BY IVORY JOHNSON, CNBC You can borrow money for a college education but not for your retirement. It’s what we, as financial experts, truly believe. But a constant tug-of-war between 401(k) plans and Section 529 college savings plans has ensued in investors’ hearts and minds—and neither side appears to be winning. Identifying priorities is no easy task. Just

Where should I save my retirement money? Tax-favored retirement accounts such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k)s are the best places to save for your retirement. The different types of plans have different features, but most of them allow you to defer taxes on the money you save and the returns you earn within the account. “Tax deferral”

Have dreams about retiring early? We have some tips on how to make that dream a reality. According to the Michigan Association of CPAs, retiring early takes meticulous planning and more than a tidy sum of money, but for the truly committed, early retirement is possible. Here is what you need to do if you

Make one or two mistakes in handling your retirement money and you could be paying a stiff penalty later in your life. With the stock market on such unsteady legs, it pays to stay clear of these common mistakes: You pay attention to the market losses instead of your long-term needs. Catastrophic events and long-term