Savers

Savers love cash-back cards, which return a fraction of what you spend in good old U.S. currency. Disciplined consumers can bank hundreds of dollars yearly: The key is knowing how to maximize your payback.

Savers have taken it on the chin for years, with banks paying almost nothing on checking and savings accounts while charging big fees. So when a new financial website offered a 6% interest rate on an insured savings account, it got a lot of attention.

If you wish you could become a saver and investor, but you don't know where to begin, the Alliance for Investor Education wants to help: As part of its America Saves Week, the AIE has released its list of the top 10 online resources to help consumers build up their savings.

I had my first Savers shopping experience recently, and hallelujah! I'm a believer. This chain is literally and figuratively the granddaddy of all thrift stores, with a 54-year history, a kickin' business model and beaucoup merchandise laid out really well in-store. (I'm assuming, of course, that...