Topics in
Getting Started
Updated - Nov. 9, 2009


Cheap Digital Music
Finding affordable digital music.

Furnishing a First Apartment
Finding cheap furniture for your first home.

Cash Flow Management
A lack of knowledge could keep you from success.

Investing While In College
A grad student wants to know the best way to invest his savings.

A Beginner’s Guide to Budgeting Success
Reach your desired financial destination.

Kitchen 101
When you don't know the first thing about cooking.

Pay Off Student Loan Debt
7 tools to repay those student loans.

Networking
Network your way to job security.

Cooking for One
Breaking the monotony of meals.

Guarding Against Hidden Hackers
The bad guys have new methods to put your data at risk.

The Dollar Stretcher Community

Join the Dollar Stretcher Community and share what you know with your frugal friends.

Singles Only
Share your tips and ideas on frugal single living.

Money Management
All about money: Taxes, insurance, budgeting, retirement, getting out of debt and banking.


Understanding and Protecting Credit

A 14-lesson guide to understanding and protecting your credit.

Lesson 1: Be Credit Smart
Being credit smart can help you save a lot of money, and make life a lot less complicated and stressful.

Lesson 2: Your Credit Report
Your credit report is an important key to your financial future, because it can cost you or save you a lot of money.

Lesson 3: Your Credit Score
Your credit score is one of your most valuable financial assets!

Lesson 4: Is Your Credit Score Accurate?
It is very important to check your credit reports on a regular basis to make sure everything is accurate!

Lesson 5: How to Improve Your Credit Score
Make sure you get the credit you deserve.

Lesson 6: Credit Monitoring
Monitoring your credit can be a wise investment to help protect your credit, and your good name.

Lesson 7: Identity Theft
Get the facts on the fastest growing crime.

Lesson 8: Identity Theft Part II
Know these 7 common warning signs.

Lesson 9: Identity Theft Part III
Steps you can take and habits you can practice to reduce your chances of becoming an identity theft victim.

Lesson 10: Identity Theft Victims
Immediate steps to take if you think you have become victim to identity theft.

Lesson 11: Keys to Credit
It's important to start off on the right foot when establishing and using credit.

Lesson 12: Separating Fact from Myth
Separating credit facts from myths can help you better understand and manage your credit.

Lesson 13: Top Ten List of Worst Credit Card Company Practices
Be careful not to become trapped by these credit card company tricks.

Lesson 14: Fighting Back Against Credit Card Company Practices
Don't fall prey to credit card company tactics that are designed to take advantage of consumers.

Credit Action Center:
Check Your Credit
Monitor Credit Daily
Get 3-in-1 Credit Report

Other Credit Learning Center Resources:
Loan Savings Center
Comparison Shopping
Personal Finance
Financial Planning
The Insurance Center
Car Buying Strategies



How do I ... Ladder CDs?
CD laddering offers safety, high returns and liquidity all in the same place.

Learn how to be rich
Can you learn how to be rich by taking a wealth-management class?

Ways to save on your wedding
There are ways to have a beautiful, meaningful wedding ceremony without going into debt.

How to use Twitter to save cash
Twitter isn't just for chatting. The social networking site can also be a tool to find deals and discounts.

Retirement in your 20s
The earlier you begin investing, the better your prospects for getting rich.

3 ways to master a credit card
Your card rates are growing, and it may not be your credit that's the problem. It may be the bank's.

Get payback for volunteer work
National service organizations are expanding to help students pay for college. Are they worth it?

4 ways to handle overdue student debt
College graduates who fall behind on student loans can turn to these tips to get back on track.

Are charge cards bad for credit scores?
The impact of a charge card, like an American Express card, depends on the monthly balance.

Uncle Sam wants you ... unless your credit stinks
You may be ready to serve your country, but if your finances aren't in good shape, you might get washed out.

Want a better FICO score? Step No. 1: Pay bills on time
Paying your bills on time every time is vital, but it's just the start to building a good credit score.

Getting a cell phone? Mind that other number: your credit score
If you want to get the latest iPhone or other fancy cell phone, you may find your credit score is a key number. A bad one turns your phone into an expensive connection.

Piggybacking, meant to jump-start credit, can backfire
Becoming an authorized user on a parent, guardian or other adult's credit card account can have rewards as well as pitfalls. Bad payment habits of the accountholder can ruin the authorized user's credit score.

Bankrate's guide to auto buying.

Getting Started
Before you go car shopping, do your homework. Know what you want and how you plan to pay for it.

Shop 'til You Drop
Whether shopping online or off, discover how to track down the best vehicle at the best price.

The Buying Experience
You know your budget and did your shopping. Now, it's time to bargain with the seller.

The Leasing Experience
Leasing makes sound, financial sense in certain situations and for certain people. Is that you?

Financing the Deal
Shop for a loan just as you'd shop for a vehicle. Do your homework before signing on the dotted line.

Insuring Your Vehicle
Buying a new car, or a different one than the one you now own, will mean a change in insurance costs.

Bankrate's guide to obtaining, managing and using credit cards wisely.

Matching the Card to Your Lifestyle
The smart consumer selects the card that matches his or her spending and payment habits.

Credit Reports, Credit Scores and You
Here's how to order and read your credit reports and how your credit score is affected by the reports.

Costs and Fees
You found a credit card with a great low interest rate. Good for you. Now, what about the fees?

Managing Your Cards
You pay promptly and never go over the limit. But, do you know your consumer rights?

Using Credit Wisely
Savvy spenders use credit carefully. Discover when it's smart to pull out a card and when it's not.

Special-Need Card Users
Here are the cards best for first-time applicants, students and for those with bruised credit.