Despite efforts to curb fraud and consumer rip-offs, con artists continue to demonstrate their ingenuity. In 2009, swindlers took advantage of the economy?s problems (including unemployment, government stimulus spending and the housing crisis) and headlines about swine flu to lure victims, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Here are the most common scams, according to the BBB?s list...Read More »

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Fidelity Investments, one of the largest sponsors of 401(k) plans in the country, analyzed the accounts of 11 million 401(k) participants in more than 17,000 company sponsored plans over the past 10 years. The result: Those who were invested in their 401(k)s in 1999 and continued to invest throughout the next 10 years had account balances nearly 150% higher than they were in 1999 ? even though the Dow Jones Industrial Average* lost an average of 0.5% a year. The average participant who maintained his account for 10 years had $163,900 at the end of 2009, up from $65,800 in 1999. Read More »

Q:  I recently refinanced my house and thus now have an extra $500 in cash flow each month. I?m going to need the money in three to five years to buy a car. I also have $15,000 in an emergency fund for near-term use, maybe for home improvements. Where is a reasonable place to invest the money? I want to pay cash for the car.

Ric:  If you think you?ll buy the car within three years using cash, place the money in bank CDs.

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