Arends: That 60/40 portfolio of stocks and bonds your adviser is pushing might not work. Read Article

Twitter is adopting a “Do Not Track” feature that the social-media site’s users can tap to help guard their privacy. But it’s not a cure-all, writes Jennifer Waters. Read Article

If you need to cover emergency expenses or want to make an investment in the future, you may be able to use your retirement savings early without paying penalties. Read Article

Many economists fear inflation will come roaring back soon. These strategies can shield your retirement income just in case. Read Article

Skechers settlement underscores why toning shoes aren’t a good deal We’ve told you before to stay away from so-called toning shoes because of apparent safety risks. Yesterday’s settlement between the Federal Trade Commission and Skechers over the company’s deceptive and unsupported claims gives you another reason to consider other fitness footwear. Skechers agreed to pay [...]

They are among the most important numbers in your financial life, so you should try to keep them near their peak. Here are some good habits for doing just that. Read Article

If you’re not getting a chance to buy Facebook Inc. shares before Friday’s IPO, you’re not alone. Some specialized exchange-traded funds will be on the sidelines along with most everyone else — at least for a while. Read Article

Automaker tests show damage to older car engines from running on E15 ethanol A 2010 decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the sale of gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol (called E15) has come under fire from many groups. The latest is the Auto Alliance, an auto industry lobbying group [...]

The economy is “still struggling to gain momentum,” though long-term trends remain expansionary, the Conference Board said Thursday as it reported that its index of leading economic indicators dipped in April for the first decline since September. Read Article

In rocky housing market, stone countertops still reign Even in a weak housing market, consumers still prefer countertops with the look of luxury. A recent survey of potential home buyers found that granite or another natural stone was the most preferred material, with 20 percent of the respondents saying it was essential and another 53 [...]

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) – Mortgage rates hit record lows in the week ending May 17, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage average falling to 3.79% from 3.83% in the prior week, Freddie Mac said Thursday in its weekly report. These data go back to 1971. The rate was 4.61% a year earlier. To obtain the latest 30-year [...]

Can dishwasher detergent improve its tarnished reputation? Ever since phosphates were eliminated from dishwasher detergents two summers ago, consumers have been complaining about “clean” dishware coming out of the dishwasher covered in a frosty-white film. The chorus of complaints caused Consumer Reports to add hard-water performance to its dishwasher detergent tests and the results changed [...]

It’s no secret that many Americans have long relied on credit cards and other forms of debt to get what we want, or what we need. Read Article

National foreclosure trends took a positive turn in April, as the number of homes seized by banks declined and fewer properties entered into the foreclosure process. Read Article

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