Personal Finance

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

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

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

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

401(k) accounts are designed to help people save for retirement, so there are harsh penalties for withdrawing funds early. That said, there are exceptions to the rule -- but there aren't many.

By Dave Roos

Roth IRAs are a smart way to save for retirement because you can avoid most of the tax penalties associated with other retirement plans -- as long as you follow the rules. What are the Roth IRA withdrawal rules, and how could they affect your retirement?

By Marie Willsey

Even though you're no longer working, that doesn't mean your money should stop working, too. Read on for tips on where you should keep your money after retirement.

By Meghan E. Smith

Running a hotel is a complicated business -- not everything goes perfectly, and there are some secrets that most hotel managers would rather you not know. What are some of them?

By Meghan E. Smith

Mutual funds are a wonderful investment, but they can be frustrating at times. Luckily, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be traded on the open market like stocks -- but are they as shaky as stocks?

By Ed Grabianowski

Even if both of your parents are employed, you may be eligible for financial aid. Learn whether you can receive financial aid with two working parents.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

If you find that you're falling behind in mortgage payments -- or if you're about to -- your best bet may be to negotiate a mortgage loan modification. This article explains how to negotiate a mortgage loan modification.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

When money's tight, finding your IRS refund status can help with the budgeting. Learn about how to find your IRS refund status in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

If you're young enough to ride the ups and downs of market, some financial advisers recommend you put some of your money in more aggressive investments. But what makes one investment more "aggressive" than another?

By Beth Brindle