Practice Finance

I began contributing to my employer's 401(k) plan years ago but haven't looked at it since, except to check the current balance. I know I should do more to make sure the plan's on target. What should I consider?

Expert financial advice boosted doctors' bottom lines-and might help you, too.

I've decided to invest in a 529 savings plan for my son's education and have looked at plans from a few states, but they all seem to have different cost structures. Is there an easy way to compare plan costs?

I made one late credit card payment recently--my first ever--and now I'm worried about how it will affect my credit score. What can I do to prevent damage?

I've heard a good way to decide how much stock to own is to subtract my age from 100. Do you agree?

My brother and I bought an investment property jointly years ago, before I married. If I die before he does, will my share of the property go to him or to my wife, who's my sole heir in my will?

The long-time lead manager of an S&P 500 index mutual fund I own shares in just left the fund, replaced by a relative rookie in the business. Should I worry?

Whether you have enough money may have less to do with how much you earn and more to do with how you decide to spend it.

Buy new. When it comes to cars for your practice, that's the message to take away from President Bush's economic stimulus plan.

While most financial advisers agree that it's important to "stay the course" during a declining stock market, that's often easier said than done. But, remarkably, most people appear to be doing just that--staying put.

Lately I've been getting invitations to free retirement investment seminars that include lunch at a fine restaurant and speakers with impressive credentials. I'm sometimes tempted to check one out. Are these events legitimate?

A new law allows the surviving spouse to exclude up to $500,000 of the gain of the couple's home if the sale is completed within two years of the date of death.

A recent Supreme Court decision has opened the gates for 401(k) participants to sue their plan administrators for negligence.

Beginning in early May, taxpayers who filed a federal return will automatically receive a stimulus rebate thanks to the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.

My wife and I are in our early 30s and don't have children or many valuable assets yet, but we know we should have wills anyway. Do we need to hire a lawyer?

I may invest $20,000 in a mutual fund my son owns shares in. It charges a 4 percent load, but my son says I should talk to my broker to see if I'd qualify for a breakpoint. What's he talking about?

My estate is worth about $3 million now. I was planning to leave it all to my wife if I die before she does, since anything going to her will escape federal estate tax. Then she'd leave whatever remains to my son after her death. But a friend says the government will take more tax that way. Why?

I've always assumed that the $20,000 I have in a money market mutual fund can't drop in value, but lately I've heard talk that some funds are exposed to the subprime lending mess. Should I worry?

I want to transfer IRA funds into a new IRA at another firm that offers more investment options. Does it matter that I'm only 54 and already withdrawing some money from the account?

I'm starting my first job and would like to begin contributing to the practice's 401(k) right away, but I'm afraid I'll run short of cash to pay living expenses and medical school debt.

I'm new to investing and have been told that it's important to look for mutual funds with low expense ratios. Does that measure factor in all a fund's expenses?

My house isn't in a high-risk flood zone, but lately we've been getting some water in the basement during heavy storms due to construction in the area. Since we'd like to refinish the room with new carpeting and wallpaper, I'm tempted to buy flood insurance. Would it be worthwhile?

I'd like to change some of the beneficiaries of my revocable trust, add some real estate to it, and adjust the way the assets will be distributed. Do I have to revoke the trust and draft a new one?

The expenses for our son's junior year in college exceeded the amount left in his 529 plan, so he took out a $10,000 student loan. Then my father gifted $11,000 to the plan. Can our son use that money to pay off the loan?

I invested $10,000 in three stocks about a year ago. Is there an easy way to figure my return so far without investment tracking software?

bought $10,000 worth of Series EE savings bonds several years ago and registered them jointly in my name and my son's. Now I'd like to give him full ownership. Can I do this by delivering the paper bonds to him and telling him that he's now the sole owner?

In January, I gave a local art school a $10,000 painting that I'd owned for five years. The school plans to display it so students can use it for reference, and I expected to deduct the painting's full market value on my tax return this year. But an art dealer I know says I may not be able to if the school sells the painting. Is he right?

I own shares in a company that recently filed for bankruptcy. Assuming the shares were worthless, I claimed a loss for them on my 2007 tax return. Now I've learned that the company is still doing business and its shares may have some minimal value. What should I do now?

Protecting your family needn't be complicated or costly-if you know what to look for and what to avoid.

If you love to impress your friends with a good bottle of cabernet sauvignon, you might like it as an investment, too.