Personal Finance
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10 Ways People Waste Money When the Weather Turns Cold
Cold and messy winter weather can cause consumers to overspend in some predictable ways. Some people come home to a freezing house and crank up the heat. Others take a forlorn look at an empty fridge, then at the snow-covered…
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How a Trump or Clinton Presidency Could Affect Your Wallet
When running for president, candidates make lofty promises about the things they’ll accomplish if elected. Our system of government intentionally makes it difficult for presidents to accomplish much on their own, but every president can directly affect the day-to-day finances…
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11 Things You Need to Know Before Leasing a Brand New Car
Leasing a vehicle can be an attractive option for drivers who want a brand new car with a low down payment and small monthly installments. Although a leaseholder (called a lessee) doesn’t actually own the vehicle and will eventually have…
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Don’t Miss Out on These 37 Credit and Debit Card Perks
On top of the cash-back or travel rewards programs most people know about, some credit and debit cards offer lesser-known — but potentially very valuable — perks. The specifics can vary from one issuer to the next, or even between…
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10 Things to Do Before Buying Home Insurance
Shopping for a home insurance policy is a balancing act. Consumers don’t want to pay for coverage they might not need, but they want sufficient protection — just in case. There are ways to lower premiums, such as installing a…
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16 Ways to Make Holiday Shopping More Affordable — Starting Now
It’s not even Halloween, but many consumers are already prepping for the annual holiday spending extravaganza—and they may be on to something. Retailers are readying for Black Friday, traditionally the single biggest shopping day of the year. Soon, Christmas decor…
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No Kids? Why You Should Be Back-to-School Shopping Anyway
Frugal shoppers take note: Back-to-school ads and deals may be aimed at parents and students, but anyone can take advantage of the discounts. Here’s why you should be hitting the…
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Home Seller’s Checklist: 15 Tips for Selling a Home Now
Spring is often cited as the time to sell a home, but many prospective homebuyers are willing to work through the heat and make a move in summer. We spoke…
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15 Contracts That Can Be Painful to Cancel and How to Get Out of Them
Companies make it very easy for consumers to start using their services — by offering a free trial or requiring only a brief online form. Canceling is often more difficult.…
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10 Steps to Paying Down Holiday Debt
The holiday season can bring a continuing avalanche of unwanted gifts, weight, and debt. Unlike the first two, debt and the associated effects of spending on such things as holiday…
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7 Ways to Save on Health Insurance
Health insurance costs are creeping ever higher. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that average premiums will rise 5.1 percent in 2016 for the lowest-cost marketplace silver plans available to a…
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4 Smart Places to Put Your Short-Term Savings
Short-term savings often take the form of an emergency fund — the three to six months’ worth of living expenses everyone should have in case of a layoff, family crisis,…
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Where to Find a Checking Account With No Fees
When it comes to storing money and earning interest, banks are better than an envelope under the mattress. But checking accounts are rarely free. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found…
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4 Hands-Off Ways to Choose IRA Investments
For many people, it’s torture to talk about retirement accounts, determine which investments are right, and rebalance a portfolio every few months or years. Saving for the future can be…
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17 Employee Benefits You Could Be Getting at Work
When between jobs or considering a change, many people focus on the hourly rate or salary they want. But some things can be more important than cash compensation. A flexible…
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16 Signs It’s Time to Fire Your Financial Adviser
Managing money can be overwhelming, especially after receiving a large windfall and when planning for major life events. That’s why many people turn to financial advisers for guidance. There are…
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Credit Card 101: What Students Need to Know
Gone are the days of credit companies hawking free pizza and T-shirts in the university plaza in exchange for a student’s signature on an application form. The CARD Act of…
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Should You Refinance Your Student Loans?
Student loan debt has surpassed $1.2 trillion, ticking up several thousand dollars per second, according to FinAid.org. For recent graduates entering the workforce, the average loan for a bachelor’s degree…
