Personal Finance

Best of Personal Finance Roundup: 3 Ways to Prepare for the Card Act

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. Today, we get you ready for the new Credit Card Act, share an awesome recipe for peanut butter power bars, and help you sh

Negotiating a Lease with Your Potential New Landlord

Here are the fine points of negotiating for rental space, including a few opportunities a newer business owner might miss.

8 Tips to Help Your Teenager Become Credit Smart

Now that I am a mother of two teenagers, credit card abuse is one of the first dangers of financial common sense that I discussed with them. Here are 8 tips to help your teenager p

Contingency Plans

Are you assuming that things will go along pretty much okay? Most people do, and they're usually right. Even when they're wrong, it tends to be okay, because the typical household'

FINANCIAL IQ TEST: How Healthy Is Your Budget?

Budgeting is one of the hardest things for any of us to do well –- and stick to. It requires discipline, attention to detail, and persistence. But it doesn’t have to be impossible;

Best Money Tips: What You Need to Know About Social Security

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips roundup. Today, we tell you just about everything you need to know about Social Security, how to eat well on a poor man's budget, and wha

When Is Lunch Deductible?

There are many situations in which your lunch isn't deductible, even if you're eating it at your desk. Knowing the difference can make a big difference in your tax burden.

Buy-and-Hold Investing: 4 Ways to Make It More Effective

The media is saying buy and hold is dead thanks to some fuzzy math and misinterpretation of what "long term" means. But here are four strategies that can turn buy and hold from a b

Best of Personal Finance Roundup: 14 Great Ways to Be Miserable

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. Today, we share the 14 ways to ensure you'll stay miserable, 3 cool tricks to finding online deals with Google, and whethe

Best of Personal Finance Roundup: 50+ Cheap and Healthy Party Foods for the Super Bowl

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. Today, we share over 50 cheap and healthy party foods you can serve during the "Big Game," why bonds may not be the safe i

Why I Didn't Pay My Mortgage Off In Full

Getting out of credit card debt, paying off all student loans, and paying off their mortgage in full ASAP is the #1 goal of almost every personal finance blogger on the Wise Bread

Used Toyotas Are Being Discounted. Would You Buy One?

Recently Toyota Motor Corp. has been plagued with bad news as it recalled millions of cars and stopped selling several of its products affected with braking issues. These problems

How to File For Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is the last resort to dealing with debt: when a person finds himself in so much debt that paying it off simply isn't an option, bankruptcy can be the only way to handle

The 10-Step Staircase to a Comfortable Retirement

The secret to saving enough for retirement is simple. Start early and increase the amount you save over time. For many people the hardest step on the journey is that first one.

Online Tax Payment and Filing for Small Businesses

The IRS wants businesses to pay their taxes online, as well as file their taxes online. It's faster, eliminates the need for the IRS to have people open envelopes and process pa

Is Just Leaving Some Slack Better Than a Plan?

Are you as tired as I am of personal finance sites saying that you've got to have a plan? If you're a planner, it's unnecessary advice, because you've got a plan. If you're not a

Comparing Savings Rates: U.S. vs Japan

The savings rate in the United States has increased significantly over the last few months, clearly as a response to our current economic climate. But how does our historical savin

Best of Personal Finance Roundup: What the iPad Is and Is Not

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. Today, we go over what you can expect with a new Apple iPad, how to use up the leftover juice from your canned fruit, and

How to Avoid Getting Your Credit Card Canceled

Find out why your credit card could be canceled on you without notice, and tips to help avoid it.

6 False Assumptions About Debt-Free Living

What to expect once you're debt-free.

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.