No, you're probably not saving enough

How much money did you save last year? If you didn't save at least 10% of your earnings, you didn't save enough. If your savings in 2013 fell short, the only solution is to take charge of your financial future right now and start saving more money.

Saving money doesn't have to be hard work. In fact, many successful savers have found simple ways to cut spending and increase their savings. Here are some tips to help you get started and stay on track.

Switching mutual funds can bring a tax surprise

Many mutual fund companies allow you to switch funds without a penalty or commission, as long as you stay within their family of funds. There's a catch though.

2014 Capital Gain Refresher

As you investigate opportunities for managing your investment portfolio in 2014, remember to pause and plan for the effect of tax laws. Here are some important rules to consider.

Capital gain tax rates. For 2014, the tax rate you'll pay on gains from sales of assets depends on your taxable income and how long you've owned the investment. Gains on assets owned a year or less are taxed at the same rate as your ordinary income.

Consider a disciplined investment strategy...

In today's rabbit-fast world, it pays to remember that the tortoise won the race. For investors, dollar-cost averaging - a slow and steady investment plan - can be a winning strategy.

With dollar-cost averaging, you invest a set amount of money on a regular basis, typically in a mutual fund. The idea of investing a fixed dollar amount at regular intervals is simple, but the benefits add up. Here are some advantages offered by dollar-cost averaging:

Don't overload on company stock

Don't invest too much of your 401(k) plan contributions in your company's stock. Remember, even if the company is doing well now, things can change. And if the worst happens and you lose your job, you don't want to lose your retirement savings too. If your employer used company stock for the matching contribution, you may have no choice. But at least you can select other investments for your own contributions.