Personal Finance Articles

Banks have improved the functionality of mobile banking so that consumers can transfer funds, pay bills or check balances whenever and wherever they may be.

Self-employed advisors are prone to a number of unique expenses, but the tax benefits can often balance out the financial burdens.

Learn about the rise of the "mompreneur" and why these industrious women are getting so much attention.

Before you work from home you should consider these seven things to make sure it's for you.

This past week marked the last trading day of a tumultuous year.

Recessions and depleted Social Security funds could derail your post-work plans. Find out how to stay on track.

Billionaires have a big edge when it comes to finding tax breaks. They can hire the best legal minds to find and exploit tax loopholes.

We look at some corporate head honchos who are in the running for the fattest bonuses in 2010, and what they've done to earn them.

After 2008's market crash, the pretty picture of retirement looks very different. Learn what the new definition of "retirement" will mean for you.

Follow these five steps to manage debt without cutting up your credit cards.

Like every year, 2010 had some real doozies when it came to questionable financial decisions.

Buying your first home can be an exhilarating experience, provided you do some research, stay within a comfortable budget and work with reputable professionals who will guide you through the process.

Financial disagreement is one of the top reasons couples split, and often after one person has ruined the other's finances.

No investor can make all of the right moves, so there are always regrets to learn from in the market.

You've seen the layoffs happen around you, and wonder: could I be next? Here are eight signs you're about to get fired, and what to do in order to save your career.

There are plenty of ways to end up with a bad mortgage. The risks of these five should make every homebuyer think twice before signing.

Instead of rationalizing, learn to talk yourself out of buying things you can't afford.

As Wall Street set to close for the holidays, a few companies held off on their Christmas shopping to give the financial world something to talk about.

These CEOs pulled their companies back from the brink of financial ruin. Find out what they did to achieve the turnaround and how they did it.

The subprime mortgage meltdown of 2008 has not diminished the tax advantages of home ownership in America.

Make the most of the last few days of the year by taking advantage of these 10 tax tips before 2010 ends.

Do you have a capital loss that could be booked and used to offset future tax liabilities? If so, it may be time to sell.

Find out why good intentions can put consumers in an even bigger hole than before.

It's only a matter of time before a new crop of wealthy individuals hits the billion dollar mark in 2011.

Start the year off right by evaluating your financial health and setting new goals.

How will the year compare to 2010? What's likely to be different?

New year, new job hunt? If you're job hunting from your old job, you'll have to proceed with caution.

An unbelievable amount of money gets wasted in the form of non-redemption: nearly $5 billion a year. These tips will ensure that your gift card gift doesn't go to waste.

We show you how to hit the millionaire mark step by step.

Many taxpayers would be surprised to discover some of the things that qualify as legitimate deductions.

Hoping to make 2011 more prosperous that this year? Learn top financial habits you should take up for the New Year.

The New Year is the perfect time to clean up your messy financial habits.

The economy is picking up and companies are paying bonuses again. Should you spend it or save it?

Find out how government farm subsidies can distort the price of food you're putting on your table for the holidays.

Here are some easy steps you can take to get your debt under control in the New Year.

Find out what could be hidden in this often-overlooked part of the financial statements.

If you're looking for work around the holidays, there are definite perks to working in the red suit. Learn about Santa's high personal appearance fees.

We look at the impact of Green Monday and see whether it will change the way people shop and businesses sell.

Discussing finances with you partner can save you loads of stress down the road.

Don't get caught unprepared when your prospective employer throws these questions at you in the interview.

Getting organized well before the deadline will curb your frustration and your tax liability.

Gift cards are big business, amounting to an estimated $91 billion in annual retail spending. Get the most bang for your gift card buck.

Investors don't have to stick to stocks and bonds to beat the market.

Even if you're lucky enough to have a pension plan, you can't assume it'll pay out.

If you are paying out of pocket, you can make your business expenses work for you at tax time.

Learn about the good, bad and the ugly behind store credit cards.

If you have the money in your pocket, it may get you a great deal on your purchase.

While the economic recovery isn't happening as quickly as we'd hoped, there are definite signs that things are getting better.

Learn these basic terms to breakdown this seemingly complex investment area.

According to the Trustees of the Social Security Fund, the fund will be depleted by 2037. Are you ready?

Consolidating your student loans offers convenience, but there are drawbacks.

Upgrading household appliances to more energy-efficient models can slash your utilities bill.

If you stay abreast of economic and legislative developments and adapt to new circumstances, you can still retire with confidence.

Economic austerity measures have produced some riots in the hardest-hit countries, but do these protestors’ bold tactics actually get them anywhere?

You have better odds of being bitten by a poisonous snake, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t play.

This week, learn about important tea parties and the key to striking it rich according to J. Paul Getty.

The pros and cons of corporate stock options have been debated since the incentive was created. Learn more about stock option basics and the cost of stock options.

We look at how the average person pays for every day expenses, gifts and bills. Are you an average consumer?

The first written policy appeared in Hammurabi's Code. Find out how it evolved from there.

Many investors overpay to play the market. Learn ways to make your investment strategies cost less.

If you think a company's claims sound too good to be true, it may only be a matter of time before the Federal Trade Commission catches on.

Save on year-end business taxes with these ideas: incorporate in another region, create an umbrella company, sell inventory and make smart investments.

People who work to organize their finances can avoid postponing retirement and plan for the future.

Savvy beer fans can find some intense flavor experiences without shelling out a lot of cash.

Lower vacancy rates in multi-family housing sectors suggest an increase in property rental fees by 1.6% in 2011.

Avoiding these errors will help ensure that your home sells quickly while allowing you to keep that commission fee for yourself.

Stay up-to-date on regulation amendments to avoid penalties as well as take advantage of new opportunities.

Everyone wants a great credit score, but few know exactly how to achieve perfection. Find out how your credit score is kept and what it takes to reach a perfect 850 rating.

This week saw mixed indicators of our nation's financial stability - while jobless claims are down, housing prices are still in turmoil.

Staying aware of the changes in this important government program will help you be better prepared in both your present and future financial planning efforts.

Many think working from home is going to be great, but here are some common misconceptions about telecommuting and running a home-based business.

One program is for the poor; the other is for the elderly. Learn which is which.

If you're not participating in your employer-sponsored retirement plan, there may be some easy solutions.

The successful offering of General Motors may reinvigorate the IPO market, but investors should remember to be cautious when investing in new companies.

The richest people know the ropes when it comes to paying as little in taxes as possible. Find out how you can do the same.

If you think the one-page resume rule limits you to a boring, constrained list of past jobs, you'll be surprised by these unique resume ideas.

Find out how your holiday spending habits compare to average consumers.

These five privately owned startups outperformed the competition to earn huge revenues in the last few years.

The two biggest shopping days of the year are over, find out how sales and spending have fared in 2010.

These CEOs usually keep a low profile, but they are partially in control of unbelievable assets and hundreds of thousands of staff.

This week, Orange County nearly goes bankrupt and an important agricultural invention goes unpatented.

Put one of these unique offerings under someone's tree this year.

The government has tinkered with the tax rules quite a bit this year. Find out what has changed.

'Tis the season to purchase new wheels, and these tips will help you drive away with the best price.

Working from home has some great perks and some definite drawbacks. Before you take the leap, find out if you have the mindset needed to work effectively from your home.

Many workers are largely unaware of the various fees that their plans charge them, or what the fees are for.

If you're considering one of these careers, this article is designed to help you make a logical choice between the two.

Looking to earn a little extra money this season? These industries are traditonally open for new employees during the holidays.

If you've already overspent this holiday season, here are some tips to help bandage the wound.

This week in finance, unemployment was up, Disney sold a studio and Groupon rebuffed Google's advances.

If you're finding it hard to stick to your holiday budget, you're not alone. Find out what retailers do to weaken shoppers' resolve.

some items include outrageous markups, often selling at many times more than cost.

Feel like the government always has its hand in your pocket? Learn the theory behind how it decides how much to take.

Paying taxes is inevitable - that's why you need to learn about the rules for required minimum distributions.

Several factors affect the taxable interest that must be reported. Learn more here.

These mistakes could lead you to pay more taxes or even get into trouble with Uncle Sam.

When you get an unexpected check, don't be surprised when the tax man shows up to collect his share.