Kansas City Star: MoneyWise

How McCain and Obama differ on taxes

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:51 CDT

Get ready for higher capital gains taxes. As the presidential campaign heats up, investment and tax advisers are issuing that warning to clients. Underpinning this view is Sen. Barack Obama's early lead in the polls, as well as speculation that Democrats will increase their majority in Congress.

A story of hope from KC's Fed chief

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:50 CDT

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke got the headlines and video when he recently dedicated Kansas City’s new Fed quarters. But Lu Córdova was the speaker to hear.

Driveway, curb repairs create unexpected cost

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:45 CDT

At Your Service: I am an 81-year-old lady who is/was the homeowner of two addresses on Lockridge Avenue in Kansas City. I say this because when my husband of 60 years was placed in a nursing home in 2001, I willed our home to our granddaughter with the understanding that I would stay there until death and she would become sole owner.

How to protect your credit card when traveling

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:43 CDT

Vacations and summer travel are meant to be times for relaxation and fun. The last thing people want is to ruin a trip because their credit card was either lost or stolen.

What the makers of smartphones can teach Washington lawmakers

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:43 CDT

For years, I’ve resisted the lure of the cell phone, the Palm Pilot, the BlackBerry and the iPod, content to muddle through life without the ability to connect to everyone and everything anytime and anywhere. And as amazing as it may sound, I still have a family, friends, a job and some general familiarity with what’s going on in the world.

Troubled housing market is causing woes for homeowners associations

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:59 CDT

Here’s another consequence of the troubled housing market: Some homeowners associations are running low on money.

Good advice is now better than ever

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:45 CDT

Americans are getting advice on pocketbook issues from lots of people these days, including financial planners, credit counselors, consumer advocates and financial literacy groups.

Stimulus is one for the ages

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:41 CDT

The stimulus check season is rolling along, and you’re still looking forward to getting your hands on the money.

News in brief: Investments in controversial companies to continue

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:51 CDT

Shareholders in the Fidelity Magellan and Growth Company mutual funds rejected a proposal to halt investments in companies that activists say contribute to genocide in areas such as the Darfur region of Sudan. Activists have pressured Fidelity to sell stakes in PetroChina Co. and other companies.

Insider trading: Digital Ally

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:51 CDT

Digital Ally Inc.

Flash back

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:51 CDT

After a judge lifted a temporary restraining order, Kansas City's smoking ban went into effect for restaurants, taverns and tobacco stores.

Flash forward

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:51 CDT

•The ISM Manufacturing Survey is expected to remain below 50 percent, considered recessionary territory, for the fifth consecutive month, with the lack of domestic demand overshadowing international demand.

Street talk

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:51 CDT

“Right now, the media is talking about recession. … My best guess is that we'll come extremely close to meeting the definition of a recession — two quarters back to back of negative GDP growth — but we won't quite make that definition. And by next spring we will have gotten used to higher oil prices. … Interest rates will be higher and the dollar will be stronger against other currencies. … The economy will be improving...

Coming events

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:51 CDT

OSHA CERTIFICATION COURSE: A two-day OSHA construction industry safety and health certification course. The course is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 30 and 8 a.m.-noon July 1 at 2400 Troost Ave., Kansas City. $50. Reservations. E-mail small_biz@kcmo.org or call Edwina at 816-513-6817.

Payday lenders strive to shed image as predators

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

With the economy weakening and cash-strapped consumers living paycheck to paycheck, you'd think business would be booming at QC Holdings Inc., the Overland Park-based payday lender.

Debit card users feel extra pinch at the pump

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

Some drivers paying for gas with a debit card are experiencing a different kind of pain at the pump.

RiseUp founder sees hope in struggling newspaper industry

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:03 CDT

The debut of Kansas City-based RiseUp, a newspaper magazine insert kicking off with a circulation of about 4 million, comes at a dicey time for the newspaper industry.

Money Makeover: Teacher aims to rebound from bad decisions after marriage goes bad

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

The sudden end of a more than 30-year marriage produces two kinds of financial devastation, Shelly King discovered.

Those bailout bucks might be better served teaching the young

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

The best offense is a good defense. As I mull over the billions of tax dollars being spent to clean up the subprime mortgage mess, I keep thinking there must be a better way to put those financial resources to work.

The Motley Fool: Rule of 72 is doubly helpful

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:04 CDT

What's the Rule of 72? — E.W., Mobile, Ala. It offers a quick and easy way to figure out how long it will take for your money to double at various rates of growth. Imagine that your money is earning 4 percent in interest annually. Take 72 and divide it by 4 and you'll get 18, meaning that it will take roughly 18 years for you to double your money. If you're earning 10 percent interest (lucky you!), you'll double your money in about 7.2 years.

Understand the basics before choosing investment vehicles

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

These two e-mails, typical of dozens I receive daily, show the need to keep emphasizing the basics: “My husband's certificate of deposit at our bank matured. Not knowing much about investing and fearing loss, I advised him to roll it over into another CD at our credit union. But the bank convinced him to invest part of the money in some sort of mutual fund. The money has gone from around $86,000 to $78,000. Help!”

Collaboration would help rein in Washington's culture of spin

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

I've never met or even spoken with Scott McClellan. But I'm fairly confident that this time he's speaking the truth.

Flash Back: Paper cuts

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

The Kansas City Star cut 120 jobs, or about 10 percent of its work force, as part of its parent, The McClatchy Co.'s, elimination of 1,400 positions companywide.

Insider trading: FCStone Group Inc.

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

FCStone Group Inc.

Flash Forward: Power of diversity

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Minority Business Alliance Inc. hold the 2008 Power of Diversity Celebration, for graduating businesses from the Herman A. Johnson Business Mentorship program, beginning at 5 p.m. at the 18th and Vine Jazz District, 1616 E. 18th St. Cost: $80. Register at www.kcchamber.com.

Street Talk: A sample of investment advisory newsletters

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

“After posting the worst first three months of an election year since the Depression, stocks rallied sharply in April. … June is one of the best months as primary season draws to a close, general election campaigning ramps up, and the country begins to feel relieved that we will in fact have another president.”

In brief: ‘Hannah' and ‘High School' bring in billions for Disney

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

Walt Disney Co. says sales of licensed merchandise will surpass $30 billion this year, a record amount led by products based on the “High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana” TV programs.

Readers write: A warning to the Fed

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:59 CDT

I’m going to forecast the future for you. It’s what I did last September for the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City when interest rates were lowered.

Coming events: June 22-28

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:00 CDT

WORKAHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 24, Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Room 2 West. Free. Call 913-271-6510.

Local lenders expect more loan problems, but situation may be better than it looks

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:33 CDT

As storm warnings echo across the banking industry, Kansas City lenders still see partly sunny skies. But they've donned their rain slickers and galoshes all the same.

As the economy falters, lifestyles grow simpler

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:18 CDT

With gas and grocery prices surging, and housing values falling — combined with job losses and the weakening dollar — consumers are taking a closer look at their shopping lists and making some tough choices. And that is sending ripples throughout the economy.