Melody Hobson

  Tom: This morning we have a bit of a serious topic: estate planning. Mellody: Obviously, no one likes to think about their own mortality, but I don’t see this as a dark topic. Rather than taking the negative view of this, you should consider all of the positive outcomes of that task, such as ensuring […]

The stars were out Wednesday night at the Avalon Hollywood for Ebony’s Power 100 Gala. The annual list and event honor Black achievement in various categories, like…

  For iPhone:   Mellody is President of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts. Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS News. TOM: You are joining us today with another round of seasonal tips.  MELLODY: That’s […]

Mellody is President of Ariel investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts.  Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS news. Mellody: This morning we are talking about the changing face of America’s labor force. This past week was […]

9-year-old Asean Jackson has had it up to here with Chicago politicians. He lets them know in an impassioned speech to protest school closures in Chicago. The Chicago public school district shut down 49 schools most in minority districts last year, forcing children to go to unfamiliar schools in different neighborhoods. Although the idea was […]

Yes. Shoppers go CRAZY for Black Friday—seeking the uber-hyped deals the day after Thanksgiving—with some people even camping out overnight to be the first shoppers in the store the next day. This is NOT a productive way to spend Thanksgiving night. And as much as you might actually like a break from Cousin Irene, I’m […]

Mellody Hobson talks home insurance. — Unlike car insurance, homeowners insurance isn’t required by law, but if you finance your home through a mortgage lender, the lender usually requires it. It protects your home, its contents, and, indirectly, your other assets in the event of fire, theft, accidents or other disasters. Homeowners insurance is like […]

What is the best way to start investing—is it a 401(k)? Fantastic question, and, yes, the 401(k) is the best way to start investing more often than any other way. By far the biggest and most important investment goal is retirement—people need to replace nearly 100% of their working income when they retire, which is […]