How to invest in bonds amid falling interest rates

Lucy Lambriex | Stone | Getty Images As the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, investors should review their bond portfolio, which could see a boost from dovish Fed policy. The central bank in September kicked off its first easing campaign in four years with a 50 basis point rate cut, which brought its benchmark rate […]

What ‘No Spend September’ is and how to know if you should participate

Solstock | E+ | Getty Images Victoria Szafarski currently has $10,000 in credit card debt.  The New Yorker’s outstanding balance peaked at $25,000 last year, before she took on a second job as a waitress for a few months. The extra cash Szafarski brought in helped her make headway paying down the debt and increase […]

How to ’emotionproof’ your portfolio ahead of the presidential election

Adamkaz | E+ | Getty Images Stock market volatility could increase in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election, strategists predict. That’s making some investors more anxious about what the election outcome could mean for their money.  In a survey by the American Psychiatric Association this spring, 73% of people said they felt anxious about […]

How to construct your portfolio for maximum income in retirement

Attractive bond yields have been a boon for investors, such as retirees, who want to generate income from their portfolios. Yet, those who want to live off the income generated by their investments — without selling any stocks — may want to reconsider how their portfolio is set up. An efficient portfolio typically focuses on […]

How to reduce health-care costs during Medicare Advantage open enrollment

Andreswd | E+ | Getty Images Certain retirees can now change their health coverage during Medicare Advantage open enrollment, which runs until March 31. Medicare Advantage is health coverage provided through private companies that are paid by Medicare to cover your benefits. If you’re already on a Medicare Advantage plan, you can take advantage of […]

Here’s how to use exchange-traded funds in your portfolio, experts say

Morsa Images | Getty Images Whether you’re a new or a seasoned investor, exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are one option for your portfolio, depending on your goals and risk tolerance, experts say.  ETFs are a wrapper for individual assets such as stocks and bonds, similar to mutual funds. However, many ETFs have better tax efficiency […]