If you're in financial trouble and searching for a way out, debt consolidation could help. CNN's Stephanie Elam reports.
Kelly Kinney spends her days standing on Los Angeles street corners or in coffee bars hoping to get noticed.
Americans say the sagging economy is making the 2008 holiday season more stressful than previous years, according to a CNN poll out Monday, with up to two-thirds of them reporting some belt-tightening.
Desiré Henriksen feared that there would be no Christmas for her two boys. She had lost her job at Denny's, where she worked the graveyard shift. Her fiancé, who works as a glazier, was having a hard time finding regular work. And the couple fell behind on the mortgage last month.
An expert suggests putting money where it will grow: an IRA. CNN's Christine Romans reports.
When struggling homeowner Eddie Morrison heard about the government's $700 billion bailout plan for banks and Wall Street firms, he felt left out.
The uncertainty of the economy is making almost everyone nervous about money. Some are wondering what will happen to their homes while others are terrified about never getting out of debt.
The cost of attending college has risen nearly three times the rate of the cost of living, and could eventually put higher education out of reach for most Americans, according to a National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education report released Wednesday.
Economics professor Jeff Rosenweig explains how to deal with declining property values.
A report has bad news about U.S. college affordability. CNN's Josh Levs reports.
If you're in financial trouble and searching for a way out, debt consolidation could help. CNN's Stephanie Elam reports.
Kelly Kinney spends her days standing on Los Angeles street corners or in coffee bars hoping to get noticed.
Americans say the sagging economy is making the 2008 holiday season more stressful than previous years, according to a CNN poll out Monday, with up to two-thirds of them reporting some belt-tightening.
Desiré Henriksen feared that there would be no Christmas for her two boys. She had lost her job at Denny's, where she worked the graveyard shift. Her fiancé, who works as a glazier, was having a hard time finding regular work. And the couple fell behind on the mortgage last month.
An expert suggests putting money where it will grow: an IRA. CNN's Christine Romans reports.
When struggling homeowner Eddie Morrison heard about the government's $700 billion bailout plan for banks and Wall Street firms, he felt left out.
The uncertainty of the economy is making almost everyone nervous about money. Some are wondering what will happen to their homes while others are terrified about never getting out of debt.
The cost of attending college has risen nearly three times the rate of the cost of living, and could eventually put higher education out of reach for most Americans, according to a National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education report released Wednesday.
Economics professor Jeff Rosenweig explains how to deal with declining property values.
A report has bad news about U.S. college affordability. CNN's Josh Levs reports.
As the economy declines, more and more individuals are being forced to declare bankruptcy. CNN's Kate Bolduan reports.
CNN's Christine Romans reports on how to plan for your future and that of your aging parents.
Gift cards may not be your best bet as you shop for presents this holiday season. CNN's Christine Romans reports.
Furry signs of a down-trending economy peer dolefully from every kennel at the Broward County Humane Society shelter in Florida and hundreds of others across the country.
One budget line Wendy Li isn't watching even in this tight economy is her spending on books. That's because she uses PaperbackSwap.com, one of the book trading sites that are growing in popularity.
Jean Snyder lived, as they say, a good, long life.
Looking to buy a home? If you do your homework you could score a great deal. CNN's Christine Romans reports.
Against the backdrop of the economic meltdown, a movement is building within the ranks of America's social workers to make their profession more adept at helping clients overcome financial woes.
The economy is down but the price of higher education is up. CNN's Christine Romans reports on coping with the costs.
Money used to be like religion or sex: It wasn't talked about in polite company.
Memories of salvaging and stealing to avoid going hungry are part of the legacy of the Great Depression. Some iReporters say they can't help but look at the current economy and feel the past holds lessons for the present.
CNN Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis has tips on how you can boost your credit score.
Bill and Sharon Kastrinos practice the ultimate in minimalism. They've squeezed into a 154-square-foot home that looks more like a kid's playhouse than their previous 1,800-square-foot home.
Leah Smith shells out more than $730 a month for health insurance but you won't hear her complaining.
After several years in which Americans were buying stuff on credit they couldn't afford, a rapidly increasing number are complaining about getting harassed and abused by bill collectors.
It seems every other day brings news of waves of selling by nervous investors. But for every seller, there has to be a buyer. So who's buying stocks when so many people are selling?
Don't throw out that letter from your credit card company. It may be notifying you of a reeled in credit line, interest rate hike or even an account closure.
Movie with the girls. Ka-ching! An $8 focaccia sandwich for lunch. Ka-ching. The cat's blood-pressure medicine. Ka-ching! Late fees, insurance, utility bills. Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching. Sure, you could save money -- if only you could stop spending it.
As retirement looms, your investment choices become more crucial than ever. CNN's Christine Romans reports.
QUESTION: I just lost my job. What are the best options for preserving some form of health insurance?
Americans should not stop paying their mortgages even if their mortgage companies are threatened because "your home and your mortgage are not affected by the fact that your mortgage company may go out of business," CNN senior business correspondent Ali Velshi says.
The low price of foreclosed properties may be tempting, but they can be a big headache. Christine Romans explains.
Denise Edwards has seen her portfolio shed more than 6 percent this week. The 62-year-old near-retiree said she's angry and annoyed by this week's financial chaos, with the realization that she might have to work several more years to make up her losses.
In addition to changing leaves, for many of us, fall means we're handed a packet of materials and asked to ponder our medical benefits as part of open enrollment season.
Investing at a young age could have a big payoff down the road. CNN's Christine Romans reports.
The population of renters across the country is growing, edged up in part by a slumping housing market.
It's important to know how to handle your 401(k) as you change jobs. CNN's Christine Romans explains.
An entrepreneur who's mystified by accounting or putting a marketing plan together can get some help, and soon, with the arrival of the fall semester. Schools, colleges and universities around the country offer a variety of courses aimed at small business owners, and many cost little or nothing.
With fuel prices taking a bigger bite out of budgets, and no sign of an imminent price decline, you may be considering an offer for a gasoline rewards card.
Miriam Brown has always wanted to visit Cape Cod, but when she recently began to plan a trip and found out she would have to pay $200 or more a night for lodging, her dream vacation seemed out of reach.
As your kids leave for college, it's important they know how to handle money. CNN's Christine Romans reports.
While his friends spend their money on video games and candy, Nicholas Sella saves most of his $8 weekly allowance, investing part in stocks and stashing the rest into a savings account.
CNN's Stephanie Elam looks at what you should consider before tapping into your 401(k).
Most Americans have auto insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, homeowners or renters insurance, life insurance, maybe disability insurance.
CNN's Christine Romans reports on how to protect your identity online.
Just as Americans grow more reliant on credit cards to help pay monthly bills, they're being hit with a one-two punch: Card companies are reducing borrowing limits for tens of thousands of consumers, which then can lead to lower credit scores.
Give up worldly goods and help save the Earth.
As kids head back to the classroom, parents might want to keep them ahead of the financial curve. CNN's Ali Velshi reports.
The money we keep in the bank is supposed to help us sleep at night, not cause nightmares.
Keri Rainsberger isn't rich. She works in the nonprofit world for a relatively low-profit salary. Yet, as many Americans are scrimping for every penny, she hardly feels the pinch.
As fruit and vegetable prices soar, you can save money by taking some extra time in the produce aisle to make sure bad apples aren't sneaking into your grocery cart.
With the high cost of gas, drivers are trying to get better mileage. Poppy Harlow has some tips.
QUESTION. I've heard there are insurance policies that I can buy for my new engagement ring, digital camera or golf clubs that may not be covered by other insurance I hold. When is it a good idea to get one of these policies?
After watching the price of her favorite bread rising too quickly, Michele Shores decided it was time for a fresh approach.
Christmas in July? Maybe not a bad idea this year.
When Cory Watson, a 23-year-old pharmacy technician from Paradise, California, noticed that a tax refund had been deposited into the joint checking account he maintains with his wife, he did two things. First, he headed to the mall where he quickly spent the $100 on new DVDs. Second, he kept his mouth shut.
CNN's Christine Romans looks at how couples can successfully merge their financial lives.
Donna and David Sloat love to travel. When they got a postcard that claimed they could get 50 percent off the price of cruises and 75 percent off condo vacations, they were intrigued.
These days, not many people are smiling when they see their 401(k) statements. But they'd be downright outraged if they saw the fees that are automatically deducted from their returns. The Labor Department is proposing a rule that would require employers to disclose to workers the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and other investments in a chart or similar format.
Investing in today's shaky market could pay off down the road. CNN's Ali Velshi reports.
Individual U.S. investors aren't happy with the current bear market, but they're not panicking, and most are sticking with their investment strategies, according to a sampling of financial planners across the country.
Mark Bancroft's new pellet-burning furnace hasn't been installed, but he's already counting how much money he'll save over his old oil-fired burner.
A day at the ballpark doesn't have to empty your wallet.
CNN's Christine Romans reports on ways to trick yourself into saving money.
Mortgage crisis. Failing economy. Debt. The buzz words that have been circulating lately are more than just an issue for the upcoming election -- they can also affect your personal pocketbook. So what should you do with your money in this kind of market?
With credit markets ever so tight, many families are deciding against shopping for new houses and, instead, are remodeling their current homes. But there can be financial pitfalls in remodeling, especially for those taking on major tasks such as room additions or full kitchen makeovers.
At the Corner Pub on Cincinnati's west side, bartender Melissa Metz can count the cost of the economic hangover in the stack of bills she has at the end of a shift.
Gas prices have been surging to record highs. But it's not just the gas bill that drivers are getting socked with. The costs of car insurance, tires, licensing and registration are on the rise, too. But there are some strategies you can use to cut the cost of owning your car.
With gas prices rising, it might be time to re-think your commute. CNN's Ali Velshi reports.
Crunching the numbers on college costs has been a particularly grim task for parents of incoming freshmen this year.
With foreclosures and bankruptcy affecting millions of homeowners, CNN's Larry King on Tuesday talked to several experts in the real estate industry to get advice on handling the mortgage meltdown.
Deadlines are everywhere. But if you miss one of these, it can bite you in the wallet.
CNN's Ali Velshi reports on how to keep your head above water in today's shaky economy.
Q: My bank offers overdraft protection. Should I use it?
In his hunt for a new home, Demetrius Stroud crunched the numbers to find out that, with gas prices climbing, moving near an Amtrak station is the best thing for his wallet.
After Sandra Hanna graduated from college, she moved back to her parents' home so she could save some money. A year later, she moved out with a stash of $8,000 to help pay for her new life.
In this unstable economy an emergency fund is a must. CNN's Ali Velshi reports.
There is a savvy way to invest if you want your money to match your morals. CNN's Christine Romans reports.
Question: I'm thinking about buying a timeshare. Would it be a worthwhile investment?
Since Hurricane Katrina blew ashore nearly three years ago and caused massive damage along the Gulf Coast, families in many coastal states have found it difficult and costly to get comprehensive homeowners insurance.
Americans are changing how they shop to combat high food prices. iReporters say they're planning trips to the grocery store with military precision -- arming themselves with coupons and making sure they're in the right shoppers' clubs to get the best deals.
The stress from deepening debt is becoming a major pain in the neck -- and the back and the head and the stomach -- for millions of Americans.
Renters may be the biggest winners in the current housing slump, especially in places like Florida, Las Vegas and Southern California, that have thousands of vacant for-sale and foreclosed homes and condos on the market.
Does filling the gas tank leave your wallet empty and spirit sputtering? Get used to both because almost everything car-related is costing more.
Diana Bardsley wiped tears from her eyes as she recalled taking food off her plate to feed her beloved spaniel Hunter and two Siamese cats.
The housing market may be suffering, but a mortgage expert says investing now is a smart move. CNN's Ali Velshi reports.
Many Americans allowed themselves to fantasize about large-screen TVs, European vacations and other luxuries when they learned of the federal rebates they'd be getting this spring and early summer.
Charles Nelson has paid about $30,000 in rent since moving into a spacious four-bedroom home in August. He was stunned when a real estate agent knocked on his door recently and said the home was in foreclosure.
At The Wine Rack, where sales from the $10-and-under shelves are booming, Jocelyn Vorbach says aloud what most of her customers won't: Friendships now have price tags, and dinner guests are gauged.
The clock is ticking for recent college grads to find jobs. CNN's Ali Velshi reports on what to expect in the search.
Jorge Fernandez strolls across the used-car parking lot littered with dozens upon dozens of sport utility vehicles the size of small tugboats.
Keeping financial secrets from your spouse or partner can threaten your relationship and checkbook.
It's a 12-year-old oft-mocked clunker of an automobile.
Introductions were a hasty formality when Christopher Wiggins and his family arrived, tousled and tired, at a Greyhound station in Florida in March. Wiggins' wife and three of their kids weren't merely meeting his aunt and uncle; they would be living with them indefinitely.
Shoppers have been lugging ever-larger products to their ever-bigger cars for years. Now, more of them are feeling so pinched by the sagging economy that they are embracing a new behavior: buying a little at a time.
Joan Kohler is not a typical new scooter customer.
Americans facing rising gasoline and diesel prices are cycling about, saddling up, singing out and, sometimes, resorting to violent symbolism.
Q. The price of milk, rice and other food basics is soaring. How can I reduce my grocery bill while still providing my family with nutritious food?
