Wal-Mart may improve its sales by offering free shipping, but if there is no minimum purchase amount, small value purchases could lead to the retailer bearing higher expenses relative to sales.

FORBES: Web Shopping Gambit Could Bite Wal-Mart

If invested in conservative, interest rate bearing instruments, those low present and projected interest rates dictate that a much larger amount needs to be invested in order to achieve your desired future retirement income.

FORBES: What Is The Present Value Of Your Social Security Benefits?