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.