Lower the Rate on All Your Loans

Cutting the interest rates on your credit card and auto loans could be as easy as asking.

Investors, Relax About Rising Interest Rates

Rates must go substantially higher before bonds can challenge the return on stocks.

Blame Reckless U.S. Banks for Our Trouble with Greece

With more oversight from Washington, we wouldn’t need to care so much about the euro-zone crisis.

Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments

Kathy Kristof invests her real money to help you be a better investor. Her latest buys protect her portfolio from rising prices.

For the U.S. Economy, a "New Normal"

After a boom-and-bust cycle, a long adjustment alters the outlook through 2020.

Three Lessons Bernanke's Students Could Have Learned in School

The Fed chairman can't be frank about some hard truths, even in the classroom.

China: Cooling It Until Next Spring?

Despite the flap over Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng, relations between Beijing and Washington are visibly better than they were in 2010 and 2011.

Stocks Back From the Bailout

I've made the stocks of both AIG and GM top-ten holdings because I see them as classic values.

Slow Productivity Growth a Blessing -- For Now

Tepid productivity growth is helping to spur more hiring now, but if the sluggishness continues indefinitely -- as some economists are predicting -- it could impede a rise in wages and living standards.

Treasury Bonds: A Lousy Deal

You don't have to sell right away, but you'll do better with Ginnie Maes and junk bonds with short maturities.

Which Way Is the Fed Headed?

It has been tougher than usual to divine the Federal Reserve's intentions on interest rates.

A Bright Forecast for Employment and the Economy

Economist Ian Shepherdson makes a compelling case for why we can expect 300,000-plus new jobs each month by this summer.

6 Reasons to Bet on a Big Bull Market

Citi's chief U.S. stock strategist predicts a "raging bull" market within the next year or so.

Ripple Effects of Unemployment

The longer that workers are unemployed, the more all of us are affected.

Postelection Fights Will Rattle Markets

This lame-duck Congress will have big issues to tackle in little time. Feathers are sure to fly.

Inequality: Mostly Among the 1%

The super-rich are outstripping the merely wealthy -- but the rest of us are a lot more equal than you might think.

Straight Talk on Taxes

Give everyone a lower tax rate on investment income than on earnings, but make it progressive.

How to Score 13% With Annaly Capital Management

Unless some Annaly trader screws up, the good times will continue to roll for the real estate investment trust -- at least through 2013.

A Tale of Two Housing Recoveries

Want to know how quickly home prices in your state will rebound? See how foreclosures are handled.

What's Stalling U.S. Trade Policy

To help create more jobs, the U.S. needs to reduce its outsize trade deficit and promote more exports, but that isn't in the cards -- no matter how November's elections turn out.

Economy Warming with the Weather

Though the risk of a spike in energy prices looms, there's mounting evidence that this time, economic recovery is for real.

10 Stocks that Surged Since the Market Bottomed in 2009

On the third anniversary of the market's nadir, we look at the rags-to-riches companies whose shares have gained the most.

For Workers, a Slow Climb Back

It's an employer's market, and will be for some time.

3 Reasons the Bull Market Will Continue

Jim Stack thinks the three-year-old market advance will continue for quite some time. Here's why.

Mexico's Four Big Threats to the U.S.

On the unhappy 20th anniversary of NAFTA, the country isn't advancing as rapidly as free-trade supporters predicted.

More Borrowing, But Less Consumer Debt

Two-thirds of the economy comes from consumer spending, so banks making it easier for consumers to borrow is a plus for growth.

Interactive: After Arizona Debate, Romney Still Looks Like GOP Nominee

Senior political editor David Morris analyzed the Feb. 22 Republican debate as it unfolded. His take: Romney's still the one.

Globalization: Just Stumbling, or in a New Phase?

The decades-old push toward a global economy has taken a hit during the latest recession. Has it downshifted permanently?

Manufacturing Is Not the Answer

It's a mistake to think that manufacturing can do much to revive the economy. For good reasons, it is declining in importance.

How Bond Rescues Helped Cause the Financial Crisis

Russell Roberts, a professor of economics at George Mason University, says government bailouts left bondholders reckless.

Alice Rivlin: "We're Flirting with Disaster"

The Former White House budget chief thinks Congress squandered its opportunity to rein in the national debt but may still come to its senses.

Which States Will Add Jobs in 2012?

Expect a lot of regional disparity in job growth and economic vigor this year.

An Economist's Prediction of Widespread "Financial Repression"

Savers and bond investors will suffer in the coming years as governments keep interest rates artificially low, says Carmen Reinhart, co-author of a well-received book called This Time is Different. Stocks will stay volatile but do better than bonds.

Fixing the Budget: Don't Hold Your Breath

Waiting for the election to solve America’s fiscal problems? Guess again.

Predicting Elections With the Economy: More Art Than Science

When it comes to presidential elections, is it really the economy that matters?

Earn Higher Returns with Microloans

Microfinance investments can yield 5.5% or more -- often while helping schools and nonprofits.

6 Key Stock Market Indicators to Watch

Keep an eye on these benchmarks to gauge where the market is headed next.

10 Developments That May Surprise You in 2012

Looking Back at 2011: Our Forecasting Hits and Misses

We know you count on Kiplinger for guidance. So we're our own harshest critic.

12 Things Going Right for a New Year

Bad news got you down? Here are some things to be thankful for as 2011 winds down and a new year begins.