Personal Finance

Hard times mean more people are becoming acquainted with the dreaded "B word" -- budget. But never fear -- in this article, we'll reveal five handy ways to stay on budget and still live it up.

By Nathan Chandler

Retiring at 50 might sound great, but there's a lot of saving, preparation and hard work you'd need to do to accomplish such a goal. Here's how to make sure you've saved enough.

By Dave Roos & Jeff Harder

Who couldn't use a little extra cash at some point? You may not have the time to go out and hit the pavement in search of a second job, but you could use the skills you have to get the dough you need.

By Stephanie Watson & Laurie L. Dove

College costs a fortune these days -- but exactly how much do you need to save for your kid to get an education?

By John Perritano

Raised decks and paved patios each offer their own benefits, but which will weigh in lighter with your wallet?

By Laurie L. Dove

Often, people end up spending way more than they intended when it comes to decorating their homes. But great style doesn't have to expensive. It's all about simplifying.

By Jacob Clifton

With so many popular forms of entertainment being dependent upon electronic (read: pricey) components, what's a frugal family to do for fun?

By Allison Wachtel

Running a frugal household doesn't have to mean feeling deprived all of the time. We've got some fun tips to balance your budget.

By Becky Striepe

A fruit tree, a vegetable garden or even a simple pot of herbs can yield tasty savings -- if you're willing to put in the work. How much can you save?

By Matt Cunningham

You love your furry friend, but chances are you don't love the costs that add up due to food, grooming -- and what the heck is pet insurance? Don't despair: Here are a few tips to help you keep your budget in check.

By Stephanie Watson

If your backyard is overflowing with green but your wallet isn't, fear not. We've got some budget-friendly landscaping tips that'll keep your back lawn and your bank account in great shape.

By Nathan Chandler

Renovating an existing patio or building an entirely new one can cost a fortune. Or does it have to?

By Eric Baxter

Juggling family duties is hard enough -- balancing a budget on top of everything might seem impossible. We've got some budgeting basics to help you out.

By Jane McGrath

This piggy bank family is cute, but the truth is, it's hard to save money when you've got kids to clothe and feed. Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks out there that'll help you squeeze the most out of a family budget -- and even save money!

By Kate Kershner

If your TV and Internet bills are more out of control than a prime-time drama's plotline, these 10 tips may make them less ridiculous(ly expensive).

By Laurie L. Dove

Everyone likes to save money, but there are always ways to save that you've overlooked. You'll be shocked at how much these no-brainer tips can save you.

By Ed Grabianowski

Some stay-at-home moms might feel the need to cut back on luxuries to focus on the simpler things -- and we've got just the right advice for a good budget.

By Jane McGrath

Your nest egg is precious, so you never want to be careless with it. Here are five ways you can invest your family savings and still sleep tight at night.

By Jacob Clifton

You'd love to entertain your kids by taking them to ball games or amusement parks, but those are real budget busters. Here are a few family activities that your kids and your wallet will love.

By Dave Roos

Some people think they need the help of a financial advisor to grow their nest eggs. But accumulating savings isn't rocket science. Here are five simple ways to do it.

By John Kelly

Do you dread tax season? We've got tips to ease your (and your bank account's) pain by finding more deductions for smaller tax prep fees.

By Laurie L. Dove

How much savings is worth no A/C? You be the judge.

By Beth Brindle

Wanna save some cash? Unplug those unused appliances.

By Beth Brindle

A home is a big investment, especially these days. So is this one debt that you should pay down as quickly as possible? We'll weigh the pros and cons in this article.

By Nathan Chandler

These days, we're so attached to our cell phones that they might as well be glued to our hands. But there's a price to pay for all that mobile telephone freedom -- the bill. Fortunately, there are also ways to save, as we'll reveal in this article.

By Nathan Chandler