Saving For College Hits Record High
College is getting pricier, and parents are saving more than ever. Tuition savings jumped by more than $25 billion last year.
savings account
Do We Need to Be Forced Into Saving for Retirement?
With battles raging over Social Security and millions of Americans facing underfunded retirement, are mandatory savings accounts the solution to America's retirement woes?
Savings Account Interest in 2013: Thanks For Nothing, Banks
Among the personal finance New Years resolutions we've recommended for retirees is making sure you're getting a decent interest rate on your savings. But banks are making it awfully hard to pull that off.
9 Questions to Ask to See If Your Bank Is Right for You
The end of the year is a good time to give your financial life a once-over and see what changes need to be made. One item not to forget in that review: your bank. Answering these questions will help you determine whether your money is in the right place, or if it's time for a strategic withdrawal.
Why the 99% May Never Retire
Large numbers of middle-class Americans still aren't in a financial position to make saving for retirement a priority again, but on the whole, they're quite worried about it. Problem is, they may not be worried enough.
A Classic Way to Earn More on Your Savings Is Back
Interest rates have never been lower: That's good news for borrowers, bad news for savers unwilling to take much risk to grow their money. However, there's one safe option many people ignore that has become attractive again -- savings bonds.
A Winning Strategy for Saving: These Sites Make It a Game
With interest rates so low these days, it's hard to get motivated about putting money into a savings account. But it is important to save, and so services have popped up that use other methods to encourage us. Two in particular -- SaveUp and SmartyPig -- turn saving and paying down debts into a game.
7 Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Develop Good Money Habits
Low interest rates have made convincing kids to open savings accounts a tougher sell. You can't just tell a 9-year-old to save because it's good for her -- you need an incentive, like prospect of a great return. So here are seven ideas to help your kids profitably put their money to work.
What the End of Savings Account Interest Means to Me as a Parent
I often have a hard time explaining to my kids why they should put some of their money in the bank. My 9-year-old daughter got me when she asked how much she'd be paid for trusting the bank with her cash. The honest answer is that she'd get paid basically nothing.
The Best Reason to Bank Locally: Better Deals
Still banking at one of the "too big to fail" institutions? According to Bank Deals blog and DepositAccounts.com, for the best yields on checking, savings and CDs, you'd do better looking locally. For example, consider these three deals available right now.
The Best Place to Put Cash: Extra Mortgage Payments
Eenie, meenie, miney, moe -- where should my cash savings go? That's the riddle many Americans are trying to figure out these days. After the necessities are taken care of, it's time to choose: mattress, stock market or mortgage? Do the math and the answer is clear.
U.S. Families Lag Behind Chinese in Household Savings
Far fewer U.S. families are saving money for emergencies and education than their Chinese counterparts, according to a University of Missouri study released Thursday.
Where Do You Go for Cash in a Pinch?
Most Americans rely on other sources besides their savings accounts when hit with an unexpected expense, according to a poll by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. The moral of the story? Americans need to save up more for emergencies.
More Online Tools To Simplify Your Financial Life
The latest entrant into the online financial tools business is Google, which launched Advisor last Thursday. The search engine giant offers a clear way to compare rates and offers from mortgage companies, credit cards and other financial products -- but it's hardly the only smart tool out there.
How Being Too Cheap Can Cost You a Fortune
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.
Small Changes That Could Save You Big Bucks
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.
