http://www.philly.com/r?19=960&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F Personal finance news and tips from Philly.com. en-us Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:48:23 GMT 2009-07-10T15:48:23Z en-us http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50471537&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FYour_homes_true_worth_Who_can_tell_these_days.html One of the biggest mysteries in the tumultuous housing market these days is: How much is that house worth? Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:48:23 GMT 13d88c798de90c756f5304d16a178c5c Bob McGovern 2009-07-10T15:48:23Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50341022&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090709_New_student_loan_program_offers_relief.html Kelly Ohlert has a job at a Center City law firm, but she can't afford to buy a home to accommodate her growing family. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:20:17 GMT 184729d488aa28a5e3f08d0f4a990533 2009-07-09T07:20:17Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50346567&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090709_Philly_drivers_are_a_wreck__insurer_says.html We're No. 1, yo. Unfortunately, not just in baseball. Philadelphia is also home to the worst drivers among the country's top 10 cities, according to the 2009 "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report." Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:36:10 GMT 835965a8bd5f09e6592729d2d71661c4 2009-07-09T10:36:10Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50163567&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FThe_worst_crash_rate_Its_right_here.html If you fear for your life driving in Philadelphia, you might have good reason. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:44:34 GMT 7b727ceb089f7e05de215c8a886e80f8 Roslyn Rudolph 2009-07-08T12:44:34Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50341007&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090709_COLLISION_CITY.html Everyone who buys auto insurance in Philadelphia knows it. So does everybody frightened by the Schuylkill Expressway's merge-or-die ramps, Lincoln Drive's snakelike twists, or Roosevelt Boulevard's multilane madness. Philadelphia is a risky place to drive. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:26:40 GMT 4ca0e7177d5411ec0266ad299d6748a1 2009-07-09T07:26:40Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50322477&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090709_ap_pollwouldbehomebuyerscautiousaslayoffsrise.html More than half of potential homebuyers say they're still not prepared to jump into the market, and fear of losing their jobs is the No. 1 reason, a new poll shows. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:17:53 GMT 2e6811b8610285d1de6d3344ae2864cd 2009-07-09T07:17:53Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50225712&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090708_ap_pollamericansspendlessretainsummerpursuits.html Americans are cutting back their spending but not abandoning favorite summertime pursuits despite the extra expense, a new survey released Wednesday indicates. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:25:14 GMT 091992fc9452b782b236bdda85c86f7e 2009-07-08T15:25:14Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50205767&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090708_Hit_hard_times__New_state_effort_may_help.html They were the vanguard of a new 10-week effort to pair an ever-increasing number of Philadelphians falling on hard times with agencies that might be able to help them. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:18:24 GMT 3b3897fa3cfeb6565862d6bac7ff38bd 2009-07-08T07:18:24Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50138252&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F070709_mortgage_web_sites.html Several Web sites provide tips and information about qualifying for a mortgage. Here is a sampling of sites. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:37:47 GMT 763294344cbcbdac73bea18ebfc0d47c David Ralis 2009-07-07T16:37:47Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50137727&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F070709_grocery_store_savings.html The average American family of four spends about $5,000 a year on food prepared at home, according to the federal government's Consumer Expenditure Survey. So a 20 percent savings could yield a cool $1,000. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:28:18 GMT e108410d287d1941f573fbb1319ce0a5 David Ralis 2009-07-07T16:28:18Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50137322&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F070709_student_loan_repayment.html Americans burdened by school loans should find relief in a new income-based repayment option. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:22:33 GMT 2e7aae1877a50ded219e11d9a0299ae2 David Ralis 2009-07-07T16:22:33Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50112257&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090707_Get_Help_Now_initiative_starts_today.html Legal and financial professionals will volunteer at free economic "help desks" for consumers across the state as part of a national service initiative that begins today. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:51:21 GMT 7f5b269c1d27002606f40dce10b0a3c2 2009-07-07T13:51:21Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50136792&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F070709_free_money_costly.html Spending just $1.98 for shipping and handling for a CD to help you find "free money" through government grants could seem like a pretty good bargain when money is tight. But consumers are flooding the message boards that the charges won't stop there. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:12:41 GMT 5d437ee91eeec5a70bed2d0241dc6cbc David Ralis 2009-07-07T16:12:41Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50135897&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F070709_retirement_planning.html Merely planning according to changes in the CPI will not provide an adequate estimate for retirement expenses and may even leave retirees with not enough assets to cover the expenses and result in living a lower standard of life. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:57:01 GMT 9e765afe6257b3d17ebe64e9199f9981 David Ralis 2009-07-07T15:57:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50129082&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090707_ap_consumerloandelinquenciescontinuetorise.html Consumer loan delinquencies edged up to another record high in the first quarter, according to data released Tuesday by the American Bankers Association. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:38 GMT 1bd379d9ec7487c4b3d38247e7cc3933 2009-07-07T15:00:38Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49946202&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090705_A_GREEN_CAR_NATION.html 'Cash for Clunkers" won't single-handedly save the environment, rescue the beleaguered auto industry, or spare consumers from financial distress. But the new $1 billion federal program promises a little help in all three areas, a bit of political symbiosis that explains why the plan motored through Congress three weeks ago on the back of an Iraq war-funding bill. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:09:33 GMT fc76528a2bb1f30a6c89c1aed914d6da 2009-07-05T10:09:33Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50018987&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F07052009_color_of_money.html For so many, asset allocation is something they know they should do, but don't do, because it can be intimidating. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:08:03 GMT 59706ff6f691314a218263db824a1ff7 David Ralis 2009-07-06T13:08:03Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50017407&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FTaking_the_bite_out_of_credit_card_debt.html Christine Vanderberg knows what it's like to be loaded down with credit card debt - also what it takes to climb out of it. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:25:52 GMT 2ac65fc9d0cfafff2cad25b074596136 David Ralis 2009-07-06T12:25:52Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50017722&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FMany_Web_sources_can_save_you_money_on_vacations.html Bargain-hunters can whittle down the myriad options with specific keywords and knowledge of travel-niche Web sites. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:38:18 GMT 4d8c3be26df1e331faae5c7c57a96826 David Ralis 2009-07-06T12:38:18Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50012017&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090706_ap_alookathealthcareplansincongress.html A look at health care legislation taking shape in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate as President Barack Obama pushes to overhaul the system, cover nearly 50 million uninsured Americans and reduce costs. Many of the details are still being negotiated and any final health care bill would have to meld proposals from the House and Senate. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:28:21 GMT 109b73671216ecec7207caaf4e26e0bb 2009-07-06T12:28:21Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50017282&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FAct_swiftly_to_recover_money_if_youve_been_scammed.html The primary regulators to contact are the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, your state securities agency and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:21:38 GMT 1dbae0d8546310e8bc5fa61727626e6b David Ralis 2009-07-06T12:21:38Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=50005907&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090706_ap_govtplanwouldoffercutratemedicalpremiums.html What if a new health plan set up shop in your town offering coverage at a much lower price than other insurers? Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:51:06 GMT aa181617b7a2a2f2f18383004f623aa9 2009-07-06T11:51:06Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49947027&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090705_ap_collegesfocusonveteransasgibillupsnumbers.html With a fattened GI Bill covering full tuition and more, the number of veterans attending college this fall is expected to jump 30 percent from last year to nearly half a million. That's left many universities looking for ways to ease the transition from combat to the classroom. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:22:46 GMT c4f8cbd6e07117d49a4ecf34ee340f83 2009-07-05T15:22:46Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49946207&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090705_Charles_A__Jaffe__Beware_of_Foresight_s_brilliance_in_first_half.html Every now and again, investors can look at mutual fund performance charts and think they see an undiscovered gem, some issue that no one has heard about that appears to have a reasonable strategy, below-average expenses, and a place at the top of the charts. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:04:21 GMT d01edfbf9494544fb14e4765afcd6b0b 2009-07-05T10:04:21Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49946212&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090705_Personal_Finance__Big_losses__It_s_time_to_rebalance.html Question: I'm 24, and I've been investing in a target-date fund in my 401(k). I've lost a lot of money and have been reading that it's good to "rebalance" everything in the 401(k) after losing money. Does that apply to target-date funds? - Matt, PhoenixAnswer: If your only investment is a target-date fund - a mutual fund that has a date in its name - you do not need to do any rebalancing because you have a professional fund manager doing all the tinkering for you. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 78ef884d4931b8b8e4cd4b3c8ad8d621 2009-07-05T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49877562&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090703_ap_willortrustunderstandingthedifferences.html One of the big mysteries in the chaotic days following Michael Jackson's death was whether he left behind a will. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:34:04 GMT cc481958ede30d162b4168e432d8bf3f 2009-07-04T09:34:04Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49727937&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090702_ap_olderjobseekersstruggletoovercomeagebarrier.html Like many unemployed older workers, 64-year old Allan Kellum fears his age has made it harder to find a new job. At a recent job fair, Kellum expressed interest in a supervisory role coordinating an international health assistance program. A recruiter set him straight: "The people applying for that are young." Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:32:39 GMT b4e30523933bb447f1b5613f5f81e4c2 2009-07-03T00:32:39Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49717642&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F070209_retirement_concerns.html Retirement doesn't necessarily mean a light tax load. So pre-retirees whose savings aren't sufficient to carry them comfortably through the years ahead may find it particularly essential to assess their future tax situation. But focusing exclusively on states that don't tax personal income, or those where property taxes are lighter, can be a mistake. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:29:21 GMT d9d0ddcfa585b871bc9cdf380f44ae7c David Ralis 2009-07-02T20:29:21Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49717857&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F070209_state_tax_laws.html People seeking tax-friendly places to live in retirement face a hodgepodge of state tax laws to comb through. While experts recommend looking at total potential tax obligations, not just income or property taxes, here are some lists of states falling into tax categories of interest. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:33:25 GMT 6b89cb7c512af7bd98ef4b7c6690b7b0 David Ralis 2009-07-02T20:33:25Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49713742&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F070209_color_of_money.html Long before his death, we heard more about Michael Jackson's financial troubles than his incredible music. The singer was reportedly more than $300 million in debt. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:42:16 GMT 44f8d4a1cd19fc7127e4d491c3b548f4 David Ralis 2009-07-02T19:42:16Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49626537&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090701_ap_bankskeephikingratesascreditcardlawlooms.html Credit card reform may be looming in the headlines, but for now the fine print is still hitting consumers hard. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:08:59 GMT ac961a8810f718ecb6398d600b8c7b86 2009-07-01T23:08:59Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49582537&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090701_Much-admired_city_initiative_saves_1_400_homes_from_foreclosure.html Deserie Jones-Wright had been caring for her youngest son, who was sick with meningitis, and she was struggling with the mortgage payments, on her West Oak Lane house, which had jumped from $675 to $975. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:36:32 GMT 80fdccb1823d23efa454cf8817fef907 2009-07-01T07:36:32Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49585362&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090701_Bill_to_expand_Pa__health_insurance_sparks_debate.html Democratic leaders in Pennsylvania hope to double the number of residents who receive state-sponsored health insurance, known as adultBasic, but Republicans fear the costs may be too high. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:26:10 GMT 9c40d01b489c1c26bf51b327a39c32fc 2009-07-01T07:26:10Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49524567&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F063009_consumer_financial_protection.html The Treasury Department's proposal would gather consumer protection powers that now are spread among many bank regulators and place them under a single roof. If it's enacted, this would be a huge step by government into private banking after a hands-off approach for the past two decades. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:07:28 GMT 8159aaa45b3d785a7d243aadd3b910dd David Ralis 2009-06-30T19:07:28Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49520027&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F063009_investing_strategy.html Should I sell or stay the course? Am I taking too much risk? Those are questions many stock market investors have been asking themselves for months. The answers, financial advisers say, can be found in an investment policy statement. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:53:54 GMT 2b8166eea633eff66a03024337d4788b David Ralis 2009-06-30T17:53:54Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49519067&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F063009_assisted_living.html Here is some old but good news for veterans of modest means who were in service during wartime and need medical and nursing care. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:45:40 GMT 309a0d56d770bb38b388b8a148ddbc85 David Ralis 2009-06-30T17:45:40Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49518312&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F063009_sales_tricks.html Retailers now have to try extra hard to entice us, and for the most part they have been successful. But if you know their tricks, you can see the pitch coming and avoid handing over your money without thinking. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:33:19 GMT 63c6d36ef3e6c8d76b73c36af9f870b6 David Ralis 2009-06-30T17:33:19Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49517982&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F063009_reverse_mortgages.html The housing bubble, lax regulatory oversight and an influx of shady loan professionals have made lawmakers uneasy about the safety and soundness of the popular government-backed reverse-mortgage program. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:29:26 GMT 3fcd1ae96c47e50bfcc6146943dbe943 David Ralis 2009-06-30T17:29:26Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49512357&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F063009_selling_healthcare.html Americans who are going to pay a lot of the bill for covering the uninsured are being asked to believe in a different kind of payoff - one that is appealing but more difficult to quantify than the subsidies needed to help cover poorer people. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:45:32 GMT fd9e21a3d5571b85fb8674f041cd9309 David Ralis 2009-06-30T15:45:32Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49512182&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F063009_social_security_qna.html I currently receive Social Security disability benefits. I now have a second serious disability. Can my monthly benefit amount be increased? Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:41:48 GMT 476e4e0285cda9bda1c30eaa5d2160d4 David Ralis 2009-06-30T15:41:48Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49512012&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F063009_savings_in_mail.html It's possible to make or save money by just opening the mail. Bills, pay stub statements and even junk mail can be a source of savings. For instance, within the last two weeks, a careful review of bills and statements has saved more than $200 in my home. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:38:42 GMT 253f789386d43250df89bc932b34e2da David Ralis 2009-06-30T15:38:42Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49426152&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FGrab_low_prices_before_life_insurance_rates_increase.html The window might be quickly closing on consumers' opportunity to refinance at great rates - not their home mortgages, but their term-life insurance, experts say Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:16:27 GMT 15867d3ce053b94c88272aaae8baa4da David Ralis 2009-06-29T13:16:27Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49425147&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FAre_brokered_CDs_too_good_to_be_true_Look_closer.html William Katker thought he was playing it safe and smart when he parked some retirement money last year in a high-yield certificate of deposit he purchased through his stock brokerage. It seemed like a low-risk move - until the bank that issued the CD failed. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:34:04 GMT 5ffd3f45f87d9aaf6a0feee4743aa36c David Ralis 2009-06-29T12:34:04Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49424957&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FFinding_the_best_CD_rate.html Finding a certificate of deposit (CD) rate offering a good return is no easy task -especially these days, when interest rates are extremely low. If you are in the market for a CD however, several Web sites offer tools to help consumers track down the best rates. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:25:11 GMT 47bd0b8b5f0899daabd87bca635cdf49 David Ralis 2009-06-29T12:25:11Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49425352&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FDrug_makers_discount_offer_can_help_seniors_disabled.html The pharmaceutical industry's pledge to close part of the gap in Medicare's drug benefit is especially good news for older and disabled adults who can't use cheaper generics and must rely on higher- priced brand-name prescriptions. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:42:33 GMT 93f9d382f818d1bbda68cd72ebb8576d David Ralis 2009-06-29T12:42:33Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49425222&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2FQA_How_long_will_a_foreclosure_or_bankruptcy_affect_credit.html A foreclosure can be reported on your credit report for seven years from the date the foreclosure was filed in the court, according to Gerri Detweiler, author of "Reduce Debt, Reduce Stress." Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:38:28 GMT 511ec07274bb8a905bf3f9fe9cfbd932 David Ralis 2009-06-29T12:38:28Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49352412&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090628_Charles_A__Jaffe__During_rallies__investor_emotions_run_to_extremes.html With the market in rally mode, a lot of fund investors will venture to open their statements or measure performance when they get their midyear paperwork. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:14:04 GMT cf77c6773a6fa504f415a3af3f18f561 2009-06-29T00:14:04Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49352417&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F20090628_Personal_Finance__Factor_fees_in_moving_accounts.html Question: I received a letter from my financial adviser that said I would have to pay a higher percentage in fees because my account size fell below $250,000. The reason my account fell below $250,000 is because the adviser lost money on the investments. To charge me more seems outrageous. Do you agree? Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:01:00 GMT 00d5234e21ba9bde48a0f160535c19cd 2009-06-28T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167966&44=49338427&32=3796&7=195642&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fpersonal_finance%2F062809_color_of_money.html Over the years, I've found that people end up in financial trouble not only because they don't have enough money. It's also because of poor decision-making. Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:28:27 GMT 023d2101763dbdb3516da18650dbad90 David Ralis 2009-06-27T13:28:27Z