photo credit: pnwra

The U.S. housing crisis has caused much hardship and now, experts say that it has begun to affect many American’s retirement possibility and prosperity. Indeed, in addition to losing their homes and businesses, many citizens have also seen a marked decrease in their 401(k), IRAs, and other investments.

Stocks and investments fluctuate constantly; in the 90s, tech stocks were hot, in this decade, real estate was the favorite choice. Many of those investors who chose real estate have now found that, though they may still own their home and live a relatively comfortable life, their portfolio has likely lost value. In fact, CNN Money goes so far as to say that “big bets on the investment du jour are more often a recipe for downsizing your wealth than growing it.”

Indeed, no matter how much you invest, you should always keep some money in hard-cash saving. Your home, though it used to be a sure thing, can no longer be considered an unbeatable investment: A home’s value, especially in today’s market, can show bloated values one day and a shocking loss almost the next.

As we move into a new age of investment, be wise and diversify. Don’t be afraid to invest in the market or to purchase your own home, but remember that cold, hard cash invested in interest accounts will never lose value, except against inflation.

photo credit: Paul Worthington

August is just around the corner, and that means back-to-school shopping. While this may be a fun activity for kids, getting them excited for the coming school year, parents feel the economic pressure mounting. In a sluggish economy, retailers know that they need a hook to ensnare customers, so there are plenty of back-to-school bargains to be had.

(more…)

photo credit: DeclanTM

If you’re one of the 4 million Social Security or Supplemental Security Income recipients in the United States without a bank account, you have a new option in place for receiving your monthly payments. Instead of receiving a monthly check, the government is now prepared to disburse Social Security payments on prepaid debit cards. (more…)

photo credit: Darren Hester

With food, gas, and other prices on the rise, families across the country, and the world, have taken creative steps to lighten their financial load. It can be a challenge, at times, to reduce the budget while keeping the fun factor high, but many families have made the switch, and their experiences can help us all to be a bit more frugal. (more…)

credit: batega

American families have discovered an almost iron-clad method for debt control and financial well-being: cutting up their credit cards.

Begin by closing all of your credit card accounts. If there are one of two that give you great discounts, keep them, but make a promise to yourself that you will always pay the bill of in full. Then, draw up a budget, and take into account paying off debts, saving for future events, and treating yourself to the occasional vacation or expensive treat. Pay for everything in cash - either with money itself, checks, or your debit card. (more…)

credit: Jeff Keen

Though you may be feeling unsure about your ability to contribute to your retirement fund or cushion your savings account, CNNMoney has tips to help you keep your nest egg on track: (more…)

credit: timsamoff

The Internet has long been a haven of availability, variety, and tax-free shopping. When purchasing any big-ticket item, many residents across the country choose to shop online because, even after shipping, tax-free items are far less expensive than their local counterparts. However, states are slowly cracking down on tax-free Internet buys. (more…)

credit: rick

As taxpayers scramble to get their tax returns together and forms filled out, it’s inevitable that some just won’t have time to file their taxes on time. It may be because they haven’t had time to get to the accountant or purchase tax software, or they may not have the funds to pay what they owe, but either way, if you for those that file late, late rebates are to be expected. (more…)

credit: Jeff Belmonte 

Preparing for it is one of the best and romantic times of your life, but marriage can also a big change to your financial future. When you get married, you not only join hearts and home, but your partner’s financial history becomes yours, and vice versa. So before you tie the knot, it’s important to secure your financial future and take the following steps with your future spouse:

(more…)

credit: Josiah Mackenzie

Rising tuition costs can be crippling for students, sometimes effectively making the college decision for them. The average total cost of attending a private institution, including tuition, room, and board, has risen 30% to an incredible $32,307 for the 2007-2008 academic year. At a public school, costs drop to $13,589, a price that many still cannot afford.

(more…)