| 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: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008 | Fame & Fortune | 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 | |||
| Filling in tax record gaps -- To approve that loan, your banker wants a copy of an old return. Here's how to track down tax documents you already trashed. Story | |||
| Tax record-keeping tips -- Don't drown under tons of old tax forms. Here are the records to keep and the best ways to save them. Story | |||
| How to fight the IRS -- Don't get into a battle with the tax collector until you know your appeal rights. Story | |||
| -- More 2006 Taxes news Back to top | |||
| 2007 Financial Literacy | |||
| Do taxes yourself or hire a pro? -- Most Americans dread doing their annual tax-filing chores. But all have to determine whether to do it themselves or hire an expert. Story | |||
| Ways to pay off a big tax bill -- The IRS does offer several payment options. But do file your taxes or you'll owe huge penalties. Story | |||
| Taxes necessary, but not necessarily fair -- Most Americans feel that it is their duty to pay their fair share of taxes, yet many also believe that the tax system is skewed to benefit the rich. Story | |||
| -- More 2007 Financial Literacy news Back to top | |||
| 2008 Financial Literacy | |||
| Risks of online public records -- Think you've got your personal information under control? Some of it may appear in online public records -- which is yet another avenue for ID theft when enough personal information is exposed. Story | |||
| Practicing online safety -- Protective software can only go so far. Your unsafe behavior can override that protection. Story | |||
| Securing your computer -- Before you load up your computer with sensitive information about yourself, take these steps to ensure your personal finances stay personal. Story | |||
| -- More 2008 Financial Literacy news Back to top | |||
| Advice | |||
| Predatory lending victim facing bankruptcy -- Senior citizen's mortgage balloons to exceed her Social Security income, but before she files bankruptcy, she should seek legal recourse, says the Bankruptcy Adviser. Story | |||
| Tax deduction for insurance premiums -- A self-employed man with a stay-at-home wife and new baby can deduct their health insurance premiums, says CPA George Saenz. Story | |||
| Upside down on home? Take a deep breath -- Don't let the fear of being upside down on a loan force you into foolish decisions, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story | |||
| -- More Advice news Back to top | |||
| Auto loans | |||
| Ex takes wheels, leaves wife with bills -- A woman's ex is taking advantage of her generosity. Dr. Don Taylor suggests a way out. Story | |||
| 5 great used cars for bargain hunters -- Don't overlook five used-car gems that are easy on both fuel and your wallet, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson. Story | |||
| Never roll negative equity into new car -- Free markets are great, but one bad loan product deserves to be banned, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson. Story | |||
| -- More Auto loans news Back to top | |||
| Banking and the economy | |||
| Is this the last Fed cut? -- Unlike recent Fed meetings that culminated with aggressive moves of the half-point and three-quarter point variety, the upcoming meeting is poised to produce a comparatively small quarter-point cut. 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 Banking and the economy news Back to top | |||
| 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 Back to top | |||
| Book review | |||
| War and investment performance -- Bankrate reviews the book "Wealth, War & Wisdom," by Barton Biggs, which guides readers through an examination of wealth during World War II, and the surprising ability of the stock market to predict the war's twists and turns. Story | |||
| Teaching kids to resist financial temptation -- Bankrate reviews the book "Raising Money Smart Kids," on how to instill fiscal values and teach money lessons to kids of all ages. Story | |||
| A parable for discovering true wealth -- Bankrate reviews the book "Avalanche: The 9 Principles for Uncovering True Wealth," by Steve Sanduski and Ron Carson, who chronicle the downfall of a real estate developer. Story | |||
| -- More Book review news Back to top | |||
| Checking and ATMs | |||
| 6 ways to buy checking 'float' time -- Today, it's harder to buy time to pay your bills. Here are six ways to create some breathing room. Story | |||
| Critics wish to bounce 'Check 21' -- Consumer advocates say legislation known as "Check 21" is fundamentally unfair to consumers. Story | |||
| Banks score with 'high touch' service -- At many banks, "high touch" service that pampers customers drives growth and profits. Story | |||
| -- More Checking and ATMs news Back to top | |||
| College financing | |||
| 'Safe' 529 options may lag inflation -- Families looking for complete safety in a 529 plan will earn meager returns, says the College Money Guru. Story | |||
| 529 beats Roth IRA for college savings -- A 529 plan is a better college savings vehicle than a Roth IRA, says the College Money Guru. Story | |||
| Cover college costs with a Coverdell -- These special savings plans offer tax breaks for schooling at many levels. Story | |||
| -- More College financing news Back to top | |||
| Credit cards | |||
| Best credit card moves to make in 2008 -- Want to make the best use of your credit card in 2008? Here's how. 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 Credit cards news Back to top | |||
| Credit management | |||
| Law may not protect disability benefit -- There are five instances when your Social Security benefit may not be protected, says Dr. Don Taylor. 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 | |||
| 5 rules for thriving in a bad economy -- Follow these five rules for smoother sailing in choppy economic waters. Story | |||
| -- More Credit management news Back to top | |||
| Credit repair | |||
| Ask collector for proof of debt payoff -- Protect yourself by requesting written proof of a debt payoff, says the Debt Adviser. Story | |||
| Fine print hides convenience-check cost -- Americans pay when they skip over the fine print of their credit agreements, says the Debt Adviser. Story | |||
| Using credit cards to improve credit score -- Using credit cards wisely -- whether it's one or 15 -- is the key to improving the credit score. Story | |||
| -- More Credit repair news Back to top | |||
| Credit reports and credit scores | |||
| Ask collector for proof of debt payoff -- Protect yourself by requesting written proof of a debt payoff, says the Debt Adviser. Story | |||
| HELOC activity may affect FICO score -- Maxing out a home equity line of credit may impact your FICO score, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story | |||
| Fine print hides convenience-check cost -- Americans pay when they skip over the fine print of their credit agreements, says the Debt Adviser. Story | |||
| -- More Credit reports and credit scores news Back to top | |||
| Credit unions | |||
| Putting all your CD eggs in one basket -- It's not a good idea to have all your savings in one place, says Dr. Don. Story | |||
| Deposit safe if FDIC insured -- Dr. Don advises a reader who worries that mortgage securities problems threaten his deposits. Story | |||
| Checking out credit union's safety -- Your shares are insured, just like with FDIC, says Dr. Don. Story | |||
| -- More Credit unions news Back to top | |||
| Debt consolidation | |||
| Cash-out refinancing vs. home equity loans -- Tapping your equity through a cash-out refi can be a savvy move depending on your needs, interest rates and current mortgage. Both tap equity but in different ways. Story | |||
| Can bankruptcy help you? -- Sometimes the only way to solve your financial problems is bankruptcy. Here's how to determine if you've reached the final option. Story | |||
| Credit card vulture swoops in after disaster -- Experts say "work with your lender" if you know you'll miss a payment due to a disaster. Unfortunately, some lenders don't care, says the Debt Adviser. Story | |||
| -- More Debt consolidation news Back to top | |||
| Exclusive: 2008 CD study | |||
| Detailed results of the 2008 CD study -- 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 Back to top | |||
| Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008 | |||
| No records for this selection | |||
| -- More Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008 news Back to top | |||
| Fame & Fortune | |||
| Fame & Fortune: Sara Evans -- This country singer tops the charts, but success hasn't stopped her from shopping at Target. Story | |||
| Fame & Fortune: George Carlin -- This comedic talent has led the evolution of the funny business for 50 years. Story | |||
| Fame & Fortune: Cheryl Ladd -- Former television "Angel" now hangs out in "Vegas." Story | |||
| -- More Fame & Fortune news Back to top | |||
| Frugal U | |||
| Extreme savers share their secrets -- There are savers, and then there are uber savers -- people who really take it seriously. Story | |||
| A Frugal shopper's best tip -- Packaging snacks for her kids helps our winner save a bundle. Story | |||
| Deducting student loan interest -- Interest you're paying on a college loan could help cut your tax bill. Story | |||
| -- More Frugal U news Back to top | |||
| Home equity | |||
| HELOC activity may affect FICO score -- Maxing out a home equity line of credit may impact your FICO score, says Dr. Don Taylor. 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 Back to top | |||
| Home improvement | |||
| 6 home renovations with major payoffs -- Take advantage of slow construction times to improve your home. Story | |||
| Energy efficiency tax breaks still possible -- Some energy-efficient home improvements could make you eligible for a 10 percent tax credit on your 2007 return. Story | |||
| Interactive: Match project, budget, skills -- Anyone who's ever owned a home has looked for ways to improve it. This interactive tool lets you choose home projects by price, room and skill level. Story | |||
| -- More Home improvement news Back to top | |||
| Insurance | |||
| Health plan pitfalls to watch for -- Some insurance companies dig deep in your past, searching for reasons why they shouldn't pay your claims. Story | |||
| Retirees face reduced health care benefits -- Retirees cannot count on promises made by employers, in part because the government is letting employers off the hook. The Supreme Court let stand the EEOC's recent ruling, supporting the trend. Story | |||
| Claims that boost your insurance rates -- Certain types of claims are more likely to boost your insurance rates. Find out which types of damage may raise red flags. Story | |||
| -- More Insurance news Back to top | |||
| Investing | |||
| One-stop shopping for mutual funds -- Asset allocation funds are designed to create diversification and meet income or growth goals. Is the all-in-one approach a good idea? Story | |||
| Fame & Fortune: Seal -- As half of an entertainment power couple, Seal says he and his supermodel wife blend fame and family quite nicely. Story | |||
| Cash sweep accounts spark lawsuit -- Critics claim that several brokerages sweep the money into their own banks, profiting off clients' excess cash while doling out minimal interest to the customer. A class action suit has been filed. Story | |||
| -- More Investing news Back to top | |||
| Money markets | |||
| Money market funds weathering the storm -- Despite some troubled investments, money market funds are still considered a safe haven and attract investors' money. Story | |||
| CD can boost returns of emergency fund -- Parking your emergency fund in a CD may pay off, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story | |||
| Fate of single-state funds uncertain -- An upcoming Supreme Court decision will determine the fate of single-state municipal bond funds, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story | |||
| -- More Money markets news Back to top | |||
| Mortgage Matters Blog | |||
| Fed meets this week -- The Federal Reserve is expected to give consumers another break this week -- a quarter-point cut in short-term interest rates. Story | |||
| Rates still on the rise -- In Bankrate's weekly survey, mortgage rates went up slightly, and will probably continue to rise. Story | |||
| Rates still on the rise -- In Bankrate's weekly survey, mortgage rates went up slightly, and will probably continue to rise. Story | |||
| -- More Mortgage Matters Blog news Back to top | |||
| Mortgages | |||
| 'Timing' market big gamble for first-time buyers -- It's a real estate buyers market in most areas of the country but many would-be purchasers -- especially first-timers -- may be outsmarting themselves by waiting for prices to fall still further. Story | |||
| Upside down on home? Take a deep breath -- Don't let the fear of being upside down on a loan force you into foolish decisions, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story | |||
| Where rates are headed in 2008 -- Will mortgage rates go lower or higher and what sort of events can drive them there? Story | |||
| -- More Mortgages news Back to top | |||
| Online banking | |||
| Banks score with 'high touch' service -- At many banks, "high touch" service that pampers customers drives growth and profits. Story | |||
| Turbocharge checking with high-yield accounts -- Discouraged by the yields on CDs these days? It's time to check out high-yield checking accounts. Story | |||
| 14 financial horror stories -- These crooks and scamsters can haunt your wallet any day of the year. Story | |||
| -- More Online banking news Back to top | |||
| Personal finance | |||
| 'Safe' 529 options may lag inflation -- Families looking for complete safety in a 529 plan will earn meager returns, says the College Money Guru. Story | |||
| 6 ways to buy checking 'float' time -- Today, it's harder to buy time to pay your bills. Here are six ways to create some breathing room. Story | |||
| Ask collector for proof of debt payoff -- Protect yourself by requesting written proof of a debt payoff, says the Debt Adviser. Story | |||
| -- More Personal finance news Back to top | |||
| Plastic Rap Blog | |||
| Binding arbitration: You lose -- A new report shows that the National Arbitration Forum, or NAF, is in the pocket of card issuers such as MBNA. Story | |||
| Discover's new default policy -- Discover Card is amending their default rate policy to add another reason they can charge cardholders the highest APR. Story | |||
| Credit card debt increasing -- TransUnion, one of the major credit bureaus you should be getting a free report from once a year, just released its survey of credit card debt for the fourth quarter of 2007. Story | |||
| -- More Plastic Rap Blog news Back to top | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 Back to top | |||
| Real estate | |||
| 'Timing' market big gamble for first-time buyers -- It's a real estate buyers market in most areas of the country but many would-be purchasers -- especially first-timers -- may be outsmarting themselves by waiting for prices to fall still further. Story | |||
| Where rates are headed in 2008 -- Will mortgage rates go lower or higher and what sort of events can drive them there? Story | |||
| Challenging a local property assessment -- Local assessors won't automatically adjust property value on the tax rolls, but, armed with the right information, homeowners can present a case, says the Real Estate Adviser. Story | |||
| -- More Real estate news Back to top | |||
| Retirement Channel | |||
| 7 tips for retirement entrepreneurs -- Starting a small business can add green to your golden years, but also presents special challenges. Story | |||
| Best credit card moves to make in 2008 -- Want to make the best use of your credit card in 2008? Here's how. Story | |||
| Spend, invest or pay off bills? -- The economic stimulus check will give Americans the chance to make a decision that can help their household finances or help the economy. Story | |||
| -- More Retirement Channel news Back to top | |||
| Savings | |||
| 6 ways to buy checking 'float' time -- Today, it's harder to buy time to pay your bills. Here are six ways to create some breathing room. Story | |||
| Critics wish to bounce 'Check 21' -- Consumer advocates say legislation known as "Check 21" is fundamentally unfair to consumers. 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 Savings news Back to top | |||
| Small business | |||
| 7 tips for retirement entrepreneurs -- Starting a small business can add green to your golden years, but also presents special challenges. Story | |||
| Tax record-keeping tips -- Don't drown under tons of old tax forms. Here are the records to keep and the best ways to save them. Story | |||
| Delegating tax question tasks -- With a simple check of a box on your income tax return, you can designate someone else to deal with IRS questions about your filing. Story | |||
| -- More Small business news Back to top | |||
| Special reports | |||
| 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 | |||
| Stupid human tax tricks -- Filing errors that seem minor can cost you major dollars. Story | |||
| -- More Special reports news Back to top | |||
| Taxes | |||
| Tax deduction for insurance premiums -- A self-employed man with a stay-at-home wife and new baby can deduct their health insurance premiums, says CPA George Saenz. Story | |||
| Paying taxes by credit card -- The IRS has softened up a bit, and now allows the convenience of paying yearly and quarterly taxes by credit card, says CPA George Saenz. Story | |||
| Relief for innocent tax filer -- When one spouse fails to pay up on a joint tax return, the other can claim innocence to the IRS, says CPA George Saenz. Story | |||
| -- More Taxes news Back to top | |||
