Your Money Now

Self-employed? Deductions add up

With so many of us taking the entrepreneurial route, here’s a tax primer for the newly self-employed.

Money Dilemmas

Our son’s fallen in with the rich crowd

Dilemma: Our son is very bright and worked hard through high school to get into a great Ivy League school. With scholarships and loans and savings we had, it’s tight but we make it. He worked as a waiter all summer so he has some savings to spend, but he’s not working his freshman year at school by family agreement. We put together a budget for him to live within.

Your Money Now

Put yourself on a financial diet for the New Year

Experts say the new year is a good time to make an honest assessment.

Your Money Now

Out with the old …

The end of year is a great time to de-clutter and get back a little cash, perhaps a tax deduction, and a more organized start to 2012.

Investing

Is there a solution to stock market turbulence?

This fall, the U.S. stock market seems to change direction every week in response to the latest news — good or bad.

The Home Economist

How to combat creative resistance

Sure, the boss says ‘think outside of the box,’ but when it comes to actually listening to new ideas, we’re all a little uncomfortable.

Money dilemmas

Family’s torn between two financial advisors

Dilemma: We have a financial advisor who we’ve been working with for many years, and he’s become a good friend of our family. We rely on income from our investments and pretty much let him do what he thinks is right. Our income has been going down, and he’s said there isn’t much he can do. He hardly ever comes to us with ideas, and rarely do we make changes. It’s like he’s lazy.

Your Money Now

How to save some green this holiday season

If you are wishing for a more affordable holiday this year — and in this economy, who isn’t? — these tips are for you.

South Florida grocery cart

The chart shown here reflects the average of prices at six South Florida groceries on June 8. Prices changed relatively little since April. Since The Miami Herald began tracking grocery prices in February, prices on most items have crept up slightly. The biggest increases were on bacon, which rose about 30 percent, and Roma tomatoes, which rose about 25 percent. Item May June One month change Loaf white bread, store-brand, 20 oz. $1.22 $1.36 $0.14 Cheddar cheese, store brand, 16 oz. $4.60 $5.30 $0.70 Dozen eggs, large, grade A $1.70 $1.65 -$0.05 Ground chuck, per pound $3.40 $3.67 $0.27 Bacon, store brand, 16-oz. package $4.96 $4.62 -$0.34 Gallon of whole milk, store brand, gallon $3.37 $3.51 $0.14 Tomatoes, Roma, 16 oz. $2.36 $1.94 $0.42 Green bell peppers, 16oz. $1.77 $1.70 -$0.07 Orange juice, store brand, half-gallon $2.95 $2.86 -$0.09 Stores surveyed: Milam’s in Miami Springs, Wal-Mart in Hialeah, Aldi in Deerfield Beach, Super Target in Davie, Publix in Fort Lauderdale and Winn-Dixie in Fort Lauderdale

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE Q & A

When company inspectors come calling

If you own a House of Condo, your Insurance Company may soon be letting you know they’re sending out an inspector to check out your property.

HEALTHCARE

Should you cuddle up with COBRA?

Stunned by news of losing their jobs, laid-off employees often are asked to quickly make a highly complex decision: What should they do about health insurance?

HEAVY THRIFTING

I've been laid off; now I'll try to save money

I've been laid off; now I'll try to save money Back in March my month-long Heavy Thrifting blog chronicled my attempts to rein in my spending habits by at least 10 percent. Now, three months later, I'm again reaching for the budget ax.

Taking a knife to expenses

With a keen awareness of economic realities, Brayden Simms' month-long goal is to cut his expenses by 10 percent.

CULTURE OF MONEY

Breaking the chains

Reporter Amy Sherman lives a week free of mega chains and discovers how linked our lives and pocketbooks are to major corporations

CULTURE OF MONEY

Financing the night of our dreams

Young. Just out of college. No full-time jobs. Most couples wouldn't hear the tolling of wedding bells under such circumstances. But we had our eyes on a big, lavish wedding, and we were ready to pay for it.

CULTURE OF MONEY

Tough lesson on friendship

The building I lived in had a rooftop pool, an elevator and a workout room one floor above my unit -- lavish features for college kids. But I never imagined that this beautiful apartment would cost me a friendship.

THE CULTURE OF MONEY

The value of panhandling

In a culture that runs on money, South Florida's panhandlers have none, yet they are entrepreneurs of a sort.

THE CULTURE OF MONEY

Readers weigh in on 'no spending'

EDITOR'S NOTE: Here are more responses to my request for readers' best money-saving tips. I've begun to try some myself. Now I search for coupons online and print them out, and I’ve also tried the reader’s suggestion to pour a little tequila on a tough cut of meat to tenderize it.

THE CULTURE OF MONEY

Cutting back requires effort and dedication

When saving money is the goal, success requires deciding which items are a must and which are just luxuries.