Personal Finance

Charitable contributions are a great way to simultaneously help people in need and give yourself a tax break. But are there restrictions on what you can claim on your taxes?

By John Barrymore

You sign your Form 1040, seal it up in an envelope and send it off to the IRS. But then, you're shuffling through your file cabinet when you come across a W2 you forgot to file. What now?

By John Barrymore

To some people, it may mean clean drinking water or gasoline. Although these are really important commodities, they may or may not qualify as liquid assets. What is as fluid as cash?

By Jane McGrath

You're worth your weight in gold, even though you may not have the cash to show for it yet. But what you can get right now is your net worth.

By Jane McGrath

Imagine having a money club with your neighbors to earn money from its profits, and to finance your own mortgages. That's why S&Ls were created, although many folded during the 1980s and 90s.

By John Barrymore

Your finances are in the red, and you don't know where to turn. Agencies specializing in non-profit debt consolidation promise to help you out but you wonder if it's a scam.

By John Barrymore

You may already know that you need to pay property taxes on your real estate. But what about your car, the new boat you just bought, or even Fido? Depending on what state you live in, you could have to pay personal property taxes.

By Sarah Siddons

With just a few clicks, keep tabs on your investments, get the latest market news and peek at the pay stubs of high-paid CEOs. Google Finance offers these features when you set up your personal portfolio.

By John Barrymore

There's more to gold and platinum than just bling-bling. These and other precious metals can be alternative investments that put ching-ching in your pockets in the long run through a precious metals mutual fund.

By Sarah Siddons

If you've been slapped with an overdraft fee greater than your check or debit charge, you may wonder whether you need all your money in the bank. There are options to banking.

By Jane McGrath

Buying your first home can a dream come true, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare. Realistic planning is key to avoiding the pitfalls that await first time homebuyers.

By Jane McGrath

With so much information available online through public records, almost anyone can find out your personal information like your home's floor plan and where your children go to school. Privacy trusts can shield your information.

By Sarah Siddons

Some people are so deep in debt they feel hopeless like there's not way out. But one agency helps people take control of their finances, wipe out debt and budget for a new home.

By Sarah Siddons

Most engaged couples believe that their marriage will last "until death do us part." But with two out of every five marriages resulting in divorce, some couples decide that the best way to be prepared for any eventuality is to draw up a prenuptial agreement.

By Margaret Franson

Ever absentmindedly tossed out a credit card bill or checked your bank balance from a computer at the library? Mistakes like these could pave the way for fraud.

By John Barrymore

No one likes to think about their own death. It would be nice if we could live as if we were immortal, never having to worry about what will happen after we're gone. But death is inevitable, and we all need to plan for it.

By Sarah Siddons

Treasury bills are a low-risk investment - and you don't need a lot of money to get started. How does the U.S. government use these bills to manage its debt?

By Dave Roos & Sarah Siddons

Using a debit card is convenient but also comes with a certain amount of risk. What's the best way to protect yourself and keep an eye on your money?

By John Barrymore

How much money are you making on your savings? If you've got a traditional savings account, you could be making a lot more online. What's the catch?

By John Barrymore

If you're trying to work your way out of debt, consumer credit counseling might be a good step to take. What happens during, and after, the counseling session?

By Sarah Siddons

Your personal debt may seem like an enormous burden, but these pictures will help put it into perspective and remind you that even entire nations struggle to maintain a balanced budget.

From learning to invest to protecting yourself in a volatile market, check out this image gallery for the big picture. Learn about investment types, the stock market and learn about a few investing pitfalls.

You've probably heard of offshore bank accounts and Swiss bank accounts. You may have heard there's great wealth to be found in these foreign bank investments. But what's really so special about these international banking opportunities?

By John Barrymore

Death tax. Estate tax. Inheritance tax. They all mean the same thing: The government imposes a tax on a grieving heir for any money they receive from the deceased. What is the tax that is levied, and how much will this tax cost you?

By Ed Grabianowski & John Barrymore

Life insurance is associated with pushy salespeople and other unpleasant stuff -- like dying. But how will your children make do if you should die unexpectedly?

By Dave Roos