paul b. farrell
Not so fast
Economic recovery this year? Plenty of forecasters predict it, but Paul Farrell says think again.

Investing
Tiptoe past the bear
Breaking even is a lot more appealing than it used to be. So how did this one mutual fund do that in 2008?
• Money managers brace for brutal results
• Morgan Stanley-Citi deal should benefit some customers
• Chuck Jaffe: Is it time to buy -- or sell?

life & money
Cut telecom costs
If you're looking for a way to save money this year, start with your telephone and television bills.

Tools

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taxwatch
Get moving
Eva Rosenberg's seven tax to-do's for January.
• Financial crisis puts friendly face on IRS

robert powell
Retirement overhaul
There are six major retirement obstacles facing Americans, and some want President-elect Obama and Congress to fix them all.
• Marshall Loeb: Why is America's drive for longer life on hold?

Family Finance Stuck together tight Divorce filings have dropped as the glum economy keeps couples from breaking up no matter how strained the relationship.

the labor market
Job losses soar
Unemployment rolls bulged in December, putting the total number of jobs lost in 2008 at about 2.6 million. Unemployment rate hits 7.2%.
• MarketWatch Community: Are you worried about your job?
• Tips for mid-career job hunters
• Twitter yourself a job
• Marshall Loeb: Prepare to be fired
• Obama's Challenge: Long road on jobs
• California's job market bleak

resolutions for 2009
Resolve to profit
Your New Year's resolutions -- plus everyone else's -- may contain the seeds of money-making ideas, writes Jennifer Openshaw.