According to a newly published report, money can buy happiness but not in the way that you might think. Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School found that spending money on others makes people happier than if they spend it on themselves. »more»

The Los Angeles Times published story on grown children returning home to live with children and profiled several "children" in their 40's and 50's who for various reasons had moved back with their parents. The primary reasons were economic and triggered either by divorce or job loss. »more»

It is hard to imagine advice as timely as this, "Don’t count on home equity as your sole source of retirement income." Sentences like this led to me changing my mind about reviewing "Cash-Rich Retirement" by Jim Schlagheck. »more»

The publishers of "Rich Dad's Increase Your Financial IQ" by Robert Kiyosaki (reviewed here) supplied us with the following that you can use to test your financial IQ as gauged by Kisyosaki. (Answers at the end).

What’s Your Financial IQ?

1. Which of the following is not an asset?
a. Gold
b. The Corvette you bought for your 40th birthday »more»

"Increase Your Financial IQ" is Robert Kiyosaki's latest personal financial book. In case you haven't heard of Kiyosaki or his Rich Dad series, he has authored 18 motivational/finance books and other material that have reportedly sold a combined 26 million copies. »more»

Here is a part of middle age you probably weren't expecting, identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the average age of consumers reporting an identity theft complaint is 41 years. Of course, identity theft isn't that age specific and there are more victims under 40 than over. »more»

Current housing woes notwithstanding, economists are looking ahead five years when the 78 million baby boomers enter their twilight years. As this happen they will increasingly become sellers of real estate which is expected to result in significant downward pressure on housing values. »more»

The day I received the review copy of "Fast Profits in Hard Times" the Dow lost over 200 points. "Hard times" is certainly an apt description of our current economic state so it was with more than cursory interest that I cracked open the book. By the time I finished it a few days later the Dow had given away another 500 points--hard times indeed. »more»

If you read personal finance articles (or for that matter watch any daytime talk shows) at some point or another you will hear about the "Latte Factor." The Latte Factor is based on how much money can be saved over a lifetime by eliminating daily discretionary purchases--for example Starbucks Lattes or bottled water. The concept has been promoted by personal finance guru David Bach. »more»

"Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets" by William Bonner and Lila Rajiva is not your typical personal finance book and that might be one of the bigger understatements we've made in a long time. Yes, in the last quarter of the book it does finally give you more or less concrete information that you can apply to managing your financing. So what's the other 75%? »more»

If you ever get a card or letter offering you "free" information on estate planning, retirement income, etc., do yourself a favor and throw it in the trash. For if you fill it out and return it you will have given that marketer a way around the Do Not Call registry and you will possibly be besieged by unscrupulous marketers exploiting a loophole in the law. »more»

Despite the somewhat similar titles, "Maui Millionaires for Business" and "The Last Chance Millionaire" take two very different approaches to guiding your financial decision-making. »more»

Ann Harrison of Contemporary Retirement is working on a new book and has asked for our (your) help. The book is called "Retirement and the Single Woman."

Ann would like to from any women on LifeTwo:

If you were to remain single for the rest of your life, »more»

A thoroughly unscientific poll of middle-aged British men found that they spend US$48 billion a year alleviating their midlife crises.

That's about US$6,000 / year for every man too old to love popular music and too young to access the retirement fund. »more»

A little known side-effect of raising housing values over the past decade is something called "real-estate-enabled divorce." According to divorce lawyers and other professionals in the divorce field quoted in a recent New York Times article on this trend, couples with weak marriages are using appreciated home values to underwrite their splits. »more»