Hot Today

Wise Bread articles that are hot today.

8 Times You Should Demand a Discount

Whether it's a dented floor model dishwasher, or you're paying in cash… know that you can — and should — demand a discount.

Does Your Teenager Really Need a Credit Card?

Does your teenager actually need a credit card? Probably.

5 Signs You Aren't Ready for a Credit Card

You really want a credit card. But are you ready for one? These signs say no.

529 Plans for College Expenses: What’s Cool and What’s Quirky

529 plans for college expenses are very cool but extremely quirky. Cool federal-tax benefits, which were temporary and set to expire in just a few years, have been made permanent b

6 Must-Haves for Your Travel First Aid Kit

Before you jet off on your next trip, make sure you have these items in your first aid kit.

A Note on Consumer Justice

Remember my lamps? These lamps? I’m not surprised if you don’t—I mentioned th

When NOT to put money in your 401(k)

The twin advantages of tax deferral and a corporate match make the 401(k) the foundation of most people's savings plan. Putting in enough to get the maximum corporate match is

8 Signs Your House Is Holding You Back

Your house is supposed to help you build net worth. But if it's crushing you financially, it might be time to move on.

Holiday Gift Giving Techniques

Some of the things we love about Christmas (like sitting around a beautifully lit tree on Christmas morning with the family and opening gifts and enjoying some Christmas cheer) get

21 Ways to Make a Big Financial Change

Making big financial change requires vision, commitment, and inspiration. Here are 21 ways to stay the course and meet your goals.

I Got Duped! Dealing With Credit Card and Merchant Disputes

So you bought an awesome thing-a-ma-jiggy or service with your credit card. But when you got it home you discovered the item doesn't work, the service was a heist, or the

Pursuing Retirement Goals in the New Year: Highlights from Our Chat with AARP and Ad Council

Don't miss the highlights from our chat with AARP and Ad Council on pursuing retirement goals in the new year!

Your equity was always imaginary

You used to hear the term "land rich, cash poor" for people who owned valuable land but didn't have quite enough money to make ends meet.  It's an expression that

Easy, Frugal Ways to Have People Over (Even If You Don't Cook and Clean)

Don't get intimidated by hosting dinner parties. Instead, discover great ways to gather people together that require minimal cooking and cleaning.

Ask the Readers: What Is Your Biggest Financial Accomplishment?

Tell us about your biggest financial accomplishment and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

The 5 Best Pens

Keeping your handwriting clear and smudge-free isn't easy, but it can be. Just use any of these pens and your words will be beautifully preserved on the page.

Love Your Skin With Free Health Screenings!

May is skin cancer awareness month, and as a close friend to many skin cancer survivors, I know how important it is to get regular check-ups. I

Ask the Readers: What Summer Activities Do You Love?

Tell us about the summer activities you love and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Ask the Readers: Do You Have a Vegetable Garden?

Tell us whether you have a vegetable garden and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Not free to be poor

Nobody wants to be poor. It's a dangerous and constrained position to be in. But there are people out there (me, for instance) who are relatively happy to live at a fairly low st