losses? Check these sites.

New rules for credit cards

New rules meant to rein in credit card issuers took effect last week. Legislation passed by Congress in the spring was aimed at stopping abuses by card firms and banks. Check these sites for details.

Getting your financial house in order

The economy may hurt the family budget, retirement plans and so on, but there are usually some steps you can take to limit the damage.

Last-minute tax help

This being crunch time on taxes, we offer a final look at sites for the season, with heavy reliance on the IRS for the last word on what's deductible, and the place for forms you need at 11:59 p.m.

Tax season aids

Here's a wake-up call: The Internal Revenue Service began accepting 2008 tax returns Friday. So, it's time to pass along Web sites that could help to see you through this year's tax season.

Car expenses

In hard times, you may need to get a handle on your car expenses. And we all need to know the pros and cons of buying from the Detroit makers. Here are some sites with advice on both issues.

Business, money, and shopping 101

At college, the figure "101" often denotes an introductory course. These Web sites provide level 101 help on a variety of business, money and shopping topics.

Gold

If economic worries - and brash advertisements - are driving you to consider investing in gold, these Web sites could give you pause, and help you make an informed decision on the goodness of gold.

Winning in the housing market

Feeling stimulated yet? Evidence of an economic recovery will have to include a revival of interest in the housing market. Learn how to proceed in that market by checking these Web sites.

Freelance work

Selling your services as a freelancer or contractor in this dicey economy can be daunting and lonely work. These sites provide some moral support in addition to markets for your expertise.

Job help

Pink slips seem to be raining down all across the economy. If you need a job, or just wonder what you'll be up against if you lose your present employment, check these sites for direction.

The bailout

It is getting harder and harder to keep score on the expanding number and vast size of the programs to bail out, rescue, recover, and otherwise save the economy. These sites could help.

Planning your funeral

Want to have a great funeral? Plan it and pay for it, or at least set aside the money - long before your date with destiny. These sites offer guidelines and specific tips on knowing the costs.

Guide to charitable giving

People are not in much of a mood to give away money these days, so charities are hurting. Still, it's that time of year when a strategic deduction may be in order. Here's a giving guide.

Avoiding investment scams

The bad economy and the Madoff scandal awoke many investors who now say they were duped by gurus with promises that were - now that you mention it - too good to be true. How to proceed?

Being a good negotiator

Being a good negotiator gives you an advantage in personal and business matters. These Web sites give advice on how to mind body language, and why bring a checkbook to the negotiating table.

It's cool to be frugal

Tough times demand tough tactics. Could you ask the pet sitter for a break on the bill? Where do you fit on the tightwad-spendthrift scale? Is the dollar store looking pricey? It's cool to be frugal, according to these sites.

Bonds

Investing in the stock market hasn't paid off well lately. But what about bonds? It all depends. And, as with stocks, venturing into the world of bonds requires study and caution. Get those at these sites.

Financial planning

Who knows if a little more planning might have seen more of us through these hard times with less painful financial losses? To the extent it isn't too late to learn financial planning, here goes.

The Great Depression

Does the current financial crisis resemble the run-up to the Great Depression? You betcha, some experts say. Decide for yourself with a look at history - and Ben S. Bernanke's book - at these sites.

Year-end tax tips

The tax man comes around, even in the worst of economic times. So it's time to review year-end tax tips. We've got a rundown of IRS changes from last year, and friendly advice for avoiding audits.

Finding a second job

Second jobs, for some of us who have taken pay cuts or reduction in work hours, are looking like one way to weather the economic storm. But, how to find the right moonlighting job? Try these sites.

The troubled economy

The troubled economy is sure to keep us looking for ways to sort out all the talk of recessions, depressions, inflation and deflation in the year ahead. These sites shed some light on how the wheels of the economy roll - or how they did before falling off.

Retirement planning

With the economy, and retirement funds, in shambles, a lot of us wonder when, or if, we will ever be able to retire. These sites provide the first steps for finding out. First, take a deep breath.

Presidents and the economy

The economy was the number-one issue in the presidential race won by Democrat Barack Obama. So, what happens now? Can a president do anything? Let's find out.

Economic fear

Many of us are experiencing fear over the economy, the sad state of our retirement accounts, and rising unemployment. Here are some sites explaining that fear, and, perhaps, ways to get over it.