The Wall Street Journal Personal Finance
The Wall Street Journal Personal Finance Computer-driven mutual funds, chastened by poor results and a wave of redemptions, are striving to become a little more like people in their investment decisions.
![[13030]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/IF-AA353_13030_A_20100831211744.jpg)
The popularity of 130/30 funds—which aim to juice stock-market gains with borrowed money and bets against overpriced securities—has faded considerably in recent years.
![[MWATCH]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/IF-AA347_MWATCH_A_20100831104400.jpg)
A 50/50 mix of stocks and bonds across three index mutual funds or ETFs often performs better than more aggressive strategies and provides some shelter from risk.
![[REAL]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/IF-AA352_REAL_A_20100831105155.jpg)
Real-estate funds have rebounded, outperforming the S&P 500 year to date. But their outlook from here depends primarily on whether the economic recovery continues.
![[ROI100831_chart]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-JT932_ROI100_A_20100901100841.jpg)
When even self-help guru Tony Robbins is warning about a market crash, it's tempting to start buying. But despite all the talk, stocks still look overvalued.
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Amid the market tumult, a handful of stocks have seen their share prices ratchet up to record highs. And many are connected by a curious thread: They're makers of fallout-shelter mainstays.
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Dividing assets in a divorce is hard enough without trying to sell a home, business or stock portfolio in a down market. Here's how to ease the financial pain.
![[Harsak_proCards]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-JS888_Harsak_A_20100827223527.jpg)
So-called professional cards are increasingly being marketed to ordinary consumers, but they aren't covered under the Card Act.
In the surging bond market of 2010, what began as a quest for safety is quickly morphing into a grab for yield. If investors aren't careful, they could end up with neither.
The bureau should zero in on a few specific things—including credit reports and student loans—if it wants to make a splash right away.
For many retirees already collecting benefits, a strategy known as a "Social Security reset" could sharply increase their monthly income.
![[THISWEEK1]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MI-BF542_THISWE_A_20100826183123.jpg)
What happened to your money this week.
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Amid growing worries about deflation, some analysts recommend investors buy bonds. But interest rates on all kinds of bonds are at such skimpy levels that fixed income may not be the place to be.
![[sun0829mw]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-JS930_sun082_A_20100828181627.jpg)
A growing number of homeowners are choosing to pay down their mortgages at a faster rate--even if it means a substantial jump in their monthly payments.
Do you know the difference between a broker and an investment adviser--and whether both have your best financial interests at heart? The Securities and Exchange Commission wants to know.
A growing number of the unemployed are exhausting their extended Cobra health-insurance subsidies. There's a slim chance that Congress could extend the subsidy again this fall, but most experts think it's unlikely.
It's one thing when two-thirds of Americans are overweight--primarily from eating the kind of fare Hooters serves--but if 17,000 Hooters Girls start packing it on, well, this is indeed a national tragedy.
Some tax experts say there's a good chance Congress will act this year to extend the expired provisions retroactively to the beginning of 2010. But it's still not clear whether Congress will act before November elections.
Budget-strapped boards are charging more for building services.
The big question: Will an advanced degree lead to a bigger paycheck?
Where you rent is increasingly about what technology you use.
![[sun0829yoder]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-JS929_sun082_C_20100828181535.jpg)
Late summer is the perfect time to answer these two nagging questions: Is this college experience worth the money? And what will I do with my degree when I'm done?
The R.O.I. Taste Test reveals that expensive, luxury alcoholic drinks are a really great deal—for those in the business of selling them.
![[kindle]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-JR434_kindle_C_20100824174104.jpg)
Beyond all the hype, are e-book readers a good deal? If so, how can you get the maximum return on your investment? Brett Arends offers six tips for pennywise book lovers.
Brett Arends looks at the deflation risk and what you can do to prepare for it.
![[roi0812]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-JO272_roi081_C_20100812144541.jpg)
No one knows whether it could happen or not. But way too many people are way too complacent this summer. Here's why.
![[ROI0810]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-JN498_ROI081_C_20100810164348.jpg)
Pools are often just pretty looking money pits. Brett Arends does the math and explains how much a pool really costs you.
A new study of the richest people in Congress has sparked a mini uproar.
![[Personal Finance Calculators]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CN864_pfcalc_A_20081022120956.jpg)
Figure out how much home you can afford, estimate your taxes, plan for college and more using WSJ.com's personal finance tools.
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David Weidner writes that at Citigroup, a return to its banking roots must start at the top.
![[TAXREPORT]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MI-BF517A_TAXRE_A_20100826211606.jpg)
Only about six weeks are left for small nonprofit groups to make an important tax filing—or risk losing their tax exemption.
More tapped 401(k) accounts for loans and hardship withdrawals as balances rebounded in the second quarter, Fidelity said.






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The poet who's lived in this 6,800-square-foot former carriage house finds it well-suited for writing. The Rhode Island home features seven bedrooms and an indoor fire pit.
This year, the normal hassles of dodging construction delays have been exacerbated by some 12,000 or more highway projects funded by the federal stimulus program.
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Orexigen signed a North American partnership for its experimental obesity drug Contrave with Takeda Pharmaceutical.
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![[BUSINESS ED]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MK-BF753_BUSINE_A_20100901172359.jpg)
As more companies pull back on sponsoring employees in executive M.B.A. programs, schools are looking to beef up their referrals by offering more incentives to alumni.
![[Harsak_proCards]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-JS888_Harsak_A_20100827223527.jpg)
So-called professional cards are increasingly being marketed to ordinary consumers, but they aren't covered under the Card Act.
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What's ahead for Barnes & Noble, home prices and the iTunes hit parade?
![[TAXREPORT]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MI-BF517A_TAXRE_A_20100826211606.jpg)
Only about six weeks are left for small nonprofit groups to make an important tax filing—or risk losing their tax exemption.
![[cardclaw]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MI-BF419_cardcl_A_20100820171547.jpg)
Starting Sunday, credit-card issuers could lose more than $3 billion in revenue annually, as new federal laws on late-payment fees kick in.
More tapped 401(k) accounts for loans and hardship withdrawals as balances rebounded in the second quarter, Fidelity said.
| Loan Types | Rate | Last Week | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr CD | 1.26% | down ↓ | see chart |
| 6 month CD | 0.90% | up ↑ | see chart |
| 3 month CD | 0.61% | up ↑ | see chart |
| $10K MMA | 0.83% | see chart | |
| MMA | 0.82% | up ↑ | see chart |
Unified managed accounts not only hold a variety of investment products, but are turning out to have varying uses too. That has some UMA vendors taking new approaches.
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