Boston.com -- Personal finance

A plan for getting by, working less

Lynn Asinof, Globe Correspondent — 2009-11-15T00:09:46Z

Unemployed and single, Phyllis Werlin didn’t think she could afford to retire. But the Malden resident - laid off twice in 12 months from technical support jobs - was eager to rethink her relationship with work.

Readers tip hands on saving

2009-02-28T03:46:06Z

If you've followed our Spending Smart series this month, you've already garnered plenty of ideas on how to save money, or at least be smarter about spending it. Today, for the last day of the series, we leave you with a clip-and-save list, including great tips from readers. If you've enjoyed the series, there's good news - it will live ...

Funeral and burial costs continue to rise - but there are options

Korky Vann, Hartford Courant — 2009-11-24T04:32:34Z

I’ve always joked that I wanted my gravestone to read: “Final Sale, No Return.’’ But with funeral prices averaging $7,000 or more, the cost of dying is no laughing matter.

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2009-11-24T04:32:34Z

For the frugal, a debit card seems like the best choice, but think twice

Eileen AJ Connelly — 2009-11-25T04:10:09Z

Your new frugal lifestyle is about to be tested by the biggest consumer challenge of the year: holiday shopping. For many, part of the strategy for keeping on budget includes a plan to leave the credit cards at home and use a debit card at the checkout.

Rates on 30-year mortgages sink, match record low

2009-11-25T16:36:01Z

Average rates for 30-year fixed mortgages fell this week, matching a record low set last spring and more than a full percentage point below what they were a year ago, Freddie Mac said Wednesday.

Housing data points to rocky rebound

Alan Zibel, AP Real Estate Writer — 2009-11-25T05:11:04Z

Sales of new homes rose more than 6 percent in October. But that was only because of strong results in the South.

Home sales rise in Mass.

Jenifer B. McKim, Globe Staff — 2009-11-25T03:51:41Z

Massachusetts home buyers are off the sidelines, purchasing homes in increasing numbers, despite some sellers’ reluctance to put houses on the market, real estate figures released yesterday show.

From crumbling to chic

Jenifer B. McKim, Globe Staff — 2009-09-30T02:40:40Z

HAVERHILL - On the once-contaminated site of a decaying shoe factory, a thriving neighborhood is growing with the opening of hundreds of chic apartments, part of a renaissance in this Merrimack River mill city, which has seen plenty of hard times.

Amid high unemployment, some positions hard to fill

Katie Johnston Chase, Globe Staff — 2009-11-25T03:45:25Z

Even with the country’s unemployment rate at its highest in decades, some companies are having trouble hiring highly skilled employees.

The caring community

Maggie Jackson, Globe correspondent — 2008-11-09T05:00:00Z

WINCHESTER - Anne Lang, head of human resources at Winchester Hospital, pulls out a simple, black box and flips it open. Inside is a small but telling stack of reasons why this 229-bed community hospital is the state's top place to work.

Plan taxes now, and give yourself an early gift

Ann Carrns, Globe Correspondent — 2009-11-29T04:01:51Z

Before you become consumed with holiday shopping and baking cookies, consider giving yourself an early “gift’’ of possible savings - by reviewing some year-end tax options.

Time to update your router

John M. Guilfoil, Globe Correspondent — 2009-11-29T04:07:40Z

As more and more people turn to faster broadband Internet and ever-changing types of wireless networking, the same home networking router you used back in 2001 just isn’t going to cut it anymore.

There’s no shame in regifting, as long as you adhere to a few key rules

Michelle Singletary, Washington Post — 2009-11-29T04:25:29Z

Given the state of the economy and your bank account, purchasing gifts for certain friends and family may not be possible this holiday season.

US to prod mortgage firms on lowering loan payments

Peter S. Goodman, New York Times — 2009-11-29T05:14:40Z

NEW YORK - The Obama administration tomorrow plans to announce a campaign to pressure mortgage companies to reduce payments for many more troubled homeowners, as evidence mounts that a $75 billion taxpayer-financed effort aimed at stemming foreclosures is foundering.

With some planning, it’s really possible to stick to a holiday shopping budget

Humberto Cruz — 2009-11-28T04:11:25Z

As long as we are doing it this year, why not do it always? “This year, it all comes down to value and getting the best bang for your shopping dollar,’’ said Tod Marks, senior editor of Consumer Reports.

Warding off those annoying sales tactics

Michelle Singletary, Washington Post — 2009-11-26T02:35:37Z

Given the stakes involved, I would encourage retailers to pay attention to a holiday shopping survey recently released by Consumer Reports.

Extra, extra credit

Mark Feeney, Globe Staff — 2009-11-24T01:08:49Z

There are 100,000 credit card transactions per minute in the United States, and Americans carry nearly $1 trillion in credit card debt. Plastic has become as much a part of the American way as Mom, apple pie, and the flag. At least two of those items you can purchase with a credit card.

Late credit card payments fall

Associated Press — 2009-11-23T03:11:46Z

NEW YORK - For the first time in a decade, more people paid their credit card bills on time in the third quarter this year than in the second quarter.

Straighten up and pack right

Melanie Nayer, Globe Correspondent — 2009-11-21T21:48:44Z

Business travelers cringe at this scenario: You’re called to a last-minute meeting in another city, and you’re on the next shuttle flight out of Logan International Airport. You’ve got about 30 minutes to pack, grab your presentation, and make it to the airport in time to board your flight, when you realize your best suit is at the dry cleaners ...

Independent ATMs pose more risk than you think

Mitch Lipka, Globe Correspondent — 2009-11-21T21:44:27Z

If you’ve ever wondered about those ATMs you see in bars and neighborhood stores that aren’t affiliated with a bank, what Robert Siciliano demonstrated probably won’t inspire much confidence. Siciliano, a Boston-based security expert for Intelius, an identity theft protection company, decided earlier this fall to buy one of those ATMs.