Marketplace Money Stories

I have about a quarter of my retirement money with a financial advisor who charges the following: The advisor gets 1 percent of assets under management; 0.2 percent goes to the third-party custodian; 0.3 percent goes to the company that decided the asset allocation that was set up, based on my age, answers to questions about risk, volatility. Now I find out there is an expense ratio for the ETFs; as well as the costs of commissions when buying and selling the ETFs to rebalance, as well as something called the bid/ask spread. I am thinking of moving this money to Vanguard. 

Why is it so hard to make, let alone keep, a financial resolution?

Why New Year's resolutions are like candy.

I am 35 years old and only began saving for retirement this year through a combination of a 401k and Roth IRA. I would really like to return to school in three or four years to get a double-Masters in economics and finance, taking off one year to study Chinese in China. I know that I will earn twice as much once I complete my degrees as I earn now, but I am concerned about stepping away from full-time work and benefits for five years while only taking part-time jobs or internships in my new field. While I am in school and traveling, although I will be able to support myself financially, I won't be saving for retirement. Can I really afford to go back to grad school to make more money? August Mileaux

How should you handle keeping things secret from your family? Carmen and guest Dr. Gail Saltz talk to listeners.

39 states now have financial curriculum standards in their schools, which means, there's a new teacher in town.

Retailers are increasingly using data tracking to figure out what you want to buy.

As Thanksgiving approaches, many people still have to work on the holiday. But not everyone is upset about it.

Nick from Chicago left a voice mail for Marketplace Money host Carmen Wong Ulrich about how to get a higher credit limit without going into debt.

Marketplace Money listener Andrew is expecting his first child. What should he make sure to account for when getting ready financially?