Mortgage help from surprise source

More troubled homeowners are turning to private mortgage insurers for aid, and the companies are obliging with programs aimed at keeping borrowers in their homes.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Strip clubs feel recession's pinch

In this historic downturn, even usually recession-proof industries are hurting. But the nation's 2 publicly traded 'gentlemen's club' chains are finding ways to adapt.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Housing saviors: The echo boomers

The seeds of a housing recovery have already been planted, according to a report released Monday. In fact, many of them were sown starting around 1979.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Mortgage due, severance running out

Name: Raul Camejo

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Home sales rise - while prices fall 17%

Existing home sales rose in May, as increasingly affordable home prices and a first-time tax credit attracted hesitant buyers.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

How shareholders are fighting greed

At annual meetings across the country, fed-up investors are taking stands against excessive CEO pay packages, princely perks and sloppy board oversight.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Stay-at-home mom, six-figure salary

Desperate for a job? How does CEO with a six-figure salary and flexible hours sound?

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy

The sportswear retailer filed for bankruptcy today in hopes of wiping out an unmanageable debt load. More retailers may follow.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Stocks slump on housing report

Stocks turned lower Tuesday morning as investors mulled a weaker-than-expected existing home sales report and geared up for the start of the Federal Reserve policy meeting.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

5 steps to escaping your money trap

If you're repeating the same financial mistakes, you probably won't get ahead until you figure out what drives you to make the decisions that sabotage success.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Madoff says 12 years is plenty

The lawyer for Bernard Madoff, the confessed Ponzi scammer who faces a maximum of 150 years in prison, requested a 12-year sentence from the judge set to mete out his sentence on Monday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Money in your 40s: It's make or break

The time for mistakes is over. If you haven't begun to build wealth, to control debt, to look toward retirement, then now is the time.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

10 investing basics from Buffett

The Oracle of Omaha became the world's richest person by adhering to simple but critical tenets. Here are his rules for smart living and savvy investing.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Cash in on the 'clunker' bill

The misguided 'cash for clunkers' plan is little more than a taxpayer-financed rebate program. Among the biggest winners: Honda.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

10 ways to play the oil boom

If you're confident that the recession is almost over, the energy sector could be a good place to put your money. Here's how to pick the likely winners.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

6 money mistakes newlyweds make

Remember the 'for richer' part of your wedding vows? These financial pitfalls can keep you from fulfilling that pledge.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Here come the real estate vultures

These are tempting times for real estate bargain hunters. Whether it's the tony house down the street with an asking price that keeps dropping or office space at a deep discount, if you have the means, there are deals to be had. Individual investors snapping up foreclosed houses have helped boost home-sale figures sharply in recent months (although prices have remained depressed). And now some real estate investment trusts are raising money to fund acquisitions of distressed commercial properties.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Boeing delays 787 Dreamliner flight again

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner airplane is facing yet another delay, the company announced Tuesday, this time saying it needed to reinforce a section of the aircraft before starting test flights.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Money in your 50s: 8 moves to make

It's time to plan for your retirement -- where you'll live, what you'll do and what it'll cost. Pay special attention now to career prospects, health and insurance.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

10 things gas stations won't tell you

They share your pain when gas prices soar but not your nostalgia for service bays. And although they accept debit cards, using one might cost more than you think.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Will Obama's financial reforms work?

The president says overhaul is needed to protect consumers and curb Wall Street excesses. But government rules can have unintended consequences.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Brain drain takes toll at Citi and BofA

The so-called brain drain that big banks have worried about ever since the government stepped in to bail out the financial sector appears to be well underway.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Is a college degree worthless?

The higher incomes that college education brings may not make up for the savings it consumes or the debt it adds early in the life of a typical student.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Go global to grow your portfolio

While troubles continue at home, solid gains and low prices abroad make emerging markets an attractive option. Instability argues for limiting exposure, though.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Reports fuel recovery hopes

Continuing jobless claims fall for the 1st time since January, and reports on leading economic indicators and Philadelphia manufacturing are better than expected. Obama's approval rating slips on worries about the deficit.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Betting your retirement on real estate

Question: I'm 52 years old and think I might get laid off soon. If I do, I'm thinking of rolling over the $250,000 in my 401(k) into a self-directed IRA that I would invest in real estate and try to make money in foreclosures, rental properties, etc. Do you think this is a good idea? --Larry C., Eldersburg, Maryland

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Mass layoffs match record high

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

GM faces $250M past due notice

General Motors owes hundreds of millions of dollars to major suppliers who have never made an auto part, rubber tire or sheet of steel -- and they're not likely to get paid anytime soon.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

How the bailout bashed the banks

Washington's most dramatic foray into the nation's financial sector since the Great Depression began on Oct. 13 with a misnamed acronym, an unwitting tribe of CEOs, and a confused staff of Treasury officials. It was a foreshadowing of the misadventure to come. "I don't even know who the 9 companies are. Do you?" Michele Davis, assistant secretary for public affairs, wrote in an e-mail sent at 7:15 a.m. on that history-making Monday. "No clue," Treasury chief of staff Jim Wilkinson responded. "Let me get the list."

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Will economy's 'green shoots' wither?

Though sprigs of optimism permeate Wall Street, a bellwether business says it doesn't know when things will get better. Meanwhile, mortgage rates are up, and boomers can't even think about retiring.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Are we there yet? Road trips are back

Whether prompted by nostalgia or recession, lots of families are setting out on summer adventures by car. Such trips can forge bonds and teach valuable money lessons.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

5 small stocks with big dividends

Most income-seeking investors focus on big blue-chip stocks. But right now, they'd be wise to consider some smaller names as well.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

$6 billion available to buy foreclosed homes

Home prices are at their most affordable in many years, which has opened up homeownership to many who had been locked out during the housing boom. And now, the federal government -- and many states - are launching plans to hook up buyers of repossessed properties with very attractive terms.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

On the move? Watch for deductions

If your move is job-related -- and you meet a couple of requirements -- you're eligible to write off a large portion of your moving expenses. Here's a rundown.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Used-car peace of mind -- cheap

It still takes a bit of detective work to get at a car's history, but registries help -- and a new one may help end the practice of title washing. Plus: What to check before you buy.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Who won't be helped by housing fix

Don't have a job?

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

How the stimulus bill affects you

The $787 billion package might cut your taxes, make your health insurance cheaper, fix the roads you drive on and keep the best teachers in your children's schools. And that's just for starters.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Wanted: Lousy job, low pay

Desperate for a job and willing to take almost anything with a paycheck? Take a number.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Steer clear: 4 'hot opportunities' to avoid

Frustrated investors are prime targets for savvy salesmen, from those pushing the wrong products to outright thieves. Watch out for these too-good-to-be-true deals.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Stocks end lower on economic worries

The House passes a $787 billion economic stimulus bill, and the Senate is expected to follow suit, possibly later today. But Wall Street doubts that the mix of spending measures and tax cuts will yield quick results.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dow up only 3 as economic worries persist

An early rally fades quickly, although chip stocks are strong. Hewlett-Packard earnings disappoint. The Fed sees economic weakness well into the fall. President Obama outlines a plan to help mortgage-burdened homeowners. Housing starts in January plunge to a record low.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

In economic winter, signs of spring

The US will emerge from the financial crisis, and one day new jobs will outnumber layoffs. There are fragile, slender shoots of new life in the economy already.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Why I hate Facebook

I need to take a break from all the gloom in the markets and economy for an Andy Rooney-esque rant. Indulge me.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Off 298, Dow ends just above November low

Stocks tumble as worries mount that the Obama stimulus package won't ease the recession's pain. GM and Chrysler see cutting a total of 50,000 jobs as they struggle to rebuild their businesses. Oil drops below $35. Wal-Mart profits fall, but results top estimates.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

How consumerism hurts consumers

As businesses cheat us with hidden fees and crazy contract terms, our focus on beating 'the system' diverts attention from fixing it. But you can help change that.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Gold hits 11-month high: Tops $1,000 an ounce

Gold prices rose to a record high above $1,007 an ounce Friday as stocks continued to fall and investors flocked to the metal to preserve capital.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Treasury's strategy: 'What elephant?'

At some point, the feds or the private sector will have to absorb banks' bad assets. If the administration keeps ignoring that fact, we can't move forward.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

8 lessons from the meltdown

These teachings won't replenish your family treasury. But someday, and maybe even before the markets recover, the knowledge will prove valuable.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

A solar startup heads to rainy Wales

Bob Hertzberg's audience seems as muted as the dismal gray skies outside.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Why your home's value will keep falling

The market is forecasting a further 14.5% drop in home values, and so far the feds haven't helped. Investors can dabble, but home sellers and buyers still have it rough.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Skip the recession, get an MBA?

Dear Annie: I lost my job at Lehman Brothers last September and have not succeeded in finding another finance position (for obvious reasons). But finance is all I know. While I was working at the firm, I completed almost one year of course work toward an MBA. I'm thinking of trying to transfer my credits to a full-time program and finishing the degree, which just seems like a more productive use of my time than job hunting right now. Do you agree? Also, will admissions people hold it against me that I worked at a failed firm, even though I had nothing to do with the problems? -Out in the Cold

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Dow falls through November lows

Stocks tumble amid worries about the financial sector. Bank of America's CEO gets subpoenaed over its Merrill deal. Lowe's reports a drop in profit. J.C. Penney gives a gloomy outlook.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Banks pounded by nationalization fear

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Bears and bulls locked in trench war

The market's pessimists and optimists have moved on from big battles to small skirmishes as the next phase of our economic struggle plays out, much of it in the muddier field of politics.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

How 4 are saving $17,860 a year

These folks made conscious changes in spending that have turned around their financial lives. Here's how each is saving thousands of dollars.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Spend! Cut! Obama's budget dilemma

If you're looking for Peter Orszag, you might check between a rock and a hard place.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Stocks try to cut losses

A tech advance helped stocks cut losses Friday afternoon, but the blue chips remained in the red as a bank stock selloff sent the Dow and the S&P 5000 to within reach of 11-year lows.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Disciplined savers who still took a hit

Nathan and Stacey Zee have always been good with money. Diligent savers since their early twenties, the young Arlington, Va. couple used to hold monthly budget meetings - just the two of them - to review their spending and investments.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Most affordable city in the nation

Crashing home prices have led to the most affordable housing market in at least five years, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index released Thursday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Brokerage houses are awash in cash

Weary of the volatile stock market, investors have parked an estimated $600 billion in cash. But the longer it sits there, the more it may benefit brokers.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dow falls 90, hits new bear-market low

Worries about Citigroup and Bank of America plus Hewlett-Packard's weak forecast push the Dow below its November closing low. Jobless claims also weigh on stocks. Whole Foods Market soars on better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Don't rush to pay off that mortgage

Paying down your mortgage may not be the best use of your cash. Take a look at the numbers and consider these avenues to get more bang for your buck.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Will the housing bailout help you?

Borrowers who are 'underwater' and current on their loans will be able to refinance -- as will those whose payments are unaffordably high. And there are incentives for lenders and borrowers.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Use your 401(k) to start a business

Are you jobless and planning to work for yourself? Your nest egg might be a great source of tax-free financing. But the paperwork is tricky, and the IRS will be watching.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Bonds rally as stock selloff accelerates

Government bond prices rallied Friday, as shell-shocked investors retreated from Wall Street.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Get ready for a wave of bank failures

If it's Friday, there must be a bank failing somewhere across the country.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Hyundai sweetens deal for laid off buyers

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

3 ways to make money in a downturn

The winner of the last round of MSN Money's Strategy Lab came out ahead in a brutal market by sticking to a few basic rules for investing.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

The 5 biggest lies on Wall Street

These are the tenets you counted on for years, like 'buy and hold' and heed the advice of 'experts.' Keep these whoppers in mind as you plan your financial future.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Burned investors sound off on Madoff

Investors allegedly swindled in the largest Ponzi scheme in history reacted furiously when they learned Friday that Bernard Madoff didn't put any of their money into securities for at least 13 years.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

20 freebies for your birthday

Dinner (or dessert or a small gift) is on the house, if you know where the deals are. And if you're planning a Disney visit, the parks' perks are cause for celebration.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Treasury may save the day after all

Tim Geithner has taken plenty of heat since sketching out a vague proposal for fixing the financial crisis, but a closer look reveals a good plan.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

The meaning of 'living within your means'

Question: I've been having an argument with a co-worker about the difference between living "within your means" and living "below your means." I'm hoping you can settle the issue for us. What do see as the difference between the two terms? --Mark E., Peoria, Illinois

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Transgressions of a 'Shopaholic'

A new Hollywood movie, like others before it, skips over the unglamorous real-life solutions to money woes, preferring a Prada'd prince for the damsel in debt distress.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Time to tweak your portfolio

Question: I want to better diversify my portfolio. So I'm thinking of getting rid of some funds that focus on specific industries or geographic areas and investing in funds with broader holdings. The problem is that the funds I want to get rid of tanked hard in 2008. Would it be better for me to hold onto them until the sector recovers? Or should I sell them and create a more diversified portfolio right now? Josef Werne, Duluth, Minnesota

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Wild West capitalism is over

Riding out this rough market has convinced me the investing world has changed. The economy will revive on the government's back, but then comes the payback.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Government debt prices churn

Government debt prices churned Thursday as investors weighed a week of successful refunding auctions with the progress of the stimulus proposal in Congress.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Talk your teen through tough economic times

Dealing with the fallout from the financial crisis -- namely, the anxiety about your job and investments -- is hard enough. Talking about it all with teenage kids can be even more daunting. But it's a conversation worth having, especially now that they're old enough to share the stress. Not only can you ease their concerns, says Atlanta psychologist Mary Gresham, "you can turn these into teaching moments."

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

5 companies that will keep paying dividends

Buying stocks that pay you cash while you wait for the market to recover is a good strategy, but many payouts are being cut. Here's how to find secure dividends.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Geithner's first test is a disaster

In his initial public pronouncement on the government's financial bailout plans, the best the new Treasury secretary can offer is an uninspiring rehash.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Stop listening to Suze Orman

The personal-finance guru favors supersimple mantras -- even when they're wrong -- and psychological explanations for all your money problems. Maybe it's time to stop trusting her.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Why saving is killing the economy

It wasn't that long ago that many economists worried that Americans were saving too little.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Foreclosures eased in January

The frantic pace of foreclosures eased in January, according to a monthly report released Thursday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Coca-Cola shares pop

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

5 things I learned as a Strategy Lab player

I found a number of strategies worked for me and will work for you as you struggle in this difficult investing environment.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

You can't hire a good banker for $500K

As mad as we might be, President Obama's cap on executive salaries at bailed-out banks is a bad idea. We need the best talent to help us out of this mess.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Final stimulus deal moving ahead

A revamped $789 billion stimulus package could clear the House and Senate before the weekend and be on the president's desk by Monday, after congressional leaders worked around a disagreement over education funding in the package.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Farewell to 'for sale by owner'?

Not long ago, for sale by owner (FSBO) Web sites were heralded as a fresh entrepreneurial wave that was going to upend the staid real estate industry. In 2006 real estate sales "unassisted" by a broker accounted for 20% of sales made, says Steve Murray, editor and owner of Real Trends, a market research firm in Castle Rock, Colo.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Jobless claims dip - remain at high level

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits last week edged off a 26-year high, but was greater than expected, according to a government report released Thursday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Build a recovery plan for your portfolio

When things aren't going well, don't be shy. Question your advisers. Make the changes you need.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dow falls 382 as Wall Street boos bailout plan

Stocks slump because investors want more details from Treasury Secretary Geithner's bank rescue plan. The Senate approves a huge stimulus bill. Intel will invest $7 billion in U.S. plants. The Street wonders if the Ticketmaster-Live Nation deal will pass antitrust muster.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

How stimulus can help your wallet

Key lawmakers in the Senate and House said Wednesday they had reached a compromise on a final economic recovery package.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Home prices in record plunge

Home prices fell 12.4% during 2008, the largest yearly decline since the National Association of Realtors began keeping comprehensive records in 1979.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Boycott the Valentine's Day madness

Romance is to be savored, sure, but must we spend nearly $15 billion on candy, flowers and other frivolous gifts? There are better (and sexier) ways to show you care.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Lenders drop mortgage brokers

Some big banks have cut back on doing business with mortgage brokers - and if the trend continues, many mortgage brokers could close down.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

A tough short term for a long-term strategy

To win in this market, you really needed to have taken short positions or have switched to cash. I didn't, so I've been hit hard.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dow up 51; financials rebound from drubbing

The rally relieves investors frightened by Tuesday's sell-off. Energy shares move lower after oil falls below $36 a barrel and stalls a morning rally. BlackBerry maker Research In Motion slumps on an earnings warning. Applied Materials reports a big loss.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Tech execs get sexy

There was a time when the geeks who keep a company's tech systems running could get by without knowing the finer details of corporate strategy. You called the chief information officer when you needed a server upgrade, not a strategic plan.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

How to fight greedy CEOs

Watching executives get fat pay and perks while their companies fail is bad enough. But some CEOs can actually get paid millions after they're dead.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Jump in retail sales fuels skepticism

Retail sales unexpectedly rose in January, after six straight months of declines, according to a government report Thursday that raised skepticism among economists.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Foreclosure fix: Heat is on Obama team

A day after Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said it would be a few weeks before he unveils a solution for the housing crisis, regulators and lawmakers pressed financial institutions to suspend foreclosures until the plan comes out.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Stocks slump in early trading

Stocks slumped early Thursday as ongoing worries about the government's ability to temper the economic slowdown overshadowed a stronger-than-expected retail sales report.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

The best values in private colleges

Despite shrinking endowments, these colleges and universities deliver affordable, high-quality educations. For some students, they're cheaper than state schools.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Is Sirius XM seriously toast?

It's not often that a company with a stock trading for just six cents a share makes headlines. But when that company just happens to be the employer of Howard Stern, you can understand why it's in the news.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

A small cap fund for the big picture

While few small cap stocks are household names, those in Intrepid Small Cap Fund's portfolio are bit more esoteric than most.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Fannie, Freddie to ease mortgage payments?

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

When bad banks buy worse banks

Nine banks have failed so far this year. That's not good news, particularly since 25 failed last year.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]