Weekly Tip: Avoid paying unnecessary ATM fees.

Today consumers are paying billions of dollars a year unnecessarily to banks in the form of ATM fees. If you want to get cash from a bank that is not affiliated with your bank, chances are both banks will charge you a fee that can range between $3 to $6 per transaction. Here are a few tips so that you will never have to pay for an ATM Fee:

Updated by Alice Bryant on Wed, 2014-05-28 17:13

New Study Shows College is Worth It

by Alice Bryant on May 27, 2014

With the rising cost of college tuition and student debt in the United States, many have questioned whether or not a college degree is a worthwhile investment. Today, college graduates struggle to find work and, as a result, accept positions that they are underpaid and overqualified for. However, new data analyzing Labor Department Statistics done by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington affirms the undeniable benefits of a four year college degree.

Investing 101

May 23rd, 2014 by Alice Bryant

The basic principles of finance include managing debt, planning, budgeting, and saving. Investing is one of the principle of finance that can be used to meet both short and long-term financial goals. However, for the average person, the idea of investing money can seem complex and complicated. Different investments and investment terms such as equity, liquidity, or real rate of return can be somewhat confusing to novice investors. In most cases, understanding the terminology and conducting research is the best way to begin investing.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing with Debt Collectors

May 21st, 2014 by Alice Bryant

It can be a real challenge when trying to settle out of control debts to come up with a settlement or repayment plan that is affordable. However, once you've finally put together a financial recovery plan you can live with, how do you actually go about making payments? Not all payment methods are equally safe and effective. While there is no method that is best under all circumstances, here are some things to consider before you decide what method of dealing with debt collectors works best for you.

Credit Suisse Pleads Guilty in US Tax Evasion

by Alice Bryant on May 20, 2014

Swiss Bank Credit Suisse pleaded guilty on Monday to federal charges levied against them for allowing some U.S. clients to evade their taxes. According to General Eric Holder, the bank “engaged in an extensive and wide-ranging conspiracy to help U.S. taxpayers evade taxes.” For decades up until 2009, the bank operated an illegal cross-border banking business that helped thousands of clients conceal their income from the IRS. Although the bank pleaded guilty, Credit Suisse has yet to release the names of the clients who allegedly used the bank to hide money from the IRS.

Weekly Tip: Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees when traveling overseas.

Traveling internationally is expensive. Travelers have to pay for costly flight tickets and lodging, plus the food, entertainment, and more once they get overseas. And with the U.S. dollar being weak compared to many European countries, it can end up getting very pricey. So, if you are going internationally, it is important to save whenever you can. An easy way to do this is by using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

Updated by Alice Bryant on Thu, 2014-05-15 11:07

What’s the Best Way to Pay Your Bills?

May 14th, 2014 by Alice Bryant

Technology has now made bill paying much quicker than the payment methods of the past that relied on bank slips and paper checks. Online banking has gone mobile, allowing consumers to submit and automate payments with smartphone applications that have all the functionality of a desktop-based banking website. With more bill-paying choices, many individuals wonder about the best way to pay bills while safeguarding their personal information and avoiding late payments. The answer often depends on whether convenience or control are higher priorities.

New Ruling on IRA Rollovers Restricts Indirect Rollovers

by Alice Bryant on May 13, 2014

A recent IRS (Internal Revenue Service) ruling puts new restrictions on the number of indirect rollovers from one IRA to another that consumers can make annually. An indirect rollover occurs when an investor withdraws funds from an IRA and then takes up to 60 days to reinvest the proceeds in a different IRA without incurring income tax liability. Unlike a direct rollover, money is not sent directly from one financial trustee to another, but is handled by the taxpayer. Previously, indirect rollovers were allowed once every 12 months from each IRA account that a taxpayer owns.

Is Paying the Minimum on Your Credit Card Statement Keeping You In Debt?

May 9th, 2014 by Alice Bryant

The 2009 Credit Card Act made it necessary for lenders to give their customers more detailed information pertaining to their bills. As a result, credit card statements now include information pertaining to minimum payments, overall balances, due dates and the amount of time that it will take to pay the full balance on an account when making minimum payments. This information has been available to consumers since 2010, although it has long been possible for people to make these calculations themselves.

Should You Manage Your Own Money?

May 8th, 2014 by Alice Bryant

Whether you have an education in finance and understanding how credit works or if you are simply interested in getting smarter with your finances altogether, determining whether or not you should manage your own money greatly depends on your future goals, your own ambitions as well as your ability to stay focused and organized on your own. Knowing how to manage your finances or when to turn to a professional can ensure you are capable of avoiding debt at all times, regardless of any monetary-related situation you may find yourself in.