Household

U.S. credit card debt shrank 5% in the second quarter from a year ago, approaching 10-year lows. It's not just due to banks, which have written off uncollectible debts. Learn how consumers are taking control of their finances and how you can too.

In the season premiere of reality-television show "Downsized," which airs Tuesday, things are looking up for the Bruce-Rumsey family of nine. In an interview with The Price of Fame, family members tell us they've made mistakes. Here's what you can learn from their story.

Far fewer U.S. families are saving money for emergencies and education than their Chinese counterparts, according to a University of Missouri study released Thursday.

The famously frugal host of The Clark Howard Show shares some tips on saving money from his latest book, Living Large in Lean Times. He also discusses one thing not to do.

Every parent knows that having a child isn't cheap. The average cost of raising a family has grown higher than ever, and parents are making some sacrifices to pay it. Here are some of the common tradeoffs new mothers and fathers are making.

Americans are earning and spending more, but a lot of the extra money is going down their gas tanks. Gas prices have drained more than half the extra cash Americans are getting this year from a cut in Social Security taxes.

Even the smartest people can do dumb things when it comes to money. Do you find yourself accumulating credit-card debt for goodies you don't really need -- and failing to plan for retirement? Here's one financial adviser's five-step plan to break bad habits.

Men, who have endured slightly higher unemployment rates than women, have been taking on more of the household shopping, according to a recent report. The trend hasn't boded well for stores: On average, men spend less than women on each trip.

In this economy, cash-strapped consumers have become more budget conscious and less concerned about appearing cheap. As a result, better-known brands have steadily been losing ground to store-branded food products.

It's hard to make huge changes in your spending habits all at once. To reach your new year's resolution to manage your finances better, try small steps instead. Financial experts offer 10 easy suggestions that could help you spend less and save more in 2011.