Money Matters

There are a lot of worthy (and, perhaps, not-so-worthy) charitable organizations asking for your support at this time of year. How should you decide which ones deserve your money?

One website that can help you is charitynavigator.org. It rates charities according to their financial health, accountability and transparency. Financial commentator Greg Heberlein and KPLU's Dave Meyer talk about the ratings on this week's Money Matters.

As we approach the dreaded fiscal cliff, many financial pundits are sounding the alarm: “Take your capital gains now to avoid higher taxes next year!”

Should most of us be worried about this? On this week’s Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein says you should hang on to your winning investments. He tells KPLU’s Dave Meyer that the push to sell because of capital gains concerns may be the biggest idiocy since the sale of no-money-down, balloon-payment mortgages. 

If you can define compound interest and inflation, then pat yourself on the back!

A recent report by the Securities and Exchange Commission finds that most Americans don't understand such basic concepts.

Commentator Greg Heberlein and KPLU's Dave Meyer talk about financial literacy on this week's Money Matters.

When it comes to retirement, some people turn to variable annuities for guaranteed income.

These annuities, provided by insurance companies, offer a guaranteed return, even if the stocks and bonds you're invested in go down the drain.

Thanks to the shaky economy, some companies are asking clients to give up that guaranty, in exchange for a lump sum buyout.

Should you take them up on the offer? That's the big question on this week's Money Matters with financial commentator Greg Heberlein and KPLU's Dave Meyer.

There are few guarantees in the world of finance. Every investment involves risk. But one thing is guaranteed: everyone makes mistakes.

On this week's Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein warns us away from some of the most common errors.

Municipal bonds are relatively safe investments. So insured municipal bonds should be a sure thing, right?

That's not a safe assumption.

Thanks to the financial meltdown, that insurance may not offer any protection. Financial commentator Greg Heberlein explains why on this week's Money Matters with KPLU's Dave Meyer.