debt

Retirement on the installment plan

Among the fraction of the population who manage to put money aside, many view their investments through the lens of retirement.  They've got a number in mind--call it $X--enoug

Tips for Increasing Your Financial Literacy

A recent CNN article titled "Americans are 'financially illiterate'"

Join America Saves Week February 24 to March 2nd

This week is officially America Saves Week 2008. This is a campaign started in 2007 by many government agencies and private entities to encourage Americans to save because the per

UK banks are blocking customers' credit cards. Will the USA be next?

It was bound to happen. I just thought it would happen over here first. Today

Can you talk to your friends about debt?

Can you talk to your friends about your debt? Can you talk to your friends about their debt?

These Choos were made for walkin': an interview with a modern urban nomad

Ever feel stuck? In a rut? Running in place, but not getting much exercise? There's another way to live, you know; a way that bypasses, or at least delays, the mortgage, the co

Good Debt, Bad Debt

Whether debt is good or bad depends on how you spend the money. From best to worst, here are the four categories of debt that one writer uses.

How to Deal With Collection Agencies

Turn the collections process to your advantage by following these 9 suggestions.

Is Paypal making impulse buyers of us all?

Over the past few months I’ve noticed that more and more places accept Paypal and I began to wonder…is this going to create a generation of impulse buyers?

Debt repayment is not an expense

Over and over again, in budgeting articles and even books on personal finance, I see sample budgets that include debt repayment as if it were an expense. This shows a fundamental

How to Erase Your Medical Debt

As most of you know, the cost of healthcare in the United States is outrageous! [more]

Jettison the Junk: Why Clutter Clouds Your Mind and Saps Your Energy

A life cluttered with junk not only takes up space — it can take your energy, too.

‘Secret’ Attraction

I finally buckled under the pressure to remain in the loop with Oprah and I rented 'The Secret.' Now, before you think I’m going to offer a movie review, I’ll simply say that it fe

Resisting the impulse beauty buy

Are you an impulse beauty shopper? [more]

Do you have what you want… and do you want what you have?

Sometimes, being frugal means not just saving money; sometimes it means not spending any at all. There’s been a growing preoccupation with working more to earn more--to buy more; y

The seven deadly sins of consumerism (and the frugal redemption).

Sit ye down, hold your loved ones tight, and get ready for the seven deadliest sins of the modern day consumer. (By the way, I know I’m a movie buff when I can reference two of the greatest films ever made in one blog headline. [more]

83rd Carnival of Debt Reduction Webcomics Edition

Welcome fellow taxpayers and Lifehackers to the 83rd Carnival of Debt Reduction! To alleviate some of the tax day gloom, I randomly attached some links to webcomics throughout the posts. [more]

The Dirty Secrets of Credit Cards

Here are some of the biggest dirty secrets of the credit card industry.

How to Get a Lower APR, or Possibly Not

Getting my interest rate lowered by my credit card company was impossible, so I had to go a different route to avoid the interest charges.

SNL Financial Advice: Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford!

Sometimes, the best personal finance lessons come in the least expected places.