Bill Gross, a legendary bond fund manager, is about to close the books on a terrible year for his $241 billion PIMCO Total Return Fund. His missteps underscore the risks of a concentrated investment and in staying too long with a flawed strategy.
It’s time for New Year’s resolutions: Along with promises to yourself about cutting out the reality TV and hitting the gym more often, there are also some financial goals you should set for 2012. Specifically, there are some goals you should set regarding your credit cards, credit card spending and outstanding balances. Yes, looking at [...]
In a survey conducted this past weekend, 25% of consumers said they hadn’t yet bought a single present for the holidays. But they can’t blame retailers — many of which launched Christmas sales starting in September.
It’s been nearly three decades since Wendy’s started asking America “Where’s the beef?” As it turns out, the question it should have been asking all along was, “What shape is the beef?” The longstanding third-place hamburger chain is on pace to eclipse second-place rival Burger King — thanks in part to a subtle rounding of [...]
Not only has free shipping been readily available to online shoppers this holiday season, the deadlines for placing an order shipped for free in time for Christmas have never been closer to the holiday itself. While most stores cut off such free shipping offers earlier this week, several e-retailers are still floating promotions featuring overnight [...]
Did you know there’s a virtual online marketplace where hackers gather to buy and sell the fruits of their criminal labors? Think of Amazon or eBay — except the items customers put into their virtual shopping carts are stolen credit card numbers rather than audiobooks or dusty collectibles. If this sounds infuriating, just wait until [...]
New or used? Economy, mid-level, or luxury? No matter what kind of vehicle you have in mind, the end of the year is when hardnosed bargain hunters head to the car dealership—for good reason.
Most people are attracted to choice; the more options the better. But research tells us that too much choice makes it harder for us to choose—and less satisfying after we do.
When the housing bubble popped — in 2006, 2007, or 2008, depending on where you were — chances are that the value of your home took a nose dive. But who got hit worse, the top of the market or the bottom?
The year-end push to contribute to a 529 state college savings plan is in full force. These plans make a lot of sense. But they also have drawbacks. Here’s how to make the most of them.
The traditional eight-hour workday may soon be the exception rather than the rule. New evidence shows that we’re reaching a tipping point in terms of workplace flexibility, with businesses seeing the wisdom of allowing employees — young ones especially — to work odd hours, telecommute and otherwise tweak the usual 9-to-5 grind.
