The trouble with no-contract cell phones - Personal Finance Daily ...

By MarketWatch

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At first look, T-Mobile?s $99 iPhone 5 ? with no contract ? seems like a bargain. Add in the $20-per-month financing over 24 months, though, and its price rises to $579. And if you switch carriers before your 24 months are up, you?ll owe a balance. How?s that different from an old-fashioned early-termination fee? Find out in today?s Personal Finance pages.

Plus, read about why consumers are spending again but not saving, why late filers pay higher taxes, and why companies are booting former employees from their 401(k) plans.

? Alice Hagge, staff editor

The tether in T-Mobile?s no-contract plans

T-Mobile is finally getting the iPhone, but as the carrier does away with phone subsidies and contracts, its planned up-front price of $99 down for a 16GB iPhone 5 may not be such a steal.
The tether in T-Mobile?s no-contract plans.

Why aren?t Americans saving enough?

Gains in consumer confidence and spending aren?t improving the health of U.S. savings accounts.
Why aren?t Americans saving enough?

The case for staying in gold

Over the past decade investors have poured billions into exchange-traded funds that track the price of gold. Now with gold prices falling, many are yanking some of that money back out ? a move investing pros say misses the whole point of owning the shiny metal in the first place.
The case for staying in gold.

Cleaning up on housekeeping service

Spring cleaning doesn?t have to be a massive do-it-yourself project: A growing number of services offer to connect consumers with local housekeeping businesses ? many at bargain rates.
Cleaning up on housekeeping service.

Procrastinators pay up for tax prep

Research shows late filers face higher costs at tax time.
Procrastinators pay up for tax prep.

Read more in our new Tax Watch blog.

RETIREMENT

What to do when parents lose their ?money minds?

Taking away the checkbook from an older relative can be a fraught decision, but it?s one that more boomers will struggle with as their parents age and have trouble managing their finances.
What to do when parents lose their ?money minds.?

Getting dumped by your 401(k)

More companies are kicking ex-employees with small balances out of their retirement plans ? and that can be costly.
Getting dumped by your 401(k).

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-trouble-with-no-contract-cell-phones-2013-03-26

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