Articles on Personal Finance

How to Donate a Car to Charity

If you need to get rid of a car, selling it isn't your only option — if you donate it, you can help a charity you care about and get a nice tax deduction.

Why Getting Out of Debt is Like Running a Marathon

A few years ago, I ran a marathon. And while it taught me a lot about exercise, it might have taught me even more about money.

5 One-Size-Fits-All Spending Tips That Don’t Really Fit Everyone

From cutting up credit cards to cutting out lattes, these pervasive personal finance tips are repeated again and again, but could be bad advice for you.

8 Invitations to an IRS Tax Audit

Don't let your tax return send up a red flag to the IRS; avoid these common reasons for an audit.

6 Ways to Put Your 2011 Payroll Tax Break to Work

Americans will be paying 2% less on their payroll taxes in 2011. Instead of wasting that cash, use one or more of these ideas to make the most of your "bonus."

Why Your Business Owes Taxes When It Didn’t Generate Cash Profits

Unfortunately for small business owners, cash income and taxable income are not necessarily the same. Read this to avoid nasty surprises come tax time.

12 Ways to Save on Business Insurance Premiums

From improving your building to hiring the right contractors, these 12 things can help you manage — or even reduce — your insurance premiums.

Diagnose and Improve Your Financial Health: A 10-Item Checklist

If you resolved to take better care of your finances in 2011, learn what to fix first — and how — with this checkup list.

Runaway Debt, Can You Ever Pay It Back?

If runaway debt is taking over your life, here's some help from a perhaps unexpected source: rock band Soul Asylum.

Who Cheated Us Out of Our Amazing Future?

In the 1950s, people said automation would create a future where we'd only have to work 20 hours a week to support ourselves. What happened?

Don't Just Think About Income When Saving for Retirement

Focusing on your current income is a good start to retirement planning, but you also need to think about spending to truly have a well-funded retirement.

IRS Delays Start of Tax Filing for Some Taxpayers in 2011

The IRS announced that certain taxpayers will have to wait until late February 2011 to file taxes. Read on to see if you are affected by this delay.

It’s Not Too Late: Last Minute End of Year Tax Planning

In case you’ve missed the multitude of articles concerning end-of-year tax-planning, here are the two most important moves you should consider over the next few days.

Cleaning Out for a Cause: Make a Noncash Tax-Deductible Donation

Donating your used goods can help those in need, reduce clutter, and give you a nice tax deduction. Here's what you need to know to donate goods before the end of the year.

Things Don't Cost What They Used To: 10 Major Price Shifts in 2010

From corn to gold, these 10 common goods and commodities had major price changes in 2010 — and may continue to shift in 2011.

5 Ways to Save More Taxes in 2011

From hiring your children to changing your accounting methods, make these changes in 2011 to ensure you pay fewer taxes in 2012.

Best Money Tips: Financial Mistakes to Avoid in 2011

Today, we share the financial mistakes to watch out for, how to make your own glitter flats, and simple ways to spend less on produce.

8 Tips for Improving or Starting a Budget

Whether your current budget could use some tweaking or you're trying to get your finances sorted out for the first time, these suggestions can help you build a better budget.

Safety Tips for Holiday Driving

As holiday stress levels rise, drivers can get careless. Add in bad weather, and things can get downright dangerous. Follow these suggestions to arrive at your destination safely.

How Will the Obama Tax-Cut Deal Affect You?

On December 17th, 2010, President Obama signed a $858-billion tax-cut package into law. Here's how it could affect you.