Practice Finance

I paid $980 each for some $1,000 bonds with a 6 percent coupon. They mature in 10 years, but the issuer can call them earlier at face value. The broker's statement shows a 6.3 percent yield to maturity and says the yield will be higher if the bonds are called. How can that be?

An unfamiliar broker called me to suggest some promising stock investments. I asked him to send me the details in writing, and he followed up with a letter that featured seals of approval from both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Does that mean these investments are legitimate?

My wife and I are adopting a girl from China, and we'll fly to that country in late December or early January to finalize the process and bring her home. What's the maximum adoption tax credit we can claim on our 2008 return?

I'm thinking about closing some high-interest credit card accounts that I'm no longer using. Will this remove the accounts from my credit record?

A key to assembling a model portfolio is picking solid mutual funds that you can hang onto in all market seasons. Here are are some top actively managed equity mutual funds in five asset categories-large-cap domestic stocks, small-cap domestic stocks, international stocks, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and commodities.

Two legislators want to rid the nation of what they view as a particularly insidious product: debit cards linked to 401(k) accounts.

A recent online survey revealed that nearly one-fourth of potential homebuyers are remaining on the sidelines, expecting housing prices to further deteriorate.

An SEC plan would make municipal bond information free to the public via the Electronic Municipal Market Access system

An auto enthusiast I know says that car manufacturers sometimes have "secret warranties" that cover problems like design flaws. How can I find out about these?

An IRA I set up years ago has a sizable balance, but I'm not sure the investments in it are still appropriate. If I have an investment manager review them and advise me, can I deduct the fees?

I've decided to dump some stocks that have lost money. Since I also want to boost my tax deduction for charitable donations, I may give the shares to my favorite charity or sell them and donate the proceeds. Which approach is best?

I've heard that it's sometimes possible to fly first class for less than an airline's advertised price for such seats. Do you know anything about this?

529 college plans can be an excellent means of savings. They are designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs.

Which sibling can claim a parent as an dependent?

Can I buy an investment from my practice's defined-contribution plan rather than selling it to a third-party for what I feel is an undervalued price?

I'm covered by a retirement plan at work, but my husband isn't. What's the maximum deductible contribution we can make for him to a traditional IRA for 2008?

The price of a stock I bought last month recently plunged 20 percent. I'm a new investor, and just thinking about this makes me anxious. What should I do?

A 30-year corporate bond I own was rated AA when I bought it five years ago, but now I hear it may be downgraded to A. If that happens, how much will the price change affect the bond's market price?

I recently bred my two Norwich terriers and sold the puppies. It was so much fun that I may start breeding dogs as a side business. What must I do to be able to deduct the related costs on my tax return?

I want to leave part of my estate to my favorite charity, but rather than give individual assets or specify an amount of cash, I'd like it to receive whatever is left over after my kids get their inheritances. Can I do that?

I don't like having credit card balances so I tend to use my debit card instead. But my daughter, who works at a bank, says credit cards offer more protection. Is she right?

I've heard that laddering can help protect a bond portfolio, but I'm not sure what the strategy is or what it accomplishes. Does it make the portfolio less susceptible to defaults?

I want to give $10,000 or so to charity and claim the tax deduction for 2008, but I'd like to take my time evaluating potential recipients first. Is there any way for me to get credit for the donation now but make it later?

A new rule proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission would speed up the time it takes to compare funds.

The disparity in medical outcomes between black and white patients is largely because minorities have poorer access to high-quality care, according to conventional wisdom. How, then, to explain a new study that found such disparities between white and minority patients who went to the same physicians?

By putting your money thoughts to paper and spelling out why you made the purchase in the first place, you're more likely to make sure the investment has stayed true to your original aim.

I'll be moving across the country to take a new job, but my wife and daughter won't join me until my daughter finishes school next summer. Will this delay prevent us from deducting our moving expenses?

I have disability insurance through my employer and may soon have to file a claim. Will I owe tax on the proceeds?

My shares in a technology stock have hovered near $7 per share for two years, but last week the price shot up to $12. I can't find any significant news to explain the jump, only some online chatter that one of the company's products could be marketed as an iPhone accessory. Should I sell my shares or wait to see whether this price rise is finally the start of a growth spurt?

I've invested in three Vanguard mutual funds and see several more that I like, but should I put some cash in funds from another fund family to make sure I'm diversified enough?