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Gold may be riskier that it seems
With prices surging, investors are flocking to gold. Before you take the plunge, take a closer look at what’s making the metal sparkle.  The Answer Desk.
U.S. debt could push interest rates higher
Answer Desk: Adding up bank bailout losses
Repairing consumer credit 
Jobless benefit bedlam
Who needs overpaid bankers?
Who gets extended jobless benefits
Easing job losses point to wobbly recovery
Long-term jobless face frayed safety net
GDP growth overstates case
Recession over? Readers don't believe it
Breaking down the cost of health care
Commercial real estate bust looms
'Official' job numbers don't tell the whole story
Getting mortgage help
No winners in trade wars
The shrinking dollar
Homebuyer tax credit to expire
Taking stock of your investments
Lots of interest in rates
Housing's long climb back
Downward mortgage spiral
Paying off your mortgage
Looking for mortgage relief
Risks for working 'retirees'
How Goldman profits
California’s budget mess
The peril of predictions
Who'll take California IOUs?
Slow stimulus spending
Raiding college savings
There’s a reason GM stock is cheap
Housing rebound may be slow
Beware the hidden agendas of 'experts'
Meltdown will leave vastly changed economy
Yikes! Series I Savings Bonds paying 0.0%
Who's going to fix my Pontiac?
Bailouts and banks’ bottom lines
How does the Fed ‘mop up’ extra cash?
How can I steer clear of foreclosure scams?
One world currency?
Why can't they just give us bailouts?
Can't we just let AIG fail?
Should I just walk from my mortgage?
Another stimulus check?
Obama walks tightrope on banks
Housing relief backlash
Homeowner bailout?
Executive pay limit loopholes
Mortgage credit scorecard
Small business bailout?
Is the grid ready for plug-in cars?
Bailout likely to shift course
Uncle Sam's borrowing binge
Questions we missed in 2008
Why can't I get zero-interest loans?
The $8 trillion question
Stopping the recession
Explaining the oil bust
Cash out my 401(K) or hang on?
The debt legacy
Time to end oil tax breaks?
A 401(k) urban legend
How low can stocks go?
Who made this mess?
Where did the money go?
Can’t we put the bums away?
What's your take on bailout?
The financial mess and you
Why no bailout for homeowners?
Are W-4 changes a good idea?
Who cares about Fannie, Freddie?
Is it better to save or pay off debt?
Placing a heating oil bet
How far will gas prices fall?
When nest eggs get fried
Is my money safe in a bank?
Is it time to tap U.S. oil reserves?
Is this economy worse than past recessions?
Who owns my mortgage?
How bad are consumers getting squeezed?
Would more offshore drilling help?
Economic forecast ABCs
Why do U.S. refiners export fuel?
Why not ban oil speculation?
The candidates on gas prices
Are we in recession — yes or no?
Gas tax 'holiday' a bad idea
If things are so bad, why are stocks rising?
Oil surcharges are killing my business
Why bail out homeowners?
Is China paying for U.S. taxpayer rebates?
Just how bad will the economy get?
What if I can't pay my mortgage?
Honest answers on oil prices?
How bad is the economy?
Why are mortgage rates jumping?
A hostile takeover playbook
Tax rebate riddles
How much will my rebate be?
Not a win for tax dodgers
How much will I get from the stimulus plan?
Why is the Fed so worried about inflation?
Which businesses hold up well in a recession?
Are we already in a recession?
Questions we didn’t get to in 2007
Can I hedge the impact of the falling dollar?
Which is worse: foreclosure or bankruptcy?
How you can prepare for a recession
Should we be worried about the falling dollar?
Should Congress bail out borrowers in trouble?
What is the deal with hedge funds?
How does Fed ‘inject’ money into the system?
Will housing mess drag down economy?
How appraisal fraud costs you money
If housing's down, why are rates up?
When will the housing market recover?


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  Accounting 101  
  MORE
Bailouts and banks’ bottom line
How can GM lose $38 billion and survive?
Where do my income tax dollars go?
How can I fix my phone bill?
What's the difference between revenue and income?
  Credit and debt  
  MORE
Repairing consumer credit 
Why can’t I get zero-interest loans?
Should I lend money to my deadbeat in-laws?
How can I fix my credit score?
Why can't I borrow like a bank?
  Economic explanations  
  MORE
GDP growth overstates case
'Official' job numbers don't tell the whole story
No winners in trade wars
The shrinking dollar
The peril of predictions
  Energy enigmas  
  MORE
Is the grid ready for plug-in cars?
Explaining the oil bust
Time to end oil tax breaks?
Placing a heating oil bet
How far will gas prices fall?
  Home Sweet Home  
  MORE
Getting mortgage help
Homebuyer tax credit to expire
Housing's long climb back
Downward mortgage spiral
Paying off your mortgage
  Miscellaneous mysteries  
  MORE
Getting mortgage help
Homebuyer tax credit to expire
Housing's long climb back
Downward mortgage spiral
Paying off your mortgage
  On the job  
  MORE
Who gets extended jobless benefits
How are older, laid-off workers faring?
Are you an asset to your company?
How to ride the global outsourcing wave
How reliable is the unemployment rate?
  Saving and Investing  
  MORE
Gold may be riskier that it seems
Taking stock of your investments
Lots of interest in rates
Risks for working 'retirees'
There’s a reason GM stock is cheap
  Small business  
  MORE
Small business bailout?
Which businesses hold up well in a recession?
What kind of business should I start?
What's the best way to set up a business?
How can I find a good franchise business?
  Taxes  
  MORE
Another stimulus check?
Are W-4 changes a good idea?
Answer Desk: Tax rebate riddles
Answer Desk: How much will my rebate be?
How much will I get from the stimulus plan?
Video: Answer Desk
Am I married or not?
It sounds simple enough. But in the lastest installment of video Answer Desk, msnbc.com's John W. Schoen explains why some couples may be unsure of their marital status.
What's a house worth?
How much house can I afford?
Who decides CEO pay?
Can't stop shopping
How did my check bounce?
  MEET THE COLUMNIST
John W. Schoen
E-mail the author
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Answer Desk
  MSNBC.COM SPECIAL REPORT
Calif. house-hunting hell
When my husband and I finally decided to buy a home in the Los Angeles area after renting in various cities for so many years, we were genuinely excited. But we weren’t prepared for the two months of drudgery, desperation and downright insanity that came next.
Having faith in 'exotic' mortgages
Real estate investment clubs thriving
Job growth, home prices don't add up
By some measures, houses are still cheap
Investment Toolkit
  Personal finance news  
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Answer Desk: Gold may be riskier that it seems
With prices surging, investors are flocking to gold. Before you take the plunge, take a closer look at what’s making the metal sparkle.  The Answer Desk.
Cheat sheet for investing in 2010
With rates so low, where should your cash go?
More retailers embracing food stamps
Author sees lost middle class in America
  'Today' Money Monday
Money 911: How to save and invest now
Money 911: Be proactive about your finances
Money 911: Handling old-debt collectors
Budget tips for the self-employed
In shaky times, are gift cards a bad bet?

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