Finance

How does your household income compare on a percentage basis to others in the U.S.? Are you in the top 2%, 10%, 50%? This calculator shows you exactly where.

Almost every one of the precious metals has some sort of explosive feeling and that is especially so with the price of silver. Let me explain why that is the case.

More and more retirees are looking to retire abroad where the sun shines almost daily, the weather is temperate, the lifestyle is enjoyable and the cost of living is a fraction of their current expenses. Have you ever considered Asia? This infographic compares the cost of living, lifestyle and personal safety of 9 countries worth considering. Words: 999; Photos: 5

BIG INFLATION is THE BIG MONEY trend today and smart investors will use it to generate literal fortunes - and if you're not already taking steps to prepare for this, it's time to get a move on.

When prices are set by companies that can profit by manipulating or rigging them, we’re screwed. This “harvesting” of our money in ever-more-creative and hard-to-detect ways is not just stealing by reaching a hand into our pocket and taking out money, but stealing in which banks can hit a few keystrokes and magically make whatever is in our pocket worth less. This is corruption at the molecular level of the economy - space age stealing - and it’s only just coming into view.

Everyone must be wondering where this "unprecedented global financial crisis", (the World Bank's words), is heading. What follows, for what they are worth, are my cogitations on this crisis. Words: 1641

Switzerland is considering providing a monthly income to every citizen, no strings attached, no matter how rich or poor, how hardworking or lazy, how old or young. Should our government do the same? 84% of respondents to one poll said "Yes!" What about you?

Just 10 years ago, most Americans felt confident they'd hang up their hat by the time they turned 60. Now the average working stiff expects to retire at age 65 due to the housing crisis and credit crunch, among other nest egg busters....Experts are predicting that the trend will continue, thanks to the Great Recession so, for now, Americans are just focused on keeping their day jobs. When will you retire? Check out the graphic below to find out.

If you don't know much about investing, you may feel overwhelmed or bewildered by the choices. Enter annuities. The best of them are easy to understand, even by financial novices: "Give us your money, and we'll give you this much money per month until you die." That sounds simple - but simpler isn't always better [so let's review] whether they're needed in a retirement plan or not.

Even the foremost experts in most fields are no better than a flip of the coin at predicting what’s going to happen in their particular area of expertise. In fact, in one study those with 80% confidence in their forecasts were only right 45% of the time, so even worse than a coin flip.