What every spouse should know before signing a joint return

The advantage of filing a joint tax return is well known - you generally save money compared to filing separately. However, there is at least one potential disadvantage. Both spouses are jointly and severally liable for the entire income tax bill, including interest and penalties, even if one earned most or all the income.

Roth IRAs: A smart tax idea for children

Persuading your working children to make retirement contributions may not be easy, but investments in Roth IRAs may be the wisest possible use of their earnings. The nature of Roth IRAs, coupled with the effects of long-term compounding, can create exceptional returns on such early investments.

Create a road map to retirement

Preparing for your retirement is a journey. And like most journeys, success or failure often hinges on decisions made early in the trip. Consider some of these pointers as you develop your personal road map to retirement.

Understand the pros and cons of DRIPs

Appropriately enough, investors may notice a slow trickle in earnings from "dividend reinvestment plans" (DRIPs). But these investments may end up providing a steady stream of income over the long run.

The concept is relatively simple. More than 1,000 companies and closed-end mutual funds around the country offer DRIPs to their shareholders. These programs enable shareholders to purchase stock directly from the company by automatically reinvesting dividends in additional shares. Many DRIPs also allow you to voluntarily make cash payments directly into the plan to buy even more shares.

Your 401(k) and a job change

If you change jobs this year, don't forget about your 401(k) in your old employer's retirement plan. You may be tempted to...