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CNNMoney.com - Personal Finance

IRS: Can't deliver $153 million in tax refunds

Posted: November 30th, 2011, 12:23pm MST

The Internal Revenue Service is holding onto tens of millions of dollars in tax refunds that it hasn't been able to deliver to consumers.
What to do with your 401(k) once you retire

Posted: November 30th, 2011, 9:10am MST

The investment company that manages my 401(k) funds recommends I roll my money into mutual funds managed by a subsidiary of theirs when I retire next year. But I'm wondering whether I would be better off moving my assets to the funds of a different firm. What are your thoughts? -- J. Thomas
Use up your FSA: 5 year-end health care moves

Posted: November 30th, 2011, 8:16am MST

Don't forget to empty out your flexible spending account and get your medical checkups before the new year. You'll cut next year's health care costs.
Americans to forfeit $34.3 billion in vacation days

Posted: November 30th, 2011, 6:26am MST

There's still a month to go before the end of the year, but most Americans will let their last remaining vacation days go unused.
Hit by a scam

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 3:06pm MST

These small businesses were hit by a number of different scams. Here's what they had to say about their experiences.
Social media self-promotion: Resisting the temptation

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 12:05pm MST

A recent study suggests that media outlets are poor social media sports, using networks strictly to promote their own work. But isn't that what everyone using social media is asked to do?
If you're flying American, don't worry

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 8:23am MST

As the holiday travel season kicks into high gear, American Airlines' CEO says it will be "business as usual" for passengers, despite filing for bankruptcy.
Medicare in America: 'It has to get better'

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 4:29am MST

As administrator of Medicare and Medicaid, Donald Berwick has been in charge of paying for the health care of nearly one in three Americans. He has also had an important role in implementing last year's health reform law, which uses the Medicare system as a big lever to change how doctors and hospitals do business, in hopes of containing costs.
Record Black Friday sales? Don't get too excited

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 3:35am MST

Even though shoppers showed up in droves and spent a record amount of money over Black Friday weekend, it's still too early to tell whether that holiday sales momentum will continue through Christmas.
Record Black Friday sales? Don't get too excited

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 3:35am MST

Even though shoppers showed up in droves and spent a record amount of money over Black Friday weekend, it's still too early to tell whether that holiday sales momentum will continue through Christmas.
Consumers continue to unload debt

Posted: November 28th, 2011, 3:26pm MST

Consumer borrowing fell slightly in the third quarter as Americans continued to shed their debt burdens in the face of a struggling economy.
Big deals ahead on Cyber Monday

Posted: November 28th, 2011, 4:54am MST

Did you skip the lines on Black Friday? There's still Cyber Monday -- and analysts are expecting an abundance of deals to bring in record online sales this year.
Want cheaper tuition? Find religion

Posted: November 28th, 2011, 3:58am MST

With church membership dwindling and more families struggling to afford the cost of college, many private religiously-affiliated colleges and universities are slashing tuition and offering incentives to attract new students -- and to stay afloat.
More than 1 in 5 Americans are economically insecure

Posted: November 28th, 2011, 3:22am MST

More than one in five Americans saw at least a quarter of their available household income vanish in the Great Recession, yet lacked a sufficient financial cushion, according to a report released Monday.
Black Friday weekend: Record sales

Posted: November 27th, 2011, 5:11pm MST

Earlier than ever store openings and steep discounts helped retailers notch record sales this Black Friday weekend, according to early reports.
Black Friday sales hit record

Posted: November 26th, 2011, 3:16pm MST

Preliminary reports for Black Friday indicate that retailers may have seen their strongest sales ever during the all-important kick-off to the holiday shopping season.
Online sales surge 24% on Black Friday

Posted: November 26th, 2011, 1:07pm MST

A big push by big-box stores and online retailers to bring Black Friday to the web -- and to do so earlier than ever -- seems to have paid off this year.
Obama's Black Friday sale

Posted: November 25th, 2011, 10:11am MST

President Obama is spending Black Friday in Washington -- far removed, and protected, from the frantic melee taking place at retailers across the country.
I braved Black Friday!

Posted: November 25th, 2011, 7:46am MST

These determined shoppers braved the cold weather and long lines to nab some amazing deals on Black Friday.
Poll: Nearly 25% will shop on Black Friday

Posted: November 25th, 2011, 4:07am MST

Heading out for some shopping on Friday morning? You'll have some company.
Black Friday comes to America

Posted: November 25th, 2011, 4:05am MST

Larger -- and younger -- crowds jammed the nation's malls and big box stores on Black Friday, as a new generation got in on one of the biggest sales days of the year.
Black Friday shoppers answer the Call of Duty

Posted: November 25th, 2011, 4:01am MST

"Yo baby, this is the line for Toys 'R' Us," said a Times Square tourist on Thanksgiving.
World's shoppers gather at iconic Macy's

Posted: November 25th, 2011, 3:37am MST

Macy's first-ever midnight Thanksgiving opening for Black Friday drew a boisterous crowd -- and even a few protesters -- to its iconic flagship store on Herald Square in New York.
Black Friday shoppers go gaga for TVs

Posted: November 25th, 2011, 3:27am MST

Doorbuster deals on LCD televisions drew crowds of Black Friday shoppers to big box stores on Thanksgiving evening.
Buying a new car? Get more for your used one

Posted: November 25th, 2011, 3:23am MST

Got the urge to splurge on a shiny new ride?
Feds shut down mortgage relief scams

Posted: November 23rd, 2011, 1:53pm MST

The federal government is cracking down on scammers who target struggling homeowners looking to lower their monthly mortgage payments.
Retailers' Black Friday wish list: More mobile commerce

Posted: November 23rd, 2011, 11:02am MST

Scott Thompson, president and CEO of eBay's PayPal unit, says that he is one of those people who drives to Starbucks, sees the long line, and keeps on driving. "I'm on the go. I wish I could have stopped, but I don't have time," Thompson quips over a glass of wine. "No one does."
Black Friday: Shoppers already lining up

Posted: November 23rd, 2011, 9:21am MST

Deep discounts and early store openings are expected to draw a record number of Black Friday shoppers this year.
Rejected: Foreign MBA applicants face major hurdles

Posted: November 23rd, 2011, 7:53am MST

International applicants account for a large portion of applicants at many U.S. business schools, but they also receive the lion's share of rejections. Applicants from India and China lead the pack of the rejected.
8 signs you should think about quitting

Posted: November 23rd, 2011, 7:29am MST

Daunting as a job search is, it's sometimes a smarter choice than staying put. Here's how to tell when enough is enough.
Emerging market ETFs: A steadier strategy, fast growth

Posted: November 23rd, 2011, 3:54am MST

Coming out of the 2008 financial meltdown, emerging markets were a rare bright spot: Places like Brazil, China, and India delivered fast economic growth and double-digit stock gains. But the price you pay for venturing into exotic markets is the risk of sudden, sharp losses.
7 must-have Black Friday apps

Posted: November 22nd, 2011, 5:25pm MST

Hitting the stores on Black Friday? These apps can help you optimize your plunge into the retail madness.
Should I hire a financial adviser or go it alone?

Posted: November 22nd, 2011, 1:57pm MST

Should I hire a financial adviser to manage my retirement portfolio, and can I afford to? -- Robert Stamberger, Fallbrook, Calif.
Your mall is watching you!

Posted: November 22nd, 2011, 9:48am MST

Attention holiday shoppers: your cell phone may be tracked this year.
LCD TV prices to hit all-time lows on Black Friday

Posted: November 22nd, 2011, 8:13am MST

LCD TV prices will fall to their lowest levels of all time this Black Friday, as television manufacturers try to use bargains to revive struggling sales.
2011 holiday gift guide

Posted: November 22nd, 2011, 4:27am MST

Is it just us, or did the holiday season sneak up more quickly than ever this year? Not to worry: Our gift picks will make you look like an organized genius.
Should you move out of the dollar?

Posted: November 22nd, 2011, 4:25am MST

After shedding almost a third of its value over the past decade, the U.S. dollar has exhibited a few sparks of its former glory in recent months. Spooked investors have moved back into the greenback amid fears that Europe's debt crisis could turn into a full-blown meltdown. But beware, say many experts: The surge is merely a blip in a weak-dollar trend that still has years to run. And that argues for parking at least a modest portion of your savings in foreign currencies with more solid fundamentals.
Consumer Reports ranks companies as 'Naughty' or 'Nice'

Posted: November 22nd, 2011, 3:45am MST

While some companies had consumers' best interests in mind this year, others seemed to only have eyes for their bottom line.
Secrets of extreme Black Friday shoppers

Posted: November 21st, 2011, 4:09pm MST

For these shoppers, Black Friday means serious business -- and savings. Here they share their plan of attack.
Quiz: Income inequality in America

Posted: November 21st, 2011, 2:26pm MST

The gap between rich and poor differs depending on where you live. How much do you know about America's income gap?
Cyber Monday: Record sales expected

Posted: November 21st, 2011, 11:05am MST

More than half of all workers plan to do some of their holiday shopping while on the clock Cyber Monday, which is expected to bring in record online sales this year.
College graduation rates: Income really matters

Posted: November 21st, 2011, 4:33am MST

It's getting more difficult for low-income students to climb the economic ladder as the college graduation gap between the rich and poor grows.
Are big banks really changing their ways?

Posted: November 21st, 2011, 4:24am MST

Customer defections over fees and other charges may not drive the nation's biggest banks out of business, but some institutions could stand to lose a significant chunk of their deposits if they don't work harder to make customers happy.
Banking on a rebound in financial stocks

Posted: November 21st, 2011, 4:16am MST

"This market is actually an exciting place to be -- it only feels lousy," jokes Chris Davis.
'My secret to super customer service'

Posted: November 18th, 2011, 4:08pm MST

From a free lawnmower replacement and swankier hotel room to a coveted seat on another flight after a cancellation, these 10 consumers have mastered the art of getting what they want from customer service reps.
Gift cards: This season's most popular gift

Posted: November 18th, 2011, 10:31am MST

Gift cards continue to be the most popular holiday gift, despite the fact that many recipients turn around and trade them in for cash.