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Emergency Fund 101
Chris Farrell May 21, 2012
How do you recommend investing funds in an emergency savings account? Peter, Cherry Hill, NJ
Cash flow liberated by refinancing
Chris Farrell May 18, 2012
My wife and I recently refinanced our home. We paid off the home equity line and the existing mortgage, and now our monthly payments are $500 less than they were previously. What should we do with these savings? Thank you. Jeff, Amherst, MA
Why early retirement may not be good for your health
Stephen Dubner May 17, 2012
Freakonomics Radio explores the hidden side of early retirement.
Savings strategies after locking in a low rate
Chris Farrell May 11, 2012
My husband and I just refinanced our house at a great rate (15-year fixed mortgage at 2.875 percent). Our house payment is low and we can afford to pay more each month. Would the best use of our money be to pay down the principal on this low-interest loan or put extra away for retirement or for our children's college fund? We have two young children and are in our late 20s/early 30s. Thanks for your help! Katie, Helena, MT
A startling health-care bill
Chris Farrell May 9, 2012
The mutual fund giant Fidelity calculates that a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2012 will need around $240,000 to cover medical expenses through their retirement. Ouch!
A college graduate and savings
Chris Farrell May 9, 2012
I am a 25-year-old college graduate with approximately $27,000 of student debt. I have been unable to find a job since graduating and am making $1,000 a month, give or take. I now have $1,500 in my checking and $1,000 in savings. This is the most money I have had at one time and am unsure how best to utilize it. My savings account is for emergencies. My budget allows for $150 a month of disposable income. Should I contribute what remains of my disposable income to the loans, save it or try to invest it? I am currently paying $100 a month to the loans to maintain activity. Thank you for your time. Nathaniel, Raynham, MA
Unforeseen retirement expenses
Chris Farrell May 7, 2012
When estimating expenses in retirement, it's good to think about family and friends, as well as the mortgage, utilities, food, clothes, and other financial-planning staples.
Are Americans saving or spending?
Frank Newport May 4, 2012
Gallup reports on its latest findings: What Americans are doing with their money.
Are Americans confident in their economic futures?
Frank Newport Apr 26, 2012
Gallup's latest surveys asked how Americans were feeling about their personal finances, and whether they think they'll be able to retire comfortably.
To buy or to wait
Chris Farrell Apr 27, 2012
My wife and I are having a disagreement and I hope you can help settle it. We're looking at houses below $100,000. After having looked at our options, I want to wait a year and build up our savings so we can put enough money down without completely wiping out our savings. My wife is concerned that, due to a recovering housing market, it will be more expensive in the long run if we wait, and that will be worth the short-term risk. Should we wait or go for it now? Andrew, Milwaukee, WI
