Latest from Chris Farrell

• Mar 13, 2012

  A bleak snapshot of America’s retirement future

  Americans share little confidence in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement. The 22nd Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefits Research Institute is stagnant at historically low levels.

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• Mar 13, 2012

  Am I nuts — or not?

  I'm seriously thinking of purchasing a small (six-unit) apartment building in a college town. I've never been a landlord and I'm already a single father of two with a full-time job. Am I NUTS? Clay, College Park, MD

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• Mar 13, 2012

  The futility of trying to time the market

  Investors can't consistently beat the market. Neither can senior management.

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• Mar 12, 2012

  A cautionary tale on money market mutual funds

  You can't trust the money market mutual fund pledge not to break a buck — at least not with your safe money, the money you depend on to be there in tough times like 2008.

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• Mar 12, 2012

  Dealing with credit card debts

  Where can I find reputable resources to help restructure credit card debt? Tom, Charlotte, NC

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• Mar 9, 2012

  Survivorship insurance

  In what circumstances does it make sense for a couple to buy "second to die" life insurance? Ann, Waukesha, WI

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• Mar 9, 2012

  How the job hunt has changed in this economy

  Technology has become a good way of keeping up with your networks and connections in your job search.

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• Mar 8, 2012

  Helping out brother with money

  My problem is that my brother (in his late 20s) is super lazy and would never do any financial planning on his own. I've been trying to get him to open a Roth IRA for a while, but no chance. So now I'm thinking of starting one for him for his birthday and setting it up so a certain portion of his paycheck will transfer automatically. But there's no way he will ever be motivated/responsible enough to do his own investing. I'm not sure what strategy to follow because I don't want to do his investments for him. Is it worth hiring a professional? Do the major online trading sites (Etrade, Vanguard, ScottTrade, etc.) offer some kind of package where you just add some money and it is professionally invested for you? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you! Laura, Chicago, IL

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• Mar 7, 2012

  Malthus visits Wall Street

  I don't think investors should fear the march of time. The specter of a baby boomer-driven stock and bond market implosion seems implausible to me largely because of the move toward market economies around the world. By the time retiring boomers are selling in earnest, markets will be even more global than they are now. There are a lot of foreigners to buy U.S. assets.

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• Mar 7, 2012

  Where to start

  My son, who is in his mid 30s and is married with two children, has almost no reportable income. He manages an apartment complex in Los Angeles, for which he receives something like $500/month and the use of a three-bedroom apartment. He also picks up web development jobs that are usually transacted in cash. His wife has her beautician's license and provides services out of the apartment for cash or barter. I worry that they wouldn't be able to rent another apartment if they wanted or had to move from their present apartment. Do you have any suggestions on how he might begin to work on his credit rating, given his current situation? Craig, Fairbanks, AK

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