HSA

Thanksgiving's still two weeks away: You're getting ready for Black Friday, not April 15. But all those one-day deals pale next to what you could save on your taxes by taking a few smart steps before Dec. 31.

On New Year's Day, you had plans -- promises to get your finances in order in 2011. Today, check your financial pulse: Where do all those good intentions stand? Ask yourself tough questions then take action. The experts tell you where to begin.

It's a guarantee in our health-care system: You may get better or you may not, but what you will get either way is paperwork: insurance claims, bills, receipts, and reams of forms that stand between you and the money you're owed. Recently, a new industry has sprung up to help you conquer the paper and recover your cash.

As part of my participation in the personal finance bloggers weight loss challenge I decided to investigate what weight loss expenses I could pay for with my Health Savings Account (HSA). The short answer is no, you can't use your health savings account to cover the cost of getting in shape but...