Friday, June 26, 2009 - Page updated at 08:42 a.m.

Consumer Affairs
Q&A | Home Heating

Consumer affairs reporter Susan Kelleher and and three industry experts answered reader questions on home heating options.

Your money

» Personal finance information to help you make it through troubled times.

Simple money moves can help family with special needs

Lifeline balloons into burden

Resources: Glossary | Retirement calculator | Weekly interest rates | Want a Money Makeover? | More Makeovers

Stock market declines as savings rate jumps

Investors are nervous because consumers are saving more than they're spending.

Your Money 2007

We asked readers to share their money questions with us, and 300 bared their financial souls in exchange for a chance at a free financial makeover. We chose seven to share with you, in hopes that the advice they got from volunteer financial planners will teach you something about managing your money better. You'll also find tips and resources to help you on your way to financial good health.

Where are they now? Checking in with past makeover participants

Terry Yamashita's goal: Have retirement money last through lifetime

The Volds' goal: A safer investment plan that saves for college

Pat and Kristen Parman-Bethard: Overcoming the "gay penalty"

The Smiths' goal: Get out of debt

Rose Kelly's goal: Get beyond living paycheck-to-paycheck

Money Makeovers

Bosma and Moody | Retire comfortably and save for kids' future

Mary Bartley | Prescription for divorced mom: Save for retirement

The Forsythes | Buy a house

Marker | Get out of debt and get a better job

Wilhelm and Hagopian | Charting income, moving forward with goal

The Picards | Saving for college

Brenda Billy | Time to budget wisely

Thinking ahead

Where should you be on the financial road of life?

Your retirement nest egg might be more important than your child's college fund

Tips on tackling debt

Saving for retirement: Tools of the trade

Another option: Health savings accounts

Save early and watch it grow

How to pick financial planner who's best for you

Liz Taylor's series on long-term care insurance

Part I: Long-term insurance a must
Part II: Government doesn't pay
Part III: Shopping for insurance

Why rates are rising

Part IV: 3 more insurance essentials
Part V: Five factors driving costs
Part VI: Long-term care Q&A

Lessons from the past

Resources

Resources | A bevy of books to help your financial planning

Resources | Where to look on the Web for advice

Top Tips

Budget basics

Glossary: Financial terms defined

How to get copies of the print edition

Your Money Staff

Your Money 2006

Your Money 2006

As the more than 200 surveys Times readers sent to us indicate, saving money is a lot tougher these days. We offered free financial makeovers, and soon were awash in stories of distress from readers of all stages and ages. We've turned to our experts for ways to achieve security in today's climate. The financial planners offer a wide variety of useful tips and strategies.

Thinking ahead

• Where should you be on the financial road of life?

• Are you saving enough?

• Save early, watch it grow

• The sky isn't falling

• How to choose a financial planner that's best for you

• Pick a retirement date, let fund managers call the plays

• Where to save

• Real estate — Home, sweet investment

• College — What will it cost?

• Play the game of life (insurance)

Makeovers

• Rose Kelly

• Terry Yamashita

• The Volds

• The Smiths

• Mini makeover: Michael Harrell

• Mini makeover: Pat and Kristen Parman-Bethard

Resources

• Keeping track of old 401(k)s, pensions

• Tackling debt

• Health-care costs

• Budget basics

• Health-care costs

• Further reading

Calculator | Financial planning Q&A | Glossary | Reprints

Retiring Well 2005

Retiring Well '05 - Looking forward to retirement?

What's your plan? Some speculate we're heading toward becoming a nation of the haves and have-nots — the "have-retirement-savings" and the "have-none," that is. You don't want to be a "have-not." We offer this guide as a resource to find your way to financial security.

Financial makeovers We arranged for four volunteers to get a free financial plan.		Spending your nest egg How to make your money last as long as you do.

In retirement Moving from Seattle to a cheaper locale is one way to stretch a buck		Leaving a legacy Charitable giving can fulfill personal legacy.

Retiring Well 2004

Achieving a secure retirement isn't easy. We can help you get there.
The bottom line: It's up to you.

Maybe you took a hit in the stock market. Or you've yet to see your own recovery from the recession. Maybe it's a struggle just to make this month's rent or mortgage payment. In this uncertain climate, you might think: Who can plan for retirement? Today more than ever, you'd better look to yourself to ensure a comfortable life after your career ends.

Nearly there

• Retirement out of reach for many

• Picking the right locale for later years

• Employers, employees paying more attention to 401(k) plans

Getting started

• Starting from where you are

• Special challenges: Women and minorities

• Counting on that Social Security? Pension? Better think again

Extras

• Resources: Find help online and in person

• Glossary: A printable list of terms in this section

• How to get reprints of this section