personalfinance

Money Resolutions Revisited: 3 Tales From the Financial Trenches

If you're one of the millions of Americans who made a financial New Year's resolution, after almost a month, you might need an inspiration boost. So, check out these stories of three real people on the way to achieving ambitious financial goals this year.

Twentysomethings: It's Time to Declare Financial Independence

As we prepare to celebrate our nation's independence, let's take a moment to think about our individual declarations of financial independence. If you're still ruled by debt, fiscal confusion, and reliance on others, here are a few tips for breaking free.

Obamacare Upheld: How It Will Affect Your Wallet and Your Life

On Thursday morning, when the Supreme Court ruled that Obamacare was constitutional, there was a brief pause as the country took a moment to imagine what this brave new world would look like. Well, Stop imagining, and let us draw you a picture...

How This Family Beat the Recession -- and You Can Too

The recession was brutal to the typical American family: On average, household net worth fell by 39% between 2007 and 2010. But reporter Chuck Saletta's family bucked that trend with these four simple strategies.

6 Practices of Savvy Rewards Cardholders

Rewards credit cards often carry higher interest rates and fees than traditional cards, so they don't make financial sense for everyone. Here's a look at how smart rewards cardholders rack up points or miles-without racking up debt.

Your 7-Step Midyear Money Checkup

With six months of earning, saving, and spending under your belt, you've got plenty of data to project how 2012 is going to play out. So let's lift the hood on your finances and give everything a good once over.

How I Paid Off $27,000 in Credit Card Debt in Two Years

Getting your finances under control on a tight budget is hard, But as Dana Burgess shows, it can be done. Here's how she racked up $63,000 in credit card debt, how she's digging her way out, and how she learned to enjoy living on less.

Bargain Shopping Simplified: Is This App the Answer?

When is a bargain not a bargain? When the hidden costs of finding it outweigh the lower price. Costs like shipping, or gas, or your extra time. NetPlenish aims to solve all that for the real best deal, and eliminate the biggest hassle of online shopping, too: the annoying checkout process.

FICO Finds More Consumers Approaching Perfect Scores

The number of consumers in the top credit score range has reached its highest level since fall 2008, a report by FICO Labs shows, which could indicate more Americans are working to better their personal finances.

2 Surveys Reveal We're Feeling a Bit Better About Our Finances

Two new surveys suggest that financial optimism is on the rise. But even with the improving numbers, among average Americans, those who are upbeat about their personal finances are outnumbered by the pessimists, and we're still wary of buying stocks.

Student Loans: Your 5-Step Plan to Pay Them Off

The economy seems to be turning around for recent college grads, so members of the class of 2012 may have the cash to make a dent in their massive student loans. Now all they need is a plan.

Take Control of Your Finances This Week -- at the Local Library

If you lack money smarts, you're not alone. But the ranks of the financially inept might shrink a bit over the next seven days, thanks to the Money Smart Week program, a partnership between the American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.