Debit Cards Are Different Would you give a thief direct access to your checking account? No? Unfortunately, you may be doing just that by regularly using your debit card. Debit cards may look identical to credit cards, but there’s one key difference. With credit cards, users who spot fraudulent...
When to Put Your Cash Back Into the MarketI have a substantial amount of cash I want to move into stock and bond mutual funds I already own. I’m aware of the concept of dollar-cost averaging, but I’m afraid that as soon as I move the money it will decline in value and take years to recover. My question is not about what to invest...
Three Ways a Cheap Payday Loan Can be a Smarter IdeaTo tune into the daily stock market reports– in any media, including television, radio or digital – you would think the core concern of every American is what happened with the Dow that afternoon. Which is pretty far off the mark. The majority of working people are trying to figure out how to pay...
The easiest way to get more incomeSaving and investing wisely is not an easy achievement. How much do you need to save for retirement? Where should you put your money? There are thousands of financial advisors who offer differing opinions on these matters. But if there is one utterly clear maxim of saving for retirement it’s...
15 times not to use your credit cardThere are plenty of reasons to use a credit card — convenience, accountability and safety among them — but when is it better just to step away from the swiper? There are many out there who would say that there’s never a good time to use a credit card, and that cash, debit or anything else would...
Money-saving secrets at StarbucksStarbucks announced Wednesday that they’d be raising prices soon, apparently due to higher bean costs. “Over the last six months a highly speculative green coffee market and dramatically increased commodity costs have completely altered the economic and financial picture of many players in...
15 Things You Shouldn’t Pay ForSo much money and energy is wasted on things we could get for free. If you’re into new, shiny things and collecting stuff, this is not for you. But if you want less clutter in your life and want to keep more of your money, then check out these 15 things you shouldn’t be paying for. Basic...
What the Double-Dip Recession Will Look Like“Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the economy has yet to hit bottom, a sharply higher percentage than the 53% who felt that way in January,” according to a recent Wall Street Journal poll. A growing and vocal minority of economists believes that there will be a double-dip recession...
10 Tips to Help You Save $1,000 By ChristmasIf you’re like many people, at the beginning of every year you resolve to get your finances in better shape by paying off debt and adding to your savings. But like many resolutions, the reality often doesn’t meet the goal. All is not lost. There are still five full months left in the year...
10 ways to stop wasting your moneyConfession: I hate to pay for parking. Unless it’s as hot as Iraq or raining cats and dogs, I will do whatever it takes to find a legal space on the street, preferably free. And I’m good at it. It mainly takes faith, patience and experience. Recently, I found a spot on Chicago’s North...