Topics in Money
last update:


The Resume: Accomplishments
Blowing your own horn.

Credit is Serious Business
Know how to improve your credit score.

My Story: Just Start
No better time than the present to start your savings plan.

The “Envelope System” in a Cashless Society
Bringing old budget tools into a new century.

Paying Off Holiday Bills
The average consumer rang up $626 in credit card charges.

Stashing Your Savings
Can she safely get more than 1%?

The "Three R's" of Success
Effectively tackle the process of saving money.

Financial Advice for a Picky Eater
Could picky eating now lead to financial problems later?

The Resume: Work History
Making your work history attractive.

A Financial Checklist
Using a checklist to make a positive change in your life.

Avoiding Payment Pain
Warning signs for the smart consumer.

Debt and Finding Employment
Can bad credit keep you from getting a job?

Hiding Debts from Hubby
Her husband doesn't know about the credit card debts.

Emergency Funds
Creating savings for a rainy day.

Cost-Cutting and Saving Strategies for Kids
Teaching the value of money doesn’t have to be difficult.


Surviving Tough Times

Avoiding Layoffs
How to stay employed in a tough economy.

Haggling With Your Credit Card Company
Negotiating terms duting tough economic times.

Frugal Fatigue
What to do when you're worn out on saving money and frugal fatigue sets in.







Consider these options before co-signing for a card
Considering co-signing for your son or daughter's credit card? Know that if you do, you'll bear as much legal responsibility for paying that debt off as he or she will.

Credit card revenge spending
Getting burned by the one you love can inspire the desire to get back by charging up credit accounts. The ultimate cost, however, may be borne by you..

7 ways to protect against being a victim of credit card revenge
Just suffered a break-up from a revenge-seeking ex? Here's how to make sure your credit is safe.

7 simple ways to create an emergency savings fund
You may feel stranded without a credit card, but the sooner you come up with an emergency cash fund, the less reliant you'll be on plastic.

Poll: Americans grumpy after parking their plastic over the holidays
The holiday shopping season was a grumpy affair for many Americans who were struggling to downsize their credit card debt.

5 smart things to do before new credit card law takes effect
For some, swift action is called for to lock in a deal before the law's provisions kick in Feb. 22. For others, the best move is to wait.

Negotiating down card debt and your credit score
You can ask a card company not to report your debt settlement to the credit bureaus, but there's no guarantee that it will comply.

'Emergency PINs' to summon help at ATMs?
It's not true: Punching your ATM's PIN in reverse won't summon the cops. But Congress liked the urban myth enough to mandate a study of the idea.

Don't take the refund anticipation loan bait
Refund anticipation loans continue to lure consumers -- even though they come with a hefty fees and surcharges.

9 Smart Personal Finance Moves
Keeping in the "know": 9 things to know to improve your finances in 2009.

9 Smart Debt Strategies
Now is the time to pay close attention to your debts. If this credit crunch turns into a credit winter, you could get financial frostbite if you are not prepared.

9 Wise Tax Moves
As the new year rolls in, here are nine new, renewed or slightly altered tax situations that could help you lower your tax bill.

Bankruptcy Do's and Don'ts
There are many things a person can do in the new year to have a smooth and positive bankruptcy experience.

Smart Credit Card Moves
Here's a look at what experts say is coming and what you should do about it.

13 Smart Insurance Moves
Smart insurance moves are all about minimizing risk.

Retirement: 13 Smart Money Moves
If what doesn't kill you really does make you stronger, then retirement investors will rule the roost in 2009.

Smart Moves for CDs, Checking and Savings
Investors hope that 2009 will provide more than a temporary respite from 2008's economic downward spiral.



Interview tips to snag a good job
Hiring managers share inside stories, both good and bad, about job applicants they'll never forget.

Let Uncle Sam help pay for your move
Got a job a few hundred miles away? The IRS helps you move, allowing deductions for some expenses.

10 wackiest tax deductions for 2010
Writing off the cat as an "exterminating expense"? It's just one of 2010's wackiest tax deductions.

Brokerages offer big credit card rewards
Brokerages offer generous rewards when investors use their credit cards.

No capital gains due for some investors
Some taxpayers won't pay any capital gains tax. Find out if you are eligible for this break.

A look at the many capital gains rates
Capital gains tax is a complicated game with high stakes for investors. We break down the rules.

Don't overlook tax break of mortgage points
Don't overlook the points you paid to get a lower mortgage rate. They can be a useful tax break.

Find job, fix resume with adult internship
An adult internship can fill gaps in your resume and even lead directly to your dream job.

Help available for low-income taxpayers
These special clinics can help eligible individuals who have tax issues beyond simply filing.

Filing assistance for special needs taxpayers
Need a 1040 in Braille? Or a tax expert with a TDD number? Here are some options.

Homebuyer tax credit extended, expanded
In 2009, lawmakers improved the homebuyer tax credit. Find out how it reduces your tax bill.

Finding free tax help
Everyone needs a little help now and then. At tax time, it can make a real difference, especially when it comes at no cost.

How to correct a credit report error
Take these steps to dispute inaccuracies on your credit report.

Job hunting could help cut your taxes
The bad news is that a lot of Americans are out of work. The good news is that a job search might help cut their tax bill.

How to find work as a mystery shopper
If you love to shop and want to earn extra cash, working as a mystery shopper may be for you.

Talk yourself into saving more
Saving with a specific, stated goal results in more money for you. Here's how to stay on track.

Super Bowl winnings are taxable income
Placed a bet on the big game? You're not alone, but most winners ignore the tax responsibilities.

Video: Credit cards after new law
The effects of the new credit card law.

Bankruptcy better than waiting out debt
You can try to outlast the statute of limitations on debt, but bankruptcy might be less of a burden.

How to adjust your withholding
Did you just discover you're getting a big tax refund? Then you need to adjust your withholding.


Ask Dr. Don

Refinance can fund home improvement plans
A refinance or home equity line or loan can be used to fund home improvement plans.

Financial planning requires team of pros
Investors who seek financial planning advice may be best served by a "team" approach.

Mortgage insurance won't last forever
Mortgage insurance premium payments will not hound a homeowner forever.

Modest savings bond yield looks savvy
A modest return on a Series I savings bond will look like a pretty savvy investment over the years.

DIY search can find lost savings account
Finding an inactive savings account is a do-it-yourself project that does not require paid help.


Tax Talk: George Saenz

Is elder abuse settlement taxable?
Whether a settlement is taxed or not depends on the nature of the claim, not the lawsuit.

Capital gains tax exclusions of $1.5 mil?
It takes time, a good market and homebuilding skills to claim $1.5 million in tax exclusions.

Claiming tax credit for a caregiver
You can claim a tax credit or a medical deduction for a caregiver, or a combination of both.

Writing off a tax loss on a franchise
Before determining the amount of tax loss on a franchise, make sure to amortize.


Bankrate's Financial Literacy

Bankrate's guide to building personal wealth takes an in-depth look at topics essential for building personal wealth and financial success through work sheets, calculators, expert advice and money-saving tips.

This month's topic:
Becoming credit savvy
Learn to navigate the sometimes treacherous credit landscape until 2010, when new consumer protection rules kick in.

Previous Topics:
Debt Management
Unrestrained spending will throw a balance sheet way out of whack.

Protecting Your Identity
Protect your computer, your finances and your family from this disruptive type of deception.

Planning for Your Heirs
Estate planning is something we tend to put off indefinitely, but it's an act of love.

Creating an emergency fund
Strategies for building your cash reserves for unexpected events.

Smart borrowing
These strategies will help you shop loans intelligently.