Your money: What to do now

Expert advice on how to ride out the financial storm

When we asked Americans what they’re most worried about now, they told us loud and clear: having enough money to retire, the value of their savings and home, and the cost of everything from gas to college. Thirty-three percent said they’re worse off today than they were a year ago—nearly double last year’s figure, according to our nationally representative poll of 1,004 adults conducted in October. Here are questions we’re hearing from consumers, and answers from our experts and others.