ING Direct is running a promotion for Electric Orange checking account customers this December. Make five purchases of at least $10 each with your Electric Orange Debit MasterCard in December 2008, and automatically be entered to win $5,000. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week I offered up 53 free or inexpensive gift ideas, but if you have a little bit more to spend on a few special people in your life, consider giving gifts that encourage saving or financial literacy. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s not a lot of good news out there these days. The stock market continues to reach new lows, unemployment is skyrocketing, and economists are predicting this recession will be around a lot longer than we first hoped.

But if we always focus on the bad, we’ll never see the good. Thanksgiving is next week—a time to take a few days to spend with family or friends and hopefully far away from the worries of work and money. In the meantime, here are a few articles that caught my eye this week. Read the rest of this entry »

A reader asked me to follow-up on post about alternatives to store bought Christmas presents—especially given this year’s gloomy economy. Cheer yourself up with no less than 53 free or very inexpensive holiday gift ideas! Read the rest of this entry »

If your car broke down on the way to work tomorrow, how would you pay for the repairs? The tow truck? A rental car, if needed? If, like many Americans, you would turn to a credit card without so much as a second thought, you could be headed for trouble. Building a short-term emergency fund—even if it’s as little as $1,000—could save you from financial disaster. Here are 10 easy steps to take to plan and build short-term savings that may one day be your financial lifeline. Read the rest of this entry »

The stock market isn’t the only thing that might be beating up on your 401(k) retirement plan; many employers are cutting 401(k) plan matching benefits as a way to reign in expenses, the Wall Street Journal reports. What should you do if your employer pulls your matching benefit? Read the rest of this entry »

It’s never a good time to be in credit card debt, but I’ll be honest: the nasty economic climate makes it an even worse time to be in debt.

Creditors are jacking interest rates and employers are slashing jobs—a combination that could land any of us between a rock and a very hard place. If you haven’t taken action on your unpaid debt yet—or have slipped from your plan—reread these eight fundamental ways to dig out from under your credit card debt. Read the rest of this entry »

I admit, I’m usually a last-minute kind of guy around the holidays. But I’ve realized over the years that procrastinating can be costly. Not only are the best presents gone, but I’ve missed out on the best sales—and the ability to comparison shop. A little holiday preparation can save you money on gifts—and more. And who couldn’t use a few extra bucks in this economy? Read the rest of this entry »

Believe it or not, bankruptcy is not a dirty word. Yes, it’s far better to never go into bankruptcy. Most people seem to get that.

But what many do not understand is that sometimes, bankruptcy isn’t just a way to protect yourself from creditors—it is sometimes the best financial decision you can make. Read the rest of this entry »

Layaway—the way to purchase big ticket items in weekly or monthly installments before taking possession of the merchandise—is making a quick comeback at U.S. retailers in advance of the 2008 holiday season.

As creditors reign in credit limits and consumers become less inclined to go into more debt, layaway may be an ideal solution for retailers and shoppers alike. Read the rest of this entry »