http://moneycentral.msn.comInvesting & Personal Finance Articles by MSN ExpertsCopyright 2006 Microsoften-ushttp://sc.msn.com/global/c/lgpos/MSFT_pos.gifhttp://moneycentral.msn.comCommentaryMoney market mutual funds are paying a pittance. Look to local banks, laddered CDs and short-term bond funds to achieve higher yields.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/where-to-stash-your-cash-now.aspxBanking/BetterBanking/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/where-to-stash-your-cash-now.aspxKiplinger's Personal Finance MagazineWhether you're sorting through a dear departed's things or helping an older loved one downsize, you'll need these tips for separating trash from treasure.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/CaringForParents/weston-what-can-you-get-for-moms-stuff.aspxCollegeAndFamily/CaringForParents/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/CaringForParents/weston-what-can-you-get-for-moms-stuff.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonPutting more in your 401k, buying a house or car, or giving to charity are among the moves that, if made by Dec. 31, will help shrink your tax bill next spring.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/CutYourTaxes/10-ways-to-lower-your-2009-taxes-now.aspxTaxes/CutYourTaxes/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/CutYourTaxes/10-ways-to-lower-your-2009-taxes-now.aspxKimberly Lankford, Kiplinger's Personal FinanceHousing prices in many metropolitan areas ticked higher in August, though it's too early to say that a bottom is in. These indicators foretell where home values are headed. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/6-signs-your-home-will-increase-in-value.aspxBanking/HomeFinancing/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/6-signs-your-home-will-increase-in-value.aspxSmartMoneyA rejected claim is the beginning, not the end. Here's a step-by-step guide to battling your way through the appeals process.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/HowToFightYourHealthInsurer.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/HowToFightYourHealthInsurer.aspxBankrate.comSubmitting a claim doesn't have to be painful, drawn-out experience. Follow these tips to get a quicker response from your insurer. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/HowToFileAnInsuranceClaimAndWin.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/HowToFileAnInsuranceClaimAndWin.aspxInsure.comSome insurers are dumping consumers who file too many or the wrong type of claims. Here are four scenarios when you should pay out of pocket.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/WhenNOTtoFileaClaim.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/WhenNOTtoFileaClaim.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonDon't take it lying down. With laws spelling out your rights, and with standard appeals processes in place, you stand a chance of fighting back and winning.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/DeniedAHealthClaimNowWhat.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/DeniedAHealthClaimNowWhat.aspxInsure.comUse these 23 tips to help carry out your wishes, whether you're rich or just hanging on.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/PlanYourEstate/Your5MinuteGuideToEstatePlanning.aspxRetirementandWills/PlanYourEstate/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/PlanYourEstate/Your5MinuteGuideToEstatePlanning.aspxMSN Money staffBankruptcy may seem like strong medicine, but debtors in the US have it relatively easy. Public humiliation, years of re-education, even jail await deadbeats abroad.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/weston-debt-think-youve-got-it-bad.aspxBanking/YourCreditRating/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/weston-debt-think-youve-got-it-bad.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonA new study ranks the retirement systems of 11 nations, and the findings aren't all that good for Americans.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/CreateaPlan/retirement-how-does-the-us-compare.aspxRetirementandWills/CreateaPlan/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/CreateaPlan/retirement-how-does-the-us-compare.aspxMarketWatchYou might think your pets, your kids' toys and your personal problems are your own darn business. But insurers watch these things -- and they could cost you.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/beware-these-5-insurance-traps.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/beware-these-5-insurance-traps.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonQualifying for Social Security benefits may take more time and effort than you think, and missteps can be costly. Here's a road map, along with 7 pitfalls to avoid.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/disabled-how-to-get-benefits.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/disabled-how-to-get-benefits.aspxMarketWatchIf you find yourself out of work and facing the end of your health insurance coverage, here's what you need to know about this safety net.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/KnowYourCOBRArights.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/KnowYourCOBRArights.aspxInsure.comIn some cases, filing a claim for auto or homeowners damage just isn't worth it. In addition to getting socked with higher premiums, you could find it harder to get coverage later.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/ClaimsThatBoostYourInsuranceRates.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/ClaimsThatBoostYourInsuranceRates.aspxBankrate.comIn the courts, our pets are usually valued like pieces of property. But in some cases the owners of dead pets have been consoled by large amounts of cash. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/whats-fido-worth-almost-nothing.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/whats-fido-worth-almost-nothing.aspxPeter LewisYour home, auto and medical coverage could be better than you think. Here are 11 scenarios for which you might be pleasantly surprised to learn you can file a claim.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/InsuranceYouMightNotKnowYouHave.aspxInsurance/KnowYourRights/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/InsuranceYouMightNotKnowYouHave.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonLooking around for a better auto insurance deal? Your financial history usually plays a bigger role in determining your rates than your driving record does. Also closely watched is where you drive.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/bad-credit-worse-than-bad-driving.aspxInsurance/InsureYourCar/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/bad-credit-worse-than-bad-driving.aspxThe Wall Street JournalIf a tax pro offers to quadruple your deductions or eliminate your tax bill, be wary. Without stricter licensing rules, you'll have to watch your own back.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/PreparationTips/is-your-tax-preparer-a-crook.aspxTaxes/PreparationTips/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/PreparationTips/is-your-tax-preparer-a-crook.aspxJeff SchnepperOne of the big myths of homeownership is that upgrades are investments. In reality, renovating is consumption spending. But if you want to remodel anyway, do it right.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomebuyingGuide/weston-remodeling-its-a-waste-of-money.aspxBanking/HomebuyingGuide/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomebuyingGuide/weston-remodeling-its-a-waste-of-money.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonWorried you're going to be left living in a cardboard box? If you know what to expect, you can avoid much of the pain -- and embarrassment -- of bankruptcy.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BankruptcyGuide/10-secrets-of-filing-for-bankruptcy.aspxBanking/BankruptcyGuide/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BankruptcyGuide/10-secrets-of-filing-for-bankruptcy.aspxSmartMoneyA few things seem certain: A final bill won't be bipartisan, it will require tax increases, and the political implications will be huge. The rest is harder to predict.Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHealth/health-care-reform-15-key-questions.aspxInsurance/InsureYourHealth/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHealth/health-care-reform-15-key-questions.aspxKiplinger's Personal Finance MagazineSome buyers are finding their homes were built with tainted materials from China. Yet when they turn to their insurers, they get dumped -- and could face foreclosure. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHome/toxic-drywall-goodbye-insurance.aspxInsurance/InsureYourHome/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHome/toxic-drywall-goodbye-insurance.aspxThe Associated PressJust having a pulse isn't enough to get approved for a mortgage anymore. But knowing the rules ahead of time can help you steer clear of any potholes.Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/weston-10-things-that-can-kill-a-home-loan.aspxBanking/HomeFinancing/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/weston-10-things-that-can-kill-a-home-loan.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonThough the credit bureaus must give you free annual reports, their important numbers will cost you. Now 3 sites offer free peeks at those scores, but how helpful are they?Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/the-truth-about-free-credit-scores.aspxBanking/YourCreditRating/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/the-truth-about-free-credit-scores.aspxJane J. Kim, The Wall Street Journal