If you’ve been watching the news lately, you might’ve seen something about the economy… but in case you’ve been living in a cave, things are bad.  Are we on the verge of another depression?  Should you be scared by what you see happening in the stock market?
Let’s take a stroll through history… all the way [...]

With billions of credit card come-ons bombarding Americans every year, it’s practically impossible to know that you’re getting the best deal possible on your credit card. But whether you’re looking for the lowest rate, most cash back or other perks, there’s something for everyone.
We asked Amal Rhoe of CardOffers.com which credit cards win out… here’s what [...]

If you think you know how to save money, think again… When the Rachel Ray show was looking for the thriftiest mom in America, they found Margie Read.
Margie reuses paper towels, and long before it was “in”.  She only runs some of her appliances at night, after 9 when your electricity prices fall.  She’ll reuse dryer sheets [...]

The average college student now graduates with more than $2,000 in debt.  Obviously, keeping a clean credit history and a high credit score isn’t part of the regular curriculum.
First, establish credit by piggybacking on parents.  As an “authorized user” on a parent’s credit card, you’ll share their credit history (hopefully, it’s good).
Then, get a cell [...]

The bailout of our banking system, considered a short-term solution by many experts, could end up costing you big in the long-term.  Of course, there’s the $700 billion required to buy up bad mortgages, but there are also a host of potential costs that you may not be aware of.
First, you should probably expect some [...]

With all the talk of banks going under, what about your stock brokerage?  If it fails, is your money insured?
As it turns out, brokerages are required to be members of the SIPC, or Security Investor Protection Corporation.  It’s like the FDIC in a lot of ways, but unlike the FDIC, the SIPC is not backed [...]

I wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words about the situation we’re in, how we got here, what’s likely to happen in the days ahead and what you should be doing to protect your family’s finances. These are my thoughts alone…not any station’s, network, or website. And while I have more than [...]

The FDIC just released a list of more than a hundred troubled banks.  Is yours one of them?  More importantly… should you care?
The FDIC’s “Troubled Bank” List currently contains more than 100 banks which were recently revealed as having capital issues.  But, let’s just keep things in perspective.  According to the FDIC, during the banking [...]

Americans now carry more than 2-trillion dollars in debt, and as that figure grows, so does the debt collection industry’s revenues… to the tune of more that 16-billion dollars a year.  But just because you owe money, doesn’t mean debt collectors can treat you like a doormat.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires collection agencies [...]

We all have to do things we don’t like… they’re called chores.  But what if you could take those errands and send them off to India?  It may sound far-fetched, but it’s actually happening.
Companies like GetFriday and AskSunday allow you to hire an overseas personal assistant, typically for around $12 an hour, who will be happy [...]

You’ll find all matter of gadgets floating around that promise to improve your mileage and save you money on gas.  But, can a magnet really save fuel?  Could you run your car on water instead of gas?  Will a “tornado” boost your mpg?
James Randi, scientific skeptic, is offering $1 million to anyone who can prove [...]

You know gas prices are soaring at the pump, but what you may not know is how much it now costs to trade in your gas guzzler for anything getting better mileage.
Say you’ve got a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer.  If you bought it new, you might’ve paid around $25,000.  But, according to Edmunds.com, sell it today [...]

Used car pricing websites like Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book are supposed to take the same factors into account when determining the value of your used car.  So why don’t they arrive at the same number for identical cars?
When we compared prices for a 2004 Land Rover at five different websites (Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book, Cars [...]

There are a few situations where using your credit card has some distinct advantages over paying with cash. For example, there’s protection in plastic when you make big purchases, like a TV. If your purchase was damaged or defective, you can always withhold payment while you and your credit card company work with [...]

With the housing market still in decline, many sellers are wondering when the turnaround will finally come. Fortunately, there are a few signs you can look for that will tell you when things are starting to look up.
While all markets are different, it all boils down to supply and demand.  So first, check on [...]

There are few things in life more expensive than selling your home, because that agent’s cut will run into the thousands of dollars. Is there a way to make it less? Sure. Just ask.

GasBank.com, a new start up expected to launch within the next few months, is promising to let customers buy as many gallons of gas as they want, at today’s price, and pump it into their car whenever they like.
How does it work? The idea is to pool the money of multiple members and hedge [...]

Southwest is the only airline turning a profit and by digging a littler deeper into their financial methodology, you’ll find that adopting a few of their practices can save you money at home.

Think being the highest bidder at a real estate auction means you’ve won? Think again… Most property sold at heavily advertised public auctions is subject to lender approval, so if your winning bid isn’t high enough, the lender can try to get you to pay more, or simply refuse to sell.

Looking for simple ways to save money? Cut out these six unnecessary necessities from your life and save hundreds each year.
Consider bottled water: At 30 cents per bottle (about as cheap as you can find it) you’re paying about $110 a year for less than $1 worth of water.
$5 coffee can be made [...]

The University of Iowa sponsors a low-stakes trading market where participants can put wagers on “political futures”. The surprise? Betters are more accurate than polls at predicting election outcomes.
If you look at polls run during the election and we’ve looked at about 600 polls, what we found is 75% of the cases, the [...]

The nation’s ongoing housing crisis has many would-be homeowners looking for the bargain of a lifetime. One way of buying cheap is foreclosures… another is with a short sale. But what is a short-sale and how does it work?
A short sale is potential solution for a homeowner that is in financial distress, that would [...]

If you own a small business, you know that the internet can mean the difference between profit and loss. So it pays to make sure that the online part of your business is as good as possible. We found one Internet marketing guru with some simple tips to effectively market your web site [...]

The cellular phone, now used as the one and only phone by 14% of American adults, and Voice Over Internet (VoIP) phones, used by 1 in 7 American adults, are making the landline telephone a thing of the past.
Voice Over Internet, more commonly known by its acronym VoIP, has one major benefit over tradational phone [...]

When you shop for groceries, do you look for labels that say “Organic” or “Natural”? Believe it or not, there’s a huge difference between these two seemingly synonymous terms.
Organic foods are produced without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or antibiotics and grown using renewable resources while conserving soil and water. A label that says “Certified [...]

If your grocery bill is rising faster than you can handle, it may be time to think green… as in a green thumb. Growing some of your own food saves money, it’s easier than you think… and you don’t need a big plot of land.
But don’t just plant any old food, look for produce that [...]

Saving an extra couple of hundred dollars each month is easier than you might think. It starts by taking a hard look at all the little expenses you rack up, and cutting the “money pits” from your daily spending.
The first thing you need to do is track where every dollar goes for one month. [...]

Wouldn’t you like to have your savings in a place that would return double digits even when the stock market is lousy? There might be a way, providing you’re willing to “hedge” your bets.

It used to be that when you wrote a check, you had time to make a deposit to cover it, because the money wouldn’t leave your account for days. But now, thanks to modern technology and new banking regulations, that float’s gone from days to hours… but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy some [...]

Credit Unions traditionally offer higher interest rates and lower fees than banks. The only problem: if you want to make a deposit or use an ATM, visiting a branch of your union might not be convenient or even possible. But, thanks to “Credit Union Sharing”, that’s all about to change.
Credit unions are joining [...]

If you own a small business, you’ve probably considered becoming a corporation. It can be a big expense, especially if you go to a lawyer. But, by doing it yourself, you can save the legal bills.
Companies like Legal Zoom and We The People offer (relatively) cheap incorporating alternatives. You pay around $300, fill out [...]

Most small business owners will face this question at sometime in their careers: Should I incorporate? If so, do I use a lawyer or a web site? INC or LLC? What, exactly, are the benefits to incorporating?
If you think that, by incorporating your small business, you’ll enjoy some form of tax benefit, [...]

If you’re keeping money in the bank, you know how low rates are. And if you’ve done any food shopping lately, you know how high prices are. But what you may not have considered is what low savings rates and high inflation can do to your savings.
Think about this… the inflation rate this year [...]

Do you know the difference between a CPA and a CFU? How about a CFP and a CFA? If you’re going to get financial advice, descrambling this alphabet soup of designations is a must… otherwise, you could end up with a Farm Manager (AFM) instead of a Financial Manager (CFM).
You’ll recognize a few of the [...]

When your in your 50’s, retirement planning is more important than ever, especially considering many retirees can expect to live well into their 90’s (some, into their 100’s). So, if you retire at age 65, you’re potentially looking at 30 or more years of retirement to pay for. That means you’d better have [...]

When you reach your 40s, retirement’s no longer a vague concept… it’s a reality looming in your future, and one you’d better be investing for properly. Are you?
A good rule of thumb for a 40-something is to allocate about 10% of your after-tax income to your retirement. Pay special attention to contributions to [...]

When you hit your 30’s, the focus for many is marriage, kids, and buying a home. All big life events that can cost big bucks. But no matter how much you’re shelling out in your 30’s… you can still find some money to save for retirement.
Step one is maximizing any existing retirement plans you may [...]

Investing for retirement in your 20’s isn’t exactly child’s play. But it’s still one thing most 20-somethings don’t think about at all, and maybe they should… By starting a retirement fund early, a 20 something wont have to contribute as much as if they started that fund in their 30s or 40s, translating into [...]

The nation’s housing crisis is crippling our economy. So, what’s the government going to do about it? One idea is to reform the mortgage process, eliminating the ‘bad brokers’ more interested in making a commission than a responsible loan.
The Federal Reserve has proposed new rules that would require all states license mortgage brokers, [...]

Even while our nation’s real estate downturn is still unfolding, there’s been lots of talk about how to prevent a repeat in the future. But, proposals like the billion dollar bailout of brokers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac aren’t enough… a drastic overhaul of the mortgage system is needed. Step one, remove the [...]

When you decorate your home, you may not think about “going green” in the process… but maybe you should. These days more Interior Designers say green designs not only look great, but just might make you FEEL great, too. And the best news? Its easier (and less expensive) than you might think.

Take a second to think about how much water you use in the bathroom everyday. Odds are, you are a big “water waster” and you just don’t know it. That’s bad for the environment and your water bills. Fortunately, by avoiding a few common bathroom blunders, you can stop flushing money down the drain.

Think SIMPLE [...]

If you’ve got a retirement plan at work, stocks, mutual funds or other types of investments, you’re already well on your way to savings-land. But, there are 5 common mistakes that will quickly steer you off track, definitely cost you money and potentially screw up your savings for good.

Mismatching your investment with your goal [...]

If you watch a lot of late night television, you’ve seen the commercials for companies like Cash4Gold, GoldPaq, or GoldKit. The pitch? Mail in your gold jewelry and receive a substantial portion of the market value for that gold. But, is selling your gold by mail a good idea? Short answer: [...]

Housing Futures allow you to trade the real estate market as if it were stock. Think prices will go down in one area? Short some housing futures. Think they’ll go up? Buy some futures. So, the concept should be familiar, but with the housing market in the tank, the potential [...]

July 4th is right around the corner, but if you’ve been thinking of purchasing a new grill for that holiday barbecue, you’re going to want to make sure your grill gives you everything you paid for. Just follow these simple grill buying tips, and you can’t go wrong.

Look for a grill made from solid [...]

Fact: Generic drugs can be identical to their more expensive, brand name alternatives… so why waste the extra cash? For many, a belief that “brand name” means “better” persists. But is that true? What, exactly, are we paying for?
According to the FDA’s Frequently Asked Questions About Generic Drugs, a generic drug is [...]

If you’ve ever been nailed by a credit card late-payment fee, had your interest rate raised unfairly, or otherwise suffered at the hand of your credit card company, relief may be in store… provided new rules proposed by the Federal Trade Commission are enacted.
Five major protections offered by the FTC Act

Banks would be prohibited from [...]

Americans are living longer, healthier lives… and retirement ain’t what it used to be! In fact, many so-called seniors consider retirement an exciting opportunity to launch a new career. Simply put, successfully making money in retirement is about finding a labor of love.
Doing something that makes you happy is the most important thing, [...]

Roses are the traditional Valentines Day gift: and one of the costliest. Money reporter Stacy Johnson found out why the price of a floral gift is so high…and ways to get the most bloom for your buck.

Paying your bills online not only saves money, but trees, water and all kinds of other resources as well. But making electronic payments… especially automatically… carries some unique problems as well. Should you or shouldn’t you?

There are few people who haven’t considered a loan from a family member. But before you tread this potentially perilous path, consider getting some outside help.

Junk mail… it’s not only a pain, it can also be a source of temptation for those on a budget. If you’d like to start the year with a cleaner mailbox, here’s a special delivery from money reporter Stacy Johnson…

Even if you don’t have money or you’re really young, you should still have a will. Can you get one without shelling out big bucks, or even going to a lawyer? Lets find out.

You know you made yourself a promise to to do better both physically and financially this year. Well, we’ve got some tips to beef up that bank account.

Among the most common New Years resolutions is to sticking to a budget. If that sounds familiar, you’ll appreciate the next story: money reporter Stacy Johnson provides some expert guidance when it comes to tracking the family finances.

Was one of your resolutions to pay off some debt this year? Secrets to pay off that debt from some of the pros…

If you’ve ever been tempted to attend a free seminar on real estate investing, or felt attracted to a money-making course you see on some late night infomercial, this next story is for you.

Ceremonies like weddings and funerals are often expensive affairs. But with funerals, most of the planning is done last minute, and saving money is the last thing on anybody’s mind. But there are solutions..money reporter Stacy Johnson has some tips on planning for the inevitable.

Most cell phone contracts keep you with a carrier for at least a year. And if you leave early? You lose $200, maybe more. But money reporter Stacy Johnson has the story of a service that will promises to let you get in or out of a contract without the hefty fees.

If your list of New Year’s resolutions includes “Paying Down Debt”, or “Saving More Money”, then you’re in the right place. Today money reporter Stacy Johnson begins his series on Fiscal Fitness ‘08 with some advice on finding help.

You don’t really have to worry about inflation this year…. unless you drive a car, go to college or pay for health insurance. Where price increases will be great in 2008…

Do you think you know what’s going to happen to interest rates, the economy and the stock market this year? Compare your guesses to those of the experts.

This is the time of year you look at your waistline…then start looking for a gym. Well, before you sign on that dotted line, Stacy Johnson suggests exercising a little caution.

We’ve all got it…stuff that we don’t want, charity won’t take…but too valuable to throw away. What do you do when you want to recycle? Easy…Freecycle.

If you plan on flying this holiday season, you’re probably ready for steep ticket prices, delays and long lines. But something else you better be prepared for is a high price if you change your travel dates. Money reporter Stacy Johnson has the story.

With holiday preparation in full swing, income taxes are probably the last thing on your mind. But a few minutes now could be worth hundreds of dollars in tax savings next April.

When you hear the words, ‘non-profit’ you often think of low-paid workers or even volunteers: people in it for the love, not for the money. But there are charities that contribute big to their bosses.

You want to donate food to help starving people: how big a bite is that charity taking? How to give charities a check before you write them a check.

Looking for that special gift? Well, even if you don’t have an extra million dollars in the bank, maybe you can still give that special someone something special. Exotic cars on a budget… well, kind of.

Ready for the holidays? While this time of year is hectic enough, money reporter Stacy Johnson has something to add to your list: make sure you do the right things before year-end to make your life less taxing next April.

Finding the best place to retire doesn’t have to be difficult, just break it down into small parts. Are you retiring, or are you looking for assisted living or a nursing home for an elderly parent? If so, you may want to start your search here.

Step One: Asses your needs - Finding a [...]

If you’re getting married, you might want to check out wedding insurance. It’s not insurance for your entire marriage, but it could make for a less stressful ceremony. Is it for you? Is it even a good idea?
The most common reasons for wedding cancellations usually involve the bride and/or groom failing to [...]

Foreclosure tours are new way to shop for real estate bargains. The premise, you tour homes that are in foreclosure, pick out one you like, then negotiate with the lender and buy the house for less than market value. There are those who say this form of real estate amounts to a clever [...]

We’ve all been there… Consumer Complaint Land; a product or service we paid for wasn’t delivered or didn’t perform as promised. And while it may be tempting to use that opportunity to contact a customer service rep to blow off a little steam, it probably wont help you get what you want. Successful [...]

If you pay more, you expect to get more… but that’s not true when it comes to food. Frequently, you’re paying for the convenience of having your food prepared for you. With simple replacements, like grating cheese yourself or slicing tomatoes by hand, you can save money on food without complicated cooking or [...]

Corn is used in literally hundreds of food products. And oil is used not just in the production of food, but in getting it to market as well. So when you’ve got both corn and oil hitting all-time highs, you’re in for a painful experience when food shopping time rolls around. But there’s good news: [...]

Save some money and the environment with tips to “green up” your laundry.

Save some money and the environment with tips to “green out” your kitchen.

Free energy audits from your utility company are a popular way to save up to 30% on your energy bill… but you can always do it yourself!

One of the most expensive parts of travel is a hotel. But what if you could stay in a full-sized home for no money at all? Thousands of people do it every year. It’s called house-swapping.

From Amway to Avon, millions of Americans have made it with multi-level marketing. Should you be one of them?

Identity Theft is a crime so common that if it hasn’t happened to you personally, you probably know a victim. So why are so many identities still being stolen?

When it comes to food and fuel, prices, they’re going through the roof. But what about the roof itself? There the news might be a little better.

Are you expecting a tax refund this year? While it’s always great to get checks in the mail, this is one you might want to avoid. I’ll explain why, coming up on Money Talks.

Tax time isn’t the best time of the year, but if you’re just starting those taxes, there’s news both good and bad that you need to know. Money reporter Stacy Johnson has some recent changes that lower your tax bill for 07…but raise it in 08.

If you borrow money, you probably know that your credit score is important. The company behind credit scoring, Fair Issac, recently announced changes in the way they’ll soon be doing it.

Are you filing your taxes electronically this year? If you are, and you happen to owe the IRS money… chances are you’ll be among the those who’ll pay with their credit cards…

Taxes can be complicated, which means it’s easy to make mistakes…mistakes that could have gotten you a bigger refund…or could get you in hot water with the IRS. But just because a mistake is made doesn’t mean it can’t get corrected.

Being rich has some fairly obvious advantages. But there are also drawbacks. For example, this time of year when a big income may mean bigger odds of an audit. Audit odds.

If you’ve got a cell phone contract, you’re probably aware that if you leave before it ends, you’ll be in for a hefty termination fee. But that’s something that’s already changing at one major carrier and may soon be connecting with others as well.

The battle of the DVD formats is over…Blu-Ray won. But does that mean it’s time to rush out and buy one? Not so fast….

In less than a year, digital TV will be here. Does it mean your old TV is trash? Does it mean you need a converter box? What’s the government doing to help?

The President of the United States is expected to help manage the world’s biggest economy. But when it comes to money, which of the current candidates does the at managing their own?

Every year, millions of tax returns are filed with mistakes…mistakes that can delay your refund…even cost you money. Want to avoid the most common? Money reporter Stacy Johnson has things to watch for…

If you’ll be getting help with your taxes this year, you probably want to make sure its the best help around. Stacy Johnson has a few tips to make sure your choice for a paid tax professional adds up.

Raising children isn’t easy…or cheap. But this time of year, those dependents can save you money on your taxes. And now the rules about who qualifies as your dependent have changed to better reflect our society.

Every year, millions of Americans take out loans on their tax refunds…and every year tax preparation companies rake in millions in interest and fees. These controversial loans haven’t escaped the notice of consumer advocates…and now Uncle Sam is weighing in.

While taxes may be as certain as death, how you file them is up in the air. You can do them yourself, go to an accountant, or use your computer. Today money reporter Stacy Johnson explores the cost and benefits of each…

Don’t you hate filing taxes? Well, millions of people don’t even have to file a return. But if you think that sounds lucky, you might want to think again.

Every year millions of Americans line up to pay professionals to do their taxes. But needing professional help doesn’t mean you need to pay for it. Money reporter Stacy Johnson explains who qualifies for free professional help, free electronic filing… and free advice.

Owning your own home: an idea so popular it’s known as the American dream. But as prices fall and foreclosures rise, for many it’s become a nightmare instead. How do you know whether renting or owning is the way to go?

If you put money in any retirement accounts, you probably have a choice between traditional and Roth: Traditional plans give you deductions now…a Roth offers tax-free money when you retire. But which is best? That’s the question tackled in this report by money reporter Stacy Johnson for his special series, “The Bottom Line.”

If you carry a balance on one or more credit cards, you’re not alone: according to the Federal Reserve, nearly half of American families do. And nearly half of American families also have some sort of bank savings accounts. If you have savings, should you use that money to pay off your credit cards?

If you’re in the market for a new car, one of your first decisions will be whether to buy or lease. Which is the better option? Money reporter Stacy Johnson shows you the math and helps you decide in today’s edition of his special series, The Bottom Line.

You’ve got a little extra cash coming in…do you invest it, or would it be smarter to pay extra on your mortgage? Let’s find out: simple answers to complex questions: that’s coming up on Money Talks.

Rising grocery store prices have turned beating the cost of food shopping into an art. But, if you know how to shop, where to shop, and when to shop for food, your grocery store bill doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Try these tips for saving money on food at the grocery [...]

Last month general motors announced the biggest annual loss in their history. And dark clouds for car manufacturers mean blue skies for buyers, as dealers get desperate. But if you’re thinking of buying a car anytime soon, don’t forget the financing.

With foreclosures and bankruptcies soaring nationwide, both government and private industry have been promising help to homeowners. But is that help materializing?

The average American family throws away about a ton of paper every year. So if you can figure out a way to put less paper in your trash, you could figure out a way to put more of it in your wallet.

Everybody wants to save the planet… and most of us also want to save some money for ourselves. Is it possible to do both at the same time?

You’d like to get some expensive elective surgery, but you don’t really have the money… and there’s no insurance. What do you do?

The highways and beaches are filling up with college kids as Spring Break gets into full swing. But there are students who find better things to do with their time off than get sunburned.

While the credit crunch has made borrowing for… or against… your home more difficult, home equity loans and lines of credit remain popular for those with equity. Stacy Johnson explains what these loans do and if you should consider them.

Summer camps aren’t college, but they have a lot in common. Picking the right one can be complicated…and expensive. But there are some tips that can make the process easier.

You’ve seen the ads: credit counseling companies say they can help by getting your payments and interest rates lowered. Others claim they can get your debts wiped out entirely by settling them for pennies on the dollar. Money reporter Stacy Johnson takes an inside look at these companies.

When you’ve got a headache, you go to the pharmacy and you assume that all these medications are going to do the trick.  But will they?  James Randi says he’ll bet a million dollars they wont.

If you’re a fortune teller, faith healer, psychic then you really need to know James Randi. Because he’s got a million dollars with your name written on it. Ready to put up or shut up?