Personal Finance

  • 7 Things to Know Before Opening a Joint Bank Account

    Perhaps nothing stresses a relationship more than money. Financial arguments are the top predictor of divorce, according to a 2012 study out of Kansas State University. Different spending habits, salaries, and savings goals can lead to all sorts of misunderstandings…

  • Beyond Greece: 5 Travel Tips for Places Where Money Gets Tricky

    With the Greek economy in crisis, travelers to the country face an uncertain situation. Although they aren’t under the same limitation as locals, who can withdraw only 60 euros a day from ATMs, many travelers have found the money machines…

  • How to Find the Best Rewards Credit Card for You

    In the right hands a frugal and disciplined shopper can use rewards credit cards to save on every purchase. Finding the best cash-back or rewards credit card to leverage your shopping habits can be tricky, though. Each card comes with…

  • Your First House: 13 Tips for Saving and Buying

    The advantages of home ownership are many: building equity; tax deductions; the promise of appreciating value; and having a place that belongs to you. With mortgage rates at historic lows, this is an opportune time to take the big step.…

  • 11 Tips for Saving Money in Your 20s

    How you spend your time and money while in your 20s can profoundly affect the rest of your life. It might be hard to imagine far into the future, but frivolous spending now diminishes the cache available for important purchases…

  • Credit Reports and Scores: What 20-Somethings Need to Know

    The intricacies of the credit system and how your credit score and credit report are calculated is a dull subject for most consumers. Getting a handle on how this all works while in your 20’s can set you on a…

  • How I Saved More Than $500 in a Month

    This February we invited readers to take the Frugal Month Challenge and commit to what some have called a “no-buy month.” My family of four embarked on this cheap-living challenge…

  • 10 Tools to Help You Become a Smarter Consumer

    The first week of March is National Consumer Protection Week, and government and private organizations across the nation have been sharing advice and resources for consumers. Topics discussed range from…

  • Score Savings by Refinancing Your Mortgage

    Housing is one of the biggest expenses most people shoulder, so reducing your monthly housing bill can make a big difference in your overall budget. For the millions of people…

  • What It Costs to Opt Out of Obamacare

    While filing taxes this year you may notice a new question on the form: Did you have health insurance throughout 2014? If yes, check the box. If no, a penalty…

  • Enroll in Automatic Bill Pay and Save

    Automatic bill pay is yet another perk of the ever-evolving instantaneous Internet age. Many consumers take advantage of this convenient, rewarding way of paying bills. Others remain wary about authorizing…

  • 10 Things You May Not Realize Car Insurance Covers

    Have you ever carefully read your auto insurance policy? Understanding what’s covered and what’s not is critical, not least because knowing the details can save you money. Be sure to…

  • Do You Know Your Credit Score?

    It’s almost a monthly occurrence: The servers of large retailers, banks, and medical facilities are hacked and customer data, including names, addresses, credit card information, and even Social Security numbers…

  • What You Need to Know About Travel Health Insurance

    At the end of last year Heather Leikin travelled from Los Angeles to Mexico for a birthday and New Year’s celebration. But what was planned as a pleasant getaway turned…

  • Do You Need to Buy Rental Car Insurance?

    Whether you’re renting a car for a day or an entire week, you’ve probably had a friend or relative tell you to waive the offered insurance. “Your credit card has…