The Los Angeles Times recently reported that a TSA worker was caught after stealing valuables from passenger luggage. Among the pilfered items was a prepaid debit card with $1,000 loaded on it. While having a debit card stolen is …
Budgeting
“The most miserly people in the United States right now would look incredibly self-indulgent by the standards of the U.S. 100 years ago.”
Family Finance Lessons From the Budget Battle in Washington
The two sides are locked in a seemingly endless tug-of-war over budget issues. Again and again they say they’ll work together for the greater good. But when it comes down to making actual decisions about money, it’s a …
Top 10 Consumer Complaints
What’s getting consumers up in arms lately? Check out the list that follows. Working with various state, local, and federal consumer agencies, the Consumer Federation of America has gathered and sifted through more than 252,000 …
Skins Game: Did Winning the British Open Save Darren Clarke’s Financial Hide?
Talk about pressure. Pro golfer Darren Clarke entered the last round of the British Open earlier this month with the weight of Irish pride on the line and the knowledge that 42-year-olds generally don’t win golf majors. But he …
149 Money Tips: Save on Gas, Cars, Kids Gear, Prescription Meds, and More
We’ve also rounded up advice on how coupons and buzz words and phrases (“Limited Time Only!”) can easily push consumers to waste money they otherwise would have saved.
Want Happiness? Don’t Buy More Stuff — Go on Vacation
When it comes to spending money on things or experiences, the research is clear: Doing brings more happiness than owning.
Should You Buy a House with a Ton of Student Loan Debt?
Liz Weston, one of the best personal finance experts out there, recently received this question from a reader:
Next year we will be shopping for a house in the $150,000-to-$200,000 range and hope to have $20,000 to $30,000 saved for a down payment. We have about $75,000 in student loans we are paying down. Would it be better to
…
Your Credit Report: 6 Ways To Raise (or Lower) Your Score
You probably know that having a good credit score is important for your financial stability. What you may not realize is just how good a score you need these days to be considered top-notch by lenders. Banks are aggressively …
Mad About Netflix Prices? Here Are Some Alternative Services
So you’re angry at Netflix over the recently announced price hike. Well, you’re not alone. But if you’re thinking about dropping the DVD-by-mail service to save money, here’re a few alternatives.
Why Free Things Can Cost A Lot (And Make Your Brain Freeze)
News that Slurpee sales spike on days when 7-Eleven gives Slurpees away got us wondering why — well, it got our editors wondering why — and we think we have an answer. So, in this Mind Over Money post, we’ll explain how …
What Would a U.S. Government Default Feel Like For the Average American?
A compromise between the budget proposals being batted around by President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner will, hopefully, be reached before the federal government defaults on any debt.
But what if the August 2 deadline to …