Personal Finance

How to Afford Payments on Your Adjustable Rate Mortgage

our adjustable rate mortgage is getting ready to adjust and you might not be able to afford the payment. So what can you do to keep your finances above water?

A Recipe for Youth Financial Literacy

Kids can begin to learn money management skills through a basic program that can be started in or just before Kindergarten.

Book Review: Confronting Collapse

We hardly talk about collapse here. Wise Bread is all about living large, while collapse mitigation is usually about living small. But that doesn't mean that there aren't things

Best Money Tips: How Being Late on Your Mortgage Affects Your Score

 Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips roundup. Today, we tell you how many points a late mortga

5 Questions Couples Should Ask in the Money Talk

Once a couple decides to live together, it's crucial to be on the same page financially. Before you move in, sit down and ask yourselves these questions.

Financial IQ Test: Do You Have the Best Auto Insurance Coverage for Your Needs?

How well do you know your auto insurance coverage? Take this Financial IQ Test to see if you're getting the most bang for your insurance buck.

Book Review: One Year to an Organized Financial Life

One Year to an Organized Financial Life is an organized approach to getting organized, breaking down the monstrous task of dealing with financial issues into small st

Best Money Tips: Correct Credit Report Errors for Free

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips roundup. Today, tell you how to fix your own credit report erro

Read Your Financial Statements Like a Banker

Your balance sheet and income statement tell a banker more about your business than you may think. You need to know what goes on in your banker’s head when reading your financia

IRS Wants Its $7 Billion From Independent Contractor Misclassifications

The contractor model is particularly appealing in a down economy. However, what seems like a great way to save money may be costly if it's determined that your contractors are m

Why Roth IRAs Are Ideal for Young Professionals

Young professionals (20s and 30s) who make a decision to start saving for retirement can do so in many different types of savings and retirement accounts.

What Makes a Good Business Bank?

The bank you choose for your business accounts can make a major difference in how well your company operates. Convenience is a factor, but there are considerations that may be m

Reduce Your Credit Limits to Manage Your Spending

Most of us have more credit than we need, and this can be dangerous for those trying to manage their debt and spending. Remove the temptation by asking for your credit lines to

11 Ways to Prep for "Guerrilla Retirement"

More aggressive and less conventional than typical retirement plans, guerrilla retirement goes beyond the 401(k). Here's how to prepare for your own guerrilla retirement.

Should You Invest in Goldman Sachs (GS)?

Goldman Sachs is in hot water right now, so investing in the company may seem like a risky proposition. And it certainly is, but it may also be a fantastic opportunity.

7 Ways My Clunker Is Smarter Than a Hybrid

Hybrid cars are all the rage, but keeping a "clunker" might be a better move, environmentally and financially.

The Second-Best Way to Make your Household More Secure

You already know the best way to make your household finances more secure: emergency fund, insurance, diversified investment portfolio, marketable skills. But once you're doing

Book Review: Spent: Memoirs of a Shopping Addict

In Spent: Memoirs of Shopping Addict, Avis Cardella writes about her struggles with acquiring more and more stuff without fulfillment for two decades. This is the painful story

Principal Forgiveness: The New BofA Mortgage Deal

Starting next month (May 2010) or as soon as its ready, Bank of America may reduce principal balances on certain mortgages of deeply underwater loans. What's up with that?

Who Should Face the Music When the Banks Fail?

Should everyday folks bear the brunt when banks fail, or should the bankers themselves be held responsible?

Latest Articles in Personal Finance

How to Dispute Mistakes On Your Credit Report

Notice something amiss on your credit report? Don't fret. This is how you can dispute any mistakes.

The 8 Most Eye-Opening Money Attractions in the U.S.

Make your next vacation money-themed, and check out these eight amazing attractions across the U.S.

Someone Took Out a Loan in Your Name. Now What?

A fraudulent loan can have dire consequences for your personal finances. Here's how you can fix the problem, stat.

5 Things to Know Before Adding Someone to the Deed

Before you add someone to the deed on your home, you should be aware of these five things.

Banks Still Offering Free Checking and Savings with Great Interest Rates

Tired of fee-gouging from your old bank? Here are the banks with the best checking and savings terms.

Capital One 360: A Competitive Banking Option

CapOne 360 is a great option for those looking for low fees and great interest rates!

5 Best Online Checking Accounts

Whether you're looking to earn interest or for great customer service and reasonable fees, these five online checking account are all wise choices.

5 Ways Gig Economy Workers Can Save for Retirement

Even if your full-time job consists of several gig economy jobs, you can successfully save for retirement — here's how.

5 Renovations That Don't Increase Your Resale Value

Before you get started on a new home renovation, make sure you know if it'll increase your resale value.

How to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Theft

Don't let a scammer get a hold of your credit card number. Here's how to keep your account secure.

5 Reasons Not to Use Debit Cards When You Shop Online

Before you place an order through your favorite online retailer, consider these reasons to use credit instead of debit.

How Cosigning On a Student Loan Could Impact Your Finances

Before you cosign on a student loan, these are four important things to keep in mind.

16 Small Steps You Can Take Now to Improve Your Finances

Believe it or not, you can improve your finances in a big way by making several small money moves.

How to Maximize Rewards on Everyday Spending

If you're not using your travel or cash back card for certain expenses, you're leaving valuable rewards on the table.

How to Stay Calm During a Market Fluctuation

If you're tempted to bail on investments when you hear scary financial predictions, it's important you learn how to keep your cool.

The Pros and Cons of Refinancing an Auto Loan

Before you refinance your auto loan, here's what you need to know.

How to Make Better Financial Decisions

Focusing all your efforts into reaching one financial goal is a fairly straightforward process. But what about when you have more than one financial goal? This guide will help.

The Pros and Cons of Paying Off Your Debt Early

You dream of being debt-free, but is it all it's cracked up to be?

5 Things Keeping You From a Life of Financial Independence

These are common obstacles that could be standing between you and sweet financial freedom.

Should You Use a Personal Loan or a Home Equity Loan to Remodel Your Home?

Looking to remodel your home? Here's how to decide between a personal loan and a home equity loan to pay for it.