Surveys have shown that women invest in the stock market far less than men do; they have a different view on the risks and possible gains and are much less confident of their ability to invest wisely. But, when they do try the stock market, they generally do better than men, choosing dependable stocks and ignoring the get-rich-quick options.

Kiplinger suggests that couples should invest together, thereby complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The man can encourage investments in higher yield stocks and the woman restrain him from his wilder excesses.

Which seems like a good plan to me!

The benefits at a job are sometimes equally as important as salary, especially when it comes to health plans. But whereas working for a large corporation might offer you more room for advancement and a higher salary, it is less likely to offer a health plan without employer-paid contributions.

The number of US private-sector workers who were enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans that do not require employee contributions fell by one third between 1998 and 2004. In 1998, 35% of all workers were enrolled in such plans, but that number dropped to 24% by 2004.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, your best chance for being enrolled in a no-contribution plan was at a company with fewer than 50 employees. More than half the workers in such companies were not required to pay contributions towards their health care plans. Only 14% of workers employed by larger companies were enrolled in contribution-free plans.

Enrollment in Health Plans With Employer-Paid Premiums Drops by a Third

Consumers are getting more savvy and more suspicious according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology.

The Eddie Haskell approach of flattery doesn’t appeal to consumers and is more likely to lose the sale than seal it. Consumers are wary of salespeople who compliment them and view it as an attempt at manipulation.

An experiment in sales and flattery found that consumers didn’t trust the admiring comments of the salesperson, even if they came after the sale was completed. The lesson to salespeople might be “less is more” when it comes to flattering the customer.

Sales Pitches Turn Off Consumers, Study Finds

A car is probably going to be your biggest expense outside of the purchase or rental of your home. Paying too much for a car through purchase price or financing can leave you in the hole if the vehicle is totalled in an accident or stolen. An insurance company is going to pay only the value of your car, not the exorbitant balance left on your finance interest. Another concern is retaining good re-sale or trade value if you plan on replacing your vehicle every few years.

Consumer Reports list the top 10 best cars for holding value and the bottom 10. Not surprisingly, all of the top 10 are imports. 9 of the bottom 10 are American made models.

Check out the list.