Best Money Moves for 2010

As the manic-depressive decade of the 2000s came to a close, stocks staged a spectacular, global bust and powerful rebound. Housing also did the bust thing; we may be waiting a long time for the powerful real estate rebound, however.

So, where to invest in 2010? A mattress? Real estate? Apple? Many experts are predicting an economic landscape they call the "New Normal," with slow growth and less-than-spectacular investment returns. But that doesn't mean that the space between your mattress and box spring is your best investment. In fact, with interest rates at or close to all-time lows, your best moves in 2010 may be to refinance your mortgage and find ways to shield your income from taxes. And there will be plenty of investing opportunities — there always are. Look for them in stocks that pay dividends, short-term U.S. government bonds, and foreign stocks and bonds. To protect yourself from inflation, a dose of commodities and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) might be a good idea as well.

Here's one inescapable reality of 2010 and beyond: The U.S. government is looking for money, and affluent taxpayers are likely to be the easy target. Credit card companies will also be looking for new ways to get your money. We'll give you strategies to protect yourself against both, including an explanation of the new Roth IRA rules and the home buyer tax credit. And keep an eye on the federal estate tax — opponents call it the "death tax." It's supposed to vanish in 2010, but it's possible Congress will keep it alive.

You'll want to take advantage of the breaks for borrowers, invest in a few key mutual funds or ETFs and prepare yourself for battles with the IRS and the banks. Read the stories below to learn the smartest money moves for 2010.

• What to Do in 2010: New Investing Strategies
• What to Do in 2010: Lower Your Taxes
• What to Do in 2010: Banking, Loans, and Credit Cards

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