A program that began quietly a decade ago is attracting close attention now that increasing numbers of veteran workers in state and local governments qualify to get both retirement pay and a big salary. ...more

December 28, 2008

Just about everyone is watching Wall Street these days wondering what's going to fall next. Giant investment firms have tumbled and other financial companies have been bought by the federal government because their demise would severely harm our economic system. It's scary for regular folks who are worrying about their 401ks, IRAs and any other investment. ...more

September 18, 2008

We all fantasize about what we would do if a pile of money dropped onto our laps. If you're like me, your plans have probably changed a bit as you've gotten older - dorm-room conversations about blowing it all on a far-flung vacation and a new car have turned into dinner party chats about paying down debt, sending the kids to the college of their dreams and spreading the wealth among family members. ...more

November 25, 2007

I sit in wonderment at the story of W. Lance Anderson, the president of NovaStar Financial in Kansas City who, while handing out subprime mortgages to any applicant wearing shoes and a shirt, managed to sink the company's stock from $40 in June to $1.72. ...more

November 24, 2007

I sit in wonderment at the story of W. Lance Anderson, the president of NovaStar Financial in Kansas City, who while handing out subprime mortgages to any applicant wearing shoes and a shirt managed to sink the company's stock from $40 in June to $1.72. This is a man who earned $1.7 million in salary and bonuses last year, plus $711,386 in deferred compensation, plus more dough in various arrangements that dopes like me can't quite grasp. Meanwhile, all the little investors in NovaStar are cutting back on Christmas gifts and canceling their winter vacations in Daytona Beach. ...more

November 23, 2007