saving money

Living in a Van Was the Best Financial Decision I Ever Made

Most people would consider living in a van an embarrassment, but Ken Ilungas just views it as a smart choice that let him get his graduate degree while staying debt free.

CFPB: Opting for Overdraft Protection Means Higher Fees

The government says consumers who opt for overdraft coverage on checking accounts pay higher fees and are more likely to have their accounts closed than those who decline it.

A $12,000 Smartphone May Already Be in Your Pocket

How much is your cell phone worth in your life? According to a recent study, the answer could be up to $12,000 a year!

How the Wisdom of Confucius Can Lead You to Financial Success

Asian Americans are the highest-income and best-educated racial group in the U.S.,and author YuKong Zhao believes he knows why: Confucian values.

Is Your Pack-a-Day Habit a Vice, or an Opportunity?

A new website called costofyourvices.com wants to help you tally up the price of your bad habits. We'll take it a step further and help you make some money from those vices.

Fitness Gadgets: Cheaper Than a Personal Trainer

Whether you're gearing up for a big race or trying to fit in a weekly power walk, there's a fitness device for you.

How the American Dream Is Keeping Us Broke

She lived in New York City, worked as a waitress and model, and saved almost $500,000 before turning 30. Her secret? It's the one that keeps the really wealthy in the money.

3 Spring-Cleaning Tips for Your Finances Worth $8,000 to You

With tax season over, now's a great time to spring-clean your finances. These three simple moves could put more than $8,000 in your pocket over the course of the next year.

8 Money-Saving Tips For Your Next Cruise Vacation

For travelers undeterred by the mishap that have befallen the cruise industry, this is a good time to save money on a cruise vacation, experts say.

Want to Save More? Close Some of Your Savings Accounts

A new study suggests that having multiple bank accounts allows you to fool yourself into thinking you're saving more -- which means you'll really save less.

Monday Memo: This Week on the Saving Channel

Which to Do First? Pay Down Debt or Save for a Rainy Day

Millions of Americans have heavy debts and limited savings, so when a rare bit of spare cash appears, they face a conundrum: Should they pay down debt or build up savings?

There's a New Way to Cut Energy Bills (and Get Rewards, Too)

Americans waste $146 billion on energy each year. But several groups are aiming to help people wrangle in their utility costs -- and get rewards in the process.

Best Apps to Manage Your Money

Money magazine has served up a bounty of mobile apps to help you save more and budget better. Let's take a look at their top recommendations:

The Most-Overlooked Tax Deductions

Cut your tax bill to the bone by claiming all the breaks you're owed, including some you may have forgotten or might have never heard of. Here are the top missed deductions.

Want Security? Don't Invest...Save!

Want to retire with security to spare? Check out fixed rate annuities -- a way to save your way to security, rather than investing your way to an empty bank account.

Colleges Offering 4-Year Graduation Guarantees

A growing number of colleges are trying to entice students with guarantees that they will finish in four years, or the extra tuition will be free.

Her Financial Goal: Cut Out All Those Small Money Wasters

Everyone has things they want to improve about their financial lives -- and we in the AOL newsroom are no exceptions. So we asked money expert Jean Chatzky for advice on how to reach our goals. Today: An AOL Jobs editor who wants to cut the small, everyday money wasters out of her budget.

His Financial Goals: Saving More and Paying Down Debt

Everyone has things they want to improve about their financial lives -- and we in the AOL newsroom are no exceptions. So we asked money expert Jean Chatzky for advice on how to reach our goals. Today: A real estate editor who wants to save more and owe less.

His Financial Goal: Get Ahead of the High Cost of Higher Education

Everyone has things they want to improve about their financial lives -- even the staff of DailyFinance. So we asked money expert Jean Chatzky for advice on how to reach our goals, and we're sharing her answers with you. First up: An editor looking ahead to college tuition bills.

Pope Benedict XVI: 5 Ways He Was Also an Economic Shepherd

Pope Benedict XVI was a moral and religious leader, but there's also a fiscal side to his legacy: He endorsed several positions that could affect the personal finances of millions of people. Here are five ways his papacy may impact our lives and pocketbooks.

My $5,000 Emergency: How I Managed It (and You Can, Too)

A $5,000 car repair bill is the kind of thing that can push even a frugal family's finances over the edge. But here's a simple emergency fund tip that will help you avoid a worst-case scenario when Murphy's Law catches up with your budget.

3 Ways to Save Money on Your Cable, Phone and Internet Bills

Those package deals on cable, phone and Internet often aren't the deals they're cracked up to be. Don't pay extra for services you don't really need. Here are three ways to save money on "triple play" bills in 2013.

This Weekend's Best Deals

Every Friday, we scan the weekly ads, deal sites and retailer marketing emails to find the best deals available for the coming week. Here are a few of the best freebies and limited-time offers we found.

13 Financial New Year's Resolutions to Keep in 2013

When it comes to keeping New Year's resolutions, plenty of us don't have such great track records. But most people who made financial resolutions in 2012 kept them, which makes them a smart addition to your annual ritual. To set the stage for your success in 2013, here are 13 resolutions to consider.

Half-Price Pizza for All: The Best Deals This Weekend

My Mom's 3 Biggest Money Management Secrets Revealed

Everything I ever needed to know to succeed in life, I learned from my mother. Although I didn't realize it at the time, her maternal management even taught me how to make the most of my money. Here are the three best tricks she ever showed me, and how you can make them work for you.