All The Simple Dollar
When financial rules are wrongPersonal finance rules are rarely right in all situations. If the rules and the facts disagree, don't be afraid to buck the rule.
Are you feeding that retirement fund?Retirement contributions can be difficult to fit into your budget, but your take home pay won't go down as much as you think.
Investing 101: How to invest your retirement savingsDon’t put off investing because you’re not sure what to invest in. Instead, make a sensible choice and start saving now.
The cost of career stereotypesPassing along negative assumptions about certain career paths has a proven negative economic effect and could keep your children from doing something they truly love.
How to cope with higher gas prices. Permanently.With gas prices inching higher and higher, the commute to work can take thousands out of your annual salary. High gas prices can be a good motivation to start considering more long-term changes in your lifestyle.
Are you an entrepreneur or an employee?The 'entrepreneur' and 'employee' mindsets are very different, but one is not necessarily better than the other.
Which is more important: Your dream house or a Disney trip?When making big spending decisions, make sure not to sacrifice big dreams for small indulgences.
Online banking? Don't be afraid.Online banking is commonplace these days, but many customers are hesitant to use it for fear of online scams, lack of computer skills, or difficulty finding convenient Internet access. Here's how to make online banking work for you.
Do yourself a favor. Avoid courtesy overdraft protection.On the surface, courtesy overdraft protection seems like a good program. Actually, most “courtesy” overdraft protections can end up putting you in a worse situation than just dealing with a returned check.
When it's time to find a new bankYour bank should offer a large ATM network, solid interest, few fees, and operating hours that are compatible to your lifestyle. If not, it's time to send it packing. Here's how to find a new, better bank.
Social Security benefits: How to prepare for the tax hitSocial Security income triggers big tax for newlyweds. How do you cope? See question No. 2 on Social Security and taxes in the reader mailbag.
Four bank fees you should never tolerateIf upon examining your bank statement you see any of the four fees below, it's a good sign that it's time to switch banks.
A checking account with interest means effortless moneyThe interest rate you'll get on a checking account will be minuscule – sometimes under 1 percent. But it's money that you'l have to do nothing to earn.
ATM fees add up. How to get rid of themMake sure that you have a no-fee ATM within easy reach of your daily routine. Your bank statement will thank you.
The many fiscal wonders of cruise controlCruise control increases your fuel efficiency and reduces your chances of a speeding ticket, saving you loads of money.
Shop the block and save on car repairsIf you do your homework in advance of a car problem, you'll end up saving big time on time and money.
Why you should pay for car repairs with a credit cardCredit cards make it easy to get into serious debt trouble. But when it comes to expensive emergency repairs, some credit cards can offer protections that cash can't.
Roth IRA: Use ShareBuilder or Vanguard?Roth IRA is easy to set up immediately in ShareBuilder, but patience and Vanguard mean fewer fees in the long run for your Roth IRA. See question No. 7 in the reader mailbag.
Compound interest is great, but there's a catchThe return on investment from a compound interest savings account isn't impressive at first, but if you stick with it, it becomes a locomotive. But it can take a very long time.
How to find a retirement saving plan that works for youEveryone has a different idea for how they want to spend their retirement. Given how varied people's goals are, why is it reasonable to think that everyone should have the same retirement saving plan?
