What the experts say

Your loss, no one’s gain

The recent stock market tumble should provide everyday shareholders with a lesson in economics, said Eric Carvin in the Associated Press. The lesson? Don’t think about investment holdings—or rely on them—as if they were actual liquid assets. Many investors may be thinking: Where did all the money I lost in the stock market go? Actually, it never really existed in the first place, says Yale economist Robert Shiller. A stock price, or housing value for that matter, is merely a “best guess” of what an asset is worth; that theoretical wealth isn’t real until you cash out. “While the money in your pocket is unlikely to just vanish into thin air, the money you could have had, if only you’d sold your house or drained your stock-heavy mutual funds a year ago, most certainly can.”

Cozying up to fuel co-ops

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Rising oil costs have given new meaning to the word “co-op,” “and it has nothing to do with locally grown vegetables,” said Lisa Scherzer in SmartMoney. For a fee of $20 to $30, members of heating-fuel co-ops can enjoy discounts worth roughly 15 cents to 30 cents per gallon on heating oil, potentially saving several hundred dollars a year. To join such a co-op, do “a simple online search” for one in your area. Most co-ops give members the option of paying as they go or prepaying for the season at a fixed price. Beware: Buying oil upfront can be a gamble—and not just because of changing oil prices. “If you’re going to opt for a fixed-price plan where you pay everything upfront, make sure the dealer is on strong financial footing.” If the dealer can’t come through on its end of the deal, you risk being left out in the cold.

Taking employees’ temperatures

It’s enrollment season for many companies’ benefits programs, said Kristen Gerencher in Marketwatch.com, and some are giving employees an ultimatum: “We’ll keep providing health coverage if you make an effort to control your personal health risks and behaviors.” Many companies have been encouraged to be more active about their employees’ health by paying for preventative-care exams. With insurance premiums up 120 percent since 1999, some employers have begun requiring employees to get screened for cholesterol, blood-sugar levels, and other risk indicators. At the same time, employers are shifting to high-deductible health plans paired with health-savings accounts or health-reimbursement arrangements that can be rolled over each year. Doing so not only saves on premiums, but also forces employees to keep close tabs on precisely how they spend their medical dollars.