Hot Today

Wise Bread articles that are hot today.

12 Cheap First Date Ideas

First dates are already stressful enough. Thankfully, you don't need to spend a lot of cash to impress; just use one of these creative and cheap first date ideas.

4 Simple Ways to Conquer Your Fear of Investing

Don't be daunted by the stock market. With a little change in outlook, you can conquer your investing fears.

2-Minute Guide: How to Use Balance Transfers to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Balance transfers can help you out of debt in a hurry. Here's how to use them to clear that credit card debt.

The end of the Energizer bunny: SIX products that don't need batteries.

Since I became a father, my household's battery consumption has quadrupled. [more]

6 Tools That Can Help You Boost Your Credit Score This Year

Boosting your credit score takes time and patience, but there are plenty of tools and apps to help you along the way.

The 16 Cardinal Rules of Loaning Money to Friends and Family

Actually, the simplest rule is "Don't." But if you must, here's what you do to make it as painless as possible.

100+ Ways to Make More Money This Year

With a little creative thinking — and some elbow grease — you can turn anything from castoffs to chainsaw juggling into real money.

5 Alternative Housing Options You Can Afford

You don't have to live in a van by the river to cut your housing costs dramatically — instead, consider some nontraditional abodes, like these.

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.

How Much?! A Breakdown of Concert Ticket Prices

Where does the money go when you buy a concert ticket? And what's with all the service charges? Learn exactly what your ticket purchase is paying for.

9 Things to Know Before Retiring Abroad

The retirement of your dreams might include becoming an expat. Before you leave the U.S., it's important to know what to expect.

How to Find Your New Identity After Retirement

Your job is part of who you are. What happens when you leave it?

The Freedom of the Independent Yeoman

The financial crisis has given rise to renewed interest in self-sufficiency, which means we can learn a lot from the yeomen who used to populate the U.S.

4 Steps to Simplify Car Shopping in the New Year

Before you head to the dealer for a new car this year, make sure you have your finances in order.

Are some lives so empty that an iPhone 3G will fill the void?

In certain parts of the world (Russia comes to mind), people have stood in line for hours just to get some food. It’s messed up, but I get it. If standing in line for hours will re

My Favorite Guides to Frugal Living Are Not Guides to Frugal Living

Want to turn friends on to the frugal lifestyle without scaring them away? Ease them in with my favorite books that are not in-your-face anti-spending books, yet teach a lot of gre

The 10 Things Everyone Should Be Saving For

What are you saving for? Hopefully it's some (or all!) of these important savings goals.

The 5 Best USB-Powered Fans

Keeping yourself and your computer cool in a stuffy work area isn't easy, but it can be. Use any of these USB-powered fans and your work area will always be chill.

How to Budget Consistently Without a Steady Paycheck

Adapting your finances to the freelance life takes a little finesse. No worries: You can budget like a boss even without a steady income.

Social Security Is Not a Ponzi Scheme

Once again, people are comparing Social Security to a Ponzi scheme. That's a bogus comparison. Here's why.