Personal Finance

Should George W. Bush write for Wisebread?

I'm not sure how many of you watch the news or read the news blogs on a daily basis. I know I can't, it's way too depressing to do every day. But when I saw that George W. Bush, ou

Dollar-Cost Averaging: my path to becoming a not-so-nervous investor

Can the concept of dollar-cost averaging (DCA) help prevent nervousness in investors? (I think so). But what is DCA and is it a viable investment strategy? If you are a seasoned in

New $5 bill unveiled

The US Treasury today unveiled a new $5 bill, with security features intended to make it harder to bleach out a $5 and use the paper to counterfeit a $100 bill.

Carry some cash

I recommend carrying some actual cash money. When I do that, a lot of people say, "Why? Everyplace I go takes credit and debit cards." In fact, I know people who brag about spen

We're Link Lovers, Not Fighters.....

Wow! What an amazing couple of weeks it has been. We have seen an amazing amount of link love, and we wanted to share some of the highlights with you!

Insured Annuities for Wise Bloggers

You (or somebody you know) can have your cake and eat it too utilizing the Insured Annuity concept. It's a way to provide a guaranteed tax-preferred lifetime income while guarantee

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

Mutual Funds for Wise Bloggers

I know that Wise Bloggers are smart readers, so you might already know everything there is to know about mutual funds. However I have come across many very smart people who don't a

Book review: The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need

Andrew Tobias' The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need is the perfect book for every Wise Bread reader.

Hitching a Ride on an Airplane

Hitch hiking has been done for years and years. Simply stick your thumb out and wait for a benevolent driver to stop. But how about thumbing a ride on an airplane?

Clues to detecting the astute investor

You may have encountered some financial talk at cocktail parties or neighborhood cookouts. The discussions may have centered on low mortgage rates, debt consolidation deals, and sk

Renting is cheaper

Everybody has seen a rent-versus-buy analysis. Here's a different way to look at it.

TIPS and I-Bonds

There are risks in any investment. The market might go down--or the market might go up, but your investment might go down anyway. The company that issued your stock or bond might

A Guaranteed Way To Avoid Impulse Credit Card Purchases

This tip is so easy and simple you'll wonder why you didn't think of it already. All you need is a plastic bag and some water, and your impulse credit card purchases will be a thin

Save your Lunchmeat: Insurance for your Fridge

We often protect our computers, TV’s, and sound systems with special power strips to protect against power surges. Most families I know go the extra mile to stain-protect their li

Gold as an investment

There are those who point to the 1980 peak gold price of $850/oz and observe that the price would have to go up to $2149/oz just to get back to that point. I say, take a second lo

How to Deal With Collection Agencies

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

Link Love was made for You and Me

Where would Wisebread be without all of its loyal readers and those that link to it? I shudder to even think about it. And so, dear lovers of all things frugal, I present another

Book review: The Little Book of Common Sense Investing

John C. Bogle's The Little Book of Common Sense Investing will help you earn a maximum long-term investment return with the least effort possible.

Critical Illness Insurance For Wise Patients

There are many people who believe in insurance, and just as many who are vehemently against it. Personally I'm a believer, but I also know that there is no blanket solution for

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.