Hot Today

Wise Bread articles that are hot today.

Emergency belt-tightening

Typical personal finance advice would have you divide your budget categories into two groups: Your fixed expenses and your discretionary expenses. I generally don't like that dis

Afraid of Spending Money? Here Are 5 Perks of Your Phobia

For some, chrometophobia can be crippling. For the frugal minded, it's just another way to save more.

The Only 5 Rules of Home Buying You Need to Know

Buying a home can be seem scary — and complicated. But if you keep these basics in mind, you'll soon have the home of your dreams.

12 Fun Ways to Give Experiences Instead of Stuff

Running out of ideas for things to give? Take your giving to the fourth dimension and give your recipient the gift of time well spent.

Prepaid Gift Cards for Modern Envelope Budgeting

Interested in budgeting your money but don't want to carry loads of cash? Enter in the modern equivalent using Gift Check Cards or Preloaded Student cards.

The Smart Way to Pay for Cell Phone Service

Prepaid month-to-month or postpaid on contract? The smarter, cheaper option may surprise you.

How to Express Condolences Without Saying Something Stupid

Do you feel awkward when you try to express condolences? Try these techniques to show your sympathy.

6 Ways to Ask Your Boss for Better Work-Life Balance

Unless you're self-employed, the only way to improve your work-life balance is to ask. Get your boss to say yes with this clear plan.

10 Ways to Save Time With Batch Processing

From errands to work to paying the bills, discover how grouping tasks together can save you tons of valuable time.

New Tools for the Unbanked

Lack of access to the banking system has been an expensive burden on the poor. Just recently, a surge in new financial products make it a lot less expensive to be unbanked.

10 Things to Know Before You Start a Home Improvement Project

Don't take a hammer to that wall you want to tear down until you consider these things first.

20 Household Uses for Pantyhose

From eliminating scratches when you clean to protecting your plants to lowering your heating bills, a pair of nylons can do a lot more than just cover your legs.

10 Ways to Make Facebook Productive

From playing Farmville to following mindless status updates, Facebook is a well-known time suck. Here's how to use it to get things done instead.

Going Green: How to Live a (Nearly) Cash-Only Life

Whether you have a problem with credit-card debt or just want a new way to budget, it might be time to go for the green.

Another one for the readers

Here's where to find free e-books online.

The Best Credit Cards for Online Booking Sites

If you often use online travel portals to make your travel purchases, you may benefit from a co-branded credit card that offers bonus rewards for your loyalty.

Your 401(k) is not an investment

Your 401(k) is not an investment. Neither is your IRA. Those are legal compartments for holding investments. [more]

The Four C's of Applying for and Managing your Credit

What exactly is your credit score? What factors are weighed when you apply for a loan? How can you improve your credit and ability to get great loan rates? And how can you unwittin

What Can You Do With Unwanted Gift Cards?

In my house we try to spend gift cards as soon as possible because the longer they are held the less purchasing power they have. Sometimes there are just cards you are not interest

2 Investing Concepts Everyone Should Know

Successful investors know how to get the most from compound interest and make sure they have the right asset allocation. Here's why these two investing concepts are so important.