Personal Finance

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

Believe it or not, stock market fractions arose from the way the U.S. dollar measured up to Spanish currency way back in 1792, when the U.S. stock market was created. But what does any of that have to do with fractions?

Checks are processed in a variety of ways. What happens to your check or checking account when you pay by check at the grocery store, online, or through PayPal?

Basically, a savings account is a way for your money to earn money. That may be a bit simplistic, but in this article we'll dig deeper and help you determine how to save and decide which accounts are the best fit for your lifestyle.

When you swipe your credit or debit card through a reader, you start a process that involves the store you're at, your bank and ultimately your financial well-being. How does that little stripe send so many messages?

Bankruptcy chapters can be really confusing -- there are specific chapters for both business and personal filing. What do they all mean?

Money market accounts are popular because they usually pay higher interest than savings accounts. So what's the catch? Why shouldn't we all open one?

When you open a mutual fund, you agree to pool your money with other investors for more purchasing power. How do mutual fund companies invest and track your portfolio? And why are mutual funds so popular?

By Dave Roos

Stock options can be beneficial for both employees and employers who provide them. Why do many employees prefer stock options to cold hard cash or better benefits?

The Dow Jones is one of several stock market averages designed as a quick and accurate way to measure the well-being of the market. Why do we hear so much about the Dow Jones in the news?

People buy bonds as investments, similar to buying stocks. The difference, though, is that bonds are much less risky than stocks. And, while both can be traded, bonds usually earn less money than stocks do.

By Jane McGrath

Putting your money into a CD can yield higher interest returns than a standard savings account. Do you know the difference between a CD and a savings account? Find out how you can invest your money into a CD money account.

By Jane McGrath

You made the vows -- for better or for worse, in sickness and in health -- but you don't remember agreeing to pay higher taxes. How does marriage affect your finances?

By Josh Clark

Many people wonder where they've gone wrong with their credit score. Was it charging a pack of gum with a credit card? A steep mortgage? Where does everyone else stand in terms of credit?

By Josh Clark

You already know that when you sell your stocks, you've got to pay taxes on the profits. But did you know you're supposed to pay taxes for selling your old comic books, too?

By Dave Roos

Are you spiraling toward tax day with questions still unanswered? Uncertainty and confusion can cause us to procrastinate, but these insider tips will take you past April 15 with your sanity still intact.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

If you're considering early retirement, you need to assess your financial plan while you're young. Early retirement is possible, but you'll probably have to adopt a frugal lifestyle now.

By Dave Roos

Life without debt sounds good. Can debt consolidation, or taking out one new loan to pay off all your other loans, help you reach that lofty financial goal?

By Jane McGrath

A low credit score can prevent you from getting the car, house or job of your dreams, but there's one surefire way to boost that three-digit number.

By Jane McGrath

Do you pay just the minimum on your credit card balance each month? If your credit limit keeps getting raised, beware: You might be a revolver.

By Dave Roos

Credit unions are not-for-profit institutions that offer many banking services to their members. You may be surprised by who's eligible for membership.

By Dave Roos

Credit reporting agencies collect your credit history from credit card companies, banks, mortgage companies and other creditors to create an in-depth credit report. But how is that report used?

By Dave Roos

The world is drowning in debt, and experts fill the airwaves with doomsday predictions. What exactly is this monster called debt that's sucking up all of our income, ruining our credit scores and making politicians sweat?

By Dave Roos

You saved up your money, got a home loan, got the keys and moved in. But now you've lost your job and you can't pay up. What happens to your house? Maybe foreclosure -- but there are ways to avoid it.

By Charles W. Bryant

Interest-only loans let you afford a nice house and make low payments. But there's a catch -- once you have to pay up, circumstances may not be in your favor.

By Charles W. Bryant