The Help Desk

Why do stocks open at prices different from where they closed?

Why don't stocks open tomorrow at the same price they closed at today? – Don S.

"Just because the bell rings at four o'clock doesn't mean the market closes," says John Frye, Chief Investment Officer of Beverly Hills-based Crane Asset Management. These days, the expansion of online trading has helped fuel a 24-hour trading cycle.

As a result, stock prices continue to adjust to any relevant news — from developments in the MORE

Do you really have to depreciate rental properties?

We own three rental properties outright, but have not been depreciating them for tax purposes. An accountant tells us that IRS rules say we must take the depreciation. Is this true? — Steve R.

The short answer is yes, you must take the depreciation. Start by filing IRS Form 3115 to deduct previously unclaimed depreciation with your tax return. "I don't recommend waiting," says Janet Hagy, a CPA at Hagy & MORE

How can I make sure I am properly diversified across multiple accounts?

I have many mutual funds and ETFs spread out between my IRA, 401(k), 529 and a brokerage account. How can I compare the holdings of each fund to ensure I'm not overinvesting in one sector? — Joe K.

One do-it-yourself option is to use an online portfolio analysis tool such as Morningstar's free Instant X-Ray, suggests Jean Keener of Keener Financial Planning in Keller, Tex. With Instant X-Ray (find it by MORE

Am I eligible for student loan forgiveness?

I'm a public school teacher with a large student loan balance, and I have been working for 12 years. I've read that after 10 years of full-time work, any remaining student loan debt would be forgiven. How do I find out if I'm eligible? I'm not sure if I have a federal or private loan, but I'm making payments to American Education Services in Harrisburg, Penn. — Michelle M.

Your first MORE

Which to tackle first: car loan or student loan?

I have an auto loan (a balance of $22,000 with an interest rate of 2.69%) and a student loan ($6,500 at a 3% rate). If I put extra money each month towards one of these loans, which should it be? — Andrea V.

On a purely mathematical basis, you're better off focusing your efforts on first paying off the loan with the highest interest rate. Over time, that strategy will save MORE

Can I undo co-signing my daughter's student loans?

My youngest daughter graduated from college this spring. She has loans (Direct Plus and FFEL), which I co-signed for. I am afraid her lack of income and ability to manage her money could cause her to be late or completely miss payments. Is there a way to get these loans in her name—and get me out of the picture? — Steve F.

The short answer is no. "A Direct Plus loan MORE

Is my federal employee health plan a better deal than Medicare?

I am a retired federal government employee. My wife and I are covered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB). I have been advised to not sign up for Medicare because the coverage overlaps and FEHB is a better deal. Is it? — Robert J.

The two programs cover similar expenses in many areas, but there are a number of important differences. For example, FEHB covers emergency care outside the MORE

What's a better index fund: the total stock market or the S&P 500?

What are the advantages of investing in an S&P 500 index fund as a core portfolio holding, as opposed to a total stock market index fund? Over time, wouldn't a total stock market index fund outperform an S&P 500 fund? – Peter G.

There's a lot of overlap between an S&P 500 index fund and a total stock market fund, says Roman Franklin, president of Franklin Financial Planning in New York, N.Y. MORE

Help! My brother stole my identity!

I recently checked my credit report and found that my brother had taken out a credit card in my name. Now I have an $11,000 debt. Should I report my brother for identity theft, or should I just report the identity theft without mentioning my brother's name? Do I have any options besides reporting my brother and pressing charges? I am afraid that the credit card company will not believe MORE

Can I roll over pre-tax and after-tax contributions from a 401(k)?

I have an old 401(k) account containing both pre-tax and after-tax contribution dollars and earnings. Can I rollover the pre-tax amount into a Traditional IRA and the remaining after-tax portion into a Roth IRA without triggering any immediate taxes? — Tim C.

This is a gray area, says Jim Blankenship of Blankenship Financial Planning in New Berlin, Ill. "The situation is not completely clear by IRS rules, and the IRS has MORE