The web offers individuals a wide-open forum for dispensing financial wisdom. Personal finance columnists from established newspapers, magazines, and portals, comprise the elite of online "experts."

Moneysmartz evaluated this elite group looking for columnists most helpful to individual financial decision-making.

In conducting this analysis, we sometimes felt like we were trying to break into Fort Knox with more than a few sites requiring registration or a fee to gain access.

Ultimately, we broke through the barriers and discovered some gold in the process.

Personal Finance Columnists: Best of the Personal Finance Web 2006

Baby Boomers and Money

Barbara Whelehan, Boomer Bucks: Personal finance information and advice for baby boomers.

College Financial Aid

Joseph Hurley, CPA, College Money Guru: College savings advice from the founder of Savingforcollege.com LLC.

Economics

Charles Wheelan, Ph.D, The Naked Economist: Exploration of how economics impacts our everyday lives.

David R. Francis, Economic Scene: Economic commentary from Christian Science Monitor columnist.

David Wessel, Capital: A look at the economy and the forces shaping living standards world-wide.

Dr. Irwin Kellner: Economic perspectives from MarketWatch chief economist.

Robert J. Samuelson, Judgment Calls: Award winning Newsweek columnist examines important economic issues.

Economics>Economic Issues

Abraham George: Discusses issues associated with global poverty.

Alan Murray: Discusses the intersection of business, public policy and economics.

Andrew Ferguson: National affairs commentary.

Economics>Federal Reserve

John M. Berry: Federal Reserve commentary from Bloomberg News columnist.

Economics>Political Economy

Amity Shlaes: Discussion of the political economy from Bloomberg News columnist Amity Shlaes, author of "The Greedy Hand: How Taxes Drive Americans Crazy and What to Do About It."

Economics>U.S. Economy

Gene Sperling: A look at U.S. economic policy by Bloomberg News columnist and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.

Kevin Hassett: Economic commentary from the director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.

Economics>Financial Planning

Terri Cullen, Fiscally Fit: Financial-planning advice for dealing with complex personal-finance issues.

Albert Crenshaw, Cash Flow: Information and advice on financial planning, with a focus on taxes and insurance issues.

Investing

Allan Sloan, On Wall Street: Weekly column from Newsweek’s Wall Street editor.

Ben Stein, How Not to Ruin Your Life: Helps the ordinary investor protect and grow their net worth in an ever-changing world.

Bill Barnhart, Market Report: Market observations from Chicago Tribune columnist.

Bill Donoghue: Market commentary from MarketWatch columnist.

Bill Fleckenstein: Economic and market commentary from Seattle-based hedge fund manager.

Charles Gasparino, Street Fighting: Wall Street perspectives from Newsweek senior writer.

Chuck Jaffe: Investment commentary from senior MarketWatch columnist.

David Callaway: Market commentary from MarketWatch editor-in-chief.

David Nassar: Market commentary from chairman and chief executive of MarketWise.com.

David Pauly: Market commentary from Bloomberg News columnist.

David Weidner's Writing on the Wall: Wall Street perspectives from MarketWatch writer.

Floyd Norris, Off the Charts: Economic and market commentary from the chief financial correspondent of The New York Times.

Gretchen Morgenson: Market and ethics perspectives from assistant business and financial editor and a columnist at The New York Times.

Harry Domash: A look at investing from the publisher of the Winning Investing stock and mutual fund advisory newsletter.

Herb Greenberg: Investing commentary from senior columnist for MarketWatch.

James B. Stewart, Common Sense: A look at investing from Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and bestselling author.

Jeremy Siegel, Ph.D, The Future for Investors: Timely insights into matters affecting the financial markets and your wealth from well-known Wharton professor.

Joe Nocera: Investing and business commentary from business columnist for The New York Times, and a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine.

Jon Markman: Investing insight from senior investment strategist and portfolio manager at Pinnacle Investment Advisors and MSN Money contributing editor.

Lisa Scherzer, The Pro Shot: Market and economic insights from a columnist for SmartMoney.

Mark Hulbert: Investing and market insight from the founder of Hulbert Financial Digest.

Michael Brush: Investment advice from the author of "Lessons From the Front Line," a book offering insights on investing and the markets based on the experiences of professional money managers.

Michael Lewis: Market and business commentary from the best-selling author of "Liar's Poker," "The New New Thing" and "MoneyBall."

Paul B. Farrell: Market commentary from MarketWatch columnist.

Peter Brimelow: Market perspectives from MarketWatch columnist.

Robert Barker, The Barker Portfolio: Investment advice from Business Week columnist. The last column was published on February 13, 2006.

Robert Kiyosaki, Why the Rich Get Richer: Discussion on why many commonly held truths about managing your money are obsolete by best-selling author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad."

Robert Walberg: Investment insight from the former chief equity analyst at Briefing.com.

Steven Goldberg, Value Added: Investment advice from columnist for Kiplinger's and author of "But Which Mutual Funds? How to Pick the Right Ones to Achieve your Financial Dreams."

Tim Middleton: Investment advice and commentary from a former reporter for the Dow Jones News Service and editor at Crain's New York Business.

Tom Petruno, Market Beat: Market and investment analysis and commentary from columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

Tomi Kilgore, Tomi Kilgore's Market Map: Market analysis from New York-based MarketWatch reporter.

Investing>Asian Markets

Andy Mukherjee: Asia commentary from Bloomberg News columnist.

William Pesek Jr.: A look at Asian markets and trends by Bloomberg News columnist.

Investing>Bonds

Caroline Baum: Economic and bond perspectives from the author of "Just What I Said."

Investing>Commodities

Kevin Kerr: Commodities commentary from MarketWatch columnist.

Investing>European Markets

Mark Gilbert: European market commentary from Bloomberg News columnist.

Investing>Financial News

Harold Maass, The Best of Today's Business: Summary of each day's top financial news and opinion, produced jointly by the editors of The Week magazine and Yahoo! Finance.

Jesse Eisinger, Long and Short: A look at the investing world and news that will move financial markets.

Justin Lahart, Ahead of the Tape: A daily look at events that will move the markets.

Mark Gongloff, The Afternoon Report: A daily summary and analysis of all the news since you read the morning paper.

Mark Gongloff, The Evening Wrap: A daily summary and analysis on all that has transpired during the business day.

Mark Gongloff, Scott Patterson, and David A. Gaffen, Trading Shots: Analysis from three angles on events moving the markets.

Investing>Fixed Income

Jeffrey R. Kosnett, Keeping Your Balance: Fixed-income strategies from senior editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Investing>Global Investing

Donald Luskin, Ahead of the Curve: A look at global trends shaping markets.

Fred Kempe, Thinking Global: A look at trends and events shaping global business and politics.

Michael Sesit, Going Global: A provocative big-picture look at global investing and economics.

Philip Coggan, The Long View: Market and trend insight from FT.com columnist.

Investing>Municipal Bonds

Joe Mysak: A review of municipal bonds from Bloomberg News columnist.

Investing>Mutual Funds

Chet Currier: Mutual fund commentary from Bloomberg News columnist.

Joshua Albertson, Fund Screen: Mutual fund advice from SmartMoney columnist.

Investing>Small Cap Stocks

David Evans: Small cap stock commentary from Bloomberg News reporter.

Investing>Stocks

Jack Hough, Stock Screen: Stock insights from SmartMoney columnist.

Jim Jubak, Jubak's Journal: Stock picks from senior markets editor for MSN Money.

John Dorfman: U.S. Stock commentary from president of Dorfman Investments in Boston and columnist for Bloomberg News.

Michael Sivy, Sivy on Stocks: Stock commentary from Money Magazine editor-at-large.

Investing>Technology Investing

John Shinal, John Shinal's Tech Investor: A look at technology investing from the MarketWatch technology editor.

Monica Rivituso, Techsmart: Technology market insight from a columnist for SmartMoney.

Money Management

David Bach, The Automatic Millionaire : No-budget, no-discipline, no-nonsense system to help people achieve their financial goals from best selling author.

Erin Burt, Starting Out: Real world advice for those starting their financial lives or seeking an introduction to money management.

Kelli B. Grant, Deal of the Day: Money saving tips from SmartMoney columnist.

Marshall Loeb's Daily Money Tip: A daily money tip from the former editor of Fortune, Money, and The Columbia Journalism Review.

Ron Lieber, Green Thumb: A weekly column on spending and saving and everything else that affects your wallet.

Money Management>Bankruptcy and Debt

Justin Harelik, Bankruptcy Adviser: Bankruptcy advice from counsel for Price Law Group, one of the largest personal bankruptcy firms in the United States.

Steve R. Bucci, Debt Advisor: Debt advice from the president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern New England.

Money Management>Savings

Humberto Cruz, The Savings Game: Financial planning and savings commentary and advice.

Personal Finance

Aleksandra Todorova, Consumer Action: Personal finance perspectives from SmartMoney columnist.

Daniel Pink, The Trend Desk: A first look at the financial, consumer, and workplace trends that are reshaping business.

Don Taylor, Ask Dr. Don: Personal finance Q&A from Bankrate.com columnist.

Greg McBride, Your Money Outlook: Market and economic commentary from Bankrate.com Senior Financial Analyst.

Helen Huntley, On The Money: Personal finance Q&A from St. Petersburg Times columnist.

Jane Bryant Quinn, Capital Gains: Personal finance perspectives from award winning Newsweek contributing editor.

Jeff Brown, On Personal Finance: Personal finance insight from columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Jeff Opdyke, Love and Money: An inside look at how the columnist and his family deal with everyday personal-finance challenges.

Jennifer Openshaw: Financial Advice from CEO of Openshaw's Family Financial Network.

John Wasik: Personal finance commentary from the author of "The Kitchen-Table Investor."

Jonathan Clements, Getting Going: Advice for getting your finances on track and keeping them going in the right direction.

Kathleen Pender, Net Worth: Personal finance insight from columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Kathy Kristof, Personal Finance: A look at personal finance from columnist and staff writer for the Business section of the Los Angeles Times.

Kimberly Lankford, Ask Kim at Kiplinger: Personal finance Q&A.

Laura Rowley, Money and Happiness: A look at how money can facilitate or sabotage our happiness by the author of "Money & Happiness: A Guide to Living the Good Life."

Liz Pulliam Weston: Personal finance columnist for MSN Money.

Marshall Loeb: Commentary and insight on your money from the former editor of Fortune, Money, and The Columbia Journalism Review.

Meg Green, Money Q&A: Money Q&A from certified financial planner and columnist for The Miami Herald.

Michelle Singletary, The Color of Money: Personal finance insight from columnist and author of "7 Money Mantras for a Richer Life."

MP Dunleavey: Personal finance advice from the MSN Money personal finance columnist.

Ray Martin: Personal Finance advice from Certified Financial Planner and co-author of "The Rookie's Guide to Money Management."

Scott Burns, It's Only Money: Personal finance advice from columnist for The Dallas Morning News.

Sue Shellenbarger, Work and Family: Help in managing the relationship between work and personal lives.

Suze Orman, Money Matters: Tips for managing your money from best-selling author and columnist for Yahoo! Finance.

Terry Savage: Personal finance advice from nationally-syndicated columnist and author.

Personal Finance>Kids

Janet Bodnar, Money Smart Kids: A look at personal finance issues related to children.

Personal Finance>Money and Culture

Daniel Akst, On the Contrary: Commentary about the intersection of money and culture.

Real Estate

June Fletcher, House Talk: Residential and rental real estate discussion from a staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal and the author of "House Poor."

Steven McLinden, Real Estate Adviser: Real estate advice from Bankrate.com columnist and correspondent for National Real Estate Investor, Shopping Centers Today and REO magazine.

Real Estate>Home Improvement

Bill and Kevin Burnett, Sweat Equity: Home improvement advice.

Retirement

Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., Reinventing Retirement: Retirement advice for making retirement years the best of life.

Robert Powell: Retirement advice and commentary from MarketWatch columnist.

Sue Stevens, CFA, CFP, CPA, Improving Your Retirement: Retirement planning perspectives from Morningstar Director of Financial Planning.

Small Business

James Pethokoukis, Small Business Watch: Small Business commentary from senior writer at U.S. News & World Report.

Phillip Campbell: Financial advice for Entrepreneurs from Inc magazine columnist.

Richard Breeden, By the Numbers: Small business insight and commentary from Startup Journal columnist.

Taxes

George Saenz, Tax Talk: Tax perspectives from Bankrate.com columnist and CPA.

Jeff Schnepper: Tax advice and insight from best-selling author.

Tom Herman, Tax Report: A summary and forecast of federal and state tax developments.