Kansas City Star: MoneyWise

New long-term care plans protect life savings

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:29 CDT

There's a new way in Missouri and Kansas to shield your life savings from the continuing rise in nursing home costs.

Housing headaches: California and Florida still top foreclosure list

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:29 CDT

California and Florida cities continue to account for most of the nation’s foreclosure activity, according to the monthly RealtyTrac report that monitors 230 metropolitan areas.

Wall Street speaks out on the beleaguered housing market

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:12 CDT

Here are reactions from financial experts to the Fannie Mae-Freddie Mac bailout and the beleaguered housing market:

Adult children should discuss finances, final wishes with elderly parents

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:29 CDT

It is the one discussion that adult children must have with their aging parents. Many cringe and avoid it because the subject is so sensitive — parents' finances, how they are organized, and what their last wishes are.

Bailout can help whole economy

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:34 CDT

Excerpted from a question and answer session Monday with business columnist Steven Pearlstein on washingtonpost.com:

The Motley Fool: What’s a company’s book value?

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:17 CDT

What’s a company’s book value? — W.M., LaCrosse, Wis. Book value is an accounting concept reflecting a company’s value according to its balance sheet. To get it, you start with the total assets and then subtract intangible assets (such as good will, patents and trademarks) and total liabilities.

Balanced funds do better

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:28 CDT

After the burst of the technology bubble, the Standard and Poor’s 500 stock index plunged 42 percent from April 2000 through February 2003.

The waiting can be the most educational part

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:20 CDT

Sometimes, being old school can be cool. In this case, I’m thinking about an old-fashioned savings tool that could be just the thing to teach children how to deal with growing up in an instant-gratification society.

Insider trading: Decorize Inc.

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:29 CDT

Decorize Inc.

Street Talk: A sample of investment advisory newsletters

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:18 CDT

“A good time to remember that old adage of ‘buy low, sell high.’ This is definitely looking like the lows.”

In brief: Anti-smoking announcement will be added to DVDs with tobacco scenes

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:29 CDT

Hollywood to kids: Our movies glamorize smoking, but don't do it. Six major studios will include anti-smoking announcements on millions of DVDs of motion pictures that include scenes with tobacco use. The public service announcements will appear on films rated G, PG and PG-13.

Readers write: Stimulating debate

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:35 CDT

Thank you for the article acknowledging the flaw in the stimulus rebate program (“Stimulus Is One for the Ages,” MoneyWise, June 29). You were very close to describing my situation. I have no spouse, but I have three children, ages 16, 18 and 20, all dependents.

Flash back/flash forward

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:35 CDT

Top business stories on KansasCity.com last week: •Boulevard Brewing Co. gains bragging rights (7/15)

University endowments move beyond stocks, bonds

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:17 CDT

Birds lose their hearing just like people do. Birds, however, can get it back. “Most recover spontaneously and quickly,” said Hope Karnes Nicely, as she was preparing to slice up a chicken’s brain.

Couple named to lead UMKC school of business

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:11 CDT

The University of Missouri-Kansas City this month will hand the keys to its school of business to a husband and wife team who are longtime pillars of the program.

Don't lose hope: Your stimulus check could be on the way

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:16 CDT

The federal economic stimulus program is nearing an end, and another large batch of checks is in the mail

Marketing manager shares three-year, two-degree college experience

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:11 CDT

You may think graduating from college in three years rather than four or five is quite an accomplishment — until you hear Mike Wilson's story.

MBA programs adjust locations and availability to help students

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:11 CDT

Driving to the Avila University campus three nights a week for MBA classes costs Meshal Alsuwaidan about $48 a week.

Columbia College-Kansas City to offer MBA

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:11 CDT

Students interested in pursuing a master's degree in business administration now have another choice for classroom study in the Kansas City area.

Families can utilize 529 savings plan for future college expenses

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:00 CDT

Whether or not the current troubles in the student loan marketplace constitute a true “crisis,” they serve as a reminder that families need to focus more intently on saving for college.

Watch out for scholarship scams

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:56 CDT

“CONGRATULATIONS! You won a $10,000 scholarship for college. To obtain your award, please forward a $100 processing fee to...”

Consider privately funded university endowments

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:12 CDT

Bumper sticker: “My kid and my money both go to KU.” Students and parents both could help their finances with a look at privately funded university endowments.

Don't overlook scholarship sources close to home

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:57 CDT

Free is good. That’s my rallying cry for upcoming high school seniors starting the scramble for every dollar they can get their hands on between now and next spring to cover college tuition, textbooks, and room and board.

Concert promoter offers lessons in business models

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:52 CDT

I generally don’t pay much attention to rock music, but I’m fascinated with changes in business models. Which is why a recent news item about Live Nation caught my eye.

Immediate annuity in retiree's portfolio increases amount heirs receive

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:41 CDT

Do you want to spend the most you can in retirement? Or would you rather pass something on to your kids?

Higher education pays dividends at the workplace, too

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:11 CDT

After several years studying theater at the University of Kansas followed by a stint in the military, Brad Douglas was still searching for the perfect career.

Despite much indecisive data, pessimists look for recession

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:07 CDT

Pessimists have been analyzing the recession for months. Even Wall Street officially landed its bear market.

The Motley Fool: Best dividend numbers

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:20 CDT

My stocks’ dividend yields vary from less than 1 percent to more than 3 percent. What’s a good number? Should I sell the low-yield shares and buy high-yield ones? — H.W., Tucson, Ariz.

Regulators get serious about credit-card overhaul

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:50 CDT

Consumer advocates say regulation of the credit card industry has long been without teeth. But as cardholders struggle under the weight of big balances, high interest rates and fees, their pleas to lawmakers for help may well mean that the industry will face significant regulation by early next year.

In brief: Starbucks testing several promotions

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:11 CDT

Starbucks is testing several types of promotions in stores across the country, hoping to help counter the decline in domestic store traffic that led to a decision to close 600 stores.

When money gets tight, go back to the basics

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:12 CDT

Surviving a recession is simple. It isn't always easy, though. Financial advisers rattle off the basic steps like bumper-sticker maxims: Save more. Spend less. Cut debt. Wear it out. Use it up. Do without.