All General money Articles

The findings of an FDIC study of bank automatic overdraft programs -- also called courtesy overdraft or bounce protection -- are no surprise to consumer advocates. For years, studies by consumer groups of automatic overdraft programs have shown them to be short-term loans that cost consumers billions in fees, while often denying them the ability to make an informed choice. The difference this Read more...

There are many things a person can do in the new year to have a smooth and positive bankruptcy experience. Yes, I know people might be upset that I am hoping people file bankruptcy, but I have nothing to be defensive about. Our society does not benefit from having people who cannot pay their bills and have to run from creditors. Getting a fresh start benefits all of us and is much better than Read more...

Although he may never have uttered the words, humorist Will Rogers is credited with one of 2008's most quoted lines, which goes something like this: "I'm not as concerned about the return on my money as I am the return of my money." CDs and investments Most people are probably wishing they'd buried their money in certificates of deposit with so-so yields sometime in late 2007. Read more...

By any standard, chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay is having a very good year. He premiered a new show, "Grill It!" on the Food Network, where he's already seen on "Boy Meets Grill," (for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy), "Throwdown! with Bobby Flay," and "Iron Chef America." He opened a new restaurant, Bobby's Burger Palace; added judging duties Read more...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Got the money blues? Lighten up with Bank Shots, our new financial humor column. We've sent veteran Bankrate contributing editor Jay MacDonald into the wilds to explore the wackier side of humans and money -- no calculators required. From: Alice Re: Wonderland Gentle Reader: The most extraordinary events have transpired since I first glimpsed the White Rabbit and, Read more...

When it comes to finances, you figure you're pretty sharp. You know how to comparison shop and you contribute regularly to your 401(k) plan. But there are common mistakes that even money-savvy people can make. If you've ever let your spouse control the finances, or you've put off examining your credit report or bought something frivolous just because you had a coupon, read on to find Read more...

As the nation's economic problems grind on, the government has shifted its recovery efforts into overdrive, according to Bob Walters, chief economist for Quicken Loans. "We're obviously in incredible times," he says, adding that the government has gone beyond measured action. "Now they're throwing in the kitchen sink -- and they're pulling out the plumbing," he says. Read more...

Question: Dear Dr. Don, My question is about direct deposit. Do companies, firms and employers in general determine if they will offer employees the ability to have their pay direct deposited? If an employee wants his pay direct deposited, can he insist that the firm comply with this request? -- Jay Jimmy Answer: Dear Jay, An employer is not obligated in any way to offer Read more...

One hundred thousand dollars. Since the 1980s, the magical "six-figure" salary has been a benchmark for financial success. Not too long ago, that income often meant two nice cars in the garage of a large house, fun family vacations and plenty of money left over to save for retirement and college tuition. But times have changed. Not only has standard inflation steadily eroded the Read more...

As shell-shocked American consumers limp into the 2008 holiday season, most plan to have fun with less emphasis on spending. In October, a Gallup poll reported that 35 percent of Americans intend to spend less this holiday season than they spent in 2007. In October last year, only 19 percent of Americans planned to spend less than they had the previous year. Gallup reports that the Read more...

Even when you love your job, you probably don't like getting to it much of the time. There's the time on the road, the traffic jams and occasional accidents, not to mention the cost of gasoline. Mass transit has its hassles, too -- crowded trains, waiting for a bus in the rain, and in some cases, it takes longer than driving because you have to make all sorts of connections. Your boss Read more...

When adult children ask their parents for money, it creates a quandary: To give or not to give? For T. Scott Gross, a motivational speaker and management training consultant in Knoxville, Tenn., the choice is easy: "My answer starts at no, then hell no, then, over your dead body," he says. Such an answer is nothing new for his grown son. "Because we made him Read more...

Consumers have plenty to worry about during a challenging economy, and making a wrong move in personal finances could make a bad situation worse. Obtaining cash through credit cards, retirement plans and home equity could end up being a costly quick fix. And complacency over personal investments and looming college costs could lead to missed opportunities for keeping hard-earned Read more...

Ever wish for a financial adviser you could consult anytime, day or night, for an up-to-date picture of your finances, along with a pointer or two on how to improve them? Oh, and since money's tight nowadays, could you make it free, to boot? Well thanks to the Internet, such help is available -- or at least an automated, digital version of it. Online personal finance tools are rapidly Read more...

What's the toughest money question? It's the one that can't be solved with a calculator, or even by a smart accountant. In fact, you may need the combined insights of a family therapist, psychologist and financial planner to find the answer when someone asks: "I need money. Can you help?" You want to help. But should you? And if so, how and how much? With millions struggling Read more...

A few years ago, you probably never gave the FDIC, or the deposit insurance it provides, a second thought. But with banks falling like dominoes and struggling financial institutions of all stripes in the news, you're probably wondering if there are exceptions to the FDIC's $100,000 guarantee. It is almost always there for you. But understanding FDIC rules is worth the effort, because Read more...

Breaking open the 401(k) plan piggy bank can be tempting if you're in a financial jam. And it appears that more Americans are giving in -- jeopardizing their futures to meet current financial needs. Several retirement plan providers, including Fidelity and T. Rowe Price, have reported increases in loans and withdrawals for 2007. Anecdotally, Bankrate has received an increasing number of Read more...

Dear Terry, We are thinking of buying a new car. Would it build my credit if I apply for a car loan separately instead of doing a joint loan? My husband has a 20- to 30-point higher credit score, so he is getting a better interest rate. But I would still like to apply for a loan in my name as I am thinking that would help build my credit history. Am I right in assuming that? Or Read more...

Why is it you know all about your best friend’s sex life, but nothing about her salary? Why will your brother reveal intimate details about the house he’s building—complete with the cost of every last fixture—but not tell you his income or the size of his last bonus? And why are your parents hiding their money secrets along with the other skeletons in that closet? The answer in each Read more...

See also: bonus, money, salary

As the FDIC mops up the mess that was once IndyMac Bank, consumers are left with unpleasant images of long lines of worried customers waiting to get their uninsured deposits back. There was approximately $1 billion in uninsured deposits spread among consumers, businesses and nonprofit organizations. The sad reality for those customers is that they're getting $0.50 on the dollar for their Read more...