I’ve always figured banks actually want you to overdraw your checking account so they can score a fee, but I had no idea banks manipulate transactions to cause overdrafts, as SmartMoney.com reports. Here are the two most shocking tricks banks use, and how you can fight back. Continued

Due to the interest I have received from my recent post describing a formula to calculate how much you need in your emergency fund, I have created an Excel spreadsheet that can run the formula for you. Download the free spreadsheet here »

Wondering how much you need in your emergency fund? Calculate a rough estimate of how much to stash away for a rainy day using this simple formula. Continued

You may never need to go back and see how much you spent on gas in March, 2006. But what if you did? Organizing your bank statements, receipts, and tax returns can save you headaches down the road. Here are a few reasons you should organize your financial documents, and the ways I get it done. Continued

Earlier this year, Intuit released a new Web-based version of its legendary personal finance management software Quicken called Quicken Online Edition. Created especially for newbies to managing money, Quicken Online can help you tackle your financial challenges with simple, user-friendly features.

In this Quicken Online Edition Review, I take a look at some of Quicken Online’s features, strengths and weaknesses, and possible uses. Continued

Budgeting is so important, but so hard to develop as a habit.

You can faithfully crunch numbers once a month, only to find out you’re consistently spending more than you planned. I know, because it happens to me. That’s why I find breaking your monthly budget into a weekly budget can be really helpful. Continued

I’ve had a lot of fun following start-up Shoeboxed, the service that lets you organize receipts electronically and mail-in receipts to be scanned. I just signed up for the service and can’t wait to get started with them to help me keep track of my business travel expenses and more. Here’s a closer look at some recent changes at Shoeboxed and how it helps you organize receipts. Continued

Last week I blogged up 10 tech tools to help you budget. This week, I’m going to suggest why you might want to through them all out the window. Continued

It’s impossible to live within your means, eliminate debt, and accumulate wealth if you don’t know where your money goes. That’s why a monthly budget is a crucial part of any financial plan. Budgeting the old fashioned way – with a stack of receipts and a calculator, was a time-consuming bore. But today, several powerful budgeting tools obliterate any excuse for spending without a budget. Continued

It seems like only a year ago I was lamenting the absence of innovative web-based personal budgeting tools. Today we have Mint.com and Geezeo.com, and even Quicken has launched an online budgeting product. While these sites are all long overdue ways to keep tabs on your money, one site, Shoeboxed.com, takes the cake for the most unique new financial tool: web-based receipt organization.

Shoeboxed.com offers online receipt organization and management. Basically a super simple budgeting tool, users can enter receipt information in a free section to track monthly spending. Shoeboxed.com’s uniqueness, however, comes from their premium service: mail-in receipt scanning. Continued