If you are having trouble trimming the fat from your budget, it might be because you do not realize that you are paying too much for some things. And by too much, I mean paying anything at all. The truth is that there are plenty of ways to get things for free these days. Here are 4 financial products you might be paying too much for: 1. Credit Report You know you need...

When it comes to financial education, there are concerns that Americans do not know what they should. In order to rectify that situation, the U.S. Treasury has identified 5 “Core Competencies” of financial education. The idea is to put together a plan to help Americans assess whether or not they know what they should about money. Right now, the Treasury is...

It would be nice to think that the most recent recession was an aberration, but the truth is that it is not. Recessions come and go; it is part of the natural economic cycle. You can always expect there to be up cycles and down cycles. This means that once you get through this recession, it is a good idea to be ready for the next one. No, you do not have to stockpile gold...

September is National College Savings Month. Are your kids saving for college? If your child is planning to attend college, it is a good idea to have him or her start saving as early as possible. Indeed, it can help for you to start saving on their behalf. The cost of tuition continues to rise, and your children will need a significant amount of money if they are to reduce...

There has been a great deal of talk about the changes that many have made in response to the recent recession. Many have made financial changes, paying down credit card debt and building savings. A little more conscious spending is taking place. As a result, many people are now creating a better financial foundation, rather than overspending into a precarious situation. But...

One of the subtle influences on your credit score is the type of credit account you have. For instance, while it doesn’t count that much, it makes a small difference whether you have a department store credit card or a major bank credit card. Normally, I fall firmly into the camp of not having a department store credit card. It seems pointless: The interest rates...

Earlier this week, Federal Reserve rules requiring banks to get your permission for debit card overdrafts went into effect. This might not be much of a surprise to you, since your bank has probably been sending you information, and encouraging you to opt in. If you do not opt in, any debit card transactions for amounts you do not have in your checking account will be denied. The...

Back to school shopping season is upon us. Parents are dragging their kids to malls and department stores across the country to shop for backpacks, books, school supplies, and clothing. College students are shopping too for new clothes, textbooks, and door room decorations. Everyone is looking to score the best deals on their buys. The way to do this is by preparing yourself...

Saving money is a sacrifice. You have to give up one thing in order to get another. Anyone can save money if they are willing to sacrifice to meet their goals. One of the easiest ways to save is by lowering your recurring expenses. Recurring expenses are those monthly bills that show up month after month. These bills may be aggravating but there is a way to lower them. Follow...