detnews.com - Personal Finance

Brian J. O'Connor: The Grand Experiment: Cutting kid costs

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:37:00 EST

My first thought was to furlough the young 'un two days a week to his grandmother's, where the savings on chicken tenders and Cheerios alone would put me over this project's $1,000 final goal.

Plan carefully with flexible medical account

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:07:00 EST

One of the tricky issues employees need to sort out as they choose their benefits for next year is whether to put money aside in a medical flexible spending account, and if so, how much.

Flexible spending accounts face hit in health overhaul

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:07:00 EST

Those tax-free spending accounts that you and your co-workers use to help pay for dental work, insurance copayments or over-the-counter drugs face a hit under the health overhaul bills in Congress -- unless a coalition that includes a powerful union, insurers and others can stop it.

6 rules if the boss is a buddy

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

You have lunch together every day, grab an occasional drink after work, and have gotten each other through work-related crises. So wouldn't it be strange if your office buddy became your new boss?

Recession intensifies GenX discontent at work

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

CHICAGO -- They're antsy and edgy, tired of waiting for promotion opportunities at work as their elders put off retirement. A good number of them are just waiting for the economy to pick up so they can hop to the next job, find something more fulfilling and get what they think they deserve. Oh, and they want work-life balance, too.

Brian J. O'Connor: Grand Experiment: Unplug utility costs

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:52:00 EST

This week's Grand Experiment has really flipped the switch on some big savings. The budget category is "utilities" and, as with every week of this project, I aimed to cut at least $100 out of my family spending. That included water, electric, cable TV, phone and cell phone service.

Making debt vanish? Don't bet on it

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:22:00 EST

Reduce your debt by 60 percent! Stop collection calls! Be debt free in 12 months! The siren song of debt settlement firms is getting harder to ignore these days, especially if your finances are out of control or creditors are knocking at the door

IRS may have a refund for you

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Wouldn't it be great if the Internal Revenue Service were looking for you to give you money?

5 tips for better meetings

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Do your weekly meetings feel like a waste of time? More importantly, does your company have that kind of time to waste?

What you need to know if your bank fails

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:12:00 EST

New York -- Dozens of banks have failed this year. What do you need to know if yours is next?