Marketplace®

Daily business news and economic stories
  • When we talk about retirement, it's not just how much you save, but how you save it. But the different types of retirement accounts can be confusing to navigate.

  • Traditional wisdom says you should pay off your mortgage before you retire, but sometimes that's not the best choice.

  • What are your feelings on the "Target Date" retirement funds? My husband has several 401(k) accounts at multiple institutions from past jobs, and we'd like to consolidate them into one firm. We have all our other investments in Vanguard, and he has both traditional and Roth IRA accounts there he could roll the 401ks into. At the moment, both are using the Target 2045 funds. Are these types of funds generally fine, or would it be a bad idea to continue putting a bunch of money into them? Amanda, New York

  • Is there a formula that can predict the amount needed if you're planning to have a moderate retirement? And I assume moderate because we're not planning to travel the world, buy a bigger house or two super cars. Last question, is it unrealistic to assume that expenses will decrease when you're 60-plus? I ask because I see my in-laws which don't have a mortgage, no kids in college, and their only expenses are food, utilities, gas and a few vacations during the year. – Jose, Ohio

  • What is the difference between pre-tax and Roth after-tax retirement accounts? Will I pay less in taxes in the long run if I put all my retirement savings into a Roth account? How should I decide which type of account is best for me?  – Clarissa, Minnesota

  • As more and more debt piles on, many make comparisons between this bubble and the one that burst a few years back: housing. But are they really that similar?

  • Scholarships are usually awarded for the best and the brightest, but there are other off-beat scholarships available.

  • For many families, paying for college is a balancing act. You want to give your child the best options, but you don't know how to talk about what you can afford.

  • Breaking down the pros and cons of college savings plans.

  • The cost of college is rising faster than inflation. But when you take financial aid into account, it’s gone up only modestly faster than inflation.

Marketplace Money Stories