Ric Edelman

Credit & Personal Finance

Total net worth tells you how much wealth you have; liquid net worth tells you how much financial flexibility you actually have. A person can have a million-dollar net worth and still be financially fragile if most of that wealth is locked in a home, retirement account, private business, or other difficult-to-access assets. Tracking both metrics gives a much clearer picture: total net worth measures long-term wealth, while liquid net worth measures your ability to respond to a crisis, opportunity, or sudden loss of income.

Credit & Personal Finance

Everything you throw away goes somewhere — and for decades, most of it went to developing countries under the banner of recycling. Elizabeth Royte, Judith Enck, and Adam Minter debate whether recycling has ever been the solution it claimed to be, or whether it was always more about making consumers feel better than actually solving the problem.

Global Business / Economy

The 401(k) was designed for a worker who stayed with one company for decades — but 56% of American workers are worried about retirement savings in a world where job-hopping is the norm. Ric Edelman, Liz Weston, and David Rae debate whether the 401(k) still works for the modern worker or was built for a career path that no longer exists.

Global Business / Economy

Specialist or generalist — the accountant you choose can cost or save you thousands. A CPA attorney, a financial journalist, and a financial advisor debate whether niche expertise is worth the premium. One verdict.