All posts tagged personal finances
The ‘Buffett Rule’ explained
THE WHITE HOUSE – Under the current U.S. tax system, a number of millionaires pay a smaller percentage of their income in taxes than a significant proportion of middle class families. Warren Buffett, for example, pays a lower effective tax [...]
Get the skinny on the F.A.T. (Financial Aptitude Test)
JIM GARNETT - Can your knowledge about personal finances see you through these tough economic times? Financial literacy expert and counselor, Jim Garnett, known on the Internet as "AskMrG.com,"
Banks tightening squeeze on consumers
HSBC offers a zero-interest rate, GM affiliated credit card and after 15 months the rate only jumps to 9.99 percent -- provided you don't hit a financial bump
Credit unions offer competitive mortgage rates
Credit unions have become a banking alternative of choice for disgruntled debit card and checking account holders nickled and dimed by fees, but credit unions also hold their
Bank of America ends debit card fee plans after consumer backlash
CONSUMERS UNION - Following weeks of consumer protest, Bank of America announced today that it is dropping its plan to begin charging consumers a monthly $5 debit card
A banking guide with more clout than ‘Occupy Wall Street’
Even if you aren't a member of the Occupy Wall Street band of protestors, chances are, you are thinking about shopping for a new bank or financial services
Don’t be spooked by financial decisions
NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELING -- Halloween tricks or treats come along only once a year, but the consequences of financial decisions can last far past the spooky
Researchers warn of emerging public health crisis linked to mortgage default and foreclosure
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE -- Researchers warn of a looming health crisis in the wake of rising mortgage delinquencies and home foreclosures. The study, released today
Dump your bank for a better deal
Like most Americans, you probably feel like your bank is taking you to the cleaners. "Get a fair shake, not a shake down," appropriately reads the headline of Money
Foreclosures become public health issue
You know that sinking feeling you got when your lender served you with a foreclosure notice? It could put you in the hospital or send you to your shrink. Or,
How to escape debit card fees
Bank of America struck a cord recently when it announced it will charge $5 a month to some customers tapping their own cash with the bank's debit card. Other
Down payment unlocks door to home ownership
A down payment for a home purchase is much more than a dollar amount or percentage of your dream home's price. In today's tight mortgage money market, the down
Economic protestors’ debit card choices more powerful than bullhorns
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured institutions reported a net income of nearly $29 billion in the second quarter of 2011, but the banking industry is weeping about reams of
Checked credit union interest rates lately?
INFORMA RESEARCH -- Credit union rates often beat those for banks when it comes to home, car and personal loans, credit cards and savings and investment accounts. For each
Economy forcing risky medical decisions
CONSUMER REPORTS - As a result of the flagging economy, Americans are making risky tradeoffs that could be dangerous to their health, according to Consumer Reports’ annual prescription
How to get your spouse’s financial baggage out of the closet
It might be good idea, in this troubled economy, to have a heart-to-heart with your better half, real soon. There's about a one in four chance your spouse will
