New England Cable News
"NECN" TV Clip Archive

YEAR 2009 NECN CLIP ARCHIVE
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Financial advice for the new year
(December 29, 2009)
Keeping your financial new year's resolutions

How to save money
(December 22, 2009)
Upromise discussed, college financial aid, Roth IRA transition?

Moving assets to Dividend Paying Stocks...A good idea?
(December 15, 2009)

What to do about Damaged Credit
(December 15, 2009)

Do's and Don'ts of Gift Cards
(December 8, 2009)

Smart Shopping and Refinance Help
(December 8, 2009)

Viewer Questions
(December 4, 2009)
Is mint.com safe to use?, Are there good sites to help kids understand how to manage money?, How do I pick an investment advisor to help me with my upcoming retimrement?

Tips to Help Plan for Charitable Giving
(November 24, 2009)
Giving on a limited budget

Retirement: Who to Work with for Financial Advice
(November 24, 2009)
Who do I work with for retirement planning advice? How much do I need to begin a start-up? What are some holiday gifts that teach kids about money?

Best Places to Invest
(November 10, 2009)
Where do I put my money so I can get a good rate of interest?

Self-Employed Tax Preparation
(November 10, 2009)
How to prepare for year end tax planning when taxes have not been withheld.

Roth IRA and 401K Questions
(November 6, 2009)

When is a Good Time to Refinance?
(November 3, 2009)
How do you know when it's time to refinance your mortgage?
Where do you begin to look for rates?

Keeping Your Investments on Track
(November 3, 2009)
How to evaluate your mutual funds in preparation for tax season.

Retirement Planning for Small Businesses
(October 27, 2009)

In Focus: Building a Successful Job Search
(October 27, 2009)

Home buyer tax credit questions
(October 20, 2009)

Saving for college: 529 Plans
(October 20, 2009)

Viewer questions
(October 13, 2009)
Is paying for the long-term disability is worth the extra investment; Are online account aggregators which link all my accounts safe?; How can I sell my timeshare--the fees are too high? Are interest rate futures a good way to play the market?

Your credit information
(October 13, 2009)
What's the best way to monitor credit information while keeping it private?

Is filing for bankruptcy an option?
(October 6, 2009)
Jennifer discusses the different types of bankruptcy, who should consider it, long term effects, and some alternatives.

Communicating with the IRS
(October 6, 2009)
Communicating with the IRS and negotiating the best interest rate in this economy

Viewer Questions
(October 2, 2009)
Where to reallocate earnings from a mature CD; what is the best credit card to use?; how can I trim my budget to continue to enjoy seasonal fun like skiing?; Should I borrow from my 401K so that I can take advantage of the first-time homebuyer credit now available?

Green Investing
(September 29, 2009)
The Obama Administration says that green industry and jobs are key elements to America's economic future. Learn what potential investors need to know about risks and benefits to this investment area.

Tips for young people to get ahead
(September 29, 2009)

Benefit planning
(September 22, 2009)
In this season of open enrollment, how to know what are the best benefits to pick.

Boston aims to increase saavy of young professionals
(September 22, 2009)
Should I take money from my 401K to take advantage of the first time homebuyer's tax credit?  |  What are the smartest investments for young professionals--mutual funds?  |  How will the new credit card laws effect interest rates?

What to do with college/retirement investments?
(September 14, 2009)
Are the old assumptions about asset allocation still true?

Viewer questions
(September 8, 2009)
Transferring money from IRA without paying taxes in divorce settlement; rolling pension to IRA and annunity; are there free/low-cost financial planners available?

Planning for holiday spending
(September 8, 2009)
Think about what you did last year and what you'd like to accomplish this year for gift-giving. Planning ahead can keep you from racking up credit card debt by working within your budget.

Jennifer answers NECN viewer questions
(September 4, 2009)
Estate planning for a family with older children; figuring out how much tax will be owed on unemployment benefits, the difference between an index fund and an index share explained

Raising Money Savvy Kids
(September 1, 2009)

How to pick a broker
(September 1, 2009)
How to pick a broker, estate-planning, and bi-weekly mortgage payments--are they a good idea?

Jennifer answers NECN viewer questions
(August 27, 2009)
A couple is trying to time a stock sale in order to pay down sudent loans; a parent is wondering how to minimize college loans and get the best financial aid deal possible; two parents are stuck in a common dilemma--who to name guardian for their children.

In Focus: Active Investing vs. passive index investing
(August 25, 2009)
Reassess your active and passive investments.
morningstar.com, investepedia.com, napfa.org, google finance

In Focus: Retirement Accounts
(August 11, 2009)
How to get the most from your retirement account in today's economy.

What to do with profit from the stock market and other user questions
(August 11, 2009)
Will selling a rental property effect my child's college financial aid?
How much do I need and how should I split life insurance?
Online research for life insurance: SBLI.com and nolow.com

Long term health care, retirement planning
(August 4, 2009)

Navigating these economic waters
(August 4, 2009)
Annunities, trusts and 401Ks discussed as viewer questions

Jennifer Answers Viewer's Questions
(July 28, 2009)
John in Nashua, NH: I have most of my 401k retirement funds in a Stable Value fund. Are these funds just as safe as money market accounts or CDs?
Pat in Boston: I have savings at ING Direct. Last year I was getting 3 percent or more interest on their basic savings account and higher on their CDs. I just renewed a small CD with them and only got 1.65 percent, the highest they offer. The savings account now gets only 1.40 percent interest. Is there somewhere else I could put this money to get higher interest?
Rick in Worcester: I'm 67 this year and I'm thinking about suspending my Social Security payments in order to get a higher benefit later on. How can I calculate whether this would be a good idea?

Cash for clunkers: Is it worth it?
(July 28, 2009)
There has been much talk about the government's cash for clunkers program, but is the incentive enough to make buying a new car worth it for you?

Jennifer Answers Viewer's Investment Questions
(July 21, 2009)
Sue in Somerville: I'm in my late 30's, and have maxed out my 401K and IRA. I've been told to put some of my savings into a retirement annuity. It has a low annual annuity charge of 0.35 percent per year. I'm tempted to invest, except I've always been warned against annuities.
Joan in Wellesley: I have accounts with two separate trust companies. They send me statements each month, but how can I tell that they are doing what's best for me?
John in Nashua, NH: I have most of my 401k retirement funds in a Stable Value fund. Are these funds just as safe as money market accounts or CDs?

In Focus: Managing Student Loans
(July 21, 2009)

In Focus: Credit Card Changes
(July 14, 2009)

Jennifer Answers Viewer Questions
(July 7, 2009)
Pay monthly to have credit alerts?, Opt-in to an employer's 401K?, How do I find a reputable financial planner with estate planning expertise?

In Focus: Take Control of Your Finances
(June 30, 2009)

Day-to-Day Money Management
(June 30, 2009)

NECN Viewer questions on Life Insurance, Annuities, Roth IRAs and how to get started Investing
(June 27, 2009)
Viewer questions this week included whether or not to cash out an old (and expensive) whole life insurance policy, how to check the financial security of an annuity, how to get started investing and whether a Roth IRA is better than a 401(k) account.

In Focus: Saving for College
(June 23, 2009)

Is refinancing right for you?
(June 23, 2009)

Where you should invest your money
(June 16, 2009)
• What is a good investment right now? Would it be better to pay the
  house off or roll-over my high-yield CD?
• How do I negotiate with my mortgage company for a loan modification?
  My loan is interest only and adjusts in 2010. Are all banks offering
  loan modifications under the new government programs?
• In place of the ESPP, I was thinking about investing in ETFs or other
  funds that are paying good dividends. What your thoughts are on
  that?

In Focus: Tips for selling your home
(June 16, 2009)

Plan B Careers
(June 9, 2009)
In Focus today, "Plan B" careers. With unemployment expected to remain high, many people will have to return to the workforce in different careers from the one in which they used to work.

Estate planning: viewers questions following June 2 clip
(June 9, 2009)
Trusts, life estates, required IRA withdrawls, mint.com--safe?

Important tips for estate planning
(June 2, 2009)
Always use a lawyer to help dictate what you want to have happen when you establish documents, including: will, power of attorney, living will, health-care proxy, and more.

Money-smart books to achieve financial goals
(June 2, 2009)
In over your head? Don't know where to start? Try these books:
  • Crucial Conversations
  • Overcoming Under Earnings
  • Secrets of Six-Figure Women
  • Surviving Debt (consumerlaw.org)
  • Unconventional Success

Jennifer Lane Give Financial Advice
(May 29, 2009)
Maria in Somerville: My mom opened many credit cards in my name without me knowing. Some of them are in collection because she didn't pay the bills. The damage to my credit is keeping me from getting a loan for a class I need to take this summer. How do I fix this?

Paula in Boston: Last year my credit report file was mixed with another person. The bank said it wasn't ID theft...just a database problem at the credit reporting bureau. It took about a month to straighten out. Now I'm wary of ID theft. Do you think those credit monitoring services are worth it?

Virginia in Fountain Hills, Arizona: Should I pay off my mortgage principal early? I owe $209,000 with 26 years to go at 5.5%. I'm 65 and retired. My house is worth about $280,000. My CDs get such little interest than 5.5% so it seems to make sense to pay down the mortgage rather than save the money at the bank. What do you think?

Jane in Pittsfield: I have a Security Benefit Life annuity contract that's 14 years old. A new insurance agent told me that the company is in trouble and that he can transfer me to a new annuity with another company. How do I find out if Security Benefit Life is solid? I read their webpage, but of course it was very one sided. Any ideas?

Tips for Getting the Best Deal on a New Car
(May 26, 2009)
GM and Chrysler are both working to clear out their inventory. It's a buyer's market, but is now the time to get a good deal on a new car?

Tips for Money-Smart Vacations
(May 26, 2009)

Payday Loans
(May 19, 2009)
Online payday loans: when money is tight, many people turn to them. But there are things you need to know if you are considering one.

Unemployment questions answered
(May 19, 2009)

What you should know about your advisor
(May 12, 2009)

Advice for first-time homebuyers
(May 12, 2009)

Financial "dos" for newlyweds
(May 5, 2009)

Enjoy a "money smart" summer
(May 5, 2009)

Time to take advantage and refinance?
(April 28, 2009)
Viewers write in their specific scenarios

Peer-to-peer lending
(April 28, 2009)

Annuities: Savior or another expensive danger?
(April 21, 2009)

Understanding Your 401K
(April 21, 2009)
The last few years, we've seen a lot of losses, so it's more important than ever to know what you're paying in fees on your investments.

Viewer Questions
(April 14, 2009)
Sam in Boston: I lost my job in end of 2008 and my wife's contract abruptly ended last month. With the low current interest rates, we thought of refinancing or modifying our mortgage and approached a few lenders with no success. With both of us out of work can we get some sort of help?

Jean in Canton: Are credit cards allowed to increase the interest rate on their special transfer offers? Should I transfer these balances to another card offering a lower rate?

Helen in Boston: My husband and I have quite a few credit cards with no balances. I never use mine, but I'm afraid to close them because I hear that could lower my credit score. On the other hand, I'm concerned that leaving extra cards open is an identity theft risk. What should we do?

Viewer Questions
(April 14, 2009)
Kathryn in Boston: Although market fluctuations can't be predicted, lets suspend reality for illustration purposes. Imagine you're an investor in August 2008, and you had a crystal ball that told you markets would drop 40% through January. Your retirement savings is invested and well-diversified. How would you have cashed out of long-term holdings of stocks, bonds, and mutual Funds to minimize the impact? Are capital-gains taxes the biggest deterrent?

Richard in Princeton, NJ: Your book..."Protecting Your 401k and IRA" has been very helpful. Speaking of the "protecting" part, my question relates directly to preserving capital in my 401(k). I understand FDIC increased their coverage limits but that doesn't apply to my 401k investments. What portion of my current 401k retirement plan assets are really insured, and what, if anything, can I do to make them safer?

Caroline in Boston: Should people invest the same amount into their 401 (k) plans as before? What should people do if their employers suspend matching?

Drew in Somerville: I'd really like to refinance and lower the interest rate on my mortgage. I'm not eligible for a modification because I'm making my payments on time. I have equity, but less than before. The bank tells me that the PMI guarantor has changed its insurance requirements. This is frustrating…when will the banks be ready to start offering refinancing under the new stimulous plans?

Viewer Questions
(April 7, 2009)
Kyle from Haverhill: Prices for loft condos in Haverhill are in the low $100s. I'm thinking of buying to build equity in this low market, but I wonder what effect a house purchase would have on my FAFSA and other college loan qualifications. Do you think buying now is a good idea?

Pradeep from Boston: I'm 35 years old, married and do not have children yet. I plan to return to India by the end of next year. I'll rollover my 401k to an IRA when I move. I contribute the maximum allowed to my 401k and my company matches 4%. Since I'm 35, I think I can take a little more risk. What do you think of my allocation of 10% in retirement money market, 70% stocks and 20% in bonds?

Jillian in Rutland: I believe someone took a credit card offer out of my mailbox. What should I do? I checked my box before leaving to do errands and I thought I saw 3 pieces of mail, including a credit card offer. When I went to retrieve the mail the offer was not there.

Time to buy? Some are advised to keep renting
(March 31, 2009)

In Focus: Graduate job action plan
(March 31, 2009)

Viewer Questions:
(March 26, 2009)
• Trudi in Cambridge: I was laid-off 4 months ago. Should I continue investing $100 monthly into my Roth IRA?
• Adam in Latrobe, PA: Will the housing stimulus help my family?
• Dennis in Boston: Can I believe what my advisor says about staying in the market for the long term?
• Dawn in Jamaica Plain: I'm graduating this Spring and the job market doesn't look good--any advice?

How to avoid surprising credit card fees
(March 24, 2009)

In Focus: Pensions under pressure
(March 24, 2009)

Cut costs and build cash
(March 17, 2009)

Is it time to refinance?
(March 17, 2009)

Job retraining: How to land on your feet
(March 10, 2009)

Answering your financial questions
(March 10, 2009)
How do I find out if I quality for Obama's housing stimulous?; Saving up for maternity leave--where's the best place to do so?; My bank has been mentioned as a "zombie bank"--should I move my accounts?; Refinancing my mortgage: should I pay PMI, roll it into the loan, or pay a bit off with the home equity loan?

Answering your financial questions
(Thurs, 26 Feb 2009)
Do you know where the best place is to consolidate my son's college loans?; I own my home with an interest rate at 6.75%. I was preparing to refinance to lower interest rate when I was laid off from my job. When I bought the house; I made a 20% down payment. Can I still re-finance?; Share holders of Bank of America stock may be taken to zero with the current government bank bailout program; would you sell the stock now and take the tax loss?; I'm about to be laid off and I'm 58. I have a (shrunken!) 401K and a pension at my company and another pension from another company. Can I access this money without penalty because of the layoff?

Keeping your accounts safe from hackers
(Tues, 24 Feb. 2009)

In Focus, economic stimulus dreams are crashing into a hard reality
(Tues, 24 Feb. 2009)

Who gets a bailout? Recovery Act facts
(Tues, 17 Feb 2009)

Jennifer answers viewer's financial questions
(Tues, 17 Feb 2009)
How do I find out if I'm getting a check from the new stimulus bill?; Where can I get the highest interest rate on the money I have in the bank? And what is the best way to invest money in the current economic crisis?; My daughter college costs include: tuition, student service fee and board-college fee. Can we claim the Federal and MA tax deduction of the above three items?; I'm about to be laid off and I'm 58. I have a (shrunken!) 401K and a pension at my company and another pension from another company. Can I access this money without penalty because of the layoff?; How do I check my financial planner's background?

Time to switch to a small bank?
(Tues, 10 Feb 2009)

How to get a quick refund, and avoid an audit
(Tues, 10 Feb 2009)

Are you ready for IRA season?
(Tues, 3 Feb 2009)

Improving your credit score
(Tues, 3 Feb 2009)

Tips on starting your own business
(Wed, 28 Jan 2009)

Weighing retirement? Here are some tips
(Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:12:07 GMT)

What to do if you get laid off
(Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:49:55 GMT)

Jen Lane answers your financial questions
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:10:12 GMT)

In Focus: Recession and your parents
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:41:46 GMT )

There is hope amid the layoffs
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:49:30 GMT)