Latest from Chris Farrell

• May 4, 2012

  Is the 401(k) still the best retirement plan?

  Fidelity said this week that our 401(k) account balances were up 8 percent on average in the first quarter of this year. But the major stock market indexes were up even more than that. So are 401(k)s really the right ticket to a happy retirement?

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• May 4, 2012

  The hazards of active trading

  If watched closely, is it wise to jump between aggressive stock funds and bond funds during market runs such as the bull run so far this year? The year-to-date return is 18 percent for my strategy. My Fidelity account has rules regarding moving between funds, so I have to navigate those rules also. Marty, Cincinnati, OH

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• May 3, 2012

  Overdraft America

  Bank overdraft rules are poorly understood, especially by two groups: the young and low-income consumers.

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• May 3, 2012

  Grandparents, 11 grandchildren and college savings

  What instruments do you recommend for saving for our 11 grandchildren's postsecondary education? We have recently sold a property and intend to invest $10,000 per child, ranging in age from less than 1 year to 15 years of age. Thanks, Pat (Grandmommie), St George Island, FL

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• May 2, 2012

  An age gap and retirement portfolios

  How do you plan your investments when you're planning for people of different ages? If a family has one person who is of retirement age and another who's much younger, how should common investments be allocated? Conservatively (keeping in mind the older person) or aggressively (in the interests of the less old person)? Thanks!!! Rina, Bronx, NY

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• May 1, 2012

  The risks of buying with no money down

  I recently was accepted to grad school, and my wife and I will be moving from Michigan to New Mexico. We are having a debate as to whether we should buy a home. After I finish my degree, I would like the freedom to leave New Mexico, if necessary, without having to worry about selling a home. My wife doesn't like the idea of paying rent and getting nothing back from it. Any and all advice would be much appreciated.

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• Apr 30, 2012

  Federal student loans at death

  I've got a fair amount of student loans. I've also got a good job as a college professor, and I will be able to pay them off eventually. But I'm concerned about my wife. If something should happen, do student loans transfer to a spouse or do they stick with me? Rudolf, Providence, RI

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• Apr 27, 2012

  Stocks vs. bonds

  Safe stocks? Risky bonds? Chris Farrell looks at a new investing paradigm.

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• Apr 27, 2012

  Retirement savings is gone. Now what?

  Hi. I'm 53 years old and have had to go through the little bit of my retirement savings. Now, I have $5,000 to start something, as far as retirement goes. What should I do? I do not have anything through work. Actually, my workplace is on brink of closing right now. Lisa, Louisville, KY

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• Apr 26, 2012

  To buy or to wait

  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

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