During an impromptu drop-in at a conference of personal finance writers, President Obama was asked: How does he approach his own household finances? His response was timeless, irrefutable, and not quite consistent with his prescription for the federal government.
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.
Amid health concerns over smart meters, which can wirelessly transmit household energy-usage data to utilities and customers, California's largest utility has proposed a plan that would allow homeowners to opt for regular meters -- at a cost. Here are some facts for consumers to consider.
Being frugal is smart, and these days, it's fashionable too. But going too far in your attempts to save can have financial consequences that may leave you significantly worse off. Here are nine ways you shouldn't cut corners.
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.
The IRS has eased its tax lien policy, giving taxpayers and businesses more opportunities to pay unpaid taxes before being hit with a lien. But while the changes should provide some welcome relief to newly struggling taxpayers, they're unlikely to help those who are already the subject of a lien.
As the economy improves, Americans have begun splurging again. But they're limiting their indulgences to haircuts, casual dining and coffee, while continuing to forego many bigger expenditures, like vacations and dining at expensive restaurants.
Americans who are unemployed or underemployed are three times as likely to fall behind on their bills as those who are fully employed, according to a Gallup Poll released Tuesday.
Lots of folks have reached retirement by surprise, thanks to the Great Recession. So, if you're scrambling to come up with a Plan B and plug the financial gap created by an unexpectedly early end to your career, here are some good ideas.
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.
Here's one reason why U.S. teens and young adults are luckier than their international counterparts: Unlike in many other countries, most American youths don't have to pay their own cell-phone bills.
In a nationwide survey conducted by Marist College, that 53% of those polled think the U.S. will see more economic hardship ahead. Eight percent were unsure, while 39% felt the worst of the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis had come and gone.
U.S. household wealth increased 2.2% in the third quarter as stock prices rose and consumers cut debt, according to a Federal Reserve report released Thursday. Companies' cash balances also grew in the third quarter.
