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News Archive
2006 Taxes | 2007 Financial Literacy | 2008 Financial Literacy | Advice | Auto loans | Banking and the economy | Beating Bankruptcy Blog | Book review | Checking and ATMs | College financing | Credit cards | Credit management | Credit repair | Credit reports and credit scores | Credit unions | Debt consolidation | Exclusive: 2008 CD study | Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study | Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008 | Fame & Fortune | Fame & Fortune (Use this) | Frugal U | Home equity | Home improvement | Insurance | Investing | Money markets | Mortgage Matters Blog | Mortgages | Online banking | Personal finance | Plastic Rap Blog | Rate Trend Index | Real estate | Retirement Channel | Savings | Small business | Special reports | Taxes |

2006 Taxes
Estimated tax deadline looms -- Some folks face fall tax chores as their fourth 1040ES payment is due September 15. Story
Reporting your retirement plan rollover -- When you changed jobs, you took your company retirement plan with you. We explain how to report it to the IRS. Story
Some hybrids qualify for tax breaks -- Nissan and Mazda have finally joined Honda on the hybrid tax credit track. Story
-- More 2006 Taxes news
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2007 Financial Literacy
How celebrities pay for college -- Authors, a conductor and a sportscaster tell how they paid for college and how they'll pay for their kids' college. Story
Weekly spending work sheet -- Each week write the total of the previous week's expenses—from our daily work sheet—and compare to your budget. Story
Building blocks of a successful investment strategy -- Successful investing starts with knowledge. Here are the basics to get your portfolio on the right path. Story
-- More 2007 Financial Literacy news
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2008 Financial Literacy
Video: Creating a budget -- It's easier than you think to create a budget. In this video, we'll show you how. Story
Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story
Video: Lowering your credit card rates -- Lower your credit card rate by investing just five minutes of your time watching this video. Story
-- More 2008 Financial Literacy news
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Advice
Are betting spoils taxable? -- The type and amount of gambling winnings determine if they are reportable, says CPA George Saenz. Story
Delay Social Security for bigger payoff -- Waiting until age 70 to collect Social Security can pay big dividends, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
FICO score over 780 is good enough -- Worrying about boosting a FICO score above 780 is a waste of time, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
-- More Advice news
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Auto loans
Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story
Car buyers don't get 'cooling off' time -- Once you buy a car, you're stuck with it even if you have second thoughts, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson. Story
GM: Credit crunch hasn't killed loans -- GM's president of operations tells Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson that many car buyers can still get loans. Story
-- More Auto loans news
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Banking and the economy
Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story
Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story
Readers rant on financial crisis -- Readers sound off on Treasury bailouts and the Fed. Story
-- More Banking and the economy news
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Beating Bankruptcy Blog
Consumer bankruptcy filings surge in 2007 -- The number of Americans filing for bankruptcy is on the rise, and is unlikely to stop soon. Story
Is reducing your debt taking a backseat to reducing your weight? -- Miss a payment? You're not alone. Try these tips for the future. Story
Your debt resolutions -- Welcome to a new year when you will finally reduce your money troubles and handle that debt. Story
-- More Beating Bankruptcy Blog news
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Book review
Are you spending smart? -- Bankrate reviews the book "Living Rich by Spending Smart," that examines how everyday spending choices can sink your budget. Story
Surviving mob mentality in finance -- Bankrate reviews the book "Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets," by William Bonner and Lila Rajiva, which examines what the authors allege is the mass hysteria that overcomes investors in the stock market. Story
Could you retire in a weekend? -- In the book "Retire in a Weekend," by Bill Losey, baby boomers are encouraged to make work optional by following their passion. Story
-- More Book review news
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Checking and ATMs
Defend yourself against a failing bank -- After IndyMac and with banking troubles continuing, you need to know what to do to be sure your money is insured, and what steps to take in the event of a failure. Story
Online tools can help manage money -- Combine social networking with budgeting tools and you get Web sites for those who want to follow their money. Story
Protection in troubled times -- What happens to your assets when a brokerage, bank or employer pension goes under? Some of your assets are covered by insurance. Story
-- More Checking and ATMs news
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College financing
Credit cards for college students -- Credit card offers abound on college campuses. Here's what students need to know. Story
Video: College financial aid -- The right combination of student aid, student work and student imagination can defray costs. Story
Texas 529 plan offers key advantage -- A Texas 529 savings plan offers a key advantage compared to competitor offerings, says the College Money Guru. Story
-- More College financing news
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Credit cards
4 burning questions about credit scores -- There's a lot of contradictory advice on how to improve one's credit score. So what's the truth? Story
Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story
Video: Lowering your credit card rates -- Lower your credit card rate by investing just five minutes of your time watching this video. Story
-- More Credit cards news
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Credit management
Settle your debts yourself -- You can pay someone to negotiate debt settlements for you, but you can do it yourself for nothing. Story
6 good reasons for multiple credit cards -- Contrary to some popular opinion, you may be smart to hold more than the often recommended one to three credit cards. Here are six good reasons. Story
8 rules to break to build wealth -- Diverging from the traditional mind-set may put you on the right course to riches, says Robert Shemin, author of "How Come That Idiot's Rich and I'm Not?" Story
-- More Credit management news
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Credit repair
Strike back against unfair card issuer -- There are several ways to make life uncomfortable for a badly behaving card issuer, says the Debt Adviser. Story
'Seeking fun-loving, SF, high credit score' -- Most romantic scenes don't involve partners sharing credit scores. But what couples don't know can cost them. Story
Finance charge may push you over limit -- It is legal to fine customers when finance charges push card balances past the limit, says the Debt Adviser. Story
-- More Credit repair news
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Credit reports and credit scores
4 burning questions about credit scores -- There's a lot of contradictory advice on how to improve one's credit score. So what's the truth? Story
FICO score over 780 is good enough -- Worrying about boosting a FICO score above 780 is a waste of time, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Strike back against unfair card issuer -- There are several ways to make life uncomfortable for a badly behaving card issuer, says the Debt Adviser. Story
-- More Credit reports and credit scores news
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Credit unions
Credit unions help young adults save -- Credit unions can be a great choice for savers with little money and a thin credit history. Story
Credit unions weather tough market -- Credit unions have been affected by the tight credit market, but most may be getting through the current landscape in fairly good shape. Story
Peer-to-peer lending grows in bad economy -- P2P lending has been around since 2005, but it's getting a boost from the current economic environment and credit crunch. Story
-- More Credit unions news
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Debt consolidation
Defend yourself against debt collectors -- Even if you owe a company money, you have rights -- and it pays to know what they are. Story
Defend yourself against debt collectors -- Even if you owe a company money, you have rights -- and it pays to know what they are. Story
401(k) hardship withdrawals on the rise -- Cash-strapped employees are turning to their retirement plans for help. Will they start investing after the crisis passes? Story
-- More Debt consolidation news
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Exclusive: 2008 CD study
Detailed results of the 2008 CD study -- Check out the results of a survey of 10 banks that offer CDs online and through their branches. Story
Exclusive: 2008 CD study -- Can you get a better yield on a CD online or through a traditional bank? It depends on what you're looking for. Story
-- More Exclusive: 2008 CD study news
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Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study
Strike back against unfair card issuer -- There are several ways to make life uncomfortable for a badly behaving card issuer, says the Debt Adviser. Story
Finance charge may push you over limit -- It is legal to fine customers when finance charges push card balances past the limit, says the Debt Adviser. Story
Defend yourself against debt judgment -- Professionals can help you reduce the legal pain associated with a judgment, says the Debt Adviser. Story
-- More Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study news
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Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008
No records for this selection
-- More Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008 news
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Fame & Fortune
Fame & Fortune: Danica Patrick -- It's no surprise that this race car driver's first big financial splurge was a cool set of wheels. Story
How celebrities pay for college -- Authors, a conductor and a sportscaster tell how they paid for college and how they'll pay for their kids' college. Story
Fame & Fortune: Dayna Devon -- Television's "Extra" correspondent is addicted to shopping for household furniture on eBay. Story
-- More Fame & Fortune news
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Fame & Fortune (Use this)
No records for this selection
-- More Fame & Fortune (Use this) news
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Frugal U
Drive smarter to save gas -- Bankrate readers show how they are reducing their need for gas by driving in the most efficient manner. Story
A Frugal shopper's best tip -- You don't need cable to get HD service if you have an HD TV and a digital antenna. Story
Finding money to save -- Planning can help you find money to put into savings. Story
-- More Frugal U news
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Home equity
Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story
Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story
Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story
-- More Home equity news
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Home improvement
4 housing upgrades that don't pay -- Thinking of renovating? Here are four things to avoid if you may want to sell down the road. Story
Green interior design -- Save money by using green principles for interior design. Story
Green interior design -- Save money by using green principles for interior design. Story
-- More Home improvement news
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Insurance
14 useless insurance policies -- Ready to trim your insurance costs? Here are 14 policies you can probably scale back, or live without. Story
The ins and outs of life settlements -- Before cashing in that life insurance policy you no longer need, make sure you understand life settlements. Story
Assessing risk exposure -- Hope for the best, plan for the worst: Health and disability insurance can help Alice mitigate financial loss. Story
-- More Insurance news
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Investing
Money market mutual fund lifeline -- The government is throwing an unprecedented lifeline to money market mutual funds to reassure nervous investors. Story
Will WaMu customers accept Chase? -- With WaMu on its way to the graveyard of failed banks, customers will have to decide if they like JP Morgan Chase. Story
Education key to smart investing -- Education and expert guidance are essential to making good investments, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
-- More Investing news
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Money markets
Money market mutual fund lifeline -- The government is throwing an unprecedented lifeline to money market mutual funds to reassure nervous investors. Story
More deposits insured, but for how long? -- The FDIC will step in with higher coverage for bank deposits, but it's a temporary solution. Story
Wachovia's new suitor -- Wachovia is now being sought by Wells Fargo in a deal that doesn't involve help from the FDIC. Story
-- More Money markets news
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Mortgage Matters Blog
Countrywide loan mods -- The owner of Countrywide promises to modify hundreds of thousands of mortgages to settle a lawsuit. Story
The odd case of S&P, Georgia -- During the housing boom, state and local governments sought to restrict the types of mortgages that ended up at the core of this $700 billion bailout. Story
The odd case of S&P, Georgia -- Six years ago, Georgia enacted the Georgia Fair Lending Act, which made lenders and mortgage investors legally liable for any predatory loans that they underwrote or bought. Standard & Poor's objected. Story
-- More Mortgage Matters Blog news
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Mortgages
Reaffirming a mortgage in Chapter 7 -- If a mortgage wasn't reaffirmed, the homeowner can walk away from payments, says the Bankruptcy Adviser. Story
When the seller wants out of the deal -- An agent may be able to remedy a housing contract derailed by the seller's health, says the Real Estate Adviser. Story
4 housing upgrades that don't pay -- Thinking of renovating? Here are four things to avoid if you may want to sell down the road. Story
-- More Mortgages news
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Online banking
Online tools can help manage money -- Combine social networking with budgeting tools and you get Web sites for those who want to follow their money. Story
Bank's cooling 'teaser' rate burns saver -- Don't expect your bank to alert you to a higher savings rate when it becomes available, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Banks score with 'high touch' service -- At many banks, "high touch" service that pampers customers drives growth and profits. Story
-- More Online banking news
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Personal finance
Video: Creating a budget -- It's easier than you think to create a budget. In this video, we'll show you how. Story
Video: Lowering your credit card rates -- Lower your credit card rate by investing just five minutes of your time watching this video. Story
7 psychological money traps -- Does your brain trick you into bad money moves? You can outsmart yourself if you recognize these traps. Story
-- More Personal finance news
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Plastic Rap Blog
Little-used cards canceled? -- Many readers report their limits have been cut on cards they don't use often -- or they've had their cards canceled altogether. Story
Wells Fargo, Wachovia merger -- Wells Fargo made the surprise announcement that the company would acquire Wachovia for $15.1 billion in stock, with no financial help from the FDIC. Story
Bank mergers and you -- Despite major changes in banks this week, customers can expect business as usual. Story
-- More Plastic Rap Blog news
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Rate Trend Index
Rate Trend Index -- Mortgages -- Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages -- a vital tool if you're about to buy a home. Story
CD Rate Trend Index -- Bankrate's expert panel predicts where rates are headed on certificates of deposit. Story
Rate Trend Index -- Mortgages -- Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages -- a vital tool if you're about to buy a home. Story
-- More Rate Trend Index news
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Real estate
When the seller wants out of the deal -- An agent may be able to remedy a housing contract derailed by the seller's health, says the Real Estate Adviser. Story
4 housing upgrades that don't pay -- Thinking of renovating? Here are four things to avoid if you may want to sell down the road. Story
Research mortgage fees -- When shopping for a mortgage, be sure to get a complete list of all fees. Story
-- More Real estate news
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Retirement Channel
Delay Social Security for bigger payoff -- Waiting until age 70 to collect Social Security can pay big dividends, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Education key to smart investing -- Education and expert guidance are essential to making good investments, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Changing your company's 401(k) plan -- Workers who don't like their 401(k) plan options may be able to do something about it. Story
-- More Retirement Channel news
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Savings
Delay Social Security for bigger payoff -- Waiting until age 70 to collect Social Security can pay big dividends, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
What's $29,000 worth after 18 years? -- A bank deposit of $29,000 loses some of its purchasing power after 18 years, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Money market mutual fund lifeline -- The government is throwing an unprecedented lifeline to money market mutual funds to reassure nervous investors. Story
-- More Savings news
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Small business
Business startup costs that shock new owners -- Small business owners share the nasty surprises they experienced, and experts explain how to minimize such costs. Story
4 ways to make cash online -- If today's economy has left you in need of extra cash, use the Internet to bring home extra bacon. Story
12 ways to make your house a cash cow -- Here are a dozen ways to turn your house into a money-making machine. Story
-- More Small business news
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Special reports
Understanding credit scores -- Understanding the factors that go into your credit score will help you manage it. Story
Small business tax breaks -- Being your own boss is great. And, in many cases, there even are tax advantages. Story
Sending out a tax SOS -- How to get tax help by phone, Internet or from a human being. Story
-- More Special reports news
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Taxes
Are betting spoils taxable? -- The type and amount of gambling winnings determine if they are reportable, says CPA George Saenz. Story
Proof for claiming dependents -- The IRS rules for claiming a dependent seem simple, but proving it can be complex, says CPA George Saenz. Story
Rolling into a Roth -- If a traditional IRA contains some after-tax contributions, it can still be converted, says CPA George Saenz. Story
-- More Taxes news
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