By Vicky Therese Davis, William R. Patterson, and D. Marques Patton

Whenever the topic of finance is discussed, it is important to note that everyone's situation is different and that financial advice should be tailored to an individual's particular circumstances with the help of a professional advisor.

Everyday our mailboxes are flooded with advertisements, catalogues, and "pre-approved" credit card offers hoping to deplete our savings and draw us deeper into debt. In the latest Survey of Consumer Finances conducted by the Federal Reserve, concern has been expressed that the rising level of debt may become "excessively burdensome to families." Similarly, the American Bankruptcy Institute reports personal bankruptcies are near an all-time high and in 2004, more than 1.5 million were declared.

By Cary Losson

Few would deny that real estate is a solid investment. It provides an attractive combination of stability, reliable cash flow, preservation of principal and capital appreciation. However, many investment property owners nearing retirement find themselves in a quandary. They are equity rich, but cash poor, with increases in the value of their property far outpacing income growth. They also are often tied down by the day-to-day issues of property management and, particularly in cities like San Francisco, California, shackled to the constraints of rent (and eviction) control. In fact, San Francisco is home to some of the lowest cash return on equity in the state's real estate marketplace, which is somewhat counter-intuitive given California's ever-booming property market.

By David Berky

Tom Monson, the Vice President of Simple Joe, Inc. was giving a series of free seminars on personal finance to some people in his neighborhood. Many couples and individuals were scheduled to attend but only two or three were showing up.

Tom and I discussed the situation and wondered why attendance was so low. Why were these people not making their appointments? We didn't think it was the time of day. The time and place was very convenient to all the invitees.

(NUI) - The convenience of 401(k)s and other employer-sponsored retirement plans have turned many Americans into investors. That's good news, since it is becoming evident that fewer retirees in the future will have substantial pensions and more will have to rely on their own savings to cover their needs.

How Much MORE Would Bush's Plan Mean to You?

(NUI) - According to statistics from the National Council on Economic Education, only seven states require high school students to take a personal finance course while eight others require courses with personal finance content.

(NUI) - According to a survey conducted by the New York-based College Board, college tuition costs are rising faster than the pace of inflation. Between 1993 and 2003, for example, the average cost of tuition and fees for four years rose 47 percent at public colleges and 42 percent at private institutions.