Money Management

Empowering your relationship with money, budgeting and getting the most out of your money.

Understanding your Pay Stub

Twice a month, you receive a pay stub chock-full of important financial and tax information. If you don't know how to interpret the data on your paycheck, you might be accidentally losing money. Read our expert tips for reading your pay stub.

So, You're Getting Married! Just One Question: How Will You Pay for It?

The average wedding costs around $28,000. How you decide to finance your wedding will be one of the first important decisions you make as a couple. Take a closer look at options for financing your wedding with personal loans, HELOC's, family loans or credit cards.

Love and Money — What You Should Know Before You Tie the Knot

Is money the “cause” of 50% of divorces? That “fact” – and variations of it – have been circulated by many for years, but try to track down an authoritative study substantiating it and you´ll come up empty-handed. This article examines the role money plays in relationships.

You Can Recession-Proof Your Life . . . Right Now

The stock market is in turmoil. Subprime mortgages are wreaking havoc. Bankruptcies are on the rise. Unemployment, debt, oil prices: there is a lot of worrisome economic news lately. Learn how to recession-proof your finances.

How to Cut Your Property Taxes

The median amount that U.S. homeowners paid in property taxes in 2006 was $1,742, but some folks were hit with much larger bills. In this article, we show you six steps to reduce your property tax bill.

Three Ways to Put Your Budget on Auto Pilot

Find a painless, profitable method for sticking to a budget! Our expert shows you three ways to make your money management simple. Learn about budgeting websites, the envelope method and the three account method.

Seven Priceless Holiday Gifts That Won't Break Your Budget

Do you get butterflies in your stomach, thinking about crowded shopping malls and a fruitless quest to find the perfect holiday presents without maxing out the MasterCard? We have seven ideas to inspire you!

10 Ways to Avoid Overdraft and Bounced Check Fees

Americans now pay an estimated $17.5 billion per year in overdraft fees. Beat these numbers by learning how to avoid bouncing checks. Read 10 tips for avoiding overdraft charges.

The Ins and Outs of Paying by Check

The Ins and Outs of Paying by Check What happens when you sign a check? What's the right way to use a check? Our expert explains the basics of using a checking account. Learn how to use checks.

Life Insurance: Peace of Mind for You and Your Loved Ones

Life insurance can be an inexpensive and easy way to protect your loved ones. In this article, we show you how to see if you need life insurance, how much coverage to get and what sort of policy might be right for you.

Painless Penny Pinching Part One: How to Save Big Without Feeling Deprived

Beefing up your savings doesn't have to be painful. There are plenty of ways to tighten your financial belt without being overly frugal. Learn seven easy ways to save money each month.

Painless Penny Pinching Part Two: Strategies for Saving Big Without Feeling Deprived

Can't give up the morning java fix you get at Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts? Don't! Instead, come up with other ways to cut your expenses by using some of the most popular strategies for saving big without squeezing every penny until it hurts. Ready, set.. start saving!

What you Need to know about Bounced Checks

Bounced checks can happen to anyone and they can have a major impact on your finances. In this article, we decode the process behind a bounced check and the consequences of having an overdrafted checking account.

Making the Most of the Perks at Work: Part One

No matter where you work, chances are there are fringe benefits that can make life a lot easier . and cheaper. These perks are generally worth over 35% of your annual salary. Learn how to make the most of employee benefits.

Making the Most of the Perks at Work: Part Two

In Part Two of this discussion of work perks, we'll focus on other important benefits, including family leave, tuition reimbursement, stock options, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs, expense reimbursement, and more.

Seven Questions to Ask Before Opening a Bank Account

Having a checking account and savings account with trusted bank is the first step to managing your money each month. This article shows you what to look for when opening a bank account.

Homeowner's Insurance: Cut Your Premium in Half

Whether you own or rent a raised ranch, brownstone, McMansion?, or two-bedroom condo, having the right kind of home insurance - and enough of it - is both costly and vital. Yet with a little effort, you can cut your premium in half. Read 11 tips for reducing your insurance costs.

Ten Resolutions to Make Your Financial Life Easier

Another year gone by and it is time to make our New Year's resolutions. In the interest of saving time, while attending to those pesky financial chores that must be done, here are some tips for making your financial life simpler (and richer) next year.

Holiday Gifts That Pay Off

If you are tired of giving gifts that are long forgotten by the next holiday, or if you would like to give a spendthrift friend or relative a nudge in the right direction without being too obvious, consider a gift that can help them put more money in their pocket.

10 Tips for Holiday Spending

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Ramadan, or Kwanzaa, the winter holiday season can be expensive. According to the American Research Group, consumers are likely to spend an average of $1,000 for the holiday season! If you're not careful, this spending can lead to some major financial issues for the New Year. Read some tips for managing your holiday spending, keeping your costs down, and protecting your credit.

Investing with Your Conscience...and Your Brain

It's becoming popular—and profitable—for people to seek out investments based upon their own personal values. Known as "socially responsible investing" (SRI), this movement started in earnest during the 1970s. By the early 1980s, there was a small group of SRI mutual funds that "screened" companies based upon their environmental policies, weapons production, child labor practices...and soon, many other issues began to appear. Learn more about socially responsible investing.

Talking to Your Parents about their Money and Final Wishes

Estate planning is a difficult conversation to have with our parents. While it is difficult to discuss life's final chapter, it may be easier than you think ... and perhaps more rewarding. In this article, we show you what you need to discuss and how to manage the coversation. Talk to your parents about their estate plans

Retrain Your Brain to Cut Debt and Build Wealth

Why is changing our behavior so difficult? Why do we get stuck in a rut so often? Why do we make dumb choices with our money that seem so obvious in hindsight? This article explores psychological aspects of financial behavior and shows you how to make big changes.

From Fear to Freedom

Like it or not, we all have a relationship with our finances. Why are so many people scared of this relationship? This article addresses how you can change this fear to one of empowerment. Budgeting your money and remaining vigilant of your financial position is part of the awareness you need to have a healthy and prosperous financial future.

Gas Station Smarts

With gas prices hitting new highs this fall, we all need to be careful about keeping our gas costs under control. At $3.00 a gallon, filling up a standard car's tank could cost you more than $50.00 a pop. Learn how to deal with high prices to avoiding credit card fraud.

Emergency Preparation

Just like you prepare for the worst when it comes fires and floods, it is also a good idea prepare for financial emergencies. A financial emergency can include anything from a loss of job to an unexpected medical bill.