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Getting Started
Updated - June 29, 2009


How to Get Out of Debt
These 3 steps will change your financial direction.

The Power of Compound Interest
What could training shoes teach him about money?

Returning to School
Exploring your financial options.

I'm A Makeup Snob
Lower the cost without reducing the quality.

Five Tips for Post-Collegiate Financial Sanity
Surviving the lean years that often follow a college education.

6 Things You Don't Need to Take to College
Minimize expense and maximize space.

Jump Start Your Credit History
5 easy ways to build a great credit history while you’re young.

The ABCs of HSAs
Understanding health savings accounts.

Paying for Grad School
Affording an advanced degree.

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.


Shopping and credit cards
For some, a mall and a credit card are a financially toxic mix. It need not be so. These tips will help you become a savvier shopper -- and maybe even save some money.

What you buy, where you shop may affect your credit
The new Credit CARD Act calls for a probe of whether shopping at certain merchants or buying certain items affects your creditworthiness.

Credit card glossary terms to know for first-time card users
Ready for your first credit card? Before you start charging, here are credit card terms that will help you become a responsible credit card user.

Law alters cozy relationship between card issuers, colleges
New credit card legislation will change the cozy relationships between banks and colleges -- and mean less free pizza for students.

Weigh all options when financing expensive purchases
A reader wants to use a new credit card to buy his dream motorcycle, but our columnist suggests waiting and weighing all his options before making the purchase.

Credit card video: How to improve your credit score
The basics of a credit score and how to improve it.

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



Building a portfolio
It takes finesse, but anyone can create the perfect investment portfolio for their life stage and risk tolerance.

How does zero card balance impact score?
A tiny reported balance on your credit card may help your credit score.

Time is money -- so is patience
Time is money but patience can pay off big time when buying a home, looking for a job or investing in the stock market.

Peer-to-peer sites offer college loans
Four peer-to-peer lending sites offer loans for students and parents seeking college funding.

Building blocks of a successful investment strategy
Successful investing starts with knowledge. Here are the basics to get your portfolio on the right path.

Good times, bad times for 1st-time buyers
Buying a home was made very easy for first-timers several years ago. With prices at such low levels, are those loan packages still out there?

Savings strategies for different goals
You can set aside money for a car, a college education and retirement just by planning purposefully.

Finding financial aid as a married student
When it comes to getting college money, marriage can be an advantage instead of an obstacle.

Video: New necessities?
Do you really need all those services to live in today's world?

Is mobile banking safe?
Banking by cell phone is gaining popularity. Here's what you need to know to be secure.

Government buys student loan: What to do?
Thousands of people will soon be getting a letter about their student loans. Here's what they need to know.

Don't default on student loans
If making student loan payments is tough, you can set up a new payment plan, among several other options.




They're not Offering a 401K
I'm only 25 and just took a job with no 401k plan. How do I save for retirement?

Reaping the Rewards of Good Decisions
David and Denise made a decision 27 years ago to not live beyond their means. Today they are definitely living like no one else and want to share with you their success!

No Longer Spiraling Out of Control
"With limit increases and my irresponsibility, soon I owed $12,000 at age 20," Mark said. Read the exciting ending to his story!

Starting Our Marriage with a Financial Plan
"We are starting our marriage out with only one loan, and it has allowed me to find an excellent well-paying position that will let us focus on getting completely out of debt!" Sarah said.



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.