Personal Finance

Simplify budgeting with personal money

Many couples keep their finances partially (or even completely) separate. One big reason is that spending joint money on individual expenses can lead to disputes, and keeping sepa

Borrowers, lenders, and others--beware trusting the government

Having a prosperous country (as opposed to having merely a prosperous elite) depends fundamentally on the rule of law. The system can work adequately well with various sets of rule

Is Getting Life Insurance for your Children Prudent or Prudish?

At some point in your parenting adventure, you may be introduced to the concept of getting life insurance for your children. There are a number of reasons why you might want to ins

Are You Doing Bad Things with Your Money?

Today my middle son hit my youngest son in the face with a Ziploc bag full of pennies. It was premeditated, and as I burst into the dining room to sort it all out, I found myself

The Disaster Known as the California State Budget

Live in California? Fed up with the budget crisis? If you could whisper a suggestion in your state reps ear or our illustrious governor, what would you suggest?

Forget Saving...25 Places to Look for Spare Change

Don't keep ignoring those pennies you find on the floor, in the drawer, in the parking lot. If only you'd gather all the loose change up from just around your house, you could prob

Survive The Bear Market: 10 Steps To Ride The Downturn

The stock market has experienced an unbelievable slump from a high of around 14,000 in the Dow Jones index sometime in 2007 all the way down to 8,000 last I checked. So as an inves

New Credit Card Legislation Buzz: An Interview with Wall Street Journal’s Mary Pilon

The AP just announced that new credit card rules have passed legislation and are headed to President Obama for final approval. Much speculation can be made on how this new set of

How will the new credit card rules affect consumers?

Today a new bill was passed by the U.S. Senate with the intent of restricting abusive practices in the credit card industry. A House bill was passed on May 12th and will be reconc

Down-To-Earth Financial Advice From A Mountain-Climbing Adviser

I just finished reading The New Coffeehouse Investor by financial adviser Bill Schultheis. He's an index-fund investor and discusses his rationale for investing in non-managed fund

Carnival of Personal Finance #205: Pay it Forward Edition

Wikipedia tells us that the expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead. More specifically,

Would you get rid of credit cards if stores give more discounts to customers who pay cash ?

I am sure you have encountered a store or gas station that has a set of prices for cash customers and a set of prices for credit card customers. Usually the credit card customer h

Best Money Tips: Books Galore

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips roundup. A bunch of personal finance books being released in the coming weeks. This edition will share how you can haggle with your docto

On Choosing and Defending Your Luxuries

How do you defend your luxuries? Easy: You defend them to yourself, not to some other guy.

6 C's to Keep You Frugal While Shopping

When you prepare to go on a shopping trip, there are 6 things that you should equip yourself with before heading out.

Need cheap or free construction materials? Go to a demolished housing development.

Amidst the financial crisis, many home builders around the country have run out of financing. Last week a bank decided to completely level 16 completed and partially built homes i

Five quick and simple scams that could happen to you today

A US version of the UK show The Real Hustle has been trying out some very simple but effective cons on the American public, and they’re getting away with some serious money. Watch,

Everything You Need to Know About Personal Finance on One Page

Trent Hamm of The Simple Dollar has published a short ebook he's giving away for free. It's audaciously titled "Everything You Ever Really Needed to Know About Personal Finance On

Do Americans really want to "Go Dutch"?

I just read a very interesting article by an American expat named Russell Shorto in the Netherlands titled "Going Dutch - How I Learned to Love the European Welfare State". The

7 Free and Low Cost Ways To Protect Your Credit

Many people have fallen victim to identity theft and credit fraud such that it's become essential for us to keep an eye on our credit. Most of the time, a fraud victim finds out a

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.