ArcaMax

Dear Carrie: I work for a small nonprofit. I love my job but don't make a lot of money, so saving for retirement is hard. The company offers a retirement plan that I contribute to, but there's no match. How can I save more? -- A Reader

Dear Readers: This is a great question -- and a great time to be asking it. With the challenges of the past ...Read more

Dear Carrie: My boyfriend is on his phone all the time trading stocks. Sometimes, he makes a lot of money quickly, and other times, he gets upset because he loses. Overall, though, he says it's fun and that I should invest too (right now, all of my money is in savings). To me, it all feels like gambling and scares me. Am I missing something? -- ...Read more

Dear Carrie: I'm about to retire, and I have to decide between taking a lump sum or lifetime income payments for my pension. I'm leaning toward the lump sum. Is this a good idea? -- A Reader

Dear Readers: My first thought is to say congratulations! A pension in any form -- whether taken as a lump sum, as lifetime income (sometimes called a ...Read more

Dear Carrie: I'm fairly new to investing and want to choose companies that support causes I care about -- such as the environment. Is this a good idea? -- A Reader

Dear Readers: As Kermit the Frog says, it's not easy being green. But for today's investors, it's easier than ever to invest green. That's because increased awareness and socially ...Read more

Dear Carrie: My daughter is starting high school this year, and I'm worried about paying for college. I've saved some money, but as a single mom, I'm afraid I just won't be able to cover it all. Is there anything I can do to increase her chances of receiving financial aid? -- A Reader

Dear Reader: I'm glad you're asking this question now while ...Read more

Dear Readers: The question posed in the headline is a great one because insurance can be one of the most confusing areas of finance. Now is a very good time to be asking this question, given the extreme challenges we faced in 2020 -- from the pandemic to hurricanes to wildfires.

To me, the lesson from these horrific events is that we always ...Read more

Dear Readers: Want to try something different in the new year? How about fartlek training? It's a pretty funny word for a serious way runners can train for a marathon. Don't get me wrong; I'm not suggesting we all become long-distance runners. In fact, I tried running for about a year and can say it's not for me. But the concept of going the ...Read more

Dear Readers: We're now in the mid-January, and do you know what that means? For a lot of us, it means our New Year's resolutions are already a thing of the past. It isn't that we're not committed to positive change. It's just that often we're not clear about how to achieve it. Especially if resolutions are general -- sure, we all want to lose ...Read more

Dear Readers, at the beginning of each new year, I'm filled with a sense of new direction. At the same time, I like to look back at the previous year, evaluate what worked and make a fresh commitment to keep going on whatever path proved most successful.

One of the things that was a real boost to me in 2016 was a 30-day food cleanse that left ...Read more

Dear Readers: If there's one thing many of us are reluctant to talk about, it's money. We might be comfortable sharing all sorts of personal information -- about our health, our religious beliefs, even our personal relationships. But when it comes to our finances, we clam up.

And this year, that reluctance may be stronger than ever. If you're ...Read more