Jennifer Waters

Get ready to pay more to fly

marketwatch.com — As air travelers become inured to baggage fees, airlines are betting they'll accept additional extra charges. In fact, 2012 was a record year for extra-fee revenues: U.S. airlines raked in a staggering $6.03 billion in baggage and reservation-change fees, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

If Angelina’s genes are faulty, are yours?

marketwatch.com — Angelina Jolie's staggering decision to tackle breast cancer head on with a preventive double mastectomy and then to share it with the world have introduced a new term to many: BRCA1. Angelina Jolie and recovering after breast surgery Flow Physical Therapy & Yoga founder Amy Shapses looks at how news of Jolie's elective double mastectomy to reduce her breast-cancer risk can help women recovering from the procedure.

Better Than Buffett, This Investor Made Me Rich for Life

blogs.wsj.com — As investors, we chase financial gains with zeal. We are believers in the old axiom that time is money and that even if money can't buy happiness, it's a pretty good start. There is certainly truth in that. Money provides us with the ability to experience many things: education, travel, security and activities that should be enjoyed.

A new way to pay for dream vacations

marketwatch.com — That dream vacation that seems financially unreachable can now be had through an age-old payment method: layaway. For as little as $100, you can book and start a payment plan for trips almost anywhere in the world.

Travel insurance: Don’t cruise without it?

marketwatch.com — Purchasing travel insurance is like betting on disaster. "You only get your money's worth if something bad happens to you," says Thomas Nulty, a long-time industry veteran. But there are times when it's a gamble worth taking. Travel insurance - with prices that vary depending on the trip's cost, length and destination and the insured's age - can prevent a hefty loss.

You have too many bank accounts

marketwatch.com — If you really want to curb your spending, dump those extra checking and savings accounts and consolidate them all into one. The traditional thinking is that having more than one liquid savings and checking account can help with saving, letting people segregate money and take advantage of different types of financial tools.

Water, water everywhere, but no insurance

marketwatch.com — What's wrong with us? We've lost thousands of dollars of household goods and priceless remembrances because of torrents of water in our streets, homes and basements - yet we still don't have flood insurance. Some 81% of Americans know that the standard homeowners' insurance policy doesn't cover flood damage, but barely one in 10 has a flood-insurance policy, according to Bankrate.com.

FAA furloughs make air travel even worse

marketwatch.com — Air travelers throughout the country were hit with cancellations and tarmac delays as long as four hours Monday, as the nation's largest airports grappled with the onset of furloughs for Federal Aviation Administration air-traffic controllers. "Industry-wide, the FAA plan could delay one out of every three people who fly, and the delays could be significant," United Airlines says.

Refiguring Inflation With 'Chained CPI' Will Hit Retirees' Income

online.wsj.com — Earlier this month, President Barack Obama proposed to tweak the formula for calculating the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for Social Security recipients. He wants to tie the adjustment to what's called the Chained Consumer Price Index, which many believe is a truer reflection of how we spend money during economic swings.

FAA furloughs make air travel even worse

marketwatch.com — Air travelers throughout the country were hit with cancellations and tarmac delays as long as four hours Monday, as the nation's largest airports grappled with the onset of furloughs for Federal Aviation Administration air-traffic controllers. "Industry-wide, the FAA plan could delay one out of every three people who fly, and the delays could be significant," United Airlines says.