Credit card debt is tough to avoid -- and tougher to escape. We received an email from a reader who owes $20,000 on her cards, and spends a third of her income on those payments. Credit expert John Ulzheimer offers a legitimate method for her to reduce monthly costs and get out of the red.
Nicholas, 60, is a paralegal who has been jobless for more than a year, and is worried about the possibility of losing his home in rural Pennsylvania. If he depletes his savings and cashes out of a life insurance policy, he can pay off his mortgage. But is that the smartest move?
People nearing retirement now face a volatile stock market on the one hand and weak returns on their savings on the other. Fixed annuities offer a guaranteed stream of income, but there are downsides. Economist Brett Hammond of TIAA-CREF discusses how an annuity can fit into your portfolio, and some pitfalls to avoid.
Joe did right by his mother in her declining years, but half a decade of expensive care for her has left the 53-year-old in a financially precarious position. Money and Happiness columnist Laura Rowley offers him a step-by-step plan to get out of debt and back on track for his own retirement.
The most powerful tool young investors have is time, because savings can grow exponentially over decades. A 23-year-old Californian asks how to get started and make the most of those years when her employer doesn't offer a retirement plan. DailyFinance's Laura Rowley shows her how to play the game.
Now that summer is nearly over, you can start planning for next year's big vacation by racking up airline miles. We spoke with one expert who scored 250,000 miles in a 12-month period by opening just three cards. But his strategy isn't for everyone.
Jack, 70, is still working full-time at an environmental agency for the state of Tennessee, earning $60,000 a year. He has no debt, and a good amount of savings, and an income property. What he doesn't have is a clear picture of whether he's in a good position to retire.
Dr. Roy Baumeister is a research psychologist who has studied the science of self-control for many years. He's also co-author of the new book Willpower. We asked him how you can boost your willpower when facing financial temptations and decisions. Here are his secrets.
Negotiating the best price for services like cable and Internet can involve so many decisions, it's tempting to just throw up your hands and settle for the status quo. That's a phenomenon known as decision fatigue. Here's how to avoid it, and get the deal you deserve.
Cassandra and her husband have seen major life changes in the past few months: A new house in the NYC suburbs, bills that suddenly exceed his salary, and a new business for her. But though her consulting firm is thriving, now she's got a different problem: how to properly take money out of it. DailyFinance drafted an expert to help.
A compulsive shopper splurges on her credit cards and then hides the purchases from her spouse. She wants to stop. Dr. David Krueger, a former psychiatrist and author of the new book The Secret Language of Money offers some advice.
Andy Buman has been financially responsible, and invested wisely in two rental properties and a home of his own in the Omaha, Neb., area. His small real estate empire is doing well, and he has saved an extra $20,000. His question for DailyFinance's Laura Rowley: Which loan should he apply it to for the best return?
Danny Kofke is a special education teacher in Atlanta. Married with two young daughters, Danny recently wrote A Simple Book of Financial Wisdom: Teach Yourself (and Your Kids) How to Live Wealthy with Little Money. The title says it all. Here are his tips:
Kelly, 51, a mother of five who lives in the Midwest, wants to get back into the workforce after a 20-year absence -- a challenging prospect in today's weak hiring environment. But with the right focus and preparation, she can still transition from stay-at-home mom back to paid employee.
The death of the American Dream has been greatly exaggerated -- just ask Sofiya Cherni. Since she arrived in North Dakota from the Ukraine 14 years ago, the 28-year-old has earned a college degree, found a good job, and bought and then paid off her first home -- by working hard, spending wisely, and keeping a sharp eye on the numbers.