Personal Finance

What was your favorite toy as a kid -- and why do you remember it so well? We've selected five toys that your child will remember as much as you did.

By Sarah Winkler

Buying groceries in bulk is a good way to save money. But if you're not careful, it can cost you more if goods go bad or you forget about them. What are some secrets to storing?

By Becky Striepe

Whether you shop daily, weekly or monthly depends on two things: what's your shopping goal and what works best for you.

By Emilie Sennebogen

A lot of factors will determine how much money you spend at the grocery store, but the amount the average family spends may surprise you.

By Emilie Sennebogen

There are thousands of items you can buy locally that will not only stimulate your community's economy, but also save you money! Whether its coffee, produce or jewelry, you're sure to find whatever your heart desires from a local artisan or farm.

By Jessica Willis

Thrift stores are making a comeback in a big way. From saving you money to winning a costume contest, we've got five reasons why you should thrift.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Video game ratings are a lot like movie ratings. They let parents know what content is appropriate for their kids and at what age. But who decides on the ratings -- and can we trust them? And what about video game violence?

By Caitlin Uttley

Like everything else, kids need furniture that's made just for them. And while they may focus on style, there are many other things you have to keep in mind, too.

By Sara Elliott

Shopping for clothing can be ridiculously expensive -- especially if you're looking for trendy designer stuff. But do you have to pay full price for it? We have some tips to help you avoid the retail markup.

By Marie Willsey

The family activities at home used to revolve around the dinner table or the television, but no more. Today, everyone tends to gather around the computer, but how do you find one to fit all of your family's needs?

By Stephanie Watson

We spend a good portion of our lives on them, but most of us don't stop to consider our mattresses very often. However, when it comes time to go buy a new one, there's a lot to look (and look out) for.

By Ellen Stockstill

Between tickets, parking and baggage fees, flying the friendly skies isn't so friendly for your family's travel budget. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can employ to save megabucks on your next big-ticket vacation.

By Alia Hoyt

We've compiled the ultimate household goods shopping list! It's full of everything you and your family need, from cookware to computer essentials.

By Natalie Kilgore

Clothing and accessories can get expensive, especially if you crave designer labels. But fret not; shopping consignment is a great way to get what you love and save some money at the same time.

By Jessica Willis

A seemingly endless number of worthy causes await your charity, but donations shouldn't be a burden. How much is enough -- and how much is too much?

By Laurie L. Dove

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

Wrangling for the best deal is all but expected when shopping these days, and that includes online. We'll tell you how to earn rewards on what you buy.

By Sara Elliott

An emergency situation may call for legal documents that state personal preferences regarding medical treatment and other decisions. Learn what you should include in a living will in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

By reconciling your checking account, you'll be able to keep a close eye on your account's balance. You can learn more about reconciling a checking account by reading this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Teens should know both the practicalities and philosophy of taxes. Learn what your teen should know about taxes in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

While it can be both volatile and unpredictable, the stock market can be a lucrative source of income for savvy investors. What exactly is the stock market, and where do you get the stocks you need to enter it?

By Marshall Brain & Dave Roos

You lost your wallet and would like to find out how to get a copy of your Social Security card. Read this article to learn how to get a copy of your Social Security card.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You are approaching retirement age and you would like to learn how to apply for your Social Security benefits. Read this article and learn about how to apply for Social Security.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Every American worker and employer contributes to a common retirement fund known as Social Security. When it comes time for you to collect benefits, you'll need a few important pieces of information before you apply. What are they?

By Dave Roos

You've worked hard to put a substantial amount of money into your retirement nest egg. Don't shortchange yourself by erroneously borrowing from or cashing out your fund early. Here's how to get every last dime out of your 401(k).

By Chris Opfer