How much money will you need to retire comfortably? The answer depends on your lifestyle expectations and goals. Other factors to consider include the age at which you plan to retire, your life expectancy, the amount and type of employer benefits (if any) and the amount and growth rate of your savings and investments.

Being frugal is important for managing in tough t.imes, and going "green" with resource conservation can also help the bottom line in your budget.

Account verification companies keep track of overdrafts and account closures for banks and credit unions. If you believe there are errors on your record, disputes can be filed with the companies.

The nation’s financial crisis continues to put constraints on the holiday season. Unemployment rates are high, and budgets are tight. To cope, LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker recommends approaching spending this season the way one should every year – with a plan and a budget, even if that budget is shrinking.

Pet care costs become even more of an issue during a recession. Before adding a new pet to your family, assess what you can afford based on annual cost estimates for various types of pets.

Sixty-six percent of shoppers are planning to purchase a gift card this year, with sales expected to top $55.5 billion. Gift cards are great for holiday giving – recipients love the option to pick out the exact item, color and size that they want, and givers enjoy their one-size-fits-all convenience and easy availability.

Pet care costs: Cost-to-own is a relevant consideration for pet ownership. Even a free and healthy pet can cost more than $1,000 a year to maintain. Be sure you can afford the ownership costs for the projected life time of the animal you are considering for a pet.

There are lots of ways you can stretch your food dollar. You can save by packing your own lunch, eating out less, and by bringing snacks, coffee or soft drinks from home. There are ways to save on groceries too.

We hear and read about Federal Reserve rate changes, but we don't always understand how they affect us as consumers. The Fed's rate changes take time to filter down through the economy to consumers. Rate changes can be good news / bad news scenarios. What's the bottom line for you as a consumer?

Marriage is a financial partnership. Divorce means more than separating a family physically. It also means separating a family financially. Suggestions for preparing for financial separation, dividing property, dealing with debt and dividing assets and property are included. (PDF Format Only)

Millions of Americans are finding out that the loss of a job can be emotional, stressful, and financially devastating. It does not matter if you are male or female, married or single, young or old - experiencing job loss is very difficult for individuals and families.

These prescription drug plans can change dramatically from year to year, so it is important to comparison shop during the open enrollment period (Nov. 15 to Dec. 31) each year to be sure you get the best prescription drug coverage for the best price.

Independent spending decisions quickly become an everyday routine for college students, but that independence assumes a financial freedom that most young adults are not prepared to handle, according to LSU AgCenter family economics specialist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 7/11/03) Moving away from home for the first time is a pivotal moment in life. It is one of the rights of passage from youth to adulthood, according to LSU AgCenter family economics specialist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 7/11/03) Financing a college education is often a partnership involving the student, family, school and lending agency. LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker encourages college students to find out each partner’s responsibility.