O’Connor: College graduates getting a B.A. in IOUs

It's commencement season, which is the time when middle-aged crabs like me offer our sage wisdom to you, our graduating young 'uns. We do this not only out of a sense of duty but also because we are deluded enough to think you might pay attention.

Coupons suffer paper cut as use falls

The number of coupons used by Americans to stock their pantries plummeted in 2012, down 17 percent. After surging during the Great Recession, the old-fashioned savings tool seems to have lost favor among consumers. Or has it?

Bidding wars among real estate trends this spring

Homeowners who endured years of declining home values will discover that the game has changed in their favor this spring. Low mortgage rates are attracting more buyers.

Penney’s tries to get back into the game

It's probably been a long time since you shopped at J.C. Penney. That's the case for most of us. But for the sake of its employees and shareholders, it needs to figure out how to bring buyers back. And soon.

Tips for job-seeking college grads

For new college graduates, competition for top jobs is fierce. But parents and other veteran employees with workplace experience can help by sharing their knowledge.

Study: Mortgage deduction rates vary widely

The mortgage interest deduction, widely viewed as a tax break for a broad slice of middle-class America, benefits the residents of some states far more than others, according to a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Politely decline when boss pushes spouse’s diet supplements

Q: The head of our department has been pressuring employees to purchase products from her husband, who recently began selling diet supplements through a multilevel marketing company.

Time for kids to give back to quash debt

Q: I am 59 years old and about $25,000 in debt. My bank account has a negative balance of $800. I fell into this mess by helping family, and now I'm wondering how to get out. I don't make enough to cover all my bills, and most of the time, I can't even afford groceries. I work 30 hours a week. Because I have to work a variety of schedules, I can't get another part-time job. I hide it from my grown-up kids because I'm ashamed, and I don't want them to find out.

One person’s treasure is another’s junk

Through her Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based company, Sandy Tavarez advises people on spring cleaning with a financial finish: garage and estate sales. Her job has many challenges, but chief among them, she says, is helping people become realistic about the dollars their belongings will fetch.

O’Connor: A vintage problem: What to give mom?

Mom is back! After a significant drop-off during the Great Recessepression, Mother's Day spending is set to jump by 11 percent this year, according to a new survey by the National Retail Federation, which averages out this year's spending to $168.94 per person.

Don’t accept job offer on the spot

It's not something that happens often in this tough job market. But if you are in the fortunate position to be offered a position on the spot, you still should think a few things over before making a final decision.

Buffett’s Berkshire meeting may set tone for Wall Street

The tone of Wall Street in the week ahead will be set from a convention center in Middle America even before the opening bell Monday. When the world's highest-profile long-term investor spends his weekend eating Dilly Bars and pontificating about elephants, it has the potential to move the market.

Homebuyers spring into action before interest rates, prices rise

If you want to sell your home this spring, prepare for pent-up buyer demand. Spring might be an even livelier selling season this year because homebuyers want to act before interest rates or home prices rise.

High youth unemployment hurts teens and industries

Jobs for teenagers and even young adults are scarce nearly four years after the official end of the Great Recession. It is a trend that has some researchers ...

Stores tap celebs to woo youths

Sixteen-year-old Gabriel Aguilar, of Chicago, an avid shopper, prefers to patronize specialty shops such as Urban Outfitters or Forever 21 for party and hang- ...

Rates for student loans to double July 1

Now would be a good time to watch interest rates — and Congress — if you're planning on tapping into the federal student loan program to send your ...

Job seeker shouldn’t let firing overshadow 30-year work history

Q: Six months ago, I was fired from a company where I worked for two years. My co-workers were a tight clique of women who blamed me whenever something went ...

Debt adviser: Judgments enforceable for 10 years or longer

Q: I have a judgment and collections account on my credit report for an old debt. The collections account is scheduled to expire from my report in September. ...

O’Connor: Prune finances while waiting for spring thaw

While we’re waiting for the daffodils to defrost, we must as well get in the seasonal mood with a little spring cleaning. And just like the floors and windows, ...

The truth about five financial myths

From retirement to saving to paying off debt, our modern-day money worries are many. But some of that concern is fueled more by rumor than reality.

Tips to set sail on a dream cruise

Recent images of a cruise ship limping back to port after an engine malfunction didn't do the cruise industry any favors heading into the summer vacation ...

15-year mortgage rate hits record low 2.61%

The average U.S. rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage fell last week to its lowest level on record, making refinancing and home-buying more attractive to those ...

Big-box stores add financial services to inventory

Washington — Need to refinance your mortgage? Just put it on your shopping list next time you visit Costco, alongside the jumbo paper towels and the 6- ...

Wealth gap: Generations X and Y poorer than parents, study finds

For young people today, the American dream of working hard, saving money and becoming richer than their parents may be out of reach, according to a recent ...

New 401(k) fee-disclosure rule impresses few

Nearly eight months after taking effect, the federal government's 401(k) fee-disclosure mandate, designed to help workers and their employers better understand ...

Debt adviser: Credit report marks settled debt as ‘past due’

Q. In the aftermath of my divorce and unemployment in 2009, I was unable to keep up with payments on about $9,000 of credit card debt. Eventually, I settled ...

Have answers for tricky job interview questions

Where do you hope to be in three years? Aren't you overqualified for this position? Job seekers likely to face tough interview questions can practice certain ...

Don’t tolerate boss’s cycle of verbal abuse even if you must quit

Q. The verbal abuse that I receive from my boss has been escalating for several years. About once a week, he begins shouting, cursing and banging on my desk. ...