Family Money

To all of the numbers churned out in the debate over the nation’s health care system, add one more glaring statistic: 4 million.

That’s the number of college students estimated by a recent study to be uninsured.

Many are part-time students. Others are on financial aid and can’t afford health coverage. A large number of the uninsured attend two-year colleges and are too old to be on their parents’ plan, according to the study by Lookout Mountain Group, a college health advocacy organization.

From Bloomberg News
Trustees of the $6.8 billion pension fund for Missouri public employees, which lost almost $2 billion in 2008, voted to consider lawsuits seeking damages if they suffer future investment losses.

The Missouri State Retirement System trustees, Mosers, voted Thursday to solicit reports from law firms about prospects for legal action.

Public pensions across the country are suing companies and investment banks for their investments’ performance in 2008, a year in which the S&P 500 index lost 37 percent. Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray on Friday sued the rating companies Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Corp. and Fitch Group Inc. over “misleading evaluations” of mortgage- backed securities.

the Associated Press
More than 314,000 taxpayers made inaccurate claims for a popular tax credit that helps pay college expenses, getting $532 million they weren’t entitled to receive, a government report said Thursday.

The Hope Credit provides up to $1,650 a year to help pay expenses for the first two years of college. The taxpayers claimed the credit for the same student for three consecutive years, instead of the two years available, said a report by the Treasury inspector general for tax administration. Auditors reviewed two three-year periods, ending in 2006 and 2007. About 58,000 claimed the credit for a fourth consecutive year in 2007.

This isn't prime house-hunting season. But for those who may be in the market or looking to take advantage of homebuyer tax credits, there's more good news about mortgage rates.

From the Associated Press:
Rates on 30-year mortgages stayed below 5 percent this week but remained above the record set earlier this year, Freddie Mac said Thursday.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.83 percent, down from 4.91 percent last week, the mortgage company said. Last year at this time, 30-year mortgages averaged 6.04 percent.

KatThere’s no denying that the way to save the most on the high cost of travel is to simply stay home. And while staycations have become a popular alternative, there are times when that choice isn’t practical, desirable, or the right thing to do.

You’ve survived the year by scrimping, saving, and cutting to the bone. But now you face a big test: Buying that special something for your son or daughter during the holiday season.

That’s a pressing issue for many families coping with job losses, pay cuts and big stacks of bills.

But, assuming you’re not totally tapped out and are determined to spend within your budget, your best financial strategy might be to follow an old-fashioned, simple idea.

From staff and wire reports
Rate swingMortgage rates for 30-year fixed U.S. home loans fell to the lowest in five weeks, providing a boost to potential buyers and those who want to refinance.

From the Associated Press

Faith in real estateJust one in twenty Americans say they plan to buy a home within the next year, and they’re most likely to be 34 years old or younger and living in the South or West, according to a survey released Wednesday.

Service with a smile...it does happenA number of readers shared their thoughts about my Kids & Money column last Saturday on irritating customer service at the grocery store checkout line.

KatStatistics sometimes can be mind-numbingly dull. Every once in awhile, though, a statistic can leap off a printed page, grab you by the shoulders and force you to pay attention.