Gold prices are edging up toward a high, at $1,249.20 an ounce, triggering multibillion-dollar deals by miners doubling down on the staying power of bullion's nearly decadelong rally.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics is considering investing a record $25.55 billion next year to bolster its existing operations and expand into new business segments.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 127.83 points, or 1.24%, to 10447.93, putting the Dow up 2.9% on the week—its first positive weekly showing since the beginning of August.

It isn't clear how many efforts to help taxpayers bolster their nest eggs will actually break through the congressional logjam. Here are some tips to help plan among the uncertainty.