A little-noticed move by American Express to ban the purchase of medical marijuana with its credit cards has reignited a longstanding debate: How much can a credit card company control what you buy?

To the surprise of consumers, major credit card companies are making decisions about what they can and can't buy with their credit cards. What's off-limits? Legal purchases like gambling chips and donations to at least one controversial non-profit organization; in some cases, buying pornography is also restricted, and so, increasingly, is medical marijuana. Last month, shortly before Delaware became the 16th state to legalize medical marijuana, American Express told merchants that its cards could not be used to buy it.

Companies say they're protecting themselves against legal risk, but critics say this kind of corporate policy is an inconvenience for merchants, infringes on consumers' rights and amounts to moral policy-setting. "You ought to be able to use a credit card for any legal purchase," says John M. Simpson from the non-profit Consumer Watchdog. "It seems to me that credit card companies are imposing their moral values on the world."

The specifics of the companies' policies vary. American Express is the most conservative of the big three: it bans the purchase of medical marijuana in the 16 states that have legalized it and online pornography. Visa and MasterCard allow both for their credit and debit card holders. Last winter, Visa and MasterCard prevented cardholders from using their cards to donate to the whistleblower website WikiLeaks. (The site never accepted American Express.) All three forbid using their cards to buy chips in a legal bricks-and-

My wife and I are 35, have a good start at building our retirement funds, but we'd like to increase the percentage of fixed-income investments in our tax-deferred retirement accounts. How should we go about doing this? Should we rebalance all at once or slowly over time? — Chad Comer, Madison, Wisconsin

I'm going to give you two answers.

No, I'm not waffling. The first is the one that I think makes the most sense financially. But because I know from past experience that many people just find it hard emotionally or psychologically to act on the advice I'll give, I'm also going to give you an alternative that, while less than ideal in my opinion, may be more palatable — and that will eventually get your portfolio to where you want it.

Before I get to those answers, however, I want to ask you to step back a moment and confirm to yourself that you're making this move for the right reason.

Rebalancing is something that you should do periodically to maintain a stocks-bonds allocation that's appropriate for you over the long term. The ups and downs of the financial markets will naturally re-jigger your portfolio's proportions as different investments earn different returns.

The idea behind rebalancing is to bring you back to your target mix. Occasionally, you may even decide to do the equivalent of an asset allocation "reboot."

In other words, maybe you've had a strategy in place, but have decided that it's not quite right for you. So you want to set a new stocks-bonds mix that you'll adhere to going forward — and use as the baseline

Working for the government is often referred to as public service. The term implies sacrifice or taking less than what could be earned in the private sector or in an entrepreneurial position. Many government workers seem overpaid but are probably underpaid when you consider the scope of their responsibilities. Indeed, many in the private sector would not want to stand up to the scrutiny required of a top public service job or to get elected to public office.

The salary of the President of the United States is actually a token sum considering the responsibilities of the office. Still, officials in other public service jobs seem egregiously overpaid. People who hold these jobs are "set for life" after their public service ends because they are in demand for paid speaking gigs, memoirs and consulting roles in private industry.

24/7 Wall Street has gathered data from many public sources to ferret out how much these top government officials earn. Salaries of some jobs are shielded from public scrutiny because of national security reasons. We did not consider the healthcare and retirement packages, security and transportation benefits and more. In some cases, our public service executives have actually taken considerable pay cuts to serve.

One thing also needs to be considered here. Some government salaries are actually shielded under executive order. Some of the shielded pay grades may be well into the hundreds of thousands or even more. Some information, intelligence, and cloak and dagger positions are shielded and above our pay

When it comes to filing taxes, getting the best returns is not about skill -- it's about what you know. Unfortunately, many taxpayers miss out on deductions and credits simply because they just aren't aware of them. Several of the most overlooked deductions pertain to health and medical expenses and insurance premiums. Are you paying more tax than you need to? Read on for some deductions you may be missing.

Tips for Individual Filers

Disability Insurance
Disability insurance is probably the most common type of premium that is overlooked as a tax deduction. These premiums are always deductible by self-employed taxpayers as a business expense. However, if you deduct the premium, any benefits paid from the policy will be considered taxable income. By contrast, policy benefits will not be taxable if you do not deduct the premium, and some taxpayers use this arrangement so that they can receive tax-free benefits if they become disabled.

Health Savings Accounts
Another insurance-related tax perk that people without access to traditional group health coverage should be aware of is health savings accounts, which combine a tax-advantaged savings element with a high-deductible health insurance policy. All HSA contributions, up to the maximum permitted by law, are tax-deductible, even for those who do not itemize, and earnings accumulate tax-free. All proceeds withdrawn from the account are tax-free, provided they are used to pay for qualified medical expenses.

Larry and Stan have been together since 1987. On October 6th, 2008, their 21st anniversary, they become one of the 18,000 couples married in California before Proposition 8 was instated. By all accounts, these two successful, Manhattan professionals share their lives together as any other couple -- except when it comes to financial planning.

"We are a married couple but not in the eyes for the Federal government," says Larry. To that end, they have consulted financial planners, attorneys, accountants and other same-sex couples to patch together something most married couples take for granted. "We think we are properly covered for various eventualities to the extent we can be under the existing law," says Larry.

Financial planning is hard enough for most people, but for non-traditional couples, which includes same-sex partners, civil unions and domestic partnerships, it is fraught with a myriad of complications that other married couples don't face.

"These couples lack many of the legal protections and advantages that married couples automatically receive in such areas as divorce, taxes, inheritance, and government and employer-provided retirement benefits -- in fact, there are more than 1,000 fewer statutory benefits," says Jennifer Immel, vice president of PNC Wealth Management.

It might be marginally better in those states that issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C., while Rhode Island,

Is there a way to get insurance against insurance? For some who have been victims of the scrupulous practices of some insurance companies, they probably wish they could purchase some protection against their insurance. Sadly, we often feel like we're at the mercy of the insurance giants, but there is a way to level the playing field: education. If you know their tricks, you know how to avoid them.

1. You May Not Need Collision Insurance

So you purchased an older model car. It's only worth $2,500 and is seven or more years old. As your car depreciates, it gets closer and closer to your deductible. Remember that the insurance company won't pay you any more than the value of your car, so if the value is the same or less than your deductible, you won't get any money. If you're driving an old car, consider not getting collision insurance. The minimum policy required by law is enough in your case. Don't count on your insurance agent to tell you, though.

2. If You Have a Car Loan, You Need Gap Insurance

After you got rid of that old car, you purchased a shiny new car complete with that brand new car smell that everybody loves. You took out a loan for $25,000 and drove home. Two weeks later your car was

Many taxpayers may be in for an unpleasant surprise this filing season: despite the extension of Bush-era tax rates, some of the breaks they enjoyed on their 2009 returns are not available for 2010.

As a result of the tax changes that President Obama signed into law on Dec. 17, taxpayers should also make sure they have the most up-to-date information, as many tax publications were printed before then.

Barbara Weltman, a tax lawyer in Millwood, N.Y., who helped edit “J. K. Lasser’s Your Income Tax 2011: For Preparing Your 2010 Tax Return,” and has written several specialized Lasser tax books, advised taxpayers to visit publishers’ Web sites for updates to any 2011 tax books they have bought. Even the Internal Revenue Service had to hurry to update everything on its site, irs.gov.

Several 2009 tax breaks, instituted to deal with the wavering economy, will disappear this filing season, Ms. Weltman said. These include the exclusion from income of up to $2,400 in unemployment compensation; for 2010, all unemployment payments are generally subject to taxation.

The following have also disappeared: add-ons to the standard deduction for net disaster losses and real estate taxes; a government retiree credit; and an itemized deduction or increased standard deduction for state or local sales or excise taxes on new vehicle purchases — unless a vehicle was bought in 2009 after

Never borrow against a 401(k). Avoid credit cards. Make a bigger down payment on your home or apartment to avoid paying extra mortgage interest. These are among the tried-and-true financial rules consumers have been told to live by for years. But now -- with interest rates still low and credit staging a comeback -- might be a good time to break them.

This solid financial advice isn't suddenly all wrong, but many of these axioms no longer result in higher savings or less debt. That's because the economic recovery has opened up more exceptions and loopholes to standard advice, says David Peterson, president of Peak Capital Investment Services, a financial planning firm. Advisers, for example, typically discouraged clients from taking a loan from their 401(k) -- but this is now the cheapest way to borrow money, with the average rate at 4.25%, lower than most personal loans, to pay back debt they racked up during the recession. But as some parts of the economy have improved -- equities are once again outperforming fixed income, banks are slowly returning to lending, and consumers are spending more -- the rules for making and saving money are changing, at least temporarily.

Here are four traditional money rules you can break -- at least for now.

401(k) Loans

Old school advice: Avoid taking one at all costs.
Now: The most affordable loan available.

If you want to be rich, you need to stop acting like you have money in the bank and start living beneath your means. That's the message in the most recent book from Thomas J. Stanley, author of "The Millionaire Mind" and the "The Millionaire Next Door."

Bankrate asked Stanley to explain what's fueling America's hyper-consumptive ways and unquenchable thirst for top-shelf brand vodka -- among other indulgences.

Q: In your book "Stop Acting Rich...and Start Living like a Real Millionaire," you say that rich people don't necessarily act the way that the rest of us might think they do. In fact, millionaires are more likely to be extremely frugal. Why is that?

A: There are many factors that explain frugality among the rich.

First, their parents tended to be not only frugal, but well-disciplined. Most millionaires today came from middle-class backgrounds. Their parents were not wealthy, but somewhat comfortable. Millionaires tell me that they never felt embarrassed by where they lived or the type of home they had. To a considerable degree, it is the uniquely American upward socioeconomic mobility that fuels much of the hyper-consuming engine of the market for luxury goods, prestige products, upscale brands, expensive homes and so on.

Beyond income, one's vocation has much to do with accumulating wealth. Educators, engineers, business owners and retail store managers have a tendency to live below their means and to be quite efficient in

Move your money to a higher-yielding account without sacrificing safety.

Still have cash parked in a money-market mutual fund? It's time to move it out. A year ago, when the stock market was in free fall and investors were seeking refuge, money funds were earning 2% or more. Now the yields, which track short-term Treasuries, are below 0.4%. Yet money funds still hold $3.5 trillion in assets, just about the same amount as they held a year ago, according to Money Fund Report newsletter. Prospects for higher rates are better at a bank, but even if you're willing to tie up your money for five years in a certificate of deposit, you'll be hard-pressed to find yields higher than 3.5%. And top one-year yields are only 2% or so.

Even as market forces undermine the earning power of your savings, don't let inertia add insult to injury. To find decent, supersafe yields now, you have to think outside the box. For example, you'll find some of the highest interest rates at community banks and credit unions. And your money is safe, as long as you know the limits of deposit insurance. If you're willing to step up the risk pyramid for a decent shot at higher returns, consider a short-term bond fund.

Safety Plus High Yields

You can earn as much as 5% on balances up to $25,000 (and sometimes more) at a community bank or credit union. For example, Union State Bank in Atchison, Kan., pays 5.01% on up to $25,000 in its My Rewards checking account. And you need a deposit of just $25 to open an account. (To find banks and

For most people, each and every day involves some type of financial decision. So how do you feel about your financial decision-making skills? If you think you are making sound choices, ask yourself this: Have you weighed the consequences of your choices against their apparent benefits? In many cases, the answer is no.

Let's take a look at six common financial choices that sound like smart moves, but could leave you scratching your head wondering where you went wrong.

1. Applying for a Line of Credit
Advantages: Starting a line of credit will diversify your credit sources, which is good news for your credit score. It also allows you to access funds you may need for large purchases, like buying a car, without having to scramble to arrange the funds when you decide to buy.

Consequences: A line of credit is too often treated like free money. In many cases, such easy access to funds leads borrowers to rack up consumer debt for things they don't really need. And there's nothing free about this cash injection: borrowers have to make minimum payments on the line's outstanding balance. In addition, a balance will limit borrowing power on other loans, such as a mortgage.

2. Withdrawing From Your 401(k) or Retirement Savings to Pay Down Debt
Advantages: If you have a big debt to pay off, you may choose to either put off contributing to a retirement or savings fund, or to withdraw money from an existing fund. The upside to this is that paying down debt is a good thing, and the sooner it is paid off, the greater the savings in interest expenses for the borrower.

Consequences: By withdrawing funds set aside for retirement, you are robbing yourself of the benefits of

Banks are cutting overdraft fees, but there are other hidden charges.

In the wake of the uproar over bank fees charged to debit card holders--and the looming threat of congressional action--banking giants Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo have announced drastic changes to their overdraft policies.

What banking customers might be missing is that debit card overdraft fees are the tip of the iceberg. Banks nickel and dime their customers in numerous other ways that can easily cost the average person $100 or more per year. Adding insult, many of the fees are poorly disclosed and levied regardless of any action the customer does--or doesn't--take.

"There is a long list of fees that people pay that doesn't require any type of acknowledgment on the part of the consumer," said Greg McBride, a senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com. Here are five major areas of hidden bank revenues.

Balance Transfer Fees

Banks commonly mail out ads pitching low interest rates for customers willing to transfer credit card balances from another institution. What many don't advertise is that there is often a balance transfer fee of between 3% and 5% hidden in the fine print.

"If you're transferring a balance from a card with a rate of 15% to a card with a rate or 13%, but you're paying a 3% admission fee, you're not saving any money," McBride said. Moving a balance of $5,000 from

Someone with $100 million has nothing to fear, not even fear itself.

But not long ago, a client with such assets called and asked Bruce Bickel, her wealth adviser at PNC Wealth Management, to put her on a budget.

"She said we've never done this before, and we think we should," said Mr. Bickel, managing director of private foundation management services at PNC. "It's all relative. Their loss has put them in a fear response."

That mindset is a direct result of the financial panic that turned one year old last week. At this time last year, Richard Fuld was center stage in the financial crisis; Ken Lewis, chief executive of Bank of America, was being hailed as Merrill Lynch's savior; and Bernard L. Madoff was little known beyond the financial world.

None of that is true today. And even though a year has passed, wealthy investors remain cautious.

The Boston Consulting Group predicted this week that worldwide wealth would not return to 2007 precrisis levels until 2013. It also said it found that the number of millionaires was down 18 percent and that, across the board, clients of wealth management firms had lost trust in their advisers.

"There is a shattered confidence we haven't seen in a long time," said Bruce Holley, senior partner at the firm. "The wealth management business is a very emotional business, and people can react in kind to that."

This explains how someone with more than $100 million in assets can ask her adviser to put her on a

After September 18, insurance for money-market mutual funds is gone. Here's why you don't have to worry.

Since they were introduced nearly 40 years ago, money-market mutual funds have served as safe and reasonably high-yielding parking places for cash. And for all those years, there has been an implicit promise that the value of a share would stay at $1.

That promise was broken last September, during the worst of the financial crisis, when the Primary Reserve fund (a fund mainly for institutional investors) lost so much money that it "broke the buck" — its net asset value dropped to 97 cents a share. To forestall a run on money funds' assets by worried shareholders, the Treasury Department created temporary insurance that fund managers could purchase — and on which, all told, funds spent $1 billion. That insurance program ends on September 18.

No Worries

But even though the insurance safety net is gone, "there is a lot of back-end support remaining," says Peter Crane, president of Crane Data, which tracks money funds.

For one thing, about half of the money in money-market funds is invested in government securities and repos, which are overnight loans secured by the government. Bank certificates of deposit — including European bank CDs that are guaranteed by European governments — are also a growing component of money funds' portfolios. In addition, the U.S. government created a loan program to ensure that funds that need to raise cash to meet redemptions will not be forced into selling assets at reduced prices.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is considering new, stronger regulations to further reduce the

You can almost hear the collective slaps to the head.

This recession has brought to light dumb money management practices, forcing just about all of us to confront our financial foibles.

Maybe, for instance, you're one of the ones who panicked and sold during the market bottom. Or, you believed housing prices were guaranteed to rise.

The federal government is tapping behavioral economists -- experts on why we humans make the money judgments we do -- to help devise regulations so that people don't take on unaffordable mortgages and to help them understand their actual credit card fees.

But these efforts just scratch the surface. Here are four common mistakes that surfaced during this economic turmoil, and fixes that we can put in place to prevent ourselves from making the same costly error again:

Regret 1: I didn't have emergency reserves.

Outsmart yourself: When we're confident about our security, stashing cash can seem like a waste. We'd prefer to put the dollars into a "better" use, whether it be sprucing up our home or going on vacation.

Last year, when the unemployment rate started soaring, so did the savings rate of suddenly scared Americans.

If you were one of those scrambling to build emergency reserves, you may abandon the practice once