Have you heard the phrase “pay yourself first”? If not, listen up. This one financial trick alone could be the most powerful way to turn your finances around. Continued

Do you live paycheck to paycheck? Most Americans do. Money comes in on payday, and in two weeks (or sooner) it’s gone. When you don’t have emergency savings, or even a cushion in your checking account, the smallest unexpected expense can put your personal finances in a tailspin. But with a little planning and some discipline, you can stop living paycheck to paycheck and start building financial security—no matter how little you earn, or how much debt you have. Continued

Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross expects thousands of banks to fail in the coming months, he told CNBC this week. How can you tell if your bank will be one of them? Continued

It’s so easy, I can’t believe I didn’t know about it sooner. Scratch that, I have read it a million times. I can’t believe that I didn’t do it sooner! Because this motivational technique really works. Whether you are trying to save money, pay down debt, or even lose weight, stick to this one tip, and I think you’ll be amazed at the results. So, what the heck is it? Continued

The Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC) is a division of the United States government that insures bank deposits up to $100,000 each. The FDIC was founded after the Great Depression, when many troubled U.S. banks failed under economic pressures and the additional weight of panicking customers simultaneously demanding their funds. Usually, consumers like you and me never think twice about whether the money we put into our bank accounts will be there tomorrow. But today we do. Continued

In the battle for the best high yield savings account, FNBO Direct is giving big boys like HSBC and ING a run for their money. FNBO Direct currently has the highest interest rate for a savings account that a.) has no minimum balance or initial deposit and b.) does not require you to enroll in any other products (like a checking account). Online savers currently earn 3.50% APY. The FNBO rate beats out all but Washington Mutual. WaMu offers 3.75% APY, but requires savers to carry a WaMu checking account, too. What else should you know about FNBO? Continued

Sixteen states are offering sales tax holidays this August, providing consumers with a couple of days to shop tax-free. Should you take the bait? Continued

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

This story about how a writer who saves every $5 bill she comes across, and in three years has amassed $12,000, is the most e-mailed story today on Boston.com. Continued

IndyMac Bancorp—once the nation’s 10th largest mortgage lender—has gone belly-up, leaving approximately 10,000 uninsured depositors high and dry. These guys will be lucky to recover 50% of their uninsured money. What can we learn about managing your money from the IndyMac failure? Continued