Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Written to help you do a better job of managing your personal and family financial affairs and to help you get more for your money. You get ideas on saving, investing, cutting taxes, making major purchases, advancing your career, buying a home, paying for education, health care and travel, plus much, much more. Special issues cover the latest information about car buying (December) and Mutual Funds (March and September).

100 Years of Advice

Affordable Health Care

Kiplinger's Personal Finance

ESTATE TAXES COULD HIT THE NOT-SO-WEALTHY • Democratic candidates are talking about raising the death tax to fund their proposed initiatives.

TEACHING KIDS TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY • A weekly allowance can be an important tool.

HERE COME THE DRONES

SCHWAB IS BULLISH ON 0% COMMISSIONS • The discount brokerage founder also wants to boost financial literacy.

A TOOL FOR CONSUMERS IS HERE TO STAY

CALENDAR 01/2020

BRIEFING • INFORMATION ABOUT THE MARKETS AND YOUR MONEY.

REALITY SHOWS ARE TACKLING STUDENT DEBT

WHERE TO INVEST 2020 • Eight trends point to what we think is a modestly bullish outlook for stocks.

Expect a Year of Moderate Gains • LINDSEY BELL is Chief Investment Strategist at Ally Invest

HOW WE DID

10 Best Stocks of the Past 10 Years • These companies powered through the past decade. Can they keep it up?

10 Stocks for the Next 10 Years • These firms are positioned to deliver robust returns for years to come.

My Top Stock Picks for 2020

Stand By Your Bonds

An Eye for Disruption • This fund invests in small firms intent on wiping out the competition.

Investing in a Tepid Economy

Watch Out for the Elder Fraud Web • Scams range from petty theft to embezzlement. Your parents may need your help.

Scams That Target Older Adults

The Feds and States Step In

Stories That Move the Economy

YOUR 2020 FINANCIAL Calendar • Whether or not you make financial New Year’s resolutions, you no doubt want to improve your bottom line in the coming year. With that in mind, we have some suggestions for bolstering your finances each month, ranging from budgeting in January to checking up on your insurance coverages in April to reviewing your estate plan in October. March, as the bull market approaches its 11th anniversary, looks like a good time to reflect on your investing philosophy and tolerance for risk. And if your charitable giving has been thrown for a loop by the new tax law, consider setting up a donor-advised fund. We’ve slated that for December.

Advice From Confident Investors

Free Checking With Benefits

Moving to Another State? Check Out Taxes First • Kiplinger’s retirement tax map identifies the states where the total tax bill is highest and lowest.

Retirement Savings for the Self-Employed • If you don’t have access to a retirement plan through your employer, you have other options.

Set Up an Account

When Renting Is Better Than Buying

The Smart Way to Size Up an ETF • Hundreds of exchange-traded funds debut every year. Use this guide to spot the good ones.

HOW TO RUN FOR LOCAL OFFICE • If you’ve ever thought that you could do a better job than the elected officials currently in office, here’s how to launch a campaign—and win.

Do You Have Insurance?

Learning the Ropes

Squishy Science • Carbon offsets are a less than optimal way to reduce your carbon footprint.

5 Easy Financial Resolutions • Most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned by Valentine’s Day, and that includes pledges to improve personal finances. But these five tasks involve little time and effort and could go a long way toward improving your financial security in 2020.