Your Money: Dec. 7, 1998

Claim the Unclaimed Cash

Look who's bearing gifts this holiday season. Last week the IRS said that it's searching for 100,000 folks who haven't claimed their 1997 tax refunds, for a total of $68 million. If you're not among that lucky crowd, though, check out unclaimed-property.com to see if you're one of the millions of others who are owed money--from utility deposits to old bank accounts. UNCLAIMED FUNDS

Social Security unmatched benefits $234 billion

IRS tax refunds '94-'97 over $208 million

HUD/FHA mortgage insurance refunds $13 million

Watch How Funds Overlap

When it comes to diversification, many mutual-fund investors fool themselves. Funds with very different names and objectives often hold the same stocks. Now, thanks to a new software program called Overlap ($150 a year; 800-683-7527), fund fanatics can ferret out duplication. Type in any two funds, and the program shows what percentage of stocks they hold in common and their overlap in various sectors like technology.

Army College Aid to Rise

Coming up with enough money for college these days often seems like a losing battle, but now cash-strapped students have a little more firepower in their arsenal. The Army just raised the maximum benefits that qualified specialists can receive under the Montgomery G.I. Bill plus the Army College Fund, to $50,000 from $40,000. And if that's not enough incentive, most of those who enlist by May next year will also be eligible for an immediate $3,000 signing bonus.

--By Daniel Eisenberg and Kathleen Adams