When Americans make purchases with plastic, that card usually sports either a Visa or a Mastercard logo. These two payment-processing networks together command more than...
Personal Finances
All Personal Finances Articles
Best Credit Cards Now
What is the best credit card? There isn’t one—no single card is ideal for every cardholder, says Bottom Line Personal expert Ted Rossman of Bankrate.com....
Surprising Mistakes You Could Be Making In Your Will
Most people understand the importance of writing a will. If you die without one, your state’s “intestacy” laws determine who inherits your assets and in...
Protecting Elderly Parents from Financial Scams
Here’s a frightening scenario—your elderly mother has been sending money to a new “friend” she met on the Internet. You confront Mom and deliver a...
What Is FAFSA? How to Apply for Financial Aid
If you have a child approaching college age, you’ve probably heard about “FAFSA,” an important step in securing financial aid. But exactly what is FAFSA?...
Special-Needs Trust: Taking Care of Family Members with Special Needs
If you have a child or family member with a disability, receiving public benefits from the federal and/or state government can be crucial. These programs...
Five Ways to Protect Yourself from Scammers
Taking just a few precautions can do a lot to protect you from a multitude of scams, says scam expert Steven J.J. Weisman, JD, who...
What Happens to Credit Card Debt When You Die?
Consumers are often confused about what happens to their debt when they die, especially their credit card debt. The answer isn’t all that straightforward, so...
CDs vs. High-Yield Savings Accounts
All the stock market and economic uncertainty this year means that you may want to hold more cash than usual. Fortunately, there are a few...
How Much Cash Should I Have on Hand?
Stashing cash in an emergency fund is a prudent way to avoid having to pull money out of less liquid investments at inopportune times. But...
Protect Your Estate From Your Son- or Daughter-in-Law
Many older Americans have a secret when it comes to estate planning—they intend to leave their life’s savings to their children…just as long as their...
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?
The Internet is full of articles recommending credit cards, but how many of those cards should be in your wallet? The average American has around...
