personalfinance

How To Deal With Awkward Situations Involving Money And People
By Phil Villarreal on February 8, 2012 12:15 PM  
Problems encountered when splitting checks can sometimes split friendships. When money gets in the way of relationships, things get uncomfortable quickly. But you can make things easier for yourself and others by sticking to generally recognized rules of financial etiquette. More »

Ways You May Be Letting Money Slip Away
By Phil Villarreal on February 7, 2012 10:30 AM  
It's easy to be lulled into regular expenditures that add little to your life. If you're looking for ways to cut spending, turn first to monthly bills and look for ways to trim or eliminate them. More »

Personal Finance Roundup
By FMF on February 7, 2012 7:30 AM  

Study: The Best Time to Buy Cheap Airline Tickets is 6 Weeks Before a Flight [Moneyland] "The cheapest tickets [can be purchased] six weeks before your trip - not more, not less."

How to Find the Best Values on 2012's New Cars [Kiplinger] "You can get fuel economy without sacrificing style."

Which pays better: Government or private sector? [CNN Money] "Federal workers with a master's degree or less are better compensated on average than their similarly educated private sector peers."

How to haggle over medical bills [MSN Money] "If you know how to cut down the original billed amount, you can save a great deal."

Great Ways to Invest in Yourself [Wise Bread] "Here are some ways you can invest in yourself to boost your skills."

FREE MONEY FINANCE  More »

Sh*& People Say About Money
By Phil Villarreal on January 31, 2012 10:15 AM  
Financial advice delivered in the form of pithy maxims tends to stick in the mind more than long, flowery essays. Short sayings that are funny or well-reasoned deliver sharp advice that can serve as mantras for those seeking guidance with their money, or mock truths everyone takes for granted. More »

Personal Finance Roundup
By FMF on January 31, 2012 7:30 AM  

7 smart moves while rates are low [MSN Money] "There's not much room for interest rates to go lower, and making the right moves now could potentially save you big money."

15 Frugal Ways to Battle Boredom [Wise Bread] "There are a lot of great ways to battle boredom and keep your spending under wraps."

Invest in a Deep Freezer [The Simple Dollar] "One of the most critical appliances in our home when I was growing up was our chest deep freezer."

You Don't Have to Start Off Rich to Build Wealth [Wall Street Journal] "Here are three ways to start small. Really small."

Shopping for a Car? Bring Your Wife [Smart Money] "Men looking for a new car would be well advised to bring their wives, a new study suggests."

FREE MONEY FINANCE  More »

Don't Mistake Credit For An Emergency Fund
By Phil Villarreal on January 30, 2012 10:30 AM  
If you're struggling to make ends meet, it's understandable to half-joke that your credit cards act as your emergency fund. But if you can save and choose not to, content that credit will rescue you from any trouble that arises, you're only tempting fate. More »

How To Decide Whether To Sock Funds Away Or Pay Off Debt
By Phil Villarreal on January 27, 2012 11:15 AM  
When you get a hold of a large chunk of cash — say, from a bonus, tax refund or item sale — those with the self-control not to blow the funds have to decide whether to save it or pay off debt. While there are other options available, such as investing or donating the money, saving vs. debt reduction is one of the tougher quandaries to decipher. More »

(Solo)

Cheap Products That Can Improve Your Life
By Phil Villarreal on January 27, 2012 10:15 AM  
Minimalists who get by with as few creature comforts as they can sometimes make everyday activities more difficult than necessary. Some small splurges more than pay for themselves with the way they make things easier. More »

IRS Warns Against Tax Scams
By Phil Villarreal on January 27, 2012 9:15 AM  
Tax refunds put large amounts of money in peoples' hands, meaning tax season provides opportunities for con artists to prey on unsuspecting marks. The Internal Revenue Service is attempting to get ahead of the game by sending out warning signs of potential scams in a press release sent through the Better Business Bureau. More »

(nsub1)

How To Create A Budget That You'll Stick To
By Phil Villarreal on January 26, 2012 1:30 PM  
A budget is the basis of any financial plan, but if you've never made an efficient one before, it's tough to determine where to start and how to come up with something workable. Slap some arbitrary numbers down on a paper and you're sure to end in failure. The key is to adapt the budget to your needs and resources. More »

Before You Get A Prepaid Debit Card, Consider These Alternatives
By Phil Villarreal on January 25, 2012 10:30 AM  
If you're burned out on credit cards and considering trying a prepaid debit card to get a handle on your finances, you may want to think again. Shelling out regular fees to access your own money will get old and seem wasteful, so it pays to look out for other options. More »

3 Crazy Financial Stunts To Attempt
By Phil Villarreal on January 24, 2012 10:30 AM  
Saving money and slashing spending aren't typically the most entertaining or intrinsically rewarding activities, but those who make a game of the act can entertain themselves and others with bold attempts at lofty financial goals. More »

Personal Finance Roundup
By FMF on January 24, 2012 7:30 AM  

Everyone Should Use the Overnight Test [Bucks Blog] "Ask yourself what you would do if someone came in and sold all of your investments overnight."

10 Monthly Bills You Can Slash [Wise Bread] "You can work the system and save some money on these so-called necessary expenses."

Calculate How Much You Really Make [The Simple Dollar] "On a per-hour basis, my part-time job in college was more lucrative than my first 'good' job after college."

How to Marry a Millionaire [Smart Money] "It makes you more interesting if you have an obscure hobby like tornado-chasing and boomerang-throwing."

The Best and Worst Sources of Financial Advice [US News] "Here are my choices for sources of good advice, based on solid data."

FREE MONEY FINANCE  More »

(kainr)

Recipes For Chipping Away At Various Types Of Debt
By Phil Villarreal on January 23, 2012 8:00 AM  
Everyone with debt would like to eliminate it, but it's not always clear where or how to get started. There are many types of debt, and each is suited to a different payoff strategy. More »

Personal Finance Roundup
By FMF on January 17, 2012 8:00 AM  

What If I Lost My Career? Envision, then Act [Free Money Finance] "The bottom line is that whatever your job situation, you can't bury your head in the sand and think that your employer will always take care of you."

10 Things You Do to Save Money That End Up Costing You More [Wise Bread] "Here are 10 things that you may be doing to save money that could actually cost you a lot more in the weeks, months, or years to come."

Career resolutions: How to negotiate a raise [CNN Money] "Before you go into your boss's office demanding more money, take the time to lay the groundwork for a successful conversation."

4 Mobile Apps for Job Seekers [US News] "77 percent of job seekers use mobile apps during their job hunt."

Financial Scams 2012: The Latest Twists in the Ever-Evolving Art of the Con [Daily Finance] "Here are some highlights from scams that made the rounds in 2011 — and will likely be back in some form or another this year."

FREE MONEY FINANCE  More »

3 Ways To Keep The Heating Bill Down
By Phil Villarreal on January 16, 2012 9:30 AM  
When the temperature drops, the heating bills surge. But there are more ways to stay warm than figuratively setting your money on fire. More »

What A Repo Men Reality Show Teaches You About Finances
By Phil Villarreal on January 16, 2012 9:00 AM  
Reality TV isn't particularly known for its educational properties, but you can find some useful lessons if you look hard enough. For instance, a show about tow truck operators who repossess vehicles can teach a personal finance blogger how to handle her money. More »

It's Not Too Late To Contribute To Last Year's Health Spending Account
By Phil Villarreal on January 10, 2012 11:15 AM  
A few weeks from now, you should have all the forms and information you'll need to file your taxes. Most of the numbers you'll crunch have already been decided by your actions last year, but there are still some maneuvers you can make to tweak the numbers more in your favor. More »

Personal Finance Roundup
By FMF on January 9, 2012 9:45 AM  

Retiring in 2012? Read This Today. [Wall Street Journal] "Here are five things to do now."

12 Steps to Financial Freedom in 2012 [Get Rich Slowly] "If you've resolved to take control of your finances in 2012, this article is the place to start."

12 retirement resolutions for '12 [MSN Money] "The new year is a good time to review and adjust your retirement plan, and some changes this year can help you boost your savings."

Guide to Buying a Used Car Without Going Crazy [Wise Bread] "Here's some information I wish I had known up front that will hopefully make your car-buying process easier."

6 Reasons to Reject a Counteroffer [US News] "Before you say yes, consider these reasons why you should decline."

FREE MONEY FINANCE  More »

Punish And Reward Your Own Behavior To Save Money
By Phil Villarreal on January 4, 2012 10:15 AM  
If you want to start saving but know you lack the discipline to stash money away, you'll need to come up with ways to trick yourself into getting into the mood. An ongoing game of mental solitaire could end up being quite profitable. More »

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